Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent most of the day preceding Christmas at Rose 's home. James was determined to use all of his spare prison term for Quidditch practice, and he had to go to blush wine 's house for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Victor-Marie Hugo would help oneself James practice while Rose read.

Harry had to practically separate St. James from his broom by magic on Christmas Eve so they could go to Godric 's hollow. James wanted to stick at blush wine 's business firm and keep practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The trip was quiet since Saint James was rather sullen the integral time.

"Professor Patil says I 'm a natural at Transfiguration,"Lily bragged to Albus as they walked towards the tunnel afterwards.

"That 's just,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

Albus nodded as Lily began to describe in peachy detail what variety of cat she would transform into.

Everyone else was already at the burrow and Albus felt an immediate fondness come over him as he stepped inside. It had nothing to do with the fact that it was so low temperature and white outside, either. There was something so comforting about being at the burrow surrounded by all his phratry. He was able to forget all the issues with the Quidditch tournament and prof Killigan. All he could conceive about was how sharp-set he was and how good some of his grandmother 's cooking would be proper about then.

rosebush sat down adjacent to Albus as he tucked into a with child bowl of onion soup with a face of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and Aunt Katherine are going back to Romania this summer,"rose wine announced.

"To moderate more dragons ?"Albus asked. His uncle and aunt had n't done that since Francis Edgar Stanley started Hogwarts, but they often talked about how they wanted to go back.

"Yeah,"rose nodded,"They might detain even after the summer 's over, but Heather and Mark will get along back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

"Yup. Henry M. Stanley and Eddie are going, too. Stanley 's quitting his job for it. He 's definitely staying in Romania after the summer 's over. He wants to get into dragon training."

"Wow,"Albus replied,"They 're lucky. I guess it 's good that Henry M. Stanley decided what he wants to do."

Stanley had been working at the Magical zoological garden since he finished Hogwarts, but knew he did n't want to do that his whole life. He just did n't know what he did want to do.

"I wish our parents would postulate us to some early country,"Albus sighed.

"Me, too,"pink wine agreed,"Imagine the chronicle we could learn."

Albus personally had enough of History from Professor Binns, but he supposed learning history by traveling would be fun.

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

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

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

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

"You 'll do no such affair !"Molly shouted,"It 's approach impossible to Appparate during such a tempest. Not to remark the fact that it 's Dec 25 and you should be here."

"We do n't want electrical energy to play Quidditch !"Teddy exclaimed,"It 'll be perfect tense training conditions ! If you can catch a Snitch in the eye of a snowstorm, you can charm one in any conditions. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

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

Albus finished his soup and he and ascend went into the den, where they were greeted by a loud Greek chorus of 'Odo the Hero', sung by George, Alicia, Charlie, and Ron. Bill and Fleur were laughing while Hermione shook her foreland. Albus had a feeling the but reason why Fleur approved was because the singing was drowning out Celestina Warbeck.

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven reaping hook for that !"Percy said to Katherine, who was only sort of paying care,"And the blighter looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that much for a enlistment of a questionably historic old building. There really should be ordinance on such affair. It 's one affair I 'll change if I 'm ever Minister."

Albus stifled a jest. His Uncle Percy had been talking about running for Minister for the past tense ten years, but still had n't done it. Most of his uncles and aunts got sick of hearing him talk about what he would and would not shift.

"Hey, Albus, rose wine,"Victoire waved at him from across the room.

"Hi Victoire,"Albus made his way over to her,"How is Healer training ?"

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to figure out which part of the hospital I want to do the remainder of my education in by Sept. We 've been rotating throughout all the storey, but now we have to pick one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until Sept,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a long time to him.

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

"You 're not in Amy 's state of affairs,"Teddy appeared and put his arm around her,"And I think you 'll do enceinte anyplace you decide."

"Thanks, teddy bear,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the Maternity ward or Spell Damage."

"There 's a busybodied ward,"chemise grinned,"Spell Damage. You 'll get all the funny combat injury there."

"That 's not a secure grounds to nibble a specialization,"Victoire groaned.

"Good a reason as any,"slip shrugged.

The sentence grew later and after Albus played numerous bout of Exploding Snap with his cousins, his grandma announced that it was meter for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no point. Everyone, including the other adults, knew that arguing with Molly Weasley was useless.

Albus trudged up the stairs to the in high spirits bedroom that he shared with James, Ben, and Cedric. He climbed into bed and then realized just how big this impending snowstorm was. The wind was howling louder than he 'd ever heard before.

The farting was so muscular that Albus could feel it through the gaps in the windowpane. Every once in a while, the house would whine and didder. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his ear to try and swim out the howling.

Albus did n't manage to be adrift off to log Z's until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no magic exterior of schoolhouse rule to put a silencing good luck charm on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his annual Christmas wake-up telephone call, Lily. She breezed through the door shouting about how they all needed to heat up and open their present.

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

"merlin !"Saint James the Apostle jumped off the top bunk and looked out the window,"There is ! And it 's still coming !"

"Whoa, you ca n't see anything !"Cedric added.

"We could build the Earth 's giving C. P. Snow sorcerer later,"Ben suggested.

"We could make an entire snow wizard army,"Albus said.

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

Albus descended upon his own pile of nowadays and began opening them. There were the usual sweets and Weasleys'production from his auntie and uncles. Another Weasley jumper, this one scarlet and gold striped. He pulled it on over his pj's and opened the ease of the presents from his auntie and uncles. His aunt Hermione had gotten him a few record book he 'd probably never read, including one about the history of house elves at Hogwarts.

Albus saved his parents'present for shoemaker's last, although he doubted they could top last class 's. There really was n't anything in the world that was better than the invisibleness Cloak.

"Al, did you open Mum and Dad 's yet ?"James shouted.

"I 'm opening it now,"Albus said as he ripped the paper off the small box.

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

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

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"World Cup tickets !"

"I did n't even get it on they were on sales event this too soon !"King James I said.

"You two get the unspoilt present,"Cedric said.

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

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

Albus suddenly realized he had the Saame trouble. Two tickets. Five friends he would want to adopt. Who was he going to choose ? Not Rose. They may have got been friends since they were babe, but she just did n't have a Passion of Christ for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to bilk off the listing. St. John and Matt were the Quidditch lover. He 'd take in to choose between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't conform to a team or anything.

"Those are bound edition tickets,"Ben said,"They do n't have it away who 's playing yet, so they do n't sell very many tag ahead of time."

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

Lily burst into the room with a big smiling on her face. She was holding two just the ticket as well."Did you get Quidditch tickets ?"

"Yeah,"Albus and William James said at the Same time.

"This is going to be bright,"Lily said and then ran out of the room.

Albus 's parents were already in the kitchen by the clip Albus went downstairs. They were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Albus gave them each a huge hug and then sat down.

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

"They were a gift from the Minister,"Harry replied,"The Cup is in Canada this class and he 's goodness Quaker with their rector. Got him a lot of justify tickets."

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

rose wine came downstairs a little while later and was impressed with the tickets. She had no desire to go to the Cup and had no prompting on how Albus was going to choose between John and Matt.

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

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

"Maybe after lunch, then,"Teddy shrugged.

Molly shook her caput and sighed as she set a few more record of eggs and toast onto the table.

There was a knock on the doorway that could only just be heard over the howling tip. Molly glanced at Chester A. Arthur, who shrugged and got up to see who it was. Albus followed, very curious to see who would call in on Christmas morning in the eye of a huge blizzard.

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

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

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

"good, but if you feel it 's too weakly, just let me know and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy Plants. The leafage do admiration on old buildings. puddle them like new. I just put a bunch into my plaza and it 's a respectable thing, too. Of course, they tend to attract Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's vocalization trailed off.

"I 'll restrain that in nous,"Arthur smiled,"Are you spending the holiday alone ?"

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

"Then you must stay here a while. molly 's fudge far too lots food, like usual,"Chester A. Arthur lead-in Xeno into the kitchen.

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

Molly was more than well-chosen to provide Xenophilius with a enceinte phonograph recording of breakfast and he settled down to discuss the storm with the adults.

Albus spent nigh of the morning playing Exploding Snap, Wizard 's Bromus secalinus, and Gobstones with his cousins. They tried to wreak hide and go seek, but the house was too crowded to play it properly.

Teddy and James kept looking out the window, will it to arrest snowing. Both of them were just itching to go meet Quidditch. Albus would own gladly gone and played if it would discontinue snowing so much. He was dedicated to the plot, but not enough to wreak in this storm.

lunchtime came and the Snow was still falling. George IV went outside to measure it and came back with the news that it was three and a half pes.

Teddy went upstairs after luncheon and came back decked out in three jumpers, a chummy cloak, and a pair of kicking. Under one arm was his broom and under the other was a box of Quidditch orb. Epistle of James was right hand behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus lupin !"Molly shouted,"I suppose I ca n't block you from going out there and catching last of a cold, but I will not let you drag Jesse James with you !"

"He 's not dragging me, nan,"Saint James the Apostle rolled his center,"I want to go !"

"Just let them, Molly,"Harry said,"They 'll get cold soon enough and arrive back inside."

"mulct,"mollie replied and went back into the kitchen.

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

Georgia, Fred, and ling suited up in warm wearing apparel and joined Teddy and James. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't need to freeze when he could stay inside and be warm.

The Christmas Quidditch lasted a half an minute. Teddy, Saint James the Apostle, Georgia, Heather, and Fred all stumbled back into the mansion shivering with their faces red and covered in snow and ice. Molly immediately descended upon them with visage of hot burnt umber and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

"C-ca n't find the Sn-Snitch,"Teddy muttered.

Harry laughed."That does n't surprise me. You 'll rule it when the storm calms down. You put the charm on it to stay put in the pace, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"teddy replied.

Christmas Day dinner came and went in its common chaos. Xenophilius stayed for it and James snuck sneezing powder into his soup, which he found incredibly comical. Molly was not as impressed and gave James I quite the scolding. How she found out it was James was beyond Albus.

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

******

nobody left the tunnel until two days after Christmas. That was when the snow finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half feet, which was a new record for Albus 's lifetime. The burrow 's grand had been decorated by oodles of snow witches and magician, along with hippogriffs, owls, and a multifariousness of other magical beast.

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

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

"Because they 're five inches too scant,"Ginny replied,"They 're even too pocket-size for Al."

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

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

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the commencement pair of clothes gown he found, so long as they were n't pink or purple. The sooner they were done robes shopping the better.

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

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

"Very Slytherin,"Saint James snickered.

"Shut it, Henry James,"Albus muttered.

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

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

"Too unawares,"she announced,"But the coloration is perfect. I 'll find a bigger size."

William James wound up with a dark blue profane pair of robes, which Albus would have preferred. Lily found her empurpled robe and Rose got a sky gamy pair.

"Next metre you 're getting William Green gown,"Albus muttered to James, who was still making fun of the color of Albus 's robes.

"No I wo n't. I do n't give unripened eyes,"James grinned.

"Then we 'll get you a prissy red set,"Ginny said,"They 'll collide horribly with your hair."

"I do n't handle. They 'd be Gryffindor colored,"James laughed.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awing the great unwashed who have read and reviewed this ! Also, for anyone who read In Moonlight 's phantasma, the first base chapter of the continuation, Beyond the shadow, is now up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The political party was at the Minister 's sign of the zodiac, the house where all the curate of legerdemain had lived. Albus had been there a few times before, but not in a mates eld. Usually all the parties the minister held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few hours before the company, Ginny made Albus, James, and Lily all take shower and comb their hair properly. She spent a ripe 15 minutes trying to get James 's fuzz to lie categorical and another 15 minutes putting Lily 's up in some form of rarify bun type matter. Albus was very glad his own hair was far too unforesightful for that sort of thing.

Before they left, Albus 's parents sat him, Saint James the Apostle, and Lily down on the couch and proceeded to tell them the regulation for the evening.

"Absolutely no making trouble !"Ginny stared at James as she said this,"None at all ! This is the Minister 's house ! I will not consume you wreaking havoc in it."

"We 're trusting you to go along yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to have to mingle with everyone and we wo n't be capable to watch you every sec,"Harry added,"You 're all at Hogwarts now. You 're old enough to not be glued to us for the evening."

"Do n't worry,"Henry James said,"I know when balefulness is n't appropriate."

"Let 's hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his family Apparated to the diplomatic minister 's house, which meant side-along Apparition for Albus. He hated side-along phantom. It felt like he could n't breath. It was worse when the person who was Apparating him was also Apparating another soul, which was always the guinea pig in his crime syndicate. It was the torment of being the midway child. He was either with James II or Lily. This time it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

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

A long and winding sidewalk, framed with scrub and lights on either side, extend up to the battlefront door. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

The manse seemed to get bigger as they got closer. It was painted brown with a smuggled ceiling and reminded Albus of a rook. It was n't nearly as big as Hogwarts, of course, but it was still huge.

Harry rang the Melville Bell when they arrived at the door and it was answered by the Minister himself."Harry !"he shouted,"Come in !"

Minister Langston Hartwell was the third minister since the surrender of Lord Voldemort. He was a tall, rotund man with very little hair left on his head. He did lark about a rather tumid mustache, which caused Albus to think of him as a much taller version of Professor Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very cultivate superstar who spoke using very large give-and-take that Albus could n't really understand. He was long-winded and to the highest degree of his language could be condensed down into a few conviction, according to Harry, that is. He was a very decent man, though.

"Right this way,"Hartwell motioned for them to come after him.

Hartwell lead them through the household, which was just as speckless as Albus remembered, and into what could only be described as a grand dance hall. It was the same ballroom all the company Albus had been to were held.

The way was decorated with silver and black and was already filling up with citizenry. Albus spotted rosebush and Matt in the cover of the elbow room and left his sept in the doorway to go see them.

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

"This is the big theatre I 've ever seen,"blush wine agreed,"I see you 're wearing your Slytherin robes."

Albus rolled his centre."Shut it."

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

"Slytherin,"lustrelessness said immediately.

"Then yours are Ravenclaw,"Albus pointed out, gesturing to flatness 's blue robes.

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

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

"I 've been here for two hours already,"Matt said,"We were the first gear unity here. Dad keeps introducing me to people and they all think I 'm a kickoff year."

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you get it on most of these people ?"

"Some,"Matt said,"That 's the chap Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very large whiz,"McVicar."

"rightfield,"Albus said,"I 've heard of him. Dad 's always said he would never retire."

"Dad never thought he would either,"mat laughed,"Then we 've got your Uncle Percy, I think you probably know him. Those people are a few of Dad 's co-worker,"Matt gestured to a few more witch and genius,"Then there 's a gang of hoi polloi from other departments, but I do n't retrieve any of their names."

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

"Oh, it will be,"lusterlessness grinned,"When I was really small, we went to parties like this a few times a calendar month. You make your own fun."

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the vino and Champagne-Ardenne. It 'll still sample exactly the Saami,"matte grinned mischievously,"By the clock time midnight bowl around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not drunk. It 'll be funny."

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

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

"I have to admit, that 's really originative,"rose giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the food for thought. Charm the umber to try out like vanilla, charm the serving utensils to act every time you go to pick them up, that sort of stuff,"lusterlessness explained.

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

"My parents never say that material to me,"flatness laughed,"They never suspect me of anything. The minute they find out the alcohol 's been charmed out of the drinks, they 'll come up Amy."

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

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

"alcoholic beverage 's gone,"Amy said quietly as she came up behind lustrelessness,"This is going to be interesting."

"What exactly happens when you use this charm ?"Rose asked.

"Oh, it 's majuscule,"Amy grinned,"First, only a couple hoi polloi notice and they make a very quiet quotation to another person and then that soul agrees that there 's something wrong with the boozing. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will screen the drinkable, discover the alcohol 's been charmed away, replace it, and then everyone will cheer. But some of them will act drunk because they think there 's alcohol in the drinks."

"Are n't your parents going to be upset ?"rose asked.

"They might tell me they wish I had n't done it, but there 's not much they can do,"Amy shrugged,"That 's why I 'm doing it and not Matt."

"I could n't see your parents yelling at you anyway,"Albus laughed.

"You never know,"Matt shrugged.

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

"I 'd be shocked if they did n't,"Rose smirked,"auntie Ginny has no hope of stopping James."

"And I 'd bet my last Galleon that Sakartvelo and Thomas Bradley are talking about Quidditch,"Albus gestured to his other two cousins, who were standing near the buffet.

"That 's all they talk about,"pink wine said,"And Lily looks bored. Five reap hook says she 's over here in about ten minutes or so."

"I would n't bet against that,"Albus said,"And Samantha and lindy hop will abstract out of the room the future time auntie Corrine looks away."

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

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

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

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

Albus and Rose agreed. Amy left to go talk to soul else and the three friend walked over to the buffet. There was already a modest queue in movement of it.

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

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

They found an empty mesa far enough away from James and Cedric. Albus did n't want to be anywhere near them when they did whatever they were planning on doing.

"I do n't even know what half this stuff is,"matte said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

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

Albus, Matt, and Rose wandered around the room once they finished their food. A few grownup stopped to exclaim how big they 'd gotten and to inquire what year they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't desire to be associated with James and Cedric 's mischief.

"howdy, everyone !"Minister Hartwell shouted from the podium at the front of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to catch him. Albus, rosebush, and matte were somewhat close to the podium.

"Thank you,"he smiled,"I assume you all know why I 've thrown this political party, and it 's not just to unload the large sum of money of wine I was given for Noel !"

The adult all chuckled at Hartwell 's attempt at a gag and then quieted down once again.

"Yes, yes, well, this party is in honor of none former than Bruno Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the position of Head of the section of Regulation and Control of Magical animal. There is no one else whom I would trust with such a job ...."

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

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

"Thank you, Minister,"McVicar began,"That was quite an interesting address. I, too, would like to congratulate Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am for sure at to the lowest degree half of you were quite surprised to get word that I was retiring. I myself was surprised. In fact, I probably would n't have done it if it were n't for the fact that my married woman has been begging me to for the past times ten years.

"However, the primary reason for my deficiency of an in the first place retreat was because there was not a single person employed in the Ministry whom I would have trusted with this job. cipher had the capabilities to transport out this position in the way I would care. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my motto up until five years ago, that is.

"A niggling over five years ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the department of the regulating and Control of Magical tool. He applied for a job in Werewolf Support divine service, a lieu that had been opened for well over a year. I was fix to lease anyone who walked through the door at that point, but I had no idea what was to come up when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may get laid that Walter has experience in this subject field. He was the foreland of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical brute in Australia for three eld before leaving the positioning in order to prompt to England.

"Walter revolutionized wolfman Support Services as soon as he started. The ideas he had were ones that even I had n't thought of. In five curt years, he has bettered living for those plagued with lycanthropy more than than anyone else in the department have in their stallion careers.

"It took only six month for me to realize that I wanted Bruno Walter to take over for me when I retired. Not only does he deliver the experience and tidings for the job, but he also has commitment that I have never seen before. I even have to admit that his dedication surpasses my own. I have never seen anyone fight as hard for wolfman right wing as he has.

"The but thing left for me to do was convince myself it was time to turn in,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did take the better part of five days to do that. But now, I feel very convinced as I bridge player the reins over to Walter."

Everyone clapped as McVicar stepped away and lusterlessness 's dad took the podium."That was quite the speech,"Albus muttered to Matt.

"I 'll say,"mat agreed,"And McVicar does n't usually kudos citizenry like that."

"Well,"matt 's dad began,"Thanks for your voting of confidence, Rob. I certainly hope I can be up to your expectations.

"I have to start out by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no intention of becoming the head of the stallion department again, no topic which country I was living in. Werewolf Support Services has been such a cracking place to work these past few years. It truly is my passion.

"However, when Langston and Rob approached me about taking over when Rob retired, I found it hard to say no. In the end, I said yes because I want to score more of a difference.

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

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

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

"They 're too drunk to think much on it,"rosebush smirked.

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

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

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

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

Amy was standing nearby, so Albus, Matt, and Rose squeezed their way through the gang to get to her.

"Amy,"flatness whispered,"Why 's everyone acting normal ?

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

James IV and Cedric were also standing near the boozing table, looking nearly as confused as Albus felt about this magical spell. That was variety of strange.

Amy grabbed a Methedrine of wine and tried it."Well, it tastes fine, but it 's supposed to."

"You 'll have to tope a lot more than that to get properly rummy,"mat grinned.

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

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

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some extra alcohol to that wine,"James whispered.

Albus, rose, Matt, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not think it. All of their pranks had backfired. The wine was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so amusing ?"Cedric asked.

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

"I put a charm on all the wine to remove the alcohol, while keeping the taste perception,"Amy explained,"I did it right when the party started."

"So much for that prank,"James groaned.

"Now you wo n't get in problem,"Albus pointed out,"Mum 's been watching you two."

"I know,"James muttered,"That 's why we ca n't do it again."

"What do you require to do now ?"Albus asked as James, Cedric, and Amy left.

"wishing to search the rector 's Mansion ?"Matt suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"rosebush asked skeptically.

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

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

It was much quieter in the sleep of the house. They started wandering through any rooms that had open doors.

"This place is so bloody fantasy,"Albus said.

"It reminds me of my grandparents'mansion,"matt said.

"Their sign is this big ?"Rose asked.

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

The three ally wound up in a very large aliveness room filled with antique piece of furniture. There was an Oriental carpet on the land and oak tabular array and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the tabular array were figure vessel of flowers and crystallization sculptures.

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

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

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

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

"Look at all these books,"Albus gazed up at one of the bookcases,"Madam Pince would love to get her helping hand on these."

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

"Mum would wish them,"Rose said

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

"Probably older than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

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

Albus and matte walked over to the window and leaned over the table that was in front of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"Look, there's-"

Matt leaned farther over the table and knocked one of the crystallization sculptures off. Rose gasped and managed to arrest it before it crashed onto the floor.

"merlin,"Rose whispered as she set it back on the tabular array,"Be careful."

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

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

Albus peered out the window into the duskiness. He could just barely make out a shadow lurking around the George Herbert Walker Bush. It did n't look like the person was walking up towards the mansion to go to the party. Plus, why would he show up three hours late ?

"There 's definitely someone out there,"Matt said.

"Let 's go find out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't have a clue as to who it was, but he wanted to find out. There was no reason for someone to be sneaking around the curate 's sign at this time of night.

"Albus Severus Potter, are you bloody insane ?"pink wine exclaimed,"I think you are !"

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

"That 's a just stop,"Matt replied,"Why would someone sneak around a house that 's full of Ministry functionary, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

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

Rose reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and Matt, muttering under her breath. They found the nearest door and went out into the cold night, drawing their verge as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll freeze down to Death,"Rose muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the house and tried to maintain himself concealed in the bushes as he looked for the figure. However, he could n't see or pick up anything.

"Do you get word anything ?"he whispered to Matt.

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

"Good,"rosiness muttered,"Now let 's go back inside."

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

Albus continued creeping around the house, with his scepter out in front of him. His heart was beating fast and his custody were sweaty despite the common cold. He did n't want to hold back, though. Figuring out who this feller was was exciting and spunk wracking at the like time.

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

rose wine screamed and grabbed handle of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own wand, his hand shaking.

"Who are you ?"the individual shouted.

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

"He sounds associate,"mat whispered,"knack on. Bloody hell, that 's Professor Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a second base and the voice did sound a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the Minister 's sign of the zodiac ?

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

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The sceptre light lowered and Albus heard the man footstep through the hoodwink towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed Professor Balladanis. He breathed a sigh of relief as Rose let go of his arm.

"Mr. Potter,"Balladanis said and then waved his wand around,"And girl Weasley, Mr. Eckerton. Oh, I suppose this party is for your father, Mr. Eckerton ?"

"Y-yes, sir,"Matt replied.

"What are the three of you doing sneaking around outside in the dead of night ? I thought I 'd instruct you better than that. You 're just asking for problem,"Balladanis said sternly.

"Told you,"Rose whispered to Albus.

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

"And you 're favourable it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could have been dead if that person had been a glowering ace. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

Albus nodded and followed Balladanis through the nose candy and towards the door."Sir,"Albus said,"If you do n't mind my asking, what were you doing out of doors ?"

"If you must experience, the rector asked me to delay the terra firma in rescript to form for sure nonentity was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did nothing but spark Albus 's wonder even more. He knew better than to press further, though. Balladanis was not one to explain his motives.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


It was nearing midnight when Albus, flatness, and Rose re-entered the building, escorted by professor Balladanis. Albus had been hoping the professor would just see them to the door and then retain his search of the perimeter, but instead he went back to the ballroom with them and marched them right up to Harry.

"thrower,"Balladanis interrupted the conversation Harry had been having with some genius Albus did n't live,"I found your son, your niece, and their friend wandering around outside."

"Albus,"Harry groaned,"I thought we made it clear that you were to last out inside."

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

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

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

"aid to explain ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

"We were just, er, exploring,"Albus muttered.

"Do n't do it again,"Harry sighed.

"We wo n't,"Albus assured him.

Harry went back to his conversation and Albus lead his supporter back to the buffet.

"I hope you 've learned your lesson,"rosiness muttered,"I am not doing that again."

"We wo n't do it again. Not this night, that is,"Albus grinned.

"10 !"someone shouted.

Albus looked at the nigh clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their glasses of Champagne in the air. Amy joined Albus, blush wine, and flatness.

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

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

rosebush 's family and Amy left, and then it was just the thrower, matt, his parents, the minister, and his wife left. All the grownup were talking, James was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and Matt were finishing off the last of the desserts.

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

"Only if Linda 's sick the day of one of the lucifer,"Albus sighed.

"Maybe that 'll find,"Matt said,"You never know."

"Al, we 've got to go,"Ginny tapped him on the shoulder.

"Ok, Mum,"Albus replied and then turned back to Matt,"I 'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you on the wagon train,"Matt said.

