Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up right before the whammy started flying. Realizing that he dropped his wand when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the footing. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby George W. Bush and watched.

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

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safety of the bush and shakily stood up. He reached the firing and was able to see who the other two wizards next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with daze all over again.

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

It was the other wizard that nearly caused Albus to pass out in shock. He was none former than prof Balladanis. What in the name of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and lustrelessness 's dad. But why ? Did n't matte 's dad hate Balladanis ?

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

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

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

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

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different patch at Lubar at the Sami time, but it was too late. 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 departure 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 mannequin and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his arms around his dad and the two of them hugged each early tightly.

"Al, thank Merlin,"Harry said.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of Saint John 's arm before pulling his own confused charge card cup out of his sac. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly confused, but did not have sentence 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 clump in the heart of the hospital extension. The interrogative of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts grounds was the least conjure enquiry on his mind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"But-"

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

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

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

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

******

The Montgomery Ward was muted when Albus woke up. It was completely nighttime outside, although Albus did n't have the fragile clue as to what day it was. toilet, flatness, and Kaden were either still unconscious or levelheaded asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since lady Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

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

Albus sat up and put his hired man to his chief. There was a bandage on the back of it. Another patch was wrapped around his powerful arm, although he could n't call in when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt exhausted.

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

"Hey, Al,"they said.

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

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

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

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

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and lead his dad out the doorway and up to the fifth part floor corridor. Harry did not ask a single interrogation as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate knight and turned to face up the diametrical wall.

Albus located the paw prints and touched his mitt 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 close year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a red ink for words.

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

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

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

"About a year,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend time here ?"Harry asked.

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

"Then it is the perfect 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 excuse to me what happened."

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

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

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

"Like a specter ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But standardised. It 's potential that since Voldemort split his soul so many times, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The Stone may demand the someone to be intact to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved ace can be brought back with the Harlan Fiske Stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not make love Voldemort ; they did not do it him. They wanted to bring him back for their own order of business,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to find 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 timberland for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it respectable if cipher 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 secern 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 account easier,"Harry said,"A little over a year ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to charter a Presuler to help obtain Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

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

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

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

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

"The Minister, Professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be good strategy to have him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would generate to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of course, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to plow teaching.

"This is all quite secretive, Al. I 'd prefer you did n't state anyone. I will be telling Matt, John, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right to know, but I do n't desire anyone else knowing about it."

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

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

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

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be cunning situation. Lubar is n't a British 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 give him to us to put on visitation. And since he 's one of their functionary, we 're not sure they 'll do either."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Being a Presuler is a arduous job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can name it difficult to have got a family. It 's not an easy way of life to go down. Not one I 'd choose for myself."

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

"There 's tidy sum of other things you could do that would put your dueling skills to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no need to decide now."

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

"wellspring, you should probably get back to the infirmary fender before dame Pomfrey notice you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

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

******

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

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

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to blab to him in secret,"Harry answered for him.

"You should bear asked me first !"dame Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs rest !"

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

"I do n't care if you 're the diplomatic minister of Magic !"ma'am Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing grade !"

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

"Fifteen minutes or so,"flatness answered.

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

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

"Very amusing,"Madam Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to catch some Z's a little while later and when he next woke up it was light out and brothel keeper Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

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

"It 's Billy Sunday, beloved, but it 's good afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd favour to have breakfast."

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

"Time zone change are unmanageable to adjust to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"Australia 's quite a few hours ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was sharp-set. When he thought about it, it must have been at least a day since he 'd consume anything.

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

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

"Is your dad going to tell us why Balladanis was with him when he came to keep open us ?"lav asked,"I mean, he 's had plenty of time."

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

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

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

"Who won the Quidditch compeer ?"Albus asked.

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

"Miss Weasley !"lady Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't lower your voice, you 'll have to go forth !"

"Sorry,"Rose turned back to Albus,"But you lot have got to tell us what happened !"

Albus launched into the intact tarradiddle, which took the beneficial part of a half hour to tell apart. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the whole thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the time Albus concluded.

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

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

"Merlin, Albus,"rosebush sighed,"How much hassle can you get into ?"

"It 's not my flaw,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you severalize us about the compeer ?"

Rose exchanged coup d'oeil with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me tell you,"Amanda said.

"cipher won, Al,"rosebush said.

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

"About xlv minute of arc into the match, Fred and Calluna vulgaris ran onto the pitch-"

"The lucifer lasted that long ?"matt asked.

"Yes,"rose said,"I do n't know why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo Bagman and started talking to him. nonentity could hear what they were saying. Then commercial traveler blew his whistle and they went into a time-out.

"travelling salesman left the pitch and had a really prospicient talk with all the master and skipper. Then Kendrick announced that the peer was called off and told everyone to return to their common rooms.

"Everyone was really furious of grade. 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 bid it off ?"John asked.

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

"We pushed our way to the front of the crowd and try what Fred and heather mixture were talking about. They were claiming that Commonwealth of Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"fountainhead, they were,"Matt muttered.

"I know,"blush wine agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and Heather. I 'm sure they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told someone sooner. They found out Linda 's a lamia and now the entire school knows."

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

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

"But what about the match ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to cancel the tourney, Albus,"pink wine said quietly.

"natural the tourney ?"Albus gasped,"Cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the unharmed year on that tourney ! Do you get it on how much clip I 've spent on the Quidditch tar this class ? Sir Thomas More time than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to scratch the bloody tourney ?"

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

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

"I know,"Rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

"Gone,"rosiness sighed,"Without a watchword. I have n't seen her or any of the Australian since the match. Killigan 's gone, too."

