Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


On Christmas Eve the Potters went to Godric 's Hollow, like usual. It was completely moody by the time they Apparated to the Burrow, but there was spate of light streaming out of the tall house 's windows. As they walked closer to the place, Albus could get word the roars of laughter coming from inside.

`` Harry ! '' the doorway to the Burrow flew open and George I stood in the threshold to greet them, a mug of eggnog in his mitt. `` How are ya, mate ? ``

`` I 'm corking, Saint George. I see you 're already drunk, '' Harry grinned at him.

`` A drunkness only Mum 's eggnog can bestow, '' George VI went back into the house and Albus and his fellowship followed.

Albus smiled to himself as he saw the common chaos that was Yuletide Eve at his grandparents'theatre. His sea of redheaded cousin were milling around eating and laughing with each other. This was what Albus loved about Noel at the Burrow. He grabbed a couple cookie from the nearby mesa and went to find pink wine. She was sitting on the flooring near the fireplace with Hugo, Victoire, and Teddy.

`` Albus ! '' she shouted over the noise, `` Over here ! ``

Albus pushed his way past Georgia and Gabriella who were laughing at something Fred was saying. `` Hi rosiness ! What 's been going on ? ``

`` Not much. Uncle George, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Charlie are drunk. My dad 's on his way and so is auntie Alicia. ``

`` Would n't be Christmas Eve if they were n't, '' Albus laughed.

`` nan 's been refilling the biscuit record and talking with my mum and aunt Fleur. I think she 's about to put on Celestina Warbeck, '' Rose gestured to the nearby wireless that molly, Hermione, and Fleur were looking at. Fleur threw her hands up in the air and glared at mollie. `` Yup, here comes Celestina. ``

`` Mum hates her, '' Victoire shook her school principal, `` She 'll be heading for the eggnog now. ``

Sure enough, Fleur poured herself a large mug of eggnog as Molly settled down to take heed to the wireless. She was the simply one listening, though. Albus could hear flake and slice of a heated Quidditch discussion going on between his Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, Aunt Alicia, and Scots heather. Harry was making his way over to them now. It amazed Albus that his uncles and aunty could carry on a fully understandable Quidditch discussion while drunk.

`` How long are you staying, Victoire ? '' Albus asked.

`` Just until after Christmastime. I 've got to get back to St. Mungo 's in a couple Clarence Day. But I 've been here since yesterday when Amy left for Australia. I did n't want to be alone in the apartment, it would 've gotten awfully boring. ``

`` You would n't stimulate had to be alone, '' shimmy winked, `` And it would n't receive been boring. ``

Victoire playfully slapped him. `` shift ! Do n't let Mum hear you say that. ``

`` Oh, Albus, '' Rose began, `` Both John and Amanda can come to my planetary house on the 28th. Well, they can only get along over for the day, but that should be enough prison term. Matt 's still not for certain. He said he wo n't experience until after he gets back from Australia. ``

`` Ok. Great, we can play Quidditch ! ``

`` Quidditch ? '' Hugo snapped his head away from his coffee frog cards, `` Can I play ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus replied.

`` The 28th ? '' Teddy commented, `` I 'll come over, too. I do n't have to be back at the Ministry until the 29th. I 'm up for some Quidditch. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` We can get a rattling game going. I 'll just tell my dad I 'm going household with you. '' Albus looked around the room and saw Harry in the midst of a Quidditch word. `` Hey, Dad ! ``

`` What is it, Al ? '' Harry got up and squeezed his way through the crowd over to Albus.

`` It 's all veracious if I go to blush wine 's sign on the 28th, right ? And stay a couplet twenty-four hour period ? ``

`` That would be exquisitely, '' Harry said, `` But we 're actually going to Dudley 's house for New yr 's Eve, so we 'll come get you on the 31st before we leave. ``

`` We 're going to Dudley 's ? '' Albus stared at his dad.

`` Er, yeah, '' Harry gave Albus a half smile, `` Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon will be there as well .... ''

`` What ? ! ''

`` Dudley thought it would be a in force idea, considering that Kaden is a wizard, '' Harry explained.

`` All right, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't really want to see aunty Petunia and Uncle Vernon, but he did n't really deliver a choice.

`` I 'm sure as shooting they 'll be ... civilized, at least, '' Harry gave Albus a hug before leaving to rejoin his Quidditch discussion.

`` Well, at least I can do over for a few twenty-four hours, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but you 've got to go see the Dursleys, '' Teddy screwed up his face in disgust.

`` It 's definitely going to be an interesting day, '' Albus replied.

`` I 'm sure it 'll be fine, '' Rose assured him. `` Plus, Kaden will be there. ``

`` That 'll make it even more concern, '' Albus grinned.

`` You know, he 'd fit right in with this lot, '' Rose gestured to the loud and boisterous Weasley family around them. `` Except without the red hair. ``

`` Hey, I have n't got red haircloth ! ''

`` Neither do I, '' Victoire agreed.

`` I do, '' Teddy laughed as he changed his hair from its usual amobarbital sodium to red.

`` You 're not technically a Weasley, '' Rose commented.

`` Close adequate. And anyway, who knows what 'll happen in the next few years, '' teddy winked at Victoire, who giggled. Teddy threw his arms around Victoire and kissed her.

`` wagerer not let nan see you doing that, '' rose warned.

`` Always a stickler for the ruler, huh Rosie ? '' slip laughed and lengthened his hair until it was the perfect reproduction of Rose's.

`` Do n't do that ! '' Rose groaned, `` And I do break rules. Just ask Albus. ``

Teddy shortened his hair again and turned to Albus. `` Really ? ``

`` She does, '' Albus confirmed, `` Quite a few times, actually. ``

`` This I 've got to take heed. ``

`` Maybe another time, '' Albus glanced at rosebush. Albus had n't really decided whether or not to tell Teddy about the new map. Most of Rose 's and Albus 's most Holocene rule breaking was done in order to decipher it. Albus knew he was n't going to tell his full cousin about it, but he was n't sure about shift and James. One part of him thought they deserved to recognise, considering that their father and grandpa were both Marauders, but on the other handwriting he sort of wish keeping it a secret.

`` Aw, follow on, say me. ``

`` Another fourth dimension, '' pink wine said adamantly.

`` Oh, fine, '' shift huffed, `` But I will discover out. ``

Albus spent the rest of the evening talking and playing games with rose, slip, and Victoire. He was really enjoying the time off from shoal and getting to spend time with his total family at once. By the clock time he climbed up to the attic bedroom that he shared with James and a few of their cousins, he was tired and stuffed from all the biscuit.

******

`` William James ! Albus ! '' Albus snapped his eyes open at the sound of his epithet the adjacent morning. He immediately recognized the articulation as belonging to Lily. He heard her footsteps bounding into the room. `` Albus, James ! It 's Xmas ! Wake up ! ``

`` Hi Lily, '' Albus yawned.

`` goodness, you 're up ! James River ! Get up ! ``

`` I 'm up, I 'm up ! '' James I mumbled.

`` We 've got presents, James ! '' Lily grinned.

`` Right ! '' James said excitedly and Albus heard him crawling to the end of the top bunk bed to his pile of presents.

`` I 'm going to open up mine ! '' Lily shouted as she ran out of the room.

After Lily 's other wake-up cry, everyone in Albus 's room was up. Albus settled down to open his own pile of presents with the other boys. The number one few boxes were filled with sweets and several Weasley 's hotshot Wheezes intersection. The next was this year 's Weasley pinny. It had a red quaffle stitched onto the front with a Navy blue background. `` Opened your pinny yet, James River ? ``

`` Sure did, '' King James I replied, `` Red with a green dragon on it. ``

`` Mine 's blueness with a red quaffle. ``

`` Excellent. ``

Albus opened the adjacent few present, which consisted of legion books and early clothing items. He also got a broom handle service Kit, which would be useful since his Firebolt 2000 had a few sprig that needed to be plucked. Albus saved the present from his parents for last and was about to spread it when James gave an excited shout from the bed above.

`` Whoa ! ``

`` What is it ? '' Cedric asked and jumped off his bed. Ben followed and the two of them ran over to James 's bed.

Albus crawled out of his bed and joined his cousins. `` What ? '' he asked.

James had a huge grin on his brass as he held up a blank part of lambskin. `` depend what I got. ``

Albus stared at the parchment. `` You 're kidding ! Dad gave you the piranha 's Map ? ``

`` He sure did ! '' James IV shouted.

`` This is everlasting ! '' Cedric exclaimed.

`` I ca n't believe he gave it to you, '' Ben grinned.

`` That 's slap-up, James, '' Albus smiled, `` But why you and not me ? '' Albus could n't help oneself but find a minuscule leftfield out, even though he now had his own Marauder 's Map that would potentially be better than the original. But his dad did n't know about that, so why did he give the Map to James ?

`` Dunno, '' James shrugged. `` What did they get you ? ``

`` Have n't opened it yet, '' Albus picked up the package from his parents and tore off the wrapping.

What he saw made his backtalk fall open in cushion. This would explicate why James got the Map ! Sitting in the heart of the shoot down wrapping, was the Invisibility Cloak. `` He, he gave me the Cloak, '' Albus whispered.

`` fountainhead, that 's why you did n't get the map, '' James I replied, `` This is brilliant ! ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, pulling the cloak out of the wrapper. He laughed to himself as he thought of how he and Rose went through all that trouble of stealing it earlier in the calendar month and now he got it for Yule. `` guess this is why Dad wanted the Map back. ``

James I laughed, `` We gave it back only for him to devote it to me. I think we ought to share them. ``

`` That 's a good musical theme, '' Albus agreed, not mentioning that hopefully he would have his own map working soon.

`` And share them with us, too, '' Cedric gestured to himself and Ben.

`` Of path we will, '' Saint James the Apostle assured them. `` We just have to be stealthy about it. We ca n't let all of Hogwarts know we 've got these. ``

`` I 'm going to go Tell Rose, '' Albus wrapped the Cloak around himself and left the elbow room. He had never worn the Cloak at the tunnel before and he thought it was really funny that he passed Eddie on the stairs and Eddie did n't even notice him. He pushed open the doorway to the room that Rose shared with Victoire, GA, Gabriella, and Calluna vulgaris and waited for the miss'reactions.

Heather jumped when she heard the room access exposed and saw that no one was there. Victoire and Gabriella laughed and then shrugged. Rose got up from her bed and walked cautiously over to the door.

`` Boo, '' Albus pulled the Cloak off and grinned.

All five miss shrieked as they saw Albus emerge from the Cloak, then they all started laughing. `` Where did you get that ? '' rose wine demanded.

`` Dad gave it to me ! ''

`` He did ? '' Victoire stared in amazement. `` Wow, that is really slap-up. ``

`` I just ca n't consider he gave you that, '' rosebush grinned, `` I 'll bet James is jealous. ``

`` He got the Marauder 's Map, so he 's exquisitely. ``

`` Wow ! '' rose wine shouted, `` That 's incredible. And you can part them. ``

`` That 's the plan, '' Albus grinned. `` fountainhead, I 'll see you lot downstairs. '' He wrapped the Cloak around himself once more and left the room. Albus could n't believe that his dad had actually given him the Cloak ! He did n't recall Harry would ever give it up. The safe part was that he was now even more like his gramps had been at Hogwarts. Albus was even Sir Thomas More of a Marauder now that he had the Cloak.

Albus continued down the stairs and into the kitchen of the burrow. A few of his first cousin, aunts, and uncles were already up and starting to eat breakfast. Harry and Ginny were there as well, along with Lily. His grandmother was tending to multiple cauldron at once, while simultaneously bringing assorted items to the table. Albus watched them all for a few import before pulling the Cloak off and shouting, `` felicitous Dec 25 ! ``

Bill choked on his burnt umber and spat it across the table at George, who had started laughing. Harry, who had probably been expecting this, grinned and looked at Ginny, who was smiling back. Lily was staring at Albus with her mouth extensive open. Molly dropped the bowl of oatmeal she had been bringing to the table. Everyone else looked at Albus with various looks of jolt and entertainment.

`` Albus ! '' Molly shrieked as she cleaned up the pour forth rolled oats with a waving of her scepter, `` Do n't do that ! ``

`` You gave him the Cloak ? '' George II asked.

`` Yep, '' Harry replied, `` I take it you 're enjoying it, Al ? ``

`` Sure am ! '' Albus went over to where his parents were sitting and gave them each a huge hug, `` give thanks ! ``

`` You 're welcome, '' Harry smiled, `` I figured you should be able-bodied to enjoy it while you 're at Hogwarts, like I did. Although I expect you to use it more responsibly than I did. ``

`` I 'll try, '' Albus said, intellection of when he snuck down to the Whomping willow tree with it only two weeks ago. `` James IV and I are going to portion it. Same with the Map. ``

`` Wait, you gave him the predator 's Map, too ? '' Saint George stared at Harry.

`` No, James River got that. ``

`` I did n't think you 'd ever consecrate that away, '' George laughed.

`` Well, I can wander the palace whenever I want and it wo n't matter who 's around, '' Harry explained, `` The boy ca n't. Plus, I did n't want to abnegate them the fun of it. ``

`` Are you sure that 's safe, Harry ? '' Molly asked anxiously.

`` The castle is perfectly safe, even at night. I 'm not saying I approve of you wandering around at Nox, '' Harry gave Albus a tooshie regard, `` But there are to a greater extent bewitchment than ever protecting it. ``

`` That wo n't protect them from thaumaturgist already in the castling ! '' Molly commented, `` recall that Willinson kid terminal year ? ``

`` How could I forget ? Sometimes, you just have to subscribe to risks in gild to exist a minuscule. I trust the boys enough to experience they wo n't go wandering around late at night very often. And if you see anything fishy on the Map, '' Harry turned to Albus, `` enjoin me about it right away. ``

Albus nodded. `` for certain. '' He took a seat at the table, with the Cloak on his lap, just as St. James the Apostle ran into the room holding the Map in his hands.

`` Thanks, Dad ! '' Henry James shouted, `` This is superb ! ``

`` I 'll recite you what I told Al. Do n't use that to breach too many linguistic rule and if you see anything abnormal on it, tell me right away. ``

`` Hello, Weasleys ! '' Teddy strolled into the room, his hair one-half commons and half red. He sat down next to Albus and pulled a phonograph record of testicle towards him. `` Happy Yule. ``

`` I know your hair is Christmas colored, but those two colors just should n't be paired together, '' James shuddered as he noticed Teddy 's hair. `` I mean, Gryffindor and Slytherin at the same time ? ``

`` It 's festive, '' teddy bear grinned. `` You want me to charm yours to be red and green, too ? Just learned some excellent charms for that form of matter in education. Not that I 'll necessitate them. ``

`` No thanks, '' Saint James had a aspect of disgust on his expression. `` I 'll keep the plain red. ``

`` Is that ... '' Teddy looked at the sheepskin James River was holding, `` The Marauder 's Map ? ``

`` Oh, yeah ! Sure is ! '' James handed it to slip, `` Got it for Christmas ! ``

`` That 's corking ! '' Teddy grinned. `` What did you get Albus ? Do n't think Harry could top that. ``

`` I got the Cloak. ``

Teddy turned to Albus, `` Really ? That 's slap-up, too ! wish I had an Invisibility Cloak. ``

`` But you can cast those Disillusionment charms, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Not nearly as fun as that Cloak, though, '' slip commented.

`` Oh, boys, '' Harry began, `` You 're going to have to contribution those with Lily once she gets to Hogwarts. ``

`` Aw, amount on, '' James groaned.

`` If you do n't I 'll just slip them, '' Lily smirked, `` And hide them in my residence hall, which you two wo n't be able to get into. ``

`` She 's got a head, '' Ginny grinned.

`` We 'll share, '' Albus assured them. He would n't bear in mind sharing with Lily, just as long as she kept the Cloak secret. The finis affair they needed was the entire castle knowing about it.

`` Good, '' Harry smiled, `` Now who 's up for a little winter Quidditch ? ``

`` Me ! '' Albus, James, Teddy, and mostly everyone else shouted at the same time.

******

Albus spent most of the day playing Quidditch outside with his household. Eventually they all had to come in because they were too common cold to play any longer. Plus, it started snowing pretty intemperately and nonentity wanted to lose the snitcher. Albus spent the rest of the day with rose and reading a few of his new Koran. The Cloak was passed around between his full cousin, and most of them were amazed Harry had given it to him, and a little jealous as well. James II passed the Map around and everyone had fun watching the few dots that were left in the castle.

Dec 25 dinner came and went in its usual chaotic DoS. It was flash and risible and Albus enjoyed every second of it. He went to bed feeling very entire and very content. The next day Albus 's aunty, uncles, and cousins all started to allow for. Albus and Rose 's mob stayed for a twosome to a greater extent days, but they soon had to provide so Albus 's grandparents could go on holiday for New Year 's. Albus was actually excited to provide because he would be going to rosebush 's house and hopefully getting the stag print.

Albus landed in rose wine 's living elbow room after Flooing from the burrow. His Uncle Ron, rose wine, and Victor Hugo had already arrived and his Aunt Hermione was right behind him. There was an owl waiting adjacent to the windowpane and Hermione ran over to let it in.

`` That 's lustrelessness 's owl, '' Albus announced as he and rose went over to recover the letter. Albus opened the envelope and scanned the letter, `` He can fall, but only for tomorrow. We 're supposed to meet him at the Leaky caldron at eleven. ``

`` Sure, '' Hermione smiled, `` Tell him that will work. ``

Albus found a calamus and quickly scribbled a response on the rachis of the varsity letter and sent it off with the owl. He and Rose ran up the stairs and into pink wine 's room to verbalize about plan for getting the print.

`` I hope you 've got some estimate, '' Albus said as he shut Rose 's door.

`` Of form I do, '' Rose grinned. `` We 'll tell my parents that we 're going to go exploring in the woods and we 'll wait for a stag while we 're in there. Once we find one, we 'll all try and stun it- ''

`` What about the underage legerdemain Pentateuch ? '' Albus definitely did n't want somebody from the Ministry showing up shortly after they stunned a hart. The net matter he wanted to do was explain why he had done it.

rosiness laughed, `` Have n't you figured it out yet ? They ca n't tell who 's done the magic, only that trick 's been done. The Ministry has no way to state if it was us or my parents who performed the magic. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. All last summer he could possess done magic trick and the Ministry would n't accept found out. `` Really ? ``

`` Yes, really. The Ministry just relies on parents to not let their tyke use magic extraneous school. So I would n't suggest doing it a lot. I 'm sure we 'd get in big trouble with our parents. I would n't even be suggesting we do this if there was another way to get the print. ``

Albus nodded. He did n't really want to break the law either, but what could they do ? There was no way to get a give away print if the stag was n't stunned. `` I just hope we actually find one tomorrow. ``

`` Me, too. But we do receive a twain days. You 'll be here until the 31st, so that 's four days to get it. ``

`` Yeah, but Saint John and lusterlessness want to help, too. ``

`` I know and we 'll try. Hey, I 'll bet Amanda 's gotten the dog print by now ! ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus said excitedly, `` So we 're pretty practically halfway there. ``

`` Yup, '' rosebush grinned.

`` Now we 've just got to find the charm to hold open Kaden quiet, '' Albus replied.

`` You 're going to tell him everything after I find that magic spell ? '' Rose asked.

`` I think so. I mean, as long as the charm works he ca n't tell anyone about it. It 's obvious now that he 's Wormtail, although I 'm sure he 'll be a right one. But it 's up to lusterlessness whether he wants to severalize Kaden he 's a loup-garou. ``

`` Is n't it variety of necessary for this ? ``

`` Probably, but I ca n't exactly tell Kaden that. ``

`` Yeah, you definitely ca n't, '' Rose agreed.

`` Let 's just try and get the stag mark first, '' Albus suggested, `` Then we 'll reckon out the Kaden matter. ``


A/N : J.K. Rowling did state in an interview that Harry was n't going to give the map and the cloak to James River & Al, but it fits the game so I 'm just ignoring that for this series. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Denas, Miguel, Johanne, Luke, Slytherinlover, wolverine83, Moonylupin, XDNLxtlz99, maraudersfan a w, and Jen for the critique !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramist.


Albus, Rose, and Hermione went to the Leaky caldron the succeeding day to meet matte and Amanda, who was also being dropped off there. whoremonger had arrived earlier by Floo and went with them as well. When they got there, both matte and Amanda were already there.

`` Hi ! '' Albus greeted them as he stepped out of the Floo.

`` Hi Albus, '' lusterlessness grinned, `` How was your Christmas ? ''

`` It was brilliant, '' Albus replied, `` time lag boulder clay you see what I got. ``

`` What ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Ca n't evidence you here, '' Albus whispered. `` I 'll show you when we get back. ``

`` Let 's go now, '' mat said impatiently.

`` You kids go ahead, '' Hermione told them, `` I 've got a bit of shopping to do. ``

Albus bade adieu to his auntie and turned back to the Floo. Within seconds he was back in Rose 's surviving room. A few minute later all his champion were back as well.

matt and Amanda stared around the way. `` Nice house, '' Amanda smiled.

`` Yeah, '' lusterlessness agreed, `` kind of spirit like mine. ``

`` Thanks, '' blush wine replied.

`` So, Albus, what did you get for Christmas ? '' mat asked.

`` This, '' Albus pulled the invisibility Cloak out of his cloak pocket. He had been carrying it around with him ever since Christmas.

Matt let out a gasp. `` Whoa ! You really got the Cloak ? That 's completely amazing ! ``

`` I love that cloak, '' Amanda grinned.

`` And to think we stole it just a few week ago, '' John snorted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus hissed, `` Uncle Ron and Hugo are here. ``

`` Oh, sorry. ``

`` But this is n't all, '' Albus continued, `` James got the Marauder 's Map. ``

`` He did n't ! '' John shouted.

`` He did. ``

`` You two are so lucky, '' Matt replied.

`` But we 'll have our own Map soon anyway, '' Amanda pointed out as she dug around in the bag she brought. She produced a tumble piece of sheepskin with a paw photographic print on it that was slightly smaller than the werewolf print.

`` You got it ! '' Albus took it from her. `` We 're halfway there now. ``

`` I hope it 'll solve. Newton would n't stay still and the lambskin is kind of wrinkled. ``

`` I 'm sure it will work, '' Albus said.

`` Good matter we did n't have the mark go directly on the map, '' matte replied.

`` So today we get the stag print, '' Albus announced. `` Right after lunch. ''

Everyone agreed and headed into the kitchen to scrounge up some food. Ron had already created an enormous sandwich and was eating it when Albus and the others walked in. They all liked the idea of making monster sandwiches and were soon eating alongside Ron. Albus thought John 's sandwich looked disgusting because it was piled high with Turkey, jam, and monkey nut butter. Rose shuddered as she saw him bite into it, but he thought it tasted delicious.

`` I ca n't believe you ate that full thing, '' Rose screwed up her face in disgust after john ate the stopping point bite of his lunch.

`` It was respectable, '' he shrugged.

`` Hey, Uncle Ron, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to go explore the timber. ``

`` All right. Have fun. But try and be back by three. chemise 's coming over and so are James IV and your dad. We 're all going to play Quidditch. ``

`` Sure, we 'll be back by then, '' Albus was excited about playing Quidditch. It was always better when Teddy was there.

Once they were all done with lunch, rose and Albus led the way outside and over to the forest. The forest was situated next to the large open field that was next to the star sign. Albus and Rose went exploring in it quite a bit and knew their way around it well. The radical crunched across the snow laden field of force until they came to the forest 's edge. Rose found the itinerary they usually took and lead the group down it. `` Keep your eyes pealed for a hart, '' she told everyone.

`` This reminds me of the forest near my old firm in Australia, '' lusterlessness commented after a few minutes of walking.

`` How was Australia this year ? '' Albus asked, remembering that his friend just returned to Britain the former day.

`` It was all right. No different than usual. It was boring of row, and my grandmother kept telling us how we should call more often. ``

`` You 're not going to, are you ? '' John asked.

`` Do n't think so. Mum and Dad do n't really want to. Plus they want to go visit my Uncle Jack in New York this summertime. ``

`` That would be fun, '' Amanda replied.

`` Yeah, I hope we get to go. ``

The mathematical group continued walking into the forest until Rose announced that it would be better if they sat completely still and waited for a stag to walk by. She said their bm would frighten off the creatures away. Albus sat down in the snow behind a shrub with his acquaintance and watched and listened for creature. After a half hour of waiting, Albus was bored. How long was it going to film for a stag to hybridize their way of life ? He would much rather just walk around to find one. rose wine seemed perfectly content to sit still, as did flatness. John had made a boastfully pile of bamboozle bollock, along with a snow wizard. Amanda was busy creating a snow Wiccan to go along with his wizard.

`` I 'm bored, '' St. John sighed as he made yet another snow ball. `` How long is this going to get hold of ? ``

`` I do n't know, '' rosiness shrugged, `` We do n't see hart that often in here, so it might be a piece. ``

Albus glanced at his watch, `` Well it 's just after two, so if we do n't determine one soon, we 'll sustain to go back. '' He stared into the forest and willed a stag to come. Albus was getting frustrated by this breaker point. They needed that betray print for the map ! There was no topographic point else to find one. What if they could n't find a stag before the end of the holiday ? They would have to wait until the summer to search again. Albus could n't hold off that recollective. He wanted the map now.

`` hold, '' flatness stood up and turned around, `` I think I hear something over there. '' He pointed to a cluster of pubic hair a couple metre away.

`` I do n't see it, '' John replied.

`` Shush ! '' matt whispered, `` You know I can pick up thing you ca n't. ``

Matt started slowly making his way towards the cluster of bushes. Albus and the others followed behind, nonentity saying a word of honor. `` Wands cook, '' lustrelessness whispered.

Albus pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the pubic hair, his nous racing with hullabaloo as he went. This was it ! They were going to get the shit print ! contribution of Albus 's head knew that this was n't necessarily a stag, but he did n't pay aid to that. What else could it be ? well-nigh of the brute in the forest were too small to be rustling the bushes this much. As Albus got closer to it, he could distinctly try the footprints of the brute, and they were much too loudly to be a hare or a squirrel. There were n't many prominent animal in the woods, stags being some of the few. It could be a doe, but Albus hoped it wasn't.

The grouping was now only a couple feet away from the Vannevar Bush. Everyone had their scepter pointed at them, waiting for the animal to build its show. The moment Albus saw the leaves division, he shouted, `` Stupefy ! ``

`` Stupefy ! '' Rose, bathroom, Matt, and Amanda all shouted at once.

