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


mollie Weasley did n't defy attend to dinner party until after the Quidditch couple had been completed because even she did n't induce the ability to drag on Weasleys away from Quidditch. teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out James 's clasp and then everyone was off their brooms and sitting at the vauntingly crowd of tables in record time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very good mood as he had been on chemise 's team.

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

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

Leave it to Percy to try and find something legal injury with the Ministry when all was fine, Albus thought. He reached over rosebush to snap up a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping portion onto his plate.

"What do you think, Harry ?"Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting side by side to him."Any stirring in the Auror department that I may not have heard about ?"

"matter are pretty calm, Percy,"Harry replied.

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

Albus was n't exactly sure enough what his uncle Percy actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the diplomatic minister, but his real title was so recollective and complicated that Albus never bothered to call up it.

"Well, it 's an election year,"Percy pointed out."Things never stay chill out during election years. Party announcements come first-class honours degree week of Sep and after that matter will be chaotic around the Ministry. scads of work to do. Let me enjoin you, when I run for Minister-"

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

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

"Gran, really,"James II muttered."We 're going to be hearing this from the teacher. Uncle Harry Hotspur, why do n't you state us more about your running for rector ?"

"well, as a matter of fact."Harry Hotspur stood up."I have a rather exciting announcement to make and I feel I must tell my family first, before the rest of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for dramatic effect."I will be formally announcing on Monday, September second that I will be running for Minister for April 's election."

There was absolute silence for about five seconds before a altogether lot of things happened at once. Ron, Saint George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her eyebrows as far as they could go. Ginny, notice, and Chester A. Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her headway slightly and then jumped up from her professorship, running towards Hotspur and finally enveloping him in a big hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

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

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

"And you 're a OK dear one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being Minister. You just do n't have the ambition Percy does,"molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

atomic number 79 was exchanging custody at the other end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some kind of bet involving when Percy would run for Minister. That bet must have been in the works for years.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"boy,"King Arthur warned."Percy 's right. If he wants to run for rector he can without any of us making it hard for him. You do n't have to vote for him, but I wo n't have you arguing during dinner. You 'll upset your mum."

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

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

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

So that 's what Harry Hotspur 's title was, Albus thought. He had no idea if that was a spot that had a lot of baron or not, but apparently it was enough to find musical accompaniment for a government minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"Georgia shouted from a little room down the mesa."I figure this is as expert a time as any to tell you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

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

"Moving out. You know, leaving the snuggle. I 've got a flat with a booster finisher to the lurch. It 'll be more convenient, for work."

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

"Look, I know how these elections work. You 're going to want to make yourself look like a home man, so you 're not going to desire to consider me your crazy daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd better get going thinking of me as your daughter who 's the novel military reserve Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll sound serious to the press."

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

Albus turned to rosiness and grinned. GA certainly knew how to pass water Percy 's running for minister of religion study to her advantage.

"rose wine, have you heard from Linda yet ?"Albus asked, deciding not to conjoin the ease of his family in political conversation.

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

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

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

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

"Of row not,"rose wine replied."It 's none of your business."

Albus and rose did n't risk talking about Lubar for the rest of the evening. trusted, the rest of their house roll in the hay about what had happened but neither of them wanted to discuss their theories with any of them.

The rest of the even was rather out of character for common Weasley home dinners. All the premature years'dinners had consisted of talk of Hogwarts and the adult exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the first time would get a fair bit of attention, but this yr Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attention was focused on Percy. The adult were talking political relation and Albus 's older cousins were placing wager on whether he 'd win or not.

Stanley was the outset to bequeath as he had to go back to Roumania the accompany morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their year in Roumania and had returned to England permanently the previous calendar month. Victoire and Teddy left shortly after that since they both had to work the next day.

Percy was still discussing campaign manoeuvre with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were humble and he had to venture he was interested in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was clip to leave behind. For the first prison term in his life history, he was actually happy to leave and get back to Grimmauld position. The before school dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to birth fun all together before school started, and this time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some stroke of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the ceramicist before, King James had packed his trunk the night before they left for school. Albus was sure that some sort of apocalypse was going to arrive soon because Walker Percy running for Minister and the Potters arriving early for the Hogwarts Express were two events that nobody ever thought would bump. Albus did n't question it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at Platform 9 ¾ prior to going through the roadblock, was not early, so the thrower went through without him. Rose and her kinsperson were already there of course of action, so Albus said a immediate goodbye to his parents before getting on the railroad train to find pink wine. With any luck his admirer would n't be there yet and he could let the cat out of the bag to develop alone. Usually there was nothing he would n't verbalise to his friends about, but the unusual feeling he had had about his family was something he only wanted to talk to Rose about.

blush wine was alone in a compartment about halfway down the train, reading one of her new textbooks. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't give the little idea what any of the symbols in it meant. He chose the seat side by side to her and waited for her to be done version whatever it was she was deciphering.

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

"St. James the Apostle packed stopping point Nox,"Albus answered.

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

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

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three years, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the same time. I know they 're really stupid when it comes to dueling but I think they 're smarter than anyone 's giving them credit rating for. Things are going to transfer, Al. The world 's getting scarier,"rosiness said quietly.

Albus swallowed operose. That was in the back of his mind of course, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to peach to Rose about.

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

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

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

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

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

"I do n't sleep with. I do n't think matter will commute political-wise but I think it 's going to be really Wyrd for Empire State of the South and Bradley and Cedric. Even the Twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most authoritative someone in the wizarding earthly concern has got to be stressful."

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

"Sir Henry Percy would n't stand a chance."

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

"matter never stay the same, Al,"Rose said.

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

"I think we 'll just have to deal with your murder, trick, because that soft touch is not getting any higher,"rose wine replied.

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

"Nothing,"rosiness said quickly.

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

"This is going to be the practiced year ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a piece of sheepskin out of his bag."looking, it 's my Hogsmeade permission berth !"

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

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

"Just for the Slytherin common way,"John assured him."Our finish is to figure out how to get a few in there."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Seriously ?"Saint John replied.

"cool !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"Matt asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"That 's stupid,"John said."Peach State 's not going to like that."

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

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

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

"You, rose wine, and Matt are n't the only if I of us who have crime syndicate in politics,"Amanda said.

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

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

Albus continued to gaze at her. Amanda was always rather quiet and rarely talked about her crime syndicate. He always figured that was because she was so subdued and never guessed that it might be because her kin was just as influential in the Muggle world as his was in the wizarding world.

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

"So if Percy wins ...,"Albus began, his vocalisation trailing off.

"He 'll forgather my Uncle microphone,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, Georgia does get it all figured out. If tidings gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch playing, it 's going to come off wrong in the pressing and fall behind him votes. So, he 'll keep it to himself and will be in the front row of every unity one of her matches, pretending to be a immense Kenmare Kestrals fan."

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

"It 's politics from the other side. The public wants people in world power to have a certain image."

"Still, it 's like lying,"pink wine went on."Just another cause I am not getting into politics."

"My cousin Leanne went a little raging at university her first year, our commencement year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photo of her and put it on the concealment of some tabloid, but that was the solely one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not like Peach State 's partying. She 's got Quidditch skill and is using them to work an honest living,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't desire the public to know he 's not happy with her career pick so he 's going to make himself look like a pay father."

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

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

"It 's rightful, Albus,"flatness said."Amanda 's completely right hand. It 's the entirely ground why my dad got sacked. The populace did n't like that I was a werewolf, which is part of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, nonentity wanted him in politics anymore."

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but Matt was right on. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before Matt mentioned that. And now the same thing was happening with his kinsfolk. Percy was going to make believe and while that did n't really directly consequence him, how long would it take before the populace did n't like the image he and the rest of his cousins were presenting ?


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

Here 's the Weasley-Potter mob Tree !

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

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

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

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

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

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

*All in Gryffindor*


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was no cite of politics or Ministers throughout the residuum of the train trip. Amanda did n't say anything else about her uncle being the flush minister and how it had affected her house, but Albus was still really rummy about it. How had she managed to restrain that a mystery for three eld ? Judging by Rose 's reaction, she did n't even know about it. matt had n't even managed to keep on it a secret that he was a werewolf for a yr. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the effective secret steward in their group.

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

As the train neared Hogsmeade station, Albus and his admirer changed into their robes and prepared to get out the train for the jolty carriage depend on up to the schoolhouse. The journeying was now so routine that they did so with piddling chatter and transferred to the carriages with none of the flash of the previous two year. They were fourth years now and Hogwarts was familiar territory. As fourth part years, they were well on their way to being the older students of the school.

The Great Hall was filled with laughter and excitement as the students found their seats at their house mesa. Albus and his friends quickly found seats together at the Gryffindor mesa and all five glanced up to the staff table to find the new face that would be their Defense teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar nerve they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

"Which one 's the defense reaction teacher ?"Kaden asked.

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

There were two new wizards sitting at the table. One was recondite in conversation with professor Kendrick and the other was glancing around at the room, his middle never resting on the Lapp thing or someone for more than a few seconds. The former was wearing what looked to be Ministry robes, which made Albus wonder if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from conclusion yr standing off to the side in his usual spot. The second new wizard was dressed in plain black robes and had nearly no hair atop his headway, but instead had a boastfully beard and mustache, as if he was trying to indemnify.

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

"That 's not a well sign,"St. John replied."What 's the Ministry doing here on the first day ?"

"It 's not necessarily a bad affair,"pink wine pointed out."Maybe they just want to score sure everything is back to pattern after the competition finale year."

whoremaster opened his mouth to answer but was silenced by the doors opening and Professor Patil entering with the new low old age. They looked scared and flyspeck, far smaller than the previous year 's for the first time class. It was uncanny how they seemed to get smaller every year.

As with the old year, Albus did n't pay any attention to anyone 's sorting unless their finish name was ceramist or Weasley. This year, of course of action, there was only Angie entering Hogwarts from Albus 's orotund house. She ran up to the three-legged-stool with as much exuberance as the rest of the family had and jammed the hat onto her head.

It remained there for all of three mo before shouting"Gryffindor !"Angie ran from the toilet to the excited shouts of the Gryffindors, her Brother Fred 's whistling ringing over the relief. Everyone at Hogwarts would have bet money on Angie being a Gryffindor, but everyone still liked to urge.

For once Albus wished that Kendrick would reach announcement before the feast was served just so he could find out why there were two new wizards at the staff mesa, but like usual, Kendrick waited until after the feast. Thus, the length of the banquet was spent speculating.

"The Ministry 's sent individual to mention,"James said confidently."looking at the past three long time. Every I one at to the lowest degree one of Al and his friends have gotten kidnapped by insane hotshot. Clearly the Ministry does n't recollect the instructor can protect us enough."

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

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

"That 's ridiculous,"a seventh-year little girl replied."He 's probably just the new defence force teacher."

"Then who 's that early bloke ?"Matt gestured to the bald man sitting side by side to Slughorn.

"Slughorn 's long lost Gemini ?"Kaden suggested."Seriously, shave his byssus and he 'll look just like Slughorn."

"Maybe Kendrick just wanted to invite somebody to the Welcome Feast,"Amanda pointed out."It could be as simple as that."

Albus doubted it. null was ever simple when it came to animation at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed corresponding long time, the pudding disappeared and Kendrick stood to give his usual start of terminus speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I give a warm welcome to our new first year and hope you have enjoyed your first gear Hogwarts fiesta. I 'll remind everyone that the forest is out of bounds as well as the Whomping Willow. Those wishing to try out for their theater Quidditch squad can give their names to their head of household. Now, you may have noticed that there are two new staff penis this year even though only one position is vacant. The first is dim-witted to explain and the mo is a little more complicated.

"First, I would like to receive Professor Elliot Young to Hogwarts. Professor Young is going to be taking over the defensive measure teacher position."Kendrick gestured to the man with the whiskers, while scattered applause was received from the bookman and former professors.

"Professor antediluvian if you ask me,"John muttered.

"Many of you may be aware and quite a lot of you I 'm sure are not aware that this is an election year for the Ministry of Magic. Tomorrow the candidate running for rector of trick will make their words announcing their electioneering, which will lead off a seven calendar month campaign geological period. At the offset of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the winner shall be announced. The fact that this is an election year is a wonderful educational chance and I was n't about to let it buy the farm us by. Therefore I have decided to add another stratum to the curriculum. It will assemble once a calendar week and in it you will read the ins and outs of our political system and its history.

"This is Professor Richard Embry."Kendrick gestured to the bloke sitting next to him, who then stood up."He is from the Ministry and has agreed to learn this new class that we have designed. The grade will appear on your agenda that you will receive tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as division begin promising and betimes in the morning. Prefects, please escort the first years to the common rooms."

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

The common room was abuzz with give-and-take about the new professor when they arrived. Most of the younger students had gone to bed, but the quondam students were making no move to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up tack for Quidditch try-outs on the notice board while broom watched. Albus predicted that the two of them would act Thomas More like co-captains since there was no way Calluna vulgaris was going to let Fred make all of the team decisiveness this yr.

"So now we have another socio-economic class,"St. John muttered as they sat down at a table near the fire."More homework. Sir Thomas More exams."

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

"But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to take a class about politics ?"privy asked.

"Never,"Albus replied.

"Muggles take classes on politics,"Amanda pointed out."My babe took one end class and my cousins have taken them. I really do n't think it 's going to be that difficult."

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

John groaned."Do we really have to talk about them already ?"

"Seriously,"mat agreed."They 're a recollective way off."

"wellspring, I think I 'm going to sour in,"rose said as she stood up."form start tomorrow."

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

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


"Well, we 've got one of the new teachers today,"John said at breakfast the following morning."We start off the day with Herbology and then have Defense right before lunch."

"When do we have that political sympathies course of instruction ?"flatness asked as he scooped a raft of oatmeal onto his plate.

"Tomorrow, right before dinner,"Gospel According to John replied."Falco columbarius, that would 've been free time if we did n't have that bloody class."

"It could be fun, John the Divine,"rose said.

"I have n't got it until Friday dayspring,"Kaden lamented."I think it will be fun. Muggle politics are boring but wizard makes everything better."

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

"Of course,"lustrelessness muttered."Would n't have a bun in the oven anything different. And we 've probably got potions with them again, right ?"

Albus glanced at his agenda."Yes."They had had potions with the Slytherins every class now. Surely that could n't be accidental. Albus would have preferred they have no classes with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in Defense the previous year. The last matter he and Matt needed was more contact lens with Scorpius Malfoy.

"Good word is that we 've got defense lawyers with the Hufflepuffs this year,"Amanda pointed out.

"Bet Kendrick did that on use after hold out class,"St. John the Apostle said."He 'd have to be an changeling to give us that stratum with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in understanding. After the scene that had developed between Albus, John, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in Defense course of instruction together again. Albus was thankful. He 'd spent the cobbler's last few weeks of his tierce year avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to void him for the difference of his Hogwarts career. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling squad.

The grouping hurriedly finished their breakfast and then parted ways with Kaden before heading down to the nursery for Herbology. Herbology was one of those predictable classes where they never had to concern about anything awful happening when it came to capable topic or teachers. Neville was a fair teacher who made classes interesting. Albus never had to worry about anything odd happening while in the glasshouse, unlike potions and Defense.

Everyone was slightly leery of the new demurrer professor and thus the seats in the back of the way were in high requirement. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had Transfiguration beforehand and had a much shorter walk, so they claimed all of the far seats. Albus, Matt, and whoremonger had the misfortune of having to sit at one of the battlefront mesa and all three son were on edge.

The prof ambled into the way just as course of instruction was scheduled to come out. He had a very large stack of parchment, which he set on the desk before beginning to call roll.

"I am prof Whitney Moore Young Jr.,"he began after he finished with curl."And welcome to twenty-five percent year defence mechanism Against the nighttime Arts. This yr we will pore on Dark oath, curse, and general magical spell, all of which are detailed out in your textbook. You can take your book of account out now if you have n't already done so."

Albus rummaged in his bag and set his book on the table. professor Young picked up the stack of sheepskin and began passing it out to the student. Albus feared that it was a quiz, as he glanced down at its fill-in-the-blank dubiousness and short result questions.

"Please read the first chapter of your books and complete the worksheet by the end of the family,"Lester Willis Young said as he walked back to his desk. He said cypher more and began to read what appeared to be a novel while stroking his face fungus.

Albus glanced at John and Matt, unsure of whether Young would yell at him if he spoke in susurration to his ally. Actually, Young might not even hear him. He did look to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the first day of class. Would n't a bawl out make more sense ? Albus could n't think back a metre when a prof had n't lectured on the first day of class.

Everyone else seemed thoroughly confused as well. For the adjacent five minutes everyone sent each early disconnected looks and glances before finally cracking open their text, having realized that Young was n't going to do anything besides translate his novel.

Albus began to learn the inaugural chapter, which was dreadfully boring. It was about the most mundane of Dark curse, if a iniquity hex could be considered mundane. The chapter did n't even mention unforgivable curses, which while frightful, were far more interesting than the basic principles of what made a blaspheme wickedness.

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

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

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

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

"Honestly, I 'm happy it 's boring after dealing with Balladanis close class,"flatness said.

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

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

"Not many the great unwashed could,"Albus pointed out.

When they arrived in the Great antechamber, they were surprised to see Empire State of the South hurrying Bradley and Cedric out of the room.

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

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

"What metre is it happening ?"Albus asked.

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

"There is no way Georgia 's going to be able to pretend everything is OK between her and Uncle Hotspur for the whole election,"Rose said once Georgia and her brothers had left."She looked pestered already and he has n't even announced he 's running yet."

"She probably has to miss practice session for it,"Albus replied."I just want to be intimate who he 's running against."

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

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

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

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


Albus did n't see Omar Bradley or Cedric until dinner. He had been hoping to pick up one of them in between classes, but either their docket did n't permit them to span paths or the annunciation had gone until dinner. The noise in the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall was n't any meretricious than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he was n't quite certain how much the eternal rest of the students cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor board, all of Albus 's full cousin were clustered at one end of the table, their straits leaned in to one another.

"Looks like a sept meeting or something,"Albus said.

"We 'll see you in the rough-cut room after dinner party, then,"Amanda said as she pulled John and Kaden towards the other end of the table, lusterlessness following.

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

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

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

"well, go on,"Fred encouraged.