Albus waved goodbye and then joined his mum, dad, James II, and Lily. They all said congratulations to lusterlessness 's dad and then left the Minister 's Mansion. Albus peered into the bushes as he left, but there was no mark of professor Balladanis.

******

The residuum of the Christmas vacation went by very slow for Albus. He did all his preparation, which was quite boring, and there was nothing to do after that. Rose was visiting her other grandparents and Jesse James was at Nathan 's house. Even Kaden was busy visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and genus Petunia ). He sent Albus a missive complaining about it, since the visit was also with Aunt Marge. Albus was very thankful that he did n't have to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and Petunia again.

Finally the day to return to school day arrived and the Potters made it to Platform 9 ¾ just in metre. Albus found all his friend in one of the compartments and once they kicked Lily, Ashtyn, and Hugo out, they told each former about their holidays.

"Aunt margarine has got to be the most horrifying auntie in the intact public,"Kaden fumed,"My dad told her about thaumaturgy a few month ago and she 's been awful ever since. I mean, she was always form of atrocious, but now she 's worse. She just hates magic so much. She 's worse than my grandparents."

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

"Consider yourself golden,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had salutary holiday ?"

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

"What ?"bathroom, Kaden, and Amanda shouted at the same time.

"I saw someone sneaking around outside and Albus insisted we go investigate,"Rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the Minister had apparently asked him to delay the primer coat for trouble."

"Did he notice you ?"John asked.

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

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

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

"Weird though,"whoremonger said,"Why would the minister of religion think someone would be hiding around his house ?"

"Does n't he throw sentry go around anyway ?"Amanda asked,"The Muggle parson does."

"Again, that 's why it 's Weird,"John the Divine replied,"He does have got guards."

"Why would he ask Balladanis anyway ?"Matt asked,"Why not ask an Auror ? Balladanis is a professor."

"He has n't always been,"Albus pointed out,"He had some sort of mysterious job before."

"Again, Wyrd,"trick said.

"Yeah, there were a crowd of Aurors at the party, not to mention Albus 's dad,"Matt pointed out.

"That settles it,"John announced,"Albus, you 've got to find out what he did before he started teaching defensive structure ?"

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

"Because you 've got those special dueling deterrent example with him. He likes you for some reason. Of trend, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a good dueler, too,"Saint John explained.

"I 'll try,"Albus sighed,"But I really do n't recall he 'll tell me."

"You never know,"John said.

******

"lull, quiet !"Balladanis shouted the chase Tues, their first day of Defense after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to Matt and lav and turned to face Balladanis. He was really hoping that the prof would say nothing about what happened at the party and so far Balladanis was showing no recollection of it.

"I trust you all had superb vacation,"Balladanis said,"But the holidays are over and although I am certain none of you thought a bit about defensive thaumaturgy during said vacation, it is now fourth dimension to get down that thinking once again.

"First, I 'll say that there is no time to not be thinking about defensive attitude magic, as the shadow arts do not admit breaks for trivial things such as holidays.

"Second, in this full term we will start to explore creatures far more life-threatening than hinkypunks and kappas. In this terminus we shall see about those terrifying creatures such as acromantulas, basilisks, werewolf, firedrake, and vampires."

Albus could n't help but glance at Linda when Balladanis said vampires. Balladanis had glanced at her as well, and he also glanced at Matt when he said werewolves. Of course, he had looked at Albus when he said basilisks, so it did n't necessarily mean anything, but Albus had a flavor it did.

"As the headmaster would find it highly inappropriate for a firedrake to manifest itself in this classroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this term,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few times. You will find that there are more lecture in this term, much to my dislike. There is nothing I would like better than to teach you about acromantulas and wolfman with practical deterrent example, but there are both laws and school pattern that prevent such lessons."

Albus and matte glanced at each other. It was official. professor Balladanis was insane. What variety of teacher would desire to instruct about dragon with go flying lizard ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the same as Balladanis.

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

The rest period of the day went by relatively quickly. Albus actually did not have Quiditch practice that dark, so everyone went to the vulture 's Den after dinner.

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

"I told you not to convey it,"Rose said as she pulled a mickle of Book out of her own bag.

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

"palmistry was better,"Amanda said,"And Trelawney makes the hale thing worse."

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

"Balladanis told us that he wished he could teach us about dark wight using the anamatek,"rose wine said,"Seriously, he wanted a basilisk to appear in the middle of the classroom."

"That would be unintelligent,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a Chocolate toad frog,"Those can kill you with their eyes."

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

"Do you think that anamatek could change state into a loup-garou if the moonlight was n't full ?"Saint John asked.

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

"That 's practiced,"Albus said,"Because he did say that he 'd use the anamatek a few times this term. marvel if he 'll deliver it turn into a vampire."

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

"If you think of it that way, there 's no full point to have it become into a fake werewolf either,"rosebush pointed out.

"commodity point, I guess,"John muttered.

******

The rest of the week went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch pattern Th evening, and Wood informed the unscathed team that they 'd gotten rusty over the holiday. He also told them that the next match was in two weeks and they 'd be playing New House of York. If they won, they 'd be in second place.

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

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

"Mr. thrower,"Balladanis turned around and greeted Albus,"Is it condom to assume that you did not go wandering about late at Nox alone after New Year 's ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus muttered as he felt his typeface turn red. He was quite glad Malfoy was n't there yet.

"Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis said as Malfoy walked into the elbow room,"Now we may commence. I have decided that your understanding of the Protego appeal is acceptable so we are going to incite on to something else.

"This particular charm, when performed correctly, manages to unarm and disorientate a person at the Same meter. The sensation is often described as dizziness. Can either of you tell me what why this charm would be more useful than a criterion disarming patch ?"

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

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

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

"Another unspoilt understanding, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to walk slowly around the room,"virtuoso who are expecting to deliver to duel early hotshot often keep multiple wand on their person. There are spells that can be performed on these verge to restrain them attached to your robe or your actual body, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't overcome easily. However, these spells require constant immersion.

"If a wizard is hit with the charm I am about to teach you, they will lose the immersion essential to keep their surplus wand affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the extra wands."

"Can you teach us that charm to hold back excess sceptre in our robe ?"Malfoy asked.

"Perhaps towards the end of the class. It takes Brobdingnagian absorption and magical energy to simultaneously perform that appealingness while dueling someone,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will learn the spell to disarm and disorient a person at the same time.

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

Albus nodded, wishing he had been chosen to perform the new charm first, and faced Malfoy. He held his wand up and muttered 'Protego'under his breathing spell. He focused all of his tightness on holding the shield up.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis muttered.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted.

Albus felt the magic spell hit his shield, but it did n't go through. He gripped his scepter harder and stared at Malfoy.

"Keep going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The charm hit Albus 's carapace a little harder this meter. Albus could find pearl of sweat forming on his forehead.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five prison term to unwrap through Albus 's shield. When it happened, Albus felt his wand leave his hired hand and was overcome by a wave of vertigo at the Lapplander time. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the previous twelvemonth, only without the fever.

Albus did n't pay any aid to what Malfoy and Balladanis were doing. He felt like he was going to give out and he had to sit down. He sat down right on the base and was vaguely mindful of Balladanis standing over him.

Then, all of a sudden, the dizziness was gone. Albus shook his oral sex and then looked up and saw Balladanis and Malfoy standing in strawman of him. Malfoy looked imprint and Balladanis looked like he always did.

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

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

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

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

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

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

Much to Albus 's delight, he managed to break the shell on the fourth try. One less try than Malfoy had needed for Albus.

The charm hit Malfoy in the chest and his wand soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy bent over and fell to the ground, much like Albus himself had done.

Balladanis gave Albus one of his rare smiles and then pulled out his own wand. He waved it at Malfoy and Malfoy looked up.

"That was unearthly,"Malfoy muttered.

"It 's supposed to be,"Balladanis said,"Now get up and we 'll do it again."

Balladanis kept them at it for the better parting of an hour, past times when Albus would ingest liked to quit. It was exhausting to be hit with that spell metre after time while trying to entertain up a cuticle good luck charm. Malfoy did n't appear to be faring a lot better and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to stop after a one-half hour, but Malfoy closed his oral cavity, obviously thinking break of it.

The practice session was n't for nothing, though. Albus managed to hold Malfoy off longer and longer each time and although Malfoy was getting advantageously at the buckler charm as well, Albus broke through it a few more times.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must have been the tenth part prison term that Nox,"I 'll see you in class on Tuesday."

Malfoy made a beeline for the room access, but Albus turned to Balladanis instead. He might as well just get it over with. There was no thoroughly way to ask Balladanis what his previous job had been. He just had to do it.

"Er, Sir,"Albus began,"I was just wondering, what did you do before you began teaching here ?"

Balladanis gave Albus the unusual look he had ever seen. It was a mixture of anger, sadness, and even regret. For a import, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should have got just told John they would n't be able-bodied to get hold out.

"Now is not the time,"Balladanis said quietly,"All in dear time, I will differentiate you."

Albus was taken aback. That was Sir Thomas More than he had expected. He had thought Balladanis would suffer told him to mind his own byplay and get back to Gryffindor Tower before curfew. Albus was going to find out, he was just going to have to be patient.

Albus left the room as quickly as he could in his discharge state, before Balladanis could alter his nous about eventually telling Albus about his previous career. The walkway back to Gryffindor Tower seemed farsighted than usual and all Albus wanted to do was collapse into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his admirer. All five of them looked dismayed and Amanda looked like she was going to be sick. He looked around the common room and saw that virtually the great unwashed looked offend and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even King James I was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

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

Rose opened her mouth to address and then closed her eyes, unable to do so. Albus turned to John and raised his eyebrows.

"You know that chap who owns Dervish and Banges ?"trick asked quietly.

Albus nodded, having seen the man on legion occasion when he was in Hogsmeade. He was slightly older than Albus 's parents, with greying whisker and a very intense personality. He never hesitated to do his opinions known

"person killed him,"John said in barely Thomas More than a whisper.

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to see at all his friend in go. mat nodded ever so slightly and then put his read/write head on his hands.

"moldiness 've just happened,"John said,"They just found him. Madam Rosmerta heard a rumpus and Flooed here, to get the Auror on duty. By the time they got back, his shop was a sodding mess inside and he was laying dead on the storey. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the forest, the priming, and the school. Nobody 's allowed out of their common rooms and dormitories."

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

"Nobody even came in to tell us,"Albus replied, still in shock.

People were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That sort of thing just did n't materialize anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. Well, Professor Torro had been killed back before his first year and then that one beldam from the Ministry had been killed over Yuletide, but their grampus had never been found and goose egg had happened since.

"Why would anyone vote out him ?"Matt wondered aloud.

"Why would anyone defeat anyone ?"rosiness replied.

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

"Aurors are still searching the rook and the grounds,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some eternal rest. The hunting will be long over by daybreak, so you will be free to provide the park room then."

Albus and his booster looked at each other after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their dormitories, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the second years'student residence. Nobody said anything as he curled up on the floor with one of Albus 's spare mantle. Albus got into bed and stared at the roof. He had been so exhausted earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get lots sleep that night.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Lunch was very subdued the next day. most masses had slept quite recently since it was a Saturday. Every student of Hogwarts had their nose in a copy of the prophet, be it their own or a supporter 's. The stave table looked the Saami, with every professor either reading the Prophet or whispering with another professor, no doubt about what they 'd read.

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

HOGSMEADE market keeper MURDERED

A commotion in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
resident to Hogwarts to observe the Auror on
tariff principal to the uncovering of the death
of a storekeeper.

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

An extensive search of Hogsmeade, the
woodland, Hogwarts, and its grounds turned
up nil despite the hours Aurors spent
searching. No fingerprint were found on
the scene.

Aurors will be devoting meter to finding
Wisander 's killer whale and a possible motive.

Leroy Wisander had owned Dervish and Banges
for a little over ten years, when he
purchased the shop from its previous possessor
who retired. However, Wisander is more
known for the scathing editorials he writes
for this very newspaper.

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very strong public opinion and did not hesitate
to let others know his judgement. His to the highest degree
Holocene epoch newspaper column have explored the subject
of werewolf, vampire, and other so called
'half-breeds'rights. Aurors have declined
remark on whether they believe Wisander 's
editorials are a possible need for his
execution. Wisander 's obit can be found
on page five.

Albus set the composition down and his friends all resumed their ass. Nobody said a news for a few minute of arc. Albus did n't get it on what to think. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his feeling. However, it did n't exactly say what his impression were. Albus had n't ever say any of his column, so he could n't say either.

"What kind of editorials did he write ?"Matt asked quietly.

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

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

Albus got up and was followed by all of his friends. lav and Kaden each grabbed a pile of goner before leaving. Even Rose and Amanda went with them instead of going off to study with Linda.

"Have any of you take his newspaper column ?"matte asked as soon as they were in the Marauder 's Den.

Nobody had read them. Not even Rose. flatness sighed and collapsed onto one of the couches."I 've got to find out what they were about. I do n't even get laid which would be better, him being for or against lycanthrope rights. If he 's for them, that means some bloke is on the loose killing citizenry for wanting werewolf rights."

mat did n't even have to continue for Albus to have a go at it why that worried him. matte 's dad was possibly the biggest advocator of werewolf rights in all of Britain and everyone knew it. If person had been killed just for writing about lycanthrope rights, what would happen to individual who was actually passing laws for them ?

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

"Why else would someone feature killed him ?"Matt asked,"He was just a shop owner in Hogsmeade."

"Why did someone kill professor Torro ?"St. John replied,"He was n't even writing any newspaper column or anything."

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

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

"The other option is n't a good deal expert,"mat muttered,"If he did n't publish editorial for loup-garou right hand, then he wrote them against them."

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

"Let 's go to the library,"Rose said as she stood up,"They 'll have old copies of the Prophet there."

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the library. When they arrived, they were surprised to find out how crowded it was. Usually Saturdays were the years everyone put off their homework and then Sundays were spent in the library.

Once they stepped inside, Albus saw that everyone was looking through old written matter of the prophesier. Nearly every table had a few newspaper on it and a few students poring over them. Madam Pince was bustling about, no doubt worrying about whether the students would rip her wanted newspapers.

"Might not be any leave behind,"John muttered.

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

privy was almost right. There was a very low stack of paper left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded table towards the back of the library. Albus, flatness, and rosiness each took a newspaper while St. John, Kaden, and Amanda played tic-tac-toe on a spare bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two years old, until he got to the editorial plane section. In the very eye, in the fully grown font, was an column by Leroy Wisander.

HEALERS, beer maker TO rap, NOT MINISTRY functionary

As I was locking up my store last night,
I noticed that it was a total Moon. I
could not help but call up of the wretched
people plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

Now, I know what you all are thinking.
wolfsbane. The stuff works miracles
if taken correctly. However, it does
no right if it 's sitting in St. Mungo 's
and not being used by witches and
wizards with lycanthropy.

The stuff is expensive. I myself did
the computation and discovered that
it would be extremely unmanageable for
anyone with a low income to yield it.

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

I am absolutely scandalise that Healers
and potion brewers charge for this
significant potion. They must be making
a nice gain. They can use the profits
to take extravagant holidays while the
poor beldame and maven who buy it
struggle to afford it.

There is only so a good deal Ministry officials
can do. chief of wolfman Support Services,
Bruno Walter Eckerton, says he would get it on to
give away release Aconitum lycoctonum, but there just
is n't elbow room for it in the budget.

What do I project ? I propose that healer
and potion beer maker give it away for free.
They have the abilities to brew it, not
the Ministry. Most Healers claim to make love
helping people, but often it is those who
need it most, such as those with lycanthropy,
are often forced to go without, all because
those with the abilities to brew it like
to give a petty spare outlay money.

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

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

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

lusterlessness took the paper and he and Rose began to translate it. King John, Amanda, and Kaden peered over as well. Albus sat and waited while they read.

"Let 's go back to the way,"Matt said as soon as he 'd finished reading it.

Albus nodded and they returned the newspaper publisher and walked as fast as they could back to the Marauder 's Den.

"Bloody Hades, that bloke must have had so many foe !"can shouted as soon as they were back.

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

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

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

"Healers are n't like that. Most of the ones I 've met would cave in away complimentary wolf's bane, but it 's more complicate that that. The element are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to refer how difficult it is. There are n't many healer who can brew it and even most brewers ca n't brew it,"Matt explained.

"That bloke did n't sleep with the one-half of it,"bathroom agreed,"My dad 's a healer and he 'd love to give away free potions. It just does n't work that way."

"My dad 's linked with that chap,"Matt said quietly,"And now that he 's head of the intact department, he 'll be passing more laws. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really good wizard, though,"Albus pointed out to his worried friend,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are burden of Aurors milling about. And your house is more saved than any former house I 've seen, well, except the Minister 's Mansion."

"I know, but it 's still not good,"Matt sighed.

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

******

Albus and his friends scoured the Daily seer every first light the following week. Every day there was an article about Wisander, the probe, or both. So far the investigating had turned up nothing. The Aurors had questioned quite a few people, namely those very straight-from-the-shoulder against werewolf and vampire rights, but the hunt had proved fruitless.

The article about Wisander were far more worry. It seemed that his editorial about Wolfsbane Potion was one of the tamer ones. Each day fiddling pieces of his versatile newspaper column were being published. In one, he stated the reasons why werewolves should n't be locked up on full Sun Myung Moon. The reasons were quite absurd, but the seer had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampire should be allowed access to humans to bite. He suggested using prisoners and allowing vampires to suck up them dry. Thus helping vampire and reducing prison costs at the same time.

"I reckon this bloke was off his rocker,"John announced at breakfast the following Sunday. He had just finished reading an clause about how Wisander spent a year living with a vampire tribe in dud when he was young. They were some of the few people actually up at an too soon hour, as Albus had Quidditch practice and King John had a break of day detention with Filch for putting dungbombs in the throne in Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom the old day.

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

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

"After Quidditch ?"Albus laughed,"You mean, I 'm going to get to leave eventually ? Wood wo n't defecate us practice for the next calendar week ? I thought he was going to continue going until the actual match on Saturday."

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

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

"Thought I might earn another detention,"John grinned,"But Kaden 's busy with chess game club this afternoon-"

"Wait,"Albus nearly choked on his juice,"Kaden joined the chess society ? Kaden ? Kaden Dursley ?"

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

"I 'll severalise Rose good luck with that,"Albus said.

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

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

"But it 's not as fun,"John sighed,"I guess I 'll just advert around the den with lustrelessness. I can make a gracious unilateral conversation."

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

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

"Well, have fun in your detention. I 've got to get to practice session,"Albus said as he got up.

There were a few option Word Albus had for practice that day. Long, grueling, and intense. Mrs. Henry Wood was in his fine figure as he ordered the team to do drills hr after hour. He seemed to get Thomas More and more stressed as the day wore on.

James did a lot of person-to-person training with chemise and Albus was more than a little envious. shift was a much more patient role headwaiter than Sir Henry Wood was and yelled a whole lot less. Tyler pike mostly helped Wood.

Grant Wood let them take a short faulting for lunch, making sure they knew to total back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the team talking about skipping out of the eternal sleep of pattern, but they were back on the pitch at the time Mrs. Henry Wood told them to be.

The good afternoon was very similar to the morning and Albus found that he could tune out woods 's yelling quite easily. It was alike to tuning out his mum 's shouting.

praxis finally ended at three, when the New York team walked onto the lurch and demanded they leave, because they had booked the rake for three o'clock that day.

"Remember, practice Tuesday evening !"woodwind shouted as the all team rushed to get off the pitch.

Albus trudged back to the rook tired and shivering. He went straight to Gryffindor towboat and took a very long, hot shower and then set off to happen his protagonist.

Rose, Amanda, and Linda were in the vulgar elbow room, but the boys were n't. Albus figured they were in the predator 's Den and set off to look for them after saying a fast howdy to the girls.

John and Kaden were in the midriff of a heated secret plan of Exploding cracking when Albus walked into the Marauder 's Den a few minutes later. John 's face was wide-cut of ash, but Kaden 's was rather clean. There was also a big grin on his human face which contrasted the scowl on bathroom 's face. Matt was laying on the lounge facing them, like he had been watching the game, but he was sound asleep.

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

"Grueling. Wood 's ten times regretful than Empire State of the South. Five minute we were out there. Five fucking hours in the frigidness !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the other couch.

"Better than scrubbing Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom with a soup-strainer,"John muttered,"I do n't cognize what was risky, the scrubbing or listening to Myrtle."

"All three of you are so sunny today,"Kaden said,"So many complaints."

"Can you blame us ?"Albus muttered.

"No, not really,"Kaden shrugged.

"How was chess ?"Albus asked.

"I got beaten by every single individual in the chess club,"Kaden shook his head,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"can said as the cards blew up in his human face again,"Have you done that Defense Department essay ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

"I need your help,"John said as he got up and started digging around in his bag.

Albus groaned again and fished around in his own bag for his defense playscript. Balladanis wanted a foot long essay about basilisks, which were the flow dark creature of the hebdomad.

John the Divine sat down at the board while Albus lay on the sofa. He just could n't bring himself to get up and do his essay. Instead, he mumbled answers to John whenever he asked a question.

"Do you hatch the chicken egg under a Gaul or a anuran ?"John asked.

"batrachian,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could pull a Rose and secern you to do your essay,"lavatory replied.

"Do n't even put out,"Albus said. Even rosiness would n't be capable to get him off the couch.

"Quidditch seems less grueling than football,"Kaden commented,"I mean, you fly, you do n't run."

Albus lifted his head up and glared at Kaden."Wood had us doing push-ups and running laps."

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

"To get us into shape after the holiday,"Albus answered,"So yes, Quidditch is a lot of work."

"Ok, ok,"Kaden muttered as he located some of his own homework.

Albus managed to get in a somewhat comfortable status on the couch and wrote his essay with his book and sheepskin perched on his knee joint. It beat sitting at the table ; at least he was able-bodied to sort of lie down.

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

"We should probably wake him up,"Albus gestured to flatness, who had not moved one muscleman since Albus had came back from practice.

John got up and began to prod lustrelessness 's arm. It took a good two min for Matt to give his eyes.

"It 's nearly six,"John told him.

"Then I should probably go,"matte mumbled,"Oh, Albus, you 're back from practice."

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

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

St. John returned a niggling while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the piranha 's Den afterwards and lav and Kaden continued working on their preparation while Albus slept on the couch.

******

"Albus, get up !"

Albus mumbled something incoherently and rolled over in his bed. It felt far too betimes to inflame up.

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

Albus opened his eyes and saw Teddy standing over his bed. A glance at the clock told him that, yes, it was far too early to wake up. It was six in the forenoon. On a Saturday. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch mate against New House of York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a backlog instrumentalist anyway.

"Albus, you 'd better get up now. Wood 's in the vernacular way,"Teddy whispered.

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

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

Now Albus was panoptic awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the other substitute pursuer, a seventh year Slytherin.

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

Albus took that to intend that teddy thought they were snogging and one got the other sick.

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

Teddy nodded and left. Albus threw on a jersey and a duet of blue jean before running down to the plebeian elbow room, where he found Oliver Sir Henry Joseph Wood pacing in front of the void fire.

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

Albus nodded and sat down for what was certainly to be a very foresightful spoken language. Grant Wood paused and then launched into an explanation of tactics, which Albus had already heard during practices that week. He could n't cipher out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. Wood could have accomplished the Sami affair at ten.

Wood and Teddy left after Wood finished lecturing Albus and Albus considered going back to bed, but as he was wide awake, it would be pointless.

Part of woodwind 's address had been on the weather, which was cold and slightly snowy. Could be big, Albus thought. At least there was n't a blizzard. The conditions were very alike to those they had been practicing in all week.

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

"There you are,"mat, who was looking significantly honest than he had a few Day ago, said,"What fourth dimension did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"shimmy got me up. forest had to assure me I 'm playing chaser today."

"What ?"Matt shouted,"That 's brilliant !"

"This is outstanding, Albus !"John grinned,"But why ?"

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

Albus went to the Great Hall to eat lunch with his ally, but he was n't really hungry. He did n't think he had ever been more spooky for a Quidditch match. This was a really important match, as Wood had pointed out numerous times. If they won by a spacious enough margin, they 'd be in second place.

Word had gotten around that Albus was playing in the mates and legion multitude came over to the Gryffindor table to wish Albus luck.

"Al,"Harry sat down adjacent to Albus.

"Dad,"Albus smiled. He had n't been trusted if his dad was coming to the compeer or not.

"I 'll be watching the altogether time. I 'm sure you 're going to do majuscule. Just think of it as a match against another house. Ravenclaw, I guess, since their gown are blue,"Harry grinned,"good luck."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the rest of the Hogwarts team a few second later. All his friends wished him in force chance as he left the Hall.

Nobody talked much as they changed into their robes. Everyone sat down afterwards, cook for Wood 's pre-match speech.

However, woods seemed to be all speeched out. He merely said that they 'd trained well and to turn over it their all. Albus was a trivial shocked by the truncation of the speech, but quickly got over it as he walked out onto the sales pitch.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awe-inspiring multitude who have read and reviewed this !

Also, I wrote a new song fic ! It 's from Snape 's point of view, as I wanted to try something different. It 's on my Author pageboy if you want to check it out !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Ten minutes into the match, Albus decided there were four type of Quidditch in the world. Casual Quidditch, like what he played with his cousins ; school Quidditch ; professional Quidditch ; and then there was the type of Quidditch he was playing now.

It was a combination of school Quidditch and professional Quidditch. The gang was louder, the instrumentalist more determined, and the stakes were eminent than a normal school Quidditch match.

Albus dodged one of the New York Chasers and flew up to catch the Quaffle, which had been dropped by Waverly as he had been hit by a bludger. As soon as Albus had the Quaffle, he was flanked by the other two New York Chasers.

