A/N : Brief author 's short letter prior to the chapter. This chapter is from Teddy 's point of eyeshot, as I wanted to save the particular of what happened during the delegacy to capture Greyback. An article in the oracle just would n't do it justice. Bob Hope you enjoy !


teddy bear Lupin had been a Jnr Auror for nearly eight months. In that time he had n't done much in terms of fighting gloomy sorcerer, and most of the missions he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his study had consisted of paperwork and the occasional stake-out. Being an Auror, teddy bear had discovered, was a lot more than than chasing down shadow ace and saving people 's lives.

It was for this very understanding that Teddy had been surprised when his godfather, Harry thrower, had approached him the previous day and told him of his newest grant. He, Teddy lupin, spick-and-span junior Auror, had been assigned to the foreign mission of capturing escaped lycanthrope, Fenrir Greyback. Limnodromus griseus, the Saami loup-garou who had infected his founding father with lycanthropy decade ago. Greyback, one of Britain 's nearly precious fugitives.

The mission, Harry had informed him, was very sensitive in nature and had to be handled with discretion. There was to be no quotation of it to anyone outside of the people assigned to it. There were very few hoi polloi assigned to the mission and they included Harry himself, the Head of the Regulation and control of Magical animate being, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to restrain an eye on the tike grayback attacked the previous month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Greyback mission itself.

Harry had explained the details of the commission, including the fact that the unharmed thing had been Albus 's approximation, along with one of his champion, who happened to be the Head of the Regulation and dominance of Magical wight 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took Teddy a few minutes to wrap up his head around the entire position. To make water things even more insane, Albus 's werewolf acquaintance was the brother of shift 's champion, Amy.

But when it came down to it, all of this meant that Teddy was going on his maiden veridical mission as an Auror.

Harry had instructed him to express up at the Hog 's Head, in disguise, at seven o'clock. Once there, he was to monastic order a drink and sit at the bar, avoiding contact with everyone. Harry, Ron, and Walter Eckerton were going to do the same.

Disguising himself was shift 's main potency. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his font so he looked a few twelvemonth older and his hairsbreadth so that it was a generic brown colouring material rather than its usual turquoise. He finished off the facial expression by shrinking himself and adding a few pound sign. After donning a tatterdemalion old cloak, Teddy turned on the slur and reappeared in the bowling alley next to Weasleys'magician Wheezes.

slip peeked inside the building and saw George working. If he had n't been on a mission he would 've stopped to say hello, but instead he turned in the opposite word way and headed toward the Hog 's Head.

The pub was practically empty. There was an old witch at one of the tabular array, nursing a drink, and a bloke sleeping at the end of the bar. Ron was already there, sitting at a table with a chalice in front of him. He 'd clearly attempted to disguise himself, but there was no mistaking his red pilus. Harry and Walter did n't seem to be there yet.

shimmy ambled up to the bar, deciding at the last min that his fake persona should walk with a limp. Aberforth was there and teddy bear ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the usual deglutition for the Hog 's Head, but he needed to keep his head clear for the deputation. He took the drinking and began to sip it slowly, as he had no idea how long he 'd require to pretend he was n't an Auror.

A half 60 minutes later the door opened again and Harry and Walter walked in. Walter joined Ron at his back table while Harry went up to the bar. He sat following to Teddy.

"How 's it going, Aberforth ?"he asked quietly.

"Fine,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry business sector,"Harry said."Might be here a few hr. Could be the whole Nox. Do you beware ?"

"Not at all,"Aberforth replied."Pub 's yours, although I 'll be leaving at eleven. Not practically concern on a Mon night."

"We 'll shut away up when we leave,"Harry said.

Aberforth nodded and set a few more Butterbeers on the parry. Harry picked them up and gestured for Teddy to watch over him to the back table, where Ron and Walter were now crouched over a piece of parchment.

slip sat down next to Walter and Harry sat adjacent to him. He passed around the Butterbeers while Ron turned the parchment around so shift and Harry could see it. teddy recognized it ; it was Albus 's map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Currently, it was magically magnified to exhibit the scream hut and the curtilage outside it. Only one dot was there. It was labeled 'Matthew Eckerton'and was stationary in the Shrieking Shack.

"synodic month just rose,"Walter said quietly."Just a waiting secret plan now."

No one had told him, but Teddy knew the real number reason why he 'd been assigned to this mission, and it had nothing to do with his Auror accomplishment. Sure, that had been a plus, but any of the other Junior Aurors were just as qualified. And the full Aurors were even more so. The rationality was that he was the only Auror who was related to a werewolf, and thus would n't worry that a loup-garou at Hogwarts was an inherent portion of this plan. It was also the cause why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror Paul Newman had previously been assigned to the Johnny Reb shell. Walter Eckerton did n't desire any risk of his son 's condition being leaked to the public, and putting Harry, Ron, and teddy bear on the character would see to it that it would n't.

"Are you for certain grayback is even going to show up ?"teddy bear asked quietly as he stared at the map.

"Fairly sealed,"Walter said."werewolf are attracted to the phone call of their own kind and greyback is set on creating his own pack of new loup-garou. He spent the last full moon lurking around the Shrieking shanty, after he attacked those children. He knows flatness 's there. He 'll total back."

slip nodded. The minutes ticked by and the pub grew quieter. The old hag left, taking her glassful with her. The man sleeping at the bar snorted and rolled over, nearly falling off his stool. Teddy finished his Butterbeer and set it next to the other empty glasses on the board, wondering if he should go order another or just remain seated.

At eleven o'clock Aberforth woke up the bloke at the bar and had to help him to the threshold and then physically shove him out of the pub. He gave a quick nod to Harry, Ron, Walter, and Teddy and then went upstairs.

"I suppose the disguise were a bit pointless,"Ron said as he pointed his wand at his face. His nose returned to its normal physical body.

"fountainhead, with the Hog 's question, you never know,"Harry said.

The group settled into silence again. Outside, there was the sound of faint howling. shift glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every time there was a particularly tatty howl. Harry and Ron sent him sympathetic look that Teddy tried to mime. He did n't have any kid so he really had no idea what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

Teddy glanced down at the map and noticed three new acid had appeared."Harry !"shimmy said as he pointed to the map.

All four men crowded around the map once more. One of the dots was indeed labeled 'Fenrir Greyback ,'but the others were names Teddy did n't recognize.

"Meredith Jenner and Maxwell Edward Jenner,"Teddy read."Who are they ?"

"They must be early wolfman,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Walter said as he shook his head."Those are the two kids who got bitten lastly month."

"You 're kidding,"Harry said."Dammit, this did n't cross my mind."

"Mine either,"Walter said.

"What about the others ?"Ron asked."Newman and the two from the werewolf ascendance Unit ?"

"There they are,"Teddy said as three new dots suddenly appeared onto the map. They must 've Apparated."

"Yeah, well, they 'd have no fortune following three loup-garou on base,"Bruno Walter said.

"Let 's go,"Harry said as he stood up.

Teddy stood and drew his wand. He followed the three older men out of the pub and shut the door behind him.

The Hog 's top dog was not far away from the scream Shack. Within three minutes they arrived and found Newman and the former two wizards attempting to restrain the three werewolves.

"They 're the fry from last month !"one of the loup-garou ascendance Unit employees shouted.

"Be careful with them !"Walter shouted back."They 've done nothing wrong !"

"We 're trying !"

The two smaller werewolves were currently attempting to assail the Werewolf ascendency Unit employees and Cardinal Newman, while Limnodromus griseus seemed to wish far more about getting into the screaming hutch. He was a much turgid wolf, Lady Jane Grey in colouring, and had bright yellow eyes. He was on the porch, biting at the doorway, and not paying any aid to the wizards around him. It seemed to Teddy that he had far more than restraint over himself than a rule wolfman.

Bruno Walter and Ron joined the loup-garou command unit employees in trying to restrain Meredith and Maxwell. It was a unmanageable task because they had to do it without hurting them. Teddy was fairly sure that the law would n't like whether the two children were hurt in the process, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to shimmy and they walked slowly up the lawn, their baton out in front of them. If they could just catch Greyback by surprise then they 'd be able to conjure some ropes and restrain him before he even knew what was happening.

They were only twenty feet away when it happened. Reb suddenly froze and then turned around. He must 've smelled them. With a loud snarl, he jumped the twenty feet separating them in one leap.

Teddy and Harry jumped back, sending magic spell forward as they did so. Johnny lunged, the patch not seeming to affect him at all, and made a swipe at Teddy. teddy jumped to the side and sent another knockout at Rebel.

Battling a werewolf was very unlike from battling a wizard, Teddy realized. And battling wolfman had not been covered in training. Sure, they 'd learned and practiced the spells used against loup-garou, but they 'd never performed them on actual werewolves. The main difference was that werewolves did n't have wand and thus could not shed spells. But at the same time, they had tooth, claws, and were much stronger than the average human. Plus there was the fact that one bite would turn you into one forever.

Teddy and Harry took turns sending Stunners at Johnny and were able to confuse him enough that he did n't quite bonk who to attack. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the Shrieking Shack.

Greyback soon realized that he was being cornered back onto the porch and decided to hold another leap forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making contact. teddy bear jumped forward and sent another Stunner toward Greyback.

Greyback flew backward and slammed into the front man threshold, his pass making a sickening crunch as it collided with the doorknob. He slid down the door and landed on the trading floor, not moving.

shimmy looked at Johnny and then at Harry, who was getting up from the ground. shift had n't even substantiate that he 'd fallen over.

"Harry, you okay ?"Teddy asked.

"mulct,"Harry said."You ?"

Teddy nodded and began to choose a few conservative measure toward Johnny. Harry was soon by his incline.

"Is he ..."chemise began.

"I do n't suppose so,"Harry said quietly."Just unconscious. Here."Harry muttered a spell and rope flew from the end of his scepter. They wrapped them around greyback until he was secure.

Teddy felt slightly disappointed. There was a part of him, a very pocket-sized division, that wished he 'd killed Greyback. Reb had been the one who 'd made his dad 's life history miserable, and he 'd viciously attacked Victoire 's dad when he was n't even transformed. Yes, Teddy had to admit, there was a section of him that wanted revenge. A part of him that wanted to be the one who finally killed Fenrir Greyback.

teddy glanced over to the rest of the group, but they 'd finished, too. Bruno Walter was currently tying the two lycanthrope tiddler up with roofy while the other men stood around watching. Ron looked up and met Teddy 's optic, then walked over toward them.

"Done ?"Harry asked.

Ron nodded."They 're tied up and Stunned. I suppose we 'll have to keep Stunning them until the moon sets."

"So they were n't on wolfbane,"Harry said."Interesting."

"Walter said he 'll personally get to a visit to their home in a few days to discuss caution for side by side month,"Ron said."But still, their parents must be idiots. They could 've been killed."

"The parents are okay, then ?"Harry asked."I wonder what happened."

Ron nodded."John Henry Newman said they locked the tike in the backyard shed but did n't put any ward up. It must 've been promiscuous for Greyback to let out in."

"I wonder why they did n't listen to Werewolf support overhaul,"Harry mused."I know for a fact they visited."

"well, at least no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the former werewolves had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the screeching Shack by the Werewolf control condition Unit employees. Walter and Newman were following them.

"What is that blamed racket ?"Newman exclaimed, nodding his point to the screeching Shack.

Walter glanced a the Shack and then turned to Newman."spook. I 've heard that place has been haunted for twelvemonth, long before I moved to this country."

Harry nodded."It 's been haunted since the 70s."

"Loud ghosts,"John Henry Newman muttered."Has the Spirit sectionalization ever looked into it ?"

"Multiple times,"Walter said."They 're peaceful specter, just loud. We have n't had too many complaints, so have n't bothered to do anything about it."

Teddy was amazed that Walter could lie so easily and freely. But he supposed that he 'd been doing it ever since his son became a loup-garou, so he 'd pay back used to it.

"Let 's get this lot back to the Ministry,"Harry said, gesturing to the three unconscious loup-garou. John Henry Newman, take either Lee or Parks back to the tike 's business firm and inform their parents that they can pick them up at the Ministry tomorrow."

Paul Newman and Lee, who was one of the Werewolf Control unit employees, Disapparated on the spot. Harry grabbed hold of grayback and instructed Walter and Rosa Parks, the other wolfman Control whole employee, to each have one of the minor. With an exceptionally tacky crack, the entire chemical group Disapparated.
***


Each of the lycanthrope were set up in an interrogation way to await the remaining time of day until sunrise. Teddy, along with Bruno Walter, had been assigned to keeping ticker on Greyback, Stunning him when necessary. Harry, Ron, Rosa Parks, and Lee had been assigned to the children. Cardinal Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a lycanthrope were to have somebody there to stupefy them every hr or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"Teddy asked as Walter Stunned Greyback for the quartern prison term."Why do n't citizenry do that ?"

"Repeated Stunning is n't healthy,"Bruno Walter replied."It 's why it 's not allowed on almost captive. It 's only allowed on werewolf because they 're classified as Beasts and not Beings."

Teddy nodded."What does it do to them ?"

"Depends on the werewolf,"Walter said."It has no semipermanent effects on raft, but others wind up ill or with memory board loss."

"Ca n't say I 'll be too disordered if it has any ill essence on him,"Teddy said as he nodded to Greyback.

"Me either,"Walter said.

"I have to ask,"Teddy began,"did you get into Regulation and control of Magical Creatures before or after your son was bitten ?"

"Before. Ironic, is n't it ?"

"Just a bit."

"It 's because of your Father-God that my son is capable to go to Hogwarts. I know you probably do n't even commend him, but I 'm forever grateful for him paving the way."

teddy bear nodded."I wish I could remember him. I suppose it was really Dumbledore, though, who let him go to Hogwarts."

"I never had the pleasure of meeting Albus Dumbledore. I wish I could say I have."

Teddy and Walter lapsed back into silence. slip could hardly consider that he was sitting in an interrogative sentence elbow room with the wolfman who had turned his father. If only his dad could see him now.

Bruno Walter glanced at his vigil."moon should be setting within the half hour."

slip gulped and he hoped Walter could n't hear his heart beating. He had n't been nearly as anxious about facing Greyback as a wildcat, but the thought of facing him as a human was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the future half time of day to last forever, but at the Lapp time he did n't. It had been a very long day and he wanted to go house and eternal rest, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a mountain of paperwork ahead.

Greyback began to shake, but Walter did n't Stun him. Instead, he conjured a simple set of gown, set them on the table, stood up, and gestured for shift to come after him out into the corridor. Teddy did so, but looked at Walter quizzically.

"He ca n't turn tail. He 's got no baton and there 's anti-Apparition appeal on the elbow room,"Walter explained."He 'll be at his absolute weakest as he transforms and despite the evilness he 's done, he deserves the respect of transforming alone."

Teddy was imprint. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. Teddy supposed it came from having a son who was a werewolf. If Teddy 's own Padre had lived, would he take exchangeable sentiment ?

There were no silencing appealingness on the interrogation rooms. Soon the corridor was filled with howling and was then replaced by painful shrieks. The shrieks soon gave way to a foresighted current of profanity.

"Let 's go,"Walter said as he placed his hand on the doorknob.

Teddy had no idea what to expect when he entered the room. He 'd only seen pictures of Rebel from the Prophet and black-and-white photos never did a person justice.

Fenrir Greyback was crouched on top of the table, dressed in the clothing that Walter had provided. His Charles Grey tomentum was ropy and matted with grunge and blood, and his fount bore respective calendar week 's Worth of grey face fungus. His cheek was lined with deep wrinkles and chemise realized that he had absolutely no thought how old the man was.

Greyback took a deep sniff as Walter and Teddy entered. He grinned and let out a maniac laugh."Head of the Department,"he muttered."dead reckoning I 'm popular."

shift froze, all his grooming suddenly out the window. He could hardly believe that this man had attacked his father when he was only a fry. Fenrir knot was far more than sinister in mortal and teddy felt a sting of understanding for his father as a five-year-old.

"So you found me,"Limnodromus griseus said."How 'd you do it ?"

"We were waiting for you, Greyback,"Walter said."We knew you 'd give to Hogsmeade."

Greyback sneered."Yeah, wanted to go back for that werewolf in the Shrieking shack. He smelled young, impressionable."

Bruno Walter paled."You 'll never have the opportunity to go back."

"We 'll see,"Johnny Reb replied.

"enough schmooze,"Bruno Walter said, turning to Teddy."Arrest him."

shimmy snapped out of his thoughts and immediately went back into Auror-mode. He set himself apart from the situation and ran on autopilot.

"Fenrir Greyback, I am Auror Ted Lupin and you 're under arrest,"shift began.

Greyback 's eye grew wide."Lupin. Any relation back to Remus Lupin ?"

"He was my beginner,"Teddy said proudly.

"I made him who he was,"Greyback said as he stared directly into Teddy 's eyes."I changed his life."

"Fenrir Greyback, you are under collar,"Teddy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a pair of cuff and walked over to Johnny."You have the right to remain silent. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the werewolf."If you choose not to be mum, anything you say can be used in your trial. You will have a visitation. If you can not find representation, we will receive it for you."

teddy grabbed Greyback 's arm and pulled him off the table and into a digest posture. As he did so, he met the elder man 's middle. They were yellow, pure yellow, and completely relentless. He looked like the face of immorality, as if Greyback had no human soul left. It was in that present moment that Teddy knew for for sure that this werewolf held no law of similarity to his founding father. Johnny lived to diffuse evil, while Remus Lupin had lived to cease it.

Teddy slapped a set of handcuff on Rebel. He opened the room access and pushed Greyback out into the corridor, still holding onto his arm. Walter followed and the two walked alongside each other as they led Greyback to the holding cells.

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved Greyback into a cell and locked the door behind him.

"Your dad would be incredibly majestic of you,"Harry said to Teddy.

chemise nodded and gave Harry a half-smile.


A/N : I hope you enjoyed the teddy bear chapter ! I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for all the lovely follow-up !

The right Teddy read to grayback are adapted from the Miranda right field, created by the United State Department Supreme homage in 1966.


Albus awoke the following sunup to the sound of an owl pecking at the windowpane. He rose from his bed and went to let it in. The owl was unfamiliar, but he vaguely recognized it as the breed of owl the Ministry of conjuration used. The letter of the alphabet was addressed to him, so Albus took it, let the owl back out into the frigidness, and set down on his bed to open it.

Albus-

We got him.