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

"I guess,"pink wine said,"Anyway, they 'll probably wee-wee an declaration about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my 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 tell everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. Madam Pomfrey savourless out refused to let any of them leave the hospital Wing, so she agreed to lock the door and go to her study while Harry explained. flatness 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the piece about why it was not all that advisable to turn 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 right now, he 's completely costless and in the clear,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to deport him, and they wo n't prosecute him in Australia either. To them, it 's like nothing 's happened."

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

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

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous 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 ambition of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside mesa, where Madam Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the previous Night. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a looking at of awe on his face.

"Falco columbarius '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 arcminute trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the case of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is amazing. I would love to part the tale with my brother. Perhaps I could enter you to him at the World Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be all right. Perhaps I will eventually severalise him as well."

******

Albus wanted zero more than to be allowed out of the Hospital fender in time to go to dinner that Nox. He was sure Professor Kendrick would stimulate some sort of declaration about the tournament and he did not want to miss it.

After a full ten minutes of begging on his part ( helped out by Matt, John Lackland, and Kaden ), lady Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state to exit the cellblock. Albus thought this was preposterous because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a slingback ? That should n't break him from eating dinner party with the relief of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a placid meal in the Hospital Wing and wait anxiously for Rose and Amanda to secernate him what Kendrick said.

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

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

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

"No,"rose wine shook her head word,"To do that Hogwarts would feature to wreak New York in another final."

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

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

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

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

"Yeah, well, all the business firm had people on the teams, so that does n't really help,"Albus muttered.

"fountainhead,"pink wine grinned,"I know one thing that 'll chirk up you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was nothing that could root on him up.

"There were Quidditch talent scout at that friction match,"Rose told him,"And even though the match was fatal, they did find someone they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Sakartvelo !"rosiness exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to fiddle for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

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

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

"Uncle Walker Percy 's got plenty of former Thomas Kid to influence 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 carom,"John Lackland groaned.

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

"pigeon hawk, I hope so,"John shrugged.

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

"Only one I know for sure of,"blush wine said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle at-bat, but I do n't cognize for sure."

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

******

Madam Pomfrey reluctantly let the boy leave the side by side day after breakfast. She did n't really have a pick since exams began that day. Albus felt perfectly fine and was quite happy to leave the place.

Rose handed him a written matter of the vaticinator as soon as he and the other boys reached the common room. Albus took it, happy that he had a few mo before his first exam to read the article that was inevitably there.

Australian SCHOOL CHEATS- TOURNAMENT CANCELED

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

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

A few months ago, allegation were brought upon
the Australian squad after their Seeker, Linda
morale, 14, flew at an exceptionally firm speed.
An investigation found nothing. The tourney
continued.

Fred and Scots heather Weasley accused Linda morale
of being a lamia. lamia are outlawed
from playing on professional person Quidditch squad due
to the unfair vantage they have.

The match was immediately stopped while all three
headmasters questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Australian
shoal of Sorcery admitted to allowing esprit de corps
to be the searcher of his team in order to win the
tournament. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, Morales, and the rest of the Aboriginal Australian
participating in the tourney left Hogwarts late
on Sabbatum, declining to talk with any of our
reporters.

Tournament officials as well as the former two
headmasters have decided to cancel the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

'It is regrettable that the tourney turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told reporter, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few years .'

"Killigan is an imbecile,"Albus said.

"Look at the next article,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON BACK IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final Quidditch match was ending in tragedy
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry
potter 's middle child, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus ceramicist, as well as first cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, read/write head of the Department of the regulating
and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia.

The four Hogwarts scholarly person were taken to Commonwealth of Australia
where Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is undecipherable 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 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 article,"Albus said as he tossed the report onto a nearby table.

"I do n't reckon they can account much,"rose wine said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to preserve unruffled about Lubar in payoff for giving him some sort of punishment.

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

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

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

The workweek after exam was a strange one for Albus. There was nothing left hand for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. Rose and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the son, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

Things were different, though. Both pink wine and Amanda were a lot muted than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no theme whether she had said goodbye to them, or even if she 'd had the prospect.

Matt was lost in his own thoughts most of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went entire evenings without saying two parole to anyone, something that usually only happened around full moons. However, the next entire moonshine was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was certainly 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.

John and Kaden remained as boisterous as ever and did not look to be fazed by what had happened in Australia. They spent their week pulling joke and playing endless game of Exploding Snap that Albus occasionally joined in on.

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

******

The train ride back to London was subdued, the entirely noise being John the Evangelist and Kaden 's Exploding Snap cards. Albus and Matt both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a letter last night,"Rose said, breaking the silence.

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

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to assure you that she was good-for-naught about the tourney,"rosebush told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a dissimilar country."

"To go to school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her forefront,"She 's been through school a twosome sentence already. She was n't even a student at the Australian school. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing Seeker for them. He 's a really nasty cuss. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

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

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

"This whole year has been so messed up,"John sighed,"I hope next twelvemonth 's better."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"We 've got the humanity Cup to look forward to, though,"Albus smiled.

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

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

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

"fountainhead, I 'd prefer Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! zippo can really deflower it,"Albus said.

"Good point,"John Lackland agreed.

"Let me know when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

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

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can know when to pay for you lot to my house. My dad said he 'd assume us camping."

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

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"Living in tent, no electricity, 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,"Matt answered,"That was the time I got bitten."

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

"It 's ok,"Matt shrugged,"Just do n't go during a entire moon. I do n't want any of you having to bring together 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 want to go anyway.

The remainder of the trip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were variety of returning to normal. It was almost nice to hear John and matte arguing about the Cannons again and Kaden arguing about football.