"It was basically a huge fancy company with a lot of boring speeches,"Bradley began."A bunch of Ministry hoi polloi and their wives or husbands and Dad was the center of attending, of course. Everyone knew he was running even though he had n't made his official promulgation yet. It did n't get interesting until Dad and the witch he 's running against made their announcement-"

"Dad 's was pretty slow,"Cedric cut in."Talked about how he 's seen the Ministry through so many changes and how we need potent leaders to observe the magical community together and fast. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of row. Then everyone clapped politely and the enemy stood up."

"The enchantress who 's actually running smell like she was a hawk in a previous life. Her nose is as pointy as a nose can get and she 's got this sleek Negro hair that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a bunch of people who she introduced as her campaign team,"Bradley said."But it was her manner of speaking that got the gang riled up. She kept putting holes in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding humankind was a strong link up straw man but she talked about how falling out are forming and the Ministry is slipping and change is needed again. She made all these elusive mentions of how the Aurors are n't as on top of things and how if we do n't do something the charming creation will accrue apart."

"That 's pathetic !"Fred said."The wizard macrocosm is fine."

"I thought they were just making their promulgation that they were running,"pink wine said."Speeches do n't start yet."

"Neither of them are going to waste an opportunity to get votes,"Heather pointed out."So do you two have to make anymore appearances ?"

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

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

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

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

"Weird that both the prospect were working under the electric current Minister,"rosiness said.

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

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

Cedric and Omar Nelson Bradley left, leaving the rest of the cousins to talk about what they had just been told. Albus mostly listened while pushing his food around his plate. What he had learned about Patricia Laurentis unnerved him a footling and it was mostly because part of him thought she was right. things were n't as arrant as his Uncle Percy thought. Willinson was still on the loose and not to remark the issue with Lubar was still open.

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

"Maybe Uncle Percy is the mightily person to be Minister,"Heather said quietly."The Ministry has been working the Lapp way since the Final Battle, has n't it ? And there have n't been anymore Voldemorts trying to gain power."

"But things ca n't always quell the like,"Rose pointed out.

"Do you really think the Ministry needs to change that much ?"Heather asked.

"I do n't recognize,"pink wine said quietly."I just do n't think people are as joined as Uncle Percy thinks."

"I 'm going to the park room,"Albus said as he pushed his home base away. He was n't athirst anymore.

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

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

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

"I 'm not denying that, but he did experience a point. In an election year everything matters. Uncle Hotspur 's aligned his beliefs with the flow parson 's, which means if he 's elected he 's going to carry on doing things the same way. The Ministry has n't caught Willinson for upright in the three years they 've been searching and he 's slipped out of their reach numerous times. It 's not going to be difficult for that Laurentis peeress to convince people we need to convert tactics, even if her maneuver are n't majuscule either."

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

"I 've talked to Amanda more than you have,"pink wine replied."She knows how all of this works, and it 's really not that different in the Muggle world."

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

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

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


A/N : Sorry about the belatedly update. There were some web site takings. See the forums for Thomas More item about that. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"You know, this political sympathies class is taking away from our free period of time,"John said the come daybreak at breakfast. He shook his top dog as he loaded his home base high with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for rose wine 's reply about how they needed to take advantage of any learning chance, even if they meant less give up time, but it did n't come. Albus turned to bet at her, thinking she might be ill. She was n't. Instead she was piling her own dental plate gamey with eggs and toast. Albus raised his brow at her.

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

"Not that,"Albus replied."John just complained about having another grade and you did n't moan and separate him off."

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

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

Rose pushed his hand away."Stop it, Al. I 'm not saying I wo n't savour the class. I 'm just saying that we 're fourth years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the metre we can get to canvas. Not that John would use the time to analyze, beware you."

"There 's the Rose we all know."lavatory grinned as he stuffed his facial expression with bacon.

"I think it 'll be a nice change,"matte put in."Something different. posting they gave us account of Magic on two serial cockcrow. question who the idiot was who did that."

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

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

"On the off-chance that I 'm wrong, I 'll need some sort of limb to get around with,"John answered.

"I only had one division with the Slytherins last year,"Kaden said."You lot must have tremendous luck. I 'd better be off. Defense this morning."

"Good luck. That prof is eldritch,"John said.

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

Albus, lustrelessness, blush wine, and Amanda waited for Gospel According to John to finish his agglomerate of ball before setting off for the keep. When they arrived the door was already open and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpius Malfoy was sitting at one of the nominal head mesa, looking rather smug. Albus averted his middle and continued to the back of the classroom, where he sat down in between Matt and Saint John.

"Wonder what he 's so happy about,"Albus muttered as the ease of the scholarly person entered the room.

"I do n't know. But I do n't like it,"whoremonger said.

Slughorn chose that moment to dodder into the room so Albus and St. John could not go forward their conversation."Welcome, welcome ! Ahh, my two favorite houses together again ! What destiny. wellspring, well, welcome to 4th class Potions. This is the yr that things get difficult since you 'll be sitting your O.W.L.s next year ..."

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

"... Since today is a duple class I thought we 'd set about brewing the showtime potion in your text edition and see where your acquisition lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to record your text books over the summer !"

Albus glanced at rose, who was sitting adjacent to Amanda at one of the front table. She seemed to sit up mellow in her seat.

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

bathroom set off to work with Janie Creevey who lacked a cooperator while Albus and lusterlessness set up a cauldron at their table.

"Remember your glove,"Slughorn announced."If you touch the finished intersection your hand will immediately freeze."

"Does it seem odd to you that we have to concoct a freeze Solution with fervour ?"lusterlessness asked as he stuck his sceptre under the cauldron to dismount the flame.

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

"Yeah. I bet he uses the like curriculum every twelvemonth,"flatness added."Ca n't imagine that much alteration in terms of potion brewing."

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

"I wonder if it 's possible for this potion to explode,"flatness mused as he tossed a few bit of chopped beet into the cauldron."

"fountainhead, I suppose we 'll receive out,"came a drawling voice from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few nursing bottle he must induce gotten from the supply closet."I 'm sure you two will cope it, if it 's possible."

"Shut it, Malfoy,"Albus replied.

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

"Weird of him to allow for so soon,"mat said, as if reading Albus 's mind.

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

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

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

With everything else that was going on that year, the lastly thing Albus needed was to be captain of his dueling team, but he did not want Malfoy as captain either. He 'd take in the spear carrier work if just to preserve Malfoy from being in charge. Malfoy needed mogul like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flame thrower.

Albus and Matt did not blow up their potion by the end of the grade. In fact, their potion had the same consistency that it was supposed to and while it was slightly off-color, it did wangle to freeze the flight feather Slughorn stuck in it. rose wine and Amanda won the chocolate, which was no surprise to anyone.

Rose and Amanda shared their hot chocolate with the boy as they walked up to the Great dorm for lunch. Albus and lusterlessness told the girls and John about Malfoy 's bizarre deportment and Rose told them that they should just be happy he 's backing down, rather than analyze his motive.

The Great Hall was buzzing with natural process when they entered it a few minutes later. Albus sat down at the Gryffindor mesa and no Oklahoman had he grabbed a pealing did Heather discard a written matter of the Prophet onto his plate.

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

"This first light 's Prophet. The owl were late delivering it. Something about a storm in Greater London,"Heather explained.

Albus set down his gyre and opened the paper. There on the front line pageboy was a picture of his Uncle Walker Percy, smiling widely, in elaborate gown, shaking hands with a very grandiloquent charwoman, who was also smiling wide and wearing complicate robes. Above the video was the claim,"nominee for Minister of Magic Announced."

By this point Rose and flatness had crowded on either position of Albus, while Amanda and John hovered behind him, all trying to learn the article. Albus 's eyes traveled down the page so he could do the same.

In nominal head of the entire Ministry of Magic,
Minister hopefuls Percy Ignatius Weasley and
Patricia Leigh Laurentis announced their
political campaign on Sep 3rd, 2029. Both
nominee work under Minister Hartwell, yet
are running against each other for polar
parties.

Weasley, Senior Undersecretary for the
Drafting and Editing of Laws, has been
chosen to run for the Merlinus political party,
which is the company that flow minister
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, senior
Advisor to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
functionary has been chosen to run for the
Paracelsus Party.

A large crowd turned out for the announcement,
which is only the offset of many visual aspect
by both campaigner. The first disputation is
scheduled for September 8th, at the
Ministry of magic.

"So that 's who your uncle 's running against,"matte said.

"guessing so,"Albus replied.

"She looks a footling like this math teacher I had before I came to Hogwarts,"Amanda said."She was a shivery gentlewoman. I remember once I forgot to do my homework so I spent the entire break of day in the loo before individual came looking for me."

"You can evidence they both hate each other,"flatness said as he gestured to the icon."Sure they 're shaking hands and acting nice but clearly they both want to hex each other."

"It 's just eldritch that she works for Hartwell if she 's the diametric party he is,"rose wine mused."Why would Hartwell have hired her ?"

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

"Maybe,"Rose said."It just seems suspicious. Her alternate company and hinting at all these radical alteration. It just seems like something big is going to happen."

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

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

Albus nodded and passed the Prophet down, then settling in to eat dejeuner. There was no point worrying about the election now. It was months away. Plus, the politics class was later that day and Albus was incredibly funny about it.

transfiguration seemed to drag by since it was the Same as it was every year. prof Patil explained about that year 's program and how they needed to start thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased workload. It was all rather monotonous and all Albus wanted to do was get to politics since it was something new.

Finally Transfiguration was over and Albus and his Quaker hurried to the fifth part story to the classroom where politics was held. They slowed down when they reached the room as none of them wanted to be the firstly to enter.

"We better not have got this with the Slytherins,"Saint John the Apostle muttered as they neared the doorway.

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

John let out an hearable sigh of relief and Albus pushed the door subject as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the vertebral column, and the professor was nowhere in sight. blush wine immediately claimed a desk in the straw man and Amanda chose one next to her, while Albus and the other boys headed to the radical of Hufflepuffs in the spine.

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

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

John the Evangelist shrugged."fountainhead it 's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably wo n't even have this course of instruction next twelvemonth. So why would there be preparation ?"

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

The rest of the category filed in, filling in the seats that remained in the middle of the classroom. As the bell rang, Professor Embry entered, walking with an air that this class would be all work and no play.

"trade good afternoon,"Professor Embry began as he shuffled a few report on his desk."Welcome to Basic Wizarding Politics. I am Professor Embry and you will address me such."

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to footstep the length of the classroom."I understand that most of you know absolutely nothing about politics and assume that the minister of Magic is born the Minister and laws just magically come into existence. A prime few of you,"his centre rested on Albus, and then on lustrelessness, and on two Hufflepuff girls,"have parents in the Ministry and may take in slightly more than knowledge than the residual, but that would be rather generous of me to assume.

"Hogwarts has not put much bet in political pedagogy before now, something that I feel is lacking in today 's education and bid to rectify this twelvemonth. The curriculum will include history of how our government came to be the way it is today as well as how the government is currently run."

The class let out a collective grown at the word account. Albus glanced at Rose, who was on the boundary of her seat.

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

Embry let out a short gag."With Professor Binns ? If I may be weenie, that man died before virtually of the history happened. Along with that, he 'll put a rock to sleep."Embry chuckled. No one in the form dared to laugh."I 'm going to commit you a proper story of our modern governance, starting with a brief overview of what the government was like before the reign of Voldemort and a more comprehensive overview of what it is like today.

"I will also commit a socio-economic class time period each to the way the government activity is run in France, the United state, and Commonwealth of Australia. Now, since you were not aware that this class would take property, you have not acquired books. Therefore I have purchased them for you. You are to care for them as library books and give them to me in interchangeable condition at the end of the yr. Lest your parents be billed."

Embry flicked his verge and push-down storage of books flew out of a nearby cupboard. They landed softly in strawman of the students. Albus glanced down and show the title. political sympathies and Government in Modern Wizarding United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the closet it had come out of.

"Very honorable. Now, get out lambskin and quill. I 'm not going to let the respite of this family period go to waste,"Embry said as he tapped his baton on the board. bill immediately appeared on it.

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

"That 's all for today,"Embry said after the bell rang."next class we 'll fast forward in clip and check about the governing pre-Voldemort. Read the first chapter for preparation and come up with three heedful interrogation to pose to the rest of the grade. Dismissed."

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

"Kendrick must put it on the list of job necessary,"John replied."Must be out of your freaking mind to necessitate this position."

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

"Why bother ?"bathroom asked."It 's not like we 're old enough to ingest a say in the government anyway."

"But we will one day,"Amanda pointed out."And to be honorable, I 'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, whoremonger. Muggles get political science course of study in schooltime. It makes sense that we should, too."

"She 's got a point, mate,"Matt said."Who has the power in your country matters. If you elect the damage citizenry, thing can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their leadership, either. We do n't even get to do that fully. The spatial relation that Albus 's dad has and my dad have ? In the United State Department, those are elected positions. Not here."

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

"How do you lot even have a go at it this material ?"John asked as they drew closer to the Gryffindor mutual room.

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

"Wait."Saint John stopped in the centre of the corridor and looked at his friends."time lag. Now that we know about your uncle, you lot all have family involved with the Ministry, wether it 's the wizard ministry or the Muggle ministry."

Albus grinned sheepishly."Guess so."

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

"normal is highly overrated,"mat said as they reached the Fat madam.

******


The relaxation of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus 's opinion. Everyone, students and teacher, fell back into their usual Hogwarts routine and by the metre Friday arrived Albus had a hatful of homework as high as his bed and was more than cook for a few day off. But when he saw the discover board in the common room when he got back from Charms on Friday afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

Fred had scheduled Quidditch practice on Saturday at eight in the daybreak.

"Eight !"Albus exclaimed."In the morning ? Is he thoroughly insane ? It 's the first week back ! Even Peach State was n't crazy enough to do that."

"hooligan luck, mate,"john said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby couch."8 in the good morning. Let 's see, I 'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, flatness ? What will you be doing at eight in the good morning ? Flying through the rainfall ? Trudging through the mud to the slant ?"

"Course not."Matt grinned."I 'll be cozy in bed, having an amazing dream where I 'm playing for the cannon. In perfect conditions of course."

"The carom are the but team you 'd ever have Hope of playing for,"whoremonger replied.

Albus threw himself down on the lounge. Fred was insane. That was all there was to it. Well, he could apply for a professor placement once he graduated. He 'd fit the insanity requirement.

"Speak of the Beelzebub,"John said as Fred entered the common room.

"You !"Albus shouted as he got up."Why in the gens of everything merlin owns did you schedule practice at eight in the dayspring on a Saturday ? Not everyone 's a seventh yr taking four classes. We ca n't all sleep in every bloody day."

Fred shrugged."Had to. sales pitch is booked hearty all weekend except for Saturday dawn and evening. All the former houses are having try-outs. We ca n't even hold our Keeper try-outs until adjacent weekend because of it."

"Why not the eventide then ?"

"Thomas Bradley 's got to have an appearance at Uncle Percy 's speech."Fred rolled his centre.

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

"It 's been a whole summer. We 're rusty. We 've got to start training early. I want that Quidditch trophy."

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

"Look, Al, I 'm not changing it. Just passel with it,"Fred said as he continued up to his dorm room.

Albus spent the rest of the evening fuming about practice and cursing Fred under his breath, until Rose suggested they all go to the Room after dinner party. Albus reluctantly agreed, knowing that if they went to the way he 'd be up half the night and would only get a few hr'sleep.

In the end he was glad Rose suggested it. They spent the evening performing Gobstones and Exploding Snap and listening to John and Kaden think up new ways to prank the Slytherins, and more specifically, Scorpius Malfoy. Eventually, Albus decided to visit it a night and headed back to his dormitory room, leaving his friends to stay on discussing whether it would be ameliorate to turn Malfoy 's whisker red or purpleness.

Only a few shortstop minute later Albus found himself sneaking quietly out of his dormitory at an hour of day that was only think to be seen on weekdays. He grabbed his ling and went to run across his teammate in the common room.

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

The weather was at to the lowest degree nice and the four minute they spent on the pitch went by relatively fast. Albus and his mate landed on the ground as the Slytherin Quidditch team made their way onto the pitching. Albus glared at them as they passed.

Without going up to his dorm room to vary, Albus headed into the Great anteroom hoping there would be something good for lunch. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his Quaker halfway down the Gryffindor tabular array and after stowing his broom underneath the Bench, he sat down and grabbed the skinny dish.

"You could at least exhibitor first, Al,"pink wine said."You stink."

"Too starved,"Albus replied.

"Albus !"Lily called from down the table. She got up and headed over to him."Mum and Dad sent this earlier."She handed him a firearm of parchment."They want us to go to the debate tonight since it 's the 1st one and all. We 're expected to Floo from Kendrick 's study to the Ministry at five."

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

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

"Hope not,"Albus replied in between bites."You do n't have to go ?"

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

"This says I have to hold out curry gown,"Albus muttered.

"At least you can severalize us if anything beneficial happens,"Matt said.

"And what about you ? Your dad 's eminent in the Ministry. Why are n't you going ?"Albus asked, do-or-die to find person else who could keep him company.

"He already told me over the summer that I 'll only have to go to unity at Hogwarts. And then whatever party the candidate will confound for the functionary. Does n't think an election should accept a lot core on my life,"Matt explained.

"Lucky,"Albus replied.

Albus made the most of the respite of the day. He and his acquaintance took homework down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beech tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree while they sat by the edge of the lake and dangled their foot in. Kaden swore the Giant Squid tried to eat his foot, but cypher believed him. Rose and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the edge of the timber, insisting that none of the boy follow.

Kaden pulled a Fanged Frisbee out of his bag once the lady friend left and the boys began tossing it around. This was majuscule fun until the Frisbee decided it had had enough of being thrown and took out a part of Kaden 's hair's-breadth, leaving his top dog bleeding rather profusely and Albus, John, and Matt having to rush him to the hospital wing. By the fourth dimension Kaden 's headway had been bandaged up and all four had received a lecture on the dangers of Fanged Frisbees ( gentlewoman Pomfrey somehow figured out that that was the cause ) it was time for Albus to head back to Gryffindor Tower to get set for the debate.


A/N : Sorry for the lack of a May update. School was insane. But I only have a year left ! I 'm now home for the summer and am having issues getting my Internet to get together with HPFF. Things take a long time to load and I can not reply to critique. I will still interpret every review, but response will take a while since I have to be at the library to answer to them.