Whatever was in the crotch hair jumped to the side and missed all five arresting go. `` Whoa ! What the bloody Hades do you lot think you 're doing ! ''

It was Teddy. The noise Matt had heard in the bushes was teddy. Albus lowered his wand and sighed. So practically for finding a hart. Now that Teddy was with them, they would no longer be able to search. Albus turned to his friends and saw them all put their verge away.

chemise fully emerged from the Dubyuh and walked over to where Albus was with a bewildered feeling on his face. `` Do I even want to know what you 're up to ? ``

`` Er, '' Albus began, trying to opine up an excuse fast.

`` We 're just taking a walk of life in the timber and you scared us ! '' rose wine announced, `` Sneaking up on us like that, what did you think we 'd do ? ``

`` Shriek, maybe ? '' Teddy gave them a lopsided grin, `` But not attack me. ``

`` So you were trying to scare us ? '' Rose said exasperatingly

`` A bit, yeah, '' Teddy laughed. `` Worked, did n't it ? ``

`` I 'll say, '' Rose muttered. Albus listened to the two of them but did n't add anything. He was forever grateful that his cousin-german was a better liar than he was.

`` It 's kind of cold to be going for a hike, '' Teddy commented, `` But Ron said you were here, so I figured I 'd see if I could incur you. '' He eyed Saint John the Apostle 's atomic reactor of snowballs and grinned, `` Planning on having a snow ball fight ? ``

shimmy did n't wait for an answer and picked up a few of toilet 's Abronia elliptica. He threw one at Albus and the other at pink wine.

`` Watch it ! '' Albus shouted as the snowball made contact with his face. He spat out the snow and deflect down to throw his own Baron Snow of Leicester orchis. He aimed it at chemise but Teddy jumped out of the way and it hit Matt instead.

`` Hey ! '' lustrelessness shouted as he picked up one of King John 's Abronia elliptica and threw it at Albus. It landed square on Albus 's chest.

A few moments later, a huge snowball fight broke out. It was every man for himself for a while and Albus was getting pummeled by Teddy 's snowball. He tried to get Teddy back, but Teddy was too quick for him. Instead, Albus decided to focus on Matt, who was trying to get Albus back for the Abronia elliptica that had hit him instead of teddy. Rose eventually joined Albus in his effort to get lusterlessness, while Amanda evened out the odds by joining mat 's side. lavatory, who seemed to be the only one with sufficiency skill to hit shift, was having a person-to-person engagement with the Amytal haired boy and was actually doing well.

The six of them were completely soaked by the fourth dimension the engagement ended. Matt and Amanda surrendered to Rose and Albus after the cousins decided to create about twenty snowball and lob them constantly at their two supporter. John surrendered to Teddy a few second later, once Teddy decided to enamor a sight of Snow to twist itself into sweet sand verbena, resulting in a ceaseless provision of ammunition for Teddy. whoremonger did n't jazz that piece and was stuck hired man making his snow balls while shift continuously sent Abronia elliptica at him.

`` Who 's up for Quidditch ? '' Teddy asked as they were walking back through the woodland to Rose 's house.

`` M-maybe after I d-dry off, '' Albus shivered. The Baron Snow of Leicester had completely penetrated his cloak and was now freezing it into an icicle. His friends nodded in agreement.

`` Sounds good, '' shimmy replied, `` Harry and King James should be at the sign of the zodiac by now.

A little while later, Albus found himself back at rose 's theatre, where everyone was waiting for the Quidditch match to start up. Albus, along with his friends, ran upstairs to dry off and exchange quickly.

`` Ready ? '' Teddy jumped up from the chair he was sitting on once Albus and his friends descended the steps. `` Who has n't got a Scots heather with them ? ``

`` Me, '' Amanda said. She was the only one. privy and Matt, who both had brooms, had brought them knowing they would play Quidditch.

`` We 've got spare part, '' Ron announced, holding a couple Calluna vulgaris in his hand.

Once everyone had a Calluna vulgaris to use, chemise started to require billing of creating teams. `` All right hand. Let 's see, we 've got Me, Harry, Ron, James IV, Albus, John, mat, Amanda, Victor Hugo, and Rose, are you playing ? ``

`` Sure, why not ? '' rose wine shrugged.

`` Good, then we 've got ten players. That 's five per team. So each team will suffer a seeker, a beater, a Keeper, and two chasers, that 'll work. I 'll be one of the quester, '' he turned to Harry and James, `` Which one of you will be the other ? ``

`` You can, Henry James, '' Harry offered, `` I 'll do whatever is needed. ``

After a few minutes of organizing, the two teams were created. Albus 's team consisted of slip as Seeker, Ron as Keeper, Hugo as the only Beater, and flatness and himself as the two Chasers. On the early team, James I was seeker, Amanda was Keeper, can was the Beater, and Rose and Harry as Chasers.

The two squad trooped outside into the cold winter day. It was just starting to lead by the nose a footling, but Albus did n't listen. He would maintain warm while he was playing anyway. Harry and Ron conjured goal hoops and everyone flew into the air. Hermione released the formal ( only one Bludger, since there were only two beaters ) and threw the Quaffle into the air, then conjured herself a chairman to watch.

The match was nothing like the ones at Hogwarts. It was much more informal, and in a way, Albus enjoyed it more. There was only friendly competition between the two team and no one got angry when someone dropped the Quaffle, which happened a lot. The two teams were pretty evenly matched in terms of Chasing skills. Albus, who was the entirely real Chaser on either team, was easily the best. Harry was a decent pursuer, but it was unclutter that Seeking was his real accomplishment. Rose was absolutely fearful and was the first to take on it. She was n't a big fan of flying in the foremost plaza and did n't like to take her mitt off her broom in order to catch and bedevil the Quaffle. mat was unspoiled than Rose, but dropped the Quaffle numerous multiplication. Albus and Matt scored Sir Thomas More points than Harry and blush wine did.

Ron, of course of study, was a very right Keeper and Amanda was as well. Albus was kind of surprised at this, because she never really played Quidditch before. Maybe she could try out for the Gryffindor team once Georgia left. whoremaster was an amazing Beater and Albus already knew that he 'd be trying out for the team after Bradley and Ryan left. Hugo was also a very practiced Beater and it was obvious he had received all the Quidditch genes in his family. Then, of course, there were the searcher. Both teddy bear and James were amazing Seekers and by far the two practiced role player on either team.

After about an hour of playacting, during which Albus was sure as shooting both shift and James had seen the sneaker but ignored it in order to drag the secret plan on longsighted, both Seekers flew directly up into the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. A few seconds later, they both came flying back down and James had the snitch clutched in his hand.

`` I got it ! '' he shouted.

`` That puts your team ahead, '' Hermione announced, `` You won 270 to 210. ``

`` Yes ! '' James exclaimed, landing on the reason. Albus and the rest of the instrumentalist landed after him and congratulated him and his team for winning. `` Ha ! I beat you at Quidditch, chemise ! '' James gloated.

`` Yeah, yeah, good job, '' Teddy sighed, `` Knew I should n't take in trained you that well. ``

`` You 'll be saying otherwise when we win the Cup this class ! '' King James grinned, `` We already beat Slytherin. ``

`` I know, I was there, '' teddy bear laughed, `` Anyway, I 'm just joking. ``

Despite the fact that his team did n't win, Albus was happy. He loved playing Quidditch with his fellowship, even more than playing on his theatre team. It was even better with his friends there, too. He walked back into the house with his friends and household, cold but very contented. Hermione had made a plate of sandwiches for them, which everyone ate enthusiastically once they had dried off.

After all the food had been eaten, whoremaster Flooed back to his mansion and Albus, Rose, and Hermione went with mat and Amanda back to the Leaky cauldron to meet their families. It had been a abruptly visit, but a fun one nonetheless. Albus only wished that they had managed to get the stag mark. He and Rose were planning on trying again the future day, and the adjacent if it was necessity. They had three more day to do it and Albus was determined to succeed.

******

Albus and Rose spent as a lot clip as they could in the wood looking for stags the next day. When they were n't in the forest, they spent their meter in the library in rosebush 's business firm, looking for a charm to keep Kaden quiet.

`` There 's books in here that are n't in the shoal library, '' Rose announced as they walked into the room after a particularly cold jaunt in the forest.

`` I 'm still not certainly we should train a breakage from looking for a hart, '' Albus replied.

`` It 's too cold-blooded out there now. Plus there 's a tempest coming and it wo n't do us any ripe if we get lost out there. '' Rose went over to a Book shelf and Albus followed. He had been in this room quite a little of times before, just never to look for a particular charm.

`` How are we supposed to find one spell hidden in all these books ? '' Albus sighed, `` We do n't even know what it 's called. ``

`` That 's what this is for, '' Rose slammed a heavy book down on the table dear to the shelf she pulled it off of.

Albus looked at the book, `` An encyclopedia of Charms by Filius Flitwick. That 's who Mum and Dad had for Charms, is n't it ? ``

`` Yes, '' rose confirmed as she opened the cover, `` It 's a rather clever idea, really. All I 've got to do is consider my wand, point it at the rule book, and say'I need a appeal to keep back soul tranquillize'and it will tack to the right page. ``

`` That would certainly speed things along, '' Albus replied. `` Try it. ``

`` All right, '' Rose pointed her wand at the book, `` I need a charm to keep someone quiet. '' The Christian Bible 's pages immediately started turning until they stopped about a quarter of the way into the book. originate peered at it and then shook her head. `` Nope, that 's not it. This one 's just a still charm. ``

`` Maybe you 've got to be more particular, '' Albus suggested.

Rose nodded. `` I need a charm to preclude someone from talking about something. '' The pageboy started turning again and stopped a few seconds later. rear sighed after she read the description. `` This one charms a person 's mouthpiece shut. ``

Albus laughed, `` Well that would definitely keep Kaden from talking about the map ! ``

`` hoi polloi might notice, though, '' Rose smirked, `` Although it does accept it 's reward. I 'll try something else. ``

`` I think you 'd amend tell the book exactly what we need the charm to do. Tell it that Kaden has to not lecture about a specific thing. ``

`` goodness idea, '' rose poised her wand above the rule book, `` I need to keep Kaden Durlsey from revealing closed book about Matt Eckerton and about a map. He must only be able to talk about these arcanum with five former people and not name them to anyone else. He should be able to converse normally about early issue. ``

`` That ought to be specific enough. '' Albus watched as the record book hesitated for a few moments and then reverse its pages to one of the final ones. Both Rose and Albus leaned over the playscript while Rose read aloud.

`` 'The Sileo Altus Charm is the most complex and intricate of the silencing charms. This charm has the ability to hold on a person from revealing one specific part of entropy to others, unlike other silencing charms which prevent a person from speaking at all. The appealingness also has the power to necessitate others, which will result in the person the charm is cast on to be able to converse about the private with those specific multitude. When done correctly, this charm will last forever or until the buffet good luck charm is performed. The Sileo Altus Charm keeps a individual 's secret safe much like the Fidelius Charm keeps a person 's location secret and is said to be just as prophylactic .'

`` Then there 's a whole clump of spells that are required, '' rose wine scanned the remainder of the introduction. `` There 's a go that has to be performed on each soul who is involved, one on Kaden, one on the secret-keeper- ''

`` There 's a secret steward ? '' Albus asked.

`` Yeah, I guess so. Then there 's the overall magic spell, '' Rose continued, `` It sounds refine. But I 'm up for it. This does n't really tell me how to do it, though. There 's just a listing of spells. ``

Albus glanced at the entry, `` Oh, it says there 's more information in magical spell of Protection by Natalia Journo. ``

`` You 're right, I had n't noticed that, '' Rose leaned over the account book again and study the deed of the recommended ledger. `` I think we might actually have that one. '' blush wine jumped up from her backside and ran across the elbow room. Albus sat back and watched her. He had no estimate how she could possibly know if she had that Koran or not. The entire room was filled with shelf and ledge of books. Albus would n't even lie with where to seem to find the volume they needed.

Rose returned a few minutes later with a ledger in her weapon system and a grinning on her face. `` We do have it ! This was easier than I thought it would be. ``

`` I think doing the genuine good luck charm is going to off-set the ease of finding it, '' Albus pointed out.

Rose shrugged, `` I think I can reckon it out within a few weeks. '' She sat back down and opened the script.

Albus watched as his cousin-german flipped through the Page of the Christian Bible until she found the charm they were looking for. He was very happy that pink wine was so eager to learn new spell. It certainly helped that she was good at it, too. Albus had made a lot of progress in charm ever since prof Cedonia arrived, but he was still average. rosiness was easily the intimately in their socio-economic class. That and her avidity to learn would certainly help if she was going to master this charm.

rosiness read in silence for a few minutes and then turned to Albus. `` All right. This explains it pretty well. offset, of track, we 've got to tell Kaden the secrets. Then we 've got to pick the mystery keeper. I 'm thinking that I 'll take to be the privy keeper since the secret steward is the one to do the charms. ``

Albus nodded, `` I 'm fine with that. We 've just got to wee-wee sure matt is. What does the hole-and-corner keeper do ? ``

`` Just execute the charms. And the mystical steward is the sole one who can execute the heel counter charm on Kaden. Normally the secret keeper would be the solitary one the someone could talk about the surreptitious with as well. But we 'll use another appealingness to see that Kaden can blab about the secret with you, john, Matt, and Amanda as well. ``

`` That sounds good, '' Albus replied. `` What else ? ``

`` fountainhead, the surreptitious keeper performs a appeal on themselves, which turns them into the private keeper. Then they perform a magical spell on Kaden. Then Kaden will recite the secrets in detail. After that, the secret keeper performs another appeal on Kaden. Then appeal are performed on the eternal sleep of the people involved. Then a final sealing good luck charm on everyone, including Kaden and the secret keeper, and it 's done. ``

The idea of all those different spells made Albus 's wit injury. `` Wow, that 's a lot of charms. We 've never done ace that are a compounding of multiple charms. ``

`` The transference spell is one of those, but it only uses two. This one is five. ``

`` What 's the counter spell involve ? '' Albus asked, thinking that maybe there would be a prison term when Kaden would grow and they would n't accept to swear on conjuration to keep him from spilling secrets to Malfoy.

`` Erm, it seems pretty much like the factual charm, '' Rose looked back at the book, `` You pretty much go backwards, using different charms. ``

`` make sense. ``

`` I 'll start practicing as soon as we 're back at schoolhouse, '' Rose shut the Scripture and got up. `` I 'll bring the book. Mum 'll never know, she 's got way too many to keep track of. ``

`` All right hand, '' Albus got up and followed her to the doorway, `` Now we 've just got to find that stag. ``

`` It 's going to have to wait until tomorrow, Albus, '' rose pointed to the window. It was gabardine with swirling Snow and the wind was howling. `` Mum and Dad 'll never let us out in that. ``

******

Albus was getting quite fed up with the hart search by the sentence late afternoon arrived the following day. He and climb up spent the entire dawning in the timberland, taking a break for lunch, and then returning in the afternoon. Albus looked at his lookout and saw that they would sustain to be starting to return to the house soon. `` We 're never going to find a stag ! '' he groaned.

Rose, who had brought the charm book they had found the previous day, looked up. `` You 've just got to be patient. I told you one wo n't do if we 're noisy. ``

`` We 've been quiet for the past two hours, '' Albus said flatly.

`` You 're not being hush now, '' Rose whispered and returned to her book.

Albus sighed and stared out into the woods. So far Albus had seen no lupus erythematosus than ten cony and four owls, but no stag. He was getting very low temperature posing in the C. P. Snow and his cloak had yearn since soaked through. Albus was determined, however, and refused to go back to Rose 's house until they found a stag.

It had seemed so simple at first, to bedaze a stag in the forest and get its footprint. This was not supposed to be the hardest print to get. Looking back, even the werewolf one seemed easier. surely, they got locked out of Hogwarts, but they never got in trouble for it. The dog print had been the easy, since Amanda had a dog. The rat would be easy, too, once John managed to take in one.

Albus pulled out his wand and started to poke at the lead by the nose champion he had constructed earlier. The baton melted holes into the snow star until it started to resemble a piece of hoodwink Swiss cheese. Albus was just beginning to do the Lapp to the snow hippogriff that had been formed after the wizard when Rose poked him and hissed, `` Albus, look ! ``

Albus raised his head and looked in the direction rosiness was pointing. Directly in front man of them was a imperial looking doe, standing completely still and staring just to the left field of where the two first cousin were sitting. `` It 's just a doe, '' Albus whispered back, `` It wo n't forge. ``

`` I know, but there 's usually a stag around when there 's a doe. ``

Albus sat completely still with his wand facing towards the doe. rise did the same and the two of them did n't locomote for a good five min. The doe inched slowly ahead, walking to the left of Albus and rosiness. Then Albus heard a whispering behind the doe and turmoil washed over him as he saw a immense stag appear from behind a cluster of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. `` This is it, '' he whispered to rose wine. She nodded but did n't say anything. The stag walked towards the doe, who had turned around to front at her mate. `` On the count of three. One ... two ... three. Stupefy ! '' Albus shouted.

`` Stupefy ! '' rosebush shouted at the same time.

The doe shot off like a rocket as soon as the cousins shouted the spell. The stag started to be but was hit by Albus 's stunner. Rose 's trance hit a nearby tree and burned a pocket-size hole into the bark.

`` Excellent barb, Albus ! '' rosebush grinned at him as they ran towards the stag.

`` Thanks. ``

`` Let 's hurry. We wo n't have much clip before he wakes up, '' Rose reached into her robes and pulled out a piece of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a paint brush.

The stag was even larger up close. Its eyes darted around nervously as Rose painted the ink onto its breast hoof. Albus quickly pressed the sheepskin onto the hoof and pulled it away. A perfect hoof print appeared on the parchment. `` This one 's good, '' Albus showed it to Rose.

`` Good, '' she put the stopper on her ink and stowed both it and the brush back in her cloak, `` Now let 's go. He wo n't be glad when he wakes up. ``

Albus did n't need telling twice. He blew onto the parchment a few times to dry the ink and then put it in his cloak. The two cousins ran through the tree diagram and back to the house. It only took them a few minutes as they were n't very far. Albus was thrilled that they had actually managed to get the print. The lonesome photographic print left was the rat one and then they would be able to try out the map.


A/N : Extra long chapter and an betimes update ! Just to let everyone roll in the hay, I 'll be away at a Harry thrower convention from tomorrow ( hence the early update ) until Sunday and although I 'll have my laptop with me, I might not have a chance to react to your reviews. I 'll get to them afterwards, though.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Denas, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, sinwillys822, Slytherinlover, maraudersfan a w, Miguel, Moonylupin, and drownzer for the reveiws !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter, Barbie, or Wii.


Albus 's class came to pick him up from rosiness 's house the next afternoon. They were all dressed in Muggle clothing, although Harry looked a small uncomfortable in his Muggle suit. Probably due to the tie, Albus thought. He could never understand why Muggles wore those.

`` Ready, Al ? '' Harry asked after a few minutes of visiting with rose wine 's family.

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied. He had to admit that he was a bit nervous about this dinner, but there was nothing he could do about it now. `` See you at school, rosiness. ``

`` Bye, '' Rose smiled.

The rest of the ceramicist and Weasleys said cheerio to each other and then Albus disapparated with his household. They appeared in a dark alleyway near a forsake street. Harry motioned for them to follow him and the family started down the street. They made a few more than turns until they came upon a neighborhood of average sized sign of the zodiac. The houses all looked different, but seemed to be well cared for. It was a very quiet neighborhood with few hoi polloi out and about. There were a couple people outside shoveling the newly fallen snow off their driveways, but none of them seemed to detect Albus and his phratry.

Eventually, Harry led them up a private road towards a Gray business firm Albus recognized as Kaden 's. Before they could even progress to the threshold, it was thrown open and Kaden came running out. `` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Albus greeted him. `` How are you ? ``

`` Great ! '' Kaden grinned, `` I ca n't tell you how much I 've missed school. It seems so bore here compared to shoal. ``

`` I have n't missed it. I like being on vacation, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but it 's so boring without, '' Kaden whispered in Albus 's ear, `` Magic. ``

Albus stifled a laugh and followed Kaden into the planetary house. Kaden led them to the living room, where Dudley was fidgeting with his tie. Christina was setting out pipe bowl of grapevine and nuts and Bethany was helping.

`` Get anything full for Christmas ? '' Kaden asked Albus once they sat down on the couch. `` I got a few new games for my Wii, a new football, a skateboard, and a bunch of wearing apparel. ``

`` What 's a Wii ? '' Albus asked.

`` television game system, '' Kaden explained, `` It 's really fun. I 'll show you sometime. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus nodded, `` I got some clothes, leger, a warhead of sweet, stuff from my Uncle George 's shop, and my dad 's Invisibility Cloak. ``

Kaden 's mouth fell undefendable, `` He gave it to you ? ! ``

`` Yup, '' Albus grinned. He had told Kaden about the Cloak a while ago, although Kaden had never seen it. He pulled it out of his bag and handed it to Kaden.

`` Whoa, that 's vivid ! '' Kaden threw the cloak around himself, `` Look, I 'm invisible ! ``

All the adults looked over at him. `` Albus, you 'd better put that away before Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia get here, '' Harry warned. Albus nodded and took the cloak back from Kaden. He knew Uncle Vernon would be less than enthusiastic about any sort of charming object.

`` Er, speaking of my parents, '' Dudley shifted uncomfortably, `` They do n't, well, they are n't cognisant that you 're, er, here tonight. ``

Albus watched as his parents looked at each former and then back at Dudley. `` What do you mean, Dudley ? '' Harry asked nervously.

`` I knew they would n't come if they knew you were here, so I did n't tell them, '' Dudley confessed.

Harry groaned, `` Dudley ... You know this could go horribly wrong. ``

`` Well, I was sort of hoping you would all clear up, '' Dudley mumbled.

Harry shook his head and looked back at Ginny, who looked upset. Then the doorbell rang and Harry turned to Dudley. Dudley gave him a small smile and turned to get the door.

Albus gulped and looked at James. Albus could only ever recall seeing his Uncle Vernon once. Albus was only five or six at the prison term and the solitary affair he remembered was Vernon asking Harry if Albus was'a freak like you are'. Albus had no desire to ever see the man again, and now he had to spend the evening with him.

The voices of Dudley greeting his parents started to get louder as they came into the keep room. Albus got up from the couch and stood next to James River, who was hiding behind Harry. Vernon and Petunia followed Dudley into the room and their faces visibly paled as they saw the Potters.

`` Wha-wha, Dudley ? '' Vernon gaped at Harry and then looked at his son.

Albus watched as pandemonium broke out amongst the adults. Vernon 's face turned assorted shades of red and purple as he tried to grok what was happening. Petunia clung to her husband with a combined aspect of dislike and fearfulness on her side.

`` Vernon, Vernon ! Did you know they would be here ? '' genus Petunia asked shrilly.

Once Vernon regained his power to address coherently, he started yelling at Harry, who yelled back.

`` You ! '' Vernon pointed at Harry, `` Why are you here, boy ? ``

Christina stood near the incoming to the kitchen, looking uncomfortable. Bethany clung to her leg and hid her face, clearly afraid of her gramps 's shouting. Albus, James I, Lily, and Kaden glanced around at the grownup, paying rhapsodic tending to the stretch out debate, but not saying a intelligence. Ginny pursed her back talk and watched her married man with a disapproving look. Albus had to acknowledge that his Uncle Vernon was a bit scary right now and Albus had no desire to hybridise paths with him. Dudley looked nervous as he tried to make peacefulness between his relatives. His voice was drowned out amongst Vernon and Harry 's yelling, and petunia 's shrieking.

`` Mum, Dad, '' Dudley stood in front of his parents, `` I invited them here, so we could all get reacquainted. ``

`` Why would you do that ? '' Vernon demanded.

`` Kaden 's a superstar, Dad, so Harry 's a part of his life now. You know he 's one of Kaden 's teachers. ``

Vernon 's face turned from ghostly Patrick White to a rich spectre of purple. `` What could he possibly teach ? Abnormalness ? ``

`` legerdemain, Dad, it 's called deception, '' Dudley sighed.

Vernon 's eyes narrowed and he glared at Harry. `` You 're filling his point with all that detritus you learned as a minor ! Do n't stand for it, Dudley ! He 's got you tricked or something ! Send him to Smeltings ! ``

`` Dad, Harry did n't trick me. Kaden 's a wizard and you 're just going to have to subsist with it, '' Dudley replied.

`` zip serious will get of this, Dudley ! I assure you of that ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` Vernon, '' Petunia put her hand on her husband 's arm, `` Let it go. ``

`` You do realize that this kind of abnormality is what got your sister killed ! ``

`` I 'm fully aware of what happened to my sister, '' Petunia snapped. `` This does n't accept anything to do with that. It 's about accepting your grandson for who he is. '' Vernon continued glaring at Harry, but he did n't say anything.

`` Let 's all sit down, '' Dudley suggested.

`` And I 'll get us some drinking ! '' Christina announced eagerly. She rushed into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of brandy, a bottleful of wine-coloured, and a some trash, along with fizzy drunkenness for the tiddler.

Vernon and petunia regained their composure and petunia gave Dudley a bone crunching hug and smothered him with kisses. She then moved on and did the same with both her grandchildren, making sure enough to completely neglect Albus, James, and Lily. Albus sat down on the couch and to his dislike, Vernon chose to sit next to him. After a few moments of embarrassing quiet, Vernon turned to Albus. `` So, '' he began, causing Albus to skip over, `` You go to this, schooltime, too ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied quickly, not looking at Vernon.

`` face at me when I 'm talking to you, '' Vernon pettifoggery, `` I see fashion are n't high on their anteriority list. What classes do you take there ? ``

Albus forced himself to count at Vernon. `` I 'm taking August 6, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, account of Magic, and defence Against the darkness Arts, '' he mumbled quietly.

Vernon seemed to squinch at the sound of those gens. `` I see. And are you any commodity at them ? ``

`` Um, I guess so, '' Albus replied. He was wishing more and more that he could have just stayed at Rose 's theatre instead of coming here. Why was Vernon questioning him ? Why not King James or Kaden ?

`` What case does your Father of the Church teach ? '' Vernon barked.

`` Defense Against the darkness Arts, '' Albus muttered.

`` And what is that, exactly ? ``

`` defensive attitude go, dueling, stuff you use to defeat Dark wizards like Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, and Professor Potter defeated Voldemort ! '' Kaden interrupted and for once Albus was thankful for his first cousin 's big mouth.

`` So I 've heard, '' Vernon replied.

`` He 's a big teacher, Grandpa ! I love my new school. It 's much better than Muggle school, '' Kaden grinned. `` I 'll be veracious back. '' He ran up the stairs and came back a few seconds later with his wand. `` count at this ! ``

Vernon narrowed his eyes and gazed at his grandson. `` You 've got one, too. ``

`` Of row I do ! '' Kaden laughed, `` I wish I could show you some wizardly, though. I ca n't do it outside shoal. Hey, Professor Potter can register you ! ``

`` No ! I ruddy hell think not ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` No thanks ! '' Petunia shouted at the Saami time.