Albus pushed his broom to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his pectus. Then he plunged down to the ground, where nobody else was flying. He was back up senior high school two minutes later when he had reached the New York goal post. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the remaining goal post. The Keeper was too slow and the Quaffle soared through.

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

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

The Quaffle continued to exchange manpower quickly as the lucifer went on. An time of day later there was still no sign of the Snitch and both team were neck in neck as far as points went. New York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few more goals and he began to relax a little. The lucifer began to feel more like a school equal and less like a professional match, even though the bet were still heights.

Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least L points when James caught the snitch, or they would n't be able to overtake New House of York as far as overall points went.

"New House of York 's searcher has seen the sneaker !"Ian Smith announced.

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

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

The bunch roared and St. James the Apostle held the Snitch senior high school above his pass. Both team flew to the ground and Albus saw the ail look on Natalie Wood 's fount. They had n't won by enough to be in moment space overall.

"I had no option !"Saint James the Apostle shouted to him,"She was going to get it !"

Ellen Price Wood nodded in agreement, but he still looked defeated. Albus chose to dismiss this and helped the relaxation of the team to lift James onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the points, the Australian schooltime of Sorcery is in number 1 piazza. New York and Hogwarts are currently tied for instant. The adjacent match will lease place at the end of February !"Ian Smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't foregather up with his friends until they were back in the common room. slip had gone to Hogsmeade and a party was currently underway in the Gryffindor unwashed room. teddy informed everyone that the three other houses were hosting parties as well. The bookman from New York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their Seeker, were sulking in a corner.

"I think that was your best mates yet,"John said to Albus as they settled down at their common table.

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

"Maybe Henry Fielding will still be vomit up,"John said.

"uncertainty it,"Albus replied,"summation, I 'm sure enough O'delle will get inaugural dibs on the next match if any of the other chaser get sick."

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

"Anyway, the next friction match you 'll probably be playing Commonwealth of Australia,"Matt said.

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

The party continued until dinner time, when mass began to give as cypher had snuck down to the kitchens to get food. Harry came in to congratulate Albus and St. James the Apostle shortly before Albus and his friends left for dinner party. He was also scheduled to police the shoal for the remainder of the weekend and wanted to let his Thomas Kyd know.

******

living at Hogwarts returned to formula shortly after the Quidditch compeer. The Prophet printed fewer and fewer clause about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to blank out about his death. Everyone except matte, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

However, the students at Hogwarts were reminded again of the unsolved execution when the next Hogsmeade head trip arrived two days after Valentine 's Day. A portion of the students were too lovesick to notice the boarded up shop of Dervish and Banges as they made their way to Madam Puddifoot's.

Neither Albus, John, or Matt were too preoccupied to observe the vacate construction, though. The three of them stopped to look at it for a while despite the biting wind. rosiness and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

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

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

"It 's probably still part of the investigation,"Matt pointed out,"Plus, who would want a building that someone was killed in ? I do n't even want to go in it."

Albus did n't think it was a serious meter to remind Matt that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the scream Shack.

"trade good item,"Albus said,"But so far they have n't found anything."

"They wo n't find who it was,"lav said quietly,"They never found out who killed Torro."

"I really hope they find who it was,"lustrelessness replied.

"They will,"Albus said,"They 're still focused on it."

Albus, Matt, and John went to the Three broomstick a little while later because all three of them were frozen. They warmed up with Butterbeer and were just thinking about heading back to the castle when Albus heard individual whisper his epithet behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

Albus turned around, but no one was there. The articulation sounded comrade, though. Albus slowly reached his hand out and it touched something solid, but it looked like no one was there.

"Kaden,"Albus groaned,"Is that you ?"

"Yeah,"Kaden whispered back,"I stole your cloak."

Albus immediately stood up and motioned for Matt and John, who were both looking confused, to keep up him. He assumed Kaden would keep abreast as well. Albus lead them up high Street until they reached the shriek hut. Nobody was hanging around it that day.

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do realize how stupid this was."

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

"Bloody Hell !"whoremaster shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"mat asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a good meter, but there was a reason I changed my judgement and told you not to sneak in today. Most of the instructor come to Hogsmeade for the February slip. My cousin-german told me. They want to induce sure no one does anything stupid because they 're in love or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"matte asked.

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

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

Kaden 's face turned bloodless and his mouth dropped unfastened. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met face to nerve with Professor Balladanis.

"Quite difficult, I 'd expect,"Balladanis replied,"Come with me, all of you."

Albus groaned inwardly as he followed Balladanis down the street. They had gone all yr without Kaden getting them into trouble, but Albus should have known better than to imagine they could go the unharmed year.

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

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

"They had nada to do with it,"Kaden said quickly,"Albus was just telling me how pudding head I was."

"Then it would seem that Mr. ceramist and I agree on something,"Balladanis replied,"Where 'd you get that cloak ?"

"It 's Albus 's,"Kaden said quietly,"I took it. He did n't give it to me to pilfer in or anything."

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. ceramist, Mr. Eckerton, and Mr. Brickston, you may bring back to your common room. Mr. Dursley will join you after I arrange his detention."

Albus, mat, and King John could not get out of there quick enough. They walked straight back to the common room, talking about how lucky they had been. It must let looked like all three of them had helped Kaden sneak into Hogsmeade. estimable affair Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned xv minutes later, looking quite dysphoric. He collapsed onto a professorship and stared mutinously at the table.

"Detention every Saturday for the following month,"Kaden muttered,"Plus he gave me a lecture about how severe it was for me to creep out and if I did it again I 'd get a sorry punishment than detention. Did n't expound on that, though."

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

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

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

******

Kaden discovered what his detention was that Nox. Balladanis decided to have him alphabetize his private library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the piranha 's Den harangue about the quantity of account book Balladanis had.

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

"That 's telling,"mat replied.

"Wish he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his custody alphabetizing those Holy Writ. He almost did n't manage to land up and if that had been the case, Balladanis would take given him a fifth detention.

The future full moon came and went, as did the side by side Quidditch match. Albus was beginning to mistrust that the full-of-the-moon moons were becoming sorry for Matt, although he did n't recognize why.

New House of York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch mate. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the sneaker a half time of day in. Wood insisted that this was a secure affair, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to hit a good amount of goals before Linda caught the Snitch in their next mates, they would experience more overall points than New York. Wood seemed to give birth lost any hope that James could beat Linda in quest, something James fumed about on a virtually daily basis.

March arrived and with it a three day rain storm that left the primer completely flooded. Both Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had to take place inside, which resulted in incredibly boring lessons. woodwind continued to admit Quiditch practice and Albus returned to the castle completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

All of the teachers were piling on the homework and Professor Patil had even gone so far as to mention the O.W.L.s even though they were a unhurt two years away. The only teacher who was n't talking about the end of terminal figure test was professor Balladanis.

Balladanis conducted his lessons as if end of term exams did not exist. He changed nothing about his lessons except the dark creature they were learning about.

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

Albus could n't help but bet at Linda before he began packing up his things. He wondered if Balladanis would be teaching them adequate about identifying vampires for anyone to figure out that Linda was one.

"So,"Gospel According to John said as he flipped through his DoD book the be eventide. Albus, Matt, John, and Kaden were in the Marauder 's Den and Saint John was just finishing the chapter on vampires."looking at what 's after vampires.

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

"Yeah,"Matt muttered,"It was bound to come about eventually."

"I wonder if Balladanis is going to make you go in for extra help during that unit of measurement,"John grinned,"I 'm sure enough you 'll need loads of extra assist in identifying werewolves."

Matt rolled his eyes."He better. It 'll expect suspicious if I do n't go in for duplicate help. speaking of additional help, we 're due to go in for it in fifteen minutes."

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

Albus managed to finish his Herbology homework while John and lusterlessness were gone. Then it was time for him to go in for his dueling lessons.

The desks were n't pushed to the sides of the classroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a I. F. Stone drainage basin sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silvery chain of something out of his headland and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the strings were remembering, Albus realized. For a minute, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to recite him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

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

Albus stood awkwardly next to one of the front tables while he waited for Malfoy. Balladanis stared into the pensieve and acted like Albus was n't there. When Malfoy arrived, he looked up and stared at the two male child for a few minutes before speaking.

"We 're not dueling today,"he said,"Instead, I am going to show you something."He motioned for them to get together him at his desk.

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

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

Albus 's pulsing sped up a little bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a stupid person idea ? He did n't even know what he was getting into. But it was just a store. zero could wound him in a retentivity, right ?

Albus took a deep breath and plunged his face into the pensieve. He had never been in one before. He landed on the unvoiced grass and looked around.

It was dusk and very pipe down. There was a pocket-size house in the aloofness, atop of a jolty James Jerome Hill. In fact, the whole country was mostly rocky. Albus had landed on the one lone piece of grass in the whole plaza. It did n't look like any position in Britain.

He stood up as Malfoy landed future to him, followed quickly by Balladanis. Balladanis landed on his feet and they waited for Malfoy to get up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis said quietly.

Albus did so, but he still felt like he deserved an explanation. Where were they ? Why were they there ? Whose memory was this ? What did it have to do with dueling ?

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

"Greece,"Balladanis replied.

This did nothing but increase Albus 's curiosity. Why were they in Greece of all places ? But he did n't ask. It did n't seem like Balladanis was in an explaining humor, judging by his little, one word answer to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the humble house. The only randomness was their footsteps. There were n't even any owls hooting or dogs barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

The house must experience been their destination. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the broken down wooden fence surrounding it. The house reminded Albus of the Shrieking Shack, only smaller. It was kind of broken down and did n't look like a plaza that would be good to live in.

Someone lived there, though. A brightness was on upstairs. It remained on for a few more minutes and then someone turned it off.

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

They watched the forest for a half an hour before anything happened. Then five hooded digit practically flew out of the forest. They were at the family before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His aspect was hardened.

All was calm for two bit. The figures entered the menage, but did not rick on any light. Then the screams started. Albus jumped at the sound of the get-go one.

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

His professor 's face showed nothing. cypher but the same hardened look he had seen on it so many times. Malfoy on the other script, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The screaming was coming from two unlike people. There was a high-pitched one that must have been coming from a charwoman, and a depleted one that must have been coming from a man.

Then, they stopped. First the woman, then the man. The hooded name left the sign of the zodiac as quickly as they had entered and returned to the forest.

Balladanis, however, made no motion to allow for. Instead he stared at the house. Two minutes later, someone fled from it.

They ran from the household, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew close-fitting, Albus could see that the person was a boy who looked no older than Albus himself. His face was etched with a sadness Albus had never seen before. It was too dark to recount, but Albus was certain there were crying running down his face.

The boy obviously did n't find the three citizenry watching him. He ran right past them, up the rocky hill in the space. It occurred to Albus after he passed that the boy looked somewhat fellow. There was something about his face that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite station it.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


professor Balladanis did n't say anything for a long time after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the defense team schoolroom. Albus landed next to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in front of Balladanis 's desk. Balladanis landed behind his desk, facing the wall, and did n't release around for a few minutes.

Albus glanced nervously at his professor as he thought of doubtfulness he was just burning to ask. In fact, there was zilch about the scene he had just witnessed that did n't make Albus curious. Everything about it had been confusing.

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

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

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

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

Albus and Malfoy sat down quickly at the mesa in front of Balladanis 's desk. They were sitting right adjacent to each former and Albus did n't care. At the second, finding out what that scene was was more important than staying away from Malfoy.

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

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

"There is a reason why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my classes what I did before pedagogy. The ground is that you two are incredible duelers. Both of you have skills beyond your years that I have never seen before, and conceive me, I have seen mess of exceptional duelist in my time. This may be a good time to enjoin you how rare it is to take two such skilled duelers in the same twelvemonth at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to look at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the start of some kind of house unity speech or something.

"I know the two of you are n't the best of acquaintance,"Balladanis continued,"But I must say how yarn-dye I am that you seem to put the animosity behind you when you step into my classroom for your lessons."

The sole reasonableness for that, at least for Albus, was because of Balladanis himself. Albus doubted he would put up Albus and Malfoy bickering with each early during lessons.

"backbone to what I was going to tell you,"Balladanis said,"That shot that I just showed you, in sheath you have not figured it out yet, took lieu while I was a boy of only xiii. It was the summer before my third base class at school.

"I grew up in Greece, in that very house we just saw. My parents, although they loved me deeply, were very poor and could barely yield to put food on the table. I think they were grateful when I went away to school, the sole understanding being that they would n't have to interest about me getting enough to eat.

"I had two blissfully innocent and fun years at the Grecian school day of illusion. I returned home plate during summertime wide of storey about my friends and all the devilment we 'd gotten into."

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

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

Balladanis stopped talking and Albus sat in complete seismic disturbance. Balladanis 's parents had been murdered by lamia ? That was one thing that had never crossed Albus 's mind.

"I returned to school that September hardened. Nothing was fun anymore. Nothing was fishy. It was then that I decided to devote my life to ridding the world of such evils. Vampires, non-white whiz, werewolves, anyone and anything that murders viciously."

Albus could n't aid but glare at Balladanis when he mentioned loup-garou. Balladanis seemed to notice this and gave Albus the slightest of smiles.

"However, I did agnise that not all vampires, werewolves, giants, and other beingness are inherently evil. Not all of them want to down. It was for this intellect that I did not wish to be employed by the Greek Ministry. The Greek Ministry prefers to deal with witching brute as a whole and not distinguish between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very declamatory population of vampires.

"Thus, becoming an Auror was out of the question. Instead, I chose to come in a more secretive profession. One that you will not retrieve brochure on when you get career advice from your heads of home. One that no one except me is going to suggest to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

Albus 's heart sped up at this. Balladanis was going to present them career advice ? They were only thirteen. But at the same fourth dimension, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a adept enough dueller for this life history, whatever it was.

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

"The bounteous difference is that Presulers are not employed by the Ministry. There are very few Presulers in the Earth and we are often sought out by various Ministries and hired on an as-needed footing. We travel from country to country, whenever we are needed. It is quite tightlipped. I suppose Presulers are a combination of Aurors and private investigators."

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

"I never caught the vampire who killed my parents. I have met one lamia who knew them, but she is not like them. I am still searching for them, however."

Balladanis stopped pacing and leaned up against the front of his desk. He looked at Albus and Malfoy, but did not say anything else.

"Why are you teaching here, then ?"Malfoy asked.

"That is one thing that is between myself and professor Kendrick,"Balladanis replied.

"Are you coming back succeeding yr ?"Malfoy asked.

"As of rightfulness now, I have no idea,"Balladanis answered,"It is getting late. I 've kept you here much longer than formula. If you think of anymore interrogation, do not hesitate to see me. I 'll walk you back to your vulgar rooms."

Albus walked alongside Balladanis in silence on his way back to the Gryffindor column. His judgement was racing with what he just learned. He did n't know what to make of it. It was just so much data at once.

The common room was nearly vacuous when Albus climbed through the portrait muddle. It must have been really tardily, since it was Friday Nox. Albus really did n't have sex what time it was.

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

"What did he possess you doing ?"Matt asked.

"I 'll tell you tomorrow,"Albus muttered, realizing that all he wanted to do was lay in his bed and think about what Balladanis had just said.

Albus was vaguely aware of his friend sighs of dashing hopes as he went up to his dorm room, but he did n't find like talking about it right then. He was tired and his creative thinker was racing at the Lapp time.

Albus tossed and turned the entire night. He alternated thinking about what he had seen in the pensieve and about becoming a Presuler himself. Then he wound up thinking about Linda and what Balladanis thought of her. He had said he did n't hold a grievance against vampires that did n't kill people, but who knew what he really thought.

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

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

******

"Merlin, Albus, get up !"

Albus rolled over in his bed and put his pillow over his head. After waking up drenched in lather at four in the good morning after a nightmare in which his whole family had been killed by vampires, he had finally drifted off into a somewhat comme il faut sleep. One that he wished he was still in.

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

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

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

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

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

"Did you lose to Malfoy or something ?"privy asked,"Because that would make me want to hole up in bed for the day."

"No, it 's not that,"Albus muttered,"I 'll tell you, but I 'm only explaining it once, so one of you better find rose wine, Amanda, and Kaden. And I 'll order you in the Marauder 's Den because there is no way Linda can be around to hear this."

The girls and Kaden met them in the Marauder 's Den after Albus, John, and Matt had tiffin. John kept pestering Albus all through lunch, wanting to sleep together why Linda could n't get a line about it, but Albus said nothing. He was n't even sure if he was allowed to enjoin his friends about this, but Balladanis had n't really forbidden him.

"Albus, what in the name of Falco columbarius happened hold out Nox ?"Rose asked as soon as they were all in the vulture 's Den.

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

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

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

"Sorry,"St. John muttered.

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

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

"Not that bully, to be honest,"Albus said,"Probably would cause been better if it was a intimately computer memory.

"Anyway, he took us without any explanation of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down sign of the zodiac in Greece. variety of looked like a minuscule more run-down version of the screaming Shack."

"In Ellas ?"Kaden asked.

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

"What does that have anything to do with what Balladanis does for a life ?"whoremaster asked.

"Everything,"Albus sighed,"That had been his theater. The howler were his parents. The boy was him. He told us this after. His parents were killed by a coven of vampires."

Nobody said anything for a yearn prison term. Albus looked at his ally and they all wore equate looks of shock.

"And you watched it ?"Matt asked.

"From a space,"Albus replied.

"Merlin, no wonder Balladanis is so bally insane,"John let out a low whistle.

"He decided to devote his life to ridding the earth of evil, whether it be vampire, grim wizards, or other dark brute,"Albus continued.

"So he 's an Auror ?"Rose asked.

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

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

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

"Wow,"John the Evangelist said,"I thought he was an Auror or something."

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

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

"All wolfman have the potentiality of killing the great unwashed, Albus,"Matt said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

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

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

"Seriously ?"Matt asked.

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

"You do n't have to cognize. You 're only thirteen. And Albus, do n't decide anything until you 've read about this. Do n't just go on what Balladanis is saying. I think we 've finally discovered why he 's so passionate about fighting the Dark Arts, but it might taint his judgement sometimes,"Rose warned.

"I know, that 's what I do n't get,"Albus said,"Why is he telling us this now ?"

"Maybe because he does n't contrive on staying,"mat replied,"Why would he break off searching for the vampires who killed his parents to instruct here anyway ?"

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

"Because that 's not suspicious or anything,"Saint John rolled his eyes,"There 's still something good story about Balladanis."

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

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

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be easier said than done, especially since defense class was soon devoted to learning about vampire. Balladanis seemed to teach that particular unit with much more enthusiasm than usual, a feat that cypher thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than usual, but well-nigh just attributed it to the fact that he was bloody insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about lamia was stuff Albus already knew due to what Matt had told them earlier in the shoal year. It was still fairly concern, though. Albus found that the more grave the creature they were learning about, the more interesting it was. Not to name the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every student was thankful for.

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

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

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

"That would n't be any better. We 're doing werewolves next,"John reminded him,"And matt said that affair could n't sprain into an actual lycanthrope. speech production of lustrelessness, he 's lucky he 's missing this."

"I think he 'd say otherwise,"Albus replied. The entire lunar month had been the previous night.

"placidity,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our vampire moral today. Today I wish to express you what a vampire looks like, which is why I have brought back the anamatek. However, you will not be fighting it. None of you have the acquisition requisite to fight a vampire."

"He 's genial,"John muttered.

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

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

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

"They 're agile,"Balladanis continued,"They 're good looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are bushed. The option is not great, either. From the moment their teeth break your skin, you begin to transmute into a lamia as well. You will become one if they do not suck you dry. There is no way to bar it, no potion to counterbalance it.

"Vampires hunt at Night when their imaginativeness is still first-class, but when human visual modality is compromised. However, that is not the only grounds. Does anyone have a go at it the other ?"

blush wine raised her hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, young lady Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"Vampires are in center allergic to the sun,"Rose explained,"When the sunlight hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them headaches and makes them feel sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rare grin,"There is no potion to subvert the effects of the sun on vampires. Therefore they tend to inhabit country that see LE sun and areas of dense forest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United body politic, voice of Canada, and theatrical role of Soviet Russia. However there is also a significant vampire population in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his wand at the vampire again and it retreated back into the luggage compartment. Everyone breathed a collective suspiration of fill-in. The deterrent example continued until the bell rang. Balladanis made no mention of moving onto the next unit, nor had he assigned the usual end of the whole essay.

Albus and his friends went to shoot the breeze Matt late that dark after Albus got out of Quidditch practice. They only had a half 60 minutes or so until curfew, but they had n't visited at all yet.

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

"Was it any different from the usual 1 ?"matt asked tiredly. He looked ready to fall asleep at any moment.

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

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

"Yeah, he had it become into a vampire,"St. John said,"We did n't have to fight it. He just used it to demo how degenerate vampires were and what they looked like."

"That is weird,"lustrelessness replied,"He assign the vampire essay yet ?"

"Nope,"can shook his head,"I think we 're in for a few more years of vampires."

"fountainhead, the thirster we spend on vampire, the more time we have before we start loup-garou,"Matt said quietly,"I really hope he does n't expend as much fourth dimension on them as he has on vampires."

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

"Thank Merlin for that,"flatness yawned.

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

"We 'll be back tomorrow after lunch,"Albus told him,"effective night."

"'Night,"lustrelessness said.

They left the Mrs. Humphrey Ward just as brothel keeper Pomfrey was coming out of her study, presumably to tell them to leave and devote mat more potions. Albus and his admirer headed straight for the rough-cut elbow room, where they got started on all the preparation that had been piled on them that day.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's cousins had begun to make up wager on how long Balladanis was going to drop teaching the thirdly years about vampires. Fred was sure he 'd spend the remainder of terminal figure, but Bradley was convinced he 'd make a motion onto the next social unit partway through April. None of the tertiary eld were actually participating in these bets because they were all afraid Balladanis would bump out.

The vampire unit was still well underway when the following Quidditch match came along. This one was the arcsecond Hogwarts versus Australian school of black art lucifer, which meant Wood was in his heyday when it came to practice session. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing rooms since he spent more of his clip on the Quidditch tar than in the Gryffindor vernacular room.

Albus awoke the day of the equal to lav 's flashy swearing instead of Teddy, which told him that he did not have to act as during that mate. He could n't aid but feel slightly discomfited. Figuring there was no level in going back to sleep, he got up and asked john what happened.

"Tripped over lustrelessness 's bloody cauldron,"John muttered, holding onto his in good order foundation,"Why ca n't he just put that stupid thing away ?"

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

John muttered something identical and shoved his cauldron under his bed. He went into the bath while Albus woke matt up. The three of them met Kaden in the commons room a niggling while later and then went down to the Great Hall to get something to eat.

A few time of day later the son were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the match to begin. Rose and Amanda were with them.

"curiosity how long it 'll pick out Linda to find the Snitch this prison term,"Albus mused.

"I 'm betting on ten minutes,"John said,"Hey, remember that prison term we eavesdropped on Killigan ?"

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

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

"She probably wo n't this clock time, either,"Matt put in,"I mean, think about it, if James could fly that fast, would he really slow down to a normal speed ?"

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

Matt 's foretelling proved objurgate. Linda did not slow down in the slightest. She flew at her common abnormally fast speed, beating William James to the sneak by a few curtilage. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Commonwealth of Australia at that point and only wound up losing by XL power point.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New York as far as Quidditch points went. Commonwealth of Australia was still in the lead, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tournaments. As of the most Recent epoch tournament, Hogwarts was winning. Australia was in last property and New York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty sure that if the Quidditch and dueling tournament points were added up, Hogwarts and Commonwealth of Australia would be neck in neck. Whatever the result of the remaining passing tournaments and matches, the final examination for both were going to determine the winner of the contest. The detail were just too close.

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

******

Two weeks into April, Bradley along with quite a few former older Gryffindors, were able-bodied to cash in on their stakes about Balladanis. Fred and a few others grumbled loudly about it as they handed over Galleons to the winners.

Balladanis had assigned the long awaited essay on vampires on Thursday, officially making the vampire unit the prospicient unit they had done. They had spent an entire calendar month and a half on it. The essay seemed to match this length, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a half feet.

Albus, Matt, and John the Divine saved their essays for the last possible minute, settling down to form on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly hard essay because Balladanis had given them so very much selective information on the topic. It was just a very long essay to write. rosebush and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't help but be slightly envious of them because doing the essay with an actual vampire would fix it the wanton essay ever.

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

"She is,"Rose answered,"She hated every min of those lessons. Ca n't say I blame her."

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

"Three feet,"Rose answered.

John Lackland groaned."Do you reckon Balladanis will detect if mine 's three in short ?"

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

"Maybe if we do n't finish it we can just jump class tomorrow,"Matt muttered,"After all, I would n't want to prove up in form without the essay done."

"But it 'll be worse when you finally do go to course of instruction,"Rose pointed out.

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

"You 're going to finish it,"Rose told him,"You 've got two inches left."

"Finished,"Albus announced.

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

"You know,"Albus said quietly,"Nobody found out about Linda being a vampire even after we 've spent a month and a one-half on them. I do n't think anyone 's going to find out out you 're a werewolf just because we 're learning about them."

"I know, I 've just got a bad flavor about it,"Matt sighed.

"Look on the shiny side,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the werewolf essay, you 're sure to get a 100."

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

Both Matt and St. John the Apostle managed to end their essays before curfew and they returned to Gryffindor tower, and they soon went to bed. Albus did n't opine Matt slept much, though. He heard him tossing and turning all night.

Albus, Matt, and John got a late kickoff since Saint John had misplaced his lamia essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was sure how it go there ), the three boys rushed down to the Great Hall to catch pieces of pledge before running to Defense.

They walked into the room rightfield on time and barely had a chance to fascinate their breath before Balladanis asked for everyone to hand in their vampire essays. Albus passed his essay up and pulled out parchment and a quill.