Since I last updated I 've had some way out with people plagiarizing my stories. I really hate that I have to enjoin you guys this, but it is against the rules to adopt anyone 's tarradiddle from here and put them on other web site. It 's also against the rules to assume plots, theatrical role, etc without permit. I do not give my license for anyone to take my plots or characters. I 'm really glad that you guys like my stories, but please do n't take them.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


If there was one thing Albus hated it was getting dressed up for Ministry events. He had always been slightly uncomfortable with his dad 's fame and Ministry berth because he hated the attention. Epistle of James had always been the type who would savor in the attention, enjoying when all the Ministry officials proclaimed how big he was getting and how he was trusted to be the wiz of Gryffindor 's Quidditch team. Lily was rather neutral towards it. She never really expressed emotion about the attending one way or another. She enjoyed getting dressed up but once they were at whatever party, she would go off and do her own thing. Albus just did not like it. He did not like getting his cheek pinched by old noblewoman and did not like random multitude telling him how tall he was getting. As he got older, he did not like it any more.

But it was a fact of life-time and so Albus found himself once again forcing himself into a set of emerald green dress robe. They were wrinkled, but he did n't have it off any sort of ironing magic spell so he let them be. It 's not like anyone would be focused on him anyway. This was his Uncle Percy 's night and it seemed like this stallion year was going to be his Uncle Percy 's year.

Albus tamed his hair with a bit of water system and then met James I, Lily, Bradley, and Cedric in the common way. James looked suave and perfectly well-heeled in his blue dress robes, whereas Bradley and Cedric looked like they were being force fed rotten fish in their matching grey robes. Lily was wearing a purple garb and as common, did n't seem to hold an belief about going to the argumentation.

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

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

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

The rest of the misstep to Kendrick 's study was silent. When they arrived they saw that Kendrick was in dress robes as well and was apparently escorting them to the Ministry and would stay to determine the argument. He handed them each a bit of Floo pulverization and let them go first.

Albus stepped into the Floo after James and soon found himself in the Ministry of Magic 's entryway foyer. The place was far subdued than it was the last time he had been there, the followers twelvemonth, when he went with lusterlessness to tell his dad about Lubar being at Hogwarts.

Kendrick led them to the ski tow and down to the Margaret Court rooms."The lonesome stead big enough to conciliate everyone witnessing the debate. Even still, it 's an invitation only case. It 's being broadcasted over the radiocommunication, however. Kendrick stopped in movement of court of law room ten and opened the door. The room was about one-half full. Albus spotted his mother 's bright red pilus in the first row of seating. He followed Kendrick down the stairs.

Albus 's aunt Corrine was sitting with his parents, along with a rather sullen looking Sakartvelo and the twins, who were both reading books. Kendrick began to talk quietly to Harry as Albus and the others filed into the row. James, Bradley, and Cedric immediately began to speak of Quidditch and Albus listened in. They were speculating on who would designate up for steward try-outs the following weekend. Georgia immediately perked up and began giving the boy advice on who they should keep back an eye out for.

It soon became obvious that the left face of the front row of the seats was reserved for Percy 's family. They were joined by all of Albus 's aunt and uncles, as well as Victoire, Teddy, and Stanley. In fact the only one of his older cousin-german that was not there was Gabriella. Albus wanted to ask Victoire where she was but she was too far away.

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

The chatter in the room immediately subsided when Minister Hartwell entered followed by a few of his close-fitting advisers. Behind them were Percy and Laurentis, both wearing Ministry robes. Hartwell and his advisers sat along a tabular array at the front of the way while Percy and Laurentis stood behind podiums, also at the front end of the room. The government minister spoke with his consultant briefly while Percy and Laurentis smiled and waved at the bunch. Then one of the advisers rose from his seat.

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

"Welcome,"his voice boomed over the audience,"to the first debate of the 2020 election for rector of magic. Our two candidates, Percy Ignatius Weasley and Patricia Leigh Laurentis, bring together us tonight for an introductory disputation on a mixture of issues. My figure is Wendell York and I am the head of the department of Magical Transportation and will attend as moderator for tonight 's debate. I will pose the topic and each candidate will get five minutes to reply, then two minutes for a rebutter.

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

Albus yawned. Why could n't it be an exciting topic like catching Dark wizards ? Or at to the lowest degree something relevant to his liveliness, like the lack of good Defense professor at Hogwarts. Now that would be a disputation he 'd be interested in. Albus turned towards Percy and realized he had n't even been paying tending to lots of his uncle 's response.

"... current legal philosophy do a satisfactory job of concealing our world from Muggles. Magic sightings by Muggles are low in numeral and when they do come about Obliviators do an fantabulous job of altering the retentivity of our Muggle neighbor ..."Percy droned on.

Albus turned to King James I who rolled his eyes. Could they have come up with a more dull issue ? Albus seriously doubted it. Except perhaps cauldron bottom thickness, which was a report Sir Henry Percy had done when he first started at the Ministry, according to Harry. Albus glanced at his dad. He was paying attention, but in that sealed way of paying tending that meant he was really bored but was trying to bullshit it. Even Corrine looked slightly bored.

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

"I disagree with Mr. Weasley,"Laurentis began."One sighting of our kind by Muggles is too many. Each time a Muggle catches raft of an act of magic puts our entire world at risk, and not only United Kingdom 's wizarding world. We have a responsibility to the world that we keep our magic under wraps. According to last year 's statistic we were in the top five body politic in terms of numbers of sightings. That 's not good ..."

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

Albus tuned much of the debate out, focusing instead on what he wanted to do during the current school year. He was a quartern year, which meant he was no longer one of the younger kids. He 'd been on the Quidditch squad for two years and now he was hoping he 'd be capable to birth some say in how practices went and how matches were played. Then there was the Dueling Club. Each of the eight squad had a skipper and the captains were twenty-five percent old age. professor, mostly Neville, picked the captains. Albus knew it would be down to either him or Scorpius and as much as he did not really want the obligation of being maitre d', he did not need Scorpius to take power over him. He would use that to his advantage.

The argumentation wore on and Albus continued to not pay attention until he heard the words 'education'and 'Hogwarts'. That got his attending. It was Laurentis 's act to go first.

"I think educational reform is the best way to go. Hogwarts has been ran the same way for genesis and while no one can traverse that Headmaster Kendrick runs a terrific school, we also can not ignore that modification could be made to benefit the scholar. The reality is a constantly changing home and education demand to keep up in parliamentary procedure for our students to be better ready.

"The grade choices for example. It is my understanding that a new year has been added this year about politics, which I think is greatly beneficial to student. But early than that the same classes are offered now as have been offered for decades. New stratum need to be phased in while old ones that either no recollective pastime students need to be phased out. Obviously I am not talking about core classes such as Potions and magical spell, but elective course.

"Teachers also need to be kept up to day of the month with recent determination in their athletic field. They should not be teaching the same information I or my opponent learned at Hogwarts. They should be teaching the raw valid information available-"

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

"My opponent brings up an worry point, but even she admits that headmaster Kendrick is running an excellent school. I believe that some authorities rule is necessity, exemplar being final stage yr 's incident with Professor Balladanis, but we as government official do not have the training nor experience needed to properly run a schoolhouse. I, as well as my adversary, would be kidding ourselves if we believed we could do a punter job running Hogwarts than prof Kendrick.

"Just as professors most in all probability believe it best to leave law making and the running of the land to those such as my opposer and I, I believe it best to leave the running game of Hogwarts to Professor Kendrick and the early professor. In ratiocination, I believe that Hogwarts is fine as is and if the master thought he needed government assistance bringing about variety in curriculum he would ask."

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

"I in no way stated that I am trying to run Hogwarts. Nor do I think I would do a better job of it than Professor Kendrick. I am merely stating that the pupil would benefit from more regime intervention. If the Ministry had been more involved with teacher selection, for illustration, we could hold possibly avoided hiring Professor Balladanis last year."

"Mr. Weasley."

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

Both Hotspur and Laurentis were red in the facial expression. Albus was surprised a Ministry shop at debate could get so ignite. He craned his headland and turned around in guild to see what Kendrick 's reaction to all this was, but found that Kendrick was hiding his emotions far proficient than either Hotspur or Laurentis. It also seemed that everyone in the room was paying rapturous attending, including James and Lily. The only two people who were n't were Samantha and lindy.

There was one last interrogative sentence about law making that Albus did n't really empathize, nor did he care to understand. He was far more interested in the Hogwarts motion. Percy 's argument was far sound, in his judgment. Hogwarts was alright the way it was. Why did Laurentis want to change everything ? What kind of changes was she talking about, anyway ? He supposed the issue would be explored more specifically at the education themed public debate which was scheduled to take topographic point at Hogwarts the following calendar month. But one thought that Albus could not get out of his head was that if Laurentis won, what would happen to Hogwarts ?
******


"The only change I want to see at Hogwarts is less homework and fewer exams,"john said as he walked with Albus and the residuum of their friends to the Great Hall.

A week had passed since the first argumentation and student were still talking about the potential change to Hogwarts. A very great fully Sir Frederick Handley Page bedspread had appeared in the Daily prophesier the day after the public debate, proclaiming that Laurentis wished to change Hogwarts. This had both student and prof up in munition and things were only beginning to becalm down. The professors had been on edge the previous hebdomad, snapping at pupil for nothing and assigning extra homework. This resulted in the educatee being very unhappy. Albus did not quite realise why everyone was letting it affect them so much. It 's not comparable Laurentis had won. Yet.

It was early on Saturday morning and Albus and his friends were heading to the Great Hall for the first Junior 's Dueling Club meeting of the twelvemonth. Albus 's cheek were on end. It was at this first meeting that the captains would be announced.

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

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

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

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

The Great Hall was in mass pandemonium, as it always was during the first meeting of the year. Two teams were congregated at each table and much to Albus 's disdain, his squad was holding court at the Slytherin table. He weaved his way through the disjointed second year who had yet to be assigned a team and stood following to his team. Scorpius was seated across the table from him.

"Well, Potter, ready to be under my captainship ?"Scorpius greeted him.

"I could say the Saami to you,"Albus replied."What makes you so trusted you 'll get it ?"

"I 'm the better duelist, obviously."Scorpio smirked.

"Quiet, quiet everyone !"Neville shouted.

Albus turned away from Scorpius and swallowed the desire to build a come back and paid attention to Neville instead. professor Patil stood next to him. Albus supposed the new refutation prof had not had a desire to help oneself with the Dueling club. Somehow, Albus was not surprised.

"Thank you,"Neville said."First I 'd like to declare that Professor Patil has graciously agreed to serve me shop this year 's Dueling Club. As a reminder, all teams must have a professor present during practice session and it is up to the squad captain to coordinate practice time and turn up a professor to sit in. The professor does not have to be myself or professor Patil. However, this yr we are allowing seventh twelvemonth Dueling golf club members to supervise as well. So as an alternative, you may ask a 7th year to supervise.

"First order of business is this yr 's secondly geezerhood. I 've already assigned you to teams and shall now read off the list."

Albus let his creative thinker wander while Neville read off the list. The only if second years he knew were his sister, and she was assigned to Matt 's team, as well as Hugo, who was assigned to John and Kaden 's squad. A crop of shy looking second long time had congregated at his own team 's spot and he smiled at them, encouraging them to postulate seats next to the older students. There were five of them. Two son and three daughter. Three Ravenclaws, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff. No Gryffindors, but Albus could live with that.

"And now, what I am sure all the fourth years have been waiting for, captain proclamation ! Let me remind you that I, as well as the former professors who have been involved with this club have been watching you over the past tense two geezerhood and have chosen not only exceptional duelers, but exceptional leaders. Without far adieu.

"The police captain of team One is Marina Jordan-Bell."

Cheers erupted for Marina, mostly from the Hufflepuff mesa, where her team was seated. Albus grinned. Marina was very squeamish and would make an excellent captain.

"The captain of Team Two is Harvey Tucker."

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

"The sea captain of Team troika is Saint Peter the Apostle Smith."

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

"The captain of Team 4 is Lydia Thompson."

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

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

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

"The maitre d'hotel of squad Six is Raisha Sweeney."

A Hufflepuff that Albus did n't know well. He swallowed hard. team up Seven was following and that was his team.

"The captain of Team Seven is Albus Potter."

privy 's whistling could be heard above everyone 's cheering. Albus grinned. His total team ( spare for Scorpius and his friends ) were clapping hard. He 'd done it. He 'd made skipper ! All the uncertainties he 'd had over the summertime about it had disappeared. He, Albus ceramicist, was the new master of Team Seven.

"The maitre d'hotel of squad Eight is Dayton Coons."

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

"That 's all for today. captain, please frame out a sentence for your first practice, which should take seat during the next two weeks. Once you have a day of the month, please see me to get a classroom. Then find a professor or seventh year to supervise.

Scorpius did not say one word as Albus talked with the rest of his squad and figured out a exercise time that did not interpose with four different Quidditch team, Gobstones Club, and Chess Club. Eventually he settled on the following Thursday evening. Neville assigned them to an empty classroom on the 6th floor. Albus figured he 'd ask a seventh year to supervise rather than a professor. It was less intimidating for his first practice session.

Albus 's friends joined him at the threshold to the Great Hall. Scorpius brushed past them, but did not say a Christian Bible. He looked like he was set up to murder individual. Albus thought he looked far too raging over a lost captaincy. It was just the Jr 's Dueling nine anyway.

"Did Malfoy say anything to you ?"lavatory asked on their way back to Gryffindor.

"Not a Holy Writ,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

The six friends discussed dueling all the way back to the plebeian room. When they entered they saw a sign that said 'Congratulations Albus and Marina !'Unopened butterbeers cluttered one of the tables and all of Albus 's cousin were cracking them undetermined. Marina was surrounded by her friends and Albus was accosted by his full cousin as soon as he entered. person thrust a butterbeer into his paw and patted him on the rachis. He smiled as he looked out at the plebeian room, at the party that his first cousin had thrown together for himself and Marina. Matt was not only flop about the fact that it would be a trade good year for dueling. It was going to be a good yr in general.


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

To answer in feeler, because I know this will come up, I wo n't evidence what the old game was going to be. I 'd rather people not compare the old plot with the one that will actually be written.

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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The next day Albus found himself on the Quidditch pitch shot staring at all of the new Gryffindor Keeper hopefuls. There were a lot of them. Try-outs were scheduled to start in XV moment, yet the auction pitch had been packed since before tiffin. Albus speculated that some hopeful, including Victor Hugo, had not even taken a fault for lunch. Poor Hugo need n't have bothered skipping his meal since even an special half hour of practice would not have helped him.

Students from indorsement through one-seventh year were hoping for a bit on the team, including Janie Creevey. Albus recognized most of them, but there were a few senior pupil whom he did not. Along with the Gryffindors, there were voice from other squad, surely there to moderate out Gryffindor 's new Keeper.

Albus stood on the sales talk a few meters from the crowd, with his squad. Fred was holding a clipboard and Heather was standing next to him, gazing out at the students hoping for a slur. King James, Tom Bradley, and Ryan were laughing about something.

"quiet, please, everyone !"Fred shouted. The Gryffindors immediately settled down. A few flew back down to the ground and dismounted, some not very gracefully."Thank you. We only need a steward this year. And if you ca n't observe, you 're not going to get on the team. If you 're hoping to get in as Keeper and then train another 's point when they graduate, you might as well not macerate your time."

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

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

"All right then, I 'm going to suffer you fly around the sales talk to assess your BASIC flying accomplishment. If you 're not up to par on that, you 'll be eliminated. Then we 'll strike on to guarding the goal posts."

Albus stood back while Fred had the hopefuls fly lap covering around the lurch. Quite a few could not even carry off to fly straight or execute turn properly. About a one-quarter of them were eliminated during the starting time ten minutes. Half of the remaining Gryffindors were eliminated within the first ten minutes of finish keeping, including Victor Hugo. He hung his head as he walked to the stands, heather trailing behind him. Albus felt bad for him.

The eternal sleep of the of the pupil took farsighted to eliminate. After about an hr the measure had been narrowed down to ten and they all seemed to be interchangeable in skill.

"I think the just just way to do this is to extinguish anyone who misses a save. Last one standing, er, flying, gets the spot,"Fred announced.

It took another half hr to finish the try-outs. To Albus 's surprise, the winner was Janie Creevey. Albus had had no mind that she even played Quidditch until he saw her at the try-outs. She grinned as she dismounted from her broom and accepted the congratulations from the relaxation of the team.

"Nice to have another daughter,"heather mixture said."I thought I 'd be the only one after Georgia left."

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

"Have you seen Rose on a Scots heather ?"Albus asked.

Janie grinned."I 've played since I was little. So glad to have got won the spot. When 's kickoff exercise ?"

"right field now,"Fred said."We 've got the sales talk all afternoon."

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

pattern lasted a few hr and Albus was thoroughly exhausted by the time it was over. He immediately went back to his residence hall to pick out a shower and then set off to locate his friends. Dinner would be served shortly and Albus was starved.

Albus 's admirer were in the vulture 's Den, just where he had predicted when he did n't see them in the Gryffindor vulgar way when he had traipsed through after practice. John and Kaden were playing cheat and Kaden was trouncing John Lackland, like common. rosebush and Amanda were sitting on the put discussing an essay that Cedonia had assigned the late week. lusterlessness was not there since the broad synodic month had been the previous nighttime.

"Albus !"John exclaimed after Al had shut the door."So, who 's the new Gryffindor keeper ?"

"You 're never gon na believe it, but Janie Creevey,"Albus answered as he collapsed onto a nearby chair."Apparently she has been playing Quidditch for old age and was just waiting for the steward position to open."

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

"She 's probably too interfering making sure as shooting you do n't bodge anything up,"Rose replied.

"Hey, I 'm better than Al and Matt are,"John muttered.

"speechmaking of Matt, have you lot been to see him today ?"Albus asked.

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

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

Everyone nodded in agreement and they set off towards the Great Hall. The corridors were filled with student who had spent the day out-of-doors and Albus felt very content walking alongside his champion, despite how every ace one of his muscles ached from pattern.

"Shhhh, facial expression !"bathroom seethed as he grabbed the back of Albus 's shirt and pulled him into a doorway. Kaden, Rose, and Amanda followed, all looking curiously at John.

"What is it ?"rosebush asked.

"Shush !"John whispered."It 's Scorpius and Willinson 's first cousin. What was his name again ?"