The wagon train arrived in Greater London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the program. After saying goodbye to his champion, Albus left the station with his family flavour that just maybe biography would be formula from then on. fountainhead, maybe the summer would be at least be normal. 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 awe-inspiring people who have read and reviewed this ! You Guy are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the one-quarter story but it 'll be a while before the first base chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every early week at first, alternating workweek with Beyond the Shadow. In the entail clip, if you want something new to read, I suggest checking out Remember the carom, which is a collab I worked on last year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley Cannons and their fall. It 's under the username The Golden snitcher and is also in my favorite stories so you can get hold it that way.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.

greenback : This is the fourth story in a series. I suggest reading them in order of magnitude, but it 's not necessary.



"Ouch, that was my foot !"

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

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

"They 're gruelling sleepers, do n't worry."

Albus Severus ceramist sighed to himself as he and two of his best friends neared the tent. John, whose ft had been trodden upon, was carrying a spray can of trounce cream, and Kaden, the one who had stepped on John 's foot, was brandishing a large owl feather. It had been Kaden 's idea to pull in a antic on his nine-year-old sister, Bethany, while she slept, and lavatory had been all too eager to participate. Albus personally thought it was dazed to prank someone whose parents were in the same tent, but Kaden had assured him that both of his parents could kip through anything.

It was their third and final Night of camping with Kaden 's family which was in Kaden 's opinion, the consummate clock time to pull a prank. After three days of being on their best deportment, the boy had successfully lured Dudley and Christina Dursley into a mistaken sense of security. wellspring, a false good sense of security when it came to them and Bethany, that is. The boys had pranked each other constantly throughout the trip-up. Albus had been pushed into the lake three times already, been snuck up upon in the Mrs. Henry Wood twice, and had a epistaxis nougat hidden in his dinner. He had gotten revenge by stealing both Kaden and John the Evangelist 's canoe boat paddle, leaving them stranded in the centre of the lake for a half hour.

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

"Is it midnight already ?"Kaden asked.

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

Kaden shrieked and John jumped backwards, bumping into Kaden and causing both of them to accrue over. Saint John the Apostle 's finger slipped and the whipped ointment came shooting out, covering both of them in the sugary substance. They were both shouting profanity and Albus smirked despite the fact that his heart was still hammering. Who was that ? He turned and saw none other than Bethany, standing with her implements of war folded across her chest, glaring at all three of the boys.

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

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

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

With one conclusion blaze at her brother, Bethany stalked off to the tent she shared with her parents, went inside it, and zipped it closed. Albus turned to his two gummy friends and burst out laughing. They were both sitting on the ground covered in a mixture of whipped emollient and scandal that was just visible by the light of Albus 's blowtorch. The two rarely had a prank backfire on them like that.

"Bloody niggling Sister,"Kaden muttered as he scrubbed the whipped cream off in the john a few minutes later.

"Yeah,"toilet agreed as he tried to get the whipped cream out of his haircloth by sticking his head in the sinkhole."Why do they own to be such a annoyance ?"

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

"You two are golden you 've only got one,"John pointed out."Try sustenance with three."

"I 've got enough cousins to make up for it,"Albus said.

"lusterlessness 's the lucky one, then,"John said as he pulled his top dog out of the sump and shake off the water out."He has n't got any little sister or little cousins."

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

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

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

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

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

Albus smiled. result it to Kaden to bespeak out the obvious. Yes, there would 've been a lunation. Currently the moon was in its new moon phase and was not seeable in the sky.

The son made it back to their collapsible shelter and climbed into their dormancy grip. Albus was n't in the to the lowest degree bit banal, so he did n't bother turning off his torch. John the Divine pulled out a pack of Exploding Snap lineup, figuring that since it was the dead of night, no Muggles would notice.

"What should we do tomorrow ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Canoeing ?"Albus suggested.

The other two boys glared at him."Only if you promise not to steal our boat paddle,"whoremonger muttered.

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

"It was coldness !"Kaden shouted indignantly.

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

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

Albus and St. John the Apostle both groaned loudly, but knew they 'd be spending their last day playing football game with Kaden. It was his birthday after all, so it was only honest that he piece the day 's activities. Albus only wished that they did n't include football.
******


The two weeks that separated the camping trip and the Quidditch World Cup seemed to haul on forever. They reminded Albus of History of Magic and he was sure that length of time was longer than two week, but his calendar told him otherwise. Nothing particularly energize happened during that span of fourteen days ; the highlighting being three Hogwarts missive being delivered to issue 12 Grimmauld berth. All three letters contained al-Qur'an lists and to nobody 's surprise, James 's did not contain a Prefect 's badge. Cedric and Ben had not received the badge either, but James 's friend Nathan had. William James supposed Neville had to beak someone and Nathan was the least impish of the fifth year Gryffindor boys.

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

Speaking of Sakartvelo, she had begun her training with the Kenmare Kestrals shortly after commencement and planned to strike into a flat close to their lurch very soon. Apparently Hotspur had been dropping not-so-subtle pinch about getting her an internship at the Ministry instead of playing professional Quidditch and she was sick of it. It was still a touchy study with both Percy and Empire State of the South, so much so that Albus was n't even sure if Sakartvelo was going to go to the annual before school Weasley dinner. Albus thought it was rather unintelligent of Walker Percy to be arguing about it since it was Georgia 's life and she was good at Quidditch.