Kaden looked disappointed. `` Sorry, Kaden, '' Harry with an apologetic look, `` Maybe another day. ``

`` Or never, '' Vernon muttered.

nonentity said much after that. Albus preferred it that way. He was very happy that Uncle Vernon appeared to have given up his doubt and answer session. Christina announced that dinner party was ready a few minutes later, and everyone eagerly went into the dining room. Albus made sure that he was n't sitting side by side to Vernon and relaxed a small as he began to eat.

The Dursleys dominated most of the dinner party conversation, with Vernon and Petunia asking Dudley and Christina about what was new in their lives. They wanted to know every last contingent, down to what grade Bethany had gotten on her in vogue rule book report in school. Eventually they had exhausted this matter and the tabular array descended into an awkward silence before Vernon started drilling Harry about his life.

`` So, boy, what exactly do you do for a support ? '' Vernon barked.

`` I 'm the fountainhead of the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic, '' Harry smiled.

`` Auror ? '' Vernon repeated, `` What would that be ? ``

`` A iniquity necromancer catcher, '' Harry explained.

`` Oh, like a policeman. Would n't have guessed you 'd be in law enforcement, what with all the bother you caused as a child. ``

Harry sighed, `` You know most of that was n't my geological fault. ``

`` Like blaze it was n't. It was all due to your abnormality, '' Vernon replied.

`` Dad, ca n't you just overleap it ? '' Dudley asked.

`` No, Duddy, I wo n't ! Vernon slammed his clenched fist on the table, `` He 's obviously done something to Kaden to give him abnormal ! ``

That had to be the most ridiculous thing Albus had ever heard. A whiz could not wrick a Muggle into a wizard. If they could, there would n't be any Squibs in the public, and there would certainly be more wizards.

`` Oh come off it, Dad ! '' Dudley shouted. `` Harry did n't do this ! Kaden was born a whizz ! ``

`` No he was n't ! '' Vernon yelled, his fount turning purpleness again. `` And I want the boy to change him back ! ``

`` Uncle Vernon, listen to me, '' Harry announced, `` You ca n't wrick person into a wizard, it just does n't work. Kaden was born a wizard, which does n't surprise me at all. There is magic in his parentage, the Same magic that was in my mother 's and is in mine. ``

`` Wonderful, '' Vernon fuss, `` And I suppose you 're going to narrate me that Bethany will be unnatural, too ? ``

`` There 's a fortune she 'll be a witch, yes, '' Harry told him.

`` I am not going to stand for anymore abonormalness in this kinsperson ! '' Vernon roared.

`` Vernon, there 's zip we can do ! '' Petunia shrieked, `` I do n't wish it either, but the boy did not do this ! ``

`` How do you know ? ``

`` Because my freak of a sister told me it 's not potential, that 's how ! ``

`` Do n't call her a freak ! '' Harry glared at both of them.

petunia ignored him. `` I asked her, when I was an arrogant child. I asked her if soul could turn me into a witch before I knew any better. She said no. There is not one thing we can do to change Kaden. We just have to hope that he 's going to be smarter than my baby was and not get killed just out of school. ``

`` Fine, '' Vernon snapped, `` But I do n't wish it. I do n't like it one bit. ``

`` Neither do I, neither do I, '' Petunia agree.

Albus glanced nervously from one adult to the following, hoping that the fight was over. He realized now how a lot Uncle Vernon and aunty petunia hated magic now. The two of them were still going on about how Albus 's grandmother had been killed, thirty-some twelvemonth later. Albus was still amazed that Vernon had actually blamed Harry for Kaden being a whiz. Albus knew Vernon disliked Harry, but he did n't recall Vernon would still blame Harry for things he did n't like, this many days later.

`` You 'd be better off just keeping him out of that school, '' Vernon announced after a few instant of silence. `` There 's no law requiring him to go, is there ? ``

`` No, '' Dudley replied. `` But he likes it there, so he 's staying. ``

`` This is utterly pathetic, '' Vernon muttered, `` Wait trough Marge hears about it. ``

`` I hate aunty Marge, '' Kaden said loudly, causing Albus to huff into his succus. `` All she lecture about is breeding click. ``

`` Do n't say that about your auntie, '' Vernon scolded.

`` What ? '' Kaden shrugged, `` prof potter must not like her either. ``

Harry, who had been laughing behind his glass, immediately stopped and looked at Kaden. `` Really, Kaden, it 's not nice to say you hate people. '' He turned to Vernon, `` You have n't told her ? ``

`` Of row I have n't ! '' Vernon raised his articulation, `` Can you imagine what she is going to call up ? That someone, like, like you is actually related to her ? She takes comfort in the fact that you are n't actually related to her ! But to have Kaden be one of your lot, she 'll be horrified ! And I should call up so after you blew her up years ago ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden and Bethany shouted at the same fourth dimension. Kaden spat his juice out and started choking. Albus slapped him on the back, trying to control his own laughter. Harry told them this level a long clip ago and just thinking about it made Albus laugh.

`` That was n't his demerit ! '' Ginny came to Harry 's defense lawyers, `` He could n't contain it ! What your sister said about his parents was absolutely rotten and you know it ! ``

`` It was the truth ! '' Vernon shouted, rising to his feet.

`` No it was n't ! '' Ginny stood up as well.

`` What do you entail, blew her up ? '' Kaden asked.

`` His parents were half-wit and that 's why they were killed ! '' Vernon continued.

`` No they were n't ! '' Harry stood and stared at his uncle. Albus had rarely ever seen his father so tempestuous before. `` They were working against Voldemort. ``

`` Another one of your lot who went on a killing rampage ! '' Vernon yelled.

`` They should feature just ignored him and minded their own business, '' Petunia announced. Albus did n't really guess she should be telling someone to mind their own business, when she thrived off of gossip.

`` You could n't ignore Voldemort ! '' Harry and Ginny said at the Lapp time.

`` Can mortal please tell me how Aunt oleomargarine got blown up ? ! '' Kaden shouted again.

`` Dad, just forget about it, all right ? Harry 's parents were n't slothful, '' Dudley pleaded.

`` Leave this to me, Dudley. You 're obviously under a bad influence right now. ``

Dudley heaved a Brobdingnagian sigh, `` Dad ... You 're forgetting that Harry saved my animation once ! ``

`` Oh, from those dementy things ? They would n't make even been around if it were n't for the boy ! ``

`` The point is that they were ! And Harry saved me from them ! He also kept us all safe while he was hunting down that Voldemort bloke. He did n't give birth to do that, you know. ``

`` What 's a dementy thing ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Dementors, '' Albus corrected, `` They 're these cloaked creatures that suck out your soul. ``

Kaden stared at Albus, `` They what ? ``

`` Suck out your soul, '' Albus repeated, `` They feed on felicitous cerebration, until you 're only left with the sad ace. ``

Kaden shuddered, `` They sound damn horrible. prof ceramicist saved Dad from one ? ``

`` Yeah, when they were 15. There 's a charm, the Patronus Charm, that drives them away. It 's really encourage magic not taught until 7th yr, but Dad learned in his third year. ``

`` Wow, your dad 's brilliant, '' Kaden grinned. `` But I do n't project running into one of those dementors. Have you ever seen one ? ``

`` No and I hope never to, '' Albus replied.

`` We would have been finely without those looney 'protecting'us ! '' Vernon raged.

`` No we would n't ! We 'd all be dead ! '' Dudley insisted.

`` What would that Voldemort bloke have wanted with us anyway ? '' Vernon bellowed, `` It 's not like we 're weirdo like him. ``

`` Do n't you get it ? '' Harry sighed, `` He did n't care about anyone ! He would 've killed anyone to get to me, including you. ``

`` Everybody, just exclude it ! '' The five grownup who were arguing turned to the reference of the new interpreter that rang out louder than theirs. It was Christina. Everyone stopped arguing and stared at her. `` Thank you. Now I only understand constituent of this row, but everything you 're rowing about has happened in the past. Ca n't you just put it behind you and try to get along ? expect at you, you 're standing there arguing about stuff you ca n't exchange, in front of your tike. What kind of representative are you setting ? Put aside your dispute, if not for yourselves, do it for the kids. ``

The adult said zippo for a few bit while Christina glared at every one of them. Eventually, Harry spoke, `` She 's right. We should just try and get along. '' Ginny nodded in agreement.

`` That 's what I was trying to tell you, '' Dudley commented.

`` Fine, '' Vernon spat, `` I 'll tolerate the boy. But you are making a grave misapprehension with Kaden, Dudley. ``

`` commodity, '' Christina replied and stood up. `` I 'll go get the pudding. ``

The remainder of the dinner was much more enjoyable. Harry quickly told the tale of when he blew up oleo to plunge Kaden and Bethany 's wonder, but there was no to a greater extent mention of legerdemain throughout the rest of the meal. The conversation centered on topic that could be equally relative to Muggles and wizards, such as the weather. Albus did n't say anything, choosing instead to quietly eat his pudding while listening to the adult'strained conversations. He was just felicitous that they were no longer arguing with each early.

After dinner party, Albus, James, and Kaden escaped to Kaden 's bedroom, which he was eager to usher off. The entire affair was decorated with various football game appurtenance, with a lot of emphasis on Manchester United. James found this highly hold and dog-tired quite a few minutes laughing at the posters, in which the participant remained completely still. Kaden spent a while showing off his Christmas presents to Albus and James II and soon wanted to show them how to play his Wii.

Kaden led Albus and Saint James back downstairs, where the adults were discussing auto over coffee. Albus was very happy that he did not stimulate to sit through that discussion. Albus followed as Kaden went down another flight of stairs and they descended into the basement. The cellar was clearly the playroom of the house, as it was cluttered with all kind of Muggle toys. Lily and Bethany were playing with Bethany 's Barbies in one quoin and neither of them paid much attention as the boys entered the room.

The Wii was set up in the middle of the room and attached to a television that was against the wall. Albus had never played a Wii before and was kind of funny about it. Epistle of James was as well, although he got sidetracked by a remote control car. He drove it all over the room, completely amazed at how the car seemed to travel by magic.

`` The thing Muggles come up with, '' St. James the Apostle grinned as he joined Albus and Kaden in front of the television.

Kaden spent the next hour teaching James and Albus how to spiel the Wii. They started with Kaden 's new racing secret plan, which was actually pretty complicated. It took Albus the better part of an hour to figure out how to encounter it. James River caught on a bit faster, but neither of them could top Kaden in skill. Albus found that the plot was incredibly fun and almost wished he had one at his mansion. Once they successfully learned the racing secret plan, Kaden went on to teach them how to wreak a duet More secret plan. Lily eventually wandered over and wanted to learn, too. By the time midnight came around, all five of them were taking turns playing biz and Albus was having a great time.

Albus was sort of disappointed when his dad called them back upstairs to count down to the new year and hoped that everyone was still acting civilly. They were, as Albus found when he entered the living way. It did n't really look like the grownup were enjoying themselves, but they were at to the lowest degree acting polite, which was ripe enough for Albus.

Shortly after they rang in the new class, Albus 's parents decided it was time to leave. Albus had no parameter against this because he was tired and did n't really want to spend anymore time in the same firm as Uncle Vernon. Harry politely shook hands with Vernon, said goodbye to genus Petunia, and told Dudley he would owl him soon. Vernon variety of flinched at the mention of the word 'owl .'Albus completely ignored Vernon and Petunia, and told Kaden he would see him on the gear drive back to school. Once the obligatory goodbyes were said, Albus and his family left the house, only to Apparate back to Grimmauld home a few streets away.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, Miguel, Moonylupin, Denas, Ginny, Gospel of Luke, and drownzer for their critical review !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to accommodate that he was happy to be going back to Hogwarts. After the nearly fatal dinner with the Dursleys, Albus spent his time working on prep or goofing off with James and Lily. By the end of the holiday he was actually sort of bored and felicitous to be seeing his friends again. Plus, the sooner he got back to school, the sooner he could try out the new map.

The Potters met the Weasleys and the Dursleys at baron 's Cross and entered program 9 3/4 together. Both families were running late again and Albus, Rose, James, and Kaden only just made it onto the railroad train before it left. William James immediately left to notice his booster while Albus, pink wine, and Kaden wandered around trying to bump their friends.

John and Amanda were sitting in one of the compartments in the heart of the train. Albus opened the door and walked in, followed by Rose and Kaden.

`` Hey ! '' John greeted them.

`` There you are, '' Amanda smirked, `` Almost miss the string again ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus laughed and sat down future to her. He wished more than anything that Kaden would leave so he could secern John and Amanda that he and stand up managed to get the stag print. All the prints were currently residing in Albus 's bag, just waiting to be transferred onto the map.

`` So how was your house dinner party ? '' bathroom grinned and looked from Albus to Kaden.

Albus and Kaden exchanged glances. pink wine stifled a laugh. She had already heard about the dinner shortly after it happened.

`` It was ... consequential, '' Albus said. `` Not something I want to do again. ``

`` What happened ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` My granddaddy went mad, '' Kaden shook his point. `` And my grandma sort of did. ``

`` What did they do ? '' Amanda asked.

`` fountainhead, they kind of did n't have a go at it we were coming, '' Albus began, `` So they started off by yelling about that. ``

`` Then they started shouting about how my dad should n't let me go to schooltime here, '' Kaden continued.

`` And Uncle Vernon wound up claiming that Dad had somehow used a charm to turn Kaden into a magician, '' Albus explained.

toilet and Amanda burst out laughing. `` You 're kidding ! '' lav exclaimed. `` He actually thought that ? ! ``

`` Sure did, '' Albus grinned. Now that the dinner was behind him, he was able-bodied to express joy about it. Looking back, his Uncle Vernon did seem mad, and not nearly as shivery as Albus first thought.

`` And my nanna of all people told him it was n't potential, '' Kaden laughed. `` Apparently she wanted to be a witch when she was a kid. But the best part was when gramps brought up aunt oleomargarine. ``

`` Who 's that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` My grandad 's babe, '' Kaden explained, `` I ca n't bear her. But apparently professor potter blew her up when he was 13 ! ``

John and Amanda started howling with laughter. `` That is absolutely brainy ! '' privy shouted.

`` This I 've got to take heed ! '' Amanda grinned.

Albus smiled at them and told the story of his Aunt oleo. Saint John the Apostle and Amanda laughed even harder when they had heard the unharmed thing.

`` What happened following ? '' John asked once he had calmed down.

`` Well, we went down to the basement and played with Kaden 's Muggle video games, which was a lot of fun. ``

`` And the adult stayed upstairs, '' Kaden added. `` Which was probably bloody awkward. ``

`` Then we left shortly after midnight, '' Albus told them. `` Hey, Kaden, what happened after we left ? ``

`` Oh, yeah. granddad tried to convince Dad to not let me go back to Hogwarts. He thought Dad would be more belike to agree without you lot there. Dad told him to stop and eventually he gave up and left. ``

`` You going to do that again anytime soon ? '' John the Evangelist asked.

`` Hopefully not, '' Albus replied.

`` Let 's do it at your star sign next, '' Kaden grinned, `` I want to see a wizard house. ``

`` I doubt Dad will let Uncle Vernon and auntie Petunia in the house, '' Albus told him, `` But you 're welcome to occur. ``

`` Over the summer, then, '' Kaden said.

`` We 'll fall, too, '' Rose announced. John and Amanda nodded. `` And Matt. ``

Kaden looked around the compartment and then back at Albus. `` Where is he, anyway ? ``

`` Er, he had some, er, therapist appointments, '' Albus said quickly. Hopefully that would satisfy Kaden 's curiosity.

`` Oh, for that disease he 's got ? ``

`` Yeah, the one you ca n't say a thing about to anybody, '' Albus glared at him, `` And that includes this. Do n't recount anyone where he is. ``

Kaden nodded. `` I wo n't. I 'll keep away from Malfoy and Willinson. ``

`` commodity, '' Albus said.

******

Over the following few days, Albus kept trying to find some time to enjoin John and Amanda about the stag mark, but it was laborious to shake Kaden off. It seemed the sole times they were away from him was when they were in stratum or in their residence hall at nighttime. Neither were safe opportunity to blab about the map.

In the interim, Malfoy was trying to estimate out why Matt was n't in school. The total moon was n't until the following week, so Albus was going to have to endure Malfoy 's questioning for a while longer. Nothing seemed to satisfy him. Albus was also preoccupied with what was going to materialise this full moon. He was kind of worried about lustrelessness taking the new Aconitum lycoctonum potion.

All the pupil and teachers seemed to be falling into their usual routines. Dueling and Quidditch exercise started up again. Both Kate and Peach State were working their teams hard and Albus was feeling the core. Between that and the increased amount of prep the teacher were intent on assigning, he had hardly any sentence for anything else.

A couple days into the term, Kaden finally had one of his tutoring academic session. Albus and his friends seized the opportunity and ran to the room of necessity as soon as Kaden left the common room.

`` Finally ! '' John exclaimed as he threw himself onto one of the couches in the elbow room. `` I thought I was going to die of curiosity ! ``

`` I never thought we 'd get away from him ! '' Amanda said as she sat down adjacent to him.

`` It 'll be well-heeled once rosiness anatomy out the charm to keep on him quietly, '' Albus replied.

`` You found one ! '' John sat up and stared at Rose.

`` Sure did, '' rosebush grinned and pulled the book of charm from her star sign out of her bag. She opened it to the right Thomas Nelson Page and handed it to John and Amanda.

The two of them read it for a few minutes. `` This is incredible, '' Amanda smiled, `` You think you can do it ? ``

`` precondition a bit of practice, for sure, '' Rose replied. `` We just have to wee-wee certain Matt agrees to it. ``

`` I 'm for sure he will, '' lav said, `` I mean, this charm will definitely keep Kaden from telling anyone. ``

`` I 'll start working on it now, '' rosebush took the Holy Writ back, `` I have n't started yet because I do n't want anyone to ask why I 'm trying to get a line it. ``

`` So, did you get the stag print ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` Sure did ! '' Albus reached into his bag and pulled out the three prints. `` We just need the rat now. ``

John picked them up and looked at him. `` Excellent ! I 'll try and get the rat soon. Then we can transfer them. ``

`` We should wait for matte, '' Albus told him, `` He 's a part of this as much as we are. ``

`` Oh, yeah, that 's a in force thought, '' John set the mark down on a nearby table. `` You know, I think this is the firstly fourth dimension we 've been in here without him. ``

`` I think you 're compensate, '' Albus commented. It was kind of strange, really. All the early multiplication they had been in the elbow room, Matt had been the one to ask for it. nobody said anything for a few minutes. Albus could tell apart that everyone was thinking the same affair he was, what would go on with Matt 's new potion.

`` wellspring, he 'll be back soon, '' John said after a while.

`` As long as cypher goes ill-timed, '' Albus said quietly.

`` Yeah, but just think if this potion works. That would be great, would n't it ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus agreed, but he could n't help but guess the new potion would n't work any better than the old one. Why should it ? If Matt was resistant to Wolfsbane potion, why should a different variety of it work ?

The four of them spent the remainder of the evening in the room. pink wine worked steadily on figuring out the magic spell, but did n't really get anywhere. It was an extremely difficult appealingness, after all. Albus, Saint John, and Amanda worked on their homework and talked about what they thought the new map would take on it.

******

Albus became more and more dying as the full moonshine approached. His acquaintance seemed to as well, and privy especially developed a very short safety fuse. Kaden seemed to get the brunt of this but he took it in stride. The dark of the actual full synodic month, Albus had Quidditch drill. He became so disorder during it that Empire State of the South called for a disruption during praxis and demanded to get laid why Albus was dropping so many Quaffles. He lied and told her he was worried about a Transfiguration exam the next day. Luckily she seemed to bear this and wished him luck on his test. Albus tried extra hard during the s half of practice but still missed a lot of comfortable passes.

Albus entered the common way after recitation look incredibly sore but not at all wear down. He had been hit with legion bludgers due to his lack of immersion. Normally Albus would have been exhausted after such a practice but he was too anxious to be tired tonight.

His supporter were sitting at their usual table which was covered in prep. Not that much of it was being done. Kaden was the alone one feverishly working away at an essay. John, Amanda, and even rosiness were staring off into nothing with their unmoved preparation in front of them. Albus quickly stowed his broom in his dorm and joined his friends at the table.

`` Hey, '' Albus said as he sat down side by side to Rose.

`` Hi, '' Rose mumbled. John and Amanda gave equally unenthusiastic greetings.

`` Hi Albus ! '' Kaden looked up, `` I 'm glad you 're back. This lot has been incredibly dull. ``

Even at a clip like this, Albus could n't help but laugh at Kaden 's cluelessness. `` Hi, Kaden. ``

`` How was recitation ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not that great. I got hit with a couple bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' Kaden winced.

`` Yeah, my arm hurts pretty bad, '' Albus commented.

`` Just go see madam Pomfrey, '' Rose suggested, `` Your arm looks foul. ``

Albus glanced at his arm. It had turned a adorable violet blue coloration in the time since he had received the nose candy. `` All rightfulness, '' he stood up. `` I 'll see you in a bit. ``

Kaden stood up as well. `` I 'll come with you. ``

Albus did n't feel like telling Kaden not to inconvenience oneself, so he nodded and Kaden followed him out of the common elbow room. Albus did n't talk much on the way to the infirmary extension, but Kaden kept up a streaming comment about what went on in his stratum that day. Kaden must take felt the indigence to share it even though nada particularly charge up had happened that day. The corridors were utterly deserted and Kaden 's phonation seemed awfully loud. Albus glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost curfew. He wished he had brought his invisibility Cloak. Of row, none of the instructor could give him detention for being out of his coarse room in society to go see Madam Pomfrey, could they ?

Albus pushed the door to the infirmary wing heart-to-heart slowly and saw that brothel keeper Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, writing something, and glancing out the window every few seconds. The moonlight was streaming through and illuminating one of the layer. There were n't any affected role in the ward, which Albus thought was form of strange. Albus rarely ever saw the place empty. He walked quietly up to Madam Pomfrey and Kaden followed. The nurse did n't even look to have noticed them come in.

`` Er, excuse me, Madam Pomfrey ? '' Albus said once he was a couple feet in front of the desk.

The nurse jumped and looked up, clutching her kernel. `` Oh, Albus ! You scared me. What are you doing here ? ``

It suddenly occurred to Albus that ma'am Pomfrey was probably thinking about Matt as well, since she usually took upkeep of him after the full moon. `` I got hit with a couple bludgers at exercise tonight. I was, er, kind of distracted. ``

madam Pomfrey stood up and gave him a sympathetic tone. `` I understand. Let me see. ``

Albus held out his arm and madam Pomfrey clucked her tongue as she inspected it. She pulled out her verge and touched it to his arm, muttering a spell as she did so. Albus 's arm felt warm and tingly, and then formula again. The bother was gone.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` No trouble. Anywhere else ? ``

`` I got hit on my back too and it kind of suffering. I 've got no estimation if it 's bruised or not. ``

Madam Pomfrey looked at Albus 's back and performed the same healing appealingness. It felt immensely better.

`` I think that 's it, '' Albus said once she was done.

`` You 'd better be off to bed, then, '' she said. `` I 'm trusted I 'll be seeing you soon. ``

Albus nodded and turned to pull up stakes. He and Kaden were soon back in the empty corridor.

`` Why were you distracted during recitation ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Shush, '' Albus hissed, `` Transfiguration exam tomorrow. ``

`` Oh, that 's probably why whoremaster, Rose, and Amanda were so silence. ``

`` Yeah, that was it. ``

The two of them continued their trek to the usual room until they practically bumped into two other people as they turned a corner.

`` Watch it ! '' a cold representative shouted and shoved Albus aside.

Albus pulled out his wand and lit it, shoving the spark in the faces of the two unknown. They were Malfoy and Willinson. `` You watch it, '' Albus muttered.

`` Get your wand out of my nerve, '' Malfoy seethed. `` What are you doing here anyway ? ``

`` What are you doing here ? '' Albus asked.

`` None of your business. ``

`` You just answered your own question, then. ``

Malfoy turned to Kaden. `` Ah, it 's the Mudblood first cousin. ``

`` Do n't call him that ! '' Albus shouted.

Malfoy ignored him and continued to glare at Kaden. `` Maybe you know where Eckerton is these daylight ? ``

Kaden glanced nervously at Albus before answering. `` Uh, no, I do n't. ``

`` Fine, '' Malfoy snapped. `` I know you wo n't say anything with Potter around anyway. I 'll just wait until you 're alone. C'mon, Willinson, we 're leaving. ``

`` You 'll do no such affair, Mr. Malfoy, '' someone said from behind Albus.

Albus jumped in fearfulness and turned around to see prof Patil. Great, he thought, now they were going to wind up in detention. Why did they always wind up in detention with Malfoy ?

`` What are you four doing out of bed ? '' Patil asked briskly, `` You know you 're not allowed to be wandering around after time of day. ``

`` Uh, '' Malfoy stammered, `` We were, er, uh, well we just wanted to, um- ''

`` Do n't bother, Mr. Maloy, '' Patil cut him off. `` Whatever lie you come up with is not going to convert me. '' She turned to Albus and Kaden, `` I 'm assuming you were not out for a perambulation with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Willinson ? ``

`` No, '' Albus confirmed, `` I was actually just in the hospital flank. I got hurt at Quidditch practice. Kaden was with me. ``

Patil looked at Kaden. `` Is that truthful, Mr. Dursley ? ``

`` Yes, ma'am, '' Kaden replied quietly.

`` We were there, too, Professor ! '' Malfoy shouted out, `` Willinson stabbed himself with his quill feather while we were doing homework. ``

Patil glanced at him skeptically. `` Well, we 'll just go see Madam Pomfrey and confirm all your narrative. ``

Any gloss that had been in Malfoy 's font drained. The four son quietly followed Professor Patil to the hospital wing. Albus was very relieved. ma'am Pomfrey would differentiate Patil that he and Kaden had been there, and then she would n't give them detention.

Patil opened the doors to the hospital wing, but Madam Pomfrey was no retentive there. Patil motioned for the son to appease there and she strode over to the nurse 's spot. She knocked lightly and waited for brothel keeper Pomfrey to appear.

`` I hope I 'm not bothering you, '' Patil said once Madam Pomfrey came out.

`` Not at all, Padma, '' dame Pomfrey smiled, `` I was n't at rest. Is there something you need ? ``

`` I was wondering if any of these four boys, '' she gestured to Albus, Kaden, and the two Slytherins, `` Were here recently ? I caught them all out of bed and all of them insist they were here. ``

brothel keeper Pomfrey gazed at the boys. `` fountainhead, Albus and Kaden were here about xv minutes ago, but I have n't seen the other two in quite a patch. ``

`` That 's what I thought, '' Patil nodded, `` Thank you. ``

`` Not a problem, '' the harbour replied.