-Dad

That was all it said, but it did n't need to say anything else. His dad probably could n't say anything else in a letter, anyway. Albus folded up the parchment and shoved it into his bedside mesa. He glanced at the clock and realized there was no point in going back to bed since classes would get in two minute.

Instead, he got started on that hebdomad 's Charms version while he waited for John to ignite up. This took a good hour and when he finally did ignite up, it took him fifteen minute of arc to fully wake up and get dressed. King John was not one for mornings.

Albus waited until they were in the Great Hall for breakfast to recite John about the letter from his dad, so that he could tell Kaden, rosiness, and Amanda, too. Luckily they managed to get a relatively secluded part of the table.

"I got a varsity letter from my dad this first light,"Albus said as he scooped eggs onto his plate."They got him."

"Oh thank God !"Rose exclaimed.

"Did he assure you about it ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said."But I 'm sure it 'll be in the prophet tomorrow."

The group decided to eat a very quick tiffin later in order to chit-chat matt before their afternoon classes. Albus wanted to order him about Johnny Reb as soon as possible.

Albus found it incredibly difficult to keep his sass shut during potions because the rest of his classmates were discussing Calidris canutus and whether he had attacked anyone the old night. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the grounds from her dormitory window hold up night, but Karina and Marina said it was only a dog. Two of the Slytherins said they heard howling all night, and Scorpio said one of the older students had received a alphabetic character from his brother claiming to stimulate seen greyback in Diagon Alley. It seemed that Albus and his friends were the only I in the integral castling who knew Greyback had been captured.

Scorpio Malfoy left potions early after speaking in whispers with Slughorn. Whatever it was it was a safe alibi since Slughorn actually let him go. Albus thought this was very funny, but did n't dwell on it since his judgement was still racing about greyback. He wanted details about the capture, but probably would n't get any until he read the article in the Prophet.

"Anyone know why Malfoy left ?"John asked as they hurried up to the Great Hall for lunch.

"No thought,"Albus said."Maybe he was ill ?"

"He did n't await ill,"John said."I suppose if he is ill we 'll see him in the infirmary wing."

Albus and his protagonist ate the profligate lunch they 'd ever eaten and rushed up to the hospital annexe. Kaden had Herbology after lunch and would need a good bit of metre to get there, so they wanted to expend as much of lunch as possible in the hospital wing.

dame Pomfrey was busy berating a student for trying to becharm her pilus garden pink and had charmed it all off instead and did n't notice Albus and the others walk in. Only one bed was occupied and the mantle were drawn around it.

"Guess Malfoy 's not here,"lav said as he led the chemical group over to matt 's bed.

John pulled the pall back and Albus saw that Matt was sitting up in bed, eating lunch. This month he was sporting a bandage wrapped around his integral head and single on his script as well. He seemed to be having a bit of difficultness holding his sandwich.

"They better have caught him,"Matt said as he dropped his sandwich."Dammit. I ca n't go another month wrecking my hands."

"They did,"Albus said."My dad owled me this morning, but he did n't give me any details."

"I knew he was there,"Matt said."The wolf wanted to get out again and this meter I banged my head repeatedly against the door."He gestured to the head bandages.

"I do n't think you 'll receive to care about that again,"John said."They 'll probably put twice as many safeguard on Greyback 's cell."

"I think this is the worst headache I 've ever had in my life,"lustrelessness muttered.

toilet grinned mischievously."Shall Kaden and I do a repeat of live week 's prank ?"

Matt gave him a look of murder."If you do, I 'll obliterate you and I wo n't be responsible for my actions."

"Just kidding,"John Lackland said.

"lady Pomfrey wants me to eat dejeuner and then she 's going to give me plenty sleeping drawing to sleep until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"Well, I 'm going to have a lovely afternoon of fertilizing magical plants with dragon dung,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a brute matter and the raging head ache, I 'm sort of jealous."

"I 'd take the dragon dung,"Matt said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to watch the hold out disputation today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his head."They 've actually put it off two Sir Thomas More weeks. It was in the paper this morning. I guess they want it fresh in people 's head or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Saturday and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Hufflepuff and Slytherin,"Albus said."If Hufflepuff win, then we 'll be ahead in points. But if Slytherin wins, we 'll probably be behind them."

"Here 's hoping for Hufflepuff, then,"mat said. He glanced at his half-eaten sandwich."I think I 've given up on eating. I do n't mean to sound off you lot out, but I 'm really looking forward to sleeping."

"Not a trouble,"Albus said."We 'll see you later."

"I think I 'll be back tomorrow,"Matt said."Unless this headache does n't go away."

King John glanced at the clock."Brilliant. There 's enough time for me to run back to the Great Hall for an eclair before Transfiguration."

"I 'll join you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The daughter decided that a second dessert was in Order as well, so the whole group hurried back to the Great manor hall before their adjacent class. On the way there Albus realized just how a great deal better he felt now that Greyback was once again behind bars.
***


"Teddy arrested him !"Albus exclaimed at breakfast the following first light. He 'd just finished reading the article about Greyback.

"Seriously ?"Rose exclaimed, grabbing the Prophet."I did n't even know he went on that mission."

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and Matt 's dad. Plus Paul Leonard Newman and a few lycanthrope Control unit employees. And those kid who got attacked last week were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any wards up on the shed they were in."

"That 's dazed,"rose wine said.

"Was anyone harm ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, look, they 've quoted Laurentis,"Rose said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's recapture is wonderful tidings for wizarding Britain. I applaud both the Auror Department and the Department for the regularization and control condition of Magical animal for their collaboration in this capture, especially Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four captive at large. The study is not done and we must call back this before celebrating .'”

"Did they quote your uncle ?"John asked.

"No,"rose wine said."It says he has n't made a program line about it yet."

"I honestly think that this is only going to make his financial backing of your dad look better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a winner. I mean, just feel at the article. Absolutely nix went wrong with that capture. There were three werewolves on the escaped in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was rightful. Three loose werewolves would normally be a incubus for a quiet village like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the Werewolf control social unit employees, nobody got hurt.

"I 'll just be happy when this election is over,"Albus said.

"You 're telling me,"Cedric said as he sat down across from Albus."I do n't even worry who wins anymore."
***


Hufflepuff somehow managed to squeeze Slytherin during Saturday 's Quidditch mates. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the undecomposed squad they 'd had in years, and that Slytherin 's custodian had landed himself in the hospital wing after blowing up his potion on Fri, earning him a ban from the peer by brothel keeper Pomfrey. But whatever the grounds actually was, it was certainly beneficial to Gryffindor.

Albus awoke early on Sunday, suddenly riddled with nerves about the dueling tournament. This month 's tournament was the 2d to last of the year since all the professor had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the seventh years had expressed that they could n't supervise recitation while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two more fortune to secure a win for his team, something that had n't happened yet this year.

Albus and Amanda were the starting time of their squad to arrive in the Great Hall before the tourney. The residuum of the team trickled in slowly as they waited. Five minutes before the tourney was scheduled to lead off, the only person missing was Malfoy.

"It 's not like him to be late,"Amanda commented."Usually he 's here early telling you what an horrendous job as captain you do."

"No, it 's not,"Albus agreed as he stood up to get a ameliorate looking at the doors."I do n't see him."

"He was n't in potions the other day,"Amanda reminded Albus."Actually, I have n't seen him since he left potions early on Tuesday."

Albus thought back and realized Amanda was right."Oi !"he called to his group of Slytherin teammates."Any of you know where Scorpio Malfoy is ?"

"He went dwelling,"one of the third years said."No idea why. He has n't been here since Tuesday."

"He went home ?"Albus repeated, staring at the thirdly twelvemonth."That 's odd."

The tertiary class shrugged."He did n't severalise anyone anything about it. He just left."

Albus had to include that this news gave him as lots disappointment as confusion. Scorpius Malfoy was one of the team 's best duelist, no matter how annoying he was.

"No one goes home when it 's not a holiday,"Amanda said.

"Yeah, not unless they 're really ill or something fearsome happened to their family,"Albus said.

"Attention students !"Neville called out."The tournament is about to get down !"

Albus managed to push all idea of Malfoy out of his mind for the duration of the tournament. nigh of his teammates dueled well, although only Albus and a few early fourth year won both their duels. In the end they secured third place, which was certainly better than a thoroughly portion of the relief of the teams, but still was n't first. They were still in the running for winning boilers suit at the end of the time of year, but they 'd require to do really well in the final tourney.

Albus and Amanda met the rest of their friends in the predator 's Den after the tourney was over.

"Did Malfoy hop the tourney ?"John asked as soon as they entered."Not that I 'm complaining since your team probably would 've beat mine if he had showed."

"Apparently he went home on Tuesday,"Albus said."I 'm assuming that 's why he left potions early, but no one has any thought why he went."

"Maybe his parents took him on vacation,"matt said."They seem the eccentric to do that."

"You 're not allowed to miss course of study unless it 's a good excuse,"Rose pointed out."I do n't opine going on holiday is a good excuse."

"I think something bad is happening to someone in his home,"Amanda said quietly."Remember that alphabetic character he was reading during recitation ? And how quieten he 's been lately ?"

"I 'll ask Elsie Willinson,"Rose said."I tutor her tomorrow. Chances are that Malfoy told Felix about whatever 's going on so maybe Elsie knows, too."

But whatever was going on with Scorpius Malofy, Elsie Willinson was just as clueless as Albus and his supporter. She either had no idea or refused to say Rose, despite the fact that rose prodded her about it ever ten minutes during their tutoring session on Monday.

Malfoy returned to classes on Tuesday, walking into potions fifteen transactions former, and Slughorn made no mention of his tardiness or the classes he missed the previous week. Albus attempted to watch his expression during course of study but he gave no cue about his emotions.

"Hey, Malfoy !"Albus shouted as they left the classroom a poor while later.

Malfoy spun around and met Albus 's eye. He did n't look wild, nor was he sneering. Instead, he just looked lost."What do you desire, Potter ?"

"Missed you at the tournament Saturday,"Albus said, hoping Malfoy would say him where he 'd been.

"Bet you did n't win without me,"Malfoy replied.

"third gear place,"Albus answered."Where were you ?"

"None of your business, Potter,"Malfoy said as he turned around. He sped up and was soon lost in the sea of educatee hurrying to the Great Charles Francis Hall for lunch.
***


The following week passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his mysterious disappearance. The election was now only a calendar week away and everyone in the palace, students, prof, and ghosts alike were talking about it. With only one debate remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The seer published a canvass they 'd taken and neither candidate had a significant lead on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, one-time pass of the Auror Department, was the last Minister of Magic selected by the Wizengamot,"professor depository financial institution said in year two days before the final debate."His survival of the fittest was very nimble and he stepped into office the day after Voldemort 's death. While most of the wizarding world knew that the Ministry needed an renovation, they also needed someone to take charge and manage the overhaul.

"Shacklebolt held post for three years while supervising the drastic changes that made the Ministry of thaumaturgy the governing entity we see today."

Albus had met Kingsley Shacklebolt a few times and found him slightly intimidating, but funny at the Saami time. He just had a very commanding presence and Albus was n't surprised he 'd been made Minister of illusion after the war.

"The three class Shacklebolt held situation were very turbulent. decisiveness had to be made, drastic one, and they were not leisurely. The first and virtually obvious decisiveness was the determination to deepen the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly corrupt. Remember that prior to this redesign every pureblooded home held a seat on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born witches and virtuoso without representation.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry officials working to regroup the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle humans for stirring. The former Wizengamot bore more resemblance to the Muggle sign of the zodiac of Lords, the Upper House of sevens. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the home of Commons, the Lower House of sevens. In the Muggle man, these representatives are called Members of Parliament, MPs for short, and are elected. In the wizarding creation, they are simply yell extremity of the Wizengamot.

"Members of the Wizengamot then began being elected by the superior general public, much like MPs are elected in the Muggle world. Each member has a district, although figuring out these districts was far more hard than it was in the Muggle world. Does anyone have a guess as to why ?"

Amanda raised her mitt."Yes, Miss tagging program ?"Banks said.

"Witches and superstar are n't as uniformly spread out throughout the United Kingdom,"Amanda explained."In the Muggle world the district are very much based on Town, but wizards do n't really let towns."

"Correct,"Banks said."Because of this the dominion, if shown on a map, would face vastly dissimilar in terms of size. For illustration, capital of the United Kingdom has three ramify districts because there is a very large wizarding population in London. It 's far easier for wizards to blend in in a vauntingly city than a small town since matter generally go unnoticed in big cities. On the other hand, Wales only has two districts, and therefore two representative, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

Albus did n't receive a cue as to who his district 's voice was, or even what district he lived in. It was one of three, as he now knew.

"I 've taken the indecorum of printing a map with a list of all the congressman and dominion figure,"Sir Joseph Banks said as he began passing out tabloid of parchment."I 'd hazard a guess than very few of you know what district you 're in or who your representative is."

Albus looked at the canvas after he received it. London seemed to be divided into Benjamin West British capital, North London, and East/South London. North London, where Albus lived, was District Two, currently represented by a bloke named Joseph Oliver Prang.

"Elections are held every five years,"Banks said."None of the example are up for election this year, but most are up for election future year. None of you will be of age to vote in future twelvemonth 's election, but I suggest you read up on your representatives scene and beliefs anyway.

"To entice you to learn,"Banks continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two hebdomad. Figure out who your representative is and write me a foot-long essay detailing your congresswoman 's beliefs and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old copy of the oracle as well as archived transcriptions of Wizengamot coming together, both available in the library. You are welcome to use any other sources as you see fit."

There was a universal groan from the class, which made banking concern smile. He always seemed to love assigning homework.

"Now onto the more exciting intelligence,"Banks said."This Saturday is the final exam debate and four of you will be capable to take care. I apologize in advance for those whose gens have not been chosen, but there simply were not enough debates. As usual, the rest period of you will listen to the debate in the Transfiguration Day classroom.

"The two from Hufflepuff are Sam Bordeaux wine and Acacia farnesiana Hornell. The Gryffindors are John Brickston and Janie Creevey. Your essay on this debate, to be formatted like the previous two, will be due in a workweek. Class dismissed."

"I knew it would be me,"John Lackland said as the packed up."Bilius and Ethan have already gone and you two get to go every time."

"I had n't even realized that,"Albus said.

"Karina 's the solely one of us who wo n't get to go,"Rose pointed out.

"That essay, though ..."lav said."The one on our voice. That 's going to take forever."

"Not if you do your inquiry right,"Rose said as they left the room.

"Any of you in District seven ?"John asked.

The eternal sleep of the group shook their drumhead. They compared district numbers racket, but none of them were in the same. rosebush and Matt were the closest, with their district bordering on each early.

"I guess we 're all doing our own inquiry then,"John said with a sigh.

Rose gave him a satisfied smirk, clearly happy that she would n't have to cope with John attempting to bum off her research. Albus wished that he and Rose were in the same territorial dominion because he, like whoremaster, did not savour doing this inquiry. Usually they only had to use their text edition for research, but not this time. This time, their textbooks would n't help at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! It 's meter for the annual Dobby awards at HPFF and nominating speech are now open ! mind to the forum to nominate your preferred chronicle ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a inter-group communication to the forums on the rightfulness side of the varlet. Be sure to take the regulation before you nominate ! We hate having to disqualify stories for wear out rules.

The entropy about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the menage of the Lords and the Parliament Wikipedia pages. I hope I got everything right wing, but I 'm not British, so spirit free to channelise out any errors.


As the week progressed more and more of the Prophet was dedicated to election coverage. By the time Saturday arrived it became nearly impossible to find a single article that was n't about the election. There were editorial, interviews, instruction from the prospect, notion polls, and more. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glance at Sabbatum 's edition.

"spot your bets here !"

Albus glanced up from his breakfast to see James I, Cedric, and Ben walking up the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables carrying a jar filled with coins.

"We 're taking wager !"James shouted."Any takers ?"

"What are you betting on ?"Albus asked."Who wins ?"

"No, that 's boring,"Epistle of James said."We 're taking bet on how long it 'll hold the public debate moderator to bring up that crazy Aboriginal Australian bloke who kidnapped you last year. This disputation is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

It had n't even crossed Albus 's mind that utmost year 's incident would be brought up in this debate, but James was probably right. It was the magnanimous International scandal wizarding UK had seen in years.

"What 's your bet ?"Albus asked his brother.

"Ten bit,"St. James the Apostle said."We 've had a few mass say it 'll go on right away and others who are giving it as long as a half hour."

"You do realize that your dad 's the one moderating this argumentation, do n't you ?"Rose asked, setting down her transcript of the prophesier.

James, Cedric, and Ben exchanged a glimpse."Er, no, we did n't know that,"James said."How do you know ?"

"Says right here in the paper,"Rose said, pointing to it."He might not bring it up."

"I hope he does n't,"Matt muttered."I 'd rather just block Lubar 's existence."

"He might still lend it up,"James said."It was a fairly big incident."

Rose shrugged."It 's possible."

"So what would Uncle Percy say if he knew you three were taking bets on the debate ?"Albus asked with a grin.

Cedric paled."He 's not going to find out. Everyone who places a bet is sworn to secrecy. We 've had them sign something. If they say anything their faces will turn orange."

"Is n't that care what aunt Hermione did for the D.A ?"Albus asked.

"Sort of,"Cedric said."But we 've told people about it, so they know what they 're signing."

"Any wager, then ?"St. James the Apostle asked.

Albus and his champion all shook their headspring no. Last class 's incident was far too personal for them to place bets on whether it would be a debate theme.

"We 're wasting sentence, then,"James said as he led Cedric and Ben further down the aisle."plaza your bets here !"

"They 're retard,"Rose muttered.

Albus agreed.

An minute later Albus, rose wine, Matt, and John were back in the Great Hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this debate would be watched by even more people than the past 1, with many people standing in the back due to lack of seating. Personally, Albus thought most the great unwashed would 've already made up their idea since the election was only four years away, but clearly it was still a popular consequence.

John had to sit with the former students who 'd been picked while Albus, blush wine, and Matt sat up front, like usual. All of Albus 's cousin were there, including Empire State of the South, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, GA,"Albus said.

"Hi, Al,"Georgia replied."I 'm so glad this is nearly over."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed."How is the team ?"

Empire State of the South 's juke smile grew genuine."Oh, they 're wonderful ! Connor Blythe, the Keeper, he put in his notice that he 's only going to do one More time of year after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to shoot his smirch. Me ! And I 've only been on the team for a yr !"

"That 's wonderful !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll consume to get me tag to your first match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the kin to be there at my firstly match as lasting Keeper,"Georgia said."And I want Dad right there in the front row, cheering me on."