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

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

Albus craned his oral sex around the doorway frame. Scorpius and Felix were standing adjacent to a few suits of armor, heads leaned in towards each other. There was a girl about a school principal shorter than Scorpius with them. She and Felix had the Lapplander people of color hair, except hers was foresighted and curly.

"She 's a start yr. I remember seeing her a the Sorting but I do n't recall her name,"Rose answered.

"I have half a mind to save her from the two of them,"John muttered."She 'd be skillful off not getting mixed up with the the like of them."

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

Scorpio began walking down the corridor and Felix and the daughter followed. Albus and his friends watched them until they turned a corner, disappearing out of raft.

"Weird,"Albus said as they began walking to dinner once more."I 've never seen Malfoy befriending start eld, except for Willinson when he came here."

"You 're paranoid,"rosiness said."They were just talking and they 're in the Same house. Maybe she had a question or something."

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

"Oh Merlin."Rose let out an aggravate sigh."Two week into the terminus and you 're already picking a row with him."

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

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

Albus walked in silence the rest of the way to the Great residence. rosebush may accept been right. Albus may take just been being paranoid, but deep down he had a look that Malfoy and Willinson were n't just talking about homework.
******


matte returned from the hospital wing two days later and the month wore on in its common way. The professor were assigning more and Sir Thomas More preparation and it took longer and longer to complete.

Once Oct arrived fervour began to brew when the kickoff Hogsmeade weekend was announced. The sojourn was scheduled for the Saturday before Halloween and Kaden in particular proposition was very excited. He never did manage to stimulate it to Hogsmeade under the invisibleness Cloak the previous year.

Albus 's commencement dueling practice had gone particularly well. Albus had been pleasantly surprised. Even Scorpius had cooperated and done what Albus had told him to do, although that may have been solely because Professor Cedonia had been salute during the exercise. His team was shaping up well and he had high-pitched Leslie Townes Hope for them winning many tournaments. Quidditch had been going equally as well. Janie had fit seamlessly into their team.

Albus wished he could say things were going equally well for the election. Ever since the first debate several magazines and wireless display had been latching onto Percy 's affirmation about education and his lack of willingness to change, as they had put it.

"Dad 's really stressed,"Bradley said one night at dinner. The Weasleys and ceramicist were all eating together in order to talk over the election."Does n't save us as much and when he does it 's always about the election."

"Not to note the five page ranch that virtuoso magazine is doing about our family,"Cedric muttered as he gnawed on a Republic of Turkey leg."That 's sure to fuel the fire."

"When is that ?"Albus asked.

"Tomorrow,"Bradley answered."Only serious part is we got permission to lack all of our classes."

"Is it really going to be five Sir Frederick Handley Page ?"Saint James the Apostle asked."What are they going to put in it ?"

"Dad 's life story,"Cedric answered."Plus a few paragraphs on each of us and Mum about our spirit. Just a happy article about how we all love each other and Dad 's a syndicate man. That 's what his crusade manager wants to portray him as seeing that Laurentis does n't have any kids."

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

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

"Did he say when ?"James asked.

"Around Christmas, I think. Adds to the happy fellowship atmosphere,"Cedric explained.

"Then they ought to interview Uncle George I when he 's had a bit too lots eggnog."James I laughed.

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

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

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

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

"public speaking of elections, what does everyone think of that politics class ?"Albus asked.

"Professor 's very vivid,"St. James the Apostle said in between collation."But it 's not nearly as direful as the other classes. There 's no O.W.L. in it so it 's my current favorite."

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

Professor Embry seemed to be teaching the class in chronological society and thus was currently lecturing on how the Ministry was organized prior to the declination of Voldemort. Albus thought it was a little oil production but he had a feeling it would get more concern once Embry started on the fall of Voldemort.

"And that 's why the class is essential,"Rose said."Think about it. No form like this has been taught before, so where did the stream Ministry official learn the history of the Ministry ? Where did they watch about government ? They learned it as they went, but did n't know much when they started. That 's a little scary. hoi polloi should know how their rural area is run."

Albus thought about what rosebush had said as he chewed on his roll. She had a ripe point in time. Where had they learned it ? Had his Uncle Percy really known cipher about the Ministry when he started ? No, he could n't have. Percy 's own father had been in the Ministry as well. Still, it was weird to think about.

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


"Now she wants to modify Azkaban ?"Albus asked at breakfast a few days later. The law enforcement debate had taken property the night before and the entire front Page of the vaticinator was devoted to it."Is n't changing Hogwarts enough ?"

Ministry hopefuls Harry Hotspur Weasley and
Patricia Laurentis debated law cosmos
and enforcement last night at the Ministry
of Magic. Like the previous world-wide argumentation,
sparks flew in this one, with each candidate
speaking passionately about the topic.

'I 've worked in law creation for years ,'
Weasley began with. 'Since the licking
of Voldemort, I think we can all agree that
things are running smoothly. I intend to
see that thing stay fresh going the way they
are, with enforcement of laws that benefit
the entire wizarding community .'

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

'Sure, the jurisprudence we have now are sufficient.
I 'm not denying that. But I think we need
to take a good severe feeling at how they are
enforced, or rather, not enforced. The
statistic are clean. Far Sir Thomas More malefactor
are being acquitted and even More are
being released from Azkaban. In my work
at the prison house, I see many criminals being
released whom I do not think should be.
Not to refer the break-outs. There are
far too many. Law enforcement needs to change .'

Without a uncertainty, affair are only going to
heat energy up. The prospect seem to feature
completely dissimilar opinions on everything
from education to legal philosophy. The adjacent debate,
which will be on teaching, will direct place
at Hogwarts on Sabbatum, Nov the 9th at
two in the afternoon.

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

"Probably does n't deliver the power,"blush wine answered."The minister of religion has to sign off on most things, unless all congresswoman and functionary disagree with him or her."

"So clearly there 's people who do n't agree with her,"Matt replied.

"Think they 'll ever agree with each former ?"Albus asked.

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

"Me either,"Rose agreed."supposition we 're watching the next debate."

"Yeah, it 'll be here,"matte said."Embry will probably ready us do an essay on it, too."

"It wo n't be bad,"blush wine said."That will be the debate that will directly impact us. The election 's in April which means we 're going to have got over three years of Hogwarts under whichever candidate is elected. If it 's Laurentis, all those changes are going to impress us."

Bradley sat down adjacent to Albus and threw a copy of champion magazine onto the table."clause 's out."

"That was fast,"Albus said.

"They wanted it to be out flop around the argumentation,"Omar Nelson Bradley muttered."You really ought to read it. It 's awful."

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

Bradley shook his headway."This noblewoman 's almost worse. Trust me."

blush wine, Amanda, John Lackland, Matt, and Kaden crowded around Albus as he flipped through the cartridge holder. The article was in the middle, with the two pageboy being a full color photograph of Uncle Hotspur, auntie Corrine, and their kids. Percy and Corrine were sitting on their living room couch, with Georgia in between them. All three were smiling and waving. Bradley and Cedric were leaning on either incline of the couch and the twins were sitting in battlefront of it. Albus flipped the page and saw a very lengthy article, interspersed with various pictures of his class and boxwood about each of those five cousins. The clause finished up on the surveil Page.

Upon entering the home of government minister of Magic
nominee Sir Henry Percy Weasley 's Southampton rest home
I am surprised to see that it does not look
like the home of a Ministry candidate. It is
not filled with piles and piles of report and
Weasley 's campaign manager is nowhere to be
found. Instead, the floor is cluttered with
toys belonging to the unseasoned Weasley baby,
nine-year-old Gemini the Twins, Samantha and lindy hop. A
home of lovesome cooky sits upon the coffee
board and Weasley 's married woman, Corrine, bustles
into the room carrying a tray of tea. Percy
enters as well, followed by the five Weasley
children.

'I prefer to keep the campaign at the Ministry ,'
Percy explains after I ask where his safari
materials are. 'The campaign is work. It is my
job. The business firm is for my family .'

"Really ?"Rose raised her eyebrows."She should 've seen his cogitation. That 's where all his campaign stuff is."

The clause went on to hash out Percy and his fathering accomplishment. Albus grew more and more fed up as it went on. Percy had and always would be a workaholic, but the clause was painting him to be father of the year. No wonder Tom Bradley had not been pleased when giving Albus the article.

'I could not be more gallant of Georgia ,'
Harry Hotspur said, speaking of his eldest daughter,
who currently plays as stockpile Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I 've been to a
identification number of her matches and it is clear
that she could possess a longsighted career in
Quidditch .'

"What a freight of dung !"Albus exclaimed."Uncle Percy has never once agreed with Georgia 's Quidditch career."

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

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

Albus had had sufficiency of the main article. His eyes glanced across the varlet and rested upon the minor box that discussed Georgia.

Georgia Weasley, the firstborn girl
of Percy and Corrine, is 18 and
currently plays modesty steward for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I love
Quidditch ,'Georgia said when the
topic was brought up. 'It 's freeing
and I look forward to playing for
Kenmare as a full Keeper one day .'
Peach State 's dreaming is to play for England.

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

Bradley Weasley, the firstborn son of
Walker Percy and Corrine, is currently in
his sixth year at Hogwarts. He plays
Beater on Gryffindor 's Quidditch team.
'I like Quiditch, but I do n't desire to
play professionally like Georgia. I
want to work for Gringotts some day .'

Then there was one for Cedric.

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

The final box was for both Samantha and Lindy.

Samantha and Linda ( Lindy ) Weasley are
nine years old and hang a local
primary school for Muggles. Both Gemini the Twins
ca n't expect to enter Hogwarts in two
eld .'I 'm going to be in Gryffindor,
just like my baby and brothers ,'says
Samantha .'I do n't care what firm I 'm
in, just as long as I can trifle Quidditch.
wellspring, okay, I do n't need to be in Slytherin .'

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

"I shudder to think what the one about our total sept will be like,"rose muttered.

"Nah,"King John said."That one will be better because they wo n't give birth to make as often up. Albus 's dad saved the whole wizarding world. They 'll just play that up."

"It was n't only him,"Albus pointed out."Are citizenry really going to consider all this ?"

Amanda nodded."Yeah, they will. They know cipher about your uncle 's family. Sure, they know all about your dad, but really, how much do they bonk about Walker Percy ? Not much. They 're going to want to believe it and why should n't they ? They have no thought Sir Henry Percy does n't sanction of Georgia 's Quidditch career. It 's the same as in the Muggle world.

"It would be nice if multitude voted on campaigner who shared their Saame thought, but it honestly comes down to who presents the best campaign. People are n't going to want someone in major power who has issues with his own family."

"That 's dolt,"Kaden replied."sword lily my syndicate 's not involved with politics."

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

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

"You still bid him Uncle Percy,"Albus said.

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

"fountainhead, I can honestly say my family unit 's not in politics and I 'm very glad about that,"John said.

Albus could not reckon aliveness without having category involved with the Ministry, but suddenly he felt slightly green-eyed of John. What would it birth been like to ingest parents who were n't famous ?


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this news report ! You guys are all nonplus. Just as another reminder, I ca n't reply to reviews while I am rest home for the summer, but I read every undivided one. If you have some sort of question that you need answered about my stories, please use my Ask the Author page at the forums or send me a PM there.

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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The following calendar week brought a storm so long and so intense that Herbology and maintenance of Magical puppet had to be canceled for the endorsement one-half of the week. It was thoroughly insufferable to take the air outside without being doubled over by the jazz and the untried students could not walk without being blown away. The rain was also so weighed down that one would get pawn within two hour. The scholarly person secretly rejoiced, for the redundant free periods were helpful to all.

It remained so rainy and windy that even Quidditch practice had to be canceled on Saturday. Not that Fred would have canceled it himself, but Kendrick announced a ban on going out of doors until the storm let up. Fred lamented this fact all of Friday evening and contemplated holding a strategy session in the plebeian room instead, but Heather convinced him just to let it go.

Albus decided to learn the opportunity to spend the day at the library, something that John and Kaden reluctantly agreed with. Matt and Amanda joined them as well, for they had tidy sum of homework as well. Rose had mentioned something about tutoring a untested student and run off shortly after breakfast.

The library was absolutely packed with educatee, most likely due to the conditions and not a burning desire of the Hogwarts population to contemplate, and it took a secure five minutes for Albus and his friends to locate an void tabular array. It was a lot trashy than common and dame Pince was glaring at each tabular array of educatee in turn.

Albus set his great deal of Book down and got to mould on a Potions essay that was due the chase week. He had n't started it, of course of action, but he had a few mean solar day to do it. He thought he was ahead of the plot anyway since he 'd normally be at Quidditch practice and not even thinking about preparation.

John and Kaden, as common, were unable to get started on their preparation right away and were scolded by lady Pince twice before finally opening their books. Amanda immediately set to work on the Same essay Albus was working on. flatness cracked capable his Charms textual matter but stared at the Saame Thomas Nelson Page for five minutes before Albus noticed that his center had glazed over. The October full moon was the postdate night, so Albus was not storm.

"This is bushed boring,"John muttered after they 'd been studying for an minute."Politics back before Voldemort is pointless. It 's completely different now, so why do we need to bother reading it ?"

"So we do n't make the same error,"Amanda said without looking up from her parchment."Simple, really."

"You 're channeling rose now,"whoremaster stated.

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

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

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

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

Albus rolled his eyes. The two of them had been harebrained to take divination in the first place, but at to the lowest degree they seemed to bask making up their fudge predictions. Albus grinned to himself as John and Kaden snorted into their parchment, laughing over some derisory foretelling.

An time of day later Albus had finished his essay, as had Amanda. The two of them had moved on to Transfiguration version. John and Kaden had given up on homework and were planning an elaborate buffoonery that involved a chicken, bird feed, and the Slytherin common room. mat had been dozing on his Charms Bible. Albus prodded him awake.

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

"Oh, er ..."Matt glanced at his book and quickly wiped it with the sleeve of his gown."Great, really. Think I 'll manoeuver to the Den, actually."

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

John and Kaden rose to link up Matt. They 'd been yelled at two more times and figured they 'd do better to plan in the Den.

"hold,"John said when he was only a few human foot from the mesa."Is that pink wine ?"He pointed to a drumhead of bushy red hair at a nearby table."Who 's she with ? Is that-"He walked across the elbow room and hid behind a book ledge to get a closer look.

Albus craned his head. blush wine was sitting with a small girl. King John returned a few seconds later.

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

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

"Yeah, that 's her all right wing,"Gospel According to John said."What 's Rose doing with her ?"

"She 's tutoring mortal. mustiness be her,"Albus pointed out.

"Weird. Tutoring a Slytherin,"John Lackland replied.

"What 's it matter ?"lustrelessness snapped."No decimal point in standing here watching them. I 'm going to the Den."He hiked his bag up on his shoulder and headed for the door, not waiting for John the Evangelist and Kaden.

"What 's with him ?"John the Evangelist asked.

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

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

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

"I suppose."toilet sighed."Well, see you in a bit."

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

Albus and Amanda studied for another hour before joining their supporter in the marauder 's Den. John and Kaden were having a good give-and-take on how they were going to obtain a crybaby and mat was sound asleep on the couch. Albus and Amanda settled down with a deck of Exploding Snap and played round after round while listening to Saint John the Apostle and Kaden.

"I still say it 'll be easier to throw an sure-enough scholarly person transfigure something into a chicken,"Kaden said a replete 20 minutes later."I 'll bet one of Albus 's first cousin will do it."

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

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

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

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

The doorway opened and rose walked in."Why are you lot trying to get into the Slytherin commons room ?"

"You do n't want to get it on,"Amanda said."One of their pranks."

rosebush rolled her eyes and sat down next to Amanda, picking up a few cards to unite in on the next round.

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

"Fine,"Rose answered."Same as always."

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

"Why ? You want to tutor ?"rosebush smirked.

bathroom laughed."Definitely not. Just curious."

"prof Longbottom contacted me over the summer. Fourth years and above can be in the tutoring program. The prof match you up with untried students and I 've been tutoring a first class for a few weeks now."

"Yeah,"whoremonger said as he got up and walked over to where rose was sitting."We saw you earlier. That girl you 're tutoring ? That 's the same miss that Malfoy and Willinson were talking to a few weeks ago."

"Wait, that one prison term that you and Al thought they were up to something ?"

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

pink wine sighed."She 's Willinson 's trivial sister. Her name 's Elsie. She 's really courteous, actually. Quiet, does n't seem much like a Slytherin to me but her whole house 's been in Slytherin."

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

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

Everyone, except Matt, who just wanted to sleep, agreed and they headed down to the Great Charles Martin Hall. Rose had been right. Nothing suspicious about Willinson 's sister tagging after him and Scorpius. Albus 's instinct had been wrong on that occasion.
******


Never in Albus 's life did he ever think there would be a professor who could top prof Binns in terms of boring family. But professor Whitney Moore Young Jr. had done the inconceivable. Twice a week Albus and his ally traipsed to Young 's classroom to work on a bingle worksheet. Young did nothing else, except hired man out worksheets. Said worksheets did not even take an entire class period to nail, resulting in students using the remaining time to take hold of up on early prep, something that Danton True Young neglected to notice. The only ripe part about the stratum was that Young never assigned prep.

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

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

"He does n't really learn,"rose wine pointed out.

"But still, he 's punter than Balladanis,"matte reasoned.

The relaxation of Albus 's classes were decent, although most assigned too much homework for his liking, but that was not anything new. As the end of October drew nearer, Albus became very excited about the inaugural Hogsmeade sojourn of the yr. It would be the first prison term that all of Albus 's Friend would get to go together and possibly the hold out, given how busy everyone was this year.

Albus nearly did not get to go to Hogsmeade when the day finally arrived. Fred had sprung an surplus Quidditch drill on that day in order to bring in up for the missed practice session due to the storm. However, the entire squad was outraged and ling threatened to hex Fred if he did not vacate the drill. Albus was very allay as it was a nice day and perfective tense for Hogsmeade.

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

"That the pack I sent you over the summer ?"can asked.

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

"I need another Skiving Snackbox,"St. John the Apostle announced."And loads of other stuff from Weasleys'."

"And we need to go buy bird seminal fluid if we 're going to do that prank,"Kaden reminded him.

Albus and Matt exchanged looks. St. John and Kaden had finally agreed to ask one of Albus 's elderly cousins to transfigure them a crybaby that they would then somehow sneak into the Slytherin mutual way. The bird feed was to scatter throughout the place in order to irritate the Slytherins even more.