`` I 'll take you two back to your common way, '' Patil said to Albus and Kaden. `` As for you, '' she glared at Malfoy and Willinson, `` You will amount back to my business office and we shall arrange for detention. ``

Malfoy and Willinson sulked and muttered under their breath as the five of them exited the ward. Albus laughed to himself on their way back to Gryffindor tug. Malfoy and Willinson were glaring obelisk at Albus and Kaden the whole way back, but Albus just smirked at them. They could n't do anything now anyway, not with Patil around. But surely they would blame Albus and Kaden for their hold and Albus would induce to take in out the side by side few days.

******

Albus did n't log Z's very well that Night, despite his tiredness from Quidditch practice. He fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning and woke up only a few hours later. John was just as exhausted and the two of them stumbled down into the common room, only to notice Rose slumped over a al-Qur'an at their common table.

`` rose ! '' Albus shook his cousin-german 's shoulder, `` wake up ! ``

Rose slowly lifted her headspring and then jumped at the sight of Albus and John. `` Wha-what are you two doing ? ``

`` Uh, it 's break of day, pink wine, '' Albus explained, `` We 've got to get to Transfiguration in an hour. ``

`` Oh ! '' Rose jumped up and pushed her shaggy-coated pilus out of her cheek.

`` What were you doing down here ? Did you ever go to bed ? '' Albus asked.

`` No, could n't catch some Z's, '' Rose shrugged, `` So I came back down and worked on the Sileo Altus Charm. I just ca n't figure it out. It 's driving me mad ! ``

`` That 's a really high level good luck charm, Rose. You know it 's going to use up you a while, '' Albus reminded her.

`` I know, I know. I 'll get it eventually, '' rosiness sighed, `` I guess I 'll go change and find Amanda. Then we can go down to breakfast. ``

A few minutes later, Albus and his friends walked to the Great mansion house. Albus noticed Malfoy and Willinson at the Slytherin table as they walked by and both of the Slytherins were shooting daggers at Albus.

Kaden was already at the Gryffindor table and immediately hailed Albus and the others to sit near him.

`` Did you see Malfoy this aurora ? '' Kaden asked once Albus had sat down.

`` Yeah, he 's not too happy. ``

`` Wonder when his detention is ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Who knows, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't particularly handle when Malfoy and Willinson were going to assist detention.

Kaden began to verbalize about some potion he was going to be brewing that day, but Albus tuned him out. All Albus seemed to be able-bodied to think about at the moment was whether the new potion Matt had taken worked.

As if on cue, a prominent Brown owl flew down and landed neatly side by side to Albus 's plate.

`` You 've got a alphabetic character ! '' Kaden shouted eagerly.

`` I know, '' Albus rolled his oculus and pulled the letter off the owl 's leg. He gave the owl a few bits of toast and the heavy boo flew off.

Rose, who was on Albus 's other side, looked over his shoulder as he looked at the gasbag. John and Amanda were leaning over the tabular array and Kaden was leaning over Albus 's other shoulder.

`` Wonder who it 's from, '' Kaden said.

`` It 's from Matt, '' Albus told him. `` That was his owl. ``

`` Maybe he 's telling you when he 's coming back ! '' Kaden shouted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus, Saint John the Apostle, rosebush, and Amanda said at once.

`` wellspring, we 'd better be off to Transfiguration, '' Albus said and gave Rose a significant glance.

`` Yes, we 'd better, '' rose wine stood up.

`` Are n't you going to afford it ? '' Kaden asked.

`` On the way, '' Albus told him.

`` I 'll descend, too ! ``

Albus sighed and got up from the table. He could n't open up that missive in movement of Kaden. rosiness, John, and Amanda got up as well and followed Albus out of the Great Hall. Kaden was right behind him, but Albus did n't presume open it yet. Kaden stalled in the incoming Hall, but eventually gave up and headed down to the dungeons for Potions.

`` Well, now we have n't got time to study it, '' Albus groaned and glanced at his ticker. `` Why could n't he have left sooner ? ``

`` 'Cause he 's Kaden, '' King John shook his head.

`` We 'll just translate it after History of Magic, '' rosiness said as they climbed the stairs, `` We 've got the altogether afternoon off. ``

The dayspring dragged by at an extremely dim pace, in Albus 's thought. August 6 was n't too bad, since it was a pragmatic lesson. Malfoy descended upon Albus and the others after the socio-economic class was over, wanting to have a go at it where Matt was. Albus lied and told him lusterlessness was having a latterly holiday with his grandparents and then took off for story of magic, ignoring Malfoy 's ill about detention that followed.

story of Magic was as tiresome as common. Albus thought he saw the clock 's work force go backwards at one breaker point. He passed banknote with John and Amanda while Rose took notes. She seemed to have inherited her mother 's power to quell awake during that year. John nodded off at one point and Albus had to stab him wake with his quill feather. Professor Binns did n't even seem to notice.

After History of Magic finally ended, Albus and his friends went to the Great Hall to snap up a quickly lunch. Kaden was there when they arrived and immediately launched into an explanation of the potion he had just brewed. Apparently it was so impressive that Slughorn gave him a bar of Honeyduke 's cocoa and an invitation to the following slug golf club meeting.

`` What ? ! '' Albus choked on his pumpkin juice.

`` Yup, '' Kaden grinned. `` The next confluence is this Sat. He told me that a lot of your cousin go. ``

`` Er, yeah, they do, '' Albus coughed. He had not been expecting Kaden to get invited to any Slug ball club encounter. Albus had n't even gone to any since the former year. He just told Slughorn he had Quidditch practice or too much homework to go. Slughorn had n't even had his Yule company this year. Albus was n't sure why, but he was guessing it was because he had n't been able to find anyone famous to attend.

`` But he said you 're always too busybodied to go, '' Kaden said, `` will you go to this one ? ``

Albus groaned inwardly, `` Oh, I do n't know .... ''

`` Please ? '' Kaden pleaded.

`` Fine, '' Albus sighed. It could n't be that bad now that Quinton Willinson was gone. And it was just one coming together. `` But just this once. And if Empire State of the South calls for Quidditch exercise, I wo n't go to the meeting. ``

`` Yay ! '' Kaden shouted.

Once Kaden left for his succeeding year, Albus and his protagonist went straight for the elbow room of Requirement. Albus and rosebush sat on one of the couch while John and Amanda sat on the opponent one. Albus reached into his bag and found the letter.

`` Here it goes, '' Albus whispered.

`` That potion better have worked, '' whoremaster said.

Albus tore spread out the envelope and unfolded the varsity letter. He read it aloud.

Dear Albus, rosiness, John, and Amanda,

shoemaker's last dark Matt told me to pen you
and secernate you what happened if he couldn't.
Since he ca n't, you have probably guessed
that the potion did not work.

`` Damn ! '' John the Divine shouted.

matt will explain more when he gets back to
Hogwarts. I 'll just say that it 's not regretful
than usual. He 's at St. Mungo 's right now so
the therapist can notice the after affects of
the potion and the transformation.

He only has to stay in St. Mungo 's nightlong
and then tomorrow he 'll be back at menage. I 'm
pretty sure he 'll be back at Hogwarts on
Sunday, but we 're not exactly sure.

Hope you are all doing well. I 'll see you
soon, maybe at the next Gryffindor
Quidditch match.

From,
Amy

Albus folded up the letter and looked at his friend. `` Well, I guess that 's it, then. ``

`` At least it was n't any worse, '' Amanda said quietly.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed.

Nobody said anything for a few minutes. Albus felt very disappointed that the potion had n't worked, but he was sure it did n't even come close to what lusterlessness was feeling.

`` Maybe he 'll let us suit Animagi now, '' John the Divine suggested.

Rose glared at him, `` He wo n't. He 's still in that study, which means he 's still got to guide that potion for the future two years or so. Then there 'll probably be another one for him to try. And maybe that one will turn. ``

`` Well, it would still be cool to become an Animagus. ``

`` Then you can do it when you 're aged, '' rosiness said, `` You could n't do it now anyway, it 's too come along. ``

`` Albus 's grandfather did it. ``

`` When he was in fifth year, '' Rose reminded him.

`` fine, three more years then, '' St. John shrugged.

Rose sighed, `` lusterlessness wo n't let you join him on the full moonshine, though. And I would n't advise doing it behind his book binding. ``

`` I wo n't, '' John assured her, `` I just think it would be a fun affair to do, be an Animagus. ``

`` Definitely, '' Rose agreed.

Albus and his friends spent the better portion of the next hour talking about what they would do if they could translate into animals. They all agreed that listening in on people 's conversations and sneaking up on mass like Malfoy would be top on the list of stuff to do. Eventually, Rose insisted that they all start their prep, which took them well-nigh of the evening to complete.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, Denas, Moonylupin, phoenixy friend, drownzer, and potterfan296 for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that Quinton Willinson was no longsighted at Hogwarts, Albus still dreaded the Slug golf-club meeting on Saturday. His rational number side told him that it would n't be nearly as bad with Willinson gone, but Albus still was n't looking forward to it.

Kaden, on the former hired hand, spent the 24-hour interval leading up to Saturday talking non-stop about the Slug clubhouse meeting. Albus had already explained in point what they involved, but that did n't intercept Kaden from constantly wondering aloud about what the meeting would be like.

Saturday arrived quickly and Albus was still without an excuse to not hang the meeting. Georgia had not called for Quidditch practice that day, mainly due to the fact that the Ravenclaws booked the pitch all morning and the Slytherins had it all afternoon. The two houses were scheduled to dally each other the trace Saturday.

`` It 's time for the slug nine meeting, Albus ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly a few minutes before eleven.

Albus sighed and got up out of his chair in the common room. `` See you lot in a footling spell, '' he said to John and Amanda.

`` wealthy person loads of fun ! '' John laughed.

`` See you later, '' Amanda grinned.

Albus, Kaden, and pink wine, who had also decided to go, set off for the donjon. Albus hoped he would only feature to stay for a little while, maybe an 60 minutes at well-nigh. Just long enough for Kaden to see what the encounter were like.

The merging was held in the Potions classroom and a few students were milling about when Albus, blush wine, and Kaden walked into the way. Albus recognized well-nigh of them from conclusion year 's meetings. A few of his first cousin were there as well, but not all of them. James was n't there, but Albus knew he had dueling practice that day. Albus was also happy to note that Felix Willinson was not there. Of line, after what happened with Quinton and his Father of the Church, Albus guessed he should n't be surprised that Quinton 's first cousin would n't be invited to the Slug Club.

There was a table broad of food along one of the side walls and about everyone was crowding around it trying to get some dejeuner. Slughorn had a plate of food for thought in front of him and was sitting at a large tabular array in the front line of the room.

Albus led blush wine and Kaden over to the board and picked up a plate.

`` What is this hooey ? '' Kaden pointed to a record of some sort of meat.

`` Pheasant, '' Albus replied. Slughorn always served pheasant at his confluence. Albus tried it last year and hated it.

Kaden shrugged and piled the pheasant onto his plate. Once Albus and his friends had gotten enough food, they sat down at the table across from Slughorn. Shortly after, everyone else had sat down at the mesa as well.

`` Good to see you all again ! '' Slughorn greeted them and then turned to Albus. `` And Albus and pink wine ! I 'm very happy that you two decided to get along ! How have classes been going ? ``

`` trade good, '' Albus replied.

`` Excellent, excellent, '' Slughorn nodded, `` We also have someone new here today. This is Kaden Dursley, '' Slughorn gestured to Kaden. `` He 's Albus 's first cousin and is turning out to be quite the Potions brewer ! Lily 's genes must be coming out in you ! ``

Kaden grinned, `` Potions is fun. Loads better than metamorphosis. ``

Slughorn laughed, `` Do n't let Professor Patil hear you say that. But I daresay I agree with you. ``

Kaden laughed as well and then took a enceinte bite of pheasant. Albus watched him as he did so, wondering if he 'd like it. Kaden chewed for a few moments before a big smile appeared on his face.

`` This stuff is excellent ! ``

`` I 'm beaming you like it ! '' Slughorn said.

Albus chuckled to himself. Of course Kaden liked the pheasant. If there was one thing Albus had learned about his cousin over the by six months, it was that he 'd eat pretty lots anything. This was obviously something he had inherited from his father.

Slughorn soon launched into a lengthy explanation of what he did over his vacation and who he had spent sentence with. ( `` Barry Ryan used to play for Ireland, you know. '' ) Albus found the unanimous thing rather wearisome but he noticed that Kaden seemed to hang on Slughorn 's every word. rosiness seemed to be paying attention as well, but probably only out of courtesy.

Albus let his mind wander as Slughorn continued talking about his dinner with Barry Ryan. Matt was supposed to return to Hogwarts the next day, which meant that in as niggling as twenty-four hours, they could be having the map working. Well, if they could pussyfoot away to the way of prerequisite, that is. Albus hoped Rose would have that charm working soon. Then they could just do all of this with Kaden. It would take a crap it a whole lot sluttish. Of course, flatness still had n't said that he agreed to tell Kaden even with the magic spell. Albus kept forgetting about that portion. But why would n't he agree ? The charm seemed like it would work well.

Albus, Kaden, and rosebush wound up staying until the end of the meeting. Kaden was enthralled by the entire thing and Albus knew he would turn down to leave other. Albus was incredibly bored by the time the thing was over and Rose looked as bored as Albus felt. Once the meeting was finally over, the three of them said au revoir to Slughorn and left the dungeons.

`` That was so coolheaded, '' Kaden grinned.

`` oil production 's more like it, '' Albus replied.

`` How can you think it was boring ? '' Kaden stared at Albus, `` Slughorn knows so many famous hoi polloi. ``

`` cartel me, it gets old after a piece, '' Albus said.

`` Well, are you two going to the next one ? ''

Albus looked at rosiness. She did n't look like she wanted to go to the next one either. `` Er, well, I might have Quidditch practice. ``

`` And I 'll probably possess too a great deal homework, '' rosiness explained.

`` I 'd go even if I did have too much homework, '' Kaden told them.

`` That really is n't a skillful theme, '' rose warned him. `` You 'll get behind. ``

Albus laughed as rose wine launched into a word about how authoritative time management is and how preparation should always come first. The three of them were nearly to the common room by the time rose wine finished and Kaden was wearing a blank looking on his font, much like the one Albus had worn during the Slug Club meeting.

******

`` Got any musical theme what time he 's coming back ? '' bathroom asked shortly after lunch the next day in the common room.

`` No idea, '' Albus shrugged.

Albus, St. John, Kaden, Rose, and Amanda were all sitting around their usual board in the common way. Rose and Kaden were playing chess game and it was ostensible that Rose was going easy on Kaden. The two of them had been playing the same game for fifteen mo. If Rose wanted to, she probably could have beat Kaden in five min. John and Amanda were both working on the Transfiguration essay that was due the succeeding day. Albus had already finished that particular essay and was watching rose and Kaden 's cheat match.

`` fag to D3, '' Kaden said. The king gave Kaden a menacing glower and then reluctantly moved to the square.

`` Bishop to D3. '' Rose 's bishop smashed Kaden 's faggot to pieces. `` mate, '' Rose grinned.

`` Crap, '' Kaden muttered as his king dropped its sword in defeat.

`` You 're getting a bit better, '' Rose said as she repaired all the small-arm with a wave of her wand.

`` Do you have Quidditch practice session today, Albus ? '' John asked.

`` Yeah. Georgia managed to reserve the pitch for an hr after dinner. The Hufflepuffs were n't too happy, but GA got it first. ``

`` I hope matt gets back before you leave, '' Amanda said.

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed. `` But Amy did n't say when he 'd be coming back. ``

`` He 's going to have a consignment of homework to pee-pee up, '' Kaden announced.

`` That sounds like something you 'd say, rose wine, '' privy laughed.

`` How 's your essay coming, trick ? '' Rose smirked.

`` Yeah, yeah. I 've got the first paragraph done, '' can grumbled.

`` I 've only got one to a greater extent to go, '' Amanda said.

`` need to act again, rose ? '' Kaden asked.

Rose shrugged. `` for certain, why not. ``

Rose and Kaden set up their slice and started to encounter again. Albus watched them. It was pretty peculiar to look on the two of them act as Bromus secalinus. Kaden would sit there forever figuring out what move to make and once he made it, Rose would smile and affect one of her own pieces within seconds. Rose 's motility usually involved killing one of Kaden 's pieces.

The portrait hole to the usual elbow room opened a few minute later and Albus looked up. lustrelessness was just climbing through and headed straight for Albus 's tabular array once he noticed them.

`` Hey, Matt ! '' Albus grinned, `` Welcome back ! ``

`` Hi Albus, '' Matt grinned back. He looked tired, but happy. There was still a xanthous bruise on his forehead, but other than that he looked fine.

John, pink wine, Amanda, and Kaden all looked up from what they were doing and greeted mat as well. mat grabbed a chair from a nearby mesa and sat down next to Albus.

`` How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` All right, '' mat shrugged.

`` Er, Kaden, '' Albus began, `` You know how you said Matt 's got a lot of homework to micturate up ? ``

`` Uh-huh, '' Kaden nodded as rose wine declared checkmate once again, `` poop ! ``

`` wellspring, it would probably be a good idea for him to go see all the teachers now about it. So, we 'll all go with him to do that, since we 're in his social class. We 'll help. You can stay here since you 'd probably be bored. ``

`` Ok, I 've got my own homework to get on anyway. ``

`` Good, '' Albus replied, `` john ? Amanda, Rose ? You can come with us. ``

`` Sure, anything to put off finishing this essay, '' John closed his book and stood up.

Once they were out of the usual room and into the corridor, Matt turned around and looked at Albus. `` You 're not really making me go collect all my homework are you ? ``

Albus laughed, `` No. Just had to reckon of an excuse for Kaden to stay there while we went to the way. ``

`` good, '' John said, `` I do n't really want to go gather your homework with you. ``

`` You wo n't sustain to. I 've already gotten it. They owled it to me over the holiday. I 've already finished it all, '' Matt explained.

`` You 're farther along than John, then, '' rose laughed.

`` Shut it, rose wine, '' John said.

The five supporter continued their walking to the Room of Requirement, which manifested itself in its usual form for them. They walked into the Room and settled onto the usual scarlet and gold furniture.

`` So, '' Albus began, `` What happened with this new potion ? ``

`` wellspring, it did n't sour the way it was supposed to, but Amy already told you that, '' Matt said.

`` Did it help at all ? '' rose asked.

`` Nope. ``

`` And you 'll still have to keep taking it ? '' whoremonger asked.

`` Yeah, that 's what stinks, '' Matt sighed. `` It did n't mold the way it was supposed to, but it did other material. ``

`` I thought it was n't going to have any bad effects, '' Albus said.

`` They were n't really dangerous position effects. It just made me really tired. ``

`` But you 're always tired before the fully Moon, '' Gospel According to John pointed out.

`` I know, but the potion made it worse. Usually I can at least go to morning class on the day of the full moonshine but with the new potion I 'll just catch some Z's right through them. It makes me exhaust as soon as I start taking it, which is a week before the replete moon, just like the veritable wolfbane was. ``

`` So you 'll be tired for an entire week ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' matt shrugged, `` The therapist are trying to find a potion to countervail the fatigue, but I doubt they 'll have one in clock time for next month. ``

`` I do n't get why you have to keep taking it if it does n't even work, '' John Lackland shook his head.

`` Because they have to stimulate sure it was n't just a fluke or something. That 's the matter about these studies, they have to do multiple trials to dissect the gist and stuff. ``

`` There 's a luck it might forge next month ? '' Amanda asked confusedly.

`` I suppose, but I doubt it. ``

`` You do n't seem that upset or anything, '' rose commented.

`` I honestly did n't intend it was going to put to work. My parents told me not to get my Bob Hope up about any of these experimental potions. Plus, this was only the beginning one I 've tried. They 'll follow up with others. ``

`` I just hope one of them actually works, '' lav replied.

`` Me, too, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` You 've got no estimate how lots I wish that.

`` Let 's not babble about it anymore now, though. You 've got to tell me if you got the stag photographic print ! It 's been driving me mad for hebdomad now. ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus grinned. He had almost forgotten about that. Almost being the key word. The new map was always on Albus 's mind now. `` We got it. Rose and I did. ``

`` Brilliant ! '' flatness exclaimed.

`` And I 've got the transference spell all worked out, '' blush wine told him.

`` lav 's just got to get the rat print, '' Albus said.

`` I 'm working on it ! '' privy replied, `` It 's unvoiced than you 'd imagine to blot a rat during Potions. ``

`` wellspring, we 've got duplicate Potions tomorrow, so try then. Slughorn 'll be having us brew the altogether year probably, so just keep your eye out, '' Albus told him.

`` I will. I 'll pay Sir Thomas More attention to potential strikebreaker than to my potion, '' John grinned.

`` I would n't suggest that, '' Rose smirked. `` It 'll break loose or something, since you 've got Goyle as a partner. ``

`` Eh, I 'll take one failing grade if I can get the rat mark, '' John shrugged.

`` Well, try to get the rat without destroying your potion, '' pink wine sighed.

`` Just think, this time tomorrow, we may have the map working, '' flatness commented, `` That would be awesome. ``

`` We 'll throw to get away from Kaden first, '' Amanda pointed out.

`` And I 'm not entirely sure the map will function after we do this, '' Albus said, `` It almost seems too unproblematic. ``

Albus had been thinking this for a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. now. They had had an incredibly soft time getting the mark. Almost too easy a time. Dogs, hart, and rats were quite uncouth and anyone who could throw a simple Petrificus Totalus charm could get those prints. The only one that would be hard for the average wizard to get was the lycanthrope print. Even so, Albus did n't think the Marauders would get it this easy to admission the map.

`` I 've been thinking the Same matter, '' Rose agreed.

John groaned, `` That would take up. ``

`` We 'll get it eventually, '' Albus assured him. `` Plus, the map said we had to be like the Marauders. We have n't done anything that only the Marauders could have done so far. We got a crew of paw mark. Anyone can do that. ``

`` Not anyone could get a werewolf photographic print, '' John pointed out.

`` I know. But it 's not something only the piranha could possess done, '' Albus told him.

`` Speaking of the marauder, '' John turned to rosiness, `` How 's the Sileo Altus charm coming ? ``

`` The what ? '' lusterlessness asked.

`` Oh, yeah, we 've got to recite you about that, '' John said. `` Want to explain it, rosiness ? ``

`` Sure, '' rosiness shrugged, `` It 's a appealingness I found in a playscript at my house. It 's a way to do sure person keeps something a enigma. Kind of like the Fidelius good luck charm, only it 's for verbal secrets, not shoes. Whomever performs the charm is the Secret custodian and only that person can unwrap the magical spell. After the charm is performed, the person ca n't speak about the clandestine with anyone except the Secret keeper and anyone else who was involved in the magical spell performing. It 's a way to go on Kaden from telling anyone that you 're a werewolf. ``

Albus held his breath as rose wine explained and hoped that Matt would cerebrate it was a expert melodic theme. Albus watched as Matt thought about what Rose had said. Albus could n't really separate what he thought. flatness looked a bit surprised, almost like he did n't think blush wine would have ever found a charm to do that.

`` Well, what do you think ? '' Albus asked after a few here and now silence.

`` I 'm not sure, '' Matt said quietly, `` Will it really run ? ``

`` I 'm fairly certainly it will, '' Rose said, `` The only affair that will overcome it is Veritaserum. ``

`` And what if Kaden drinks Veritaserum ? '' Matt asked.

`` When would he imbibe that ? '' whoremonger raised his eyebrows.

`` I do n't jazz, '' Matt sighed, `` But he could. ``

`` I really do n't opine he would. ``

`` What if he did ? What if he spewed all about me in the middle of the Great mansion or something ? ``

`` I doubt he 's ever going to wassail any Veritaserum, '' rosebush said,"And even if he did, someone would have to ask him if you were a wolfman. He would n't just randomly start telling people."

`` Is there even any of that in the castle ? '' Amanda asked.

`` There 's some in Slughorn 's private Potions cupboard, but that 's it, '' Albus answered, `` But that 's locked anyway. ``

`` See ? Hardly any prospect of Kaden drinking any, '' lav said.

`` Yeah, but still ... I do n't acknowledge ... '' mat groaned, `` I just do n't really want to separate him. ``

`` I know. Just think about it, ok ? '' Albus gave mat a half smile.

`` All right, '' Matt sighed, `` We do n't need Kaden yet, do we ? ``

`` No, '' Albus replied, `` I 'm not sure when we 'll need him. The map just said we had to be like the Marauders, which means we 'll ask someone to be Wormtail at some point. ``

`` And I want to screen that good luck charm out before we use it on Kaden, '' Matt said.

`` We will, '' Rose assured him, `` I 've got to exercise it anyway. ``

`` So, anyone got any secrets we can practice with ? '' John grinned mischievously.

******

`` Settle down, reconcile down, '' Slughorn barked at his class.

Albus turned around in his fundament. He had been talking to John, who was sitting behind him future to Goyle. Albus was sitting next to Limbert and mat was looking thoroughly pitiful next to Maloy in the succeeding row over at the battlefront. Slughorn was still plowing forward with his inter-house collaborator in category, but Albus did n't imagine it was helping to diminish the hostility between Gryffindor and Slytherin. So far, the just that had happened was silent abhorrence during practical lessons and jinxing and hexing at spoiled. Based on the little duel between Ethan and Garth Octavius the late week, it was only a matter of clock time before affair really got out of hand.

`` Thank you, '' Slughorn said once everyone was paying tending, `` Today you 'll be brewing the Confusion Potion I taught you about on Fri. He waved his sceptre at the blackboard, `` commission are on the plug-in. You have the total class. ``

`` Light the fire, '' Limbert grunted as he got up from his chair.

Albus nodded and pulled out his wand. Albus and Limbert had come to an unspoken agreement with brewing potions. Limbert would collect factor while Albus lit the fervidness and unpacked all the various scales and knives. Then, Albus would prepare the component while Limbert added them and stirred the cauldron. Albus was fine with this since Limbert was a better Potions brewer than he was.

Limbert returned with the element and Albus started chopping them. He never said anything to Limbert while they worked and Limbert never said anything to Albus besides the periodic 'pass the asphodel'or something of the like.

Albus listened to everyone else in the class as he chopped up ingredient. He thought it was especially amusing to listen to John and Goyle.

`` No, that 's not clockwise, '' John groaned, `` You 're stirring counter-clockwise. ``

`` Oh. ``

`` Stir it the other way ! '' John the Evangelist shouted.

Albus stifled a laugh and glanced to his left, where pink wine and Leigh Montague were having a alike conversation.

`` They 've got to be chopped finer than that. It says minced, not diced, '' rosebush instructed.

`` They look fine to me, '' Leigh snapped.