"Well, if he wins, he 'll give birth to celebrate supporting you,"Albus pointed out.

"Yes, well, I want it to be real,"Empire State of the South said."We 'll see."

"Could everyone please remove their nates ?"Kendrick announced in a magically amplified voice.

Georgia left and went to her own seat, as did everyone else who was still standing. The room grew quiet and Kendrick took a few footstep forward.

"Thank you. I 'd like to welcome you all to Hogwarts. This is the finish debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to necessitate such a big role in it. It has been a fantastic learning opportunity for stave and students alike. Remember, Wednesday is election day, so please cast your votes. Now, I would wish to introduce today 's moderator, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Harry Potter, brain of the Auror section !"

The way erupted in thunderous applause. It seemed that no matter how Laurentis tried to disbelieve Albus 's dad, no one could train away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

Harry walked forward and took his home behind the moderator 's podium."Thank you, thank you,"he said and the crowd grew smooth once more."Now, please welcome our candidates, Mr. Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

The campaigner received considerably less applause than Harry did, something Albus found incredibly funny. If his dad ever decided to run for minister he 'd have the thing won before the race even began.

"I am sure both our candidates know the normal by now. Five minute of arc answers and five minute rebuttal,"Harry began."Mr. Weasley, you will begin."

Albus had to stifle his laughter at the fact that this dad called Uncle Harry Hotspur 'Mr. Weasley .'

"The firstly head is very ecumenical,"Harry said."In your opinion, how is Britain 's family relationship with its foreign neighbors ? Should the Ministry be making more of an endeavor to work with its neighbors or are things ok as they are ?"

"I think boilers suit our ministry has a good relationship with foreign ministries and governments,"Hotspur began."We have no current feuds with any extraneous body politic and all foreign talks have gone well in the past few geezerhood. However, I believe there is always room for improvement when speaking of relationships with other countries. There are always chances to reach out to our neighbors, and you never know when such human relationship will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My opponent makes fair period,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our relationships with foreign ministries is an excellent melodic theme, I wonder if that is really where our energies should be focused right now. There are many issues we need to turn to here at base, and as Mr. Weasley said, our current kinship with strange body politic are good."

"The section of International Magical Cooperation deals solely with international sorcerous cooperation,"Percy pointed out."Working to fix issues at place is obviously a upright idea, but what do you guess this department does while we do that ?"

"Well, yes, of grade, that department is always working on external issues,"Laurentis said."I was merely speaking of the Minister and his straightaway officials."

"Thank you,"Harry said."side by side question. The topic of changing the classification of werewolves from animal to beingness was brought up at the in conclusion debate. Both of you expressed no desire to convey this up with the international biotic community. Have either of you changed your locating on this in visible light of the recent capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you explain in More item why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at lustrelessness. Maybe now they 'd figure out exactly why Uncle Percy did n't want to change the werewolf classification, more than just it was n't worth the sweat.

"The capture of Fenrir grayback was undoubtedly a succeeder. I hope nobody has misconstrued my row on that. The fact that it was done without any hurt, let solitary fatalities, was nothing shortsighted of amazing. The Aurors and werewolf Control Unit employees who executed the program of seizure are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the capture of one werewolf should affect our decisions on the radical as a whole. If anything, if werewolves had been classified as Beings during that seizure the Aurors and Werewolf controller Unit employees would not accept been able to use the methods of gaining control they used. To be reliable, I fail to see any benefits of reclassification."

Albus felt lusterlessness tense side by side to him. Laurentis really was clueless, was n't she ?

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my opponent about the capture of Fenrir Greyback. However, I disagree with her about the potentiality welfare of reclassification. number one, the Aurors and Werewolf mastery Unit employees could make used the Sami method they used hold out dark, as Head of Department Walter Eckerton does not allow any method of capture that would not be allowed if werewolves were classified as Beings. In term of Department for the rule and Control of Magical puppet rules and regulations, werewolves are to be treated as beingness. This has been the case since Eckerton took over as capitulum over a class ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is incognizant of this fact.

"As for benefit, those with lycanthropy would be able to batten down line far more easily and would suffer the same rights given to goblins, house-elves, Centaur, vampire, and humans alike."

Apparently his uncle had much more of an judgment than the one he gave at the last debate, Albus thought.

"Your clip is up, Mr. Weasley,"Harry said."Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis."

"Then perhaps Walter Eckerton ought to make another look at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly legal of him to use more harsh method to bring werewolves into capture. But since this capture was a holla achiever, I will not fault him for that. As for wolfman right field, I have yet to get wind of any charge by werewolf about their rights."

"That 's because they do n't complain to you,"matte muttered under his breath.

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not hold fourth dimension to fully answer the question, I will continue,"Percy said."While it would be beneficial for werewolves if they were reclassified as Beings, I do not cogitate it 's workable. It would expect agreement from all Nation, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Australia would never be on board, and considering our jolty relationship with that particular country, I do not feel it is in our best interests to set out talks of the reclassification of werewolves. In end, I feel it would be a worthwhile endeavor, but given the unlikelihood of it amounting to anything, it would be a waste of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next question. In esteem to our jolty relationship with Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you experience it would be beneficial to continue trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United Kingdom ? Mr. Weasley."

Albus glanced at his picket. Whoever betted on forty minutes would be very well-chosen, he thought. Albus had been hoping this issue would n't be brought up, but he supposed it was too big of an military issue not to be.

"If elected I would submit this determination to the department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the requisite expertise on the subject field. However, it is my personal belief that it would be worth pursuing. I believe it is important to institutionalize a substance that Ministry employees, even high-ranking functionary such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was unspeakable and in no world should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

"Notice how Mr. Weasley did not reference that his nephew was one of the nipper kidnapped by Lubar,"Laurentis pointed out."I think this might dapple his sagacity a little. I disagree with him about this especial topic. We 've been trying to have Ralph Lubar extradited for nearly a year and Australia has not budged. Why bother continuing to get cause toward this when it is clear they will be fruitless ?"

"If we give up, it will be telling the public that anyone can go perpetrate a crime in another country and not be punished,"Percy said."More than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Australian political science and having our citizens believe their government to be corrupt will not avail external magical cooperation."

"The possible depravity of the Australian governance is not any of our business at the current time. We can not storm them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal persuasion that they will never do so. I daresay that the department of International Magical Cooperation has more pressing matters to deal with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have fourth dimension for one more question, but in lighting of the fact that the election is on Wednesday, I am going to afford each of the campaigner a chance to micturate a oecumenical speech instead. Mr. Weasley, you may talk first."

"Thank you, Harry."

Harry Hotspur seemed ineffective to call Harry 'Mr. Potter .'Albus giggled at this.

"I would care to thank Professor Kendrick and the rest of the Hogwarts staff for being so accommodating, as well as the students. None of the student sitting in this room right now were alert before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the student in this room were animated during Voldemort 's reign of terror. They read about both of these in history Word, because to them, it is simply history. To me, and the relief of the adults in this room, the premature Ministry and Voldemort are our preceding, our memories. We remember the little terror, the unsung, the awe.

"I was a percentage of the reorganization of the Ministry. We all know the years that have followed- the years where we have lived without care, without brat, without the unknown. I have been with the Ministry every step of the way since Voldemort 's defeat and I will make it my tariff to continue the repose that we 've had for over XX years. I will preserve this short because I, like nearly of you surely do, believe that the good speech is a brusk speech. If you want a Minister who will persist in the succeeder of Minister Hartwell 's time in part, vote for me, Harry Hotspur Weasley, on Wed. Thank you."

There was a smattering of applause, but it did n't last retentive. Albus had a feeling that to the highest degree of the rest of the student wanted the election to be over.

"My opponent routinely brings up the past tense. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the future, except in vague statements about keeping affair the Saame. It 's truthful that I was not involved with the reorganization of the Ministry over twenty years ago. I got into politics later in life. But I do not find that this will make me an inferior minister, nor do I think it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"history is just that. account. We certainly need to learn from our history to assure that we do not defecate the Saame mistakes we did before, but it is not necessary to hold lived through history to be a successful leader. There are plenty of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking officials, who were not here during Voldemort 's reign. Bruno Walter Eckerton, for example, did not exist in U.K. during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical animate being.

"In brusk, I believe we need to focus on our future rather than our past. If elected minister I will get to progressive tense change in not only our ministry and laws, but our educational system of rules as well. thing have been ran the same for over twenty years, and while I am not denying the achiever, I think we have needed change for a while. loose prisoners are running free. Hogwarts lesson are being taught the same way they were when these fry 's grandparents were in school. The ministry, along with its laws and insurance policy, need to conform as the years go by. If you feel change is needed, if you are at all upset about the way affair are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

There was another smattering off applause. Albus did n't clap at all and neither did any of his cousins. If the election was based upon familial support, Percy would suffer it in the bag.

"I think your uncle may bear won my parents'support back,"lusterlessness said as they left the Great Hall.

"Yeah, he made himself fathom a bit better today,"Albus replied."Laurentis just does n't get it."

"Nope,"Matt said."But she does n't seem to have got an issue with my dad, which is good if she gets elected."

"What if she wins and she stops trying to get Lubar extradited ?"pink wine asked as they met up with John.

"She ca n't. The man is insane,"John said.

"Honestly, I think it would be better if he was n't extradited,"matte said quietly.

"Why ?"John asked incredulously."He kidnapped us and tried to bring in Voldemort back !"

"He was n't really a part of that,"Matt said."That was the Willinsons."

"But still,"Albus said."Why ?"

"Because if he gets extradited he 's going to be angry,"flatness explained."He 's got quite a temper. And when he does n't get his way he attempts to smash the lifetime of those who stand in his way. Just think about it. If he were brought back here, what 's stopping him from making my ... status ... public ?"

"He could n't do that,"Albus said."It 's illegal."

"You think Lubar would manage ? He did it in Australia !"Matt snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in bother for it nothing could take away what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be bettor if the universe just forgot about the whole thing."

Albus had n't thought about it like that before. matt did have a period. But there was a part of Albus that just wanted to see Lubar behind bars.

"asset, there 's no way Commonwealth of Australia will extradite him,"Matt said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both justly about one thing. The Australian government is very corrupt, and I do n't think anything will happen until that corruption ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and werewolf wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

"So even though you moved, the Australian government still has some restraint over your life,"Saint John said."That 's messed up."

"Yeah, it really is,"Matt agreed."But it 's the way the populace works."


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly punch my story for Dobby nominations ! Head over to the forums to nominate my ( or any early ) stories for a Dobby awarding ! Be sure to register the rules before nominating.


Albus had been hoping classes would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such destiny. Kendrick organized it so that the Great Hall would be the canvas topographic point and that voting would not affect the general student body. Hogwarts was the designated polling place for the district it was in, so there would be former people coming to the school to vote. Albus 's cousins who were of age ( Omar Bradley, Fred, and Calluna vulgaris ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling station had been set up.

Albus and his friends spent virtually of Herbology watching people walking from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in order of magnitude to vote. It was very distracting and Neville did n't bother telling people to get back on chore.

"When are we going to know who won ?"whoremaster asked as they walked back to the castling for defense team.

"It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow morning,"Albus said."That 's the official placard, but I 'm sure we 'll encounter out earlier. Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric have to go to the end of the election party tonight. It starts at six and the polls close at eight. They 're announcing the achiever at the party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minutes to spread around the castle."

John laughed."You do n't have to go to the party ?"

Albus shook his head."My parents gave me the alternative. I said no. James and Lily are n't going, either."

"What about you two ?"whoremonger asked Rose and Matt.

"No,"blush wine said. lusterlessness shook his head.

"commodity,"whoremonger said."We should have our own party here. A company to celebrate the end of this election. Maybe it 'll mean Embry will let up on the essays. Anyone else writing their argumentation essay during Defense today ?"

For the past tense few month most hoi polloi had used refutation as a bailiwick hall. The worksheets Thomas Young assigned never took tenacious than fifteen minutes and he did n't look to care what his student did with the rest of the year. Just as long as they were n't being brassy. Albus did n't conceive anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox sweets in Defense this twelvemonth, since there was n't very much pointedness.

Albus, lusterlessness, and Amanda all still needed to write their essays as well. Rose had written hers immediately following the disputation, but the rest of them did n't see the want to do it right away.

"I can always fetch up it in account of Magic, too,"John said as they entered the castling.

"Let 's go peek in the Great Hall,"Albus said as he led his friends over to the right.

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four minuscule cubicles curtained off where the faculty table should 've been. A short queue of people were off to one slope and seemed to be waiting their turn for the kiosk. It did n't seem very exciting.

"Any input on the election ?"

Albus turned and saw a newsperson lurking near the doorway. He did n't pick out this especial reporter.

"No, thanks,"Albus said as he steered the radical away from the Great entrance hall, and thus away from the reporter.

"I do n't think they 're allowed inside,"rosiness mentioned."So they ca n't bother multitude who are voting."

"That makes good sense,"Amanda said."fountainhead, let 's go get those essays done with. Then we 'll never have to write essays on argumentation again."

Albus nodded. No more disputation essays. Now that would be a proficient affair.

The remainder of the day passed quickly. Albus, Matt, and Amanda managed to complete their essays during Defense, but John only got halfway done. voting was suspended during dejeuner and then again at dinner. Albus overheard a few of the sixth and seventh years talking about voting and the election during dinner. A duad of Ravenclaws even got into an argument about it.

"Let 's arrive at a pact now not to get in any engagement over the next election when we can all vote,"Rose said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws storm out of the Great student residence.

The ease of the group heartily agreed. Albus could n't imagine ruining a friendship over something as silly as an election.

"This party that Omar Bradley and Cedric are going to,"Saint John began,"it 's for both your uncle and Laurentis ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said.

"That 's going to be awkward when they announce the victor,"John said with a laugh.

"It 's supposed to promote soundly sportsmanship and that sort of affair,"pink wine explained.

"Still ... I ca n't ideate Laurentis being a good mutation,"whoremaster said.

After dinner party Albus and his booster returned to the common elbow room, deciding that it might be interesting to spend the eve there rather than the vulture 's Den. They also wanted to hear firsthand from Bradley and Cedric who won.

The vulgar room had the distinct tactile property that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch match. James, Fred, Heather, Mark, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to have got a company to celebrate the end of the election and thus the end of disputation and essays on argumentation. There were vitrine of Butterbeer and trays of biscuits and nobody was working on any preparation.

"Maybe now thing can get back to normal,"Albus said as he opened a Butterbeer.

"If Uncle Percy wins thing will never be normal again,"Rose pointed out.

Albus shrugged."I do n't have it away. Amanda seems fairly formula and her uncle 's the prime quantity Minister."

"That 's because nobody here cares about the flush diplomatic minister,"Amanda said."At habitation everyone knows I 'm the niece of the efflorescence pastor. My babe and comrade certainly are n't anonymous at their schools. My sister 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in subaltern school."

"Albus, you 're Harry Potter 's son,"John said flatly."No subject what happens, you 're going to be well-known."

Albus supposed that was true, but sometimes he wished it was n't. Sometimes, he wished he could hit his own way in the man and not have his dad 's figure tied to him.

"Did you ever get the map back from your dad ?"Matt asked.

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just singular,"flatness said.

Albus reached into his bag and pulled the map out. He 'd taken to carrying it around with him all the time, but he was n't surely why. After setting it down on the board he revealed it and focused on the constituent that showed Hogwarts.

"There 's still a bunch of people voting,"Albus said, gesturing to the Great vestibule. About a one-half dozen or so dots were milling about.

"gentlewoman Rosmerta 's there,"Amanda pointed out."I wonder who she 's voting for."

"No theme,"Albus said. He glanced at his sentry."Half minute until the pate close."

"How long do you think Bradley and Cedric will stay ?"Kaden asked.

"Probably not long after the announcement is made,"Albus answered."They do n't really wish going to those things."

"Albus,"John said, pointing to the map."Is it just me or is Malfoy going into Moaning myrtle 's crapper ?"

Albus peered down at the map. Sure enough, a dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'had just entered the instant floor girl 's lavatory. That did n't make any sense.

"What the blaze is he doing in there ?"mat exclaimed."Why would anyone go in there ?"

"Myrtle 's there,"John commented."Look, she 's floating over toward him."

"But why ?"Albus asked, still utterly confused."Why would a fellow go in there ?"

"Maybe the map made a mistake ?"Kaden suggested.

"Dad says the map never lies,"Albus explained."Well, there 's only one way to determine out. Let 's keep up him."

"phone ripe to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This party is getting boring anyway."

lav and Kaden nodded their question in correspondence. rosiness raised her supercilium.

"No way,"mat said, shaking his point vehemently."There are n't adequate Galleons in the world."

"Oh, do on, it 's just a girl 's loo,"Amanda said."Look, there are n't even any girls in there besides Myrtle. And she 's a trace !"

John laughed."Myrtle 's got a bit of a crush."

"lav, shut up !"lustrelessness said, his cheeks turning red.

Amanda and pink wine burst out in laughter."Seriously ?"Amanda said.

"Yeah, we had detention in there once,"lavatory explained."myrtle spent the entirely time flirting with Matt. It was hilarious."

"I said, shut it !"flatness shouted.

"Oh, come on, she 's just a ghost."

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"Fine,"toilet said."suit of clothes yourself. mount ?"

"I 'll stay here, thanks,"Rose said."You 're wasting your meter anyway. It 's not like he 'll separate you anything."

Albus did n't care. He still liked the idea of going because it felt like he was doing something, making some sort of progression on figuring out why Malfoy had been acting so oddly the past few calendar month.

They did n't rile bringing the invisibility Cloak since there was still an hour left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing pendent in honor of April Fool 's Day, but ignored his cackle.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the can as they walked quickly downwards flight of stairs of steps. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the second base corridor, after the stairs decided to lead them directly to the low floor rather than the second.

"He 's leaving !"Albus exclaimed as they got back on the steps after their slight detour.

"Maybe we can catch him on his way back to the keep,"Amanda suggested.

Albus nodded."Let 's wait here, then."

Their current location gave them an first-class view of the Great Charles Martin Hall. A few Ministry officials were currently carrying pieces of the ballot cubicles out of the elbow room, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half hour until they had a new Minister of magic trick.

John nudged Albus."There he is."

Albus turned away from the Great antechamber and saw Malfoy walking down the staircase. He looked extremely determined.

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"ceramicist,"Malfoy replied.