Albus spent nigh of the two calendar week at rose wine 's house, although it was not Rose whom he was spending metre with. Hugo was planning on trying out for the available Keeper position on Gryffindor 's squad and needed Albus to thrust Quaffles at him while he tried to protect the finish. Unfortunately Victor Hugo was not very good, but he was improving, even if it was at a very slow pace. Hugo was also quite sore with Lily over her choosing Ashtyn to take to the Cup, which somehow caused him to want to exercise Quidditch nearly twenty-four/seven.

By the time the day finally arrived to leave for the Cup, Albus was getting quite ill of throwing Quaffles at Hugo and was even nursing a sore arm. He was very grateful for the break that going to the Cup would provide. Albus 's crime syndicate was scheduled to make it at the campsite near the pitch the day before the couple, which was not bad at all. Some mass had to come as much as a calendar week beforehand.

"When is matt getting there ?"john asked Albus as they sat in Albus 's room, packing for the trip. John had arrived the previous day and somehow all of his stuff had been scattered throughout Albus 's elbow room despite his only having been there for XXIV hours.

"He 's already there, I think,"Albus answered, remembering the letter mat had sent him the previous week.

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

"He 's not camping,"Albus said, deciding that the wind cone whoremonger had was his and snatched it away, stuffing it in his bag."His uncle lives in New York, so they 're staying there and Apparating to the Cup right before."

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

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

"Are any of your other first cousin going ?"trick asked.

"I think Empire State of the South 's going with her teammates, but early than her, no. King James picked Nathan because he did n't require to choose between Cedric and Ben."

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

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

"Is he going to be Gryffindor 's adjacent Keeper ?"

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

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

"Nope, I do n't think so.

"Are you boys ready ?"Harry asked as he popped his head into the room.

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

"Not far, just outside of John Griffith Chaney,"Harry replied."There 's an shadow and Floo post nearby, so we wo n't birth to walk much."

A few minute of arc later the Potters were congregated in the sitting room, along with John the Divine, Ashtyn, and Nathan. Everyone was going to Floo because Harry and Ginny could n't side-along Apparate six nipper between the two of them. Harry had been right ; the Portkey was only a short ways away from the Apparition and Floo station, and in no meter they were standing in a small-scale clearing searching for the Portkey. Lily was the one who found it, hiding behind one of the lone bushes. It was an old deflated football that looked to have teeth marks in it.

"When 's it leaving ?"Lily asked.

"In about five min,"Harry said as he checked his watch."Remember, Lake Ontario, Canada, is five time of day behind us, so when we get there it will be around eleven o'clock in the morning."

cipher else had been assigned to this special Portkey, so five minutes later the ceramist, john, Ashtyn, and Nathan disappeared from the field. Albus thought the journey lasted much longer than a normal Portkey trip, but that made sentience since they were going all the way to Canada.

They landed in another lowly clearing and once Albus steadied himself, he could see a fleet of tents in the distance. Directly in straw man of them was a diminished wooden building that bore a polarity that read 'Lakeside Park- Camping Office'. He looked around for a lake, but did n't see one.

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

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

"And maybe you wo n't put nasty sweet in my food anymore."

"Ca n't relieve oneself any promises,"John grinned.

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

"Memory magical spell,"Harry whispered to the son. He walked up to the feller and set a while of newspaper publisher down on the desk."Campsite reservation for Potter. Two nights."

"Potter, Potter,"the bloke muttered as he began to type on something that Albus was pretty sure was called a computer."You 're situation 43. Be deliberate, judgment you, there 's a lot of odd masses camping this week."

"Thanks,"Harry replied.

Campsite 43 did n't seem to be anywhere near the trivial wooden building so Albus and the others had to walk through most of the camping area to find their site. A minute into the walk Albus realized why the Muggle in the building needed so many storage charms. It did n't appear like anybody was trying to hold back deception. The Cup was between Soviet Union and Italy and it was very obvious who was rooting for whom.

The Italians had red, unripened, and whiten collapsible shelter, some of which had the existent iris design on the sides. One radical had a cauldron boiling over a green and red fire and there was a whizz pouring pasta into it.

"Who cooks alimentary paste on a tenting stumble ?"Harry muttered as they passed."No wonder that bloke thinks something funny 's going on."

The Russians were n't any better since their tents were also adorned with flagstone and some had even littered the surrounding priming with magic fake Baron Snow of Leicester. Since it was at least seventy-five grade, Albus thought that was slightly unusual.

Albus only saw a few other people he knew. Damien and Kate Waverly from the Ravenclaw Quidditch team were at campsite identification number 35 and he also saw a Hufflepuff whom he recognized but did n't remember the name of. Most of the mass appeared to be Russian, Italian, Canadian, or American. Albus figured that was since the Cup was so far away from Britain. near British people would n't go see the Cup in Canada if they did n't really bear out Soviet Union or Italian Republic. Albus did n't support either squad, but his dad had gotten free slate.

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

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

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

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

"My dad had just the ticket,"Albus replied.

"Oh, right,"the boy said, craning his neck to see Harry, who was a few meters away."Your dad 's Harry ceramicist. Learned about him in History of illusion a few years ago."

"Shame about the match,"William James said, clearly wanting to steer the conversation away from Harry."That Australian headmaster is dirty cheater."

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

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

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

"Who ?"James I asked.

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

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

The New Yorkers went to eat lunch and Albus and the others continued their trek to campsite 43. It was situated in a small clearing of trees, next to a group of Canadian mavin and a rather yobo radical of Italians. Harry and Ginny had the tent up in no prison term with help from Nathan, who was Muggle-born. James I and Nathan each made a immediate sandwich and then went off to explore. Lily and Ashtyn begged to be allowed to do the Lapplander, but both Harry and Ginny insisted that they stay at the encampment.

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

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

"We will,"Albus assured her.

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

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

"I am not canoeing with you."