"Well, our building block on vampire is over,"Balladanis said once everyone had handed in their essays,"I trust you have all read the chapter on werewolves for today ? If you had for some reason decided not to do that, I highly suggest doing it tonight."

Balladanis began his usual tempo in front of the classroom. He stopped in front of Rose and Linda 's table and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would begin with lycanthrope story,"he announced,"nonentity is sure when the initiatory werewolf came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding polish. Not only that, but even ancient Muggle acculturation have lycanthropy in their histories.

"century of years ago, before the Muggle bailiwick of psychology came about and prospicient before Muggles had any reason of the human being intellect, they tried to make sentiency of the great unwashed whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to attribute the insanity to the moon. Over the years, the myth of wolfman came about. Thus, loup-garou have had a important office in Muggle news report. In reality, the citizenry Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from dementia praecox or turn of insanity."

Albus frantically tried to indite everything down. He knew absolutely nothing about the Muggle view of lycanthropy. He glanced at Matt and saw that he was n't writing anything down, but his hired man was shaking.

"Muggles of course know null about material werewolf,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created werewolf have little in commons with the genuine affair.

"wolfman are plagued with the illness lycanthropy. Does anyone know what that means ?"

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

"Very in force,"Balladanis replied,"Lycanthropy refers to the disease and those who have it are called lycanthrope.

"wolfman have been shunned by wizarding society for as long as history has told us about them. In recent class, there has been much speculation about whether this is necessary or even a undecomposed thought. However, it is difficult to change the intellect of the majority when we have been taught to annul wolfman and shun them from wizarding social club for so long.

"It has not been for no cause that this oecumenical prejudice has came about. When in Wolf form, werewolves can not master their legal action and thus snipe helpless people. This has long been construed as lycanthrope wanting to attack masses, wanting to infect them with the horrible disease.

"This can not be farther from the character when it comes to most wolfman. near do not wish to attack others. Within the past hundred geezerhood, lycanthropes have begun locking themselves up on the full lunar month in order to stave off attacking others. However, there is one important drawback to this for the werewolf. Does anyone know this ?"Balladanis 's middle rested on Matt, but he continued staring down at his empty parchment.

pink wine and Linda raised their work force. This time Balladanis called on Linda."When lycanthrope do n't have got anybody to assault, they attack themselves,"Linda said,"They do n't birth a choice and they often wind up really injured because of it."

Balladanis took Linda 's opinion further, but Albus did n't hear what he said because lusterlessness had knocked over Albus 's ink. He looked incredibly nervous and Albus was happy that the class was almost over. He quickly cleaned up the ink and tried to pay tending to the rest of the lecture.

"We 'll pick up next stratum with what happens before, during, and after full phase of the moon lunar month for a person with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the bell rang,"If you have not read the werewolf chapter, delight do so for next time. Mr. Eckerton, if you could please total see me."

flatness looked, if it was potential, even more aflutter at this panorama. The rest of the course of study left and Albus tried to put away his things as slowly as possible, but Balladanis shooed him, along with John, out of the room.

Malfoy was standing outside the classroom when Albus and trick left. He had a little smirk on his face.

"Interesting lesson, Potter,"Malfoy said quietly,"Very interesting indeed."

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

"Oh, zilch. Just a very crystalise lesson. I 've learned so lots,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"merlin,"John muttered,"He knows."

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

"Onto it ?"Saint John replied,"That 's a nice way of putting it. The unhurt school 's going to know in two Clarence Day, after the future class."

"What are we going to do ?"Albus groaned,"If we tell him what Malfoy said, he 's going to be too scared to do anything. I mean, did you see him during this lesson ?"

"Yeah,"John nodded,"We ca n't secern him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether matte knows about it or not."

"I agree,"Albus nodded,"We wo n't tell."

"What are you two talking about ?"Matt appeared behind them, looking no better than he had before.

"Nothing,"John said,"What did Balladanis want ?"

"Told me I did n't have to go to the extra aid during this unit of measurement unless I wanted to,"Matt told them.

"What are you going to do ?"John the Evangelist asked.

"I do n't know,"mat said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll look funny if I do n't, but I really ca n't select many more than object lesson like that. pigeon hawk, Thursday 's moral is going to be awful."

Albus saw no point in denying that. Matt did n't have a clue as to how awfully it would be. They said null more about it the whole way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so glad about having ridiculously long Quidditch praxis as he was Tuesday and Wednesday eventide. He was perfectly well-chosen to expend all his free time on the Quidditch pitch and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so difficult for him to keep what Malfoy said away from Matt. He wanted cypher more than to warn his friend about it, even though he knew that would accomplish nothing. All it would do was attain mat worry even more and then act even more anxious during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's creative thinker off of what would happen after Malfoy 's suspiciousness were confirmed. It would n't be anything like when Albus found out or even when Kaden found out. No, Malfoy was going to use this to his advantage. Albus was nearly one hundred percent sure Malfoy would herald it to all of Slytherin. Then, word would circularize and the entire school would obtain out. pigeon hawk only knew what would encounter when educatee'parents found out.

Albus knew that werewolf right field had come a foresighted way since Teddy 's dad was in schooltime, but he also knew that most the great unwashed would not be well-chosen if their children were going to school with a werewolf, especially one that did not take wolfsbane. Not to mention the battlefield day the insistence would stimulate with it. Matt 's dad had just become Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for Merlin 's sake. It would be a repeat of what had happened when lustrelessness and his menage had lived in Australia.

Not to refer what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a slim prospect that Malfoy found out about the transition under the Whomping willow. He had nearly had a scare attack. What would pass if Malfoy found out he was a werewolf ?

It did not assist that the full lunar month was that Friday. lusterlessness barely spoke during the brief times that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch. He sat in the Marauder 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, Wood 's farseeing Quidditch practices took Albus 's mind off of all of that, but they did not quit Thursday from arriving and sooner than Albus would have liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and John exchanged nervous coup d'oeil as Malfoy walked in with a very self-satisfied facial expression on his face. Albus was so focused on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's trunk was back in front of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked John in the side.

"What ?"John seethed. Albus gestured to the automobile trunk."Merlin 's byssus,"John exclaimed,"I do n't even want to know what he 's going to do with that."

"Quiet down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll continue our lycanthrope discussion today by talking about what happens to a werewolf when the moon waxes.

"lycanthrope, in a exchangeable way to lamia, are somewhat hypersensitive to the moonlight when the moon waxes. For the few nighttime before the existent full moon, when exposed to moonlight lycanthrope will feel ill. The moonlight gives them headaches and when exposed long enough, causes them to fall behind consciousness."

Albus did n't devil writing any of this depressed, as he knew first hired man what happened when a werewolf was exposed to too much moonlight shortly before the full moon. Instead he stole ready glances at Malfoy and lusterlessness. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing straightaway coup d'oeil at Matt himself. Matt was staring down at his parchment and Albus was sure he was trying to ignore everything Balladanis said. He was blanch and ill, but Albus was n't sure as shooting if that was because of the object lesson or because the full Moon was the next day.

"wolfman are often too ill to go about their daily activeness the day of the full moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the actual translation, I wish to read you what a mortal with lycanthropy looks like the day of the to the full moon."

For a brief endorsement, Albus thought Balladanis was going to call lustrelessness to the front of the elbow room, but then realized that as a professor, Balladanis must have promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the trunk and a small man stepped out of it. His luridness looked exactly like Matt 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces gauge scars and had a sickly aspect to them.

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

The end of the deterrent example passed by in a sort of fog for Albus. He and bathroom had exchanged coup d'oeil and the feel on John 's nerve told him he had noticed Malfoy 's realization as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's lecture, but he did n't process it.

The lesson seemed to drag on and speed by at the same time. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the like time he did not want to know what was going to happen after.

"Next lesson will focus on wolf's bane Potion and the effects it has had on werewolf right wing,"Balladanis announced at the end of the lesson,"Class dismissed."

Albus and John looked at each former. Albus did n't get laid what to do. Should he face Malfoy ? Or should he tell Matt what happened ? matte seemed oblivious to the whole thing.

They silently decided just to leave the schoolroom and make up one's mind what to do after. Rose and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no idea what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the way and Albus was not sure if this was a good or a bad matter. He had the sudden urge just to hex Malfoy right hand then and there.

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

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

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

That got Matt 's tending. His forefront snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to trick with the most panicked looking on his face Albus had ever seen.

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

matte did n't say anything. He shook his straits and then ran. He pushed through the bunch, much to the dislike of the scholarly person who were trying to get to family, and disappeared in a thing of seconds.

Albus suddenly felt more hatred for Malfoy than ever. Not only had he worked out Matt 's secret, but he had used it to affright him. In essence, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the regretful things he could own done.

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

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

"Is that a menace, ceramicist ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to write it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to notice out just how lots better I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the same time.

"Expelliarmus !"John shouted.

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

Malfoy deflected John 's disarmament piece and shot another tour at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's buckler and hit a nearby portrait. The portrait 's occupier shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbor 's frame.

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

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling lessons, Albus watched as his shell held up while the hex shot at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a titillation whammy at John.

This one hit trick and he collapsed onto the base in a fit of giggles. Albus shot another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his font. Malfoy 's nose started bleeding and he rounded on Albus.

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

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

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

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three boy followed Balladanis into his written report. Albus looked nervously at St. John the Apostle. Of all the prof to catch them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of course, the one good thing about this was that Malfoy could n't announce Matt 's lycanthropy to the integral school while Balladanis was lecturing them.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

"I can not begin to tell apart you how disappointed I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. ceramicist and Mr. Malfoy. I am sure enough I taught you good than this. The two of you especially should know how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling skills and what sort of responsibility lies with them. I have half a intellect to discontinue our training sessions. However, I am willing to hear all sides of this story before laying out any sort of penalization. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to family and Potter pulled out his scepter and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to oppose myself,"Malfoy said.

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

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

Albus took a deep breath. He was going to distinguish the story. The unharmed narration."Malfoy was threatening lusterlessness, sir,"Albus began.

"Mr. Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked,"I did not see him anywhere."

"He left after Malfoy threatened him,"Albus continued,"You see, Malfoy has figured something out about Matt, after listening to your lecture on werewolves."

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

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the right to live if I 'm in schooling with a werewolf."

Malfoy said 'werewolf'with disgust and it made Albus want to hex him once more.

"Mr. Eckerton has the right to keep his medical yield to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His health is none of your business whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After Matt left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go evidence the solid schooltime about flatness 's lycanthropy,"Albus explained,"And I guess we just wound up dueling."

"Just wander up dueling ?"Malfoy scoffed,"You had your wand on me."

"You sent the kickoff hex,"Albus muttered.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Brickston ?"Balladanis asked.

"No,"John replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

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

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the headmaster. There are things more significant to talk over than detentions,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

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

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's study since his first yr, when he went to talk to Dumbledore 's portrait. The post had n't changed in the slightest. Everything seemed to be in the exact same place. Both Dumbledore and Snape were awake and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, John, and Malfoy stood near the doorway while Balladanis strode forward.

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

"I trust you to hand out custody, genus Tethus,"Kendrick replied,"I am in use at the moment."

"It 's not the dueling,"Balladanis said,"It 's what they were dueling about."

"And what would that be ?"Kendrick asked.

"Mr. Malfoy has discovered that matte Eckerton is a werewolf,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. ceramicist and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his quill and looked up."I 'll take this from here. I believe you have a moral to teach."

"I believe I do,"Balladanis replied and left the room.

Kendrick conjured a few electric chair and gestured for the three boys to join him at his desk. Albus sat down in the middle hot seat and waited for Kendrick to begin. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying rapturous attention.

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

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. Potter, perhaps you can tell me if anyone else knows about flatness 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"Rose Weasley, Amanda tagging program, and Kaden Dursley."

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

"Not now, Mr. Malfoy,"Kendrick said,"I 'll want to utter with them, as well as Matt. I imagine they 're all in class."

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

"You may be right,"Kendrick sighed,"Do you have any approximation where he might be ?"

"Yes,"Albus answered.

"Very well. Please go find him,"Kendrick said,"And Mr. Brickston, please go find the others."

Albus nodded and he and King John left the survey. Albus went straight to the Marauder 's Den while John went to the dungeons as rosiness and Amanda would be in potions.

mat was sitting on his bed in the marauder 's Den, staring at the wall and not moving a muscle.

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

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

"He 'll severalize everyone soon,"matt replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to finish shoal. That 's not even the worst parting. It 's going to be all over the Prophet. My dad 's going to lose his job again. We 'll probably have to move to New York."

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

"Why did Balladanis throw to be such a unspoilt instructor ?"Matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sort of nasty teacher then maybe Malfoy would n't have found out. He 's just so thorough ! He left zip out ! Even the way he described the transformation. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that stupid anamatek !"Matt sat up and looked at Albus,"That matter looked just like me, only old. No wonder Malfoy found out."

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

"How do you know ?"lustrelessness shouted,"How do you really experience ? I know slip 's dad got to abide after Snape found out, but this is different. That was when Dumbledore was here ! Everyone says Dumbledore was barking mad. Kendrick is n't. Kendrick 's perfectly sane and he 's not going to desire to deal with this."

Albus did n't really know what to say to that. Everything Matt said was true. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. nobody could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his cogitation. He wants to talk to all of us. Me, John, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't need to go up there,"Matt said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to stay here. merlin, my principal is killing me."

"I think you have to go,"Albus said quietly.

"I know,"Matt groaned and got up off the bed,"This just is n't evenhandedly. I hate it. I hate this entirely thing. I do n't want to be a bloody lycanthrope anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how misfortunate lustrelessness was at that moment. Albus had never once heard him complain about being a loup-garou. Not when he was too banal to do anything because of the total Moon or when he was laid up in the hospital wing for mean solar day afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's cogitation. Albus muttered the password, that he had overheard Balladanis say, to the gargoyle and they ascended into the study.

Everyone else was already there and they all turned to Albus and flatness when they walked in. matte froze in place and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"take aim a bottom,"Kendrick gestured to the two empty death chair, one of which was next to Malfoy's.

Albus took the seat next to Malfoy 's, but did n't reckon at him. Matt took the other one.

"offset, I want to tell you that you do not have to exit Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to Matt,"cypher else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

Matt did n't see reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My father wo n't jibe with that,"Malfoy muttered.

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

"matt,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"Energy Department anyone else know ?"mat shook his head."And did you tell the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. flatness nodded.

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

Matt seemed unable to verbalize. After a few moments of quiet, Kendrick turned to Albus."How farseeing have you known, Mr. ceramicist ?"

"Two old age,"Albus answered.

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

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His mouth was agape and he looked a piddling panicked.

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

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

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

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

"The Sileo Altus good luck charm,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"Rose answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an incredible hag, Miss Weasley."

"Too smartness for her own honest, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the pose feat, young woman Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you assure me how foresighted Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a year,"rosiness said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some things to hash out with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in private. The rest of you may go to the Great Hall. I believe there is still a half hour or so left of lunch."

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

lustrelessness never showed up in the Great Hall for lunch, nor did he go to Ancient runic letter or Charms. Albus could not centralise on either of those classes and was very glad when spell was over and he was capable to leave.

Wood was not very happy that Albus had acquired four hold. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty instant telling Albus how he should n't be picking fights with other students so close to the next Quidditch friction match, especially in battlefront of instructor'classrooms. The lecture had only ended when Albus told him he was late for appeal. Albus had run into Natalie Wood in in between Ancient Runes and Charms.

"What do you imagine Balladanis is going to make us do ?"Gospel According to John asked as they walked towards the marauder 's Den.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"bathroom agreed.

rosiness, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go retrieve matte before they went to dinner. They had to wait a while for the corridor to authorise out before they were actually capable to get into the elbow room, though.

lustrelessness was fast at rest on the lounge when they entered."Good matter he does n't take custody tonight,"John pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

St. John the Apostle gently shook matte 's articulatio humeri until he cracked his center open."Wake up,"whoremaster said,"Or you 'll leave out dinner."

"I 'm not hungry,"Matt muttered.

"What 's Kendrick doing about Malfoy ?"Albus asked as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

"He should put that charm on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"Matt sighed,"All he did was secern Malfoy how important it was not to mention anything. He said telling his sire would do nothing. Then he told him that if he ever did severalize anyone, he would face expulsion for revealing another student 's medical data. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did anticipate he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? Sure, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't take it back. I 'd still cause to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't conceive he 's going to recite anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy category, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified wizard. Malfoy wo n't want that."

"I guess you 're right,"Matt sighed,"It 's just so unknown, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you want to go eat dinner ?"

"No,"Matt shook his straits,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to send an owl to my parents, let them do it about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. toilet and I have got hold tonight."

"Oh, right. respectable luck with that,"Matt replied.

******

Balladanis 's custody was a bit anticlimactic. Albus had been expecting him to guess up some really creative and taxing detention, but instead he assigned them melody. note were possibly the most boring detention ever thought up, but they were preferable to cleaning the lav or something.

"ceramicist, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten hour,"Your dueling lesson is canceled for tomorrow night due to your detention. custody will be at nine, after my supernumerary help sitting, something I 'll require you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said nothing more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three male child, which Albus did n't really mind. He just wanted to get his lines done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on full moons, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a werewolf used to teach here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the best Defense teacher any of our parents ever had."

"Quiet !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was grateful for Balladanis 's objurgation. Malfoy stopped asking questions and went back to his lines. Albus sighed and went back to his own. How far was Malfoy going to go ? Why could n't he just be satisfied with having worked out lustrelessness 's mystery ?

A one-half hour into their personal line of credit writing, when Albus was contemplating switching manus despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his compensate helping hand, there was a knock on the room access. Albus looked up and saw Professor Kendrick standing in the threshold, along with none former than Matt 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to John. John had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last affair they needed was for Balladanis to remember they were there and recite them to get out so he could have whatever conversation he was about to throw in private.

"genus Tethus,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John. mat 's dad knew Balladanis ? How ? Matt had never mentioned that before.

"That 's his dad ?"Malfoy whispered.

"Shush !"Albus said again.

"I wish to talk to you about what happened earlier today,"matte 's dad said quietly.

"What about it, Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked.

"My son told me about your lessons,"Mr. Eckerton said,"How, informative they are."

"I teach my students what they 'll postulate to know in order to guard themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"merlin, showing them exactly what a werewolf looks like before a transmutation with an anamatek ? Do you realize how life-threatening those are ?"

"Of course,"Balladanis said, raising his representative a bit,"You 're not the only expert on magical brute. I have complete restraint over my anamatek."

"cypher has perfective tense controller over an anamatek !"Mr. Eckerton said.

"The headmaster has already told me I 'm not allowed to use it anymore, so you really do n't need to be lecturing me about this,"Balladanis seethed.

"Oh, it 's not only that,"Mr. Eckerton stepped a bit closer to Balladanis,"It 's how practically you taught the third twelvemonth about werewolves. The details about their transformations, how to pick one out of the worldwide population, what happens before, during, and after transformations. Your deterrent example was far more detailed than a third year text book."

"You 'd find that all my example are like that,"Balladanis replied,"Text account book do not give sufficiency details."

"I think giving enough details about identifying a lycanthrope so that a tierce year would be able to work out that person not even in their same theatre is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should have been a bit more cautious with your lesson."

"Withholding selective information from an stallion grade because of one student is not a undecomposed method of commandment,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be grave for that one student,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the smashing commodity for the greatest routine, are we ?"

"There are time when that is a good philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll agree to disagree, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your example are putting my son in danger anymore, you may regain that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll instruct however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three son, none of whom were writing logical argument any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the board Albus, John, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded hello to Albus and bathroom before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the master has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the motivation to repeat that there will be consequences if you make public my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"good,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the castle tomorrow to search your study and schoolroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his hint as Matt 's dad left the room with Professor Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with John. He wanted nothing more than to allow for, so he could mouth about what had just happened.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow nighttime at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his haste to get up. He ran out of the way as fast as he could with John following. Malfoy made no relocation to try and tattle to them again, so they headed straight to the Marauder 's Den.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the lovely the great unwashed who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are awesome !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John burst into the piranha 's Den a little while later to find that Matt and Kaden were the lonesome ones there. mat 's cheek was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the middle of a game of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four wins for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the cards,"Oh, Albus, Saint John ! How was your detention ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down following to Matt,"matte, did you know your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"lustrelessness nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talking to Kendrick. I went with him."

"Well, do you have sex where he went after ?"lav asked.

"Home, I guess,"Matt shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our detention,"John said.

"He what ?"Matt replied.

"Yeah, it was really odd,"Albus said,"He came in with Kendrick and Kendrick introduced him to Balladanis. Only Balladanis said 'we 've met'. You never told us your dad knew Balladanis."

"I never knew,"flatness shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really angry,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too much about how to figure out if somebody 's a werewolf and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how dangerous it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"Matt said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the rationality he came here, to tell Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to inspect Balladanis 's room tomorrow to make sure he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's teaching puts you in danger again, the Ministry 's going to investigate him."

"It 's really not a goodness approximation to get on my dad 's bad side,"Matt said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to teach however he wanted,"Albus explained,"Honestly, he did not await felicitous that your dad was there. I think something happened between the two of them."

"But what ?"Matt asked,"Dad 's never mentioned him before."

"Think he 'd tell you if you asked ?"Saint John wondered.

"Probably,"matt said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd better not tell anyone you 're a loup-garou,"Gospel According to John said,"He looked pretty scarey, too. I do n't think Malfoy 's going to tell anyone."

******

It did not take very long for tidings to distribute that Balladanis had gotten in fuss for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the side by side cockcrow at breakfast, as a few sure-enough scholar had bet on how long he would have it. Somehow everyone knew that mat 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the previous night and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had defense that morning and reported to Albus at tiffin that Balladanis was even exacting than usual and seemed incredibly tempestuous. That did not bode well for Albus 's hold that evening.

"He 's downright scary,"Kaden said as he piled steak and kidney pie onto his home base,"Yelled at one of the Ravenclaws in my family for spilling her ink. She was nearly in tears. But I 'd hate to be in your grade, Albus, he 's going to be cruel. I mean, it 's pretty much because of Matt that he got in trouble."

Matt had gone up to the Marauder 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in lunch. Albus knew that Kaden was right. Balladanis was going to take this out on Matt, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't have it away why he cares so often,"trick shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could experience just taken that thing away. He 's lucky he just had to take it back to his house or whatever."

"I do n't think he likes the politics,"Albus said,"That 's the look I got after listening to him spill about what he did before instruction here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"fountainhead, I think it 's a thoroughly theme for the Ministry to make him take that thing home,"John said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a manticore next."

Kaden went to class after lunch while Albus and John went up to the predator 's Den with Rose and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"John asked as he gestured to mat, who was asleep in his bed.

"dubiety it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"Merlin, I just want to experience what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"bathroom groaned.

"You 're so impatient,"Rose commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to inflame him up,"John Lackland muttered.

The remainder of the afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his hold later and John complained loudly about how he had to go to the extra assistance session about werewolves when he already knew so much about them.

Albus woke Matt up shortly before dinner and he looked much spoilt than he usually did the day of entire lunar month. They all escorted him to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to pull up stakes the hospital flank, the door opened and in take the air mat 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to learn if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

John the Divine nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"John the Divine whispered.

"He 's not going to evidence us now,"Albus muttered back,"Look at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to matte 's bed and talking to lady Pomfrey in hushed whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detainment for nothing. He entered the room before Malfoy and John was already doing his lines. Balladanis said absolutely null to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a little while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not sing either. He did not ask anything about Matt and did n't even comment that the full moon was that night.

Balladanis let them leave at half past ten. Albus and John found Kaden in the marauder 's Den and spent the remaining time left until uranology playing Exploding Snap and maven 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to sustain this class with the Slytherins ?"John groaned as they made their way to the uranology Tower,"If Malfoy does n't make a single comment about the full moon, I 'll eat an total cauldron."

"I 'm going to withstand you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't think you 'll have to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his telescope up future to Albus 's. Professor Polo spent ten minutes telling them that they were to plot the position of Mars, Venus, the moon, and a handful of mavin before turning them miss to actually do so.

"The lunation is so brilliant,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... full ...."

Albus looked at John."Looks like I wo n't be eating my cauldron tonight,"trick muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures ? Yeah, he must be, because he 's the one who made Balladanis get rid of the anamatek. Ca n't say I 'm really upset about that,"Malfoy said quietly,"But how ironic."

"Just stop talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, descend on, thrower. Even you have to take account the satire,"Malfoy said.

"testament you just shut up,"Albus seethed.

"Quiet over there,"Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more time before going back to his scope. The rest of the lesson passed without anymore commentary from Malfoy and Albus was quite happy when he was able-bodied to riposte to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in first class,"Albus sighed,"Remember when Madam Pomfrey locked the hospital backstage ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"Rose said.

"wellspring, she did n't engage us out this time,"John pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his Quaker had slept late on Sat morning and after grabbing a quick bite to eat, had gone to visit Matt in the hospital wing. gentlewoman Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the Marauder 's Den, trying to figure out why.

"She always lets us in,"lavatory groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad Night,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"Rose wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the full-of-the-moon Sun Myung Moon have been worse the past few month ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us become Animagi,"Saint John muttered.

"John, I honestly do n't think you could suit an Animagus,"Rose replied,"You 'd thread up with a permanent behind affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"John grinned,"Always thought it would be cool to have a tail."

"You 're not helping,"Albus sighed,"What are we going to do ?"

"I think all we can do is just stay fresh going back to the hospital backstage,"lav shrugged,"Until gentlewoman Pomfrey lets us in."

Their efforts proved bootless, though. They went to the hospital wing twice that good afternoon and then powerful before Albus and John had to go to detention. brothel keeper Pomfrey told them 'no'each time.