Albus suddenly had no idea how he was going to ask Malfoy about why he was in the young woman 's loo without revealing the map. If they caught him in there it would 've been well-heeled to say they saw him going in there, but now he was just walking down the stairs, perfectly innocently. He 'd have to be really heedful about it.

"So why were you in a daughter 's loo ?"Amanda asked.

So much for being thrifty, Albus thought.

Malfoy paled."Er, I wasn't."

"Yes, you were,"Amanda said."I was in there, too. Second floor, Moaning Myrtle 's crapper ? Ring any bells ?"

"That loo was empty-bellied,"Malfoy said quickly."I checked."

"Next meter curb a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the hold up stall and when I heard you come in I had to stay there because you 're a cuss and it would just be eldritch to issue forth out of a can carrell and come face to boldness with a bloke. I heard you talking to myrtle, though."

"I ... er ... that 's not any of your ... commercial enterprise,"Malfoy stammered.

"Then do n't conduct your business organisation in a girl 's loo,"Amanda said with a laugh."Let 's go. We do n't desire to escape the news program about the new curate. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the step. Albus, toilet, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their wake. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as blanch as lusterlessness is in good order before a full moon.

"Amanda, what was that ?"John exclaimed once they 'd attain the irregular floor.

"That felt good,"Amanda said."He just really irritates me, and this clip we had something on him. I could tell Al did n't know how to ask him without telling him about the map. But I figured it 'd be pretty easy to make believe I 'd been in the loo with him."

"That 's brilliant,"trick said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

"Whatever it was, I do n't think he 'll be going in that loo anymore,"Albus said."I just wish we 'd figured out why he was in there in the first place."

"Seriously,"John said."The only way you 'd catch me in a girl 's loo is if you paid me a load of Galleons."

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

"That does n't count,"John said.

"Oh, shut it, both of you,"Albus said."Let 's speed up and get back to the vernacular room."

When Albus, St. John the Apostle, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the common room they were greeted by brassy moan and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his sidekick, who was nearest the portrait hole.

"We thought you lot were Bradley and Cedric,"James said.

"James, it 's not even eight-thirty yet,"Albus pointed out."They wo n't be back for at least a half hour."

"Oh, right."

blush wine and Matt were in the middle of a secret plan of Bromus secalinus. matt was losing spectacularly.

"Did you find him ?"Matt asked as rosebush 's bishop crushed his queen.

"Yeah, but not in the loo,"Albus said."Caught him on his way back to his common room. He would n't tell us a thing."

"Of track he did n't,"Matt said."And he probably denied he was in the loo anyway."

"He would 've,"Albus said."But Amanda told him she 'd been in there and then told him off for being there. It was brilliant."

"Wish I could 've seen that. I 've always wanted to tell off Malfoy."

"You should 've add up,"bathroom said."We did n't even see Myrtle."

"Still ... not taking any fortune,"flatness said."queen to D6."

rose wine instructed her knight to move snug to flatness 's king."checkmate.

Matt sighed."One day, I 'll win."

"Me next !"Kaden exclaimed. Everyone else laughed."What ? I 've gotten better,"Kaden muttered.

Albus, bathroom, Matt, and Amanda settled down to watch as Rose clobbered Kaden. Albus could 've sworn he saw Kaden 's chess piece quiver as they were set up on the display panel. pink wine 's queen was most definitely grinning maliciously. Over the next one-half hour Kaden 's pieces were viciously slaughtered by blush wine 's, but not without putting up a fight. Kaden was in fact getting just.

"Exploding ginger snap ?"Matt asked after blush wine and Kaden repaired their chessmen.

"Yeah, all right,"Albus agreed. The others nodded.

Albus ran up to his dormitory to recover his Exploding Snap identity card. As he returned, the portraiture hole opened.

The entire vernacular room froze and was silent. Not a bingle person moved. Not a single person said a word. Even the world-class years, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the stern step to the dorm and waited.

Bradley walked inside, followed by Cedric. Neither seemed overly excited, but that did n't mean that Percy had n't won. After all, they, like Albus, did n't really desire Walker Percy to be Minister, but they did n't want Laurentis as Minister either.

"Well ?"James asked.

"Dad lost,"Bradley said quietly. He whispered something to James II and then he turned and left the vulgar way, followed by Cedric.

Albus could n't believe it. He had n't realized it until now, but he truly had believed that Uncle Percy would win. He had the support of Harry ceramist. Did n't that signify anything anymore ?

Albus returned to his protagonist and set the box of carte du jour down on the board. He sat down and did n't say a word.

"What does this mean ?"Amanda asked quietly."testament she do everything she said she was going to do ?"

"That and probably worse, too,"Albus said.

James walked up to the table."Al, Rose, we 're all going to the elbow room of Requirement. Tom Bradley and Cedric want to give us more details."He glanced the rest period of the group."Sorry, family only."

"We 'll see you later,"Albus said as he and Rose stood up.

Albus, James, and Rose walked to the room of requirement in silence. When they arrived they saw that the door was already there. They walked inside.

The rest of their first cousin had already arrived. Albus took a seat on the last remaining couch and James and blush wine sat on either side of him. Nobody was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Bradley, Cedric, Scots heather, scrape, Ben, Fred, Victor-Marie Hugo, Lily, James, Rose, and Angie. And himself. They were the middle group of cousins. Not the oldest, not the youngest, but the unity in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything last. They were n't the first to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the end to calibrate. They stood by each former, through the ripe and through the bad.

Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the front of the room, near its door. The integral room was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with mismatched furniture and organized chaos everywhere. Albus liked it.

"well, Dad lost,"Bradley finally said."I already told you that ... but yeah. It was close. He only lost by a twain hundred votes.

"How did he direct it ?"heather mixture asked.

"Graciously,"Bradley answered."Thanked everyone for their reinforcement and shook Laurentis 's hand, of course."

Albus was n't surprised. Uncle Harry Hotspur had and always would be the epitome of a cultured politico. But maybe that was n't enough to get elected.

"Is it terrible that I 'm happy he lost ?"Cedric asked as he squeezed onto the couch between James and Albus."Because I am, kind of."

"Just a bit,"Heather said."What is Uncle Percy going to do now ? I doubt Laurentis will keep him on."

"I had n't even thought of that,"Omar Nelson Bradley said.

Neither had Albus, but it made gumption. Harry Hotspur was still employed by the Ministry, but his job was one of those jobs selected by the government minister.

"He 's always worked for the Ministry,"Bradley continued."I do n't cerebrate he could do anything else."

The elbow room descended into silence. nobody seemed to make love what to say, Albus included. His flavour on his uncle becoming government minister had been all over the stead for the preceding seven months, but now that Sir Henry Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was dashing hopes. It was strange. Just survive calendar week he had been variety of hoping Walker Percy would lose, and now that he had, Albus felt the complete opposite.

It was already past tense curfew for Lily, Hugo, and Angie, but nonentity was telling them to go back to the common room. Albus was vaguely curious about what was going on in the coarse room, but not curious enough to actually go back. mat, lavatory, Kaden, and Amanda would tell him later.

What Albus was really worried about, more than anything, was what Laurentis was going to do to both the Ministry and Hogwarts. Laurentis had made it clear that she was going to commute the schooling, but Albus liked it the way it was. Then there were the modification to the Ministry, such as the dementors. How long would it take for Laurentis to wreak them back ? Surely she had to go through proper television channel to do it.

James, Bradley, and Cedric were the low to return to the common room, claiming they had to make good on all the stakes they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and Rose returned a few min later, leaving the residual of their cousins talking quietly in the room of Requirement.

When they returned matt, John the Divine, and Kaden were playing Exploding centering. Amanda was writing a letter.

"Who are you writing to ?"rosebush asked.

"My uncle,"Amanda answered."I 've been keeping him updated on the election. He says he likes hearing it from me rather than waiting until the new minister arrives to meet him."

"Your uncle meets the government minister of Magic ?"can asked.

"fountainhead, yes,"Amanda said."The two Earth do have to coexist. Sometimes there are problems that affect both. Voldemort, for instance. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the fly the coop end Eaters."

"That 's so weird,"John said.

"I told you about it earlier in the year,"Amanda pointed out."That 's the only understanding I got to go to Hogwarts. My parents changed their minds at the last minute and happened to mention it to my uncle, laughing about the fact that they 'd actually said I could go. And then my uncle told them it was all true."

"I wonder how often that happens,"Albus mused,"Muggleborns not being able to go to Hogwarts because their parents do n't believe."

Amanda shrugged."I 'm just lucky I was n't one of them."

"I think we all need a beguilement,"Rose said and turned to Kaden, whose brass was covered in ash."Deal out the cards again. Let 's spiel until we 're too tired."

Albus heartily agreed, and that was exactly what they did. Two hours later, all of their faces ashen, they were finally tired. But when Albus climbed into bed, his thoughts began racing and he found himself ineffectual to sleep.


A/N : Sorry for the former update ! My birthday is tomorrow so I had friend up for the weekend and completely forgot. Thanks for all the limited review !


The next day 's edition of the prophet was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The victor did not surprise anyone in Hogwarts since Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the entire front varlet article at breakfast and he was glad he did, because the article still held surprises.

LAURENTIS WINS ; Menachem Begin APPOINTING POSITIONS

In the closelipped race for Minister of deception to
day of the month, candidate Patricia Laurentis won the
perspective last night. public opinion poll closed at eight,
with the official winner announced at a shut down
party at the minister of religion 's mansion at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a mere 342 ballot, which is the
closest raceway we have ever seen.

'I am of course very proud of with this turn of
upshot ,'Laurentis said at the parson 's
mansion after the announcement was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as Minister of
magic on May first. I feel I will be capable to
give the populace what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my responsibility to give them what
I promised during my run. I of course
offer my condolences to Percy Weasley. He truly
was a pleasure to run against over the past
seven calendar month .'

'I offer my congratulations to my opponent ,'Harry Hotspur
Weasley said to Daily oracle reporters at the
Minister 's residence. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, average and square. I am thwarted,
of course, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the next month Laurentis will decide who
she wishes to appoint to top Ministry positions,
before she is sworn in as parson of thaumaturgy on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
time with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this morning .'I already have hoi polloi
picked out for near positions ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
current functionary, but I will be replacing quite
a few in order to full unite the Ministry .'

One person has already confirmed his intentions
to take Laurentis up on her offer of a position.
Ironically, he is set to take away over Percy Weasley 's
current stead under curate Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to denote that Draco Malfoy is
going to choose the position of Senior
Undersecretary for the draftsmanship and Editing
of Laws. genus Draco Malfoy has been a Quaker of mine
for many years as we have worked together in the
Azkaban class for nearly a 10. I am very
excited to proceed working with him .'

Laurentis plans to announce the epithet of her
functionary as they confirm throughout the month.

"Malfoy 's dad ?"Albus exclaimed, in shock."Since when is he chummy with Laurentis ?"

"Malfoy never said a word,"lustrelessness added, his eyes large.

"Of course of instruction he did n't,"Rose said."We 're not exactly his friends."

"waiting, remember in Hogsmeade back in October ?"Albus replied."When he talked about how my kinsfolk wo n't be running the wizarding existence for long ? Not that my family has ever ran the wizarding Earth ... But he seemed to know something we didn't."

"This must be it,"John said, staring at the paper."That 's a pretty top position, is n't it ?"

"Second high-pitched for drafting laws,"Rose said."Given his family relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most likely pass."

"And who knows what his views are,"Albus said, craning his neck to see the Slytherin board."Malfoy 's over there. I ca n't quite see his face, though."

"I 'm sure enough he 'll possess something to say to you in Potions,"Amanda pointed out.

Albus had quite a few hours to wait to find out just what exactly Malfoy would accept to say to them. History of Magic, his first stratum of the day, was as boring as ever. professor Binns showed absolutely no recognition that the election had taken place the previous day. prof Patil was the complete opposite, making no move to embrace up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to be adrift up the desk she was attempting to transfigure.

"Do you think Laurentis will actually throw instructor sacked ?"John asked as they walked to the Great residence for lunch."Because if she does, Patil wo n't stand a chance."

Albus shook his head."Only if they 're really awe-inspiring teachers. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth part year and I think masses will be outraged if Laurentis does the same thing. Honestly, I think Binns and Whitney Moore Young Jr. are the only 1 in danger."

"Could you sack a spook ?"John asked."I mean, where would he go ?"

"He 'd probably stick around and still try to instruct,"Albus said."I ca n't imagine it would go over well."

"And Whitney Moore Young Jr. ca n't get sacked,"lav lamented."That 's where I do all my homework."

Albus secretly agreed, but did n't say anything because rosiness snorted in disgust.

Malfoy was waiting outside the potions dungeon when Albus and his booster arrived after lunch. Gone from his face was the enervate and partially sad flavour, replaced by Malfoy 's usual haughty smug. Clearly his dad getting a top Ministry office had changed something.

"Hey, Potter,"Malfoy greeted him."praise to your uncle on his deprivation. Ca n't thank him enough for that."

"I 'll be sure to enjoin him,"Albus replied."He 'll be thrilled that he made a Malfoy happy. Must be squeamish that your dad 's got some actual power now."

"And yours wo n't have got any for long,"Malfoy said."Just another month."

"naught 's set for sure about the Auror section,"Albus countered.

Malfoy laughed."I think I might know a bit more than than you on that. Laurentis was over at my firm for dinner last week."

"And you were here,"Albus said."You never mentioned that your dad 's friends with Laurentis."

"It never came up."

"Well now that you 're all well-chosen again maybe you 'll actually shew up for this month 's dueling tournament ?"

That wiped the smirk off Malfoy 's grimace. He turned stony and took a whole tone closer to Albus."Do n't say a countersign about that. It 's none of your business."

"Touchy,"John commented.

"stuff it, Brickston. This does n't business organisation you. Your parents will consume king in the Ministry the day Hagrid adopts a convention pet."

"We 'll see who 's got the power the instant one of your family winds up at St. Mungo 's,"King John snapped.

Malfoy paled."Just keep out up. The point is, my dad 's going to hold a better position than yours."

"cypher cares what your dad does for a living,"matt said.

"Nobody asked you. At least my dad does n't bring his body of work dwelling with him."Malfoy laughed.

John whipped out his wand."You always take it one too far, do n't you, Malfoy ?"

Malfoy took out his wand as well."I could say the Same about you, Brickston."

"Wands away, boys."

Albus turned and saw prof Slughorn standing in the doorway. He breathed a suspiration of rest. The lastly thing John needed was another detention.

"Get inside. Class is starting in one minute."

Both John the Evangelist and Malfoy were lucky they did n't get detention, Albus thought. Neither of them had thrown any curse, but a stricter teacher would 've handed out hold just for having their wands drawn. Not Slughorn, though. Albus got the sensation that Slughorn did n't like handing out detentions, probably because that meant having to oversee them.
***


The following few solar day passed without anymore position announcements from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively placid few sidereal day, especially when compared with the past seven month. For the starting time prison term all twelvemonth, there was little reporting of the election, that is until they had political science on Tuesday. At the end of the deterrent example, Embry reminded them of their enquiry essays on their voice, an assignment that had completely slipped Albus 's nous. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped Saint John the Apostle and flatness 's mind as well. Rose and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all calendar week, only needing to pen their close. Amanda had even asked her uncle for help, devoting piece of her essay to the law of similarity and remainder between the wizarding and Muggle political science.

"I guess we 'll be spending the evening in the library,"Albus said as they headed to the Great hall for dinner."

"Dammit,"lustrelessness muttered."I 'm going to have to write the integral thing tonight. The good moon 's tomorrow."

"Usually you 're much sound about remembering to do assignments before that,"Rose commented.

"I know, but with the election and everything, I forgot,"Matt said.

"But you 'll be missing course of study on Thursday,"John pointed out."So you can turn it in Tues and get four extra days."

"I 've never done that with long-term appointment,"Matt said."I do n't want to set out now. Albus can plough it in, like usual."

"Let 's eat fast, then,"Albus said as they entered the Great Hall.

"Hey, Amanda, want to take a walk around the lake before we write our ending ?"Rose asked."The weather 's so decent tonight we might as well take advantage."

"Of course of action !"Amanda agreed."Ca n't let that go to waste."

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five minutes later Albus, mat, can, and Kaden had taken over one of the large mesa in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a Transfiguration essay due the next day and prophecy predictions to do. Albus was considering hexing two first years at the tabular array future to them who kept giggling, if Madam Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his friends lived in his district ; it would make this so a good deal easier.

Albus did suffer a distinct advantage over both flatness and John, in that his representative was far more well-known than theirs. Joseph Oliver Prang, who had been serving the North London district, was on his fourth consecutive term, which amounted to over fifteen twelvemonth. That was more than Albus 's entire life. London in itself was a localisation that required far more attention than other arena of the country, which resulted in far to a greater extent selective information being uncommitted on it. John was capable to situate a fair amount of information on his representative, Nadine Abernathy, but flatness, since he lived in one of the most remote control areas of England, had difficulty locating entropy on Marcus Whitby.

"Does this bloke even subsist ?"mat asked as he looked through the very hold out archive copy of the vaticinator that was published during Whitby 's one condition."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a sentence that mentions he won the election. And of course he won. He did n't suffer any opponents."flatness groaned and banged his heading repeatedly on the table."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the minutes from Wizengamot meetings,"Albus said, pointing to the three large stacks of paper in the midriff of the table. He really did feel bad for Matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a paper like this, but having to do it when the full Sun Myung Moon was only two days away ?

"I could probably just make stuff up,"flatness said as he took the top few varlet."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly sleep together anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the least densely populated district in all of England."

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"whoremaster said."There. I 've got my introduction. expect at it this way. Your bloke 's only been in office for a year. So you 've got far less stuff to look through. It wo n't take as long."

"But if there is n't anything, then that does n't help,"matte muttered."Have you even read anything ?"

"A bit."John shrugged."Nadine Abernathy 's on her second terminal figure, so there 's not as very much as Albus has got. But I read enough to write the intro. Now I 'll read a bit more."

"You have a eldritch way of doing research."

Albus glanced up and saw that Rose and Amanda had returned, bags in hired man. They sat down and pulled out their own essays, which looked very long.

flatness tossed the newspaper he 'd been looking at onto his rejection big money, which was so chaotic that Madam Pince would probably receive a essence attack if she saw it. He then let out a forte sigh and put his foreland in his hands.

"Could you please take shame on him ?"Albus asked Rose.

rosiness looked up from her essay."I told you. You 're all doing this yourselves."

"His spokesperson has only been in office for a year,"Albus explained."And the only affair he 's found is one sentence in a Prophet from a year ago saying he won the election, which was against nobody. And the wide-cut lunar month is tomorrow."