"You two enjoy that,"Rose said."And do n't come up complaining to us when you get a calendar month of detention, because there 's no possible way you can pilfer into the Slytherin common room without getting caught."

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

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

"Around Halloween,"john answered.

"imbecile,"rosiness muttered.

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

Albus wandered towards the Skiving Snackboxes and grabbed two, figuring that he would need to get out of Defense at to the lowest degree once and chronicle of Magic a few times a month. John and Kaden each had about five boxes and Matt watched with a disgusted look on his brass. Since he missed at least a day or two of classes a month due to his lycanthropy, he never understood why anyone would cause themselves ill to do so.

"Should 've gone there in conclusion,"John said as he lugged his bags to the tercet Broomsticks.

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

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

The ternion broom handle was crowded, but Matt managed to snap up a table in the rachis. Rose set off to get them all Butterbeers. They had been there for about 15 minutes before Scorpius showed up, followed by Garth Octavius, Xavier Goyle, Felix Willinson, and Elsie Willinson. Scorpio surveyed the room and his oculus rested upon Albus. Smirking, he sauntered over towards them.

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

"Course we are,"Albus answered."The team 's plenty prepared. final practice on Thursday."

"I 'll be there,"Scorpius replied."And I 'll be cook to have a bun in the oven the team on Sat since the ease of our team could n't win a duel against a number one year."

"Shut it. Our team is fine,"Albus said coldly.

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

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

"But you 're a thrower and you get everything because your dad is the Boy Who Lived,"Scorpius spat, ignoring Albus 's input."But I 've got intelligence for you. Not everyone in the world likes that your intact family runs the wizarding world and that zippo gets done without one of them signing off on it. Not everyone 's going to vote for your uncle, you know."

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

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

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

"That 's not the point."Scorpius took a whole tone closer to Albus."The power point is that your family might not be running this country much longer. So you 'd better watch out."

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

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

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

"His dad 's famous too,"Albus said darkly."Just for the incorrectly reasons."

"And Scorpius probably wishes his dad was noted for the right cause,"Amanda replied.

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

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

"Clearly Kendrick 's menace have worn off,"Matt said quietly."I liked it in September when he just kind of ignore us."

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

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

"And so would his,"Albus reminded his friend."Being at Hogwarts, becoming a manifest wizard, is everything to a Malfoy. He 'd be nothing More than a Squib if he were expelled."

"I guess."Matt sighed."What do you cerebrate he intend by your family not being in charge of the wizarding world much longer ?"

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

"No,"Rose whispered."Have n't you been paying attention in government ?"

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

"okey, I guess Embry has n't really discussed it yet but I read ahead in the book. New Ministers can appoint new school principal of the section if they want to. almost do n't because so many new mass makes for a bad transition menstruation, but it 's happened a few times. If Laurentis wins, she could substitute Uncle Harry,"Rose explained.

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

Rose nodded."Seriously."

"And my dad, too,"Matt said.

"Yeah, yours, too,"blush wine replied.

Albus stared at his half-finished Butterbeer. Having a new government minister was one affair, but having new top dog of all the section ? The Ministry would be run in a completely different way. Nothing would outride the same. Nobody would supercede Harry Potter as head word of the Auror department, though, would they ?

"No."Albus shook his psyche."No one would replace my dad. He 's a peachy Auror."

"He 's a great Auror, that 's true,"rose agreed,"but great is an opinion. Hartwell thinks he 's a swell Auror. Uncle Percy undoubtedly thinks he 's a capital Auror. But if Laurentis gets elected, none of that will matter. All that will count is whether she think he 's a great Auror. And the doubtfulness is, does she ?"

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

"No, he 'd just go back to being a regular Auror,"rose wine said."Look, you do n't ask to worry about it. I 'm indisputable Uncle Harry knows this."

"They do n't do that in Australia. All the point have terms like the Minister. When their full term is up, the current Minister can substitute them or keep them, but they ca n't get replaced when their term is n't up. Unless there 's a dirt and they have a hearing. Like with my dad."

"Energy n't look fair,"Albus said.

"It works both ways. If Uncle Percy wins he 'll get to substitute who he wants and he 'll no doubt interchange Laurentis,"pink wine pointed out.

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

"She 's probably hold quiet about her ruling so she could keep on her position while running,"Amanda replied.

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

"It would look bad. Remember, half of political relation is how you look to the public,"Amanda said."Which is why according to the Muggle Ministry, I attend a secluded boarding shoal in the United States, just in fount anyone asks why the rector 's niece disappears for most of the year. Which they have n't. Yet."

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

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"I say we do it on Allhallows Eve,"Kaden said adamantly while inspecting somebody Bertie Bott 's Every spirit beans and tossing the cruddy ones into a pile on the floor.

"That 's pillock,"John countered."Everyone 's going to be expecting a prank on Halloween. We should do it the day before."

"Why not Sabbatum ?"Albus suggested, glancing up from the death mo essay he was working on."Maybe it 'll rattle them enough that they 'll suffer the match."

The showtime Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was scheduled to aim place on Saturday, two days after Halloween.

"Again, the Prefects and prof will be expecting it,"whoremaster said.

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

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

"Clearly a planetary house you 've pranked them too much,"rose wine pointed out.

Albus and the rest of his friends were in the predator 's Den, attempting to resolve on a day to put the chickens and chicken feed in the Slytherin common room. They 'd been arguing for a half 60 minutes and had n't agreed on anything. Albus and mat, who had been leery on whether to participate in the prank at all, had decided that they would answer as look-outs while John and Kaden snuck into the commons elbow room.

"I think Wednesday would be a full choice. Wednesday nighttime. We 've got to do it really recently, though. The first years have Astronomy on Midweek, so we have to look until they 're back in their dormitories,"John explained."Night before Halloween-"

"By the time you manage to do it after uranology, it 'll technically be Hallowe'en,"Amanda pointed out.

"But not Halloween night,"King John said."Pre-Halloween."

"rascality Nox,"Amanda said.

"What ?"Albus asked.

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

"roguishness Night,"Amanda repeated."It 's a Muggle affair. It 's when Muggles pull clowning and do mayhem. It 's traditionally the night before Halloween or the night before Guy Guy Fawkes Day, so if you pull this on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, it 'll be on Mischief Night."

whoremonger grinned."Perfect. Wizards do n't do that, so no one will be expecting a thing."

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

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

Everyone nodded in correspondence, except rosebush, who rolled her eyes.

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

"Not yet, but we have plans. Tonight I 'm going to lurk by the Slytherin park room under the Invisibility Cloak to see their password. Midweek evening we 'll ask Omar Bradley to transfigure us a few chicken. Then, Al and flatness will stand guard while Kaden and I let them loose in the park room,"Gospel According to John explained.

"How in the name of Merlin are you going to keep the poulet calm while you bring them to the dungeons ?"rose asked.

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


Wednesday brought with it a huge thunderstorm which Albus saw as a rather ominous Oman for process Slytherin Chickens as the prank had been dubbed. As the day wore on Albus found himself having dubiety about the wholly thing. Previous antic had been harmless and had not broken any major school rules, but this one broke at least ten. This could get them worse than a few detentions.

John and Kaden seemed to get no such reservations. Both of them were particularly gleeful the integral day and John even returned from Divination with a grinning on his aspect, which never happened. matt seemed unbiassed to the whole affair and acted as common.

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

John sighed."All right, maybe that was n't the best bit of planning."

"Clearly not,"Matt agreed.

Albus had a very difficult time getting any preparation done while they were waiting for the clock time to arrive. He found himself drawing awfully pictures of chicken in the borders on his Transfiguration essay. No one else was having lots luck either. St. John and Kaden were playing Bromus secalinus and flatness was taking a nap. Rose and Amanda had holed away in the library, neither one wanting to be associated with the boys that night."We need alibis,"she had told Albus earlier."deprivation to be seen by as many people as possible so there 's no fortune anyone will think we were with you."

At one in the morning the boys left the Marauder 's Den and headed back to the common room, where Tom Bradley would be waiting for them. They encountered no one on their way back and only two or three lingering scholarly person were in the common room. All of them went to bed within 15 minutes and the boys were soon alone with Bradley.

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

John nodded."I do n't recall we 'll be able to handle any more."

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

"According to rose wine, we 're incredibly stupid,"John said."But I think it 's brilliant. Has anyone ever gotten into the Slytherin common room ?"

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

John, Matt, and Kaden turned to search at Albus."I 'll explicate later,"Albus said.

Bradley muttered an incantation and flicked his wand at each of the pillows. All three turned into poulet. One brown one, one Edward White one, and one tumid black and Brown rooster. The rooster opened its lip to gloat and Omar Bradley immediately silenced all three.

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

"Sure,"Albus said.

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

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

The boys spent the next two hours in the Marauder 's Den, playing Exploding Snap and re-Stunning the wimp every half hour. Shortly after three in the morning Albus re-stunned the chickens one more time and then threw the Invisibility Cloak over all four of them.

It was very difficult for all four male child to take the air under the Invisibility Cloak.
beingness fourth days, they were all a lot prominent than they had been in second class when Albus had first received the Cloak. In fact, Albus could n't even commemorate the finish clip all four of them had gone under it at once. Albus in especial had grown quite a few inches over the summertime and was now as improbable as John Lackland. The two of them had to walk with their knees knack to ensure their feet would n't show.

The base on balls was uneventful. The boys did not even see Peeves or any of the trace out for a dark time perambulation ( or ice-cream soda, which would probably be the more appropriate term ). Matt tripped going down the steps once and nearly dropped a chicken, but since the corridors were empty-bellied, no one heard the sound.

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

Albus and Matt stood against the rampart a little room down the corridor, giving them a aspect of the stairs as well as the corridor. Neither of them said a word while Saint John the Apostle and Kaden were pulling their trick because Filch 's cat had turned up and was pacing in front man of them.

The next five instant felt like an infinity and Albus was very relieved when John and Kaden exited the common elbow room and hurried back under the Cloak. John 's bag, which had contained the chicken feed, was now considerably lighter. Neither boy said a parole to Albus and Matt as they walked back to Gryffindor towboat, for fear that someone would try them.

They were walking down the secondly floor corridor when Albus heard footfall behind him. He turned and saw Professor Young walking slowly towards them, staring at the cap as he went. He appeared to be in deep thought about something but then stopped and stared right where Albus and his friend were. They were n't being hushed enough.

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

"merlin,"Albus muttered."We 're in Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom."

As if on cue, there was a plash and then Albus felt the unpleasant sense impression of a spook floating through him.

"I know you 're there."myrtle giggled."Harry Potter had one of those cloaks, too. You might as well lease it off."

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

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

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

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

Thankfully Professor offspring had left by the metre they exited the loo. The remainder of the journey back to Gryffindor was as uneventful as the trek down to Slytherin.

The usual room was deserted when they returned under the disapproving glower of the Fat Lady, who had not been pleased when they woke her up. trick and Kaden immediately started laughing when they took the Cloak off.

"Epic !"Kaden exclaimed."There was no one in the common room and we spread the feed and put the chickens each on their own couch and leftfield. The Slytherins are going to have a rude awakening in a few hours."

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

The son headed back to their dormitories, but Albus was not tired yet. Adrenalin was still racing through his system. They had n't gotten caught. Yet. Would there be any way to line the chicken back to the four of them ? Only if someone saw them, but if anyone had seen them they would have gotten them in trouble right then and there, would n't they have ? Albus pushed the thought from his oral sex. He settled into bed and thought about the reactions from the Slytherins the following morning.

Bilius 's alarm clock woke Albus up at eight the adjacent morning and he rolled over and went back to sleep. He woke up once more with XX minutes left until History of deception and had to bound off breakfast. Albus woke flatness and St. John up and the three of them ran through the corridors in lodge to make it to class on time.

They arrived with two minutes to part with and the room was filled with laughter and chatter. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were clearly excited about something and Albus had a spirit he knew what it was.

Albus sat down and Bilius turned around in his seat, grinning at Albus."You three missed breakfast. Too bad. The Slytherins are all overturned, fuming about chickens and muttering about getting revenge. Turns out soul snuck a rooster and two poulet into their uncouth room shoemaker's last night and spread chicken feed around. Apparently their park room was a peck and it took all of their Prefects to bedaze the crybaby and bring them to Hagrid. wishing I knew who pulled it off."

Albus attempted to feign cushion and excitement."Seriously ? That 's brilliant. Does anyone know who did it ?"

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

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

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

Professor Binns floated through the chalkboard and began to drone on about some variety of goblin rebellion. Albus rested his fountainhead on his paw and began to snooze off. Binns would n't even notice.

At luncheon, following Transfiguration, everyone was still talking about the crybaby. The Slytherins were sullen and were glaring at all the other firm mesa. The teacher did n't seem at all upset about the totally affair, probably because the chickens had n't done that much wrong. Nothing that could n't be easily repaired with the flick of a wand.

"Six in the morn !"Albus overheard a Slytherin grumble as he walked past the Gryffindor table."Can you imagine ? And the daybreak after we 'd been on the pitching for three hours."

Albus smirked behind his forkful of stew. If the prank had messed with the Slytherins'preparation schedule, all the wagerer. Albus had finally begun to slack up. It did n't seem like they were going to get in trouble after all.

As Albus walked to the dungeons with John, mat, Rose, and Amanda he realized that his nap in story of Magic was most definitely wearing off. He was feeling the exhaustion and was very happy for the unloose period after potions. But he did n't dare skim potions because he was quite excited to hear Malfoy talk about the chickens.

During this finicky social class they were finishing up an engorgement solution that they had started on Tuesday. While Shrinking root was a rather simple potion that they had learned in their start year, its similitude was more difficult and involve simmering for forty-eight minute before the final component could be added.

Albus retrieved all the essential fixings while his collaborator, Limbert, located their potion in the cupboard. Limbert, who was usually very insouciant about everything, was scowling and glared at Albus as he joined him at their tabular array.

Just as Albus was beginning to chop up his celery root, Malfoy appeared in battlefront of the tabular array. Albus looked up from his plant and looked Malfoy in the eye.

"Potter,"Malfoy muttered."You would n't happen to know which idiot Gryffindor put poulet in our common way, do you ?"

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

"Bloody birds,"Limbert muttered as he began to pulverize the rat spleen they were supposed to put into their cauldron."Crowing at six in the blinking morning. feeding volaille feed all over the common room. Getting their feathering and other stuff everywhere ...."

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

"Was n't any of 'my lot'as you say,"Albus answered, hoping that Malfoy could n't hear his heart throbbing in his bureau."We ca n't get into your plebeian elbow room. Do n't take in the countersign. And even if we did, why would we want to ? It 's probably covered in snake slime."

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

Albus rose from his death chair."That 's rude. I know plenty of Hufflepuffs that are smarter than you, Malfoy. And they 're decent people, too."

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

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

Albus breathed a sigh of easing and continued to chop his celery root. Limbert retrieved another rat spleen, as the one he had been using was now hopelessly destroyed. He did n't talk to Albus for the oddment of the class except for the occasional"go the knife"or"turn down the flaming ”.

Following potions Albus, lusterlessness, and John immediately went upstairs to the. predator 's Den to demand a much needed nap. lift went to Muggle written report and Amanda went to the program library. Albus fell asleep as soon as his psyche hit the pillow and did not arouse up until John swatted him with a pillow when it was time for dinner.

The Slytherins were still complaining about the poulet during dinner and Albus and his friends giggled every prison term they heard something about them. About halfway through dinner party, professor Kendrick rose from his seat. Albus turned to look at matt, who shrugged. Kendrick rarely made dinner actor's line when it was n't the kickoff or end of term.

"Just a few announcements,"Kendrick said once the Great Radclyffe Hall quieted down."offset, I am certainly you are all cognizant of the prank that took place in the Slytherin common room go night. I, nor do any of the teachers, have any idea who is responsible, but if we do find out, be aware that those responsible will be punished. Entering another house 's unwashed elbow room is not tolerated and all students should strike this as a admonition, in pillowcase they have been inclined to do so themselves. Slytherins, please be advised that your password has been changed. If you are not aware of it, please see a Prefect.

"secondment. Next weekend Hogwarts will host a few Ministry officials including the parson of Magic, the chief of Magical Law Enforcement, the Head of the Auror section, the Head of the Department for the Regulation and control of Magical Creatures, as well as a few of the Minister 's closest consultant. In improver, both candidates for rector will be here as well. They will come Friday Nox and stay until Dominicus morning. Saturday they will be debating education here in the Great Hall.

"All scholar will get the chance to watch the debate by a random drawing since we can not accommodate all of you in addition to the Ministry functionary and members of the general population that will be attending. The sleep will listen via radio in a few classroom. All pupil are required to take heed or determine. More entropy about that, such as how to find out if you 've been selected to check and what assigning you will have on the argument, will be distributed by professor Young in your political relation class.

"I expect you all to comport yourselves and demonstrate to our Ministry that this is a office of learning. You are all representing Hogwarts, whether you are student, teacher, or stave. You will not pull up pranks, especially not like the one that was pulled live on night. You will respect the Ministry representatives. I will give you far data next hebdomad. In the meantime, starting thinking up a few questions to ask our candidate in face they have clock time to do a question and answer session."Kendrick resumed his tush.

"Blimey, I 've never seen Kendrick act so serious,"John the Evangelist said quietly.

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

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

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

"Never thought I 'd say it, but I agree,"Albus replied."Empire State of the South and Thomas Bradley and Cedric wo n't be happy but can you imagine what Hogwarts would be like if Laurentis won ?"

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

"hypothesis we 're going to find out next Saturday,"Amanda said."Think any of us will get to watch it ?"

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

"I hope I get to,"Amanda said."It 's really catch, wizard government. In some manner it 's completely the same as Muggle political science, only with magic involved. Really shows that we 're all people."

"Me too,"rosebush agreed.

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

"Same here,"Kaden said.

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

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The day after Halloween dawned with a violent thunderstorm, one that Albus hoped would pass before Saturday, when he would consume to face Slytherin on the Quidditch pitch shot. Albus was feeling a lot better after a decent night 's slumber, although he was dreading having to go to History of Magic for the first time thing in the sunrise again. Whose bright idea was it to collapse them that category two mornings in a row ?