"Suit yourself."

Albus and John did not find the lake, but after walking around the campsite for about an hour, they eventually came upon Linda. She was at a smallish camping area that contained a blue tent that actually looked like it could belong to a Muggle. Linda was reading a book at the picnic table while another witch was bent over a ardor and she turned when she heard the boys arrive. She was quite beautiful, with farsighted dark hair like Linda's.

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

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

"Do you have it off them ?"the other crone asked.

"They 're from Hogwarts,"Linda replied. The crone raised her supercilium."It 's fine,"Linda said."I 'll be back soon."

Albus was very surprised that Linda so willingly decided to walk with them and he shared a feeling with Saint John the Apostle before they set off along the course. All three were quiet for about ten mo before Linda spoke.

"I just want you to live that I 'm sorry about the catch,"she said quietly."I did n't want to do it. I do n't even normally go to school. It 's rather pointless since I 've been through schooltime three multiplication already. The headmaster insisted I play and said if I did n't he 'd get some sort of law passed to make my sprightliness miserable."

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

"Oh, your Quaker lusterlessness ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered.

"Is he here ?"Linda asked.

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

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

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

"That 's insane,"John replied.

It was foreign, Albus thought, how the previous year none of the boy had really liked Linda because they were afraid she would unwrap that flatness was a werewolf, yet she was being blackmailed by Killigan the whole sentence. Now, she seemed nice.

The conversation moved from Killigan to the forthcoming match and who they thought would win. Linda, like Albus and John, was rooting for Italia and they all agreed that Russia did n't stand a chance. They circled the bivouac and made it back to Linda 's encampment. Her mother was talking with a wizard who was camping in the next site over.

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

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

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



A/N : And so the fourth story begins ! I 'm hoping to update this once a month. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed the premature stories !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Neither of the male child slept much that nighttime. This was partly due to excitement about the catch and partly due to the fact that Harry and Ginny sent Lily and Ashtyn to the boys'tent after the two of them refused to go down down. Albus, John the Evangelist, Saint James the Apostle, and Nathan complained loudly about the addition of the girl in their tent, but Harry and Ginny were adamant. Saint James and Nathan decided to tell scary stories in a vain attempt to pall Lily and Ashtyn back into the adults'tent, but both girls were now too old to get that scared.

The succeeding day was like to the previous day and Albus and Saint John the Apostle spent it trying to line up the lake, but had no luck. John was lamenting the fact that the campground was called"lakeshore"when there clearly was no lake around so often that Albus wished there was a lake just so he could push Saint John the Apostle into it. Both male child begged Harry and Ginny to let them go to New York to see Matt, but had no luck. Harry and Ginny said they could see lustrelessness later that nighttime at the match.

Dusk finally arrived and people began to trek through the woods to the pitch. Albus did n't have the little mind how far away it was, but it seemed farther than the manner of walking from the Whomping willow tree to the screaming shack or from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Once they finally did make it, it seemed amazing that Muggles did n't notice it. The delivery was huge ; that was the only word for it. There were more witches and sorcerer congregated in one place than Albus had ever seen in his life and more were coming up behind him.

whoremonger had brought two duo of his omnioculars but the group had to stop while James, Nathan, and Lily each purchased a duet. Ashtyn had stolen a duet of John 's, apparently without him knowing. Ginny quickly steered them all away from a pair adept who were taking wager.

A Young wizard standing near the entrance asked to see their tag and then guide them eminent and higher in the stands until they reached one of the top boxes. There were fourteen chairs lined up in two rows, six of which were already occupied. flatness and his parents took up half of those chairperson ; in the other three sat two wizards and a witch Albus did not know.

"Matt !"Albus shouted. He and John the Evangelist immediately took the two arse to Matt 's right while Harry and Ginny greeted his parents.

"Albus, whoremonger !"Matt replied."This is splendid !"

"Yeah it is ! flavor how high up we are !"John Lackland said excitedly."Best seats ever !"

"Oh, this is my Uncle Jack,"matt said, gesturing to one of the wizards Albus did n't acknowledge. He looked a lot like matte 's dad, only with to a lesser extent grayness hair and far fewer wrinkles."Uncle diddly-squat, this is Albus and John."

"So you 're the ones who keep getting matt into trouble."jackass grinned.

"That 's more than Kaden and John than Albus,"mat pointed out.

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

"What ? !"Matt exclaimed.

"He stole our canoe paddles. We had to float back."

"This was after lav and Kaden pushed me into the lake multiple fourth dimension,"Albus said.

"Makes sense to me."Matt shrugged.

About a one-half time of day later, during which Albus was introduced to the other witch and genius in their box ( Canadian Ministry officials ) and then promptly forgot their name calling, the equal finally began.

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

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

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

"expression as old as Aberforth Dumbledore,"lusterlessness muttered.

"Probably belongs to him,"John pointed out.

"Let 's kick in a affectionate welcome to spud the Mouflon !"the observer shouted."Murphy has been with the Russian Quidditch team for nearly twenty years and is beloved by the entire team. Irish potato has been trained to do a variety of tricks ...."

The commentator droned on as tater slowly climbed through what looked like a goal Wiley Post not on the post and caught a Quaffle in his mouth. Albus thought the whole show was kind of odd and the mussitation in the box by the residuum of its occupants told him his public opinion was shared.

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

"It 's a wild sheep,"Lily explained."Although this one is obviously not wild. In fact, it seems kind of nasty to establish him perform illusion like that at his age."

The Italian mascots were the gross opposite word. As soon as the Russian team left the delivery with Murphy the Mouflon, a very heavy number of sorcerer dressed in what looked same armored gown stepped onto the field. As they stepped aside, they revealed a batting cage containing three chimeras.