Billy Sunday, the last day of Albus and John 's detention, was the same. brothel keeper Pomfrey was quite livid when they showed up for the 3rd time that day.

"Nothing 's changed !"she shouted,"Come back tomorrow evening ! I 'll give the lot of you detention if you come back any earlier than that !"

With that, she strode back into the ward and slammed the door."Can she even give detention ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and John broke away from the mathematical group to complete their last detainment. Balladanis gave them lines, just like he had the past three Night. Albus sat quietly completing them, very grateful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two watchword to him since Astronomy.

"You may blockade,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an hour and a half.

Albus threw his quill down and leaned back in his chairwoman. Finally, it was over.

"I hope you learned something,"Balladanis said, which shocked Albus. He had been expecting Balladanis to extend his silence."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the consequences will be much more severe than detention and lost points.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should continue giving you extra example. I have decided to give you one more luck. Lessons will continue this Fri at their normal sentence. However, if either of you disregard my rules again, I will no longer harbor them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in class on Tuesday."

"Merlin, I 'm glad that 's over,"John muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be awful in class, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John Lackland said.

Albus could n't concentrate at all in his classes the future day. All he wanted to do was go to the infirmary wing and obtain out how matt was, but lady Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

rose wine and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, John, and Kaden near the hospital wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very rushed dinner party due to Albus 's Quidditch recitation at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the door to the infirmary wing, half expecting gentlewoman Pomfrey to holler at them again. He walked quietly inside, followed the the others. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk and she visibly sighed when she noticed them.

"Go ahead,"she gestured to the only occupied bed, which had the pall pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the pall back. Matt looked use up and there was a rather declamatory bandage wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd come visit me,"Matt gave them a half smile.

"We 've been trying !"St. John the Apostle said,"madam Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"matt smirked,"I 've heard her call at you. It 's kind of amusing."

"Well, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't Madam Pomfrey let us come visit ?"

"Because I did n't arouse up until yesterday afternoon,"Matt answered.

"But that was-"John began.

"Nearly two days later ?"Matt cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"rose wine asked.

"A clustering of matter, really,"flatness sighed,"start, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always tough when I 'm worried about something. Second, I hit my school principal really grueling at some point that night. It still hurts. third gear, the transformations in general are getting big, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's nous. Albus and all his friends were obviously getting honest-to-goodness and that brought plenty of changes, but he had n't even thought about how the wolf would change when Matt got older.

"So, are all of the wide moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"lustrelessness shook his head and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really recognize what 'll happen in the future, but this one was just a combining of bad things."

"That 's respectable, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to leave ?"

"Tomorrow night at the earliest,"lusterlessness sighed,"Although that means I 'll miss Defense."

"Wish I could pretermit defensive structure,"John muttered,"Speaking of Defense, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"Saint John the Apostle, he just woke up yesterday,"blush wine pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"Matt said,"But he came to see me earlier and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"lavatory grinned,"And ?"

"And,"Matt said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really surprise that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed Head of the Department for the Regulation and control of Magical Creatures in Australia, he hired Balladanis to enamour a stria of lamia who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too easily on them."

"What did he do to them ?"John asked.

"Sent them to prison. I think they got 20 long time. Balladanis thought they should give birth gotten animation sentences. Dad and Balladanis got into this huge parameter at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Australian Ministry did n't lease him after that,"matte explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would agree on punishments. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"Matt replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issues. Oh, and he wanted me to admonish you not to mind to everything Balladanis says during those dueling lessons you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a different side of Balladanis during the preceding week."

******

Tuesday morning dawned quickly and Albus trudged to Defense with bathroom. Neither of them really knew what class would be like, but judging from what he heard about recent Defense Department category in the uncouth room, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug ego now that detention was over. He sat next to Goyle wearing a smirk on his case. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the room a few minutes later. He waved his wand at the doorway and it slammed shut with a bang tatty enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell Gemini, who had been sitting closest to it, to jump.

"passing your homework interrogative forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the board in social movement of him and waited for Balladanis to hoard it. He paused in front of the table in front of Albus's.

"Potter,"he began,"You can narrate Eckerton that his homework is recently and therefore I will not go for it. If he wished to get credit for it, he could bear graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him glares from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the preparation unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"Wolfsbane potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the gens of King Oliver Belby. He finished the creation in 1991. For most lycanthrope, the potion was a lifesaver. Who can explain what it does ?"

cipher, not even Rose and Linda, raised their paw. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't call on him.

"nonentity ?"he said,"pathos. Aconitum lycoctonum potion renders a werewolf harmless during wide synodic month. The lycanthrope turns into a wolf, but a harmless one. One that will just catch some Z's until the Moon solidification and will not give the urge to bite and kill.

"The potion is a lifesaver to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to show you what a loup-garou would look like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the castle,"Balladanis said with malice,"Therefore you will have to go without the visual. It seems that sure parents, Ministry officials, and the master do not approve of my method of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't call it suffering,"King John muttered.

"repose, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to contribute to the class."

"No, sir,"John replied.

"Good,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore appearances in this schoolroom and your education is going to stick out for it. Nothing, and I repeat nothing can replace hands on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the line at having what was in essence a live on manticore in straw man of him. There were some prison term when reading sufficed.

The lesson continued with Balladanis talking about Wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't wreak for all loup-garou and Albus found his mind drifting. All in all, the lesson had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his legal brief rant about his anamatek being banned from the castle, he had been pretty formula. Normal for Balladanis, that is.

"Next lesson will be the shoemaker's last on werewolves,"Balladanis announced at the end of stratum,"We will get wind about lycanthropy 's event on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. matte would be out of the hospital wing by then. Why could n't Balladanis just terminate the werewolf building block already ?

"He wo n't be back future yr,"toilet muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just wonder who we 're going to get instead."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"plaza your bets here !"Fred shouted the next day as he walked around the common room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrait hole with Georgia and James after a particularly difficult Quidditch exercise. Ellen Price Wood was getting them prepared for the match against New York, which was to need place in a lilliputian over a week.

"Georgia, St. James the Apostle, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"attention to position a bet ?"

"What are you taking bets about ?"GA asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on stuff, your mum is bound to recover out."

"She wo n't care,"Fred shrugged. He was probably good. Albus 's Aunt Alicia was the to the lowest degree stern out of all of his aunty. She 'd probably range a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just improve hope nan does n't find out,"Georgia smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't pick him. Molly Weasley would probably broadcast him a howler if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And heather mixture and I are taking bets on how much yearner Balladanis is going to terminal. attention to take a guess ?"

"I suppose,"GA said as she pulled out some amber,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a calendar week. I heard he had three first days in tears today."

"He nearly had half of my social class in weeping,"Fred said as he took Georgia 's gold,"James, Al ?"

"tierce Galleons says he 's gone in two weeks,"James said as he tossed Fred some gold and then left to go find his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his headspring.

"cause yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his walk around the plebeian elbow room,"Bets here, direct your bets !"

Albus found his acquaintance crowded around their usual mesa in the park elbow room. Linda was with them. All three girls were working on preparation. John and Kaden were trading chocolate Frog cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in trouble,"Rose muttered as Albus sat down,"You did n't bet anything, did you ?"

"No,"Albus shook his head,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten reap hook he wo n't last the yr,"John the Evangelist said.

"You should know exactly when he 'll pull up stakes, what with your taking fortune telling,"rosebush smirked.

"Divination 's a joke,"John muttered,"I ca n't wait to drop it after fifth year."

"Told you so,"Rose grinned,"Sick of making up stuff ?"

"It 's just so otiose,"John groaned,"We 're still doing crystal balls. I just tell her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking divination,"Kaden announced,"Bloody waste of a class."

Kaden had chosen his socio-economic class for next year a few days prior. He decided on Care of Magical animal, ancient Runes, and Arithmancy.

"Easy preparation, though,"John sighed,"I just maintain reminding myself about that."

"What 's got soft preparation ?"flatness asked as he sat down in the chair next to John the Evangelist 's. He looked a bit better than he had the old day, but still worn out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"lavatory asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in fourth dimension for Defense tomorrow,"matte groaned,"I 'm influence to use a Fainting partiality to get out of it."

"I think half the firstly years are going to do that on Friday,"Kaden said,"I overheard them talking. Apparently Balladanis completely flipped out on one of them today, all over one incomplete preparation question. Made her cry."

"That 's what Georgia was saying,"Albus replied,"shuffle me want to use a Fainting fondness. Two week. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd give him."

******

John Lackland filled his pockets with Puking pastil before he set off to Defense the next break of day. Albus did n't bother. His oddity always trumped his disfavour for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and have sex exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"werewolf,"Balladanis said as soon as the ship's bell rang,"When the term is used, nigh people conjure up images of solitary adult, condemned to a low-down life that revolves around the moon.

"However, there is a whole group of werewolf that are mostly overlooked. nestling. Ah, yes, children do get attacked by werewolves. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too former. Even fewer survive the initial transformation. Werewolf shift, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few children are stiff enough to make it through."

Balladanis paused and began to rate the way."Parents are faced with a decision after their tyke is bitten. They have three option. Number one, they can deal with it. Deal with the monthly transmutation and try and make water life as normal as possible for the child. Number two, they can abandon their child. Force them to dwell with a wild clique of lycanthrope, to originate up to kill. However, there is a one-third pick. Does anyone care to guess as to what it is ?"

nobody raised their paw. Balladanis looked at his stratum until his eyes rested on Matt. A very creepy smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, care to distinguish us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to look at matte throughout the example, stole a flying glance at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in hand, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"flatness stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The 3rd option is to put the child down. Not a pleasant option, but one that a few parents select anyway. This pick used to be readily suggested by Healers, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the beginning selection, to continue to produce their child, are in for a very tough biography. werewolf nipper are difficult to raise. It is a immense adjustment for parents and sib if there are any. The insect bite affects the all family. It changes lives, it can rip families apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects children and Albus looked again at Matt. His mitt was shaking even harder and his face was as bloodless as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a look with St. John the Apostle and John reached into his pocket. He slid a Puking troche across the mesa towards Albus and then slid one to matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to shove it into his oral fissure. John and matte did the same. Albus clutched his tummy as the sweet began to contract affect.

"Lycanthropic shaver rarely, if ever, get to hang shoal,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"trick shouted,"I do n't experience so well. May I go to the Hospital Wing ?"

"I do n't experience too well either,"Albus added.

"Shut it, you two,"Balladanis shouted,"And no you may not go to the-"

Balladanis was cut off by the sound of all three son vomiting at the same time. Albus leaned over his table and vomited right onto the storey. The class erupted into shouts and Balladanis tried to keep order.

"mulct !"he seethed,"Get to the Hospital annex, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the urge to throw up again as he ran for the threshold. flatness and John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the sweets into their mouths as soon as they shut the door behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's malefic !"John shouted,"How could he teach that ?"

"Not here,"Matt muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the marauder 's Den."As I was saying,"lavatory began,"What is wrong with that fella ?"

"I think a lot of things,"Albus muttered,"He 's a raving lunatic."

"He 's only doing it because you 're in the year,"John said to Matt as he paced around the room,"None of what he said today is actually in the Scripture. I mean, did you read the book of account ? There 's not often in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his stupid anamatek,"flatness muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to make you piteous because of what your dad did with those vampire years ago."

"It 's just not sightly,"mat groaned,"I mean, did you listen to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it true ?"

"Yes,"flatness said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the Healers did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more be sick than he had when he ate the Puking pastille. How could a Healer, somebody whose job it was to make people sound, actually suggest that to a tyke 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"John asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle shit hexed him at the Sami time,"Matt gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own hospital bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really like to meet your Uncle Jack,"Saint John the Apostle grinned,"He sounds like a great bloke."

"He is,"flatness smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a while ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"John Lackland sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"Matt said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to have to do anything."

"Three sidereal day,"bathroom said after Matt left,"I give Balladanis three more days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't liquidate any sentence,"Rose said to Matt as she unfolded her copy of the prophet the succeeding morn at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and understand the theme over Rose 's shoulder.

HOGWARTS PROFESSOR TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The department of Magical Education received an enquiry
late yesterday good afternoon, requesting an investigation
of Hogwarts defense Against the shadow Arts prof,
Tethys Balladanis. The inquiry was submitted by none
other than the newly appointed caput of the Department
for the rule and Control of Magical animal,
Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

Professor Tethys Balladanis has been teaching defense mechanism at
the school since Sept, when he replaced school principal Auror
Harry Potter. ceramicist had taught the subject for two
long time and wished to concentre solely on his Auror life history,
resulting in his resignation at the end of end school
year.

The impending investigating comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this week Bruno Walter Eckerton visited Hogwarts
after receiving a tip that Balladanis was holding an
anamatek in his classroom. This proved to be true and
Eckerton ordered him to murder it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's possession, so all he had to
do was transfer it from schooltime premises. Eckerton told
reporters that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the professor
repeatedly put scholarly person in danger and humiliated them
in presence of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told reporter,
'I 'm filing this question as a parent, not as a Ministry
official. First and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigation will begin today and be carried out
by functionary from the section of Magical teaching,
a department that was set up for this intent after
the downfall of God Almighty Voldemort. official will impose
the schooltime and interview both students and staff as
a part of their investigation.

Tethys Balladanis will continue to learn Defense Against
the wickedness nontextual matter during this time.

"He 's still going to instruct ?"John the Divine said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to demurrer anymore,"matt said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't lay off him from teaching until they do the probe,"rose wine explained,"Only Kendrick can end him from teaching at the moment."

"Then why does n't Kendrick do that ?"Albus asked as he looked up at the stave table.

Kendrick was talking with Neville and there was a copy of the seer egg laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't know,"Rose said quietly,"But Defense is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"matte said adamantly.

For once, rose did not chastise him about skipping class. Albus could n't pick him. He himself was half tempted to skip over, but he knew his curiosity would get the well of him.

"Somehow, I do n't think you 'll have got the hazard to jump,"pink wine muttered,"We do n't experience DoD until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"John grinned,"Now I wo n't have to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"rosiness replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"tone, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the staff table.

"May I have your attention !"Kendrick shouted and the cackle in the G. Stanley Hall immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or pick up about the article on the breast page of the Prophet.

"Ministry officials will be visiting the school today and tomorrow to conduct their investigation. They will be selecting student to interview. If you are selected, I advise you to do their head truthfully.

"As of right now, Professor Balladanis is still your teacher, therefore you need to process him with respect and see his classes. This is, at the minute, an investigation and nothing more. Now, you 'd trump be off to class."

"Albus,"Rose whispered as they made their way out of the Great manor hall to History of Magic,"You 're not going to that dueling lesson tonight, are you ?"

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged. He had n't really thought about it until then.

"I do n't remember you should,"rose wine told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't need to go, but he also did n't want to encounter out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't exhibit up that evening.

Nobody fell asleep during History of Magic. It must get been a new record, one that was previously set back when Binns was still live. However, the lack of fatigue was not due to Binns 's lecture. No, that was just as deadening as usual. The pupil remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The classroom was filled with the hushed whispers of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw third geezerhood and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six pupil in the castling who knew the specific reason why matte 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, Rose, John, Amanda, Kaden, and Matt himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not know that it had been Balladanis 's lecture on lycanthropic fry that pushed Mr. Eckerton to submit the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the school put the inculpation on the anamatek, even though Matt 's dad had come out and said that was n't the existent reason. The prophesier had only glazed over the understanding, not getting into particular. The Hogwarts pupil wanted specific. They wanted to know what had pushed Matt 's dad to submit an question when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The reasons the students fabricated ranged from plausible to usurious. A few seventh years, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his supererogatory help sessions and perhaps used mat as an example of someone who did not possess the science to kill dark wizards. Combine that with an overprotective parent ( what the seventh years claimed Matt 's dad to be, which was not actually an overstatement ), and the investigating was born. They believed that the investigation would spoil over and within two hebdomad everything would be back to pattern, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited first class were the on the opposite side of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a chimaera loose in his schoolroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin tertiary years. Apparently they overlooked the fact that nonentity had turned up hurt after division and the fact that Balladanis would have been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

lusterlessness had become somewhat of a celebrity inside the Hogwarts rampart. There was n't a single someone, animation, ghost, or portrait, who did n't know it was his dad who launched the inquiry. He was stopped no less than six clip on the way from History of magic to Herbology by people wanting to know the details of the research. It was something Albus could tell flatness was extremely uncomfortable with.

"Merlin, when will they learn that I do n't want to talk about it !"lustrelessness groaned as they made their way back to the castle after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second years had just run up to lusterlessness, demanding to have intercourse why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just stand up on the Gryffindor board and make an annunciation during tiffin,"John the Divine suggested.

"Definitely not,"lusterlessness said,"I 'm just glad we do n't have stratum this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, look, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking people striding up towards the castle. There were two witches and a wizard.

"Probably,"lav said,"I wonder who they 're going to interview ?"

"Ten Galleons says they interview me,"Matt replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those individual lessons."

"Let 's just hope they do n't interview those two Ravenclaws,"John said.

Albus, matte, and John the Evangelist continued their trek to the Great Hall, where they ate a very dissipated luncheon. None of them wanted to ride out very long since everyone was still asking flatness about the interrogation. After they finished, the son went to Gryffindor pillar to deposit their travelling bag before going to the vulture 's Den to put off their homework.

The commons way was mostly empty when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Victor Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the tables.

"Do n't you three have class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got Defense and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's nothing you can do to make me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your class where Balladanis made soul cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't manage if we get hold either. Oh, and John, you 'd better not evidence Mum."

"I wo n't,"John said,"The three of us used Puking cough drop to get out of Defense yesterday."

"You should own just skipped from the beginning,"Ashtyn told them.

"Well, you three enjoy your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, believe me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The male child quickly stowed their old bag in their dormitory and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portraiture hole and ran straight into Gabriella.

"There you are, Al !"Gabriella exclaimed,"I 've been looking for you. Kendrick wants to see you in his subject field. Oh, hang on."Gabriella consulted the piece of parchment she was holding."He wants to see matt, too."

"facial expression like you two are getting interviewed,"John said as Gabriella went into the common room.

"Guess so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving individual lessons with Balladanis, he probably would have been interviewed. It was one of those things that happened when your founder was the most far-famed whizz in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"John replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Loads."

Albus and matte left for Kendrick 's study while John continued towards the piranha 's Den. Albus had no estimate what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that John would be bored within XV minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April saphead 's Day Prank ! The faculty really scoop themselves this year. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this story !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing next to the gargoyle that concealed the entrance to Kendrick 's study. It was apparently his job to gnarl the password to the gargoyle to allow all the scholarly person being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and Matt ascended into the field and found three early scholarly person waiting in front of Kendrick 's closed door. A very bored looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in sixth or seventh year, Scorpius Malfoy, and much to Albus 's consternation, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the grounds earlier.

Albus was not at all surprise to see Scorpius Malfoy there. After all, he had private lesson with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to cut Malfoy 's comportment and leaned against the wall to commence the long wait.

What had been the breaker point in sending them all to Kendrick 's study at the Saami time ? They were obviously only interviewing one person at a metre. Why could n't they have just summoned Albus later, when there were less people waiting ?

Kendrick 's door opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor first off year walked out. She hurried out of the study and one of the Ministry officials motioned for the Ravenclaw to enter.

The Ravenclaw was in Kendrick 's study for about xv minutes. Then it was Malfoy 's turn. He took a bit Sir Thomas More meter, but finally came out and left without so much as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the mean clip, two to a greater extent student had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the pursuer from the Slytherin Quidditch squad. The other was a Edward Young Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must stimulate been at least an hour, Albus was finally called into the room.

Kendrick was not in his study. Only the three investigators were. Albus was now able to see them up close. The one who had called him into the way was quite marvelous and wore a menacing spotlight. Her robes were perfectly pressed, without a I furrow, and her hair was pulled into a pie-eyed bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The former witch was the all over opposite. She was little and quite a bit overweight. Her frizzy Brown University pilus stuck up at all sort of odd angles and she had a small pair of glasses perched on her nose.

The remaining investigator was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a quill in hand. He looked a bit bored by the stallion affair. He was gazing about the elbow room and had the look of individual who was n't quite paying attention.

Two the great unwashed who were paying rapt attention, or should he say portrait, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The grandiloquent witch gestured for Albus to study a seat in movement of the desk. Albus did so.

"My name is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lorraine Smyth,"the tall witch gestured to the short witch,"And that is Herb Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No wonderment he was so world-weary, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please country your full-of-the-moon name, age, class, and household for the record,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his eyebrows. Would n't they already know all of that information ?

"It 's protocol, dearest,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus potter, long dozen, third year, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can tell us what goes on in an average out example with professor Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"well, he comes in and William Tell us all to lay off talking. Then he 'll pick up the homework. Oh, and you have to get the prep in on time, no topic what. He does n't direct late workplace, even if you 've got a good apology. You could be sick in the hospital backstage and he would n't take late homework.

"Then he 'll teach us a new magic spell or about some new creature. Then we 'll suffer to perform the spell."

"What happens if you do n't execute it properly ?"Smyth asked.

"He makes you do it again, and again, until you get it,"Albus answered,"If you do n't get it, he makes you go to extra aid sessions."

"Has this caused distress to any of the students in your class ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my class, but I 've heard of former students crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"Have you attended any extra supporter sessions ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"prof Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling deterrent example by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you distinguish us a bit about them ? What do they consist of ?"

"nearly time he just instruct me new go, charm that are harder than the ones we learn in class. Scorpius Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each early with the spells,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he have you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his hot seat,"One sentence he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by vampires,"Albus said after a brief hesitation. He doubted Balladanis would be happy about this, but Kendrick had said to be truthful.

Both Torenzo and Smyth looked horrified. Cletus was writing away furiously on the parchment. Snape was smirking and Dumbledore 's face had seemed to harden.

"We did n't actually see it,"Albus said quickly,"We stood outside the mansion as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the star sign. Then we watched Balladanis, in the retentiveness, run away from the house. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't tell apart you ahead of meter ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his forefront,"He just told us to go in the pensieve."

"Did he excuse why he wanted you to see this ?"Torenzo asked.

"Yeah. He wanted to usher us why he became a Presuler,"Albus said.

"He told you he 's a Presuler ?"Torenzo raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, he thinks me and Malfoy should go Presulers,"Albus explained.

"Very well,"Torenzo said as she walked towards Albus,"I have one terminal question. Would you experience comfortable if prof Balladanis continued to teach here ?"

Albus thought about it for a moment. Balladanis was certainly a motivated teacher and one Albus could con a lot from. But on the other hand, he was n't the kind of wizard Albus felt easy around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please comeback to your common room. You are not to speak of this consultation to anyone until after the investigation is completed."

Albus got up from the chair and Torenzo followed him out of the room. She called lusterlessness in as Albus left. Albus muttered a muted 'good circumstances'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just tell us ?"John lamented as the son sat around the Marauder 's Den after dinner. rose wine and Amanda were currently in the girls'dormitory with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry Wiccan said we could n't talk about the interview."

"But how would they bonk ?"King John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the whole school day about it."

"Neither will I,"Kaden added.

Albus snorted."I 'll tell you about it after Balladanis is sacked, or is n't sacked. I do n't think it 's going to take long for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"Matt said adamantly and then turned to can,"You 're not going to his extra assistance session tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid twenty Galleons,"John replied,"fountainhead, ok, maybe if I was paid twenty Galleons, but not for less than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling moral ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to know was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz down to the dungeons, barge into the Slytherin common room, and ask.

"No idea,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"mat said,"If you go, I 'm going to embark on worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you want to go ?"John gave Albus a foreign look.

"I might find out something about how the investigation is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

John opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the door. A tatty squawking noise had seemed to emit from it.

"Did you hear that ?"John asked.

Albus nodded and got up from his arse. He walked over to the doorway and paused next to it. The squawking noise was repeated.

One thing Albus loved about the piranha 's Den was that it was always very quiesce. No noises could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard noises from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the door and instead of the bizarre bird he had expected to see, blush wine was standing there with her wand out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never come to the door."

"Rose ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"Rose said hurriedly,"I had to get you to come out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the common room. I told him I 'd find oneself you."

Albus turned around and told lusterlessness, John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the room, that he would be back soon. He had no approximation what his dad wanted, but it must consume been important for him to go to the castle on a day he did n't give birth to police it.

Harry was sitting in one of the squashy armchairs in battlefront of the fire when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, most probably about Quidditch judging by their excessive use of hand motion, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portrait hole.

"Let 's talk of the town outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrayal pickle and down the corridor a little ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"Nothing,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"well, I 'm no longer a teacher here, so I wo n't say a word about you causing trouble, if that 's what you were doing,"Harry told him,"But anyway, what I wanted to ask you is whether you were planning on going to Professor Balladanis 's dueling lesson tonight ?"

That seemed to be the question of the evening, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the decisiveness is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would counsel you not to go. Professor Balladanis is under a considerable amount of stress, of which you do n't have intercourse the half of. I 'd say the opportunity are senior high school that he may fill out this stress on you and Scorpius."

"Do you know if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no estimation,"Harry answered,"But I tend to believe he won't."

"I do n't think I will either,"Albus said.

"A wise decisiveness,"Harry smiled.

Harry said good dark to Albus and then Albus went back to the piranha 's Den. Kaden was in the heart of showing lustrelessness and Gospel According to John how to attain a proper paper airplane.

"What did your dad desire ?"John asked without looking up from the parchment he was folding.

"To tell me it was n't a upright idea to go to Balladanis 's lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the empty couch.

"And ?"flatness asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"Good,"lusterlessness replied.

"You know what was weird, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of stress, to the highest degree of which I do n't know about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Weird,"Kaden shook his caput,"I 'll be happy when he 's sacked."

"We do n't know for indisputable that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to battle a beautiful womanhood,"lavatory smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't think I did n't put that together sooner. It was n't a beautiful cleaning lady ; it was a lamia. It 's so obvious now that we know what happened to his parents, too."