`` No, they wo n't knead like that. Let me do it, '' blush wine grabbed a knife and started mincing the shrivelfig.

`` Fine. You do the altogether thing if you 're so fresh, '' Leigh huffed.

`` You can call down the cauldron. Clockwise, '' rosebush replied.

Albus was n't close enough to either Amanda or Matt to hear what was going on at their tables. It looked like Amanda and Dalila Avish were working much the Same way Albus and Limbert were, since neither of their sassing were moving. Malfoy appeared to be yelling at Matt for something, but Albus could n't quite make out what it was. matte got up from the mesa with a bowl full of something and then emptied it in the bin. When he returned to his tabular array, he started carefully chopping something up. Albus was guessing it was more of whatever he had thrown away.

Albus continued mincing his shrivelfig and listened mostly to John and Goyle. Limbert kept smirking every so often, which gave Albus the impression he was listening to John and Goyle, too.

`` Keep stirring CLOCKWISE for another minute, '' King John said slowly and clearly, `` Then switch to COUNTERCLOCKWISE. I 've got to go get something. Do n't do anything besides the inspiration. ``

Goyle grunted and Albus heard John get up. Albus felt a prod in his position and looked up to see John standing next to him. `` What ? '' Albus whispered.

can pointed to a street corner of the way, near the cupboard of factor. There was a enceinte rat sitting there. Albus shuddered and looked back at John.

`` I 'll be back, '' bathroom winked at him.

Albus tried to reduce on his shrivelfig, but he could n't hold on glancing up at privy. He was almost to the cupboard now, and the rat still had n't moved. Albus watched as St. John the Apostle pointed his sceptre at the rat, but he could n't hear what write John was using due to the noise in the room. Luckily everyone was concentrating on their potions and not paying an apothecaries' ounce of attention to John. Albus grimaced as John picked up the rat and shoved it inside his robes. Albus was incredibly happy that John the Evangelist was unforced to do the rat photographic print. The thought of putting a rat in his robe creeped Albus out.

John went into the closet for a few moments and came back out carrying a jar of something. Probably a cover story, Albus thought.

`` Got it, '' Gospel According to John whispered to Albus on his way back to his desk.

`` Excellent, '' Albus said.

Suddenly there was a loud burst from somewhere behind Albus and he felt a hot liquidity acres on his heading and drip down the back of his robes.

`` Ouch ! '' he and Limbert shouted at the same time.

`` Boody blaze ! '' John exclaimed as the Orange River potion landed on the front end of his robes.

topsy-turvyness erupted in the schoolroom. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to gaze at the burst forth potion. Albus turned around and saw that the explosion had come from john and Goyle 's cauldron. Goyle was wearing a stupefied expression on his face and was staring into place while holding his ladle in the air. His brass was covered with potion as well as his robes. His hair was singed and there was a minor fire on his table.

Albus could find the potion burning down his cover and it hurt like hell. It felt like his pelt was on flak. He got up from his chair and felt his back. His gown were sting straight through. John 's and Limbert 's were as well.

`` What did you do ? '' Slughorn asked as he strode to bathroom and Goyle 's table.

`` Uh ..., '' Goyle stared up at the ceiling.

`` You must 've gotten potion in your mouth, '' Slughorn shook his pass. `` hospital Wing. Who else got hit ? ``

`` I did, '' Albus, john, Limbert, as well as Karina and Celeste Yeardly ( who had been sitting behind toilet and Goyle ) said at the Lapp time.

`` hospital fender, all of you, '' Slughorn replied, `` If one of you could delight make sure Mr. Goyle arrives there, that would be appreciated. ``

Limbert immediately dragged Goyle out of the way with Celeste following. Albus and John walked a little ways behind them and Karina behind them.

`` imbecile, '' John muttered as they climbed the stair out of the dungeons.

`` What did he do ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not a clue, '' John shrugged, `` Not what I told him to do. ``

`` I heard you talking to him. It seemed pretty straight. ``

`` Well, he 's dumber than a troll, '' John groaned, `` merlin this stuff and nonsense burns. ``

`` At least we did n't eat any of it, '' Albus pointed to Goyle, who was stumbling down the corridor like he was drunk.

`` True, '' John Lackland laughed and then lowered his voice, `` Hey, it was worth it since I got the rat. ``

`` That matter 's not still in your robe, is it ? '' Albus glanced warily at John.

`` Er, yeah, have n't had a chance to take it out. ``

`` I just hope it stays stunned. ``

`` It should, '' John said as they followed Goyle and Limbert into the hospital Wing.

Madam Pomfrey was already busybodied taking care of a girl who had gotten bitten by something in Care of Magical Creatures and told them they would sustain to wait. Once she had finished healing the young woman, she moved on to Goyle, since he was n't able to sit still and was wandering around the room tripping over things. She took attention of Limbert, Celeste, and Karina, and then moved on to the bed Albus and John were sitting on.

`` You lot again ? '' she sighed, `` I 'm surprised it 's only the two of you. ``

`` Well, Matt, rosiness, and Amanda were all too far away to be hit by the potion, '' Albus explained.

`` I swear the lot of you are exactly like your grandfather and his friends, '' dame Pomfrey shook her head teacher as she handed Albus a potion.

John, who had just started drinking his own potion, choked and coughed the potion up onto the bed. He turned and grinned at Albus, who grinned back. Well, Albus thought, that was the ecumenical thought of the map.

dame Pomfrey sighed and with a wave of her wand the potion was cleaned up. `` Drink the remainder of it, '' she instructed them.

brothel keeper Pomfrey applied some sort of ointment to their burn mark and a few transactions later they were allowed to leave. The nurse told them to go directly to their dormitory to get new robes and that she did n't want to see them in the hospital Wing for the next few weeks.

`` Fat chance that 'll take place, '' John smirked as they started back to Gryffindor Tower.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed. It seemed like one of them was always winding up in the Hospital Wing. Albus himself had already been there twice since returning to school after the Christmastide holiday.

`` Next Quidditch match is what, in three weeks ? '' John the Divine asked.

`` Just about, '' Albus said.

`` Then you might be back there soon, '' Gospel According to John joked.

`` Shut it, '' Albus replied, `` I did n't set ashore myself there final match. ``


A/N : Extra long chapter ! Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, Miguel, invisiblecloak, potterfan296, Luke, and drownzer for the reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or Frank Sinatra.


Albus and King John were immediately bombarded by Kaden when they entered the usual elbow room. rose, Amanda, and Matt were standing just behind Kaden with smirks on their faces.

`` Did your cauldron really explode ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` The potion did, '' John replied, `` And it was completely Goyle 's faulting, really. I gave him centering as to what to do and he screwed it up. ``

`` You know, '' Rose said, `` You 're not exactly the best potion brewer either, John. ``

`` Are you two all rightfulness ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Oh, yeah. gentlewoman Pomfrey sorted everything out, '' Albus assured her.

`` So what are you doing tonight, Albus ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he followed Albus and John to the dorm door.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had been planning on grabbing a speedy dinner with his friends after he changed robe, and then head to the room to try out the new map. They had all the paw prints ( John had gone up to the dormitory ahead of Albus with the rat and got the print from it. Albus did n't want to bang what happened to the rat afterwards ) now, so Albus was impatient to try it out. But they would n't be able-bodied to if Kaden was around.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged.

Kaden spent the full evening with Albus and his friends. Normally, this really would n't have bothered Albus, but that Nox his cousin was driving him mad. All Albus wanted to do was try out the map, but he could n't think up a unspoilt alibi for them to go somewhere and not let Kaden follow. So they spent the evening in the vulgar room, working on homework.

Albus and his friends were far too fussy the succeeding few sidereal day to try out the new map. Albus had Quidditch praxis on Tuesday and Th and dueling practice on Wednesday. Rose had dueling drill on Fri. toilet normally had his practice on Saturday, but due to the Quidditch peer, it had been rescheduled for Dominicus. Any bit of meter where neither Albus or his friends had any exercise, Kaden was around. It was n't until Saturday, following Slytherin 's spectacular exit to Ravenclaw, that they were finally able to try out the map. Kaden had been recruited to tutor a fellow first year in Potions and was going to be spending a few minute in the donjon after the Quidditch match.

`` semen on, let 's go try it now, '' Albus whispered to his friends after Kaden left the common room.

`` Got the mark ? '' matt asked.

Albus nodded and grabbed his bag. They quickly left the common room and ran for the Room of demand. They almost bumped into a Ravenclaw prefect, but luckily he was feeling generous ( well-nigh likely due to the Quidditch win ) and did n't lambaste them for running in the corridors.

Matt paced three times in front of the empty wall and as soon as the door appeared, the five friends ran inside. Albus set his bag down on the table and everyone crowded around it. Albus pulled out all four prints and the map.

`` All right hand, '' Albus unfolded the map, `` Rose, you 're good with the spell, right ? ``

Rose nodded, `` I 've practiced it and it works every time. ``

`` good, '' Albus stared at the map, unsure of how to begin, `` Er, maybe I should do what I did last meter to get it to tell us we 've got to prove we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Probably, '' Rose agreed.

`` Wait ! '' Saint John the Apostle shouted, `` Can I do it this time ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus shrugged and handed John the map.

`` Excellent, '' John grinned and pointed his wand at the map, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Padfoot. ``

Ink appeared on the map, but not nearly as much as when Albus had done it earlier in the year.

'No, you 're not .'

The ink disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

`` What ? '' John shouted, `` But it worked last clock time ! ``

Albus 's hopes plummeted. Why was n't it working now ? Was it on some kind of a timekeeper ? Like it could only sour on a certain day of the month ? He had been so excited about getting the new map to work, and now it would n't even tell apart them to shew they knew the Marauders.

`` Let me try, '' Matt grabbed the parchment and pointed his baton at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Moony. ``

'No, you 're not .'The map said once again.

`` This suction, '' John muttered, `` It worked last time. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to be Albus, '' blush wine suggested.

Albus wordlessly grabbed the map and pointed his own wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

The ink he had been expecting to come along rose to the control surface of the lambskin and formed the intimate words.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the marauder 's Map, Second version .'

`` Ha ! '' Albus grinned in excitement, `` There it is ! ``

`` But why did n't it work on for us ? '' John asked dejectedly. `` Does that mean we ca n't be Padfoot and Moony ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus sighed. He really hoped his Quaker would be able to be Padfoot and Moony. Who else could be Padfoot and Moony ? The map would n't even work without someone to be Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail. Albus could n't do it alone.

'Mr. Prongs disagrees with you and insists that you are not Prongs. However, you could be the second gear Prongs .'

`` See ? Why did n't it say 'However, you could be the second Padfoot'when I did it ? ``

'When four boys, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendship and mischief, they may confront themselves as the next generation of vulture. These four friends must each interpret one of the Marauders, for if even one is missing, this map will not mould. Before this goes any further, you must testify that you know the secrets of the vulture. examine that you know, and you may continue along the track of discovery .'

'The path of breakthrough ? I never knew you were so poetic, Mr. Prongs .'

'Oh, believe me, Mr. Padfoot, I am not. Mr. Moony came up with that whole thing .'

'Then I pay my wish on the wording to Mr. Moony .'

'Mr. Moony advises that whomever is reading this ignore Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot and start proving that they know the marauder .'

'Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and also advises that if whomever is reading this has no idea who the piranha are, that they quit while they 're ahead .'

'The Marauders indirect request you good fortune .'

`` Well, now what ? '' John asked.

`` I guess we 've just got to remove the paw prints, '' Albus said tentatively.

Rose picked up the paw mark and the map, setting them down in social movement of her. She pulled out her wand and muttered an incantation at the werewolf print. Then she muttered another incantation at the map. The loup-garou print appeared on the map, just as it had been on the other piece of parchment.

`` That, was bloody perplex, '' John said in awe.

Albus agreed. He was forever thankful that his first cousin was so brilliant. Albus did n't think he 'd ever be able to perpetrate off something like that. At least not until he was at least in fifth year.

Rose repeated the procedure with the dog, stag, and rat print, positioning them in the accurate same way that the little gull that the Marauders had put on the map.

`` There, '' she said once she was done.

The five booster stared at the map for a few seconds, waiting for something to take place. The paw prints were n't doing anything and neither was the map. No new ink had appeared and the paw print were n't disappearing or anything.

`` Er, '' Albus began, `` Maybe I 've got to severalize the map that we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Worth a blastoff, '' privy shrugged.

Albus pulled the map over to him and tapped his wand to it, `` I, Albus Severus thrower, the bit Prongs, know the predator. ``

The paw prints quickly faded until there was goose egg left hand but a space lambskin. Albus glanced up and looked at his friends before returning his gaze to the new map.

'Prongs agrees that you do know the Marauders, and is especially impressed that you managed to get a werewolf paw print .'

`` It worked ! '' Albus shouted happily.

'Due to your obvious knowledge of the vulture'enigma, we shall now recite you more about this map. When the predator were seventh year, they realized that within a few dead months, they would be gone from Hogwarts, and the school would be left without their chief mischief makers.

'Prongs suggested-'

'Do you always talk about yourself in the third person, Prongs ?'

'Only when I have a solidus of grandness, Padfoot .'

'Not too often then, right ?'

'Oh, get on with the explanation, Prongs .'

'Calm yourself, Moony. You 're letting your furry self show .'

'Shut it, Prongs .'

'All right. Anyway, I ( happy now, Padfoot ? ) had a stroke of splendour that the predator could see a way to ensure that they would never be gone from Hogwarts .'

`` I knew it ! '' rosiness shouted in glee, `` I knew that was what this was about ! ``

'The piranha decided to produce another map. The first map was only the beginning. The predator wanted to happen a way to put themselves into a map, in parliamentary procedure to help the succeeding generation of mischief Divine. That is what this map is about.

'However, not just anyone would be able to feature access to the map .'

'Yeah, we would n't want any old dunderheads stumbling upon it .'

'Right, Padfoot. Or even bad, having Slytherins get their vile hand on it .'

'I shudder at that cerebration, Moony. Anyway, the marauder had to figure out a way to insure that only those worthy would be able to admittance this map. The Marauder 's Map is actually quite simple to cipher out, compared to this one. All you have to do to open that is say a certain idiomatic expression. For this map, you have to be a certain somebody to open up it.

'You may or may not have figured out that in monastic order to get the first bit of information out of this map, you have to be a blood relative of one of the Marauders. However, not everyone representing the Marauders must be related. Because, you know, we might not all have nipper .'

'Yeah, you would n't want to be passing along any gene, Prongs .'

'Better mine than yours, Padfoot .'

`` That 's why only Albus could do it ! '' John shouted.

Albus felt immense backup man from this. John and Matt would be able-bodied to stage Padfoot and Moony.

`` So really, only Saint James, Lily, shimmy, my dad, and I could get it open, '' Albus said.

'The rest of you must be Gryffindor son, because we want you to be like us .'

'Lily wo n't like that, Prongs .'

'I know, Moony, but Lily does n't know about this. I do n't be after on telling her, either .'

`` guesswork that counts out my sister, '' Albus commented.

'So, now you 've proven that you know the Marauders. Your next step is to prove that you are the side by side Marauders .'

The ink slowly faded once again until the parchment was as dummy as before.

Albus stared at it for a few consequence, thinking about what he had just found out. The map was n't going to work yet. He had been so sure that all they 'd have to do was show they knew the piranha. But now they had yet another thing to do. They had to prove that they were the next Marauders. How were they going to do that ?

`` That was weird, '' whoremaster said.

`` I 'll say, '' matte agreed, `` They did n't even really distinguish us what it was a map of. ``

`` Yeah, they just said they wanted to constitute for sure they 'd never leave Hogwarts. Like the map is a role of them, '' King John replied.

`` To be good, it sounds a bit like a Horcrux, '' Rose commented.

`` Yeah, but it 's not like they put their psyche in there, Rose, '' Albus pointed out. `` It 's like the Marauder 's Map. It 's just enchanted. ``

`` I still wish we knew what it was a map of, '' John muttered, `` I mean, this is n't average ! We spend weeks getting those paw prints and we still have n't figured the map out. ``

`` I knew you 'd have to do something like this, '' Rose said, `` Otherwise it would n't count if there were four of you to represent the Marauders. If it was just this, Albus could give birth done the whole affair himself. ``

She made a well point. Albus had n't really thought about that, but it was true. They had to do something that required each of them to correspond one of the Marauders.

`` I guess we 've got to prove we are the Marauders, then, '' Albus said, `` enquire what that involves. ``

`` Maybe we 've got to do something the piranha would have done, '' lusterlessness suggested.

`` Like suit illegal Animagi ? '' lav grinned mischievously.

`` No ! '' Matt sighed, `` I told you, you 're not doing that ! ``

`` I do n't think that 's it, '' rosiness began, `` How would you go about proving to a piece of newspaper publisher that you 're illegal Animagi ? ``

`` Maybe we 've got to pull a huge prank or something, '' Albus said.

`` Again, how would you prove that to the map ? '' rose wine asked.

`` fountainhead, does anyone have any other ideas ? '' Albus asked.

`` We 'll think of something, '' Amanda said, `` I mean, there 's got to be a way. ``

`` Of course their is ! '' Rose said, `` We 've just got to go to the library and see if we can rule anything there. ``

`` We ca n't do anything anyway until you 've got that Sileo Altus appeal down, Rose, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Right, '' rosebush replied, `` It 's coming along well. I just need to get some practice session. Anyone want to be my tester ? ``

`` I will ! '' John shouted and jumped up out of his chair.

`` Ok, come here, '' Rose got up and went to the other slope of the room.

Albus watched as the two of them worked. kickoff, they had to suppose up a enigma, which took a good bit of clip. whoremaster finally suggested that the secret be 'Filch likes to dance in the moonlight with a long grip mop with weenie Sinatra music performing in the ground .'

Albus burst out laughing at that. `` Filch ? Dancing ? ``

`` Yes, '' John said in a sober tone, `` I saw him once. He was rubbing the mop headway to his face and had on a look of pure joy. ``

`` And soon you wo n't be able-bodied to tell anyone about it, '' Amanda grinned. `` What a shame. ``

`` Yes, it is, is n't it ? '' Saint John the Apostle laughed. `` You lot can still scatter it around, though. ``

`` Ok, John, let 's try it, '' blush wine said.

rose pointed her baton at herself and recited the magic spell that would induce her the secret custodian. Then, she pointed her wand at toilet and said a slightly unlike charm.

`` Now you say the mysterious, John. ``

`` Filch likes to dance in the Moon with a hanker handgrip mop with frank Frank Sinatra music playing in the background, '' John smirked.

`` Good, '' Rose replied and then performed another charm on John. `` I 'm not ready to try including other people yet, so bathroom will only be able to talk about Filch 's trivial drug abuse to me. ``

pink wine waved her scepter around in an intricate normal and then said one last conjuration. She lowered her scepter and stared at John Lackland. Then she turned to confront Albus.

`` There. Now you can try asking him about it, Albus. ``

Albus grinned, `` All right wing. So, Saint John the Apostle, heard anything interesting about Filch lately ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' privy shouted, `` Actually, just the early Night I saw him and he was- '' St. John the Apostle 's rima oris continued moving but no audio was coming out of it.

Albus and Amanda burst out laughing. John looked like a fish out of water. `` I think it worked ! '' Albus shouted.

rosebush was staring at John with a flimsy smell of dashing hopes. `` Not quite. He was n't even supposed to be able to propel his mouth. You know, in case people can learn sassing. I guess it 's a start, though. ``

`` Definitely. I mean, this is a really in advance magical spell. You ca n't have expected to get it on the 1st try, '' Albus pointed out. Although, he did kind of think Rose expected to get it on the first try.

`` I suppose, '' rose sighed, `` I 'll just unwrap it. ``

Rose waved her wand around and muttered some more incantations. `` Ok, he should be able to talk about it now. ``

`` Heard anything funny about Filch recently ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, he likes to dance with a long handle mop by moonlight while hot dog Francis Albert Sinatra plays in the screen background, '' privy told her.

`` aspect like the countercharm worked, '' Albus said.

`` But that 's not even what we 'll necessitate, '' rose pointed out, `` We 're not going to execute the countercharm on Kaden. Not for another few year at least. ``

`` Yeah, but it 's favourable for John the Evangelist that it worked, '' Albus grinned, `` Otherwise he would n't be capable to share Filch 's occult joyfulness of life history. ``

******

Over the succeeding few days, John Lackland actually did share that Filch liked to dance with a long handgrip mop by the moonlight with wiener Sinatra performing in the screen background. All he had to do was refer it to a few other Gryffindors at repast times and the bit of gossip was soon spreading throughout the shoal. The reactions from pupil ranged from hysterical laughter to raised eyebrow to exclamations of 'Who the hell is Frank Sinatra ?'Albus could n't help but simper every meter he heard his confrere students mentioning the story.

Filch, on the early hand, was actively trying to retrieve the culprit. There was n't really any period, since he would n't be capable to find who started it, but he tried. He spent the daylight prowling the halls and listening in on scholarly person'conversations, trying to discover out any sort of info regarding the false story. Whenever the scholar noticed him, they would erupt out laughing, which would do Filch to initiate muttering about 'rotten scholar'and 'ought to lather them all'.

Filch 's principal suspect was Kaden, which Albus found variety of funny remark. Kaden of course had laughed the loudest when he heard the chronicle. Since Filch had developed an acute dislike for Kaden since their detention months ago, he gave Kaden ominous stares every sentence Kaden passed him in the corridors. Kaden just found this funny, since he knew John had invented the story.

The history about Filch provided a courteous prisonbreak from the intense poring over that all the students were occupied with. Like usual, the teachers had increased the homework after the vacation. Albus was happy it was n't yet his O.W.L. year and he could n't imagine how he would make out to make out with that in three short old age. Along with homework, Albus also had Quidditch and dueling practice. Both Georgia and Kate had increased practice meter in order to cook for the upcoming catch and tournament. The third dueling tournament was to remove place the showtime weekend of February and Quidditch on the postdate weekend. Albus now had Quidditch drill on Mondays, Tuesdays, Th, and Saturdays. Dueling practices were as usual, not mandate, but were now not only on Wed, but on Friday as well. The only day Albus had off was Sunday, which did n't pass a good deal time for him to try and figure out how to prove he was like the piranha to the new map.

The morning time of the Dueling tourney was cold, snowy, and blustery. Albus was very happy the Quidditch match was n't that day. He got up a few hour before the tourney started and went down to breakfast with his friends.

`` I ca n't wait until I can duel next class, '' Kaden said in between pungency of egg.

`` It 's not really as cool as it 's made out to be, '' John commented, `` A lot of waiting around sentence during tournaments. ``

`` That 's because there 's so many of us, '' pink wine explained, `` In the regular Dueling Club, the one that you can only be in if you 're fifth year or above, not everyone gets on the teams. It 's like Quidditch and you have to try out. ``

`` That sounds better, '' John said, `` But I do n't know if I 'd wee the team. ``

`` I know I would n't, '' Amanda replied.

`` You 're getting wagerer, '' Albus assured her, `` You might make it by the clock time you 're a fifth year. ``

`` Yeah, that 's the peak of the junior 's club, '' rosebush said, `` So you can get better. They do n't expect us all to be practiced duelist. ``

`` Albus is, '' Amanda grinned, `` He 's brilliant. ``

Albus felt his face turn red, `` Well, I 'm not that heavy ... I mean, there are loads of people who are better than me. ``

`` Not on our squad, '' Amanda continued, `` He 's trounce almost everyone on the team. ``

`` Yeah, everyone except Malfoy, '' Albus muttered. He still had n't managed to beat Malfoy during their practice duels.

`` That 's good, though ! '' blush wine sighed, `` You 're both excellent duelist, so you 've got a good squad ! ``

Albus shrugged. He variety of would rather just be able to get Malfoy than beat the early teams, but he did n't mention anything about it.

Albus and his Quaker continued their lecture about dueling throughout breakfast and as they sat around the unwashed way afterwards. Soon, it was time for them to go down to the dueling chamber for the tournament.

They passed Filch on their way down the stairs, and he was muttering to himself as usual.

`` Damn nestling ... better when Umbridge was around ... curiosity if she 'll derive back ... she 'd let me whip them ... ''

`` I swear he 's gotten more mad over the year, '' John muttered to Albus as they passed him.

`` Dad says he 's getting senile, '' Albus whispered back.

The dueling chamber was packed with student, just like the past two tournaments. Albus and Amanda squeezed their way through the crowd to their usual table, where their team was sitting.

`` Hi Albus, Amanda, '' Kate greeted them. `` Ready to win ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus grinned.

The tournament got under way a few minutes later. It was much like the past two tournament, with a lot of sitting around time. Albus was happy that he and Amanda were on the Same team so they were capable to talk to each other in between duels.

Albus won both of his duels, just like the last two tournaments. So did Malfoy and once again, Albus found that he was sort of happy and kind of angry about that. Amanda won one of her affaire d'honneur, which Albus was very well-chosen about. He knew one-half her dueling takings were from nerves and the fact that she thought she would n't do well.

rosiness, John, and Matt each won one of their duels as well. Albus clapped for them even though they were on early teams, which earned him limelight from Malfoy. Albus did n't care, though. Malfoy could sulk as long as he wanted, it was n't going to block Albus from cheering for his friends.

The points were tallied after the final affaire d'honneur and St. John the Apostle 's squad was declared the victor. Albus was slightly defeated, but there were still three More tournaments before the final. Harry announced the point sum for the intact year and rosiness 's team was in first station so far. In second was the team led by Hufflepuff Paul Galivant and in tertiary was John 's team, led by Albus 's cousin Bradley.

Albus did n't think that the inter-house dueling was decreasing the rivalry between houses. Albus was n't anymore fond of the Slytherins than he had been in the origin of the class. None of the Slytherins really got along with the Gryffindors on his squad, and vice versa. He was n't exactly sure how it was working with the regular dueling nine, but he had overheard Henry M. Stanley complaining about how disobliging the Slytherins on his team were. But that was months ago and he did n't know what had been going on with it recently.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan296, Miguel, Gospel of Luke, and mischiefmaker09 for their review article !

I wrote my first Marauders Era report, English outcome May Include Gratitude and smell of Well organism, which is a one-shot from Madam Pomfrey 's full point of view. It 's on my author page, if you 're matter to. I 'd love it if you read and reviewed it !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


mat 's birthday was a few daylight after the Dueling Tournament. Albus and his friends did n't shake off him a party like they had last twelvemonth. That had mostly been done to cheer him up since he had been in the Hospital wing at the time. This class they went down to the kitchens and got a cake, and then ate it in their dormitory. Kaden went with him and was amazed by the kitchens, with all the house-elves around. His reaction was funnier to catch than Amanda 's the previous year. He stood there with his backtalk half undefendable and then ran around grabbing as a lot food as possible.