"Please, blush wine ?"lusterlessness asked, picking his head up to look at her. His face was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

"Your parents should 've moved somewhere less outback,"Kaden commented.

"They wanted to be in the middle of nowhere,"Matt said flatly."They did n't want neighbors."

Rose sighed."fine. But only because you look so pathetic. And mine was pretty difficult, too, because my district is also removed. Just let me cease my conclusion."

"Lucky,"John muttered."I do n't say you 'd help-"

"Absolutely not, John Brickston,"rosiness said and lowered her voice."As soon as you turn into a wolf once a month I 'll help you with your procrastination."

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the next four 60 minutes managed to get it half done. He did n't think it was very in effect, but it was forward motion. toilet was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to call off it a night. John settled in to help oneself Kaden with his fake divination prediction. Matt was still working on his, with much coaching from Rose.

"Did you find anything ?"Albus asked.

"A bit,"Rose said."It 's not a good deal. This fellow seriously has n't done anything. He 's hardly mentioned in any of these minutes."

matte yawned."How long does this have to be again ?"

"A foot,"Rose answered."You 've got another four in to go."

"It 's nearly ten,"Albus mentioned."The depository library is going to close and we 've already missed curfew."

The library was now only filled with fifth through seventh years. It was certainly quieter.

"We should probably finish in the commons room, then,"pink wine said.

"I do n't think I can,"matt said."Too play out. I 'll finish it tomorrow since I 'll probably bound off afternoon classes anyway."

The group packed up their things and walked quickly back to the common way. By some stroke of portion they managed to nullify the prefects and did n't get any detention from being out after curfew.

"No mandatary curfew tomorrow,"Kaden commented as they entered the uncouth room.

"With Greyback caught they do n't ask to do it anymore,"Albus pointed out.

"Thank God,"Matt replied."He wo n't be lurking around tomorrow."

"I just trust your dad was able to serve those parents with the two kids,"Rose said.

"He 'll probably go do the wards himself,"mat said."At least for this calendar month. And I 'm sure they 've got Aconitum lycoctonum this month."

Albus nodded. It was going to be a unspoilt full moon moonshine for everyone involved.
***


Albus, lustrelessness, and John managed to get their essays done in time and turned in on Thursday. The broad moon was relatively rule, as full-of-the-moon moonshine go, without any reports of werewolf attacks. lustrelessness wound up in the hospital wing for two wide years, having resorted to chewing on himself since the wolf no longer had the distraction of Greyback exterior. But Albus had a flavor flatness preferred it that way. Greyback 's presence was just too creepy and too unknown.

A few daylight after the wax Sun Myung Moon James returned to the mutual way fuming. Albus raised his eyebrows at his brother as he straightened a passel of career leaflet that had once again appeared on the common way tables.

James stomped over to Albus 's table, pulled up a chairman, and squeezed himself between Albus and Matt."Career advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just have it ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, with Longbottom,"James said."Neville always seemed so squeamish when we were picayune and even in class he 's easily the dear professor here. But for vocation advice ? He 's dreadful !"

"Well, what did you talk about ?"

"Careers."

rosiness snorted."Obviously."

"He wants me to beak something now. I do n't screw what I want to do with my life. I 'm only xvi for God 's sake !"

"I think you have to blame something so you can pick your N.E.W.T. family next twelvemonth,"Rose explained."Otherwise the teacher do n't know what to put you in."

"I know that,"Saint James snapped."But I do n't want to do anything that 's going to want loads of N.E.W.T.s. I want to toy Quidditch."

Rose laughed."He did n't care that ?"

"No,"James muttered."So I told him about GA. And then he said that it 's not very common to be drafted by a professional team and that even Georgia had a back-up plan. That 's word to me. As far as I know she 's wanted to play Quidditch her unit life."

"She was going to design heather,"Rose said."Still might, after she 's done with Quidditch. Why do n't you do that ?"

"Neville suggested it. But it requires Arithmancy most of the fourth dimension and I have n't even done O.W.L. Arithmancy. I just want to direct the bare lower limit of N.E.W.T.s and get done with it."

"And of course Neville did n't like that,"Rose said."Honestly, Saint James the Apostle, just find fault something."

"But I ca n't !"James said as he picked up a stack of pamphlets."looking at these. hobgoblin inter-group communication, Gringott 's Counterfeit Coin checker, Security troll trainer. They 're all dead boring."

"There 's loading of jobs in the Ministry and St. Mungo 's,"Rose said.

James snorted."No one would want me as their Healer."

Albus had to hold with that. James had about the Lapplander power to contract as a troll."Hey, you could train security system trolls."

"I said that 's boring. And I do n't want to work for the Ministry. Not now that Laurentis has won. Just you lot wait. You 'll have to go through this next year."

"I already know what I want to do,"Rose said."I 'm going to be a therapist, specializing in psychiatry."

"Of course you do,"King James muttered.

"If it makes you feel better, Ilex paraguariensis, I 've no melodic theme what I want to do,"John said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

"You 're a third class,"William James said flatly."It does n't weigh that you do n't make love what you want to do. What about you, Al ?"

Albus shrugged. He had n't thought much about careers since the previous year when Balladanis told him he could be a Presuler. The idea was very tempting, but he did n't want to tell anyone else about it.

"I suppose it does n't matter. The N.E.W.T.s I take are going to reckon on which O.W.L.s I actually pass."

"If you 'd chuck up the sponge complaining and set off studying you 'd pass more than of them,"pink wine pointed out.

"I suppose you 're right,"James said as he stood up."Guess I 'll go to the library."

"James, wait !"blush wine shouted as James neared the portrayal muddle."Forgetting anything ?"

James glanced down."Oh, right. Books."

King James I ran up to his dormitory and returned with his bag a minute later. Grinning at Albus and the others, he left the plebeian room.

"I swear, I 'm not trusted how we 're related,"blush wine muttered.

"You 're telling me,"Albus replied."You 're still set on the healer thing ?"

"More than ever,"Rose said."It is unearthly, knowing exactly what I want to do this early."

"You 're like my baby,"Matt pointed out."You two really are alike. It 's form of weird."

"I like your sister,"rose said."So I 'll aim that as a compliment. What about you ? Do you bang what you want to do ?"

lustrelessness laughed and picked up the Gringott 's pamphlet."Considering that wolfman are n't going to be changed from fauna to Beings anytime soon, I do n't recollect I 'm going to receive many pick to foot from."

"You never know,"rose wine said."Who knows what will occur between now and when we graduate. things could change."

"Still, it 's dubitable,"matte said, turning to Amanda."Amanda ? You were awfully quiet when James was here."

"It 's hard not to be. He 's rather garish himself. I 'm not sure. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to spend a penny a difference."

"Excellent,"Matt said."You can modify everyone 's minds about changing the loup-garou classification."

Amanda smiled."You never know. It 's crossed my mind a few times."

"I just want to brew potions for a aliveness,"Kaden announced as he leafed through the pamphlet.

"You 're harebrained,"John said."You seem so normal, otherwise. But seriously, nobody enjoys potions."

"You can do that,"Matt said."You can become a brewer. My Sister 's doing that along with her Healing degree."

Kaden 's eyes grew vauntingly."postponement, really ? That 's a real vocation ?"

lusterlessness nodded."Not everyone can brew potions, so they need people to brew them for them. You can work at St. Mungo 's and brew healing potions or you could work for a company and brew potions to sell."

"Sort of like a chemist, I suppose,"Amanda replied.

"Exactly,"Rose said.

"Brilliant."Kaden grinned."James II will hate me now. tertiary year and I know what I 'm doing."

Albus laughed."You could change your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

Albus did n't really need to cerebrate about what they would do after Hogwarts. It was three years away. He 'd rather savor the demo, but rose had always been the someone to look to the future tense. She fantasized about their Hogwarts years when they were only six and now, she was fantasizing about what they 'd do after. Albus had never been the type to do that. There would be plenty of clock time for the future in the future.


A/N : Thanks for all the reexamination ! For those of you who read Beyond the Shadow, it made it through to the voting round of the Dobbys ! Head over to the forums to vote for it. It was nominated in the Best OC category.


Apr went by quickly, as it usually did. The weather turned from chile and windy to warm and rainy, resulting in more than one muddy Quidditch praxis. Albus did n't mind the mud as much as he minded the length of the practices. Both Fred and Heather seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their 7th year. They had n't won it yet, in all their years at Hogwarts. Albus wanted to win, too, but not enough that he enjoyed practicing for five time of day straight.

When he was n't on the sales pitch, virtually of Albus 's metre was spent at dueling practice. The final lucifer of the year was on the close Saturday in April and Albus 's team was still in the running for a win of the entire tournament. They had n't won a unity match, but they were routinely in 2nd place by only a few points. The team that had gotten first spot never did that well in other tournaments, resulting in their overall point total being quite low.

When the last Sat in April arrived, far sooner than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly nervous. He was n't nervous at all about his duels, but he was nervous for the squad. This was it. It was his finale tournament in the Jnr Dueling Tournament. His stopping point hazard to prove himself as captain and earn a situation on Gryffindor 's dueling squad next year.

All four captains of the house dueling teams were present at this tournament because they would be bridge player selecting musician for their teams next yr. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tournament.

"lowest tournament being on Malfoy 's team,"Amanda commented as Malfoy dueled a miss from Ravenclaw.

"Thank God,"Albus muttered. He could n't await until he no longer had Malfoy on his squad."At least he 's acting normally today."

"At least he showed up,"Amanda pointed out.

"period to Malfoy !"Neville shouted."Albus ceramist and Matt Eckerton."

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt awfully when he had to duel Matt because their skill levels were so drastically different. At the Saame time he did n't want to go soft on his acquaintance because the Gryffindor team captain was watching.

Albus and flatness bowed to each other and raised their scepter. Albus thought a silent apologia as he shot a stunner at his best champion. lusterlessness dodged it and sent one binding. Albus threw up a carapace and then sent three consecutive mantrap. The thirdly one made touch and flatness collapsed onto the floor, frozen.

"Point to Potter !"Neville declared. He waved his wand at matte and the charm lifted.

"Sorry, better half,"Albus said as he helped lustrelessness up.

"Do n't be,"Matt replied."You 're definitely getting on the squad next year."

Albus won his second duel as well. His team continued to win most of their duel, with some of his teammate winning their first duels ever. Amanda had begun a tally of all the full stop on a spare bit of sheepskin and their squad was winning, with only a few duel left to go.

Kaden wound up dueling one of the Ravenclaws from Albus 's team during the last duel of the day. Kaden lost spectacularly, which Albus was both happy and upset about.

A few minutes later Neville stepped into the center field of one of the dueling hoop."I am pleased to announce that we have a winner of both today 's tourney and the yr 's tournament boilers suit. congratulations to Team sevener for winning both today and the tournament overall ! Captain Albus ceramicist, delight come forward to accept the trophy."

Albus was momentarily stunned, until Amanda nudged him. The entire Great Hall was applauding as he stepped over to the dueling rings. They 'd done it ! After a year, they 'd finally done it !

Albus shook Neville 's handwriting while a Hufflepuff took their scene. The prize was a bit smaller than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not small by any way. After a few More pictures were taken, including one shot of the entire team, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the common room.

"When will you find out if you got on Gryffindor 's dueling team ?"she asked as they walked.

"Not until the summertime,"Albus said."They send out letters."

"You 're pretty much guaranteed a spot, after that win,"Amanda said."Malfoy, too, probably. And then you 'll get to duel each other."

"I 'm looking forward to that,"Albus said."Just a bit."

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

Albus 's friends were waiting in the common room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulations and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading outside for Quidditch practice.

Later that night, between his happiness about the win and enervation from Quidditch practice, Albus slept skillful than he had in calendar month.
***


In April 's last-place persist daylight the Daily seer published at least one clause a day on Laurentis and her upcoming swearing-in ceremonial occasion, as well as her plectrum for top officials. Albus had n't recognized any public figure of the officials, or the names of their jobs. Mostly they were jobs such as the one his Uncle Harry Hotspur held under diplomatic minister Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became Minister to discover the big positions, such as Albus 's dad 's position.

The Gryffindor table was unusually quiet the dawn of May first. Albus, along with all his full cousin, were n't saying a Christian Bible. Albus was thinking of his uncle Hotspur and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was sure his cousin were thinking the same.

"I wish one of us could go to her ceremonial,"Amanda said as she read the prophesier."It 's not going to be the Saami indication about it tomorrow."

"I heard they 're listening to it on the radio receiver in political sympathies today,"bathroom said."want we had it today. That would be much better than having actual class."

"I just want to know if my dad 's out of a job,"Albus said.

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

"No. He just would n't be capitulum Auror anymore,"Albus answered."It 'd still be awful, though."

"Same here,"Matt agreed."Amy said that Dad 's really anxious about it."

"What meter is it happening ?"Rose asked.

"Ten-thirty,"Amanda said after consulting the paper.

"Right after chronicle of Magic,"Rose mused."So you lot will bear Care of Magical tool and I 'll have Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should break out Uncle George VI 's best-selling product this morning ?"

Albus thought he heard her incorrect. Was his first cousin actually suggesting they skip family ?

"Wait, Rose,"John said."Are you saying we should skive off stratum ?"

rosiness grinned."I think this is going to be a bit more educational. I say we skive and sports meeting in the predator 's Den to heed on the wireless."

"I 'm in,"Albus said immediately. John, matte, Amanda, and Kaden agreed.

"We 've got to plan it carefully, though,"Rose said."We ca n't all get ill at the Saame time or it 'll look suspicious."

"I 've got a rid period starting at ten-fifteen,"Kaden said."So I 'm all set."

Rose nodded."That leaves five of us. mat, do you make an takings with skipping all of chronicle of Magic ?"

Matt laughed."Of course not."

"trade good. I think you ought to just skive off without using a Skiving Snackbox. No one will suspect anything."

"Aw, why ca n't I do that ?"John asked.

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be easier for matte go just say he felt ill, rather than you. I 'll use a nosebleed nougat in Arithmancy since I 'm the only one of us in that grade. Al, John, Amanda, two of you can use something in account of magic and then the other one can use something right at the origin of maintenance of Magical Creatures. We meet in the predator 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the plan decided upon, they set off for their morning course of study. John begged to be the one who used a regurgitation cough drop first in chronicle of conjuring trick and Albus and Amanda let him. He seemed strangely excited about it. Albus was just going to use the feverishness fudge.

Professor Binns began droning on about the Giant Wars, a theme he seemed to enjoy for some reason. He taught it each and every year without fail. Albus doodled aimlessly on his notes while taking surreptitious glances at Gospel According to John every so often.

"Um, Professor ?"Gospel According to John announced ten second into the class.

Binns turned around, looking confused. It was rare that anyone ever interrupted him."Yes, Mr. Broggs ?"

"I do n't feel well-"trick was cut off by his own emesis. His tabular array was now covered with a pile of puke.

"Yes, yes, off to the infirmary,"Binns said as he returned his attention to the blackboard.

John hastily shoved the former end of the Henry Sweet into his lip and vanished the puking before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the way.

Amanda was following. She, like Albus, went the safe path and had decided upon the fever fudge. Professor Binns hardly seemed to notice that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the course. He just waved her out and continued his lecture. Albus could 've probably used his own fever fudge right then and there, but he did n't think it was worth the modest risk.

Albus decided to eat the febrility fudge on his way to Care of Magical Creatures so he could allow immediately after arriving. The piranha 's Den was quite a walk from Hagrid 's hut and he did n't want to miss any of the ceremony.

He felt the event of the fudge before even reaching Hagrid 's Hut. He had n't had a fever in years and had forgotten just how awful they were.

"Hagrid ?"Albus asked as soon as he arrived.

"Albus !"Hagrid exclaimed."How are yeh ?"

"Not good,"Albus answered."I feel ill."

Hagrid 's side fell."Yeh don'look so well. Better go see ma'am Pomfrey."

Albus nodded and turned around, walking quickly up the itinerary. Once he was out of survey of Hagrid, he shoved the other half of the fever fudge into his backtalk and felt immediately better. He 'd done it !

By the time he arrived at the marauder 's Den it was nearly ten-thirty. The relief of his Quaker were already there, huddled around a very old looking receiving set.

"Albus !"rosebush exclaimed."Nearly thought you would n't make it !"

"I practically ran here,"Albus said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and took a seat next to his cousin.

"Shhh !"Amanda said."It 's starting !"

"Good dawning, listeners. We are broadcasting live from courtroom Ten in the Ministry of conjuring trick, where just arcminute from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as Minister of Magic for the United Kingdom. It is standing room only in the courtroom, with extra spectator in the corridor."

Suddenly there was thunderous applause, drowning out the commentator 's voice. It died down a few minute of arc later.

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the courtroom. She is making her way down the aisle, greeting people on her way.

"Minister Hartwell, along with appendage of the Wizengamot are seated on the dais. Three senior phallus of the Wizengamot will swear Laurentis in."

More applause. Then a new vocalisation. Albus recognized it as curate Hartwell.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. It has been my delight to serve you over the past tense ten eld. I 'd like to lease a moment to thank my political party, Merlinus, for their support over the preceding tenner, as well as all of my top functionary and the quietus of the Ministry employees. I 'll prevent this short and just say that I am going to miss serving you, but I have to let in that both my married woman and I are looking forward to taking a skillful, long holiday."

Laughter, followed by applause.

"Thank you, rector Hartwell,"someone else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot penis."Ms. Laurentis, if you would please step forward."There was a pause."Please repeat after me. I do hereby sustain to serve the United Kingdom-"

"I do hereby verify to service the United Kingdom-"

"-to the salutary of my ability-"

"-to the respectable of my ability-"

"-and go along to the nonsuch of the Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus party-"

"-and keep to the nonsuch of the Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim party-"

"I swear to listen to the citizenry and do what is best for them-"

"I swear to mind to the people and do what is best for them-"

"-regardless of whether it is best for myself or the Ministry."

"-regardless of whether it is best for myself or the Ministry."

"I hereby declare Patricia Laurentis as the 3rd Minister of Magic post-War as of the first of May, 2020, at eleven o'clock in the morning. Ms. Laurentis, congratulations. Please welcome your new Minister of Magic, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a smattering of polite applause, much quieter than the premature hand clapping for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a serious social function and no one wanted to appear too ecstatic.

"That was quick,"Albus said.

"She 's going to make a speech now,"Rose said."Shhh."