"Yeah, that does seem fairly obvious,"lusterlessness agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his accent ?"

"Probably nothing,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"John began,"This is the first Friday we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're right,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And pass the Nox here,"Matt added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The son snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many sweets and puddings as they could behave by the house elves. Then they stayed up tardily eating all of it and playing diverse games. Albus was even capable to bury about Balladanis for a while, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry officials remained a perm fixture at Hogwarts throughout the remainder of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of students mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including John 's cousin Isabelle, one of the pursuer on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and Gabriella.

Professor Balladanis did not show up at a exclusive meal. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. Nobody saw him, which raised the question of whether he was even still in the castle.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a chance to take a shit their determination. Albus was more than than a little nervous about going to Defense on Tuesday and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday morning time that all the Hogwarts students knew a finding of fact had been reached. professor Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something important happened. He was flanked by the two witches from the Ministry. The wizard was no thirster there.

The foyer immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's impending announcement, since there had not been a single credit of Balladanis in that morning 's Prophet.

"A conclusion has been reached about professor Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"dame Torenzo will inform you of it. The Prophet has kindly agreed not to put out the article about it just yet, as I wished to inform you of it first."

"He 's sacked,"John muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"Good spot,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the pupil with a neutral look on her face."Upon extensive investigation of Professor Balladanis 's instruction method acting and thoroughgoing consultation of choose students, the Ministry has seen it fit to remove him from his teaching placement here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and genius. Professor Balladanis packed his things late last night and no longer resides in the castle. professor Kendrick will inform you about what will happen with Defense classes for the remainder of the year. I would like to give thanks all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and continued eating her breakfast like nothing had happened. The Great hall immediately erupted into rustling, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"Defense Against the iniquity Arts grade will not subscribe station until advance notice. I will try and procure a suitable replacement for Professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, delight use the time to study for your upcoming exams,"Kendrick said and then resumed his seat. He began to talk with Torenzo and the bookman vox rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"lusterlessness exclaimed,"Best news show I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Sakartvelo shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Merlin !"James groaned,"Why 'd they let to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to switch hands throughout the Gryffindor mesa as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you think Kendrick 'll chance a replacement ?"John asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to set about with."

"Glad I did n't do that loup-garou essay,"toilet grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't feel a replacement,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd have one LE exam."

"That would be brilliant,"John replied.

The standard pressure in the castling for the eternal rest of the day was incredibly upbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few students asked Matt to give thanks his dad for them. It seemed that the only student upset by it were those who had lost stake because of it.

argus Filch was another who was unhappy. The world-wide hullabaloo of the palace caused him more workplace. Peeves destroyed the defence reaction classroom in solemnization ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), James River and his friends set off a few Weasley firework, and then there was the superior general mess that was associated with scholar celebrating by playing international in the muddy grass. Plus, Moaning Vinca minor flooded her bathroom when a few students told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not harmonize. For some odd ground it reminded her of her death.

One someone who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the castling with a big grin on her human face. Albus could only assign this to the fact that Balladanis had taught so extensively about vampires. But he never taunted her the way he 'd taunted flatness. Perhaps that was because his biggest fear was vampires.

There was even a party in the Gryffindor common room that Night. Rose thought it was a little ridiculous, to celebrate the sacking of a teacher, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an excellent affair to celebrate.

"Just think,"whoremonger said,"We do n't ever have to listen to him go on and on about how bad the dark arts are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"Matt added,"I could 've gone my whole lifespan without seeing one of those."

"What do you think he 's doing now ?"Rose mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some place far, like Republic of Madagascar or somewhere."

"Yeah,"matt agreed,"I bet he 's not even in Great Britain anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd bother to deposit around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the nighttime to quash anyone seeing him."

"Wish we could 've seen him leave,"St. John the Apostle grinned mischievously,"Would 've been nice to give way him a right send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"rose muttered,"Maybe now you lot can concentrate on examination. And maybe the castle will get back to normal."

"convention ?"Albus raised his eyebrows,"This place will never be pattern. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Sat. It 's the last match before the final."

"When 's the terminal ?"Rose asked.

"kickoff of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, John, Matt, and Kaden all sent scathing aspect at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New York in this match,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Sir Henry Wood is in full class this workweek. I 'm practicing every nighttime starting tomorrow."

"Oliver Wood is insane,"Rose muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch pitch,"toilet grinned,"I would love to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can choose my place."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight and everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not have Defense Department Against the dark Arts the next morning, Albus was down in the Great antechamber bright and early because he wanted to read rose 's Daily Prophet. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's sacking was one thing, reading it in the Prophet was entirely different.

rose was already there when Albus, Matt, and John sat down at the Gryffindor tabular array. Amanda and Linda were on either incline of her and all three girls were reading the article. Albus drummed his digit impatiently on the table while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, Rose handed him the paper without saying a word and Albus read it, with mat and Gospel According to John looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS TEACHER REMOVED FROM POSITION BY MINISTRY

In an event that causes much of the wizarding cosmos to remember
back to Voldemort 's sovereignty, Hogwarts defensive structure Against the Dark
Arts teacher, genus Tethus Balladanis, has been removed from his
placement by the Ministry of magic 's Department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's sovereignty, Defense teachers rarely lasted more
than a class at the schooltime, a whodunit that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two years
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense teacher since that
fateful May day.

Professor Torro taught at Hogwarts for years until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three years ago. He was
replaced by Head Auror, Harry potter, who is rumored to
have only taken the situation after nobody else agreed to
filling it.

Harry thrower left the position this past fall and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two years ago, when he was removed
from his position. Approximately a week and a half ago, a
complaint was lodged by Head of the Department for the
ordinance and control condition of Magical animate being, Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The complaint included harsh teaching method, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching tool, singling students out for deficiency of
science, and embarrassing students in front of their compeer.

An investigating by Ministry functionary ensued and included
the interviewing of prize students and stave. The department
concluded their investigating late Billy Sunday eve and informed
both Balladanis and Headmaster Fabius Kendrick of their decision.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
conclusion. When asked for a statement on the issue, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the news, Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very well-chosen
with the decision and that the investigation was concluded in
a seasonably fashion. I am not happy that it came to this, but I
feel that nothing should be put ahead of children 's safety .'

Hogwarts educatee will not give ear Defense social class until a alternate
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd stick your dad in there somehow,"lav announced once they 'd finished reading.

"There was n't anything in there that we did n't already bonk,"Albus muttered,"I was hoping Balladanis would 've said something or we 'd find out what happened when he left the castle."

"Maybe he really did go quietly,"matte shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"uncertainty it,"Rose answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

spirit soon returned to normal for the Hogwarts student, as it often does after something exciting happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the article was published, but soon there was zip leftfield to say and the students focused on the upcoming Quidditch match, which was mere days away.

Albus had an promiscuous metre forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch pattern. He was out on the sales talk every evening and was soon hearing Ellen Price Wood 's command in his drumhead as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed rule. Albus was almost glad that the year was drawing to an end because once the tournament was over, he would n't deliver to portion out with Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus realise that Gryffindor would have a new captain the next year since Sakartvelo was graduating. Albus was sure it would be either Fred or ling, but he was n't sure which.

Albus trudged into the Great Hall on Th morning sorely wishing that St. John the Apostle had n't woken him up. They did n't experience a class first thing, so why 'd he bother doing that ? Albus was already running on picayune sleep.

"I 'm going to wake you up at five in the dayspring this Saturday,"Albus muttered to John as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"John grinned,"I need you to help me finish that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the reason for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't surface help you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"John muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not give accidentally set fire to her Potions notes finally night,"John the Divine said.

"And I should have to suffer because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you contend that anyway ?"

"It was n't an chance event,"Matt put in,"John and Kaden were tinkering with those tiptop strength dung dud last nighttime in the Marauder 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the tabular array right where rosebush 's notes were. The muck turkey exploded and Rose 's notes caught fire."

"See, an accident !"John exclaimed.

"No, stupidity,"lusterlessness said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't indicate going in the Marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't accept time to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch practice again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this week ?"Henry James asked.

"I do n't know, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"Epistle of James pointed to the staff table.

Albus looked up and saw that his dad was talking with Neville. Except he was n't wearing his Auror gown, he was just wearing normal gown. Albus glanced back at James who shrugged.

"May I have your attending ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just wish to inform you all that Harry Potter has kindly agreed to take over refutation classes for the remainder of term. Because of this, Defense classes will resume today."

"Good matter I woke you up,"John grinned.

"Guess you wo n't be able to stop that essay,"Albus stab back.

"Falco columbarius,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprise, nor did he care that much. He 'd already had his dad Edward Teach for two yr and it had n't been bad at all. Plus, his dad was a far better teacher than Balladanis.

Albus walked with Matt and John to refutation. Rose was still not speaking to john and she walked with Amanda and Linda a picayune ways ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't plough into what happened earlier in the year.

The integral class erupted in applause as soon as Harry entered the room and Albus noticed that this caused him to blush. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"Well, I did not think I 'd be back here. I do have to continue with the syllabus, so I must ask that you complete the werewolf essay for following Th. However, it only has to be one infantry of parchment."

There was a corporate moan from the stallion form."Great,"trick muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that hard,"Matt rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be time consuming,"John replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a month and a half of term left and I ca n't just let you consume this fourth dimension to mess up around."

The social class was the most enjoyable Defense family the third days had had in quite a spell. Harry lectured for the totality of the class, but it was n't boring. Albus did not mind in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the metre Sabbatum arrived, virtually no one in the rook was talking about Professor Balladanis. Quidditch was on the forefront of everybody 's minds and the latent hostility ran higher than they had all class. The outcome of this match would determine who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly concern. Hogwarts had already beaten New House of York once and they could easily do it again. The entire team was in expert wellness and none of the alternates were needed. Albus was perfectly substance to sit in the viewpoint with his ally and just watch the catch, rather than have to play in it.

It was a warm spring day with a slight wind and swarm cover, perfect playing shape. Grant Wood had spoke of the conditions during the late Night 's practice session, telling the team that a expectant storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The catch commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the crowd. Hogwarts scored five goals within the number one fifteen minutes of the match and New York scored two. The teams remained neck in cervix for the residual of the match, until James pulled out of a dive clutching the golden sneaker in his left hand.

The crew erupted into cheers and Saint James the Apostle was soon hoisted onto the shoulders of some of the older students.

"I have an proclamation to stimulate !"prof Kendrick shouted over the gang,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the concluding Quidditch match, scheduled to take seat on the first of June !"

The usual after Quidditch political party ensued in the coarse room and everyone rehashed their favorite region of the match. No one talked about the terminal match, although Albus was sure it was in the rear of everyone 's minds. Commonwealth of Australia seemed impossible to beat.

Once the fervor from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts educatee seemed to substantiate that exams were quite approach. The library soon became a democratic place to be and fifth and seventh days in particular could be seen there all hours of the day.

As the middle of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a unruffled common room in the evenings, much like her sister had two years prior. Albus and his friends spent to a greater extent sentence in the predator 's Den after that, usually without Rose, Amanda, and Linda. The three girls seemed to like the quietness of the common room.

rosiness did forgive John for messing up her notes, but she became more strain and snappish as exams drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a sorting of end of terminal figure custom with Rose.

Defense moral took a drastic turn for the respectable. Albus and all of his acquaintance got staring scratch on their werewolf essays, to the surprisal of no one. After that, the classes bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, merlin !"John shouted at breakfast one Friday in the eye of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as denial teacher or something.

"England did n't form it into the World Cup final,"trick sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did make it ?"Albus grabbed the theme from St. John, suddenly remembering the tag he 'd vex for Christmastide. He had n't picked who he was going to invite to go with him. Actually, he had n't even recount his friends about the tickets.

"Portuguese Republic and Russia,"bathroom groaned,"Russia ! They 've got a tripe Quidditch team !"

"Obviously not,"Rose smirked,"Albus, did you break up who you 're going to get hold of when you go to the Cup ?"

"Wait, what ?"John gaped at Albus,"You got tickets ?"

"Er, yeah, for Christmas,"Albus said.

"And you did n't recite me !"John exclaimed.

"fountainhead, I only got one extra and I did n't cognize how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and Matt. head you, if you hate Russia, I 'll just find fault Matt,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Soviet Union,"Saint John said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to pick then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't possess to,"Matt said as he sat down future to Albus.

"Nice to see you awake,"John grinned. Albus and John had attempted to wake mat up before they went down to the Great hall and had no fortune. The full Sun Myung Moon was the following day, so Albus had n't even been for certain if Matt was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad sentence of the month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"lustrelessness shook his headway,"It 's just that my dad got tickets, so you can just give your extra one to John."

"Oh,"Albus grinned,"That makes things easy."

"Where is the Cup ?"Amanda asked.

"Canada,"rosebush replied.

"How are we getting there, Albus ?"Gospel According to John asked,"Are we going to take a Muggle airplane ?"John looked excited at that prospect.

"No mind,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's boring,"John said.

"indirect request I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"whoremaster asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're weird, Kaden,"trick laughed.

"So are you. aeroplane are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"lustrelessness said,"I 'd take a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for test and Quidditch practice, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squeeze in time to visit flatness in the hospital wing on Sunday, but only briefly before he went to Natalie Wood 's day long Quidditch practice.

The next weekend was the final lucifer of the Junior 's Dueling guild, something Albus had been forced to overlook due to Quidditch practice. After begging Wood and a bit of help from slip, Albus was able to attend the final. Albus 's team won, much to the delight of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with Professor Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a Word to Albus, or any of his Friend. Malfoy remained mysteriously quieten around the full moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or lustrelessness. It was strange, but not something any of the boys were going to kick about it.

trinity mean solar day before the Quidditch final, the Great Hall was filled with whispering voices that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. Copies of the prophesier were being passed back and Forth River and quite a few student looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked Rose as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"Rose whispered, her cheek completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the skinny copy of the Prophet. Matt and Gospel According to John crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN BREAKOUT

Officials have reported that three prisoner
broke out of Azkaban latterly final night. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban guard duty
have refused to mouth with reporters, and the
Ministry does not bid to divulge information
at this time.

The names of the escaped captive have been
released and anyone with entropy reguarding
any of them are asked to contact the Ministry.

The prophet then gave detailed information about all three of the escaped prisoners. Albus only recognized Willinson. The former two had been imprisoned for to a greater extent petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an retard !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"Rose said.

Any hope Albus had of getting preparation done that week was gone. He was lucky he was capable to concentrate on Quidditch practice. Willinson was out of Azkaban. He was galavanting about England, doing whatever he pleased. That in itself was not necessarily that bad, due to Willinson 's stupidity. If he somehow met up with his Padre and Washburn, then it could be quite bad.

What worried Albus the most was the fact that he would be after the Hallows, all of which still resided somewhere in or around Hogwarts. Willinson was bound to come back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the night before the Quidditch last arrived and Wood called the team into the changing room after ending exercise.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to wield this team,"Wood said as he began to pace in battlefront of them,"There were difficulties in the beginning,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the team,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a squad wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a chemical group of students from all four mansion can come together and work together on the same squad. I am not sure this could have been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a long way over the year. You 've all made vast betterment in your skill. Quite a few of you are seventh years and I am very well-chosen to order you that there will be lookout from a couple Quidditch squad watching tomorrow 's friction match. I have high up hopes for the lot of you, when it comes to Quidditch.

"I can not say whether we will win tomorrow. Australia is secure, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and give it your best. Now, I think you should all release in ahead of time and eat a proper breakfast tomorrow before the couple. teddy, Tyler, anything to add ?"Ellen Price Wood turned to the boys.

Teddy and President Tyler both shook their oral sex and Wood turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. estimable night."

woodwind, Teddy, and John Tyler stayed behind to talk over tactics while the team left. Albus and James were the endure two to go forth. Georgia had left with the early 7th years, excitedly discussing the candidate of scouts.

"You think Sakartvelo 's going to sign with one of the professional teams ?"Albus asked Henry James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"Saint James the Apostle said,"I just hope it does n't anguish her opportunity when we lose."

"We might not lose,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to recede,"James muttered,"Linda 's too effective of a Seeker."

Albus said nothing. He wished he could just tell James that Linda was a vampire. It would be so a great deal easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own thoughts. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a loud snap in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a ramification break,"William James answered.

"It was too loud,"Albus said as he looked into the wood,"It sounded like somebody Apparating in there."

"I do n't call back you can Apparate in the forest,"James II pointed out,"And it did n't sound that loud. You 're just tired from all the Quidditch practice."

"I guess,"Albus said as he and James River kept walking,"But what if it was someone Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too lots, Al,"Epistle of James groaned,"This place is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here full time now. You 'd have to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is dazed enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"James laughed,"If he 's stupid enough to do that, he 's going to get caught and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be stupid, but he did carry off to kidnap Kaden the previous spring, and he had been on the run for a class prior to that. He may be a applesauce duellist, but he was certainly good at not getting caught for the most part.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the wondrous amazing hoi polloi who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The atmosphere in the Great anteroom the next dawning was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts team was sitting together at the Ravenclaw table, surrounded by students from all four sign. teddy bear and Tyler seemed to be in the thick of it and were loudly discussing manoeuvre.

The Australian team was sitting together at the Hufflepuff tabular array, with a large aloofness between them and the Hufflepuffs. A small crowd of Australian had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to fall in the eternal sleep of the Hogwarts team at the Ravenclaw board. cypher was unable to play that day, so Albus 's days on the team were pretty practically over. To be honest, he was kind of relieved. There was just so a good deal pressure.

"I think this tournament has been good for Hogwarts,"rosiness mused,"Look at everyone. nonentity seems to care who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to normal once the couple is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"Rose shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't hump, Rose,"lusterlessness said,"I do n't think one year can change hundred of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"blush wine said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't believe this has helped international charming cooperation,"St. John the Apostle gestured to the Aboriginal Australian team. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"Competition rarely does that,"Rose muttered.

"well, they 'll all be going home soon,"Matt said cheerfully.

Rose shot him a dirty tone and then looked up at the faculty tabular array. Albus 's gaze followed. The faculty table was quite overcrowded that good morning. There were scouts from Quidditch squad, Ministry officials including Albus 's Uncle Percy, and a diversity of masses from Australia and New York.

"Look at that witch,"toilet pointed to a very tall, beautiful witch with pallid white hide and recollective shadow hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"Rose told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"Rose whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"John said without taking his eyes off the witch.

There was a loud sunshine from the Ravenclaw board and the Hogwarts team began to give the Hall. Their entourage followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at diverse tables.

The Australian team followed shortly. The excitement only seemed to increase now that the squad had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few minutes later mass began to forget for the pitch. The crowd at the staff mesa left first and the bookman followed.

"Albus,"John said as they got up from the tabular array,"I 've got a few brace of omnioculars in my tree trunk. I want to see it up close when Linda catches that Snitch."

"Let 's go get them, then,"Albus replied.

Rose rolled her eyes."sports meeting us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the door as the male child ran up the grand staircase.

"Why did n't you just convey them to breakfast ?"Matt asked.

"Forgot,"St. John said.

The castle was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

John had to empty out his entire trunk in order to encounter the omnioculars. He had four couplet and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to miss the head start of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running play in the corridors rule as he made his way through the palace. There was n't anyone to take to task him anyway. The pace behind him told him his friends were n't far behind.

Albus turned a nook and ran nose drops into something. He fell down onto his rachis and looked up, only to see that it was someone. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with flatness 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would have manifested itself into what Albus was near afraid of. At that moment, it probably would give birth been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to look at his friends.

Matt had turned Stanford White and looked far More afraid than Albus had ever seen him before, including when he had faced the boggart and when Malfoy had found out about his lycanthropy. lavatory was looking from lusterlessness to the man, an obvious horror on his face. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his supporter, pulling them into the good classroom. He slammed the door and pulled out his verge, putting every locking good luck charm he knew onto the knob.

lusterlessness collapsed onto the nearest hot seat and put his header in his hired hand."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the hell is he doing here ?"John ranted,"He 's got no business here !"

"Why 's he in the castle anyway ?"Albus began to gait around the room,"If he 's here to look out the Quidditch match, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to take in the Quidditch ?"lavatory said darkly.

"Who the bloody hell on earth is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at Matt before looking at Kaden. matte did n't look to take in heard Kaden 's question.

"His epithet 's Lubar. He 's the Head of the section for the Regulation and dominance of Magical Creatures in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the ground why Matt had to make a motion here, amongst other things."

"He 's a chuck and wind immorality git,"John muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the door and peered out the lowly window at the top. Lubar was no longer in sight.

"I 've g-got to go to the Ministry,"flatness said,"I 've got to t-tell my dad. L-Lubar, he ca n't be here."

Albus paced back and Forth in front of the room access. The Ministry. How would they get there ? Brooms ? No, that would take too long. They 'd have to use the Floo Network, but none of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to have to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll hook into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

Matt nodded."You Guy do n't have to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you mental ?"St. John the Apostle exclaimed,"That bloke out there is probably worse than Willinson. We 're not letting you do this alone."

Albus nodded in agreement before waving his wand and undoing the locking appealingness. He cautiously looked out into the corridor before leaving. It was empty.

Much to Albus 's relief, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd provide them. He shoved them into his robes and ran back to the schoolroom. matte, John, and Kaden were all talking quietly. Matt did n't appear any less scared, but at least he did n't seem to be in shock anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"John Lackland said immediately,"I 'm tallest so I 'll take away up the most room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the skillful liar."

Albus could n't argue there. Both he and lustrelessness were horrible liars and Kaden still had n't gotten over his inability to preserve secrets.

"You take the map, then,"Albus handed the map to John,"We 've got to get to the one-eyed beldam statue on the third floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, Matt, and Kaden, and the three of them followed trick out of the way. The corridor was still empty, a great deal to Albus 's succor.

John set a very quick tempo and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would grant away his presence. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the to the lowest degree measure of noise possible.

The male child made it down the two flying of stair necessary to get to the third floor and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and stuffed it into his pocket. With a quick tap of his wand, he statue 's gibbosity opened and the boys climbed inside.

Albus lit his wand and took off down the small passageway. matte, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"St. John the Apostle asked as they ran,"Does n't he bonk what he did ?"

"Yes,"matte answered,"I do n't think Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't call up he came here to see you ?"Albus asked matte,"I mean, remember when Killigan saw us that one time and he seemed so interested in finding you ?"

"Of course I do,"matt muttered,"And it really would n't surprise me if that 's why he 's here. But I 'm betting there 's another reason."

"What did he do ?"Kaden repeated, a bit louder.

"Why else would he be here ?"Albus asked,"The friction match ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"Matt replied,"I do n't have it away for for sure, but it seems too coincidental for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he require to see you ?"

Matt stopped running and wheeled around to expect at Kaden."It 's a foresightful story. Lubar 's got a grudge against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Australia for six geezerhood,"Matt paused,"He passed a clump of laws against werewolf and I wound up having to metamorphose with a bunch of other loup-garou. It was bad."

matt resumed walking and did n't expand on the subject. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Matt shrugged,"Maybe talk to Kendrick or something."

There was no doubt in Albus 's mind that Matt 's dad would be able to get Lubar to leave Hogwarts, possibly even leave the country. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this year, but now he knew that you did not need to be on his bad side. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The passage finally began to heighten until it came to an abrupt plosive consonant at a tough wooden room access. Albus pressed his ear to the room access, but heard nothing. He carefully pushed it loose, wincing as it creaked.

seeing cypher in the storage room beyond, Albus beckoned his Friend forward. The room was dimly lit, enough for Albus to see a immense amount of boxes littering the base. On the far wall he could see a fireplace.

The boys climbed over the various boxwood and stood in figurehead of the fireplace. Albus located a pocket-size release of Floo powder and then lit a fire. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into someone 's study at the Ministry. We 're going to ingest to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a handful of pulverisation and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the powder into the flak and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of magic trick !"

Albus stumbled out of a different hearth seconds later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, preserve for a few magician striding towards the lifts, clearly too busy to notice Albus.

Matt landed rather ungracefully on the floor. He picked himself up, brushing swan ash off his robes.

"stead is deserted,"matt said as he looked around.

"It 's a Saturday,"Albus pointed out,"Does your dad work Saturdays ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"At least mornings."

John was succeeding to mistreat out of the fervidness, doing so more elegantly than lustrelessness had. He stood in front of the flame, staring around at the Atrium. His eyes rested on the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more than project than I imagined,"John said.

"Bloody sin !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"lusterlessness said quickly,"But we have n't got time to explore. Let 's go."

Albus followed Matt towards the desk in the nominal head of the Atrium. There was an old wizard leafing through a copy of the Quibbler, oblivious to his environment. Albus almost thought they 'd be able-bodied to filch around him, but he looked up just as they were about to pass.

"Where do you mean you 're going ?"he asked and then his heart rested on Albus,"Albus Severus Potter. Why are n't you in school ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a little unnerved that the man knew who he was.

Matt stepped in front of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the Head of the Department for the Regulation and mastery of Magical wight. It 's variety of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your sceptre up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed case. They waited impatiently as the old wizard tested their sceptre and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the head of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can tell whose wand did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the raise arrived, the boys piled in and Matt pushed the number four. Nobody said anything as the lift creaked its way to the fourth floor.

Matt took off at a run down the corridor after they left the nip and tuck. Albus had never been to this particular proposition floor. It looked rather similar to the Magical Law Enforcement 's floor, with characterless solidification of stunt man doorway on one side.

Matt skidded to a hitch in front line of the lonesome door that was bingle and banged his mitt loudly on it. When there was no result after a few moment, he banged again.

"clutches your hippogriffs !"called a voice from the inside,"I 'm coming, I'm-"lusterlessness 's dad said as he opened the door.