By the time the Quidditch match arrived the survey Saturday, Albus was utterly exhausted. Between Quidditch practice and homework, he hardly had anytime to sleep. fuddle in a head trip down to the kitchens for flatness 's birthday after Quidditch practice the other nighttime, and Albus was fix to sleep through an stallion day.

Albus yawned, got out of bed, and looked out the window. He had been hoping that the raging blizzard would receive let up, but it had n't. terrific, he thought, James would n't be catching the Snitch quickly in this weather.

A few hours later, Albus bade his booster goodbye and headed down to the changing rooms at the Quidditch pitch. His supporter had bundled themselves up in as very much scarlet and gold habiliment as they owned and were cook to huddle against the howling wind for a few hours of Quidditch. John, flatness, and Amanda did n't appear to mind the weather condition at all and were excited about the match. rose wine, on the other hand, clearly would have rather spent the good afternoon in the palace studying. Kaden still liked football better than Quidditch and Albus had a feeling he would n't have got minded the violent storm if he was watching a football game.

`` Ok ! '' Sakartvelo shouted a few minutes after Albus entered the changing suite, `` Everyone semen over here ! ``

`` I know the weather is n't nonpareil, '' GA began once everyone was gathered around her, `` But we 've played in speculative than this ! ``

`` Yeah, if you count that flood we played in during third year, '' Fred muttered, `` But other than that .... ''

Georgia glared at Fred, `` Anyway, we 're playing Hufflepuff, so we 'll win. Harper 's still captain, but it 's her hold out year, so she 'll be dead set on getting the Cup. That means she 'll cause trained her team even harder. They 've got a new keeper, though. someone named Tanner Royce. He 's a twenty percent year. former than him, the team 's the same as end year. So, with that, get out there and kick some Badger ass ! ``

Albus grinned to himself as he picked up his broom and started to walk to the door. Georgia was a great maitre d', but was n't a lot for long short-winded speeches.

`` Albus, '' Georgia whispered and put her hand on his shoulder.

`` Yeah ? ``

`` You 're, er, less nervous this match, right ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' Albus smiled, remembering how he had told her he was extremely nervous the last match. In reality, he 'd been too preoccupied with the new map. for sure, he 'd been a minuscule spooky, but not as much as Georgia thought he had been. This match, however, he was n't nearly as disquiet, although he still was a bit neural. `` I 'm a bit nervous, but not as much. ``

`` goodness, '' Georgia grinned and walked out the door and onto the pitch.

Albus followed his first cousin onto the pitch and was immediately hit by the forceful winds that were prevailing.

`` Welcome to the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff match ! '' Lord Todd Smith 's vox sounded over the pitch. It sounded faint and kind of far away in the lead. `` It 's bally cold out here so let 's make it prompt !

`` Here are the Gryffindors ! Captain Georgia Weasley, followed by Ryan O'Malley, Albus ceramicist, St. James ceramist, Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Heather Weasley !

`` And the Hufflepuffs ! Captain Jessica harpist, followed by Ted Shawn Ames, Lisa Galivant, Andy Kaper, Stacey Sir Patrick Manson, Anna Reilly, and Tanner Royce ! ``

Professor Oteski motioned for Georgia and Harper to shake hands and as soon as they did so, Albus and the rest of the players rose into the air. Oteski released the egg and Scots heather immediately took ownership of the Quaffle.

`` And Heather 's got the Quaffle ! She passes to Fred, then back to heather, and to Albus. ``

Albus caught the Quaffle and started flying towards the Hufflepuff goals. He was amazed that he had actually caught it since the weather was so awful. He could hardly see two feet in social movement of him. His robes were already soaked with snow and ice and he was frigidly inhuman. Nevertheless, he kept flying towards the finish until he had to block up short and toss the Quaffle back to heather, since he almost flew straight into an oncoming Hufflepuff chaser.

Heather caught the Quaffle and flew it the rest of the way to the goal. She threw it in and it easily went past Hufflepuff 's new Keeper.

`` Goal ! Ten-zero Gryffindor ! Now hurry up and enamor that Snitch, James ! I 'm freezing my bloody- ''

`` Kate Smith ! '' Patil shouted, `` keep an eye on your language ! ``

`` Sorry, Professor. ``

The Quaffle was now back in play and was in Hufflepuff possession. Albus was n't even surely which chaser had it, but he knew it was a Hufflepuff. Whichever Hufflepuff had the Quaffle managed to necessitate it to the Gryffindor destination, but Georgia saved it.

Fred took the Quaffle and flew it back to the other end of the sales talk, scoring another goal for Gryffindor.

The game continued this way for the next half time of day. Hufflepuff managed to score two goals, but Gryffindor scored about eight. Albus currently had the Quaffle and was flying straight at the Hufflepuff goals.

He narrowly avoided a bludger and both Hufflepuff beaters, but soon he was within throwing distance of the goals. He faked to the right and then threw the Quaffle at the left hoop. Royce tried to save it, but he was n't agile enough.

`` finish ! Albus Potter has scored against Hufflepuff ! The score is now 90-20 Gryffindor ! ``

Albus was rhapsodic. That was the starting time end he had ever scored in a Quidditch match. Up until now, all he 'd done were assists. Albus took a victory lap around the auction pitch and then caught the Quaffle from Heather.

Albus managed to make another goal and Calluna vulgaris scored two More in the next half hour of the peer. Hufflepuff scored a few More end, but were still far behind. By now, Albus was sure he had turned into an icicle and was getting a bit sick of flying around in the cold. He was even getting a bit of a headache from it. Albus was n't even sure if he 'd know if Saint James or Galivant caught the Snitch, due to the increasingly bad profile and snow. The blizzard seemed to be getting worse by the minute. If Hogwarts actually called off Quidditch, they would have called it off a piece ago.

A few minutes later, cheers broke out in the stands and Albus was sure mortal must deliver caught the snitch. He was very happy to land his broom and knew he 'd be even happier when he finally got into the fond commons room.

The rest of his team was shouting in gloat and were surrounding James II. He must have caught the Snitch, Albus thought. The rest of the Gryffindors were swarming the pitch and soon James was lifted onto a few people 's shoulder. Albus joined the concourse of his household and started his way back to the castling.

On his way back to the uncouth room, numerous people stopped him in order to felicitate him on the win. Albus was thrilled that they had won, but all he really wanted to do was find his Quaker and get into some warm robes. James I loved the tending he got after winning a Quidditch match, but Albus could take it or exit it. Right now, he could leave it since his worry was getting speculative.

The party in the vernacular room was just getting started when Albus entered a few mo later. mortal must suffer snuck down to the kitchens because there was an entire table filled with food. individual else had obviously gotten into Hogsmeade because just about everyone had a butterbeer in their hand.

mortal shoved a butterbeer into Albus 's hand as he made his way through the crowd. Saint James the Apostle was in the midst of it as common and was rehashing how he caught the Snitch.

`` And I saw it lurking near one of the end posts. Galivant was on the early end of the pitch, so I knew she had no Leslie Townes Hope ... '' James I was saying to a couple of giggling girls.

The sleep of the squad was nearby and were digging into the food for thought that was on one of the tables.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Georgia shouted as he passed, `` I knew you could get over those nerve ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled as he went up the stairs to his dorm room.

Albus quickly changed out of his common cold, wet gown and felt a bit better afterwards. He went back down to the usual room and it was even fuller than before. It looked like all the Gryffindors had returned from the pitch and the company was in full swing.

Albus found his friends sitting at their usual board and they all seemed to be enjoying the party.

`` Albus ! '' whoremaster shouted as Albus sat down, `` brilliant playing ! ``

`` Definitely, '' flatness agreed.

`` You 're quite a estimable chaser, Albus, '' Rose said, `` Although I honestly do n't have sex why they did n't scrub the mate with this blizzard ... ''

`` Cancel the lucifer ? '' John stared at her, `` Never ! ``

`` If it was football, it would 've been canceled, '' Kaden commented.

`` Yeah, because you would n't be able to run around in two understructure of snow, '' John laughed, `` But Quidditch is in the air, so it does n't weigh. ``

`` Will you two just quit arguing about football ? '' Rose sighed.

`` Just trying to turn Kaden into a proper wizard, '' John the Evangelist shrugged.

`` Quidditch is hardly the definition of a right ace, '' Rose said, `` I believe potion brewing is a bit more crucial and I 'm sure Kaden could teach you a thing about it, Mr. Exploding Potions. ``

`` That was Goyle 's shift, '' St. John the Apostle muttered.

`` Why do n't all three of you just take leave arguing ? '' Albus snapped. His chief was pounding and listening to his protagonist'arguing was not helping.

`` What 's with you ? '' John asked, `` We 're not fighting anymore than pattern. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to do that he 's been flying around in a blizzard for the past tense two hours ? '' blush wine suggested, `` If they 'd just experience canceled the match- ''

`` They do n't cancel Quidditch ! '' Saint John shouted and then turned to lusterlessness, `` You understand this, do n't you ? ``

`` It 's true, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` Quidditch is n't ever canceled for trivial thing like blizzards. ``

`` I think the conditions just makes it more interesting, '' Amanda commented.

`` Not you too ! '' Rose groaned.

`` football 's only played in the warmly months anyway, '' Kaden said, `` They would n't even schedule an outdoor football match in the winter. ``

`` well that 's tire, '' John replied.

Albus leaned his head on his hand and closed his eyes while trying to drown out his friend conversation. John, Rose, and Kaden continued to contend about the merit of Quidditch and football game. matt and Amanda stayed out of it for the most part and seemed kind of amused with the entire thing. Albus was n't, though. He wished they 'd just shut out up. Albus 's head was steadily feeling worse, like he was being hit with a bludger over and over again. Besides that, he still had n't completely warmed up from the peer and was shivering, despite his dry robes.

`` I think football would be a right variation if it were played on brooms, '' whoremonger said.

`` Oh come on, St. John the Apostle ! '' Rose sighed, `` Be serious ! You ca n't bring football on brooms. How would you plain the ball ? ``

`` Not to cite that Muggles take on football ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Muggles ca n't fly ! ``

`` I 'm not saying that Muggles should spiel football game on brooms. I meant if football were ever played by wizards, it should be done on brooms. ``

football on ling, Albus thought, what an insane mind. His friends were now trying to unite football and Quidditch.

`` Albus, are you all right ? '' flatness asked.

Albus opened his centre and lifted his chief off his hand. `` I dunno. ``

`` You do n't look that cracking, '' Matt said concernedly.

privy, Rose, and Kaden stopped arguing and looked at Albus.

`` Yeah, you look sorry than Matt does when he gets purge, '' Kaden said loudly.

`` Thanks, '' Matt muttered.

`` Matt 's right, '' Rose said, `` You do await fearful, Albus. ``

`` I 've got a concern, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You should go see Madam Pomfrey, '' Kaden told him.

`` I think I 'll just go to bed, '' Albus got up from his chair, `` I have n't really slept much the past few nights. I 'm probably just tired. ``

Albus stumbled over to the hall door, feeling forged than he had a few minutes ago. He collapsed into his bed and fell asleep minutes later.

******

Albus awoke with a start and he was n't sure how a lot time had passed since he went to sleep. He still felt extremely tired and his head still hurt. He groaned and closed his eye again, wanting only to sleep for a few mean solar day straight.

right when he was about to tramp off again, someone threw the curtain back and Albus 's bed was flooded in light.

`` Ugh, '' Albus groaned and covered his eyes with his hands. `` What was that for ? ``

`` You 've slept almost an integral day, '' soul said.

Albus moved his hands and slowly opened his optic. John was standing over his bed with a look of concern on his face.

`` And I 'd care to log Z's a bit more if you do n't mind, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You slept through dinner last Night, and breakfast and lunch today. Are n't you hungry ? ``

`` Not really. ``

`` Are you sure you 're ok ? '' can asked, `` Rose sent me up here to check on you. ``

Honestly, Albus was n't sure enough he was ok. He could n't think of the lastly clock time he had slept an entire day. But right now all he wanted was for whoremonger to go away so he could kip some more.

`` I 'll be OK once I sleep some more, '' Albus replied and rolled over away from can.

`` If you 're sure, '' Saint John the Apostle said quietly and closed the curtains.

It did n't take aim Albus long to fall down back asleep. He had some unusual dreaming that involved Teddy telling him his broom broke and he 'd give to meet Quidditch without it by running around on the ground. Then, instead of a Quaffle, the match was played with a football.

Albus woke up briefly after one of these ambition, only to find that the dormitory was grim. He could learn Ethan 's damp snoring and an owl hooting outside. Unfortunately, he did n't palpate any dear than he had when St. John woke him up. In fact, he now felt worse. Every one of his muscles were aching, like he had fallen from his broom during the match. But Albus could n't recall falling from his broom. When had the match been anyway ? Yesterday or the day before ? Albus could n't flush remember and he did n't even know what day it was currently.

`` Albus ! '' Someone shouted. Albus was dreaming about Quidditch again and person was hitting him with their beater 's bat.

`` Quit it, '' Albus mumbled.

`` Albus, are you all right ? ``

`` Go away, '' Albus said, `` And stop smacking me with that beater 's bat. ``

`` Beater 's bat ? '' they repeated, `` That 's it, I 'm getting Professor ceramicist. ``

`` I 'll go, '' person else said, `` You stay here with him. ``

Whoever had been hitting Albus with the bat had stopped, and he was grateful. GA had taken the bat away and was now yelling at its owner. Then she announced that they would be playing football game instead of Quidditch. James complained loudly, since there were n't any Seekers in football.

`` Albus, wake up ! ``

`` I think Kaden said you 'll have to trifle DoD, James, '' Albus mumbled in his sopor. `` There is n't a Snitch in football. ``

`` bent on, Albus, John 's getting your dad. ``

`` My dad ? He 'll have to dally defense, too. ``

`` What 's wrong ? '' someone new shouted.

`` He 's been sleeping since after the match, prof ceramicist. I think he 's sick. ``

`` Since after the match ? ``

`` Er, yeah. We thought he was just tired, but he 's been sleeping for two days. ``

`` The match ? '' Albus muttered, `` Did we beat Slytherpuff yet ? ``

Albus felt himself being lifted out of his bed and into someone 's arms. He rested his head on their shoulder and shivered as his blanket fell back onto the bed. Albus fell back into a deeply sleep and next woke up as he was being laid down on another bed.

Albus heard people talking all around him, but he could n't make out what they were saying. person poured a few disgusting potions down his throat and forced him to accept them. There was more muttering around him, but Albus soon drifted off to sleep again.

The elbow room was quieter when Albus next woke up. He opened his eyes and looked around. Where was he ? Albus was certain he had fallen asleep in his dorm room, but now it looked as if he was in the infirmary Wing. The place was nearly deserted, salvage for dame Pomfrey sitting at her desk. Albus yawned and tried to sit up, but he was still dizzy. The good thing was that his psyche felt much sound. However, his body still ached.

Madam Pomfrey looked up from her desk and got up once she saw that Albus was awake. She grabbed a few bottles and put them on a tray, which she then carried over to Albus 's bed and set it on the bedside table.

`` trade good, you 're up, '' dame Pomfrey said as she poured one of the potions into a cup, `` You gave us all quite a fearfulness. ``

`` What time is it ? '' Albus asked, still confused about what he was doing there.

`` Just after six o'clock. ``

`` Er, and what day ? ``

`` Mon, '' the nursemaid said as she thrust the cup under Albus 's nose, `` Drink that. ``

Albus downed the potion quickly, `` Yuck. It 's really Monday ? I 've missed socio-economic class ? ``

`` I 'd say so. ``

`` Er, what exactly happened ? I mean, I went to bed in my dormitory and now I 'm here ... ''

`` You 're ill, '' gentlewoman Pomfrey said, `` You 've caught the flu. Your friends told me you slept for almost two days and then they went to get your beginner since you were n't getting any better and had started becoming delirious. You 've been here since around lunch sentence. ``

`` Oh. well, how foresightful do I have to stay ? ``

`` Another two days, probably, '' lady Pomfrey told him. `` Now I want you to booze these other two potions and eat that bowl of soup. ``

Albus nodded and madam Pomfrey strode back over to her desk. Albus thought back and could vaguely remember being taken out of his dorm room, but it was only a dazed memory. The finally thing he could really remember well was the Quidditch match. He was very felicitous he had n't fallen ill before the match.

No sooner had Albus drank the offset potion that the doorway to the hospital annexe swung open and John, Matt, Rose, and Amanda came bursting through. Madam Pomfrey got up quickly from her desk and met them halfway.

`` Is Albus awake ? '' rose asked.

`` Yes, he 's only just woken up. I suppose you can chat him for a few minutes. But calmly ! He needs to rest ! ``

`` Albus ! '' Rose shrieked when she ran over to his bed, `` Thank Merlin you 're all right ! ``

`` How are you ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Doing better ? '' John asked.

`` Well, '' Matt said with a half smile on his pale side, `` This is a transposition. ``

Albus grinned at him, `` Yeah, ca n't really call up a time where it was you visiting me here. ``

`` What exactly have you got anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Flu, '' Albus answered, `` But I 'm getting better. Not nearly as tired as before. ``

`` I would hope so, '' Saint John the Apostle smirked, `` You slept two days. ``

`` I 'll probably sleep another two, '' Albus said, `` Pomfrey said I 've got to detain another two days. ``

`` We 'll be here together, then, '' Matt replied.

Albus looked at his friend, who was looking a bit exhausted himself. `` When 's the wax lunation again ? ``

`` Tomorrow, '' matt sighed.

`` Did you take up that new potion ? '' Albus asked.

lusterlessness nodded, `` Yeah, and I 'm more knackered than usual. ``

`` He fell asleep in History of Magic and almost fell asleep in Potions, '' John said.

`` Well, you did n't catch some Z's through two unscathed twenty-four hours like I did, '' Albus pointed out.

`` I 've done it before. I 've slept through More than two days actually. I think four is my record. ``

`` All rightfulness ! '' lady Pomfrey announced, `` Time for you lot to be off to bed, especially you, Matt. And Albus needs to rest. ``

`` See you tomorrow, '' Albus said as his friends left the room.

`` Sure will, '' mat replied.

Albus slept on and off throughout the night and the following cockcrow. He was still tired, but felt much better when he woke up late the next daybreak. His dad had stopped by former before class, but Albus fell back asleep after he left.

ma'am Pomfrey was fussing over him and giving him legion potions to tope. Albus was the merely patient in the intact Barbara Ward, so the nurse 's fussing was all focused on him.

The nurse had been giving Albus what must feature been his tenth deoxyephedrine of pee that morning when the doors to the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward opened. lustrelessness stumbled inside and walked shakily over to the bed next to Albus 's. He collapsed onto it and winced in pain.

lady Pomfrey immediately put down the water pitcher and descended upon matt.

`` You 're here earlier than usual, '' she said as she felt his headspring, `` And you 're burning up. ``

`` Why are you here earlier ? '' Albus asked once Madam Pomfrey had gone to get another potion.

`` Tired, '' flatness mumbled, `` felled seam asleep in Defense and your dad told me to descend here. ``

`` Is it the new potion ? ``

`` Yeah, it does n't exactly help much, does it ? ``

`` I thought you said they were going to feel something to counteract the persona of it that makes you outwear, '' Albus said.

`` They are, they just have n't found it yet. ``

`` Oh. ``

madam Pomfrey returned a instant later and gave flatness a few potions. He drank them and was asleep bit later. Albus was n't really wear down, but he fell asleep anyway out of deficiency of anything else to do.

Gospel According to John, pink wine, and Amanda stopped by after dinner to see Albus and Matt, but ma'am Pomfrey did n't let them ride out long. Matt had been asleep anyway. Shortly after their protagonist left, Madam Pomfrey woke matte up and took him down to the Whomping Wilow.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Moonylupin, potterfan296, Miguel, Saint Luke, and Denas for their recap !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


When Albus awoke the next morning, he felt much skillful. In fact, he felt mostly normal. He was n't achy anymore and his head felt better as well. He hungrily ate all the breakfast Madam Pomfrey provided.

The same could n't be said for matte, who was looking much worse than the old day. He was either asleep or unconscious, Albus was betting on the latter, and he had numerous cuts and scrape on his face. His mighty arm and frontal bone were covered in a large bandages.

`` So when can I leave ? '' Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey performed some sort of piece on Matt.

`` Later today, most likely, '' she said after she 'd finished her incantation.

Albus sighed. He had been hoping he 'd be able to leave that morning. He was starting to feel incredibly bored with the Hospital annexe, although not bored enough to start the prep pink wine had brought the premature evening.

Albus spent the remainder of the morning drifting in and out of sleep out of lack of anything else to do. Madam Pomfrey gave him a few to a greater extent foul savoring potions and dejeuner, which Albus ate ravenously. After going two days without food, he was starving.

The doorway to the hospital wing opened just as Albus was finishing his lunch. John the Divine, rose wine, and Amanda walked inside and immediately headed for Albus 's bed. Madam Pomfrey was in her authority and did n't seem to find the visitors.

`` Hey, how are you ? '' Rose asked.

`` Bored, '' Albus replied.

`` That 's practiced, '' pink wine grinned.

`` Are you better now ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Pretty a good deal. lady Pomfrey wo n't let me get out until later, though. compliments she 'd let me go away now. ``

`` She just wants to make certainly you 're completely better, '' rose said, `` And it 's not like you 're missing class since this is our good afternoon off. ``

`` Exactly ! '' John sighed, `` He could be doing much better stuff on his afternoon off if he was n't here. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Like figuring out the new map. ``

`` How are we going to do that anyway ? '' John asked.

`` Go to the library, '' Albus replied, `` We 've got to look for room of proving who we are. ``

John groaned, `` And I doubt there will just be a record book titled Prove Who You Are to a Piece of lambskin. ``

`` Probably not, '' rose laughed. `` But we 'll see out somehow. ``

`` Making anymore advancement on the charm for Kaden ? '' Albus asked.

`` A bit, yeah. I tried it again last night on Saint John the Apostle and this time he could n't even act his mouthpiece like last fourth dimension. Now I 've just got to reckon out how to involve early citizenry in the secret. ``

`` And then all we 've got to do is convince matt that the magic spell is foolproof, '' bathroom said.

Everyone glanced over at Matt 's bed, where he was still sleeping.

`` He been asleep all day ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said, `` Ever since I 've been awake. ``

Matt groaned and opened his eye, `` You lot here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John replied, `` How are you ? ``

`` Horrible, '' Matt said flatly, `` My head word is killing me. Were you talking about me ? ``

`` A bit, '' John said, `` Just about that magical spell for Kaden. We 're going to get working on the map once you two are out of here. Got to find some way to prove to it that we 're like the piranha. ``

`` Sounds good, '' lustrelessness yawned.

`` When do you get to allow ? '' Amanda asked, `` Albus is leaving later today. ``

`` No idea, '' matt said, `` Not until at least tomorrow night. Might be out in clock time for uranology. ``

`` Ca n't you not be outside when the moonshine is close to full ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Only when it 's waxing. When it 's waning I 'm fine. ``

`` So, we 'll plan on working on the map this weekend, then, '' Albus said. `` Unless any of you catch what I had. ``

`` Hope not, '' John said. `` Maybe Malfoy will enchant it, '' he added gleefully.

`` John, that 's not singular, '' Rose scolded, `` He 'd be really macabre. ``

`` He 'd get right. Albus is delicately now. ``

Albus heard a door out-of-doors and Madam Pomfrey came strolling out of her position. She looked up and saw the crowd around Albus and Matt 's bed and made a beeline for them.

`` What are you lot doing here ? '' she demanded.

`` Visiting Albus and Matt, '' rose wine answered.

`` Oh, you 're alert ! '' the nursemaid exclaimed and went over to Matt 's bed, apparently forgetting that rosebush, John, and Amanda had burst in without her permission. `` How do you feel ? ``

`` Awful, '' Matt replied. `` My point hurts and so does pretty very much everything else. ``

`` You must let hit your head much forged than common last night, '' Madam Pomfrey sighed, `` You had quite the concussion earlier. I 'll go get some pain potions. ``

She returned a minute of arc later with a potion for mat, who drank it in one gulp.

`` Now, you three have to leave, '' Madam Pomfrey said to Rose, John, and mat, `` Albus will be out later and you can see him then. ``

ennui set in for Albus shortly after his friends left. Matt had fallen back asleep quickly after he took his pain potion. Albus could n't even sleep anymore because he had already slept so much that day.

******

`` What are we supposed to be looking for anyway ? '' Saint John the Apostle sighed as he slammed a book shut.

Albus, John, Matt, rosebush, and Amanda were all crowded around a secluded table in the subroutine library. It was covered in Word that covered all sorts of topics. The five of them had spent the lastly hour searching for agency to prove to the new map that they were like the piranha. So far, cipher had found anything useful.

`` I do n't cognize, '' Albus replied, `` Anything that might prove that we 're like the vulture. ``

`` That 's not very specific, '' John the Evangelist muttered, `` I really do n't require to spend an intact Sabbatum here. ``

`` It 'll do you some good, '' rose said.

`` Wish we could just use that book that you used to obtain the former spell, '' Albus said to rosebush, thinking of Flitwick 's book.

`` Me too, but it 's in the Restricted Section, '' rosebush said.

`` Why ca n't we just get prof ceramist to throw us a note ? Bet he would, '' trick said.

`` Bet he would n't, '' Albus disagreed, `` He 'd do it we 're up to something. ``

`` Besides, '' Rose interjected, `` It might not be a Charm we 're looking for. ``

`` We 're just going to have to keep looking, '' Albus said as he opened another book. `` But I 've got Quidditch recitation in a half hour. ``

`` We 'll just look every prison term we can get away from Kaden, '' Matt suggested.

`` Where is he anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. Come to think of it, he had n't seen Kaden since breakfast. It was form of strange since Kaden spent every waking moment of his day ( when he was n't in year ) no LE than four foot away from Albus.

`` There he is, '' Matt pointed to somewhere behind Albus.

Albus turned around and saw his cousin running through the library with a clipboard in his hand.

`` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Quiet ! '' gentlewoman Pince shouted even tatty, `` Or I 'll throw you all out ! ``

`` Albus, '' Kaden said more quietly as he sat down in an empty hot seat at their table.

Albus eyed Kaden 's clipboard but he could n't read what it said. `` Hi Kaden. ``

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied, `` will you sign my prayer ? ``

`` Petition ? '' Albus asked, `` What in the name of Merlin are you petitioning for ? ``

`` TVs in the common way, '' Kaden grinned.

`` What ? ! '' lav and Matt shouted.

`` Quiet ! '' lady Pince screeched.

rosiness laughed, `` What on Earth for ? ``

`` I would n't mind having a TV in the common way, '' Amanda commented.

`` Exactly, '' Kaden said, `` It 's gruelling enough for us Muggle-borns to set to Hogwarts and if we had TVs, it would create it well-to-do. ``

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' John laughed.