"Thank you,"Laurentis said as the applause died down."It is an laurels to be standing before you as your Minister of magic. I would like to lead off by thanking the Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim party for nominating me as nominee and supporting me throughout my successful campaign-"

"Does she really require to say it was a successful campaign ?"John asked."I mean, it 's obvious that it was successful."

"Shut up !"Rose said.

"-without your support I would never possess made it this far. I hope I am able to go up to the eminent outlook set by you and Minister Hartwell. I am trusted you are all queasy to hear who I am appointing to Head of section view in the Ministry, so I wo n't neutralize any time getting to that."

Albus 's centre sped up. He glanced up and met Matt 's regard. Matt looked just as queasy as Albus felt.

"First, the department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am pleased to announce that Tethys Balladanis will be taking over for former Head, Reena Barnes."

"What ? !"Albus exclaimed."Did I hear her right ?"

"Balladanis ?"rose shouted at the same clip."But he did n't even like the Ministry, did he ?"

"He said it was too restrictive,"Albus said."I guess he likes Laurentis."

Matt groaned."That means he 's going to be around all the time. Not here, but this country."

"I definitely did n't see that one coming,"John said.

"Laurentis, Balladanis, Malfoy 's dad ..."Amanda mused.

"Shh !"Albus said."I heard her say Auror Department."

"-Robert President Johnson will be replacing Harry thrower as Head of the Auror Department-"

There was an audible gasp from the audience. Albus sat stunned, processing the information. persona of him had been expecting this, but now that it had actually happened, it was still a shock. It was very similar to the election results.

"I understand that this is a controversial choice, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a unite strawman. I assure you that Robert Johnson is an excellent Auror and will make a wonderful fountainhead of Department."

Albus tuned the wireless out once Laurentis went on to the section of Magical transport. He could hear his tenderness pounding in his head and the residue of the world seemed so far away. It was almost surreal.

"Albus ?"rose asked."Are you all right ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."She 's insane, right ?"

"Honestly, Albus, I 'm not surprised,"rose said quietly."And your dad still has a job."

"But it 's the statement she made by doing it,"Amanda pointed out."She 's implying that he 's bad at his job."

"Exactly,"Albus said, glad that Amanda was able-bodied to put into words what he felt."First Uncle Percy lost and now this."

"-Walter Eckerton will rest headland of the Department for the Regulation and controller of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"lusterlessness exclaimed.

"Good,"Albus said."At least there 's someone sane still in a oral sex position."

Albus only paid undefined care to the rest of the promulgation. He did n't recognize anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that appointment. One thing was cleared by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's family was in any of the brain post.

Rose switched the wireless off at the end of Laurentis 's speech. The thaumaturgist doing the programme was interviewing a few the great unwashed, but they were n't anyone of great importance.

"Do you want to go to lunch ?"Rose asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah, I suppose so,"Albus said as he stood up.

It was vindicated that countersign had spread when Albus and his friends reached the Great Hall. Whichever class had had politics during the delivery must 've shared the news with the intact castle, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't make eye middleman with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor table, where he sat down next to James.

"So you heard,"James said quietly.

"I skived off class to hear live on,"Albus explained."She wants a combine ministry. What a load of tartar dung."

"This is bad,"King James said."This is really bad."

"She 's replaced to a greater extent functionary than any government minister, ever,"Rose commented."She only kept three."

"I still have no idea why she kept my dad,"mat replied."I mean, I 'm beaming she did, but it does n't make any sense."

"zippo she 's doing makes a bit of sense,"Albus muttered."But I guess people must wish her. She got elected."

"But now that she 's elected she can appoint who she wants,"Amanda said."I do n't recall anyone actually thought she 'd substitute your dad. I 've only been in the wizarding reality for four age and even I know that everyone loves your dad."

That 's what Albus had always thought, too. He hated the fact that he was always in the public eye because of it, but it was a constant. It was rule for him. Now, he did n't know what to think.

"facial expression,"Amanda said as she pointed to the staff table."I do n't think the teacher expected it, either."

Albus glanced up. Every exclusive prof was oceanic abyss in conversation, some even ignoring their food. Neville in special looked stunned and upset. None of them looked happy.

Albus 's own collection plate was still empty and he had no desire to fill it. For as long as he could remember his dad had been Head of the Auror Department, a job that he loved. Being the man who defeated Voldemort had given him an aura of being the ultimate Auror, something that had stayed with him for over twenty days. Now, so many years later, it seemed to Albus that it was wearing off.

It was May first, 2020, almost exactly 23 long time after his dad had defeated Voldemort. Albus thought it was slightly ironic that this had happened almost to the day, 23 eld later.

Albus looked around at his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that more than than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most likely supported her decision to replace his dad as Head of the Auror department. Not everyone was talking in voicelessness, with care facial expression. A few grouping were laughing, like they did n't have a care in the populace. Either they just did n't manage about Laurentis 's decision, or they supported it. The intellection was very unnerve. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the Minister of thaumaturgy. He did n't like it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


The following workweek brought a slew of articles stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that initiatory speech. A list of the new Ministry official was printed multiple times. Albus found the column more interesting than the genuine clause, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how pillock it was of Laurentis to give the sack Harry thrower. However, it was n't until nearly a week after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an article completely captured Albus 's attending was published.

DEMENTORS TO RETURN TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE CHANGES

Newly elected government minister of Magic
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will bring Azkaban back
under the control of the dementors
late endure Nox. Laurentis hopes
to cause the dementors back by latterly
next week. 'This has been a goal
of mine for long time and I am very
happy that it is finally happening.
The wizarding public will be far
safer now that our felon will
be guarded once to a greater extent by dementors .'

Bringing the dementors back to Azkaban
is the first base of many modification the new
curate will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's side by side
plan is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the following few week I will be
sending representatives from the
Department of Magical didactics to
observe each professor. Each
professor will be required to defer
their course of study to the congressman
as well .'prof planning on
retiring at the end of this year
will be exempt from this demand,
as no changes will take plaza before
the end of term.

"wellspring, she 's done it,"Albus said as he set the article down."A week from now Azkaban will have dementors."

"Mad,"Amanda muttered."She 's mad !"

"And she 's sending people to maintain the teachers,"Albus said.

Amanda grabbed the clause from Albus and scanned it quickly."Are any of them retiring ?"

"I did n't intend so,"Albus said."But a few of them are quite old."

As if on cue, professor Kendrick stood up."May I have your attention ? Thank you. Most of you, I am sure, have read the vaticinator. Over the next few weeks every prof will be observed during one of his or her category. I ask you all to brush off the representative and go about class as if they were n't there. That is how the Ministry will scoop get an understanding of how matter work at Hogwarts. Now, professor Slughorn has an announcement to make."

Professor Slughorn stood, although he was so inadequate that it hardly made a difference. He looked a bit nervous and Albus got the intuitive feeling that he rarely ever addressed the intact bookman torso at once.

"Yes, thank you, prof Kendrick,"Slughorn said."I just wanted to tell you all at once that I am going to adjourn at the end of terminal figure. I 've enjoyed my time at Hogwarts, but it 's high meter I retire for good."

"Ten Galleons says he decided to turn in after finding out he had to submit his curricula to the Ministry,"rosebush whispered after Slughorn sat back down.

"I 'm certain you 're right,"Albus agreed."Dad said he did n't even want to fare back when our parents were in school."

"What about Young ?"Kaden asked."He doesn't even have a curriculum."

Albus burst out laughing."I had n't even thought of that. Bet he gets sacked."

"So that 'll be two new prof next year,"can said.

Rose groaned."And in our O.W.L. year, too."

"Do n't say that word !"James II, who was sitting about five buns down from pink wine, shouted.

blush wine raised her supercilium."What parole ?"

"O.W.L,"King James said with a shiver."They 're only a month away."

"conjecture you should 've started studying earlier,"rose said.

"Shut up,"St. James the Apostle muttered.

James was n't the but one to stimulate forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election news. There seemed to be more frantic studying than usual, and not just from the fifth and 7th years. The intact castle had neglected to study for their end-of-term exams. Later that night Albus, John, rose, Amanda, and Kaden joined the concourse of multitude vying for tables in the library in club to swot in as very much perusal as possible. matte could n't join them, as it was the wax synodic month.

However, Albus had a hard time concentrating. His every mentation was focused on the dementors in Azkaban or his dad 's job or the Ministry representatives at Hogwarts. rosiness, Amanda, and even Kaden were focusing on their studying. John was playing with his flight feather. Suddenly, he stood up.

"Kaden ?"he asked."Think now would be a skillful time ?"

Kaden grinned, setting down his book of account."Yeah, I think so."

"We 'll see you lot later,"whoremaster said as Kaden got up."Do n't ask."

"That was weird,"Rose said once the two son left.

"It 's probably their prank,"Albus pointed out.

rose groaned."They 're right. I do n't want to know."

Albus had assumed that this would be a harlequinade that would make itself known right away, as well-nigh of John and Kaden 's pranks worked that way. But by the next morning affair seemed perfectly ticket at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'haircloth was still normal colors and everything seemed becalm and quiet. John and Kaden kept grinning at each former, so Albus was sure they 'd done something.

It took another full phase of the moon day for things to piece up. Albus first noticed it at breakfast, when some of the Slytherins seemed a bit unsettled. They were squirming in their behind and did n't seem able to sit still. But it was only a few of them.

Albus raised his eyebrows questioningly at John and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"John Lackland asked.

"Oh, I suppose now we could,"Kaden said as he leaned over to Albus."Itching pulverisation in their laundry. The house-elves are very helpful with pranks."

Albus started laughing."Seriously ?"

Kaden nodded."Completely untraceable and the effects wo n't all come at once. It all depends on when they send their laundry out."

"That 's sensation,"Albus said. lavatory and Kaden 's frivolity were most definitely improving over the years.

"What 's sensation ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see matte nudging a first year over so that he could sit down in next to John.

"madam Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to stay longer, but I told her I needed to study. Why are these two geniuses ?"

"We did our antic on the Slytherins,"lav explained and then lowered his voice."Itching powder in their laundry. The house-elves helped."

"okeh, that is pretty awesome,"Matt said."You wo n't get caught, either."

"Nope, it 's not probable,"Gospel According to John said."So, what should we do today ?"

"Study."

Albus looked up once to a greater extent and saw that this sentence blush wine and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with account book and tons of parchment. They wore monovular expression of determination.

"You 're all studying. All day,"Rose continued."Exams are in a calendar month and none of us are gear up. The election happened, it sucked, but it 's over. aught can be done. Albus, you 've been moping about your dad 's job for a week. John, Kaden, I 'm mold that you do well this year. matte, the full moon is over. All four of you are studying from now until exams."

"Aw, blush wine, c'mon-"

"No,"rosebush said."Studying. All of you. Amanda and I are going to get a mesa in the library and we expect all of you there in fifteen minutes."

blush wine and Amanda left in a flourish of sheepskin and record, leaving Albus and the other boys to gaze at each other open-mouthed. Albus knew his cousin was very academic and placed a mellow note value on her own education, but never before had she staged an intercession for his studying.

"She 's lost her mind,"bathroom said."If she 's like this now, what will happen next class for O.W.L.s ?"

"Do n't say that Book !"Epistle of James shouted from down the table.

"I suppose we have n't got a choice, do we ?"Matt asked as he shoved his eggs into his mouth."hoot, I only just got back."

That was true, Albus thought. He and his ally quickly finished their breakfast and hurried up to the subroutine library, realizing once they arrived that they did n't let any of their Word of God. They ran up to their hall to retrieve them and made it to the library five bit later than rose wine insisted they be there.

Rose and Amanda had shoved two tabular array together and had spread all their books out over them. lady Pince was sitting behind the circulation desk, looking at them curiously, as if she could not think a time someone had frequented the library that early. The rest of the tabular array were deserted.

"What 's with the superfluous chair ?"Albus asked as he dumped his Scripture onto the mesa."There 's only six of us."

"Oh, that 's for Elsie,"rose wine said as she set parchment down at each bottom.

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the only Elsie we know,"Rose said."She needs help poring over and I 'm her tutor."

"But she 's Felix Willinson 's sister,"John pointed out.

"And she needs help, John,"rose wine said with a suspiration."I 've been tutoring her all year and I 'm not going to stop now."

matte nudged lav."It 's not a bad thing. Maybe she 'll tell us what her brother and Malfoy have been up to all year."

Albus had n't thought of that. Of form, rose had n't had any destiny getting Elsie to blab out all year, so prospect were slim that he and the other boys would have succeeder.

"Honestly, you lot are far too focused on Malfoy,"rosiness said."You 've hardly studied all class. Just sit down and start reviewing Transfiguration. I 've made subject guides for every national. You should have them at your spots."

Albus picked a arse and sat down. Rose was organized to the point of insanity. There were in fact study template for every study, organized chronologically, from September until May. Albus was suddenly very thankful for his cousin, despite her obvious insanity. This was going to constitute studying so much easier.

"Wow, thanks Rose,"Albus said. The residual of the grouping muttered their agreement.

Rose smiled."See ? It was a just melodic theme. Now, we 'll study until lunch and then have a break."

Lunch was about two hours away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his Transfiguration record book and settled in with that and the written report templet. It took him about a half hour to exercise through beguilement, but soon his mind was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the depository library quickly filled up. fifth and seventh years seemed the most frantic about finding mesa and searching the stacks, but bookman from every twelvemonth and every menage were present. lady Pince spent the morning weaving throughout the mesa and looking over everyone 's shoulders to make certainly they were working on school work. With exam so near, the library was now closed to everyone who was n't going to revise.

Elsie Willinson showed up a little after eleven. Albus watched as she tentatively made her way over to the table, clearly unsure of studying with so many people. Albus was struck again by how similar she looked to Felix. It always sort of amused Albus when sibling looked so alike, since he did n't really resemble either of his sibling. But Felix and Elsie Willinson were incredibly interchangeable in looks.

Once Rose noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the first year over. Elsie seemed less nervous now that Rose knew she was there, but she still avoided eye contact as she sat down and pulled her books out of her bag. Rose whispered something in her ear and she began reading her magic spell book.

Albus sighed and returned to his own work. Getting Elsie Willinson to verbalise was going to be much more difficult than he thought.
***


rosiness 's rescript sessions continued throughout the calendar month of May. Albus did n't wish to accommodate it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't sure he would pass his exams if it were n't for Rose. As the month progressed, the academic term grew both in length and the routine of participant. By the end of the first week their study group had grown to include James, Ben, Cedric, and their admirer Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James missed a few sessions for Quidditch practice, but as the Quidditch final examination Drew closer, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as crucial as studying. Bradley and Scots heather were becoming More and more nervous about the final, since it would mold whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few level behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the final, they would most in all likelihood win the cup as well.

The match took billet a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more nervous than he had been for a Quidditch match in ages. The match itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the last sentence he played with Heather and Fred as the other chaser on Gryffindor 's team. next year he 'd make two new Chasers and that was going to be incredibly unknown.

Albus headed down to breakfast before his acquaintance and encountered a few particularly fretful Slytherins on his way. Giggling to himself and enjoying the fact that lavatory and Kaden 's clowning was still going on, calendar week later, he entered the Great Granville Stanley Hall. On his way to the Gryffindor tabular array, he was distracted by the sight of Malfoy, speaking with Felix Willinson, while carrying an overnight bag.

decision making that breakfast could wait, Albus crept over to the Slytherin table and attempted to scrunch up down behind a few 7th years. Unfortunately the Great Hall was too loud for right eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always have an Extendable Ear on his individual from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to depend at his face. He looked fearful. His heart were red and it looked like he had n't slept in solar day. Very strange, Albus thought, as he rose to follow Malfoy out of the room.

Once in the entry Hall, Malfoy immediately ran up the staircase, going far too fast for Albus to come after. Albus stood future to the threshold to the Great G. Stanley Hall thinking about what Malfoy 's activeness meant.

He was clearly upset about something, but what was it ? The nightlong bag implied that he was going to be leaving the castle, but why ? Albus thought back to the dueling tournament that Malfoy missed. The two incidents must be connected, and it was quite possible that the missive Albus and Amanda saw Malfoy reading months ago was connected as well.

Albus did n't mention Malfoy to his friends when they came down to breakfast a few hour later. As much as Albus wanted to hash out it with them, he knew that he needed to put it out of his mind for the length of the match. If there was ever a catch for Albus not to be distracted, this was it.

The brass on the team were palpable as they stood waiting to walk onto the pitch. Fred did n't even kick in a speech, since everyone knew how crucial the compeer was, both to Fred and ling.

Ravenclaw had a good Quidditch team. They were easily the adept team in the shoal, although virtually Gryffindors would disaccord. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this mate, causing them to play fiercer than ever before.

Albus flew faster than he ever had before. He, Fred, and Calluna vulgaris had always worked very well together, but during this catch it almost seemed like they were one entity, sharing one learning ability. Albus 's entire judgment was focused on Quidditch and Quidditch only. Gone were the opinion of his dad 's job, Laurentis, and Malfoy.

The match only lasted an hour. Albus had n't even realized that William James caught the Snitch until the pennywhistle was blown. Gryffindor won 420-260, their better win yet that year.

"We did it !"Fred shouted as he landed."We 've won the Cup !"

Albus could n't even hear the commentary over the thunderous hand clapping of the looker. professor Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup heights over his head and was making his way through the crowd to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to ling. Each held one side and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the pitch and Albus was sept up in the gang, making it difficult to achieve his squad. Once he did, someone snapped their picture.

Albus was the glad he 'd palpate in week, ever since his squad won the Dueling tourney. It was his 3rd year on the Quidditch squad and they finally won the Cup. But he was even to a greater extent felicitous for Fred and broom than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the team since their second year and had never won the Cup.

Calluna vulgaris had rent streaming down her face and Fred was grinning all-encompassing than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a career in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their aliveness for the by six years. Winning the Cup in their seventh year seemed more poignant than it would bear winning it any former year. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's team was still as good as it was now when he got to 7th year. Winning again in his last year would be the best feeling in the world.
***


"Malfoy really did leave the castle,"Amanda announced at breakfast the next day.

"How did you retrieve that out ?"Albus asked.

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she know ?"

"I 've no idea,"Amanda said as she grabbed a few slices of toast."I did n't ask."

"wellspring, I just found out why he left,"Rose said as she set down the Prophet."His grandfather passed away."

"As in Lucius Malfoy ?"Albus said, taking the newspaper."The ex-Death Eater ?"

"One in the same,"Rose said."His obituary is in there."

"Why were you reading the obituaries ?"lustrelessness asked.