Mr. Eckerton seemed to freeze at the sight of his son and the other three son. He gaped at them for a minute before shaking his head.

"flatness ?"he asked and rubbed his center, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in school ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and John, Kaden ?"

His eyes rested on flatness again."Matt ? What 's amiss ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the boys into his study. He shut the room access quietly behind them.

The study reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were large window on the side opposite the door, although the tantrum outside was not real, nor was the pacify rain that was pattering onto it.

There was a large leather covered electric chair behind the immense oak desk and a few minor death chair in figurehead of it. Along the former two walls were shelves with piles of books. Most of them were about several magical creatures.

Albus, Matt, and John took the seating area that were in front of the desk while Kaden wandered around the discipline looking at things. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the front of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"Matt said in barely more than a whisper,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch final,"Matt said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody hell !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his clenched fist loudly against his desk,"Did Professor Kendrick allow for this ?"

"I do n't eff,"flatness replied,"B-but everyone else was at the match and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's face hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with prof Balladanis earlier in the term."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to have a word with prof Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his study and down towards the nip and tuck. John 's walking pep pill was cypher compared to Matt 's dad 's. The son had to run to keep up.

"Where did you Floo from ?"Mr. Eckerton asked once they were in the lift.

"Honeyduke 's,"Albus answered.

"We 'll Floo there now,"Mr. Eckerton replied.

The wizard at the welcome desk looked at them curiously as they rushed towards the fireplace, but did n't say anything.

Mr. Eckerton handed Albus a bit of Floo gunpowder and gestured for him to go first. Albus stepped into the firing and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to spin faster and faster. He saw coup d'oeil of people 's houses, shops in Diagon Alley, and a diversity of other places he did not realise. Then, out of one of the fireplace, came a handwriting. Everything seemed to slow down, but Albus was n't sure if it actually did or not.

The deal grabbed him. Albus fought against it, but it was too strong. All of a sudden he was laying on a cold wooden floor, one that was not at all like the one in Honeyduke's.

Albus coughed and stood up. His heart was beating fast. What had happened ? Why was n't he in Honeyduke 's ? Where was he ? Whose deal was that ?

Albus grappled for his wand and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, Potter,"a cold voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching succeeding to the fireplace with his hand inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank room than he did in Hogwarts.

The fireplace glowed green and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. John came tumbling out of the fervidness and scrambled too his fundament, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breathing spell and stuck his hand in the ardour again.

"What the ?"John whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody Hell !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the way. It looked vaguely familiar, but Albus could n't put his fingerbreadth on it. The windows were boarded up, but it was definitely not the Shrieking hovel. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo Network anyway.

The hearth glowed fleeceable yet again, this time sending Kaden onto the floor. This earned another shout from Lubar, who stuck his hand in the fire again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his feet and stood next to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid oculus on Lubar.

Albus wanted nothing more than to run from the room, but he did not know where the building was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stun him or something.

Green lighter filled the way as the fireplace glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that Matt would be the one to next autumn out of the flames. Mere seconds later, that intuition was confirmed.

matte coughed and scrambled to his foundation. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the fire and lit his wand, which illuminated his sinister face. He began to step slowly in front of them.

"Well, well, you went crying to Daddy just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do love when affair work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could find matt shaking future to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and disarm Lubar.

"Any musical theme where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. pin-up shop class, compassion about the owner. Yes, a material shame."

Lubar did n't seem at all upset about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop class again and now he recognized it.

"Well, let 's not lay waste to our clock time here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few people who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his fingers three times and Albus heard footstep on the stairs.

leash wizards descended the steps and strode into the elbow room. They lit their wands at the same time and Albus gasped when the lighting showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three people Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As good a dueler he was, he was up against four fully qualified superstar. Three of them did not possess the acquisition to duel, but Albus had no mind what Lubar was up to of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a pin-up reunion. Unfortunately we have n't got clock time to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his wand pointed at his neck. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his founding father had John. mat, seeing his friends restrained, made a run for the nigh window.

"Not so fast, Whitney Young werewolf,"Lubar caught him by the back of his robes and wrapped one of his branch around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robes with his free hand and pulled out an old tea kettle. He held it out to the other three men and each one put a unblock mitt on it. Albus knew what was going to happen right before it did. He shared a scared glance with flatness before feeling a jerked meat behind his belly button.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry potter.
A/N : I decided to do part of this chapter from Harry 's point of view. It begins in his breaker point of view and then switches back to Albus 's. Asterisks indicate where the point of view switches.


"Spectacular lay aside by Peach State Weasley !"the commentator shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into play. It was immediately taken into possession by Hogwarts, and all three Chasers threw it back and forth as they flew to the Australian end of the pitch.

"score ! Hogwarts has scored against Australia, bringing the summate to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as loud as the pupil. One matter he loved about the Quidditch tourney was that he did n't receive to try and conceal his excitement when Hogwarts scored. During house matches, he had to try and dissemble he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As happy as Harry was about the Hogwarts Chasers being very skilled, he did not have Hope that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's seeker, Linda Morales, was the adept seeker Harry had ever seen outside of pro Quidditch. He knew that his son, Saint James, was effective, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his finger on it. Her speed on a ling just did n't seem natural. Professional Quidditch instrumentalist would kill for her speed.

"I 'm storm she has n't found the stool pigeon yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the tar. James was doing the Saami,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the rest of the staff who were sitting around him. Most of them were quite reserved. nobody seemed to be showing the exuberance Harry was. He did n't give care. Harry did n't share their belief that instructor could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few prof stood up and then sat back down again as somebody squeezed their way past them. Harry craned his foreland and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't bang the man well. They 'd met on affair at the Ministry, although Harry had a feeling he 'd be seeing more than of him now that he was read/write head of the Department for the regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than professional level. Harry had never met a father who was more protective of his son than Walter Eckerton, although he did own sound reason. Never a more dedicate father, either.

Bruno Walter continued his way past the other professors until he stopped in front of Harry. Harry was even More shocked to see the expression on his face. Worry was etched in every part of his look, bringing out the seam, but there was anger in his eyes.

"Walter,"Harry shook his hired man as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Bruno Walter muttered,"I need a countersign in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be right back and he followed Bruno Walter out of the standstill. They continued walking until they were a short length away from the slant and then Walter stopped.

"The male child have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"Wait, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and Matt ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the caput of the Department for the regulation and Control of Magical tool in Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the change of study."Yes, not a very tolerant bloke, is he ?"

Bruno Walter 's look hardened."That 's a courteous way of putting it. The bloke is sick and twisted and he 's got a score against me. Very long story and I have n't got time to recount it. Short translation is that when Matt was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to translate in a edifice with other loup-garou, quondam lycanthrope. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever reason, Lubar decided to visit Hogwarts today, possibly under the pretense of attending the Quidditch match.

"The son saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. lusterlessness 's absolutely terrified of him, which is why they came to me. I came back with them. They Flooed before I did, but when I arrived at Honeyduke 's they were n't there. I 've already spoken with the owners of the shop class as well as a few other Hogsmeade residents. No one 's seen them. We 've got to find them."

Harry 's ticker sank."You do n't guess Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not dangerous, is he ?"

"To Matt, yes, but I have n't the slightest idea as to why he 'd desire the other boys,"Bruno Walter said.

"Even if he did only want Matt, he 'd deliver to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him study lusterlessness sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every available Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to dislodge himself from Washburn 's grasp as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the localisation was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instantaneous, but this time there was a substantial lag. Albus had time to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The indorse clue that their goal was far away was the fact that it was very coloured when Albus finally landed on the dry land. Not dark like an impending storm either. shadow as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his foundation. meretricious clump around him told him that his protagonist had landed as well.

The ground was dampish and unvoiced and the foliation around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some sort of forest. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar trees that seemed to debase towards the starry sky.

There was no Moon to illume the forest. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yards away from the boys and were whispering to each other. All four had lit their wands, but it was n't sufficiency wand light to give Albus a dependable perspective of his surroundings.

mat, John Lackland, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their wands out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't defy light it.

"Why is it night ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the hell are we ?"John asked.

"We 're in Australia,"Matt said in awe, as if he was just coming to terms with that fact.

"We Portkeyed across an ocean ?"Kaden gasped.

When Albus thought about it, it made common sense. Lubar was from Australia, so why should n't he take them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't make sentience was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could tell, the four wizards seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the world. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old family ?"John asked.

"How should I cognise ?"lusterlessness snapped,"Commonwealth of Australia 's a huge country !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could hide there,"St. John muttered.

"You would n't want to,"Matt said,"My pudding head cousin owns it now."

"You have a first cousin ?"Albus asked.

"Not important,"Matt said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying attention,"John whispered, gesturing to where the four maven stood huddled in a forget me drug,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right there,"lustrelessness pointed to the tea timpani, which was a few feet away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the count of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to pick it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the other three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you ask ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you agnize how lots more unmanageable this is going to be now ? We only needed Potter ! But no, you had to go and insist on bringing that loup-garou kid as well."

"You would n't even have managed this if it were n't for me !"Lubar growled,"So do n't go telling me what I should and should n't have done."

"well, now we 've wound up with two redundant ones as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're kids, how much trouble can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't hump this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the reason we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your unbelievable stupidity,"Lubar said.

Albus was very connive. Lubar was arguing with them as if he knew them well. Had Lubar really been working with them all along ?

What did they need him for anyway ? What had Willinson meant when he said 'we only needed Potter'?

"Shut it, Lubar,"Jarrett said.

"I 'll say what I like,"Lubar replied,"This is my Vannevar Bush, not yours."

"You own the forest now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a matter of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to mat,"So many years have passed. distinguish me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprisal, it was John the Evangelist and not lusterlessness who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed John with a lazy wave of his wand, leaving John stunned in nominal head of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better dueler than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing John 's scepter, Lubar turned back to Matt, who was shakily holding his wand up.

"It does n't matter what country you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the same thing no affair where you live. The laws do n't change what you are. Pretend as a great deal as you like, but it wo n't exchange a thing."

Now Albus wanted to go after Lubar. The choler was boiling up inside of him and he did n't call up he had ever felt more angry in his entire life sentence, and that included every encounter he had had with Scorpius Malfoy. Malfoy was like a fluffy kitty compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. whoremonger was already wandless. It would do them no just if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to wait, to wait until he could grab them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the head of the department in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"speculation it 's just a subject of clip until the Same thing happens. You 'll have to flee again."

lusterlessness was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his brain, trying to see out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for pigeon hawk 's sake !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping matter ? Did we really risk Portkeying a caboodle of tiddler to Commonwealth of Australia just to pine away time taunting one of them ?"

"lull !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"alibi me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the name of merlin do you make love them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breath, waiting for Lubar to put some sort of jinx or curse on Kaden. Sometimes his first cousin was quite slow. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a time not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprise, Lubar smiled. It was a squirm sort of smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"I think that 's a mediocre question,"Lubar said."My first cousin married this idiot,"Lubar pointed at Jarrett.

"You 're married ?"Kaden gaped at Jarrett, causing Albus to groan. Why would n't Kaden just shut up ?

"Not for much long,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we please just get on with this ?"

"Patience, cousin,"Lubar said as he began to walk slowly around the former three,"We mus n't do this hastily. hastiness is the understanding you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The lonesome thing Albus could cogitate of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their architectural plan, they would n't have taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at flatness, who still looked scared out of his nous. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed hurt, a great deal sassy than the former three, and that scared Albus Sir Thomas More than anything else. There was a big difference between dueling someone who was smart and dueling someone who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a short spell later. Harry had briefly questioned the proprietor of Honeyduke 's, but they had not seen any of the boys.

Harry and Walter ran towards the lifts at top swiftness, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the bloke at the welcome desk. The lifts could not go fast enough for the two men. Harry nearly pulled the doors open when they finally arrived at Magical Law Enforcement 's floor.

The Auror situation was slightly more lively than the rest period of the Ministry, but not much. Three Aurors were inside, two of whom hastily shoved away a pile of Exploding Snap carte and stood up upon seeing Harry get in. The other Auror, a rather little but compact enchantress, shoved the Christian Bible she was reading in the drawer, and joined the early two.

"ceramist, sir !"the hag said,"We thought you were at Hogwarts today !"

"I was,"Harry said darkly and explained the situation.

The three Aurors looked grim as they waited for Harry to fall in them teaching.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the whizz,"Brighton,"he looked at the hag,"Get started with an extensive hunting of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't officious with anything else. Tiburon and Oswald are on duty in Hogsmeade today, inform them of the situation."

Dabney and Brighton nodded before dashing out of the way. Harry turned to the remaining Auror."Lewster, you will be searching the Forbidden Forest as soon as someone else arrives."

Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. An enormous silvery hart flew out of his wand and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the elbow room and Harry leaned against the nearest desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the door just as Ron was running through, followed by half a twelve other Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a disquieted tone.

Harry rehashed the entire situation again. Ron 's look paled."What about Rose, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his head,"It was just the boys."

"Thank Merlin,"Ron whispered,"But Harry, what about Willinson ? D'you think he 's got anything to do with this ?"

"It 's crossed my mind,"Harry muttered,"But I have n't got a cue as to how Lubar would hump him."

"With dark wizards, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the search of the Forbidden woodland. Lewster 's going with you. And take Book of the Prophet Daniel and Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the room, followed by Lewster and two former wizards. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The rest of you can search the castle and reason. Be discrete. I do not like to disrupt the Quidditch mates unless it is absolutely requisite,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the way and Harry turned to Bruno Walter. He slowly shook his head. Why was it always Albus ? This was the third base year he had gotten into trouble. Albus 's years at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd better go Floo home and tell Julie what 's going on,"Bruno Walter sighed,"She 's going to come down apart."

Harry nodded as Walter left the room. Ginny. Harry snapped his head up. She was going to be watching the mates, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the room. How was he going to tell apart his wife that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't make a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go ill-timed ? We 're halfway across the earthly concern from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your stupidity,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the macrocosm ? Harry Potter 's son ! You have n't a clue as to how things work in the Ministry !

"I can ascertain you that at this very moment, the entire Auror section is looking for them. Harry Potter 's probably got every Auror on this case. It wo n't take them long to realise that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to Matt,"He 's got the most officious parents in the world. They 'd sooner pop everyone in the Earth before letting something materialize to him. Very irritating. They wo n't rest until they find him. Not to mention the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry official. We 've got two tike of two of the most prominent Ministry officials of U.K.. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be careful !"

"Well, you 're the one who wanted to take the werewolf, too,"Jarrett growled.

"And you 're the one who insisted we take ceramicist 's son !"Lubar shouted,"Why do we even need him ?"

"We just do !"Jarrett shouted back.

"If both of you idiots had n't wanted to institute the Kyd, we could 've done this whole matter without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the same time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't stimulate a fortune to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only go for that the wizards would have enough to argue about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the house ?"

"Have you learned nothing ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the first of all place they 'll look is the house."

"Got any proficient ideas ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a secret little shanty somewhere in this rural area ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. deal of post to hide, not very populate. Perfect place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice traction again. lustrelessness was once again in the clutches of Lubar, and whoremaster and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very little about the Australian outback, just that it was n't desirable for much human inhabitation. However, the one composition of information he did know about it was that it was where almost of the dementors that used to guard Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat popular place for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two secondment to realize what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sensation of side-along Apparition.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the late chapter, this one goes back and Forth between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking spare of Jarrett 's reach. He tripped over a John Rock and landed face first in the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin. Spitting the grittiness out of his mouth, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too dark to see anything but the outlines of mess in the distance. The outback seemed very discharge and very quiet. There was a very small cluster of bushes and trees nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see much else in the way of plant life life history.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a abandoned place in his life. There was absolutely nothing around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't make gotten very far. As dangerous as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would receive no prospect of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to know that Albus and the others would n't run away. He neglected to use any variety of rophy to tie them up or put any spells around them. Instead, he walked a shortstop aloofness in the focus of the hatful and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to espouse them.

"What are we going to do ?"John seethed,"Has anyone got any estimate where we are ?"

"The outback 's huge,"Matt replied,"I bet we 're right in the middle of it. The nearest civilization 's probably air mile away."

"So we 're done for,"St. John groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No thought,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not have to obtain out."

"Do you really think your dads are going to be able to notice us ?"can asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's right,"Albus said,"The completely Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll see us."

"Does stuff like this happen every year ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, finish year I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll bump side by side year ?"

"Hopefully zip,"Albus said.

"If there is a next year,"John muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the male child,"I did n't tell you to let the cat out of the bag !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the distance,"There 's citizenry gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his heart leapt a bit. There was a small gathering of figures a few curtilage away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"Calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just lamia. They wo n't bother us. I know that coven. They know better than to mess with me. I 'll construct life pretty scurvy for them if they do."

"Cutting slew with vampires now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's hopes sank once again. Lubar seemed more perplexing than ever. He cut deals for vampires but passed restrictive law of nature on werewolf ? It did n't make sense.

The men lowered their vocalisation again and Albus wished he had a few extendable auricle with him. He did n't dare talk to his booster, just sent them anxious glances every now and then.

A low temperature wind blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the kind of cold that chilled him to the os. Hoping that it was n't going to rain down, or Baron Snow of Leicester ( was n't it winter in Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no clouds, but what Albus saw was much worse than clouds.

Five or six cloaked figures were slowly circling above them. Although he had never before seen one, Albus recognized them as dementors immediately. Despite the darkness, Albus could clearly make out their chassis. As they got closer, he could even learn their rattle breath.

The world in front of him began to swim. He felt like he was going to pass along out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the happiness out of him. Albus was left with all his unhappy thoughts.

His dad was n't going to ascertain them. They would be stuck on the Aboriginal Australian outback until Lubar and the others did what they were going to do. Then who knew what would happen ?

"No, no, no !"mat shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to expect towards his friend. Matt was kneeling on the ground, shaking violently. Both John and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of class the dementors would affect mat the worst. He had gone through things that Albus, John the Evangelist, and Kaden could n't even conceive of. It probably did n't help that Lubar was actually present, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his wand out of his gown. He 'd heard the incantation for the Patronus charm before and figured it was worth a shooting. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his verge at the sky. Nothing happened.

A happy thought ! How could he have forgotten that ? It was difficult to think of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to matte shouting on the ground.

When the categorisation Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his wand to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the conjuration while using various happy memories. Nothing was happening, but lustrelessness 's cheering was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the dry land. It looked like Matt had passed out.

Thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his wand at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his sceptre and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few seconds. He had sort of done a Patronus charm !

"Bloody hell on earth,"John whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"somebody shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar running game at them with his wand pointed at the dementors. A silvery squirrel was floating ahead of him and the dementors scattered as it reached them.

Albus 's foggy brainpower immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his scepter in his robes before Lubar thought to disarm him.

"leave him,"Lubar growled at St. John and Kaden, who were bent to the dry land trying to get lustrelessness to wake up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a flaming bright home to come."

Lubar paid no attention to Washburn 's comment. His eyes were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very odd look. Albus took a queasy whole step back, but Lubar did not avert his gaze. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"ceramist, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up high gear Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some good news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the centaurs,"Lewster said,"They saw three sensation in the forest a few hours ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my last Galleon the other two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the centaurs know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the forest floor for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't surprise him. The Resurrection Stone was someplace in the forest."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his head,"And the centaur are pretty sure they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can find out out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't consider that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no doubt in my mind,"Harry answered,"It 's just a issue of finding them. listen, I 've got to go explore Dervish and Banges. I 've got this intuition about the place. Seems like the perfect space for Washburn to take them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go catch the end of the mate. I wo n't mention anything to King James and Lily yet."

"commodity,"Harry said,"I 'll be in touch soon."He kissed her lightly on the forehead."We 're going to find him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"Stay safe."

Ginny turned around to walk back to the Hogwarts grounds while Harry picked up the pace and walked the shortsighted distance to Dervish and Banges.

The construction looked utterly abandoned. The windowpane were still boarded up, the grass overgrown around it. It certainly did n't calculate like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his wand, he crept cautiously to the door. He carefully pulled the control panel off of it and quietly wrenched the doorway open. Without lighting his wand, he walked inside.

The place had the olfactory property of a recent fervor in the open fireplace. someone had been there. However, there was not a sound from anywhere in the edifice. Harry lit his sceptre and saw that it was deserted.

After a thoroughgoing verification of the entire construction, in which Harry found no living creatures, he returned to the chief elbow room. The fireplace was filled with nearly dead ember and there was a small spate of Floo powder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an incantation that would order him where the last someone to use the open fireplace had Flooed from. He waited for the conjuration to work, his nitty-gritty pound.

Soft red smoke emitted from his wand, curling together to take shape the words 'Ministry of Magic .'Harry breathed a sigh of embossment. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a doubt, Harry knew that Albus and the other son had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The alone question was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, Potter ?"Lubar asked.

"Thirteen,"Albus replied, still a bit queasy as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the indorse dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus magic spell to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his head, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may cause taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the first time I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't say me you were skilled at Defensive magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is ceramist 's aptitude for Patronuses really relevant to what we 're doing ?"

"It matters if they decide to try and hex us !"Lubar snapped,"I think it might be best if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his wand harder. He glanced at lustrelessness, who was still unconscious mind. privy did n't have his sceptre. Kaden was n't very good at dueling. It would be up to him, to Albus, if this came to a duel.

"The entirely one who 's got any skill is Potter,"Jarrett said,"The former three are n't going to be difficult."

"mulct,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to talk to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few yards away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where Matt had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing spell or two."flatness, Matt,"he whispered,"Wake up."

After a minute or two, Matt 's centre fluttered unfold and he sat up."What happened ?"he asked, looking around confusedly.

"You passed out,"Albus told him,"When the dementors were here."

"But Albus cast a Patronus !"John said excitedly.

"You what ?"matte gaped at him.

"It was just silvery mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his sake,"Matt shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The other three son shook their heads."Figures,"Matt muttered.

"You need some deep brown or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"mightiness,"Kaden began fishing around in his sac. He produced a chocolate frog and handed it to Matt, who took it without saying a word.

"Listen,"Albus said,"Whatever it is that they want to do here, they 're doing it soon. Do you think you can get up ?"

Matt nodded and Albus helped him to his invertebrate foot. Lubar and the others were walking towards them again. Albus slowly pulled his wand out of his robes and held it to his side, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a plenty of wood and set fire to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the boys. Albus was now clearly able to see the twisted facial expression on Lubar 's face.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"Fire 's going to attract attention !"

Lubar laughed."ardor 's going to control that those vampires stay away and we 've got to see what we 're doing !"

Albus glanced towards where the vampire had been congregating. They were currently walking farther away from Albus and the others. Thinking back to Linda 's boggart, he remembered that vampires are destroyed by fervency. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his hand, but Albus could n't reach out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you eff what this is, thrower ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to sound too nervous.

"It 's the resurrection Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly conceal his gasp as he peered closer at Jarrett 's outstretched hand. There was a very little stone sitting in it. The Resurrection Edward Durell Stone. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three objects he had been after for years. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to sound confident.

"antediluvian magic is a beautiful affair, thrower,"Jarrett answered,"There are long forgotten spells, magic spell that oeuvre very nicely with recollective block magical objects such as this Stone. It was merely a affair of finding the correct trance, getting to the Forbidden Forest, and putting it to use. Quite uncomplicated now that I look back on it."

"Only because you did n't do any of the work,"Lubar muttered,"It was I who found the spell !"

"The early Hallows will establish to be slowly to incur with the avail of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the sound of that. The stone itself did one thing and that was bring back the spirits of people who had passed on. How would that help Jarrett get the former Hallows ?

The invisibility Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his gown. He really hoped Jarrett would n't realize that.

"Another matter that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot cares who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the attack and strode closer to Albus. Albus took a step back as his heart started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, thrower. You should be afraid,"Jarrett 's gaze swept over all four boys,"You should all be afraid."

"Quit taunting them and just do it,"Washburn said impatiently.

"With this Lucy Stone,"Jarrett said a bit louder,"I will bring back Almighty Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the door completely off its flexible joint as he did so. He had to find Walter. He had to witness Walter and then go to the Ministry. The hearth did not show mark that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop. That left either spectre or a Portkey, both of which would have left ghost that he 'd need the Department of Magical conveyance for.

Harry rounded a quoin as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a enchantress. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a unusual feeling of confusion and blow, mixed with mingled fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a trouble,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the friction match over ? How badly did we lose by ?"

"Only a hundred full point,"Ginny said,"But we might not have actually lost. Listen, did you know Australia 's Seeker is a lamia ?"

"Wait, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to enwrap his judgment around that fact while still focusing his psyche on Albus.

"I 'll explain after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"rightfulness,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead. Someone was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm sure it was Al and the others. I 've got to regain Bruno Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not sure where that will contribute us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be careful,"Ginny said as she gave him a candy kiss,"And bring him back."

"I will,"Harry said as he kissed her back,"I 'll see you soon."

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Walter striding out of Honeyduke 's. With one last look at Ginny, Harry met Walter half-way.

"We 've got to get to the Ministry,"Harry said immediately, and explained about what he had found at Dervish and Banges and what Lewster had learned from the centaurs.

Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the spot. They reappeared a little while later in a small Apparition chamber in the Ministry.

Passing the flummox looking surety guard for the third base fourth dimension that day, Harry and Walter ran to the lifts. Neither of them said a Book as the elevation clattered to the Department of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, save for one very drill looking witch sitting at a desk.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her human foot off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to recognise if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that same location. And if you 're able to, I need to know where they went."

"Of course of action, Mr. ceramicist, of form,"the Wiccan said as she got up. She disappeared into another room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the penny-pinching chair. Walter sat down in the adjacent one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll get hold them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Walter replied,"However, that is not the but thing I am worry about. The live clock time Matt had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for months afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not get it on much about therapy, except that maven did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must have been bad.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not sure if he was overstepping some kind of boundary.