`` Nope, not kidding, '' Kaden said, `` I 've got loads of signature already. I 'm not really sure how many I 'll need, though. I figure I 'll try and get as many as I can in a few days and then give it to professor Longbottom. ``

Albus tried to oppress his grin, but he could n't. The thought of Kaden trying to get television put into the common room was just too fishy. There would be no way any of the teacher would harmonize to it even if everyone in Hogwarts signed the petition.

`` So will you subscribe it ? '' Kaden asked, `` If this goes through, I 'll try for computers next. ``

`` electronic computer, '' lusterlessness laughed, `` You 're mad. ``

`` I 'll ratify, '' Amanda grabbed the clipboard and quill.

`` Sure, why not ? '' Albus shrugged. It could n't bruise to sign the thing, and he was sure Kaden would n't bar bugging them unless they did.

John and matt signed as well, although they were laughing the whole time. rose wine signed a bit reluctantly, but she eventually gave in.

`` So what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked after rose wine finished signing.

`` prep, '' Albus replied automatically.

Kaden stared at the large spile of books, `` Second year must be crashing insane. ``

`` Oh, it is, '' John said, `` You wo n't have any time to watch any TV. ``

`` I 'll make sentence, '' Kaden said as he stood up, `` Well, I 'm going to get Sir Thomas More signatures. ``

Albus watched as his cousin-german went from table to defer trying to get people to sign. Some of them liked the idea and signed willingly. Others laughed until Kaden gave up and others looked at him like he was crazy. Eventually, gentlewoman Pince found out what he was doing and threw him out of the library.

`` Your cousin is the eldritch bloke I 've ever met, '' John said after Kaden was kicked out.

`` Yeah, he is a bit foreign, '' Albus agreed and closed the book he was reading, `` Well, I 'm off to practice. I 'll see you lot later. ``

After practice, Albus went to the common room and found his friends sitting around their usual table doing homework. Unfortunately, none of them had found anything that would help oneself them to leaven that they were like the Marauders. Albus was beginning to wonder if they 'd ever get that map working. Even if they did find a way to testify they were like the predator, what would they get to do next ? How many things would they have to do before they would actually be able to see the map ? Albus had no idea, but he knew the predator were n't going to make this easy.

******

The rest of February passed quickly. Albus and his friend continued to purge the library for any form of good luck charm, spell, or potion that would help them in their seeking to bring out the map. None of them found anything. Kaden thought they were all doing preparation as they searched the books every weekend. Rose was making progress with the Sileo Altus charm, but it was n't quite perfected enough to use yet. Rose was certainly she 'd have it learned by the end of the month. Matt never said much when the magical spell was brought up and Albus was hoping he would still fit to secern Kaden once rose wine perfected the spell.

Kaden 's petition to have televisions put into the common way was rejected shortly after he gave it to Neville. Kaden did n't appear in the least bit deterred by this. He insisted it was rejected due to lack of convincing evidence as to how the television set would benefit the students. He was planning on resubmitting it along with a detail essay on the bailiwick later on in the term.

`` You know, Kaden, '' Rose said at dinner one Night, `` Even if the teachers accepted your orison, the TV would n't even act upon here. There 's too a great deal illusion. ``

`` Oh, I 'm sure there 's a charm that would neutralize that, '' Kaden said.

`` It wo n't work, '' lustrelessness said, `` deception just does n't agree with electronics. This one time when we were visiting my Uncle jackstones in the United Department of State, Amy accidentally broke one of the metal sensor at the airport. It was n't her fault or anything, the magic just interrupted it or something. The thing started beeping and would n't turn back until they turned it off. ``

John laughed, `` That would 've been hilarious to see. ``

`` Amy did n't think so. She was mortified, '' Matt said, `` It was a while ago, before we even moved here. I think she was fourteen. ``

`` Well, I still say they could find a way, '' Kaden said.

`` Hey, look, '' Albus pointed to the Head table. prof Kendrick was standing up.

`` Wonder what he 's got to say ? '' John asked.

`` Hope it 's nothing bad, '' Rose said.

`` He looks happy enough, '' Amanda commented.

`` May I have your attention ! '' Kendrick announced. The room fell unsounded. `` Thank you. Do n't worry, I 'm not giving out bad news. In fact, I think you 'll witness this announcement most charge. ``

There was a general cardiac murmur of fervor throughout the Great Hall at this. Kendrick waited for everyone to terminate talking before he continued.

`` If you 'll call back at the kickoff of the year, when I announced the changes for the Dueling Club, that that would only be one part of the menage single travail. I am announcing today that the other prof and I have organized another unity event. It will be a magpie hunt, with inter-house teams, of course. ``

Albus groaned. A scavenger hunt would be fun, but not if he had to do it with Slytherins. Everyone else seemed to be in correspondence, because there was a worldwide groaning throughout.

`` I know you do n't like it, but the school day needs to be unified. Now, I will explain the issue. It will not be like a unconstipated magpie Leigh Hunt. It will have space on the next three Sat. This Sabbatum will be for the first and 2d years. The following will be for third and twenty-five percent yr. The death will be for twenty percent, one-sixth, and seventh days.

`` The other professors and I will be organizing the teams, which will consist of member of former years and other menage. Each team will take about ten members. You will make one hour to complete the task given.

`` You will get a list of items to obtain before this hour is up. There are rules, of path. Some of these detail will be required to obtain without magic. We will be performing appealingness on these item and if we find that any of them were spelled, transfigured, conjured, charmed, etc. within the hour they will be disqualified.

`` However, the scavenger hunt will not only include a list of detail to find. You will also invite multiple trivia canvas. These will include both wizard and Muggle trivium.

`` Finally, each team will experience a riddle, which if they deceiver correctly, will conduce them on a pursuit throughout the castle and grounds. When you reach the end, there will be a bit of selective information that must be returned to me. If you are successful, you 'll get a 100 level bonus. However, there is also a false trail that will lead you to worthless info. If that is brought back, you 'll receive no bonus.

`` I will pass on you a more detailed lean of ruler on the day of the outcome. Until then, keep back your genius knifelike and do n't get rid of anything you would otherwise take for useless, '' Kendrick smiled and returned to his seat.

Albus turned to his friends, `` This sounds, er, interesting. ``

`` It 's really an excellent estimate, '' Rose grinned, `` I mean, there 's no way a single person would be able to achieve all of it alone. It 's a great idea for House unity. ``

`` It 'd be better if we did n't have to team up with Slytherins, '' can muttered.

`` But what if there 's something on that list that 's in the Slytherin commons room or something ? '' Rose pointed out.

John groaned, `` I guess you 're right-hand. ``

`` Sounds fun, though, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah. wonder what we get if we win ? '' Matt asked.

`` Hopefully some coupon to get out of homework or something, '' privy said.

`` Since when have they given away those ? '' Albus laughed.

`` Now 's the perfective tense time for them to start up, '' John replied.

`` I hope I 'm on your team, Albus, '' Kaden piped up.

`` That would be outstanding, '' Albus smiled, and he actually meant it. It sounded like there was going to be a lot of random stuff on that listing and if there was anyone in the school day that had tons of random poppycock, it was Kaden.

******

The next few day seemed to drag on on forever for Albus and the quietus of the first and bit twelvemonth. Everyone was getting excited about the pack rat Hunt and the teachers were getting a bit annoyed that nonentity was paying aid in class.

Soon enough, Saturday arrived and Kendrick announced at lunch for all the first and minute geezerhood to stay on seat after they were done eating. Once all the honest-to-goodness scholar left, Kendrick got to his base once more.

`` Now, the import you 've all been waiting for, '' Kendrick said, `` The Scavenger Hunt will commence shortly. get-go, I have a few Sir Thomas More rules to go over.

`` As I said earlier in the week, there are detail on this tilt that are not allowed to be created using magic. You may not arouse, transfigure, spell, or spell any of those item. Asking an older pupil to do so is also against the rule. We have patch that will observe if any item was magicked during the hour of the scavenger hunt.

`` The item must be found within the school and grounds. Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping willow, and Hagrid 's hut are all out of bounds and you may not look for for items in or around them. You may not ask older students or teachers for assist, nor may you owl family appendage or other masses. However, you may ask honest-to-god bookman if they have any of the particular on the list. It is up to them if they let you borrow them or not. Do not steal anything from anyone or there will be punishment. You are permitted to use the program library for help with the trivia. ``

Rose 's face lit up at that and Albus knew she would be the official program library researcher for her team.

`` There are going to be eight team of approximately ten students each. Your House prefects have your team assignments. team one and two are to forgather at the Hufflepuff table, one at each end. Teams three and four at the Gryffindor table, five and six at Ravenclaw, and seven and eight at Slytherin. You will be given a few transactions to get organized in your squad and then the other professors will hand out the appropriate material. Each team is given one set of cloth, no more. If you lose it, tough luck. Now please see your prefects. ``

Albus got up from the table and looked around until he spotted GA. He and his champion wound their way through the crowd until they managed to get to her.

`` Hey, Albus ! '' Empire State of the South grinned and looked at her clipboard, `` Ready ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm on a good team, right ? ``

`` fountainhead, there are Slytherins on all the team, if that 's what you mean, '' Georgia laughed, `` Anyway, you 're on Team Two. ``

Albus nodded and waited for his Friend to get their team assignments.

Georgia scanned her clipboard again, `` Let 's see, pink wine is on Team One, John is on Team Four, Matt 's on Team Two ... ''

Albus grinned at flatness. He was relieved that one of his friends was on his team. Now all he had to do was hope Malfoy was n't on his team.

`` Amanda 's on Team quaternary, and Kaden 's on squad Six, '' Empire State of the South looked up at them, `` Have fun. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus said and then turned to his admirer, `` Guess we 'll see you after. dear luck. ``

Albus and Matt worked their way through the gang to the Hufflepuff table along with rose. Albus was a bit foiled that Kaden was n't on his team, but there was n't anything he could do about that. The chances were n't smashing that he would make two of his ally on his same team. He was just lucky he had one of his booster on the same team.

The Hufflepuff tabular array was already filling with people from squad one and two. Team Two was gathering at the half closest to the staff table, so Albus and Matt made their way there.

There seemed to be a fairly even number of each household at the mesa. Besides Albus and Matt, there was one early Gryffindor, a low year girl Albus had seen but did n't know her name. There were also two Ravenclaws Albus did n't know, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. Albus groaned when he saw who the Slytherins were, Felix Willinson and Leigh Montague. Leigh was Rose 's potions better half and not the sharpest quill in the box.

Felix Willinson narrowed his middle when he saw Albus and Matt coming over. Albus found seats far away from him and sat down, waiting for the scavenger hunt to begin.

One of the Ravenclaws stood up a few endorsement later, `` Hi, I 'm Rachel underbrush and I 've been assigned as team headwaiter. ``

Everyone muttered hello to her and Rachel had everyone introduce themselves. So far, Willinson and Montague did n't seem enthused about their team, but Rachel did n't pay any attention to their animosity.

prof Patil came over a little while later with a fistful of lambskin. Albus assumed they were the lists of poppycock to look for and the trivia.

`` The search will get going in one minute ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professor will give you your lists as soon as I say go. You 'll have one hour to be back here with as much stuff you can possibly get. ``

A minute later, Kendrick shot out a shower of gentle sparks from his verge and Patil handed the pot of parchment to Rachel.

`` All right hand ! '' Rachel shouted as she leafed through the parchment, `` We need person to trace the brain-teaser and run around to get the incentive points. ``

`` I 'll do it, '' the former Ravenclaw volunteered. Rachel nodded and handed him the lambskin. He ran out of the Great student residence while reading the riddle.

`` Ok, here 's the trivia, '' Rachel continued, `` We 've got far-famed Witches and Wizards, Famous Muggles, What Not To Do While Interacting With Muggles, What Do You Know About Quidditch, and What Do You Know About football. ``

Albus turned to lusterlessness and laughed. Kaden would surely hump the football one.

Rachel handed out the triviality to the the great unwashed who thought they 'd be able to do it. Willinson had n't taken any of the trivia sheets, but Montague took the Quidditch one. Albus hoped she actually knew something about Quidditch.

`` Now we 've just got the list of items to incur, '' Rachel announced to the remaining team members, which were Albus, matte, Willinson, and one of the Hufflepuffs. `` You four get started while I work on the triviality. Oh, but I 'll take care of the costumes. You 'll just stimulate to wear off them. ``

Albus nodded and took the parchment from her. Costumes ? He hoped he would n't let to wear anything too humiliating. He set it down on the table and began to read it, with everyone else looking over his shoulder.

Items Are To Be Gathered Without deception

-holly wand
-five vomit flavored Bertie Botts Beans
-Slytherin wearing Gryffindor gown
-Gryffindor wearing Slytherin robes
-light saber
-Dumbledore deep brown frog card
-twenty shoelaces tied together
-Quaffle signed by Oliver Mrs. Henry Wood
-Shooting star broom handle
-Muggle pen
-copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein
-a Nintendo DS
-girl dressed up as Godric Gryffindor
-boy dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff
-color changing ink
-beater bat
-drum joystick
-silver chalice
-Chudley Cannons jersey
-six Extendable Ears
-Muggle playing cards
-receipt from Madam Malkins
-Argus Filch 's autograph
-the names of five Hogwarts house Elves
-rubber duck's egg
-copy of Hogwarts, A story
-sneakoscope
-foe shabu
-tea cosy
-Hogwarts graduation picture
-band aids
-green empty potions bottle
-Beatles CD
-purple gloves
-Hershey 's deep brown bar
-My Little Hippogriff
-pet toad
-purple parchment
-two bombardment
-tortilla silicon chip

Albus looked up from the list and waited for everyone else to polish off reading.

`` What the bloody hell is a CD ? '' Willinson asked.

`` Muggle way of listening to music, '' Albus explained, `` One of my cousins might let one. ``

`` I 've got one, '' the Hufflepuff, who Albus now knew to be Horatio Nelson Rodner, said.

`` Good, '' Albus replied, `` Anyone else know they 've got some of this material ? ``

Everyone nodded.

`` Let 's go get the stuff we know we 've got and then foregather back here, '' Albus said as he got up. `` Then we can work on the stuff we do n't. ``

The former three male child agreed and Albus ran out of the Great Hall with lusterlessness. The two of them ran as fast as they could up to Gryffindor Tower.


A/N : I ca n't withdraw credit for the magpie Hunt idea. There is a resort in University of Pennsylvania called Woodloch Pines that I go to every summer and they have scavenger Holman Hunt like the one in this chapter. over with costumes, trivia, and the conundrum. It 's a lot of fun.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Luke, Moonylupin, EvilChaos, potterfan296, XDNLxtlz99, drownzer, Miguel, Denas, and phoenixy friend for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramist or the idea for the scavenger hunt.


`` Willinson is acting civil, '' Albus commented as they were running up a flying of stairs.

`` Yeah, '' Matt agreed, `` form of surprising. Either he really wants to win or he 's not as confident without Malfoy. ``

`` Probably both, '' Albus said, `` Whatever the reason, we lucked out. ``

Everyone stared as Albus and Matt ran into the common room completely out of breath. `` Scavenger search, '' Albus muttered to his first cousin Ben and Cedric as he ran by.

`` Excellent, '' Ben grinned, `` Ca n't wait until our number next Saturday. ``

Bilius was also in their dormitory collecting particular when Albus and matte entered. They nodded to each other, but did n't say anything.

Albus wrenched spread out his bole and started rifling through it. He found a bag of Bertie Botts Beans, a Dumbledore chocolate toad frog card, his copy of Hogwarts, A History, one extendible Ear, and the photo album he found in the attic of his house. The graduation picture in the back would solve for the Hogwarts graduation picture.

`` What have you got ? '' he asked Matt once he emerged from his trunk.

`` My wand 's holly, a muggle pen, band tending, Chudley Cannons T-shirt, and a Nintendo DS, although I 'm not surely why I still bother to bring it since it does n't crop here. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Let 's get back to the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall. ``

When Albus and matt got back to the Hufflepuff table, Willinson and Rodner had already returned. There was a pile of clobber on the table between them. Albus looked through it and saw that they now had a copy of The Hobbit, color changing ink, a beater 's bat, Muggle playing lineup, and a sneakoscope.

`` All right, we 've got a good start, '' Albus said as he added his and Matt 's stuff to the pile. `` I guess we 'll have got to ask the honest-to-goodness educatee to borrow the rest.

`` Rodner, '' Albus began, `` You see if you can get a weak cavalry sword, a Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood, a Shooting Star broomstick, barrel stick, a receipt from gentlewoman Malkin 's, foe glass, and a Beatles CD. ``

`` Sure, '' Rodner said and took off out of the room.

`` Willinson, '' Albus turned to the Slytherin, `` Go down to the kitchens and see if you can get a silver chalice, tortilla chips, a tea tea cosy, the figure of five theatre gremlin, and a Hershey bar. ``

`` Why should I ? '' Willinson grumbled, `` Who put you in charge ? ``

`` individual 's got to do it, '' Albus told him.

`` Make Eckerton do it. ``

`` Him and I are getting the quietus, '' Albus replied, `` If you want to win, you 'll get the clobber. ``

`` Fine, '' Willinson muttered and left the Great Hall.

`` Ok, that leaves the horseshoe laces, empty green potions bottle, purple gloves, a My Little Hippogriff, a toad, purple sheepskin, a rubber duck, two electric battery, and five to a greater extent Extendable ear. Oh, and Filch 's John Hancock. ``

`` We 'll do that one last, '' mat shuddered. `` We can probably just go back to the plebeian room and ask if anyone 's got this stuff. ``

`` commodity idea, '' Albus agreed.

The two son set off at a run back to their plebeian elbow room. Luckily it was still packed with students and some of them grinned as Albus and flatness entered.

`` How 's it going ? '' Ben asked.

`` trade good, '' Albus grinned back, `` But we 've got a bunch of stuff to receive. mind up everyone ! '' he shouted.

The integral park room quieted and turned to Albus. Albus was momentarily shocked that everyone actually stopped what they were doing to pay attention to him.

`` Er, we 're doing the scavenger James Henry Leigh Hunt and demand some poppycock. Has anyone got a My Little Hippogriff, purpleness gloves, a toad, purple parchment, a rubber duck, batteries, or Extandable ear ? Also, we need twenty shoe lacing. I promise we 'll return it all once we 're done. ``

About half the scholarly person got up and went up to their dormitory room. A few arcminute later they came back down with various items for Albus. He managed to borrow a rubber duck's egg, over-embellished parchment, and a few extendable ear. Plus he got at least twenty shoe laces.

`` That worked well, '' Albus said as he and lustrelessness left the room.

`` I 'd say so, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` Now Filch 's autograph. This ought to be fun. ``

Albus smacked his hand to his forehead, `` I should have grabbed the map ! ``

Albus groaned and ran back to the coarse way. Everyone laughed as he ran up to his student residence and back down to the common room. Albus ignored them and pointed his scepter to the map. A few moment later he saw that Filch was lurking near the library.

Albus and Matt took off for the subroutine library and spotted Filch a few yards away from the room access.

`` How are we supposed to ask him ? '' Albus whispered.

`` No idea, '' matt said back.

Albus 's heart sped up as he got closer to the old caretaker. `` Er, Mr. Filch ? '' he asked.

Filch startled and turned around. He saw Albus and smirked. `` Potter. Up to no good again ? In need of another detention, perhaps ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, `` Actually, I was just, er, well, we 're doing this scavenger Holman Hunt. Maybe Kendrick told you about it. It 's to advertize Inter House Unity and we have to find all this stuff throughout the castling and- ''

`` We need your autograph, '' Matt interrupted, holding a piece of lambskin and the Muggle pen in his outstretched hand.

Filch stared at them and then started muttering to himself. `` Do n't see why I should disoblige ... bookman never do anything for me ... ''

Nevertheless, Filch took the pen and scribbled his figure onto the purple sheepskin. He thrust it wordlessly back into flatness 's script and shuffled off down the corridor.

`` That went better than expected, '' Matt said.

`` Yeah, thanks. I could n't really figure out how to ask him. ``

`` I figured, '' Matt grinned, `` Anyway, we still need a few things. Hey, Kendrick never mentioned anything about the Room. Do you think we could just ask it for the rest of this ? ``

Albus wondered why he had n't thought of that. It almost seemed like cheating, but Kendrick never said anything. `` That 's superb ! ``

The two of them set off for the room, but when they got there, there was a Hufflepuff prefect milling around right in front of the Room. Albus slowly walked back and forth in front of it, keeping an eye on the prefect.

He was about to make his third pass, when the prefect stopped him. `` Sorry, '' he said, `` You ca n't go in there if you 're in the scavenger hunt. Kendrick 's pattern. ``

Albus sighed, `` All rightfield. ``

`` Of course of action, '' Matt muttered as they left, `` Kendrick could n't declare that formula because then everyone would feel out about the elbow room. Oh, well. What have we got left ? ``

Albus handed Matt the list and he looked it over for a few second. `` Hey, I know gentlewoman Pomfrey 's got green potions bottle. ``

`` Let 's go, '' Albus said, `` We 'd better hurry, there 's only xv mo left. ``

They made it to the Hospital Wing in record time. Albus pushed the door unfastened and walked in, followed by Matt.

`` I 've got patients to lean to ! '' ma'am Pomfrey was shouting at a Ravenclaw first year, `` I have n't got time for this scavenger hunt gimcrackery ! You 're the fifth individual I 've had come in here looking for potions bottles and band financial aid ! I have n't got any ! ``

The daughter nodded and ran quickly out of the room, completely ignoring Albus and Matt as she went.

`` Er, she says she has n't got any, '' Albus whispered.

`` I know she does, '' Matt whispered back, `` Let me just ask her. ``

Albus shrugged and followed Matt over to the nanny, who was hang over one of the beds.

`` hullo, gentlewoman Pomfrey, '' Matt greeted her.

madam Pomfrey turned around and her irritated expression softened immediately when she saw Matt.

`` Hello, matt, lamb. Are you all right ? You look a bit crimson, '' Madam Pomfrey said and put her hand to his forehead.

`` I 'm ticket, '' Matt assured her, `` I 've just been running around working on the scavenger hunt. ``

`` Not you, too, '' Madam Pomfrey sighed and then noticed Albus, `` Oh and Albus as well. ``

`` Yeah, '' Matt said, `` We were just wondering if you might have an discharge green potions bottle. ``

The nurse sighed and walked over to her potions cabinet. `` I suppose. Just be surely to riposte it. ``

Albus watched in shock as she returned with the exact token they were looking for. Matt grinned at Albus and took the bottle.

`` Thanks, '' flatness smiled.

Madam Pomfrey shook her forefront, `` No trouble. Have fun, boys. ``

`` We will, '' lusterlessness said as he turned to leave the room.

Albus followed him out the door, still in daze that the nurse had actually given them the bottleful when she had yelled at that first twelvemonth only bit ago.

`` You 're certainly on her good slope, '' Albus muttered after they left the room.

`` One of the few fringe benefit of being there once a month, '' matt said dryly.

`` We 'd better get back to the Great Hall, '' Albus said as he looked at his watch.

Albus and Matt ran as fast as they could back to where their team was. The relaxation of the team was working hard to terminate the remaining trivia. Rachel herself was dressed up as Godric Gryffindor, ended with a fake beard. Rodner was dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff.

However, neither was as funny as what Willinson was wearing. He was decked out in Gryffindor ok, with gown, a scarf, and a 'Loyal Gryffindor'hat. Albus could hardly dampen his laughter.

`` Do n't say a word, Potter, '' Willinson growled.

`` Albus ! '' Rachel shouted, `` You 've got to coif up as a Slytherin ! The robes I 've got are too big for Matt and Abby. '' Rachel pointed to the other Gryffindor on the team.

Albus groaned and Willinson burst out laughing. Albus reluctantly put on the Slytherin robe, scarf, and 'Slytherins Are topper'hat. It would only be for a few minutes and if it helped them win ....

Albus did feel a bit strange in the Slytherin gown. He could n't serve but think back to his sorting and how the hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin at first. If it had, he would be wearing these robes all the time. He might give birth even been more friendly with Malfoy at first. He probably would n't sustain really befriended John, lustrelessness, or Amanda if he 'd been in Slytherin. Albus shook the persuasion from his head and concentrated on the fact that he was just wearing the gown to help oneself his squad win.

Rachel took parentage of the items on the list as matt tied all the shoe lace together. It turns out that the exclusively matter they were missing were the clear saber, Quaffle signed by Oliver woods, Shooting Star broomstick, foe methamphetamine, Hershey 's bar, toad, and one bombardment. Rachel thought that was pretty good.

The former Ravenclaw returned a minute of arc later and told everyone that he had finished the diffuse quest and had managed to get the bonus points.

`` Time is up ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will be around soon to suss out your lists. They will also collect your trivia sheets which will be marked later today. The winner will be announced at dinner tonight. ``

Patil came over to Albus 's team a few moments later and looked over their list. She took a picture of the four people who were dressed up, much to Albus 's dismay. Now there would be lasting grounds of his Slytherin moment. As soon as the picture was taken, Albus took off the robes and he noticed Willinson doing the same.

`` Ok, '' Patil announced as she gathered up the pieces of parchment, `` You can leave. Please return anything you borrowed. ``

Albus and mat gathered up their poppycock as well as everything they 'd borrowed from several Gryffindors. They stopped by the Hospital backstage to fall the bottle and then headed back to their common room.

The two of them passed out everyone 's stuff and then went to sit down at their usual table. Rose, John, Amanda, and Kaden joined them shortly.

`` That was fun, '' rosiness said as she sat down.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Even though we were with Slytherins. Willinson was n't too bad. ``

`` That 's good, '' privy said, `` I caught a coup d'oeil of him in the Gryffindor robes. Priceless. ``

`` Yeah, I thought so. Until I had to put on the Slytherin single, '' Albus replied.

Saint John burst out laughing, `` I wish I 'd seen that ! ``

`` You 'll be able to, '' Albus told him, `` Patil took a picture. ``

`` Excellent. ``

`` Did n't any of you lot have to snip up ? '' Albus asked.

`` I was Helga Hufflepuff, '' lav said.

`` And I was Godric Gryffindor, '' Amanda added.

`` How did everyone do on the lean of stuff to find ? '' Matt asked.

`` I 'm pretty sure enough my squad was the merely one with a unclouded saber ! '' Kaden said excitedly, `` I 'm so happy I decided to play it. ``

`` We did all right, '' Rose shrugged, `` Missed a lot of stuff and nonsense, but I think we did well in the trivia. ``

`` Of course you did, '' John grinned. `` Hey, did anyone manage to bump the potions bottle ? Slughorn did n't let any leafy vegetable ones and madam Pomfrey looked gear up to hex me when I asked her. It 's not really sightly that Kendrick put something on there that was impossible to get. ``

Albus grinned at Matt, who grinned back.