"I was n't trying to. I was flipping through and happened to see it. It says he 's been ill for a while,"pink wine explained.

"That explains why he 's been acting so odd all yr,"Amanda said.

"And that belly laugh he got months ago,"Kaden added.

Albus glanced at the obituary but did n't say it. As very much as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't help but experience good-for-naught for him. Albus could n't imagine what it would be like to drop off his granddaddy, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious faulting, he was still Scorpius 's grandfather.

"I feel sort of bad for yelling at him about skipping that dueling tourney,"Albus muttered.

"You did n't know,"John said."And it 's not like he explained."

"Is n't anyone else a bit lost with the fact that Moaning Myrtle knew about him leaving the castling ?"Matt asked."She never leaves her loo. We saw Malfoy going into her loo a few hebdomad ago. Does n't that seem a bit too coincidental ?"

"You think he 's gotten chummy with Moaning myrtle ?"Albus asked.

lusterlessness shrugged."It looks like he has. Why else would she sleep with about it ?"

"But why would he go into a girl 's loo ?"John asked, wrinkling his nose."That 's just bloody insane."

"speech sound like we need to pay a sojourn to myrtle,"Albus said.

Rose groaned."Really, Al ? He just lost his grandfather for God 's sake."

"We 're not going to nark Malfoy,"Albus said."We 're just going to verbalize to Myrtle."

"counting me out,"rosebush said, shaking her head.

"But you 're a girl,"Albus pointed out."You could get in there so a lot light. Amanda ?"

"Sorry, Albus, but I 've really got to study,"Amanda said.

"We 'll go at night, then,"Albus decided."John, Kaden, lusterlessness ? Which of you is going with me ?"

"Not me,"Matt said immediately.

"I 'll go,"John the Divine said.

"You 're both mad,"rose said quietly."Mad."

Albus may have got been mad, but he could n't let this secret go. His gut was telling him that Malfoy was up to something, despite his grandfather 's expiration, and Albus was determined to observe out what it was.


A/N : Sorry that the update is a day lately ! I was really officious yesterday and did n't take a opportunity to update. Thanks for all the endearing recap ! I am very behind on answering them, but I 'll cease eventually !


The program to talk to Myrtle in the dead of night may have been a plan that belonged solely to Albus and John, but Rose still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. test were now only a week away and blush wine was only giving them one night off, for rest and clearing stress from the nous. Neither Albus or John dared crossing blush wine and cut out on revision, which took space in the program library until curfew and then in the common room until they all went to bed.

Their one night off occurred the night before their first-class honours degree examination. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a full-of-the-moon workweek, but none of the fifth or 7th year were taking any dark off, including King James I. Despite Rose 's insistence that he take a night off, James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and John spent the evening playing chess with Kaden. mat had turned in early on, still tired from the full Moon, which had taken place two twenty-four hour period earlier. rose and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory room, clearly set upon having some time away from the boys.

The common room emptied as the night progressed, and eventually Saint John the Apostle and Albus were the only ones left. It had n't taken long since most people went to bed betimes because of test. It was probably fairly stupid of Albus and John to stay up so of late, but neither of them cared.

They waited an additional 15 transactions in typeface somebody decided to hark back to the usual way, but no one did. Albus glanced at John and then pulled the Invisibility Cloak and the vulture 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the board. The coast was clear.

Albus and Saint John stumbled out of the portrait hole and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat Lady 's stern regard.

"Do n't bear me to let you in when you return,"she said."I 'm quite a exhausted."

The Fat noblewoman was always threatening this but she never seemed to make good on any of her threats. Ignoring her, Albus and King John set off along the corridor. John led the way while Albus kept his centre glued to the Map, but the corridors remained empty-bellied. It seemed everyone, both students and prof, were getting a good night 's rest before exam. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning Vinca minor was the but resident of the secondly trading floor daughter 's john. John quietly pushed the door overt and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is ripe arm.

"Vinca minor ?"John shouted as he stepped into the room.

A splashing speech sound came from the utmost stall and then Myrtle 's ghostly build floated through the close down stalling door."boy ? Why do n't you go use your own-"Myrtle cut herself off with a giggle. She floated toward Albus and John and rested on the sinks."Oh, it 's you. Albus Potter. And his friend John. Where 's Matt ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that Matt 's absence seizure would n't put Vinca minor off from talking to them.

On the contrary, Vinca minor 's grimace lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather dreaded today myself. It 's a position effect of dying, you know."

Albus did n't cogitate dying had any face effects other than dying and had always assumed being a ghost would n't be terrible, but Vinca minor was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Myrtle asked."You never chitchat me unless you 're in hold. It 's rather dissatisfactory. No one ever thinks to visit poor myrtle. Oh, Vinca minor 's dead, they think, so she does n't need any visitor. Myrtle does n't need any Quaker ! All because she 's dead !"

"No, myrtle, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a girl 's loo. We can only visit you now, in the midsection of the night."

Vinca minor let out a flash sigh."I suppose. You are n't the lonesome male child who talk to me, you know. Some of them even dare come during the day. I suppose they 're a bit braver than you are, which is odd since they are n't Gryffindors."

Albus glanced at privy. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought. Myrtle probably did n't have any allegiance to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a step closer to Vinca minor.

"I only know one of their name calling,"Myrtle said with a giggle."I know his name because his father used to come and talk to me when he was in school. But his son is n't quite as talkative and he did n't appear to care at all about me or my last. He only wanted to bed about the sleeping accommodation of Secrets-"

"The Chamber of enigma ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpius Malfoy wanted to recognise about the sleeping accommodation of Secrets ?"

Vinca minor brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to know exactly where the entrance was. He 'd already done quite a bit of research on it in the library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so much time in the library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the Chamber and I told him about my demise and he did n't quite empathise the connecter at first. So I showed him the entrance and told him that he had to verbalize like a snake to get in but he could n't project it out."

"He tried to speak Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Myrtle nodded."Sounded frightfully. Your dad was much right at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the fight of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly awful at it. That 's when I met the other boy. Scorpius left and came back a few daytime later with this other boy. He showed him the entrance and then they started talking about this girl named Elsie and the former boy thought that she would be capable to open the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The other boy must get been Felix Willinson.

"Two hebdomad ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the Chamber of secret ? He refused to differentiate me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his foreland."We want to experience, too."

"Well,"myrtle began as she floated up to the ceiling."Please secern me when you find out. And next time, make certain that flatness comes to visit, too."

"Er, sure,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"Vinca minor said."You 're going to go forth now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."Exams tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John Lackland and they left. On the way back Albus explained the Chamber of Secrets to John, who only knew the position by gens. By the time they returned to the unwashed room Gospel According to John was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to want to get into the bedchamber of Secrets.

"Do you recollect Elsie Willinson can speak Parseltongue ?"whoremonger asked as they climbed through the portrait hole ( the Fat Lady had not refused them entry ).

"I do n't know,"Albus said."It 's very rare. I think we 're going to birth to ask Rose."

"Bet she 'll love that, in the middle of exams,"privy said with a laugh.
***


"Of course of action I have no idea if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"rosiness exclaimed the next day during their lunch severance in between exams. Albus had just finished explaining what Myrtle had told them last night, as well as explaining the sleeping accommodation of secret for Matt, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you indisputable she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"positive ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your mind. It 's test week. It 's not the metre to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't affect you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a matter for his oddment. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything honorable.

"They 're up to something, Rose,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

Rose groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"King James I shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's seat."Did you see the seer this morning ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, matte, and Saint John had both slept too late to have breakfast before their first exam.

James slapped a written matter down on the board in front end of Albus."That gent, Henry M. Robert Lyndon Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's place ? He 's revamped the total department, claiming that they 're going to suffer a 99 % capture rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the report."That 's crazy."

Lyndon Baines Johnson REVAMPS AUROR DEPARTMENT

Newly appointed Head Auror, Robert
Johnson, has spent the retiring month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
section. Dr. Johnson has rewritten
prescript and regularisation for the department
as well as reorganized how Aurors
work together. All Aurors have
attended workshops over the past month
to familiarize themselves with the
new normal and policies.

'The Bob Hope is that we will be able-bodied to
seizure criminals faster and easier ,'
Andrew Johnson said. 'The department has
been disorganized for years and this
has resulted in many felon going
free for far longer than they should.
Between the new Auror section policies
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be capable to capture
more than criminals and stay fresh them where they
belong- behind bars .'

While Johnson did not go into particular
of the insurance policy and normal, stating that
these are sealed papers, he assured
the wizarding populace that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new insurance I do n't see why
we should n't have a 99 % capture rate
within a class .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % capture rate ?"Albus asked after setting the newspaper down.

"No mind,"Epistle of James said."But I thought you 'd want to see it. I 've got to go. Transfiguration of Jesus practical this afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the change actually were,"Albus said as his blood brother left.

"They ca n't,"blush wine said."The paper is ripe about that."

"It 's not like the department was awful when Dad was in charge,"Albus continued."He captured Greyback, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting matte 's dad with that,"rosiness commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not fair,"Matt said.

"No, it 's not,"Rose said as she glanced at her watch."We 'd better get going. story of Magic exam."

Albus found it incredibly difficult to focus on his History of Magic test, and while he was fairly sure he passed it, he knew he had n't done well. There was just too much to sharpen on. Between Malfoy and the Auror section, the finis things Albus wanted to guess about were goblin rebellion and jumbo wars.

Later that night pink wine held another study session in the library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent more sentence staring at the marauder 's Map and figuring out the considerably way to make for up the matter of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any actual perusal, but Rose did n't appear to notice.

The watch over two solar day were nearly identical to the start day of exams, with the exception of the discipline they were tested on. exam in the morning, lunch, exam in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The monotony was starting to get on Albus 's nerves, but they were only halfway through exam week.

Elsie Willinson did n't show up to the study school term Wednesday evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to land up the matter of speaking Parseltongue with her, no issue how effective it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions notes while glancing at the marauder 's Map every so often.

"Albus, what exactly are you looking for ?"Rose asked.

Albus did n't really want to say because he knew Rose would just roll her eye, but he also knew she would n't let go of the subject field until he explained."Malfoy. He 's going to go back to the fille 's loo, and when he does, I want to follow him."

"That would be stupid,"Rose said."Look at the past three years. You 've gotten yourself involved with something pillock at the end of every year. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

Rose had a level, Albus knew, but he did n't care."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to abduct me."

"Famous concluding password,"rose muttered."He 's probably just in his green room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the common elbow room. Albus 's heart sped up as he checked the relief of the Map. It took him a while, but then he spotted Malfoy 's dot, making its way down the 2nd floor corridor. He was accompanied by none former than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

"He 's going,"Albus said."And he 's got Felix and Elsie with him. I 'm following him and you ca n't stop me."

blush wine groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the rest of his friends."Are any of you coming with me ?"

"I am."Albus was shocked to see that the voice belonged to Amanda. Usually Amanda agreed with Rose.

"Amanda, really ?"rose wine asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a jailbreak from studying and I 'm just as curious as Albus is."

"Count me out,"Matt muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you survive clock time,"King John said with a grin.

lusterlessness turned even redder."I 'd rather not know that."

"We 're in,"King John said, speaking for himself and Kaden.

"You 've got an hour,"Rose said."If you 're not back by then I 'm sending prof Longbottom after you."

"We 'll be back,"Albus said as he stood up. As if to far convince Rose of this, he left his rule book sitting on the mesa. John, Kaden, and Amanda did the Lapp.

Albus did n't bother with the invisibleness Cloak since it was n't past curfew. They 'd just have to linger near the loo until the seacoast was readable and sneak in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually empty and Albus attributed it to the fact that most of his feller bookman were doing some last min alteration before the adjacent day 's exams. It certainly made it easier to creep into a young woman 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'loony toons entered Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom. They remained there for only a few minutes, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of enigma,"Albus explained."I bet the piranha did n't know about it so they could n't have put it on the Map."

It took another five minutes for Albus, toilet, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the threshold open and ran inside. He stopped short-circuit in front man of the sinks.

One of the sinks was gone, having sunk into the base. In its place was a large, pitch black golf hole. Myrtle was floating above it, her eyes bright.

"They did it,"Myrtle said excitedly."Are you going to follow them ?"

"I guess this answers the question of whether Elsie Willinson can speak snake,"John said.

"Is Matt ill again ?"Vinca minor asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an awful lot of the time,"Myrtle said."William Tell him to do see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the hole."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to bring together me."Albus was determined. He 'd come this far and he was n't going to contain now. He needed to project out what was going on.

"Is it a far pearl ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's more than of a slide,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"John said.

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

"I 'd go down there even if there was a basilisk in there,"Kaden said."I 'll go first, if you want."

"Be my guest,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can endure here,"Myrtle said, giggling."I told Scorpius that and he told me that was another reason why he ca n't die down there. I do n't mean he likes me."

Albus ignored myrtle and stepped aside so Kaden could jump into the hole. Kaden did so without a moment glance.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm fine !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither John or Amanda seemed incline to go next, so Albus stepped to the very edge of the gob and looked down. He could n't see a matter. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not think too hard, he took a deep breath and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being Sir Thomas More of a slide than a dip down. The hole was More of a sloping pipe and it was n't a bad slide at all. Soon, Albus landed at the bed and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own wand and took a look around. The place was very wet and it smelled dire. The bulwark were dripping with murky water and the floor was covered in rock, mud, and what looked like old Snake River skin.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the dripping water.

There was a whooshing noise behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a shrieking and turned to see it was only John, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"trick muttered as he lit his own sceptre. There was now adequate wand light to see clearly. The home was creepy. That was the alone word for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her wand. Albus and Kaden waited for John and Amanda to take a looking at around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Does anyone hear anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed deadened silent to Albus.

toilet shook his head."matte should 've come. We need his werewolf hearing."

Albus nodded in agreement."I guess we just follow the pipage. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his sceptre pointed in nominal head of him, and they set off. No one radius. No one made any randomness whatsoever. Albus had his ears poised to hear even the tranquil disturbance, hoping to pick up some clue as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt wish miles before they heard even the faintest of noise. Albus noticed numerous serpent tegument and the bones from decades-old creature. Then, just when Albus had a feel they were reaching the end of the passage, he heard a voice, clearly, as if it was right next to him.

"Albus ceramist. Well, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the vocalism. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm iniquity. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews ! I will respond to them, but I 've been quite busy lately.

And now I 'll take a few second to brag. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's case for The Casual Vacancy. I got to meet her and get a signed written matter of the Koran ! It was absolutely amazing. I blogged about it on the forum, so please check it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that vocalism in over a year and part of him thought he would n't ever hear it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Commonwealth of Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the vox. He pointed his lit sceptre in its charge and saw that there was a very small opening to his left. It appeared to be another organ pipe, but one much smaller than the one he and his champion had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to make any noise.

He turned to lav, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you conceive ?"

"I think we should get out of here,"Kaden said immediately, stepping back."I thought we were just going after Malfoy."

"I bet Malfoy 's down there with him,"lav said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the pipe. She stuck her head in, making her voice echoey."Why would he amount back here ?"

"Can you see anything ?"Albus asked.

"Not much,"Amanda said, climbing fully into the pipe.

"We should just go back,"Kaden said, his vocalisation wavering. All his bravery from being the first base to go into the Chamber was gone.

"I do n't know,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think Rose might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's shrieking. There was a loud splash, a clump, and then more shrieking. Albus turned quickly back to the pipework. Amanda was gone, a low chain reactor of rubble in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."Help !"

"What 's happening ?"John asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"wellspring, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipe."C'mon !"

Albus had to crouch as he walked in order to fit through the tube. whoremaster and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over tilt as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his wand lighting the few invertebrate foot in front of him. They followed Amanda 's shrieks until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the pipe emerged into a small chamber, not unlike a small version of the chamber they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the rest period of the Chamber of enigma and the far wall contained a metal grate that appeared to let out into the lake. But the water system was n't going through it.

Albus 's tending, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake piss. Instead, his eyes drew to the collection of people scattered throughout the chamber. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Amanda, in the grip of Jarrett Willinson, who had his sceptre pointed at her head. Albus was just well-chosen they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit bad for habiliment. Azkaban did n't seem to hold agreed with him and he now looked far former than his betimes twenties.

Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a end adhesive friction on her brother 's mitt. Scorpius stood next to them and he seemed very upset. The only one who seemed at all okay with the position was Felix, whose face seemed to be coming from his sis 's grip on his hand, not on the situation.

Albus did n't agnise the former three adult at first. Then he remembered their pictures from the Prophet. The shortsighted char was Dolores Umbridge, her grey hairsbreadth greatly resembling a beehive around her head. Her skin was deeply scrunch up and she did n't much resemble the individual in the photograph, but her centre and outlandish smile were the same. The other woman was about a foot taller and just as ugly. Her hair was stringy and mostly embrown, with stripe of grey. Her nozzle was long, crooked, and boasted a large wart, giving her the tone of a classic Muggle 's reading of a witch. All that was missing was the greenish skin. The man resembled her, although he was shorter and more dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, Potter ?"Scorpio asked, clearly trying to sound more confident than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the doubt. And I can only adopt they followed you three. Whether it was designed on your piece, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpius demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your father wanted and then you did role of what we wanted. And in that lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His eyes went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to figure out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's father asked him to do ?

"I never said I 'd do what you wanted us to do,"Malfoy muttered, averting his gaze.

"And yet you did."Jarrett sneered.

"But I did n't want to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his scepter out of his robes and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his implements of war so that he could maneuver his wand at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is pathetic. I do n't like taking reward of fragile children, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not fragile !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just lost your gramps,"Jarrett said."You 're delicate. So is your Father, and he 's easy to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that breaker point Elsie started crying. It started out as small sniffles but within ten seconds blew up into loud sob. Everyone in the room turned to gaze at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be tranquility,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to leave, Felix !"Elsie sobbed."I did n't want to do this. You know I did n't desire to do this !"

"You did n't let a choice, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just excuse what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even practiced, let go of Amanda so we can get out of here and let you lot get back to whatever it is you 're doing ?"

Jarrett laughed."Oh, she 's not going anywhere. You three are unloosen to leave. I really do n't worry what the infernal region you do."

Albus exchanged glance with John and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to leave, of course, but Albus was utterly confused. For the yesteryear four old age Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to kidnap him and now, all of a sudden, they wanted Amanda ? They 'd never wanted her before.