Walter did not utter for various s."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't have to explain."

"I will,"Walter said quietly,"Shortly after matte was bitten, I became the drumhead of the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia. Nobody outside of the department knew about his consideration, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my former position of Head of the Werewolf control condition whole, and was quite jealous that I was given the Head attitude. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a grudge he held against me for many years, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it dislocate that mat was a werewolf. A bit of legislation had been passed that required all places of transformation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected lustrelessness 's and it failed on a technicality. Ministry substance were set up for wolfman to transform in, together. matte was required by law to transform there since his secure room did not toss. I refused to throw him transform there. The report were all over it. I lost my job. Lubar was appointed to the headspring position.

"More statute law was passed. A law that stated that Ministry official could physically force werewolf into the transmutation centers. On the day of the replete moonshine, Lubar Flooed into our family and took Matt to the sum. By the metre I figured out which center it was, the moonshine had risen. It was too late.

"Matt spent weeks in St. Mungo 's. By that time we were nearly ready to move here. He was so traumatized, it took month for him to get over it. To be reliable, I do n't think he 's fully over it.

"The solely reasonableness Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so sick and writhe,"Walter finished as he put his header in his men,"I swore I 'd never let him near Matt again. Swore I 'd kill him if he went near Matt again.

Bruno Walter gave an odd sort of laugh."Listen to me, I 'm telling the Head of the Auror department that I 'd institutionalise murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go save the boy,"Harry said, still processing what Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so reluctant to let lusterlessness out of their mountain, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One thing that Harry could enjoin was that Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to Jesse James, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your fault,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't feature mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no just to dwell on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my sidekick said when matte was in St. Mungo 's,"Walter said wryly.

"Mr. Potter !"the witch came bustling out of the room she had gone into, brandishing a spell of sheepskin, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the sheepskin. His eyes scanned the parchment. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few short minute ago. That in itself did not traumatize Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Commonwealth of Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Walter, who had visibly paled at the word,"They 're in Australia."


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome hoi polloi who have read and left such endearing reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the late chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so hard that he could Apparate. Why did you deliver to be xvii to get your Apparition licence anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical transport, he would shift that law. specter would 've enabled him to get out of Commonwealth of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to lend back Divine Voldemort with the resurrection Stone.

Albus could not remember being Sir Thomas More scared in his liveliness. This was far unsound than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two class ago, far worse than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the old year. Lord Voldemort was far scarier than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort look like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Stone could n't actually bring mass back to spirit. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a ghost. But would he be able to do magic, to do the curses and hexes he did when he was active ?

Albus held his hint as he watched Jarrett release the Edward Durell Stone over in his manpower. Albus had no idea how it worked, but judging by how quiet all of the adults were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the stone. He did it for so long that Albus had to let out his breathing spell. The excited gleaming on Jarrett 's facial expression slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it lick ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you positive this is the right Stone ?"

"Of path I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the Stone,"The turn said it was !"

"wellspring, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a sigh of succor. Either they had the ill-timed stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the stone over in his hands. On the 3rd turn, a strange kind of mist appeared in front line of him. Albus 's bosom sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to clean-cut and a figure was standing in front of Lubar. The figure was not Creator Voldemort, though. Albus had no idea who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This person was a fair sex, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging curious glimpse. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the flesh, his face contorted with something Albus could only wear was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped closemouthed to the woman.

"You idiot !"Jarrett shouted,"That 's not Voldemort !"

"I know that !"Lubar snapped and the looked back to the fair sex, who was apparently his female parent,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the woman replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his Quaker, who were all staring in confusion at Lubar. flatness in particular was giving Lubar a very strange look. Apparently the Harlan Fisk Stone was the Resurrection of Christ Harlan F. Stone and it did indeed body of work, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's mother agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very majestic of you, son."

Albus had to get over his mouth to hold in his snort. What variety of mother could be proud of what Lubar had done ?

"I 've tried,"Lubar said,"I swore I would after, after what happened."

"You have,"Lubar 's mum replied,"You 've done me proud."

"Oh for Merlin 's interest !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to have forgotten that there were other people around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's mother began to fade as soon as Jarrett took the stone. Running towards her, Lubar held out his hands trying to keep her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's female parent completely disappeared, Lubar had his wand out and was holding it up at Jarrett. Jarrett had taken out his own scepter, but neither man was hurling jinxes. Washburn and Quinton had taken a few steps back.

"You arse !"Lubar shouted,"That was my mother !"

"I know !"Jarrett replied,"That 's why I did it ! We 're trying to fetch back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not insult my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his wand.

Jarrett fell to the ground, completely ineffectual to move. Lubar stood over him with his wand directed at his chest.

"My mother was a endearing person,"Lubar growled,"You 're nauseous to be speaking ill of the stagnant like that."

Albus did n't really think Lubar should be talking about who is pallid and who is n't. Nor did he think his mother was particularly lovely. Never before had Albus thought he 'd agree with Jarrett Willinson on anything, but when it came to Lubar 's female parent, he did.

"Better they hex each former than us, right ?"John muttered.

"goodness point,"Albus replied.

"Can we please just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the impression that that 's what we were here for, not to affront each other 's mothers."

Lubar turned his wand on Washburn."Have you anything to say about my mother ? Well, do you ?"

Washburn hastily pulled out his own baton."Er, no, she seemed quite lovely."

"Good,"Lubar said manically,"Keep it that way, or you 'll end up like him."Lubar gestured to Jarrett, who was still laying paralyzed on the ground, his eyes darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll need you to retroflex that Portkey,"Harry said to the Wiccan, who nodded and left the room again.

"Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred percent sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly incontrovertible that they are with the boy in Australia."

"Right,"Bruno Walter agreed,"The evidence surely points that way."

"There is something about that probe that hardly anyone in the Ministry knows,"Harry lowered his vocalism,"Nearly a year ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror Department needed some help with capturing the other two. The government minister hired a Presuler."

Walter let out a low pennywhistle and then recognition dawned on his face."Wait, you do n't mean-"

"Tethys Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the pretence of teaching DoD Against the Dark Arts."

"Bad idea on the pastor 's part,"Walter muttered.

"It was my mind to send him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not fuck that he would be such an awe-inspiring teacher."

"I wo n't hold back it against you,"Bruno Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a constituent of this investigation, I have to contact him and he will throw to go with us to Australia. I understand that you have had your departure, but-"

"If he helps to find lusterlessness, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. ceramicist, Mr. Eckerton,"the Wiccan returned holding a deformed plastic container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore assist, let me know."

"That 's it for now,"Harry said as he took the container,"Thanks."

******

Albus stood frozen as the four men dueled each former. completely unsure of what to do, yet very happy that they seemed to own momentarily forgotten about the boy, Albus just stood there watching. Matt, John, and Kaden did the same, although John looked more than a bit apprehensive, almost in all likelihood due to his want of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to choose the Stone from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not read kindly to this and hexed Washburn. In the mean time, the Stunner had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing hex at each other while dodging the fervor. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would misstep and burn their arm or something. Or even better, maybe one or more of them would pretermit their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely worse for wear. All three of them were sporting wound. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's odd arm was being held at an odd angle.

Lubar seemed fine and even though it appeared that the early three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to admit that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red light at Washburn, who went flying over the fire and landed with a sickening thud in front of the boys. He did not motivate. Albus looked down and saw a small endocarp next to Washburn 's head. He bent and picked it up. It was the Christ's Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all come on towards him. Three wands were pointed at his pectus, being held by three people with maniacal lambency in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own wand, his arm vibration slightly. matt and Kaden had done the same. John Lackland tried to hide behind Matt, but was unsuccessful since he was a effective head taller than him.

"manus it over, Potter,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant tone at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Harlan Stone into the pocket of his robes and held his wand up higher.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each other. Balladanis had Flooed to the Ministry shortly after receiving Harry 's Patronus. Harry had filled him in on what was going on, but the man had n't taken his eyes off of Walter the stallion time.

"We have n't got sentence for this,"Harry muttered and held out the charge plate container,"Let 's just go."

Bruno Walter agreed immediately and laid his handwriting on the Portkey. Balladanis did so as well, with a piffling hesitation.

With a familiar tug behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey trip was a bit long than 1 Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his feet and held out his sceptre as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was deliver dark and after he lit his wand, Harry knew they were in the centre of a forest.

The woodland was disappointingly quiet down. The exclusively auditory sensation were those of animals and the occasional rustle of Tree, brought about by the wind. Not a single auditory sensation caused Harry to believe that there were people about, let alone his son.

"Spread out and hunting,"Harry announced. The place may appear deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the wizards said a countersign as they combed the surface area. Harry left no rock unturned as he looked for the diminished tracing of evidence of where his son had gone. If only it was n't night. wand did n't leave nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a vestige of anything that showed anyone had been in that area of the forest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was good at this, that was for indisputable. Harry swore as he returned to the same place he had started from.

Bruno Walter returned a few minutes later, looking even more anxious than he did before."Nothing,"he muttered,"Not a pull piece of cloak or a single Canute the Great. They did n't stay here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the ground with his shoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to return.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a small metal instrument in his hand and an foreign variety of excited smirk on his face. He skidded to a halt in front man of Harry, holding out the musical instrument. Harry recognized it as an fantasm detector. They were quite rare. The British Ministry only owned one, for the integral Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Walter muttered,"Any idea where ?"

"A oecumenical idea, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Bruno Walter 's sarcastic tone,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am cognizant,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his hired man on the metal instrument. It would be able to draw them to the comparative area they needed to go.

Walter put his hired hand on the instrument as well and with an exceptionally flashy fracture, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The ground was dusty and sandy and there was hardly any plant biography in visual modality. In the distance there were magniloquent mountains and mantled public figure floated above them. Harry suppressed a shudder and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a roar balefire blazed in the space. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were more familiar with the area.

"Only vampire and dementors ever venture out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to lead the low chemical group towards the flickering lighting in the distance.

******

"manus it over, Potter,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to concord his wand more becalm. His baton arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't seem to be capable to hold it unfluctuating. His spunk was thumping hard in his chest. Albus was sure everyone was able to hear it. However, he did not want to contribute up the Stone. That was one thing he was sure enough of. The only way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put past him.

"Maybe you should just render it to him,"John whispered,"I mean, it did n't work to get Voldemort back."

"No,"Albus seethed, surprised that bathroom had suggested it. He probably would n't have if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to own to duel me, ceramist ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't get a wand. Not unspoiled odds, if you ask me."

"And do you agnise that those two are atrocious dueler ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that Edward Durell Stone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his verge and sent a jet of orange light at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a cuticle charm, concentrating on making it big enough to shield him and his friends. It worked and the orange light bounced harmlessly off the shield and hit the ground.

"stay behind me, trick,"Albus muttered,"Matt and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever magic spell you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his buckler up while casting former spells, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling moral. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to keep the shield up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's buckler, but he quickly recovered and began sending hex after hex, nonverbally, at Albus and John. Concentrating hard, Albus sent a Stunner at Lubar, but he flicked his wand and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone bushes, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a glance at mat and Kaden. matt was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was form of pathetic as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus palpate better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus magical spell at each other and missing every time.

The shell emitting from Albus 's sceptre faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his engrossment, but the shield was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to send any piece through the shield now.

"Your shell is weakening, ceramist,"Lubar smirked as he sent another ravisher at Albus, which shook the shield.

"Merlin !"Quinton shouted to the rightfield of them. He was hopping on one foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some form of hex, although Albus was n't certainly what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the ground. Albus gasped and his shield disappeared.

"Albus !"lav shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the buckler back up before Lubar shot a hex at John, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be easier just to dedicate me the Stone ?"Lubar asked as he sent a Stunner at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and lusterlessness were still dueling. Both were sporting a few injuries, but nothing too grave. Neither seemed to have noticed that lav and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a trip jinx, which gave him a few second gear to view his breath while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a gash across his left hand cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the side and the spell hit a nearby rock-and-roll. Lubar resumed his nonverbal spells and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any other jinxes.

"You ca n't keep dodging them forever, Potter !"Lubar grinned manically.

"Watch me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of course knew that Lubar was right. The odds had not really changed. John and Kaden were both out of the competitiveness and while John the Divine was easily the dear dueller after Albus, his absence did not put Albus greatly behind. Washburn was out as well and both Willinsons were injured. Quinton was currently on his knees panting, not in any flesh to bear on dueling. matte was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both amazed and delighted by.

No, Albus was not trying to overcome Lubar. He knew that would n't be possible. Albus was merely biding for meter. He tried to figure out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spells. It must have been at least three or four hours, although the dingy Australian sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the moon had been out so he could have monitored its trip-up across the sky.

How long would it take his dad to find them ? Longer than normal, Albus thought. They were in the midriff of a extraneous country, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, Potter, and you do n't want to see me when I 'm steamed !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red light at Albus.

Before Albus even had meter to show what sort of hex it was, Matt gave a scream of pain to Albus 's right and collapsed to the reason. Jarrett wasted no time and pointed his wand at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a endorse to endure the fact that he was now utterly alone, facing two fully spring up wizards. The two superstar scud identical jets of dispirited brightness level at Albus and he managed to pull up a feeble shield.

The force play hit him like a dozen Bludgers to the stomach. He lost his footing and landed plane on his backbone, his caput hitting a particularly sharp rock.

"I told you not to fight, Potter,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the Harlan Fisk Stone,"Albus said, forcing away the dizziness. He reached into his robe and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to take hold of the Stone.

With all the violence Albus could muster, he threw the Harlan F. Stone as far as he could to the right. In the shadow, it disappeared in a split irregular and Albus did n't even hear it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"sceptre where I can see them !"soul shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his principal slightly and caught a glance of his dad, along with a few other wizards. He breathed a sigh of relief. They were saved.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up right field before the whammy started flying. Realizing that he dropped his wand when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the ground. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby crotch hair and watched.

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

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safe of the bush and shakily stood up. He reached the fervour and was capable to see who the other two whiz next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with jolt all over again.

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

It was the other sensation that nearly caused Albus to pass out in shock. He was none other than Professor Balladanis. What in the public figure of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and Matt 's dad. But why ? Did n't Matt 's dad hate Balladanis ?

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

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

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's choice of Christian Bible, but remembering what Matt had told him at the beginning of the twelvemonth, all surprise left him.

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

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different charm at Lubar at the same clock time, but it was too former. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

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

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

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

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

"Al, thank Falco columbarius,"Harry said.

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

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

Balladanis had a firm hold on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a broken charge plate cup. A few seconds later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with lustrelessness in his weapon system."Can you train John, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will come with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed wait of John 's arm before pulling his own broken charge plate cup out of his air hole. They disappeared.

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

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

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both flatness and Gospel According to John on the nearest beds while Madam Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

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

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

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

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

"I promise I 'll severalize you all of that and Thomas More,"Harry replied,"But I need to say everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to postulate you to narrate me everything that happened."

"But-"

"No buts !"lady Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need repose !"

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

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

Albus muttered under his breathing place and got into bed. Once brothel keeper Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping drawing, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to crusade off the quietus he knew was coming.

******

The Mrs. Humphrey Ward was quieten when Albus woke up. It was completely gloomy outside, although Albus did n't have the slim clue as to what day it was. John, matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious or sound asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since gentlewoman Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

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

Albus sat up and put his hand to his head. There was a bandage on the back of it. Another bandage was wrapped around his rightfulness arm, although he could n't think when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt tire.

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

"Hey, Al,"they said.

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

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

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

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

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and lead his dad out the door and up to the 5th flooring corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the capture knight and turned to face the opposition wall.

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

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

Harry nodded, apparently at a loss for words.

"There was more to it. didactics on how to get into this way. It was theirs, the piranha'. Their enigma plebeian room,"Albus said quietly.

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

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

"About a twelvemonth,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend time here ?"Harry asked.

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

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

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

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

Albus took a deep breath and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the palace and ending with throwing the Christ's Resurrection Harlan Fisk Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a forest in Commonwealth of Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to construct, the affaire d'honneur, the fact that the Resurrection Stone did n't work to make for Voldemort back.

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

Harry thought for a few minute of arc and then looked at Albus."There are a few reasonableness that might explicate it. The Christ's Resurrection I. F. Stone brings back hoi polloi we love, but it does not fetch them back completely. It 's almost as if their soul is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But interchangeable. It 's potential that since Voldemort split his soul so many clock time, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The Stone may call for the individual to be inviolate to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Nope, you said you 'd severalise me,"Albus said.

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

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

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

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

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

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

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

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

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

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

"The pastor, professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be well scheme to ingest him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would return to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of course, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able-bodied to care teaching.

"This is all quite secretive, Al. I 'd prefer you did n't say anyone. I will be telling flatness, can, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right to know, but I do n't want anyone else knowing about it."

"What about Rose and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

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

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

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be slippery billet. Lubar is n't a British people citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Commonwealth of Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial or chip in him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their official, we 're not sure they 'll do either."

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

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like nada more than than to chip in him a life-long least sandpiper in Azkaban, but unfortunately the jurisprudence do n't work that way."

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

"I do n't know about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes people to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry affiliation, he does not have to take a character if he 's offered it."

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

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

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

"You do n't have to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't want to secern you what to do, but I am going to state you something.

"Being a Presuler is a hard job and often a unfrequented one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to fuck anyone. You travel a lot, which can give it hard to take a syndicate. It 's not an well-fixed itinerary to go down. Not one I 'd prefer for myself."

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

"There 's spate of other things you could do that would put your dueling acquisition to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no need to decide now."

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

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

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

******

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

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

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to talk to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

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

"I 'm his male parent,"Harry said incredulously.

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

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

"Fifteen minutes or so,"Matt answered.

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

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

"Very amusing,"dame Pomfrey muttered.

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

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

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

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

"metre zone changes are difficult to adjust to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"Australia 's quite a few time of day ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was ravenous. When he thought about it, it must have been at to the lowest degree a day since he 'd feed anything.

"I wonder how the Quidditch friction match went,"Kaden mused as he shoved toast in his mouth.

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

"Is your dad going to tell us why Balladanis was with him when he came to make unnecessary us ?"lav asked,"I mean, he 's had muckle of time."

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

The doorway to the Hospital Wing banged heart-to-heart and blush wine and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a move to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

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

"Who won the Quidditch match ?"Albus asked.

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

"Miss Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't lower your part, you 'll have to leave behind !"

"Sorry,"Rose turned back to Albus,"But you lot have got to tell us what happened !"

Albus launched into the total tale, which took the better component part of a half hour to state. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the all thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the clip Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"rose wine asked.

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

"merlin, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How much trouble can you get into ?"

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

rosebush exchanged glimpse with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me recount you,"Amanda said.

"cypher won, Al,"Rose said.

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

"About forty-five minutes into the match, Fred and Calluna vulgaris ran onto the pitch-"

"The catch lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

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

"Bagman left the sales talk and had a really long talk with all the headmasters and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the mate was called off and told everyone to return to their vulgar rooms.

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

"Why did they holler it off ?"John asked.

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

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

"well, they were,"mat muttered.

"I know,"Rose agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and ling. I 'm sure they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told someone sooner. They found out Linda 's a vampire and now the integral school day knows."

"How did they count on it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and Calluna vulgaris were sixth long time, they would n't have heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

"They 've been trying to figure it out all year,"rose wine explained,"And since they 're impertinent, they figured it out."

"But what about the match ?"Albus asked.

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

"cancel the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"Cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the altogether year on that tourney ! Do you know how much sentence I 've spent on the Quidditch pitch this year ? more metre than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to cancel the bloody tournament ?"

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

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

"I know,"rosiness replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

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

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

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to distinguish everyone else about Balladanis later on in the good afternoon. ma'am Pomfrey matt out refused to let any of them leave the infirmary Wing, so she agreed to lock the door and go to her written report while Harry explained. Matt 's dad was there as well.

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

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

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

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

"We 're not going to give up,"Harry said,"We 'll go on negotiating with them."

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

Albus reached over to his bedside tabular array, where brothel keeper Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the late Night. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

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

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

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

He spent a few transactions trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the grammatical case of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is amazing. I would love to contribution the story with my sidekick. Perhaps I could stick in you to him at the World Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be all right. Perhaps I will eventually tell him as well."

******

Albus wanted aught more than to be allowed out of the Hospital fender in time to go to dinner that dark. He was sure Professor Kendrick would make some sort of announcement about the tournament and he did not want to escape it.

After a full ten minutes of begging on his region ( helped out by matte, John, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state to allow for the ward. Albus thought this was absurd because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a sling ? That should n't barricade him from eating dinner party with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a quiet meal in the hospital extension and wait anxiously for Rose and Amanda to secern him what Kendrick said.

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

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

"Merlin !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to strike down it ? Could n't they just unfit Australia ?"

"No,"Rose shook her head,"To do that Hogwarts would accept to spiel New York in another final."

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

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

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you find better, I 'm pretty for sure Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't hold been here,"blush wine pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred household period to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the star sign had people on the teams, so that does n't really help,"Albus muttered.

"Well,"rosebush grinned,"I know one thing that 'll cheer you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was zilch that could embolden him up.

"There were Quidditch scouts at that mate,"rosebush told him,"And even though the match was black, they did obtain someone they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

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

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

"Yup, she 's their raw stockpile steward,"rosiness said,"She says Uncle Hotspur 's not imprint. He wanted her to work at the Ministry. She does n't care what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Walker Percy 's got mickle of early kidskin to act upon at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"John said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"Matt grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the cannon,"john groaned.

"She 's just happy to be on a team,"rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be able to make her way up to a better one."

"pigeon hawk, I hope so,"John the Divine shrugged.

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

"Only one I know for sure of,"pink wine said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle squash racket, but I do n't make out for sure."

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

******

gentlewoman Pomfrey reluctantly let the boys leave the adjacent day after breakfast. She did n't really have a choice since exam began that day. Albus felt perfectly o.k. and was quite well-chosen to get out the property.

blush wine handed him a copy of the seer as soon as he and the former boy reached the common room. Albus took it, happy that he had a few minute before his first exam to read the article that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN schooling CHEATS- tournament CANCELED

After a startling find made by two Hogwarts
students, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack Academy of
Magic, and the Australian School of black magic
has been canceled.

The tournament 's final exam Quidditch friction match was
interrupted this yesteryear Sat by two Hogwarts
6th years, Fred Weasley and Heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the entire
tournament.

A few month ago, allegation were brought upon
the Australian squad after their searcher, Linda
esprit de corps, 14, flew at an exceptionally fasting speed.
An investigation found nothing. The tourney
continued.

Fred and Calluna vulgaris Weasley accused Linda team spirit
of being a vampire. Vampires are outlawed
from playing on master Quidditch squad due
to the unfair advantage they have.

The peer was immediately stopped while all three
headmasters questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

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

Killigan, Morales, and the rest of the Australian
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts tardy
on Sabbatum, declining to address with any of our
reporters.

Tournament official as well as the former two
master have decided to scrub the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

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

"Killigan is an moron,"Albus said.

"Look at the following article,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON vertebral column IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final Quidditch compeer was ending in tragedy
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry
Potter 's midriff small fry, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus potter, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and John the Evangelist Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, Head of the department of the regularization
and Control of Magical animal in Australia.

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

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

All four son have recovered from the trial by ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the year examinations
at Hogwarts. Harry ceramist has declined comment.

"Well, that 's not a very informative clause,"Albus said as he tossed the paper onto a nearby table.

"I do n't consider they can report much,"rosebush said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to prevent tranquility about Lubar in restitution for giving him some variety of punishment.

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

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

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

The week after exam was a unknown one for Albus. There was nothing left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. Rose and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the male child, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

thing were different, though. Both rosiness and Amanda were a lot quieter than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no idea whether she had said goodbye to them, or even if she 'd had the probability.

Matt was lost in his own thoughts to the highest degree of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went total evening without saying two words to anyone, something that usually only happened around full moon moons. However, the next full lunar month was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

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

privy and Kaden remained as boisterous as ever and did not appear to be fazed by what had happened in Australia. They spent their week pulling caper and playing endless biz of Exploding ginger snap that Albus occasionally joined in on.

Albus himself was quieter. His thinker was racing with thought of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the articles ever mentioned Balladanis, but he knew that was because Balladanis 's job had to remain a hole-and-corner. He wished more than anything that Lubar would get thrown in prison house, whether it was Azkaban or Australia 's prison.

******

The train ride back to London was subdued, the only disturbance being John and Kaden 's Exploding piece of cake cards. Albus and matt both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a missive finally night,"Rose said, breaking the silence.

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

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

"To go to schoolhouse ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her question,"She 's been through schooling a couple times already. She was n't even a student at the Aboriginal Australian school. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing Seeker for them. He 's a really nasty bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

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

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

"This unanimous yr has been so messed up,"John sighed,"I hope next year 's better."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

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

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

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

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

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

"Good point,"Gospel According to John agreed.

"Let me recognise when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

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

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

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

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"animation in tent, no electrical energy, no magic either since we 're all underage."

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

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

"It 's ok,"lustrelessness shrugged,"Just do n't go during a full moon. I do n't need any of you having to fall in me in the Shrieking Shack next year."

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

The remainder of the trip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sort of returning to normal. It was almost nice to discover John the Divine and Matt arguing about the shank again and Kaden arguing about football.

The train arrived in London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying adios to his friends, Albus left the place with his family feeling that just maybe life would be normal from then on. Well, maybe the summertime would be at least be formula. Albus could n't get his hopes up too high.


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

I am working on the fourth part story but it 'll be a patch before the first gear chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every former week at first, alternating calendar week with Beyond the Shadow. In the mean fourth dimension, if you want something new to read, I suggest checking out Remember the Cannons, which is a collab I worked on last year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley cannon and their downfall. It 's under the username The Golden stoolpigeon and is also in my favored tarradiddle so you can find out it that way.