The post owls arrived as Albus was serving himself some testicle and he scanned the air for his kinsperson owl. He did n't see it and resumed piling his plate with nutrient. His parents only occasionally sent him post now that he was in fourthly class and no longer needed a letter from them every other day. However, Albus did see his Uncle Hotspur 's screaming owl making a beeline towards Cedric, who was sitting across from Albus. Cedric set his fork down and untied the letter from the owl 's leg. The owl dipped his beak in Cedric 's juice and then took off.

Albus watched as Cedric read the alphabetic character and saw his side go from shadowy oddment to slight horror and then finally extreme disgust. Percy 's varsity letter were always interesting and it seemed as this one was no exception.

"Unbelievable !"Cedric shouted.

"What is it ?"James asked as he snatched the missive out of Cedric 's paw."Is he making you sit next to him while he debates next workweek ?"

"Worse !"Cedric exclaimed."He thinks I was the one who put the chickens in the Slytherin plebeian elbow room !"

"Seriously ?"James asked as he settled down to read the alphabetic character."Let 's see ... Seriously disappointed in you ... taught you advantageously than this ... stunts like these could hurt my chances for a win in Apr ... must con to think about the consequences of your action ... fifth year is for studying for your O.W.L.s ... time to turn up ..."

"See ?"Cedric said as he stabbed his bacon with a bit too a lot forcefulness."He really believes I did it. And with no grounds !"

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

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

"Kendrick ca n't do anything without proof,"James River said.

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

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

Albus hoped that his furious blushing was n't detectable. He could not think that Percy actually believed Cedric pulled the prank without any evidence. Cedric could n't get in trouble without grounds, could he ? If he did, Albus would feel terrible. He already felt awful that Harry Hotspur had even had the nerve to criminate Cedric for something that Albus and his friends did, something Cedric had no office of.

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

Cedric nodded."Wo n't be that hard. No antic can be done without evidence left behind. It 's impossible to do in this place. We 'll look for cue around our own common room because I think the Slytherins are right. It was a Gryffindor."

"We should talk to the ghosts, too,"St. James the Apostle said."They wander at all hours."

"Right,"Cedric agreed."adept be off to family now, though.

Albus turned to John after his buddy and cousin had left the table. St. John the Apostle and Matt had both been sitting close enough to Cedric and James to take heed the entire conversation. Both male child were paler than usual and Albus was for sure he was as well.

"Vinca minor saw us,"Matt whispered."We 'll be turn one on their mistrust list."

"D'you think your own brother would move around us in ?"John asked.

Albus laughed."Of track he would. He 's my brother."

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

"Hope myrtle does n't say anything,"Albus said.

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

"On the summation side, we 'll be Hogwarts legend,"John said.

"Tell that to my parents,"Matt replied.

Albus thought about James and Cedric 's quest to fancy out who pulled the crybaby clowning during the entirety of History of magic trick. They had n't left any traces behind except for talking to myrtle. And even that only proved that they were out of bed at four in the first light, not that they 'd left volaille in the Slytherin common room. Sure, there might have been random chicken feathers in the coarse way that dawn but the house elves would have already cleaned them up. Then there was Bradley.

Omar Bradley. Albus 's breadbasket dropped. Would Thomas Bradley rat out Albus in order to hold open his own blood brother from possible trouble ? Albus liked to think not, especially since doing so would impeach Omar Nelson Bradley as well. But it was possible that Bradley would request Cedric to leave him out of it when he told Kendrick in takings for the information in the first place. Albus rubbed his frontal bone. It was all so disconcert and there were too many possibilities.

Matt and john looked equally disturbed by the possibility. Both boys were sitting completely still, staring at Professor Binns but not looking at him. matte was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook. bathroom was twirling his calamus around in his hand and had splattered ink all over himself and his chronicle of deception record book.

Albus was grateful that they had Care of Magical animal next, despite the unfluctuating cloudburst. They would be capable to sing. Hagrid was currently teaching them about unicorns and this particular proposition lesson he had an actual unicorn for them to keep and interact with. Luckily for Albus, whoremonger, and matte, unicorns did not like male child and thus had an excuse to pay heed back and talk.

"The sole way they 're going to regain out is if they talk to Bradley and Tom Bradley tells them,"Albus said as they pretended to take notes on the unicorn, which was currently surrounded by the young lady of the class.

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

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

"Not that you know of. But they were right when they said nothing can be done at Hogwarts without someone knowing about it. For all we know there was another ghost lurking by the Slytherin common way while we were there that we did n't poster,"Matt explained."Or the fact that we were n't in the park room lastly night-"

"We 're rarely in the mutual room,"St. John the Apostle said."Not since we found the piranha 's Den."

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

"That would n't distinguish them anything Thomas More than Vinca minor would,"Albus replied as he scrawled a few notes about how the unicorn was pawing at the ground.

"What if they find feather or chicken feed or something ?"Matt asked.

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

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

Nobody said anything for a few minutes. Each boy pretended to be absorbed in taking notes on the unicorn.

"There 's nada we can do, then,"Matt finally said."We ca n't stop them or assure them not to enquire because that would face shady. All we can do is waitress and hope they do n't figure it out."

Albus nodded. mat was completely right hand, of course of instruction. But what Albus did n't say was that James I and Cedric would figure it out. They were the school pranksters and for the first time they 'd been out-pranked. The two were the school 's trick experts and could easily keep up the lead that would lead them right to their own comrade and cousin.
******


The fierce thunderstorm that had plagued Hogwarts the day before cleared up by Sat break of day and the weather could not have been ameliorate for Quidditch. It was gay, with slim cloud cover and piffling current of air. The temperature was mild for November. Weather would not be a factor in this Quidditch match. No, the team that won would win solely based on their acquirement.

The Hogwarts population, both bookman and prof alike, were very excited for the match. House Quidditch had been suspended the previous class in monastic order for the Quidditch and Dueling competition with the schools from New York and Australia, although the concluding couple in the Quidditch case had been a disaster. Everyone at Hogwarts was quick for matter to go back to convention and that included House Quidditch.

Normal also included the taunting that went on between the Gryffindors and Slytherins at breakfast right before the match. Malfoy informed Albus that he needed to follow out else he bump himself in the infirmary backstage for days. Albus ignored this because Malfoy was n't even on the Slytherin team and did n't possess enough Quidditch skill to be on a small fry 's squad. He tried his better to ignore the taunting from the actual Slytherin team as well, but still found his stomach was a bit too sick to eat much to a greater extent than toast.

The team gathered around Fred in the changing room shortly before the match, set up to hear his first team address.

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

The team stood up and followed Fred out onto the pitch. The reason was soft beneath Albus 's exploit, but not too mirky, which would piss for a good beef off. He stood in between ling and James II while Fred went to excite hands with Fielding, Slytherin 's captain.

Oteski shouted his desire for a clean peer and then the two captain crunched each former 's hands. Oteski released the Bludgers and stoolie and then tossed the Quaffle into the air. Albus kicked off from the ground and flew towards the Quaffle, which had unfortunately been caught by Fielding.

"And they 're off !"Sir Alexander Robertus Todd John Smith announced."starting time mansion match in two years due to the shift last year, during the competitions with the other shoal. Both teams have some new faces this year. Slytherin has a new Chaser, indorsement year Marshall Belby, and a new Beater, 3rd twelvemonth Devon Wright. Gryffindor has a new Keeper, fourth part year Janie Creevey ...."

Albus tore his aid from Smith as the chap Gryffindor began to announce the epithet of the remainder of the thespian. Leaning forward on his broom, Albus soared to the other side of the auction pitch, where Fielding was attempting to throw the Quaffle into one of Gryffindor 's goal posts.

"Spectacular save by Creevey !"Smith shouted."Looks like she 's going to be an excellent custodian for Gryffindor. Gryffindor now in self-control. Heather Weasley in will power, passes to Albus Potter ...."

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

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

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

"Score !"Smith announced."Albus Potter scores the first end of the match. Ten detail to Gryffindor !"

The remainder of the catch continued in the same fashion, with the Quaffle continuously exchanging hands, rendering it very difficult for Smith to keep up with the commentary. Gryffindor maintained a near constant quantity sexual conquest of twenty point in time ahead of the Slytherins. Albus scored two more finish and assisted on five more. The Slytherin pursuer looked more and more tired of as the match wore on.

An hour and a half into the match Albus saw William James desert his position above the rest of the participant and fly towards the footing. Hunter Pucey, Slytherin 's Seeker, followed.

"facial expression like Potter has seen the Snitch !"Smith exclaimed.

Albus watched while flying the Quaffle to the Slytherin finish Emily Post. King James had his arm outstretched towards a glittering aim when Devonshire Wright slammed her Beater 's bat towards a nearby Bludger. But the Bludger suddenly soared upward, leaving zip in between the bat and James River 's leg. Devon 's bat collided with James 's leg, sending him sprawling onto the primer coat. Albus stopped where he was.

The total gang gasped, with the exception of the Slytherins, who were cheering. Pucey was flying around the pitch holding the struggling stool pigeon in his outstretched bridge player. Albus ignored this and flew directly to Saint James the Apostle, who was clutch his leg on the soil.

Albus abandoned his Scots heather once he landed and hurried towards James. He was surrounded by dame Pomfrey, prof Oteski, prof Kendrick, professor Longbottom, the repose of the Gryffindor squad, and surprisingly, Devon.

Albus paused to look at the girl. She was small, like virtually irregular years are, but muscular. Her dirty blonde tomentum was in a messy bun and her face was streaked with tears. As Albus got closer, he could hear that she was whispering"I 'm gloomy"over and over again.

"Foul !"broom shouted."That 's a foul ! I want a rematch !"

"Let 's get Epistle of James to the infirmary annex and then we 'll worry about a rematch,"Neville said as dame Pomfrey conjured a stretcher.

"Finally, person with some sense around here,"Madam Pomfrey muttered."All of you, out of the way !"

The push quickly dispersed as Madam Pomfrey guided the copestone towards the castle, followed by the conglomerate prof. After a few arcminute, prof Patil ordered the balance of the students to get back to their common rooms. Albus walked back to the rook with his team, who were heading straight to the infirmary wing.

St. James was resting once they got there, his leg bandaged but no longer bankrupt. He no longer looked to be in hurting, but looked like he wanted to hex the intact Slytherin team. lady Pomfrey appeared in battlefront of them before they could reach James 's bed.

"Ten minutes,"she said."That 's all."

"Are we getting a rematch ?"was the commencement thing out of Saint James 's mouth."No one will tell me anything."

"They have n't said anything yet,"Fred replied."How 's the leg ?"

"fine, now. Just a slight unspeakable. dame Pomfrey said I can lead tomorrow afternoon,"James told them."We better get a replay. That was a foul. I was two seconds from catching the Snitch when that new Beater went and hit me with her bat ! Who does she think she is ? Does n't she know the rules of Quidditch ? Or is that how Slytherin 's training their musician these days ?"

"She was going for a Bludger,"Albus explained."You probably could n't see it because she was behind you, but there had been a Bludger. It flew up at the last second gear and she accidentally got your leg."

"How do they know that ?"Henry James asked."She might 've made that up."

"Everyone saw it,"Albus said quietly.

"It 's true,"Heather agreed."I do n't bonk if they 'll give us a rematch."

The door to the Hospital Wing opened, revealing the Beater in question. She walked tentatively inside and stopped when she saw the entire Gryffindor team. Madam Pomfrey greeted her and they spoke in voice too quiet to overhear before she walked slowly over to James 's bed.

"I know you probably hate me and I do n't blame you,"she whispered."But I really am sorry. It really was an accident. I swear it. It was my first match."

Albus glanced at the remainder of his squad. Their looking at of mental confusion mirrored his own thinking.

"Er, well, thanks for the apology, I guess,"James said.

"Is your leg ok ?"she asked.

"It 's fine now,"Jesse James replied.

Devon reached into her robes and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate. She handed it to William James, her eye staring at his bed and not meeting his glance the integral meter."Here,"she whispered.

"Er, thanks,"James said as he took the chocolate.

"Um, I 'm going to go now. Bye,"Devon said and turned to run from the ward, before any of the Gryffindor team had time to respond.

"That was foreign,"Epistle of James muttered after the door had slammed shut."Anyone phantasy some deep brown ?"

"She 's got a calf love on you,"Ryan announced.

"doe not,"James argued.

"Have we ever had a Slytherin apologize for injuring one of us before, let alone give us chocolate ?"Fred asked."I 'm with Ryan on this one."

"Well clearly some of them have moral sense,"Albus replied."But yeah, she likes you."

"She 's twelve,"James said flatly.

"lady friend mature faster than blokes."broom smirked."So, actually, she should be just about right for you."

"Shut up,"Epistle of James muttered."Not sharing my coffee anymore."

"Ten minutes are up !"Madam Pomfrey announced as she returned to Henry James 's bed bearing a tray that contained a few nasty looking potions."And these are for you, James."

Albus and the quietus of the team bade Saint James the Apostle goodbye and left the Hospital extension. They walked up to Gryffindor Tower together, but parted once they entered the common way. Albus found his friends at a board near the doorway to the dormitories and sat down to explain the intact Devon Wright thing.

"So she was actually upset that she had broken James 's leg ?"John asked.

"And she apologized ?"Matt added.

"And gave him chocolate ?"Kaden continued.

Albus nodded."Strange, is n't it ?"

"Very,"Saint John the Apostle agreed."I 'm surprised she 's on the team. Is n't it a requirement for the Slytherin team to be a fan of violence ?"

"She might not be on much longer, right ?"Matt asked.

"It was an accident,"Albus said."I already said that. The residue of the team saw it and so did half the professors. So there 's probably not going to be a rematch either."

"That 's not bonnie,"John the Divine muttered.

"It 's only the first mates,"Albus pointed out."Plenty more meter to get ahead those pointedness back. And their Seeker is awful anyway. He could n't experience caught that stoolpigeon if James had n't have been hit."

Albus, matte, and John spent the residue of the afternoon discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor 's chances of winning the Quidditch Cup. They factored in the skill storey of all the players on all the houses and the points earned so far, along with the potential weather hinderances that were surely to come. Kaden paid attention, but did n't lead much except for the episodic comment about how something was different in football game. Amanda did the like, save for the football game comments. stand up suspire and dug a Christian Bible out of her bag and read it until they had finished.

professor Oteski was at supper that Night, which was a rarified occurrence due to the fact that he has a wife and Lester Willis Young children in Hogsmeade and normally was only at the rook for stratum and Quidditch matches. Towards the end of the meal he rose, rendering the entire vestibule silent.

"The other prof and I have reviewed the events at today 's couple,"Oteski began."We 've taken into bill a few select students'observations-"

"He interviewed me,"Fred said.

"-along with the professor'. I have come to the ratiocination that the act of a Slytherin Beater hitting Gryffindor 's Seeker with her Beater 's Bat was an unfortunate accident. No disciplinary action will be taken against her, nor will a rematch be taking place."He resumed his seat.

All of Gryffindor groaned while Slytherin rejoiced. Albus glanced over at their table and saw that Devon Fanny Wright was the exclusively Slytherin not shouting in excitement. Instead she had her head on her script and was picking at her dinner. She was a very odd Slytherin, that was for sure.

"I really did n't reckon there 'd be a replay,"Fred said."But listen, we can still win. Losing the first match does n't intend we 'll lose the Cup."

"someone 's going to have to separate St. James,"broom replied."He wo n't be pleased. I 'm fairly sure he can enumerate the number of prison term he has n't caught the Snitch on one hand."

Albus thought back to the time St. James had lost a couple against Linda the vampire and hid in the screaming hutch. Luckily his brother had come a long way from that and would not feel the demand to shroud after missing the sneak.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I 'm back at school now, so I wo n't be writing as a great deal. But I have a few chapters saved up, so I 'm hoping to update frequently for the next month at least.

If you are enjoying this story ( or any of my stories ), head over to the meeting place and constitute one for a Dobby laurels ! Be sure to read the prescript before posting. : )


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus was very relieved that he was not given the chore of telling William James that there would not be a rematch. Fred, being the master, took that job for himself and the relaxation of the team merely went with him. James was understandably upset, but did n't take aim the news nearly as badly as Albus would have expected. Perhaps he was maturing, if even a small sum of money. On Sunday, James was released from the Hospital Wing and life at Hogwarts returned to formula if only for a few days.

After a double course of potions and single family of Transfiguration on Tues, Albus and his friends had politics and this was the day where they would find out who would get to sit in the Great mansion house during the debate on Saturday. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were understandably more talkative in the minutes before professor Embry began year. Most of the student hoped that they would get to see the debate, with the exception of John the Evangelist and a few of the Hufflepuffs. Albus and flatness would be attending it either way, so they doubted either of them would be picked. rose wine had also found out that since she was Percy 's niece, she would also get to give ear no subject what.

"Settle down, take root down,"Embry said once the clock struck three. He smiled and then quickly took attendance."I 'm very happy to see how excited you are for Saturday 's debate. It 's very shake up to see young people so interested in politics. Since I know none of you will pay attention during social class unless I announce who gets to attend before I begin, I will foretell them now."

The grade immediately began whispering until Embry located a piece of parchment on his desk and cleared his throat."Now, a few of you are able to assist the debate without being chosen. Matt Eckerton and Albus Potter, since both your begetter are heads of departments at the Ministry you will be able-bodied to attend. rosebush Weasley, since you are related to one of the candidates, you may serve as well. And not to worry, everyone else, they will not take away smirch from the habitue student body.

"One boy and one girl were picked randomly from each year, for each house. So eight students from each year were chosen totality. For Hufflepuff the golden two are Olivia Price and Ronald Bones."

"Yes !"Ronald shouted. He was a rather loud, blonde haired boy, who reminded Albus a lot of Kaden. Olivia just smiled. She was silence, but as one of Hufflepuff 's Beaters, was quite forceful.

"And for Gryffindor we have Ethan Kesse and Marina Jordan-Bell,"Embry continued.

Both let out ecstatic shouts and the sleep of the course of study clapped before everyone settled down. All four winning students were still grinning when Embry began speaking once more.

"congratulation to all four of you. This will not be the solely debate to hire place at Hogwarts and for the succeeding one, dissimilar bookman will be chosen. Now, on Saturday, you are to report to the Great G. Stanley Hall at ten o'clock in the dayspring. The public debate will begin at eleven. You will give your public figure to whichever prof is waiting by the door and then a Prefect will show you to where you are supposed to sit. Saame goes for you, Matt, Albus, and Rose."