"Oh, you have n't put it together yet, have you Potter ? I thought you were smarter than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the Prime diplomatic minister 's niece, who happens to be a witch. She 's currently the best bargaining chip I could possibly get. I only wish I 'd known about her earlier, but thanks to your uncle the full wizarding human beings knows she 's the Prime Minister 's niece. I must thank that newsman.

"potter, do you realize how bad Laurentis would depend if anything happened to the Muggle prime Minister 's niece a short over a month after she took federal agency ? And just days after her appointed Head Auror revolutionized the department ? Oh, it would wait awful, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit tight until the Aurors get here and then I 'll make my demands and the Aurors will have in because if they do n't, I 'll vote down the flush diplomatic minister 's niece."

Albus 's mouth fell open. He stared at Jarrett, whose grin resembled that of a person who just won the lottery. Amanda looked terrorise, her eyes darting everywhere and a few stray tears running down her cheeks.

"Of course you can impart, thrower,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the former Aurors. It 'll only bring them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry official anymore, potter. It wo n't be as big of a crime if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't count like someone capable of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an fluid mental patient than a serious Wiccan. But the Carrows, they looked capable of murder. As for Quinton, he was n't much of a threat. Still, Albus, Gospel According to John, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we pass on ?"Malfoy asked, his voice wavering."Or at least me ?"

"Because I might involve you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll total back. I know you did n't bring us the daughter. She came with thrower, following you."

"Why does it matter ?"Malfoy asked."The point is she 's here now."

"I do n't think you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're right on, I would n't ! And do you desire to know why ? I never wanted to aid you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all half-wit, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their champion, so why would n't he deliver brought Amanda to Jarrett ?

"Then why are you here, Malfoy ?"

"To help my dad !"Malfoy said, his sceptre still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't know you cretin were going to have a plot of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the changeling. You think we 'd have agreed to his plot if there had n't been something in it for us ? Meaning my son, here. Not these other three. I 'm not sure why they agreed to it. I 'm not even sure Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said much of anything since the escape."

"Do you really think you 're going to get anything out of this ?"Malfoy demanded.

"Yes, I do,"Jarrett snapped.

Malfoy narrowed his optic and then whipped around. In a matter of second base, he sent five sequent hexes at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their wand, but were too ho-hum. Malfoy sent two more than Stunners and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the early.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."face like the odds are a little different now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to wrap his learning ability around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, potter,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpio, what is your problem ?"Felix asked, breaking complimentary of his baby 's adhesive friction."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do things his way,"Malfoy said."It 's like I told you at the beginning ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't jazz exactly what"this"was, but all that really mattered now was that they were no longer outnumbered.

"The Aurors are coming,"Malfoy said to Albus."If we can just carry them off-"

"How do you know the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't matter now,"Malfoy said as he sent a knockout at Jarrett.

Albus turned to St. John and Kaden."Focus on Quinton and Felix. No offense, but you are n't the honorable duelers and I do n't want you to hit Amanda."

Gospel According to John and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to shake off the weird feeling he had from being on Malfoy 's side, and started sending hex after hex at Jarrett. Jarrett, clearly unable to duel while holding Amanda, threw up a shield and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to keep back going, in an effort to sabotage the shield.

Albus heard a loud crash and turned to his right field. junk was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a large Boulder had fallen from the ceiling and had landed on top of the female Carrow.

"I think she 's dead,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed unvoiced. Death had never crossed his nous when he 'd add up down here. Trying to crowd it from his cerebration, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't relieve oneself out and Albus turned just in prison term to see him shoot down against the paries. Albus ran over and knelt next to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an awful worry,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't shine asleep,"Albus said."stoppage awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five wizards stumbled through the organ pipe, their wands out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't recognize the vox."Nobody move !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the first of all one said as he walked around the room."expression like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no positioning to make demands,"the first Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the pipe and let out a sigh of relief. His dad had been the 5th Auror to come."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital annex. Now."

Harry knelt down following to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll sustain this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll take him."

"Let go of the fille, Willinson,"the first off Auror said. He took a few steps forward and Albus was capable to see the slope of his face. It was Robert Johnson, the new Head Auror.

"She 's the Prime Minister 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be careful, or I 'll drink down her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"Lyndon Baines Johnson said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a huge scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's saki,"Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's scepter flew in a sodding arc out of his hand and Dr. Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to sidestep the spell, but still preserve storage area of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the floor. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught hold of her, directing her to sit adjacent to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured circle and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a word and none of them questioned any of the suspects. If Albus had n't known any skilful, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to get down here. It was all very confusing.

Johnson and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed hold of the malefactor and took them out of the bedroom. Harry was left with Albus and the rest of the students.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my mistrust, but unfortunately I do n't have any cogent evidence,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the hospital wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd group out of the chamber and back to the pipage that led to Moaning myrtle 's toilet. Once there, he pointed his wand at the pipe and it turned into stairs. A few minutes later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few times at the promising Christ Within and then his centre rested upon Vinca minor, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he idle ?"Vinca minor gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Myrtle seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."Hospital wing."
***


Albus had no real intellect to last out in the hospital annexe. After muttering about how Albus and his friends were always getting into trouble, ma'am Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfect health. John the Divine, Amanda, Scorpio, Felix, and Elsie were also fine. Kaden, on the former hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to log Z's. Albus, Saint John, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. Rose and Matt joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well yesteryear curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to Madam Pomfrey, but promised to return in a few hours. That had been three time of day ago and Albus was still waiting for him to come back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the intact ordeal to matt and rose, who both agreed that Malfoy 's behavior was very strange.

The doors to the hospital wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. Madam Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her survey.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like person ran my fountainhead over with a motortruck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll palpate better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the prisoners to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for certain. The functionary track record is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the prisoners are explaining why they were in the sleeping accommodation of mystery or how they got in."

"When we were down there, Malfoy kept saying he was doing something for his dad, but he never said what it was,"Albus said.

"That helps confirm my theory,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpius Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by Draco Malfoy to find a suitable fix to house the prisoners for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to bewitch them. This, of course, had to be done after the Auror Department was reorganized by Robert President Lyndon Johnson, in parliamentary law to attain both him and Laurentis look trade good. If Laurentis looks good, genus Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Draco Malfoy knew where the prisoners were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"rose began."You do n't think that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my thinker,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no proof. Nor do I have proof of my hypothesis about Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is stagnant, Dolores Umbridge is clinically mad, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow dubiousness Scorpio Malfoy will rat out his Father-God. So, for now at to the lowest degree, this will remain a theory."

"But Dad, it 's illegal,"Albus said.

"It is,"Harry replied."Do n't worry about it, Albus. The prisoners are back in Azkaban, which is all that affair right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. bedevilment will do nothing. In my experience, people who are corrupt like this are never able to keep it a mysterious long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpius ?"Amanda asked."Why did he switch incline like that ?"

"Scorpio Malfoy has had a rasping year. His grandfather has been quite ill for a prospicient prison term, which has put accent on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his Father and then when it came metre for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get hold of Amanda, he realized he did n't require to be involved, not would his father have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in trouble ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the phonograph recording is concerned, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the captive just as you lot did."

"That does n't look fair,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other hired hand, I think Scorpius Malfoy deserves a fracture this year. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past tense few months. You might find that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll believe that when I see it,"Matt muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the screeching Shack, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm glad he chose the Chamber of Secrets."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"I have to return to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the composition tomorrow, although I have no idea what eccentric of tale they 're going to spin around or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't take it too hard. please do not mention my theory to anyone. The shoemaker's last thing we need is an clause in the Prophet claiming that Harry ceramist is a confederacy theorist."

Albus laughed and said good night to his dad. Madam Pomfrey let them kip in the hospital annexe that night, considering how deep it was. Kaden, of course of instruction, had to stay on waken. Albus was surprised by how easy sleep came, considering what he 'd been through that night, but it was nearly two in the sunrise. He realized with a sinking feeling that he still had exams the succeeding day. Herbology and antediluvian rune. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the pin-up reviews ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The next chapter will the last in this novel. I 'm not for sure when the fifth novel will be up since I have yet to come in up with a concrete secret plan for it. I 'm going to take away a break to compose other stories that I 've had in my straits for a patch.

It 's the end of October, which means it 's nearly NaNoWriMo time of year ! I 'll be continuing to update Between Here and Somewhere throughout November, as well as posting the concluding chapter of this next Friday. But you wo n't see much else from me until December, as I 'll be occupy writing an original fic.


Albus, Gospel According to John, and Matt overslept the future morning. Albus awoke ten minute before their Herbology exam and had to wake up John and flatness, which is never a pocket-sized effort. It took a full five minutes to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing wide-cut wellspring that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his mind was on Herbology. He could n't lay off thinking about what happened conclusion Night.

The boys ran into glasshouse three five proceedings late and as soon as they shut the door the intact class looked up from their examination and stared at them. Albus got the distinct feeling that they all knew about last night, whether from hearsay or from the Prophet. professor Longbottom got up from his toilet and walked over to them.

"Boys,"he said quietly.

"I 'm sorry we 're belatedly, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's O.K.. I know what happened last night. Just go take your seats. Your examination are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very grateful that Herbology had been the test he was late for. Longbottom was the most understanding professor in the entire schooling. Albus settled down and managed to take the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few questions that he was n't for sure about, he was quite positive that he at least passed.

By the time the exam period ended Albus was starving, as were John and Matt. They, along with Rose and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Hall for luncheon. As they walked in, Albus again got the trenchant flavour that everyone was staring at them.

"You should 've been at breakfast,"Amanda said."Everyone was talking about it and they kept coming over and asking me doubtfulness. There were a bunch of people crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the seer ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"rosebush said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the composition and set it down on his plate. John Lackland and flatness sat on either English of him and read over his shoulder.

yardbird CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed oral sex Auror, Henry Martyn Robert
President Lyndon Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late last night that led him and four
early Aurors to Hogwarts School of
witchery and Wizardry. The tip
told Aurors that escaped yard bird
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the chamber
of mystery deep under Hogwarts School.

The sleeping room of Secrets, long since
regarded as a rumored hidden chamber
beneath the school was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The Chamber has
remained empty since then.

All four escaped convicts, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a year
by the Auror department, were found in
the chamber of Secrets by Robert Johnson
and four other Aurors. Amycus Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores Umbridge
have been returned to Azkaban prison.
Jarrett Willinson is currently being held
in Azkaban prison without bail. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced deadened by Healers
late end night, after the ceiling in
the Chamber collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts educatee were found in the
Chamber as well. President Lyndon Johnson has released
very little information on this facet
of the night, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one student with the
intentions of killing her if demands were
not met. The figure of the bookman have
not been released.

It is terra incognita how the yard bird got into
the school day. Weaknesses in the protective
wards are currently being addressed. 'We
wish to assure the populace that Hogwarts
schooltime remains as prophylactic as ever. The trouble
will be addressed quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"Unknown how the convict got into the school day ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the whole thing up !"

"What did you expect, Albus ?"Rose asked, shaking her head."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new Head Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is make up fib to hide up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably properly,"rose said.

"Who 's right ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"blush wine said.

"Have you seen this codswallop ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't care right now. I just want a sandwich. The foretelling test was roughshod. I had to tell Trelawney 's time to come in tea leaves."

John laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to meet an untimely dying at the hands of a isolated Quaffle,"Kaden said.

Rose groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her vast center lit up and everything."

"She likes last, Trelawney,"John said."Or at least the concept of it."

"Weird,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining exams took place with little fanfare. Despite his mind not being on the material, he thought he did fairly well, and when the marks were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His metamorphosis mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts scholarly person, with their forgetful memory spans, soon forgot about the debacle in the chamber of closed book and moved on to former topics of discussion such as the summertime holiday and the flow Quidditch season. Albus certainly did n't listen this because it meant he was no longer the pith of aid. Despite the fact that the seer never released the gens of the educatee in the Chamber, everyone knew it was Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"feeling, Laurentis has released a statement about capturing the prisoners,"rose wine said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be good. Let 's take heed it."

“'I wish to applaud the Auror department for their work in recapturing the remaining escaped criminals. The timely recapture after the reorganisation of the Department only reinforces how important a decision it was to reorganize. With the new regulations and policy in the Auror Department, organized by Henry M. Robert Johnson, the Aurors were able to capture the criminal immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to Sir Thomas More winner from the Auror section .'”

"What a load of crap,"Albus said."Of course they were capable to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the convicts to be in the bedchamber in the first place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"matte began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an well-situated secret to keep, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to make a speech,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the staff table.

prof Embry stood up and raised his script for silence. This did nothing, of class."Quiet !"Embry shouted."I have something I 'd like to say.

"Thank you,"he said, after everyone stopped talking."I just want to say what a pleasance it has been to instruct you all this year. I never expected to teach and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my class as much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a greater appreciation and understanding of our government. Today is my stopping point day at Hogwarts, as the politics course will not continue next year, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't waver to owl me if you wish to incur a tour of the Ministry for academic purposes. I daresay that a few of you might have got careers in political relation yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire room volley into hand clapping. Albus was n't sure if the applause was for Embry or for the fact that politics would no longer be a class. Albus had n't minded the division, but one few class was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about politics this year, all right,"john muttered as the applause settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"Cheers to that !"St. James the Apostle shouted from a few seats down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all storm to pick up Amanda say that. If any of his friends were to suit pol, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts graduation ceremony. He and rosiness had attended every individual commencement ceremony ceremonial since starting Hogwarts, and one the year before, too. It had gotten to the point where he did n't pay much attention to the lecture because they all sounded very similar to the single he 'd take heed before. During this ceremonial occasion, the only part Albus paid attention to was the part where Fred and Heather accepted their sheepskin, which took all of two minutes.

"Well, we survived,"Albus said to Georgia after the ceremony ended and everyone was milling around.

Georgia grinned."That we did. It 's kind of surreal, to be honest. Dad did n't win, so things are no different than they were this time last class, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Sir Henry Percy doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not sure. He does n't talk about it much. Actually, the weird matter is that whenever I go over there for dinner party he spends a lot of time asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to keep me from asking about his lack of engagement, but I 'm not going to complain. Maybe he 'll even learn to care it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the lack of employment."

"He still has n't found a job ?"Albus asked.

"No. He could go back to the Ministry but he 'd make to do something where he 's not an actual pol, since Laurentis would n't withdraw him. I do n't think he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George V with the shop, but I do n't think Uncle George really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessive. But he 's too decent to tell Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"Rose shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to rosiness and then turned back to Sakartvelo."I 'd better go. Let me cognize when your next catch is. I want to go."

Georgia grinned."trusted thing. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, Georgia,"Albus said as he turned to espouse Rose back to the castle, where they would catch the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to John 's household this year,"Matt said as the Hogwarts Express hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"Gospel According to John asked, unwrapping a Chocolate Frog."I mean, really, are you ? You want to come to my planetary house, where I have three weirdo little baby running about ?"

matt shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the youthful in his fellowship,"John said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's rightfulness,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one little babe. look a mo, lusterlessness 's the only one of us who does n't have younger siblings, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All right,"John said."Let 's give mat a real sense of what having lots of sib is like. I 'll owl you and let you have it away when."

"Exploding press stud ?"Kaden asked, holding up a deck of cards.

"Sure,"Matt said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to deal the add-in, but before he finished, the compartment door slid open. Albus, expecting one of his first cousin, turned to the door. It slid open the ease of the way and Malfoy stood on the threshold, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you need ?"can asked.

"Er, can I just lecture to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping inside and sliding the door behind him.

"Where 's Willinson ?"Albus asked, standing up.

"He 's no longer speaking to me,"Malfoy explained."After I hexed his uncle and as he put it, 'joined the early position .'”

"What about Elsie ?"Rose asked, clearly concerned about the girl.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said often around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"toilet asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the chamber ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really dependable with spoken communication so she was able to fudge it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few mo of ungainly silence. Malfoy shifted his system of weights and leaned against the door.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This year sucked and I got caught up in a lot of things that I did n't need to do, which is exactly what happened to my dad when he was at Hogwarts."

Albus was utterly confused as to why Malfoy was telling them all of this. He exchanged looks with Matt and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not deserving it anymore,"Malfoy continued."Hating you lot. I know it was you who somehow got itching powder into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a little too quickly.

"And we know you put the laughingstock in the usual room,"John added.

Malfoy nodded."As I was saying, it just does n't count. Any of it."He turned to lustrelessness."And I do n't care that you 're a wolfman. Really. Sure, it 's weird and I have no melodic theme why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't hesitate to hex you, you know,"whoremaster said, reaching into his robes for his wand.

Malfoy held up his hands."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should call a truce."

"A truce ?"Albus asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, a truce,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this year. It makes all this fighting we do seem really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be booster, are you ?"St. John the Apostle asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his face."God no. I 'm saying you lot stop only pranking the Slytherins, do n't evidence anyone that I dueled on your side in the Chamber, and I wo n't tell anyone Eckerton is a loup-garou. I 'll really forebode that, without any threats of expulsion."

Albus was questioning. Could the last of Lucius Malfoy really actuate this modification in Scorpius ?

"C'mon, truce ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his script out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"rosebush said."We 've got O.W.L.s following twelvemonth. You do n't involve this stupid person feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"Fine, truce,"Albus said, shaking Scorpius 's handwriting.

Malfoy nodded."I guess I 'll go, then. See you around, Potter."

Malfoy turned and left the compartment. Albus did n't move for a full minute."That was the strangest thing I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't recollect any of us will ever fully understand what happened there,"rosiness said."But I think it 's a good thing."

"Weird, though,"Matt said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder thing was, was that Albus did actually believe him. There had been something in Malfoy 's eyes that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed older somehow. He was no longer a kid, whose openhanded concern was arguing with Albus over stupid affair. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all turn up that yr. They were going to be fifth class now, and Kaden would be a fourth yr, and that meant they were the honest-to-god students in the shoal. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"Makes me wonder what next yr will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this year has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"Rose reminded them."I think it 'll be plenty strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't want Hogwarts to change. Despite all that was going on in the out of doors populace, Hogwarts had always remained the same. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his seat and stared out the windowpane, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't sleep together what changes Hogwarts would see in the play along yr, but he did n't need to think about it just yet. There was still a whole summer before that would come about, and Albus intended to enjoy it.


A/N : Thank you so lots for all the financial support and revue for this story ! You guys are amazing. I will be taking a break before continuing with this serial as I have other narrative floating around in my school principal, but I 'll eventually come back to Albus. I 've no idea how hanker it 'll be, though.

In the meantime, please check out my Marauders Era story, Between Here and Somewhere ! And keep checking back for my recapitulation response, because I will get to them.