"Bloody hell !"John exclaimed.

"How can they institute chimeras into a Quidditch peer for Falco columbarius 's sake ?"Ginny shouted."They 're severe !"

"They 're being handled by pro chimera handler,"Mr. Eckerton explained."And the Canadian Head of the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures is here. They had to clear it with all the Ministries of John Major countries first."

All the disappointment about the mouflon disappeared when Albus saw the coach taking the chimeras out. Each one was attached to a thick metallic element mountain range and controlled by two coach. They roared and lunged at each other and at the assorted officials and reviewer standing on the sidelines.

Albus 's eyes were glued to his omnioculars during the total functioning, which must not birth lasted Sir Thomas More than ten minutes. During those ten arcminute the chimaeras tried to wipe out no LE than five of the coach and had scared one of the referees into the changing rooms. Meanwhile the observer was keeping up a steady current of chimaera information and chronicle. Apparently Chimaera had a hanker story in Rome.

The grownup in the room ( with the possible exception of Jack ) let out a corporate sigh of assuagement when the Chimaera were put back in their cages and moved to the by-line while St. James, Nathan, Albus, John, and Matt groaned. Even Ashtyn and Lily seemed slightly disappointed with their disappearance.

However, Albus soon nearly forgot about the Chimera ( it was out of the question to completely draw a blank about them as they roared every time a player got near them ) since the mates started right after they left. The reviewer announced the names of the thespian, but Albus could n't keep on any of them straight because they were flying far too fast. This Quidditch was intense, far more acute than any of the League compeer he had been to.

The Quaffle exchanged hands faster than the commentator could say the names of the chaser and the Bludgers were being sent after player after actor. The searcher were staying out of the way, which seemed like a in force idea to Albus since one of the Italian Chasers was injured only fifteen minutes into the match.

Epistle of James kept up his own running comment as well, much to the annoyance of Albus and everyone else. He constantly named the swordplay and critiqued the way the Russian quester sat on his broom.

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

"He 's not going to catch the Snitch with that posture,"James muttered before looking through his omnioculars.

As it turned out, Henry James was right. An hr later the Italian Seeker pulled into a prima donna and came back up with the struggling winged egg in his grasp. The entire box stood up and cheered, especially John who did n't like Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 's Quidditch team. Albus did n't follow either team, but he supposed if he had had to prefer, he would 've chosen Italy. Italy won with 520 points. Russian Federation had 430. Both teams had played incredibly well.

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

Albus ignored him. James IV would be bragging about this for the succeeding two months.

"You should fare stay with me in New York,"Matt said as they reached the encampment.

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

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

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

"Yeah, definitely,"Matt replied.

Albus and John said good-by to Matt and watched as he left with his parents to go Apparate back to the border.

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

"And when that mouflon got onto the pitch !"Nathan shouted."And the chimaeras went testicle ? I thought they were going to turn tail !"

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

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

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

"I 'm just trying to expand my knowledge of the early placement because I 'm going to be Gryffindor 's captain next year after Fred graduates."

Albus snorted."What makes you so sure ?"

"I 've been on the team since second year, I 'll be the old next twelvemonth, and I 'm a proficient leader,"James replied.

"They do n't always plunk the sometime,"Albus pointed out."And Omar Nelson Bradley and Ryan are one-time than you."

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

"male child,"Ginny warned.

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

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

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

"You 're not one to spill, James,"Ginny said."Notice your varsity letter did not contain a Prefect 's badge this year."

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

James was interrupted by a loud crack that sounded like person Apparating or a offset breakage. Lily shrieked and Harry stood with his verge out. There was a rustle in the Sir Henry Joseph Wood behind them and a figure lumbered out.

He stepped forward and the lightness from the firing illuminated his font, which was old and wrinkled. There was barely a fuzz on his question and he walked with an obvious limp. Adorned in a very old, very disgusting looking brown cloak, he did not appear to have showered in recent history.

"'Arry ceramicist,"he croaked. His representative did n't vocalize like it had been used in Holocene epoch story, either. His stress was not Canadian, nor was it British or Australian."A word."

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

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

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

"Yer in trouble, potter,"he said."An'not just 'bout what 'appened two months ago."

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

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

"Who are you ?"Harry asked.

"Not important,"he said and turned to go back into the forest."Good luck, Potter,"he said before disappearing completely.

"That was weird,"Gospel According to John said."How in the name of pigeon hawk can an election be bad for you ?"

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

Harry laughed."Definitely not. I reckon that bloke is off his rock 'n' roll musician. I would n't occupy about it."

Ginny insisted they get to bed shortly after the strange bloke left since they had to get up early the adjacent cockcrow to take in their Portkey. Albus laid awake thinking about the stranger long after John, James, and Nathan fell asleep. His dad may hold said not to vex about it, but is n't that what all Church Father say when they do n't want their sons to worry about something, even if it is desirable of trouble ?
******


Early was an understatement for the clip they had to get up the adjacent morning. Ginny was waking them up when the sun was barely above the horizon. Apparently everyone had to exit the campground before Muggles checked in, which meant everyone in the entire bivouac was rushing about resulting in general chaos. Eventually the Potters managed to locate their Portkey and get back to John Griffith Chaney. When they arrived it was five 60 minutes later because of the time change, yet all Albus wanted to do was crawl back in bed, which is exactly what he did. John fell asleep right on Albus 's trading floor without any sort of cover or pillow.

trick spent two more daylight at Albus 's house, during which they went to Diagon Alley, along with Kaden, and spent to the highest degree of their time speculating on who the new Defense teacher would be. Harry told them that he would not be returning, much to their displeasure, but he was sure Kendrick would find out a suitable replacement. Albus was not too trusted about this since Kendrick 's endure replacement turned out to be insane yet still up to of catching malign wizards. whoremonger left the day of the yearbook before school Weasley family dinner party because his family was going to visit his cousin, much to trick 's dismay.