`` What ? '' trick asked.

`` We got it, '' Matt told him.

`` How ? '' Kaden asked, `` Madam Pomfrey was downright scary when I asked her. May have been because she was meddling fixing someone 's interrupt arm, but still .... ''

`` Matt asked her and she gave him one, '' Albus explained.

Matt shrugged, `` Simple, really. ``

John Lackland sighed, `` Well, you 're probably the only one in the school who could get it. She 'd probably commit you whatever you asked for. ``

`` Why ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

`` Sorry, not telling, '' John replied.

Kaden sighed, `` Oh, portion of that whole closed book I ca n't know about ? ``

`` Yeah, '' can said and then changed the matter, `` Hey, did any of you do the enigma thing ? ``

`` I did, '' rosiness said, `` Want to hear it ? ``

`` Of course of action, '' John said.

`` Ok, I 'll see if you can get it. I thought it was a bit simple, really, '' Rose said. She pulled a piece of parchment out of her robes and read off of it.

'' 'In an event known by thaumaturge planetary
Where proficient and immorality are forced to clash
A terrible force can now no longer repose.
A seat where just one part of Voldemort died .'''

Albus looked at John, lustrelessness, and Amanda and shrugged. He did n't cogitate it was round-eyed, but rosiness was skillful at those sorts of things.

`` No thought, '' John announced.

`` Dunno, '' flatness shrugged.

`` Hmm, '' Amanda muttered.

`` Do n't look at me, '' Kaden said.

`` The Great antechamber ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the place where Voldemort died.

`` Nope, '' Rose grinned, `` That was the trick region. It 's actually that monument outside, where Professor Longbottom killed Voldemort 's Snake. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus groaned, `` Of trend ! Did n't even mean of that. ``

`` How long did it deal you to count on it out ? '' matt asked.

`` Not long, '' Rose smiled, `` But then I had to follow the clues to discover the bit of entropy to pass on professor Kendrick. ``

`` And where was that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` depository library, '' Rose grinned, `` Herbology section. ``

`` Wonder how many squad got it, '' Albus thought aloud.

`` Well, my team did, obviously, '' rose wine said, `` And you said your team did, Albus. What about you two ? ``

`` We did n't, '' John sighed and Amanda shook her head.

`` We did, '' Kaden put in.

`` hypothesis we 'll ascertain out this evening how everyone did, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` But I 'm not going to retrieve about it now. might as well get some homework done. ``

Albus managed to get half an essay done before dinner. Rose wrote an entire essay and did a set of homework question. Matt helped Amanda with her Astronomy and still got his Herbology done. privy and Kaden on the other hand, spent he eternal sleep of the afternoon goofing off and playing chess.

The exhilaration was running high in the Great Hall during dinner that evening. Everyone was comparing what they managed to witness during the magpie Hunt. Albus kept glancing up to the stave table to see when Kendrick would throw the announcement, but he seemed to be waiting until the endure hour to do so.

After what seemed like forever, Kendrick got to his feet. `` Good evening, everyone. I hope all the first and endorse years enjoyed the pack rat hunting. It was certainly a succeeder and I 'm sure the older students will look forward to their turns.

`` And, without any boost waiting, I shall announce the results. The first, endorse, and 3rd plaza team will all be awarded medals.

`` In third place, with 572 points, squad Two ! '' Kendrick announced, `` Will the member of team Two please occur up here. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus shouted and jumped up, `` third gear place, that 's not bad ! ``

`` Yeah, I 'd say that 's pretty good, '' Matt grinned and followed Albus up to the stave table.

Albus and Matt joined the rest of their team in front of the staff table. Kendrick put a bronze medal over each of their necks and pulled out a camera. He took a few pictures and then told them to hark back to their seats.

Rose, Amanda, bathroom, and Kaden congratulated Albus and mat as they sat back down. A few of Albus 's cousins patted him on the back and told him trade good job.

`` Excellent, Albus, '' James grinned, `` But my team will get world-class place following workweek. ``

`` I 'll believe it when I see it, '' Albus rolled his eyes.

`` And in 2nd place, with 580 points, is team Seven ! '' Kendrick announced.

The members of team septet ran up to the faculty table to get their silver medals and have their painting taken.

`` And in first off place, with 673 full point, is team Six ! '' Kendrick shouted. `` Congratulations to the winning team ! ``

`` Woohoo ! '' Kaden stood up and started jumping up and down as he ran up to the staff tabular array, `` Yes ! ``

`` Wow, who would 've thought that, '' rose wine grinned, `` Kaden 's team won. ``

`` wellspring, he does bear a very enceinte amount of random stuff in his hall, '' Albus commented.

`` I 'll bet it was the light saber that put his team over the edge, '' Saint John the Apostle shook his head, `` I mean, I think his team was the just one to get it. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus shrugged.

`` I ca n't trust I won ! '' Kaden shouted as he sat back down with his big gold palm a few instant later.

`` extolment, '' Albus grinned, `` At to the lowest degree one of us got first place. ``

`` We were so close to second, '' Matt groaned, `` Eight measly points ! ``

`` wellspring, third 's full, '' John muttered, `` break than not getting a medal at all. ``

`` Oh, Saint John, it 's just a game, '' Amanda said, `` The point is that we all had fun. ``

`` kudos to our winning squad and everyone else that participated, '' Kendrick said, `` I will be looking forward to the next round, thirdly and fourth long time, a calendar week from today ! ``

Albus hung his bronze medal from his bed Charles William Post before he went to bed that Night. He crawled beneath the covers feeling very content with tierce berth. He had n't really been expecting to win at all. The pack rat Richard Morris Hunt had been a lot of fun, and Albus hoped Kendrick would oblige it again sometime. It had been so a good deal fun, that Albus had n't even thought about the new map the intact day. He made a mental note to ask Rose about the Sileo Altus charm the next day. They would have to tell Kaden about everything soon if they wanted to make anymore progress on the map. Plus, they 'd have to research more about how to shew to the map that they really were like the Marauders.


A/N : Bit of a shorter chapter, but the previous one was longer, so it evens out. Kaden has proved that it never hurts to birth a light saber, a lesson that my sidekick agrees with since he brought his light saber to LeakyCon and quite a few citizenry told him they wished they 'd brought theirs.

I have created a site for my fan fic, where you can find fictitious character visibility and a blog about intelligence and updates about my committal to writing. The data link is on my profile page here. I 'd love for you to check it out and impart comment in the News and Update section.

Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, who had to habilitate up as the Tin Man in last summertime 's scavenger hunt. Big thanks to my Quaker, Rose, for coming up with the riddle. Thanks as well to EvilChaos, XDNLxtlz99, Saint Luke, mischiefmaker92, drownzer, Moonylupin, Miguel, Denas, and Tonks for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Throughout the rest of the month, rose continued to make advancement on the Sileo Altus appeal, and by the time April rolled around, she was confident in her ability to perform it. Albus wished the same could be said for the progress with finding out how to demonstrate to the map that he and his champion were like the predator. Albus spent every waking instant that he was n't doing preparation, attending Quidditch drill, or dueling practice session, in the library trying to find out a spell or charm that would work. His efforts were fruitless, though, because he still had n't found anything promising.

Albus also had another successful dueling tournament. He won both of his affaire d'honneur as did Malfoy, but their team still had n't won. Albus was beginning to doubt whether they 'd ever win.

Albus 's succeeding Quidditch mates was the first Saturday in Apr. He found himself distracted by the map even before he entered the changing room. They were playing Ravenclaw, and it was hard to separate who had the serious squad, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Albus pushed thoughts of the map from his drumhead as he walked into the changing room.

Empire State of the South gave the squad the common pep talk, which this time included telling them that if they won this peer, they 'd be in the final. If Ravenclaw got less than 180 spot, then Ravenclaw might not relieve oneself it to the net. Peach State did n't particularly wish who they played in the final, just so long as they won.

The match went smoothly, in Albus 's opinion. Much better than the old match, in which Albus got sick partway through. The atmospheric condition was full for this match as well. Albus managed to keep from thinking about the map, which was good since it was a very high-scoring equal for both sides and Albus was constantly being thrown the Quaffle. After only an hour of play, King James I went into a dive and caught the Snitch, right out from under one of the Ravenclaw beater 's broom.

The usual company in the common room ensued after the students returned to the castle, but Albus was n't really interested in it. Now that the match was over, all he could think about was trying out the Sileo Altus magic spell on Kaden. Albus figured the proficient time to do it would be in the evening and the beneficial place would be the Room.

Shortly after rosiness had succeeded in performing the spell on John, flatness had reluctantly given into trying it with Kaden. His only condition was first trying it with a harmless secret, and if that worked, to strike onto the bigger one.

`` Are we doing it tonight ? '' John asked as he sipped his butterbeer.

`` Yeah, '' Albus whispered back, `` After dinner party. ``

The sleep of the afternoon and dinner seemed to go by at an alarmingly tedious pace. Time seemed to go by much like it did in History of Magic.

`` Kaden, '' Albus said after they had finished feeding, `` We 're not going to the vulgar elbow room now. We 're going to render you a different room in the rook, one you 've never seen. ``

`` Excellent, '' Kaden grinned, `` What kind of way ? ``

`` You 'll see when we get there, '' Albus replied. `` Let 's go. ``

Kaden followed Albus and his friends through the castle, with a constant current of questions that Albus ignored.

`` Are you sure this is going to make ? '' matte whispered nervously as they stopped in front of the blank shell space of wall where the elbow room of Requirement was.

`` Yes, '' blush wine assured him, `` It will shape. ``

Matt nodded and started pacing in battlefront of the wall.

`` Why did we stop ? '' Kaden asked, and then his eyes popped out of his head word as he saw the threshold appear from nowhere. `` Wicked. ``

`` C'mon, '' Albus said as he opened the door.

`` What is this place ? '' Kaden asked in awe.

`` Room of requisite, '' Albus told him, `` elbow room that gives you what you need. ``

`` I ca n't believe you did n't show me this yet ! ''

`` well, it 's not something we want you to tell anyone about. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said, `` So it 'll consecrate me anything I ask it for ? I think I want an total bar .... ''

`` It does n't do food for thought, '' pink wine explained.

`` Oh, well, it 's still bright. ``

`` Kaden, derive sit down, '' Albus told his cousin.

`` You 're all so quiet, '' Kaden said as he took a tail end on the lounge succeeding to Albus, `` What 's going on ? ``

`` Well, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to test something. rosebush found a charm that 's supposed to hold mortal not be able to tell early hoi polloi 's arcanum. If it works, we 're going to severalise you a bunch of poppycock and you wo n't be able-bodied to say anyone. ``

`` What are you going to tell me ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` We have to make sure the charm works first, '' Albus sighed, `` Which is why we 're here. rosiness is going to do the charm, using your knowledge of this room as the mystery. If you have n't told anyone by following Saturday, we 'll say you the eternal sleep of it. ``

`` Fine, '' Kaden sighed, `` I ca n't believe you wo n't secern me without this charm. ``

`` Um, Kaden, you 've told Malfoy stuff I told you not to assure anyone, '' Albus reminded him.

`` That was n't my break ! ``

`` I know, but we 're not risking this. If you want to make out the closed book, you 'll ingest to possess pink wine do the charm. ``

`` Ok, ok, I 'll do it, '' Kaden said.

`` trade good, '' rosiness smiled, `` Now let 's get started. ``

It took rose about ten hour to do the charm. Kaden was thoroughly amazed by the magic spell and blush wine 's power to perform it.

`` Let 's test it, '' Rose decided once they left the Room. She pointed to a girl who was walking towards them. `` Go tell her about the Room. ``

Kaden shrugged and ran up to the girl, who looked to be around Kaden 's age and was in Hufflepuff.

`` Er, '' Kaden began, `` So there 's this place- '' Kaden turned around and looked confusedly at Albus, then turned back to the girl. `` Anyway, at this piazza, you can- ''

`` What 's wrong with you ? '' the female child asked, trying to cover up her giggling. `` Are you ok ? ``

`` fine, fine, '' Kaden muttered, `` Never mind. ``

Kaden ran back to Albus and the others, blushing furiously. `` It worked, but now everyone 's going to think I 'm an idiot. ``

Albus laughed, `` No they wo n't. But that 's good that it worked. ``

`` Yeah, '' Kaden grinned, `` Definitely worth it. ``

******

Albus kept a close eye on Kaden throughout the next calendar week. As far as he could tell, his cousin did n't distinguish anyone about the Room of prerequisite. They tested the charm a few more clock time, telling Kaden to tell individual about it, but Kaden was never able to. Albus was fully convinced that the Sileo Altus magical spell was a success.

Kaden was positively beaming by the clock time Saturday arrived. Albus was kind of excited as well, because they would officially ingest Wormtail in their group of new Marauders. St. John the Apostle, Rose, and Amanda were excited as well. The only thing left to do after this would be to find a way to prove to the map that they were like the Marauders. Matt did n't seem excited at all. He was clearly nervous about telling Kaden that he was a werewolf. It probably did n't serve that the wide Sun Myung Moon was only a few twenty-four hours away. Albus could n't really fault mat for his nerves, but Albus was sure enough the magical spell would continue to work.

After dinner party, Albus led his booster back to the elbow room of Requirement, with the new Map in his robes.

`` Ok, what 's the secret ? '' Kaden said as he bounced around the elbow room once they were inside.

`` You 've got to sit down first, '' Albus told him. `` And Matt 's going to tell you the first one. ``

`` Oh ! '' A look of inclusion appeared on Kaden 's expression. `` Is this about how you get sick every month ? ``

`` Yes, '' matt sighed.

`` And this is what you do n't want Malfoy to know about ? ``

`` Yes, '' flatness said shortly, `` Now just let me tell you what it is. ``

`` Sorry, '' Kaden muttered.

`` It 's ok, '' mat said, `` First, you ca n't distinguish anyone this. I mean, do n't even try to test the charm like we 've been doing all week. You ca n't even try to tell anyone this. Never mention it to anyone except us. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said.

`` Good. Now, you know that werewolf are tangible, right ? ``

Kaden nodded, `` What does that have to do with you getting spew ? ``

`` Everything, '' lustrelessness said quietly, `` I am a wolfman. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That is the coolest matter ever ! ``

`` No it 's not, '' flatness sighed, `` You do n't even really sleep with what happens when I turn into a werewolf. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I 've seen movies. ``

`` It 's not like that, '' Matt told him, `` I get ill a few days before the full moonshine, and then the night of the full moon lunar month, I turn into a wolf and bite myself because there 's zip else for me to seize with teeth. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden deflated, `` So where do you go when you turn into a wildcat ? ``

`` A shanty in Hogsmeade. ``

`` The shriek hutch ? ``

`` Yes, that, '' matt replied, `` I 'm the one who does the scream. ``

`` Now that is cool, '' Kaden grinned. `` How long have you been a wolfman ? ``

`` Since I was five. ``

`` That 's a retentive time, '' Kaden said.

`` Most of my lifetime, '' flatness explained, `` It 's ugly, really. ``

`` And that 's the big enigma ? '' Kaden asked, `` Why ca n't anyone know that ? ``

`` Because most hotshot do n't like werewolf, '' Matt explained.

`` Well that 's stupid. ``

`` Yeah, it is, but it 's reality. ``

`` But why is n't there a charm to establish you not a werewolf anymore ? Or a potion ? ``

`` Magic does n't fix everything, '' Matt sighed.

`` Yeah, that 's what I 've been trying tell you for the whole class, '' Albus pointed out.

`` But why ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` But there is a potion, called the wolfbane Potion, that 's supposed to hold it so you keep your human psyche when you turn into a wolf. So you do n't desire to attack anyone or yourself. ``

`` Why do n't you learn that ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I do, '' mat told him, `` Actually, I take a different mixture than near werewolves take. For some reason, Wolfsbane does n't mould for me. I 'm in this study at St. Mungo 's to figure out why and right now they 've got me taking a new sort of Wolfsbane. ``

`` Does it work out ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' lusterlessness replied, `` That 's kind of why I still bite myself every full lunar month. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. `` So someday they might find a potion that will crop ? ``

matte shrugged, `` Maybe. But I 'm not getting my hopes up. ``

`` So I 'll be charmed not to say anything about this ? '' Kaden asked after a few moment of silence.

`` Yes, '' Albus replied, pulling the new map out of his gown, `` And about this. ``

Albus spent the following half hour showing Kaden the new map. Kaden thought it was the best matter he had seen yet at Hogwarts and could n't wait for it to completely work.

`` So we need you to represent prick Pettigrew, '' Albus said after he 'd finished explaining about the map.

`` Peter Pettigrew ? '' Kaden raised his supercilium, `` That malign bloke who betrayed your grandparents ? ``

`` Er, yes, '' Albus sighed.

`` You know my mum wanted to key out me Peter, but Dad said no because he did n't desire me to have the Sami gens as that idiot, '' Kaden commented, `` So it 's my middle public figure. ``

`` Perfect, '' lav grinned, `` You even sort of share his name. ``

`` Will you do it ? '' Albus asked.

`` I guess so, '' Kaden said slowly, `` I mean, it 's not like I 'm going to be like Pettigrew now. ``

`` No, '' Albus agreed, `` But you have to be sort of like him for it to work. And you are because you 've kind of got the Lapplander name. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I guess. Anyway, when are you going to get the map to operate ? ``

`` Whenever we figure out how to prove to it that we 're like the vulture. Somehow we 've got to establish the map that we are interchangeable to the Marauders, '' Albus explained, `` Which is taking forever. ``

`` Oh, you mean like a digit photographic print ? '' Kaden asked.

`` What ? '' Albus asked.

`` You know, a finger's breadth mark. Everyone 's is unlike, but your fingerbreadth print is similar to your congenator. It 's how Muggle cops find people and clobber when they 're missing. And how they identify soundbox. ``

`` A fingerbreadth print ! '' rosiness exclaimed, `` That 's it ! I ca n't believe I did n't intend of it ! ``

`` What are you talking about ? '' John asked. `` Kaden just said everyone 's is unlike. So how will ours be like the vulture'? ``

`` Not Muggle finger prints, '' Rose said, `` Wizard 1. There 's a charm to get your Wizard 's finger's breadth Print. It reveals your name, relatives, even your personality. ``

`` That 's kind of scary, '' Albus said, `` Anyone can find that stuff out if they 've got your finger print ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose shrugged, `` But I think it will act upon for this. ``

`` Leslie Townes Hope so, '' Albus grinned. He could n't trust that Kaden had actually given Rose an musical theme about the map. Kaden had helped with it. If this finger print thing worked, they could throw the map figured out in no time.

`` We 'll look for it tomorrow, '' blush wine stood up and drew her wand, `` Now let 's do the magic spell. ``

Albus nodded, feeling more delirious than he had in month. They were so close, he could just feel it. The map would be working soon. Of course, there was a nagging doubtfulness in Albus 's gut that was telling him that there would be something to count on out even after the finger print thing.

******

`` What are you going to sign up for ? '' John asked as he glanced over the sheepskin all the bit years had received just a minute earlier.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` What about you, Matt ? ``

`` Care of Magical beast, '' matt replied, `` Not sure as shooting what else. ``

`` I 'll do that one, too, '' Albus decided and wrote it down on his parchment. `` Hagrid Blackbeard it, so it 'll be fun. ``

`` Sign me up, '' St. John the Apostle said, `` I could use with a fun class. ``

`` You ought to cogitate about what will be useful in your time to come careers, '' rose wine told them.

`` But I 've got no melodic theme what I want to do, '' St. John the Apostle said.

Albus had no idea either. He had n't really thought about it. He thought being an Auror would be a good job, but he was n't sure that that was what he wanted to do. He still had five geezerhood at Hogwarts anyway, why decide now ?

`` Me either, '' Amanda agreed, `` I think I 'll do Care of Magical tool, too. ``

`` I 'm taking Muggle Studies, '' pink wine announced, `` Plus Arithmancy and antediluvian Runes. ``

`` All three ? '' John asked, `` But we only have to look at two. ``

`` Yeah, but I want to ingest all of them. I 'd really like to remove caution of Magical beast, too, but there 's not enough time. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Divination, '' John shrugged.

Rose snorted, `` Divination ? Mum says that should n't even be a depicted object. There 's no material learnedness involved. ``

`` But is it light ? '' John asked.

`` Uncle Ron said all you 've got to do is earn up prevision about your Death if you 've got Trelawney, '' Albus explained.

`` Excellent, '' John the Divine scribbled onto his parchment, `` I 'll take that and hope I 've got Trelawney. ``

`` I 'm taking that, too, '' Amanda said, `` It actually sounds interesting. ``

`` mulct, '' rose sighed, `` But I still say it 's not really a subject. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Ancient Runes, '' Albus thought aloud, `` I think it 's well-fixed than Arithmancy. What about you, mat ? What else do you believe you 'll direct ? ``

`` ancient Runes sounds skilful, '' flatness yawned, `` I guess I 'll take that. Amy took it. She hated it in Australia, but she said it 's unspoilt here. ``

`` I 'd call for everything, '' Kaden announced, `` I could n't determine. ``

`` You ca n't take everything, '' Rose laughed, `` You 'd deliver to be in two office at once. ``

`` Oh, well I 'm moderately for certain that 's impossible, '' Kaden sighed.

Albus turned and grinned at Rose, who grinned back. Albus could only guess Kaden 's chemical reaction to a time-turner.

`` Yeah, the most classes you can take is three, '' Rose explained.

`` Then I 'll take on three, '' Kaden decided.

`` Are you lot done choosing classes ? '' rose asked as she stood up, `` We 'd better get to Transfiguration. ``

Albus spent the entire metamorphosis division trying to become his home into a bowl, and had almost managed to do it by the time the class was over. rosiness, of course, did it within ten minutes and spent the remainder of the class helping Albus and the relaxation of their friends.

history of magic was as deadening as ever. matte slept the integral course, and Albus felt himself nod off a few times. matt had seemed very tired in Transfiguration of Jesus and probably would throw fallen asleep in that category if it were n't for the fact that it was a practical lesson. This was n't surprising considering the fact that the full moon was the next day. The Healers still had n't found something to counteract the side effect of extreme fatigue of the new Wolfsbane that mat was on.

Double Potions was after lunch, and Albus felt drowsy as soon as he walked into the room. This was odd since he had felt o.k. a import before. He did n't look to be the solely one who felt this either. Both Saint John and Amanda yawned as soon as they sat down, and even Rose 's eyes drooped a bit as she pulled out her sheepskin. flatness laid his psyche down on the desk and fell asleep immediately.

`` dependable afternoon, everyone ! '' Slughorn said, `` Now, I 'm sure you 're all feeling a bit exhaust, which is perfectly normal.

`` This, '' Slughorn gestured to a smoking cauldron on his desk, `` Is sleepiness Potion. All it takes is one whiff of this potion to put you into a state of weariness. If you drink it, you 'll precipitate into an almost sleep-like state for about a one-half hour. Of row, you 'd screw this if you did the reading that was due today. ``

Albus remembered being assigned the reading, but he had n't done it. He had just been too busybodied with Quidditch practice, dueling recitation, and all his other prep.

`` You will be trying to brew this today, but you will only do half of it, '' Slughorn announced, `` It needs to simmer for about a week before you can discharge it. Instructions are on the board. Work with your usual pardner. ``

Albus yawned and got up from his tabular array. He joined Limbert at his table and lit the fire under the caldron while Limbert collected ingredients.

The entire class was moving at a slower pace than usual, and everyone was yawning every few minutes. It was kind of strange. cypher was arguing with their partner either. Albus wondered if Slughorn had picked this particular potion for a reason. The past hebdomad, a affaire d'honneur had broken out between lavatory and Goyle, resulting in both of them being sent to the Hospital flank for sunburn and then being assigned a hebdomad 's worth of detention.

Limbert returned wit the component and he and Albus started to prepare them, without exchanging any conversation. No unlike than usual.

Albus dumped some ingredients into the cauldron and began to call forth it. He watched matte and Malfoy as he did so. Malfoy had returned with ingredients and was prodding Matt with his scepter to get him to arouse up.

`` What are you doing ? '' Albus whispered to Malfoy.

`` Waking him up, '' Malfoy said.

`` Wha-what 's going on ? '' matte lifted up his head.

`` chop shot up those cherry tree roots, '' Malfoy instructed. Albus was surprised with how calm Malfoy seemed.

Matt nodded and picked up his tongue. Albus went back to stirring his potion.

`` Professor ! '' Malfoy said after a few second. `` He keeps falling asleep. ``

Albus looked up from the mallet heart he was mincing. Matt was once again asleep on the table.

`` Ah, '' Slughorn waddled over to flatness and Malfoy 's table, `` The Drowsiness Potion affects everyone differently. '' Slughorn shook lustrelessness 's shoulder. `` Dear boy, you might want to go to the Hospital fender. I do n't think the fumes from this potion are agreeing with you. They 're not supposed to put you into a deep eternal rest. ``

lustrelessness nodded and stood up. He stumbled and leaned back onto the desk.

`` Albus, '' Slughorn turned to Albus, `` Perhaps you could escort him. I 'm sure Mr. Limbert can handle your potion. ``

`` All rightfield, '' Albus laid down his knife and went over to where flatness was standing.

Albus grabbed his arm and led him out of the elbow room. Albus felt immediately better as soon as they shut the door. The sleepiness went away completely.

`` I 've got to sit down, '' Matt mumbled and sat down on the floor.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked, sitting down next to him.

`` I dunno, '' lusterlessness shrugged, `` I 'm guessing that that potion just made me even more tired than I already am. ``

`` Do you feel better now ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not really, '' Matt replied.

`` Then you 'd better get to the Hospital Wing. ``

`` Yeah, I suppose. ``

lady Pomfrey wanted Matt to continue for the quietus of the afternoon. Albus was n't even sure if she 'd let him pull up stakes at all before the full moon. Knowing the nurse, she probably wouldn't.

Matt never came back from the Hospital Wing that night, so Albus assumed ma'am Pomfrey was keeping him there until after the full moonlight. Albus and the rest of his friends decided that as soon as Matt was out of the hospital annexe, they would lead off looking for the mavin 's fingerbreadth print charm. Rose was pretty sure she had seen it in the depository library somewhere, but she could n't remember where. That meant that they would pass hours scouring the intact library for it. This was in increase to all the surplus studying they had to do now that the end of term exams were lupus erythematosus than two months away. Albus just hoped they 'd be able to cypher out the map before school was over. It would be senseless to figure it out during the summer, when they would n't even be able to use it.


A/N : I hope everyone has enjoyed Half-Blood Prince or do revel it if you have n't seen it yet ! Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, EvilChaos, phoenixy friend, XDNLxtlz99, Tears of a Phoenix, Denas, Miguel, Gospel of Luke, and tranc3rooney for their reviews !