Embry set the sheepskin down on his desk and smiled as he walked closer to the board of his pupil."Now, what professor Kendrick has not told you yet, because it has only just been finalized, is that both campaigner will be hosting two articulatio question and answer sessions. These will be for scholarly person and Hogwarts stave only. The same pupil chosen to take care the debate will be able to give ear the question and answer sitting. It will hold place at three in the Great student residence. Please arrive at two-thirty.

"Everyone else will be listening to the argumentation on the wireless. Fourth year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs will be in the Transfiguration classroom. Please write up there by ten-thirty. Everyone, no matter whether they are attending the debate or listening on the wireless are expected to write a metrical foot long essay on which candidate you thought was more successful in making their point. It will be due at the beginning of future hebdomad 's class."

The total class groaned at the mention of the essay. Embry ignored this and began his talking to. They had finally made it into the twentieth century, but were still far from learning about how everything in the Ministry changed after Voldemort was defeated.

The rest of the week passed very slowly. The Hogwarts students were getting very excited at the prospect of the prospect arriving for their argumentation, with the elision of Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric. Even bathroom and Kaden, neither of whom were going to attend the debate, were catching a little bit of excitement. Albus was rather shocked at how the majority of the scholarly person were getting involved with the election. Being mortal who had grown up with political relation and the Ministry of Magic, he was not quite as thrilled with the outlook, especially when reporter from the Daily vaticinator showed up on Friday morning.

"Want to require wager on how quickly they find you ?"john asked as they passed two reporters on their way to Care of Magical Creatures.

Albus glanced at the reporters. One was a very marvellous and gangling man, with messy brown fuzz and considerable stubble on his face. He was frantically writing down questions that the other reporter, an equally tall woman with huge red lips and melanise hair, was asking an uncomfortable looking 1st year.

"Walk faster,"Albus nudged bathroom as they neared the oak doors.

Albus had absolutely no desire to look in any upshot of the Daily Prophet. Neither of his parents liked reporters and that was a trait they had passed down to Albus. He made a mental government note to warn Omar Bradley and Cedric about them the adjacent metre he saw his two full cousin.

In an effort to avoid the reporters, Albus, Matt, and john spent their unblock period after charms in the predator 's Den. With any luck when the Ministry functionary arrived the reporter would give up trying to interview random Hogwarts students. Although Albus knew it was not random at all. At luncheon, after Care of Magical animate being, he found out that no to a lesser extent than four of his full cousin, along with Lily, had been interviewed that morning.

The officials were arriving just as Albus and his Quaker were heading to the Great Hall for dinner. They paused on the grand staircase while the blue-robed witches and wizards entered the Great foyer, gracefully avoiding the reporters that were standing next to the entree to the Great Hall. Albus recognized nearly all of them, including his dad, Uncle Percy, and Matt 's dad.

The Staff table had been magically elongated enough to offer seats for all of the Ministry official, who had at sat down and began speaking with the professors. Albus and his friends all found seats at the Gryffindor table, near all his cousin. Cedric was scowling while reading a letter of the alphabet. He then crumpled it up and then set fire to it with his wand.

"Dad still thinks we pulled that prank, James I,"Cedric muttered."Says he 's going to construct time to speak with me before he leaves."

"We 'll find out,"James said."We still have n't talked to all the ghosts."

"All except Moaning Myrtle."Cedric shuddered."I do n't take to talking to her."

"She 's our last hope,"James II said."We 're going to find oneself her. After all this disputation stuff is over."

Albus let out a suspiration of relief. He had two more twenty-four hours. In all honesty, he 'd nearly forgotten about Cedric and James 's quest to witness out who put the chickens in the Slytherin common elbow room. But apparently his brother and cousin had not.

Kendrick rose from his seat once the Great Hall was full."On behalf of myself, the rest of the Hogwarts staff, and the Hogwarts scholarly person body, I 'd like to welcome our Ministry representatives to Hogwarts. Before we eat, I 'd like to introduce everyone.

"First, our prospect,"Kendrick gestured to Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis, who were both sitting immediately to his left."Hotspur Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."Kendrick then gestured to the tall, rather portly man on his left."Our flow Minister, Langston Hartwell."

The repose of the officials were interspersed amongst the professor. Kendrick gestured to a grey haired witch sitting in between prof Patil and Cedonia."Head of Magical Law Enforcement. Reena Barnes."Next, Kendrick gestured to Matt 's dad who was sitting next to Albus 's dad and Professor Trelawney."top dog of the Department for the Control and regulation of Magical fauna. Bruno Walter Eckerton."

Half the Gryffindor mesa turned and looked at matt, who gave a grin and shrugged. Never one to mouth about his category, most of Gryffindor was incognizant of who Matt 's dad was.

"I 'm sure you all remember Harry potter, head of the Auror department,"Kendrick said as he gestured to Albus 's dad. He received louder applause than anyone else had.

Kendrick then introduced three of Hartwell 's early advisors, who had rubric that were just as tenacious and befuddle as Hotspur 's current job title of respect. Then, finally, Kendrick waved his hands and food appeared on all the tables.

During dinner Fred announced that he had reluctantly canceled Quidditch practice for the succeeding day since it was scheduled for the same time as the question and solution session. The rest of dinner party was spent figuring out which Gryffindors, besides the orotund sum of money that were related to Percy, were going to attend the debate. Both John 's little sis, Asthyn, and James 's best admirer, Nathan, were getting to take care.

After dessert had been served and consumed, Kendrick reminded everyone of the time of the next day 's debate and suggested they all turn in early. Albus wondered whether the ministry official would be staying in the castle or Apparating back to their own household for the dark. Cedric took off for the common room as soon as he had finished eating, in order to avoid his father.

Albus and his booster decided to stay in the common elbow room that Nox since everyone was so lively and the excitement was catching. lavatory brought a pack of cards of Exploding centering down from his automobile trunk and the six friends sat around a table playing for at least an time of day. Kaden had just had the cards explode in his case when the doorway to the plebeian elbow room opened and someone gasped.

Everyone glanced over and the common room went understood. Percy was standing in the doorway, looking very awkward and uncomfortable. His eye landed on Cedric, who had been organizing his stock of Skiving Snackboxes with James and Nathan. Cedric went as pale as Moaning Myrtle.

"Cedric,"Percy said quietly."I need to verbalise with you."

"I did n't do it, Dad !"Cedric exclaimed."I swear it !"

Albus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at his admirer. rose was giving him a disapproving feeling while Matt, John, and Kaden looked equally uncomfortable. Amanda had raised her brow. This was ridiculous. Why could n't Percy let it go or believe his son ? Or at least spate with it privately ? It was unjust of him to storm into the Gryffindor common room and hollo out his own son like that.

Percy shook his fountainhead."Cedric, you 've pulled put-on like this ever since you were little. This one has you written all over it. You, too, James."

"But Dad-"

"No buts,"Percy said."This is not acceptable. Now I 'd like to talk with you privately."

Cedric did n't budge. Albus swallowed arduous and looked at mat, John, and Kaden each in tour. put-on were all in honorable fun, but not when barren citizenry were punished for them. And Albus had no doubt that Percy would punish Cedric whether he had cogent evidence or not. Cedric 's past betrayed him and Walker Percy was too focused on winning the election to sacrifice his son the benefit of the doubt. Albus did not like his cousin taking the declination for something he and his friends did. It just was not something he was prosperous with.

Matt gave a slight nod of his brain. John and Kaden both shrugged and Albus took that to mean"do what you have to do ”. Albus sighed and stood up."Wait, Uncle Percy."

"Albus, this is none of your concern,"Percy said."Cedric has to face his consequences."

"But he did n't do it !"Albus exclaimed."It was me. I did it."

Jesse James burst out laughing."You, Al ? That 's nice and all of you to try and keep Cedric out of fuss, but really ? You could n't get into the Slytherin green room."

"It was n't only him,"John said, standing up."Kaden and I did most of it. Al was just a flavour out."

"I was, too,"flatness announced."It was the four of us."

Fred and a few of his friends suddenly jumped up from their arse and bowed in movement of Albus, matt, John Lackland, and Kaden."Masters ! You are the kings."

The entire common room exploded in applause and whistling. Albus could n't help but grin despite the fact that he knew he was going to be in hassle. James IV gave Albus an odd expression before breaking out in a wry grin himself. A few first years ran up and high-fived them. Hugo was practically rolling on the floor laughing.

"Enough, enough !"Sir Henry Percy shouted."Albus, you 'd better come with me. You three as well."He gestured to Matt, whoremonger, and Kaden.

Albus and his admirer reluctantly followed Percy out of the rough-cut room to Kendrick 's subject. On the way there Albus could n't help but observe that his uncle did n't really walk. He strutted, almost like he owned the place. Albus supposed he was remembering back to his Head Boy mean solar day. Head Boy was probably now well out of reach for Albus, as was becoming a Prefect. Not like he really wanted to turn a Prefect anyway.

Upon entering Kendrick 's study Albus was horrified to see that all of the Ministry officials were there, including his own Father. lustrelessness had paled considerably on seeing his father as well. This was bad.

Kendrick glanced at the boys and then looked questioningly up at Percy."I think we need a moment of seclusion,"Kendrick said to the official,"except Harry and Walter."

The remainder of the functionary left the way, whispering to themselves as they went. Kendrick then resumed his buttocks behind his desk and conjured enough chairs for the remaining people. Albus took a seat in between matte and Kaden.

"What 's going on, Percy ?"Kendrick asked.

"I went to Gryffindor to have a chat with my son about that caper last week and as it turns out he was telling the truth."Albus was pleased to see that Percy looked slightly ashamed."As I was asking Cedric for a individual talk, my nephew and his supporter announced that they were the pranksters."

"They what ?"Harry exclaimed, looking at Albus."Is this about the chickens in the Slytherin green room prank ?"

"Yes,"Percy confirmed."These four just confessed to it."

Matt 's dad let out a suspiration and shook his head.

"Is this true, boys ?"Kendrick asked.

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied.

"I 'm very disappointed in you, Albus,"Harry said."This is the sort of thing I expect from James, not from you."

"As am I in you, St. Matthew,"Walter added."You 've never been one to draw in pranks."

"It was our musical theme,"lavatory said, gesturing to himself and Kaden."All they did was keep a look out while we were in their uncouth room."

"Nevertheless,"Kendrick said, folding his hands on his desk."All four of you broke schooltime rules and you will be punished. Fifty points from Gryffindor-"

Kaden gasped.

"-each,"Kendrick finished."And hold. As much as I 'd like to get your detention tomorrow we have early subject happening in this castle and none of the faculty is free to supervise. You will start your detention on Monday even and you will have it for a week."

"But sir-"Albus and matt said at once.

"No buts,"Kendrick said."You blatantly broke multiple school rules."

"But Quidditch and dueling ! That 's the hebdomad before the first tournament-"

"Your teams will give birth to hold practice without you, Mr. ceramicist,"Kendrick said shortly."You should have thought about that before you participated in this mischief."

"Sir ?"Matt asked quietly.

Kendrick sighed."Yes ?"

"The, er, full-of-the-moon moon is Tues,"Matt muttered.

"Right,"Kendrick replied."Attend the detention that you can and whichever ones you miss can be made up once you are better.

"Thank you,"Walter said,"for being understanding about that."

"Not a problem. matte 's situation is vastly different from missed Quidditch practice."

Albus felt his cheeks reddening. It had been a valid detail for him. Fred would murder him in his sleep when he found out Albus would miss at to the lowest degree two practice session for detention. He certainly would n't be applauding and bowing anymore.

"You 'll report to Filch 's office staff on Monday at seven. He 'll give you promote program line on what your detainment will entail. Now, get back to Gryffindor tug,"Kendrick said.

Albus rose from his bottom. Harry did the same."Al, you realize I 'm going to have to state your mother about this."

Albus nodded."Yes."

"She wo n't be pleased. But I do require to state you that I 'm proud of the way you owned up to this when you realized Cedric was wrongfully accused. As let down as I am that you pulled that prank, I am very happy to hold such an honest son. I 'll see you tomorrow. Have a good nighttime and commemorate, I always love you,"Harry said and gave Albus a hug.

"Love you too,"Albus said quietly.

Matt was having what was surely a standardised public lecture with his own father and once they were finished, the four son left Kendrick 's report and went immediately back to Gryffindor Tower.

"VII detentions,"lavatory muttered as they walked up a set of stairs."Seven. This is worse than that time in bit year when we were caught near the Whomping Willow."

"Not to bring up the points,"Albus replied.

"And custody with Filch no less,"Matt said."I 'll be doing at to the lowest degree two of them on my own, too."

Kaden shrugged."Still seems deserving it."

John grinned."Most definitely worth it."

Albus and Matt gave each other looks that clearly meant they disagreed. No, 200 spot from Gryffindor, seven detainment with Filch, and no Quidditch practice for a workweek was not worth it.
***


In true Hogwarts manner by the future daybreak at Breakfast the stallion school knew that it had been three Gryffindor one-quarter years and one Gryffindor third gear class that had managed to sneak into the Slytherin commons room and deposit two wimp and a rooster, as well as back the entire station in wench come. Hufflepuff was especially excited about this because Gryffindor 's loss of 200 peak put them in the lead for the House Cup. Gryffindor was now dead death and the other Gryffindors were torn between their awe of Albus and his ally and their repugnance that the antic had cost them so many points.

blush wine and Amanda had burst out laughing when the boys told them their fate the previous dark. They were furious about the red ink of points, though. blush wine was especially disgusted by John and Kaden 's lack of remorse.

All the ministry officials were at the staff table, whereas the house tables were not nearly as total as the late day. It seemed that some bookman had not heeded Kendrick 's suggestion about going to bed ahead of time.

There was a swoosh of extension and Albus looked up to see that the station owls had arrived. His philia started beating faster and he swallowed operose upon seeing his mother 's owl holding a red envelope in its mouth.

"Oh no,"Albus whispered as the owl grew closer. His ally glanced up and saw the howler just as the owl was preparing for landing. It landed in front of Albus 's plate of eggs and he took the wow in his manus before quickly running out of the Great manor hall for the near bathroom.

The envelope was already hot when he arrived in the thankfully evacuate loo. He reluctantly opened it and the room was soon to the full with Ginny 's high up pitched shouting.

"ALBUS SEVERUS potter, WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU ? I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE IN THE SLYTHERIN COMMON ROOM AND putting volaille IN THERE NO LESS. I DO NOT maintenance THAT YOU WERE ONLY THE tone OUT. YOU MAY AS WELL have BEEN IN THERE YOURSELF. YOU WERE BLATANTLY breakage MULTIPLE schooltime pattern INCLUDING BEING OUT OF BED AFTER time of day.

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS IS THE variety OF matter I EXPECT FROM JAMES, BUT eve JAMES KNOWS WHEN NOT TO crossing THE LINE. AND YOU DID N'T JUST CROSS THE LINE. YOU JUMPED WAY OVER IT. AND TO HAVE Percy FIND OUT ABOUT THIS while HE IS AT HOGWARTS FOR A argument ? ! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO living UP appearance IN ORDER FOR HIM TO HAVE A CHANCE AT THIS ELECTION AND THIS DOES NOT HELP.

I HIGHLY APPROVE OF THE DETENTIONS AND LOSS OF compass point. I CAN NOT SAY I WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IF YOUR ENTIRE HOUSE WERE ANGRY WITH YOU OVER THIS. I EXPECT YOU WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN. IF YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE MORE THAN JUST penalisation AT SCHOOL."

The letter exploded with a brief drag of locoweed. Albus stood there staring at it for a few seconds. His mother had not even mentioned how his confession had saved Cedric. There was no reference of how she was proud about his satinpod, like his dad had been.

Albus heard a short laugh from behind him. He turned around and saw none other than Scorpio Malfoy leaning on one of the cesspool, smirking.

"I knew it was one of you Gryffindors,"Malfoy said."Just did n't expect it to be you lot. Did n't think you 'd be chic enough to visualize out our password."

"Just shut up, Malfoy,"Albus muttered as he pushed his way past the Slytherin on his way out of the loo.

"Loved the howler, by the way."Malfoy gave another laugh.

Albus groaned inwardly. He hoped Malfoy had n't heard much of it, but highly doubted it. Albus took a deep breath and walked back to the Great mansion. Perhaps with the argument coming in an hr, the rest of the students would bury about the buffoonery and the loss of points and determine something new to discuss.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype penning group. You cat are all awing ! Thanks for all the stupefy reviews ! The new streamer was done by violet ephemeral at TDA. There 's a little under a week left to put forward tarradiddle for the Dobby honor, so if you like this tale, caput over to the meeting place and constitute it ! Just remember to read the prescript first.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was a long queue of students waiting to get into the Great residence after everyone left once breakfast was over. The Great Hall had been completely emptied in guild for the prof to prepare it for the debate. Albus craned his head in effort to see it. As far as he could distinguish it looked the same except the recollective house board had been replaced by rows of seating room. He, along with Matt and blush wine, were only a few students away from the forepart of the waiting line.

Once they made it to the front they gave their names to Professor Longbottom and then were conduce inside by one of the Ravenclaw Prefects. adult were milling about talking with each other and scholarly person were already seated. The first few quarrel were cordoned off with circle and the Ravenclaw Prefect tip Albus, rosebush, and Matt to the third roped off row. He lifted the rope and told them to file all the way in, to the very end of the unoccupied row. Albus sat in between rosebush and matt. It appeared that the roped off rows were reserved for Ministry officials and their families. Albus noticed that his mum was sitting in the front row along with the rest of his aunt and uncles. GA was also in the front row and was handing out coloring Quran and wax crayon to Samantha and lindy.

King James, Ben, Lily, and Hugo filed in next to Rose a few minutes later. Albus saw that Cedric and Omar Nelson Bradley, who had walked in with his sibling, were being lead to the front row. Fred, Angie, Calluna vulgaris, and Mark finished out their row five instant later. Albus gazed around the way and descry Victoire and teddy sitting across the aisle. Francis Edgar Stanley walked in with Gabriella and took seating next to Victoire and Teddy. Albus had to admit he was surprised to see them there. Last he heard she was in France and he was in Romania.

The way soon became backpack with the students who had won ass as well as other witches and hotshot who had chosen to do. Albus recognized a few who worked in workshop in Hogsmeade including Madam Rosmerta. He turned to the social movement of the room and noticed that the faculty board had also disappeared and had been replaced with two ambo and a low tabular array, just like the set up in the courtroom at the Ministry.