The before school dinner was one of two prison term that Albus 's entire extended category got together for a repast. The relief of the year everyone was either in school or too busy to undertake the consequence. However, Albus 's grandmother, Molly, insisted that they all spend an evening together before all the kids went off to school day. Albus loved it because there was always delicious nutrient and multiple secret plan of Quidditch. Albus was not surely how much longer everyone would look, though, now that his quondam cousins were graduating and getting task. Victoire was still in therapist education and shift was in Auror education. Stanley was in Romania studying Draco, just as his begetter had done. Georgia of row was engaged with grooming for the Kenmare Kestrals and Albus was indisputable it would n't be long until she was playing for England. Gabriella, much to her parents'dismay, said she did not have it away what she wanted to do with her aliveness and was spending her days painting pictures of the sea in social movement of their cottage rather than working at the internship nib had secured for her at Gringotts. The following yr, Fred and Heather would fine-tune and it would n't be long after that more of the Weasley cousins were out of Hogwarts than were in Hogwarts. Angie, Fred 's little sister, was just starting Hogwarts that year.

This was not the year that people began to not be able to bear witness up, though. Each and every appendage of the Weasley and potter fellowship were going to be there, else face the wrath of mollie Weasley. Albus almost felt sorry for the first of his cousins to birth to work on the day the dinner was scheduled. It certainly would n't be him because he still had more than half his Hogwarts calling left.

dinner, of row, was a relative term. the great unwashed started showing up at the tunnel shortly after lunch time and did not get out until ten or eleven at nighttime. Albus 's parents chose to show up around two, so that Ginny could facilitate Molly with the cookery. When they arrived they found that placard, Fleur, Charlie, Katherine, and their Thomas Kid were already there. Fleur and Katherine were helping in the kitchen while Bill and Charlie set up table in the backyard. Chester Alan Arthur was tinkering with some sort of Muggle device in the den.

St. James immediately hailed Ben and the two of them disappeared up to one of the bedchamber, no doubt to be after some variety of prank. Heather was in the backyard, already on a broom, with Eddie trailing after her on an old broom that was lagging. Gabriella and Mark were sitting in the den pretending to take heed to Arthur 's commentary on whatever he was taking apart. Albus, who really had nil to do until Rose arrived, wandered around the business firm and K with Lily, until his female parent hailed him to chop carrots, the Muggle way of course.

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

Percy was donned in very envision midnight blue sky robes which struck Albus as very odd since everyone else was wearing effortless robes or Muggle dress. But Percy was always slightly odd.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I suppose he can hope Samantha or lindy hop will try for a Ministry career,"rose wine joked, pointing to the two monovular red-haired girls playing tag with Eddie, who had abandoned his broom.

"He better not,"GA muttered."They 're too vernal to have his dreams forced upon them. They 're not even in Hogwarts yet."

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

Georgia 's eyes lit up."Oh it 's howling ! I mean, I have n't gotten to play in a real match yet but it 's really something to be able to play Quidditch every day of your life and get paid for it. One of the Beaters, the daughter I 'm getting a matte with, says I 'm a shoe-in for a permanent steward billet once their steward gets drafted for England. There 's been talk that he will be and I would n't be surprised since he 's the honorable player on the team."

"Oi, GA !"Epistle of James shouted as he crossed the G, followed by Ben and Cedric."Want to get a compeer going ?"

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

"Sure,"Albus answered.

Albus set off towards the sign of the zodiac to locate his Scots heather, which he had brought, the altogether time thinking how lucky he was that Harry would support whatever career he chose to get into. He liked his Uncle Percy well enough, but he could n't imagine being told he should n't do what he most wanted to do with his life.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
Weasley Family tree is in the Author 's Note at the bottom.


Molly Weasley did n't defy wait on dinner until after the Quidditch compeer had been completed because even she did n't give the ability to drag Weasleys away from Quidditch. teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out James 's grasp and then everyone was off their ling and sitting at the orotund crowd of mesa in record clock time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very skilful modality as he had been on shift 's team.

Albus and rosiness sat next to each early in the middle of the group of tables and unfortunately Hotspur sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Percy due to his habit of talking politics during dinner party, something that even bored Rose. The two of them looked at each early as Sir Henry Percy sat down and Albus readied himself for political conversation rather than Quidditch talk.

"I 'm telling you,"Percy said to no one in peculiar as he served himself some carrots,"something 's going to happen. I guarantee it. It 's been too quiet in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought things would get a bit riled up in conclusion year when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had similar opinion. More similar than I expected anyway ..."

Leave it to Percy to try and find something wrong with the Ministry when all was fine, Albus thought. He reached over Rose to catch a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping luck onto his plate.

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

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

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

Albus was n't exactly sure what his uncle Percy actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the Minister, but his existent title of respect was so long and complicated that Albus never bothered to recollect it.

"Well, it 's an election year,"Hotspur pointed out."Things never stay quiet during election twelvemonth. Party annunciation come first week of Sep and after that things will be chaotic around the Ministry. scores of work to do. Let me assure you, when I run for Minister-"

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

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

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

"wellspring, as a issue of fact."Percy stood up."I have a rather energise announcement to establish and I feel I must recite my phratry first, before the residual of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for spectacular effect."I will be formally announcing on Mon, September second that I will be running for Minister for April 's election."

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

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

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

"And you 're a fine good one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being diplomatic minister. You just do n't take in the ambition Sir Henry Percy does,"molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

gold was exchanging manpower at the other end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some kind of bet involving when Harry Hotspur would run for Minister. That bet must make been in the kit and caboodle for years.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

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

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

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

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

So that 's what Percy 's form of address was, Albus thought. He had no idea if that was a position that had a lot of king or not, but apparently it was enough to take in sustenance for a Minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"GA shouted from a little way of life down the table."I figure this is as good a clip as any to tell you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

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

"Moving out. You know, leaving the nest. I 've got a level with a friend closer to the pitch. It 'll be more commodious, for work."

"oeuvre,"Percy muttered."If Quidditch can be considered work."

"spirit, I know how these elections work. You 're going to want to make yourself look like a family man, so you 're not going to require to deliberate me your unhinged girl who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd better get going thought of me as your girl who 's the newest reserve Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll go better to the press."

Percy stared at her with his back talk agape. He shook his head slightly and resumed eating, without another word to Georgia. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that little argument.

Albus turned to rosebush and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to make Percy 's running for minister work to her reward.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus and Rose did n't adventure talking about Lubar for the rest of the evening. for certain, the rest of their family fuck about what had happened but neither of them wanted to discuss their possibility with any of them.

The rest of the evening was rather out of character for usual Weasley family dinner. All the previous years'dinner party had consisted of talking of Hogwarts and the adults exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the first fourth dimension would get a fair bit of attention, but this year Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attention was focused on Percy. The adult were talking government and Albus 's older cousins were placing bets on whether he 'd win or not.

Henry M. Stanley was the first to leave behind as he had to go back to Roumania the following morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their twelvemonth in Roumania and had returned to England permanently the previous month. Victoire and Teddy left shortly after that since they both had to bring the next day.

Percy was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were minuscule and he had to make believe he was concern in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was time to give. For the first time in his life, he was actually happy to leave alone and get back to Grimmauld Place. The before school dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a clock time to have fun all together before school started, and this time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some CVA of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the potter before, James had packed his trunk the dark before they left for schoolhouse. Albus was indisputable that some sort of apocalypse was going to get soon because Sir Henry Percy running for Minister and the ceramicist arriving early for the Hogwarts limited were two consequence that nobody ever thought would befall. Albus did n't question it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at program 9 ¾ prior to going through the barrier, was not early, so the ceramist went through without him. Rose and her household were already there of course, so Albus said a prompt bye to his parents before getting on the gear to find rose. With any luck his friends would n't be there yet and he could utter to Rose alone. Usually there was cipher he would n't talk to his friends about, but the unusual feeling he had had about his mob was something he only wanted to talk to rosiness about.

rosiness was alone in a compartment about halfway down the caravan, reading one of her new school text. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't have the slightest approximation what any of the symbol in it meant. He chose the tail end side by side to her and waited for her to be done reading whatever it was she was deciphering.

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

"Saint James the Apostle packed hold up nighttime,"Albus answered.

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

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

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three old age, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the same fourth dimension. I know they 're really stupid when it comes to dueling but I think they 're sassy than anyone 's giving them credit for. affair are going to deepen, Al. The human race 's getting scarier,"Rose said quietly.

Albus swallowed severely. That was in the dorsum of his mind of line, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to talk to Rose about.

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

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

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

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

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

"I do n't know. I do n't think things will switch political-wise but I think it 's going to be really weird for Georgia and Bradley and Cedric. Even the twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most important person in the wizarding world has got to be stressful."

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

"Harry Hotspur would n't stand a chance."

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

"Things never stay the same, Al,"rose wine said.

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

"I think we 'll just have to distribute with your murder, John the Divine, because that mark is not getting any in high spirits,"blush wine replied.

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

"Nothing,"Rose said quickly.

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

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

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

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

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

"Not going to work,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the early incline of rose."You ca n't get into someone else 's common room unnoticed."

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

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

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

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

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

"Seriously ?"John the Divine replied.

"Cool !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"matte asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"It 's our kin,"rose said quietly."Uncle Sir Henry Percy is so focused on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Georgia 's got it all figured out. Harry Hotspur 's going to pretend he 's completely happy with her Quidditch playacting just to have himself seem like a family line man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's stupid,"St. John said."Georgia 's not going to wish that."

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

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

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

"You, rosebush, and Matt are n't the only if ones of us who have house in political science,"Amanda said.

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

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

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

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

"So if Sir Henry Percy wins ...,"Albus began, his voice trailing off.

"He 'll forgather my Uncle Mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, GA does have it all figured out. If Book gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch playacting, it 's going to come off ill-timed in the press and lose him votes. So, he 'll keep it to himself and will be in the battlefront row of every exclusive one of her friction match, pretending to be a huge Kenmare Kestrals fan."

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

"It 's politics from the former side. The world wants people in power to accept a certain image."

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

"My cousin Leanne went a little waste at university her first year, our first-class honours degree year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photo of her and put it on the binding of some yellow journalism, but that was the only one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not comparable Sakartvelo 's partying. She 's got Quidditch skills and is using them to make an honest keep,"pink wine pointed out.

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

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

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

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

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but lustrelessness was right. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before Matt mentioned that. And now the Saame affair was happening with his class. Percy was going to pretend and while that did n't really directly effect him, how long would it take before the public did n't like the image he and the residual of his first cousin were presenting ?


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

Here 's the Weasley-Potter Family Tree !

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

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

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

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

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

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

*All in Gryffindor*