At exactly eleven o'clock the doors to the Great Hall were shut and people began to sit down. prof Kendrick entered the room from one of its antechambers, followed by the Minister, Albus 's dad, Matt 's dad, and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Reena Barnes. The other Ministry officials were seated in the movement row.

Kendrick lead them to the small table near the podium. All five, with the exception of Kendrick, sat. Kendrick walked to the front of the podiums and the consultation quieted.

"Welcome to the third base argument. I welcome all of you to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry. Today 's public debate will be on didactics. I 'd wish to insert today 's moderator, the foreland of the department for the Control and regularization of Magical wight, Walter Eckerton."

The audience clapped and Albus whispered to Matt, asking him if he knew his dad was moderating. mat shook his head no and the two looked back to the battlefront.

Kendrick had taken his backside and Matt 's dad had rose."Now I 'd care to welcome our two nominee. Hotspur Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."

There was Thomas More clapping as Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis walked out of the antechamber and took their places behind the podiums. Once the hand clapping subsided, lustrelessness 's dad began to speak.

"Today 's debate will run similarly to past debates, with five minute answer and two second rebuttal. All questions and prompt will be about didactics. The debate will run for an 60 minutes and a one-half. After it is over, the room will be cleared and then luncheon will be served. After tiffin there will be a poor break and then the student inquiry and result seance will take plaza in this same room. Without advance adios, the first off question. Mr. Weasley, you will answer first.

"How do you find about the Hogwarts physical environment ? Do you sense it is adequate and tributary to learning or do you sense variety should be made ?"

Percy took a step forward and smiled at the consultation."I believe that the Hogwarts palace is very conducive to learning. Being in a secluded area provides little in the way of distraction to the scholar. Yet the law of proximity of the rook to Hogsmeade small town gives student in third year and above a much needed pause. The solely changes I think need to be made are to update what needs to be updated and repair what needs to be repaired."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Matt 's dad said. He turned to Laurentis."Ms. Laurentis."

"I agree with Mr. Weasley. The Hogwarts palace is very conducive to learning and I see nothing wrong with it the way it is. All of Mr. Weasley 's points are very valid."

Albus turned to matt and shrugged. That was odd. They actually agreed on something. Matt 's dad seemed a little shocked by this as well, because he did not say anything for a few seconds after Laurentis quieted.

"All right. Since you two agree, I see no want for rebuttals. Moving on to the next query. Ms. Laurentis, this clip you will go first. How do you feel about the current Hogwarts curriculum ? Do you sense the class adequately prepare today 's untried people for living in British people wizarding society ? What changes, if any, do you find need to be made ?"

"The Hogwarts programme has not been updated in decades. In fact, the only new course that has been introduced is this year 's class on political relation. course of study is something that needs to shift with the times and be re-evaluated at to the lowest degree every other yr. The universe is a constantly changing place and what educatee learn demand to change with it. New classes should be offered and outdated course of study should be removed. program for course of study that are kept needs to change in social club to observe up with today 's research. Potions, for example, should not be taught the same way now as it was 40 old age ago, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case."

"Thank you. Mr. Weasley."

"The core curriculum of Hogwarts is similar to that of magical schoolhouse all over the world. The classes taught here offer canonical and come along instruction in topics that necromancer need in edict to function in companionship. We can not stand here and advocate getting rid of good luck charm or Transfiguration in party favour of some new national that may or may not learn our students anything. Yes, the world is constantly changing, but the canonic while remain the same. Students forty years ago used 'Alohomora'to open up door and the trance remains the same today,"Walker Percy argued.

"Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis."

"I am in no way insinuating that we should get rid of Charms or Transfiguration."She looked offended at Walker Percy 's accusation."All I am saying is that we need to calculate at the electives that are offered. The basic core form should obviously be kept, although they should be updated. Today 's prof are using the same textbooks they used 30 years ago, which is ridiculous considering how practically has changed in their fields-"

"Your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

Percy seemed to chuff out his chest a bit."Those textbooks still teach the BASIC ! How is a schoolbook written terminal yr going to be any easily at teaching a student how to stir a cauldron ? Additionally, older text have more used written matter uncommitted making it more affordable for students from lower income house to purchase their books."

It seemed to Albus that they had gotten slightly off topic from the proposed interrogative sentence, but neither candidate seemed to notice or care.

"Next question. How do you palpate about the way that teacher selection and evaluation is handled at Hogwarts ? Do you feel any change are needed ?"Mr. Eckerton asked."You may go first, Mr. Weasley."

"Traditionally, the Ministry has taken a very hands-off approaching to teacher choice and I believe this has worked well. Ministry functionary do not let the expertise to prefer teachers and leaving this up to the Hogwarts faculty has resulted in a very educated and all-round staff at Hogwarts. Following the reign of Voldemort, a pocket-sized didactics section was founded in the Ministry to oversee matter and while it is still very hands-off, I believe the small amount of ordinance has served Hogwarts well,"Percy explained.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Laurentis smirked and then began."teacher selection, along with curriculum variety, is the the prospect of Hogwarts that needs the most chemical group variety, in my public opinion. While Professor Kendrick is a ticket master, I think to a greater extent counsel is needed when it comes to choosing prof. For the preceding four old age, Hogwarts has been ineffectual to secure a Defense Against the dark Arts professor for more than two yr. One only lasted a year. early professors have been here for decades and yet others have remained even beyond their own last. There is cipher wrongly, of path, with aged teachers, but Hogwarts appears to have no way of evaluating these staff member. They remain here, pedagogy, year after year, whether or not they are actually successful in providing educatee with an education."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

Percy 's human face had gained some color that was not always there."I hardly think it is appropriate to blame prof Kendrick for the fate of former Defense professor. Upon interviewing them he had no way of knowing what would materialise in the end. As for the other professors, if you would see at the statistics of the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. outcome of the by few class you 'll see that the bulk of educatee are passing. Might I add that those are regulated by the Ministry."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"I would accord that the Headmaster should not be held responsible for one or two prof who should not have been hired in the for the first time situation, but Hogwarts has seen more than its bazaar percentage of inadequate professors in the past few eld. Clearly something is wrong. More people need to be involved with curriculum and teacher selection."

"Next question,"Mr. Eckerton said."Do you experience that the surety at Hogwarts is fair to middling ? If not, what should be changed ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

If Albus was not mistaken, he could have sworn he saw Laurentis sigh and give a slight eye roll before beginning."Let 's just call it what it is, why do n't we ? lack of security department at Hogwarts ! The security here, if you can call it that, is sorely lacking. Might I bring up the fact that for the preceding three yr there had been a severe breach in security here ? Three twelvemonth ago, a group of first yr dueled the appealingness professor, a seventh yr, and that seventh year 's Fatherhood on the soil for a important geological period of meter before the professors stepped in. The follow twelvemonth, another first off year was kidnapped by that Saame seventh year, who had then graduated. Last year, those same students were kidnapped and taken to Australia of all places ! I think we could forgive one incident, but three-"

"Your fourth dimension is up,"matte 's dad said."Mr. Weasley."

Sir Henry Percy was looking Thomas More and More disgruntled. His face now resembled his hairsbreadth."Might I remind my opponent that following the incidental three old age ago, Aurors were stationed at Hogwarts and none of the observe incidents resulted in any permanent impairment to any of the pupil. cobbler's last year, the Aurors were slightly preoccupied by the disastrous rival that took place here. Hogwarts is protected by many trance and all the prof are capable of protecting the students. Last year 's incident was an extremely unfortunate accident-"

"One that nearly resulted in student deaths !"Laurentis shouted.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Albus felt like the entire way was staring at himself and Matt. Glancing around, he saw that this was true.

Laurentis ignored Mr. Eckerton."I remind the wizarding residential district that the Aurors have yet to conquer the originator of that incident. Which by the way was not the solely incident last year. go twelvemonth 's defensive measure Against the iniquity humanities prof kept a highly grave animal in the palace for months before anything was done. And by the time it was discovered, it took Walter Eckerton stepping in to throw it removed ! Then, the professor was allowed to delay, despite the fact that later on it was discovered that he had been terrorizing and humiliating students in his course of study all twelvemonth, not to observe the fact that his curriculum were not appropriate. Following that grievous breech in security, regarding the animal, the same professor proceeded to break information that could compromise the life of another student-"

"That is enough, Ms. Laurentis !"Mr. Eckerton shouted."You are speaking out of turn."

Albus was unsure whether mat 's dad was cutting her off because her metre was up or because she was getting dangerously close to talking about mat. Come to think of it, how did she even know about that ? She could n't possibly eff about lusterlessness 's condition, could she ? Albus glanced at Matt, who was looking extremely pale.

"I believe we are out of time,"Mr. Eckerton continued. He looked quite flustered."Please exit the room while lunch is set up. You may return in a half hour."

Albus stood and waited for his spell to leave the elbow room. The total crowd was whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Albus and matte every so often. He was tempted to skip lunch all together, except he was extremely hungry.
***


Albus managed to avoid speaking to any reporters before and during lunch, which proved hard because they seemed to consume multiplied during the debate. All seemed neat on interviewing him, lusterlessness, John, and Kaden in special due to their having been kidnapped the previous June. Albus was quite relieved when the food in front of them vanished and the legal age of the citizenry in the room left in lodge for the dubiousness and solution academic session to take place.

Both candidates seemed to have regained their composure during the meal because Harry Hotspur 's face was no tenacious beet red and Laurentis had fixed her hair and was wearing a grin. The newsman had been banned from the room for the length of the session, much to their alarm. Matt 's dad also looked better and was standing in the movement of the room in figurehead of the ambo, waiting for everyone to sit down.

The room was much vacuous now, considering that only the students chosen to listen to the public debate and the professors were allowed in the elbow room. Albus and lusterlessness managed to get a few nates in the front row. James and Lily joined them.

Once the doors had been shut and everyone had sat down, Mr. Eckerton stepped forward."Welcome to the dubiousness and answer session. It will run for an hour and the candidates will suffice as many query as they can during that clock time. Please elevate your hired hand if you have a question."Nothing about the outbursts during the debate was mentioned.

Albus could not think of anything to ask. He had absolutely no desire to speak to Laurentis and anything that he would require to ask Sir Henry Percy he could just ask at Yuletide or institutionalise him an owl. Not that he really had any questions for his uncle, either.

A magniloquent Ravenclaw boy raised his hand and Mr. Eckerton pointed to him."This question is for Ms. Laurentis,"the boy began."How exactly do you propose to make Hogwarts more secure ? I 'm nearly cocksure that the most advanced spells are already used."

"That is very genuine,"Laurentis answered."I believe that we need to search outside the world of charm and give professors basic training in defense against intruders. I think a course of study, similar to very basic Auror training, would do good all staff greatly."

A Hufflepuff in pigtails had a question for both candidates next."Would either of you change the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams if you were elected ?"

"Only to fit better with any possible programme changes,"Laurentis replied."The modification would add up later. Not for at to the lowest degree two years."

"to the highest degree likely, no,"Percy said."The statistics prove that they work well as they are."

The motion and resolution session continued in the same way, proving itself very unlike from the debate. It was quite the opposite, actually. Albus found himself very bored towards the end, his mind drifting towards what both candidates had said during the argument. He was very curious about what the vaticinator would say about it the future day.

"We have meter for one more than interrogation,"Mr. Eckerton finally said.

Albus let out a sigh of substitute. A coup d'oeil at Matt told him that his beneficial admirer was feeling the Lapp way, since he was leaning back in his chair, his optic nearly closed.

Mr. Eckerton pointed to a miss sitting in the far back. Albus did n't recognize her, but she had Ravenclaw robe on.

"This is for both of you, if either of you know anything about it. Ms. Laurentis, you were talking about Professor Balladanis in the debate and you mentioned something about him giving scholarly person information that they could use to endanger another scholarly person. Is that really dependable ? And what exactly happened ?"

Albus prodded Matt in the English and whispered to him what the question had been. presumption Matt 's reaction, which was a feel of stark panic, he almost wished he had n't bothered to wake him up.

Mr. Eckerton stared at the student before turning to the campaigner."You may answer the foremost character of the question and that office only."

"It is true,"Laurentis said just as Percy had been opening his lip to answer."Professor Balladanis was not cut out for teaching and did not understand the fact that there is a line between teaching to spread knowledge and teaching to endanger others."

"Does it give birth to do with the Anamatek ?"a Slytherin boy asked.

"Yes,"Percy said."The state of affairs were related."

"This is why I believe teacher need to be evaluated so we can avoid this case of situation,"Laurentis explained.

"But what kind of data could queer individual ? Was it in the program ?"the Ravenclaw who had originally asked the question said."noesis is power."

"It was not,"Laurentis answered."Which is exactly why it will be skillful for professors to have curriculum that they stick to."

"I just do n't understand,"the Ravenclaw went on."If people are kept in the dark they just blindly follow federal agency. I 've always believed that people should be taught everything possible."

matte and his dad were both wearing similar expressions. Both looked extremely uncomfortable and his dad was fiddling with a hold on his gown. Matt looked like he wanted his chair to accept him up.

"We 're all out of sentence,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thank you all for coming. The professor have requested that you all return to your common rooms and that you are barren to refuse scuttlebutt to the newsman that are waiting outside."

There was a shuffling of chairs as people got up and exited the elbow room. Matt grabbed Albus 's arm without saying anything, leading him directly to his father, who was speaking to both the candidates.

"Dad,"Matt said quietly, not waiting for him to complete his conversation with Laurentis and Percy.

Mr. Eckerton turned around and his face became harmonic. He turned back to Laurentis and Percy."Excuse me. My son. I believe you can head up to Kendrick 's subject and I will be there shortly."

Albus, Matt, and Mr. Eckerton left Laurentis and Walker Percy, who had now begun to argue about something, in the Great Hall and entered one of its entrance hall. The room was furnished with a few couch and chairs. Albus chose an armchair while flatness and his dad sat down on a couch.

"I 'm really distressing, Matt,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."I did not expect finis yr to be brought up during this debate."

"It 's not your demerit,"Matt replied as he picked at a loose thread on the couch."It 's just the way she, Laurentis, was talking, I thought that maybe she .... Does she cognize, Dad ? She seemed to sleep with an dreaded lot about what Balladanis did."

"She does n't know,"Mr. Eckerton said immediately."The only hoi polloi at the Ministry who know are in my department. However, she and the rest of the Ministry did deliver to bang why I was filing a composition on Balladanis last year. I had to chip in reasons as to why I wanted him investigated on that report."

"Did you list exactly what he did, with the Anamatek and his werewolf lessons ?"matte asked.

"No."Mr. Eckerton shook his caput."There are laws protecting minors in this sort of situation and I was not legally required to mention your epithet. All I had to say was that an anonymous bookman had felt threatened by a sealed lesson that Balladanis taught. That was all that was needed to launch the investigation. That alone would not have gotten him sacked, but plenty evidence was found through question student about his teaching methods that zippo else was needed. It was n't even mentioned that it was a tertiary year grade in my original report."

"But she seemed to know so much,"Matt said.

"She does n't. Politicians adorn what they know in order of magnitude to get elected. You do n't throw to worry. I suppose if she really wanted to she could face at the programme for Defense for that prison term of year and research and figure it out, but it would have a lot of body of work. And commit me, she does not take the meter for that. Nor does she really have any reason to worry what lesson it was or why a student was threatened or who that educatee was."

"But she said my life-time had been at risk,"flatness said.

"Again, that 's her embellishment."Mr. Eckerton half-smiled."The only 1 who are really odd are your fellow educatee and this will blow over. They have no way of finding out."

"Good,"lusterlessness replied, finally smiling a bit.

"I 'd amend get to the headmaster 's study,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up.

Albus waited while Matt said goodby to his dad and then the two boys headed back to Gryffindor tugboat. The reporters had either scattered or had found bookman willing to be interviewed, for the boys came across no one but Prefects and a few first base years setting off dungbombs on their way back to the common room. Albus was very gladiola to discover that Laurentis did not love the specific about what had happened with Balladanis the previous year, but he wished neither her or Percy would ever bring it up again in a public debate. Somehow, though, Albus doubted that it would n't be.


Sorry for the late update ! Time has gotten away from me. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Big thanks to my Skype penning mathematical group ; you guys are amazing !

I have a new Meet the generator thread on the forum. There 's a link to it on my Author page. Please check over it out and ask me questions !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The article in the Prophet on Sun proved to be just as outrageous as the actual debate had been. It took up the entire front Sir Frederick Handley Page and was ripe with quotes from both candidate and a few bookman, although none of Albus 's cousins had been quoted. The Ravenclaw who had asked the question about Balladanis at the interrogation and resolution session had not only been interviewed, but she had received her own article located on the second varlet. Albus groaned when he opened the page and saw it, complete with a exposure of the Ravenclaw in question. His friends quickly crowded around the paper to read it over his shoulder.

CENSORSHIP AT HOGWARTS ?

Yesterday 's newsworthy debate at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and wizardry proved
not only to be a time to learn about the
candidate'straight opinions on charming
education, but possibly uncovered an issue
of censorship that had been looked over
last twelvemonth.

Following the argument a question and answer
seance was held for those lucky few
Hogwarts students who had gotten to sit
in the Great Hall during the debate. The
lowest question was asked by 6th year
Ravenclaw Elizabeth York. During the debate
Patricia Laurentis brought up the topic
of the investigation of Professor genus Tethus
Balladanis, previous Defense Against
the Dark liberal arts professor ( see clause on
front page ). York then questioned what
data had taught that according to
Laurentis"endangered a student 's life."

'I just wonder what entropy was being
taught because I 'm a firm believer that
educatee should never be denied
information. If it was bad enough
to queer someone 's lifetime, then surely,
it should not be taught, but no one is
saying what the information was .'House of York
said in an interview following the
session.

After the enquiry was asked, contend
moderator and forefront of the department for
the Regulation and Control of Magical
creature Bruno Walter Eckerton told the
prospect that they could not say
what the info was, just confirm
that the incident had happened. Eckerton
quickly wrapped up the academic term, stating
that they were out of time.

It is interesting to note that Eckerton
is the superstar who filed the ailment
thus launching the investigation of
Balladanis. When asked for a input,
Eckerton said'I 'm the foreland of the
department for the regulation and controller
of Magical puppet. He had an Anamatek.
I was informed of the situation and had
to strike action .'

The position provided to a greater extent doubt
than answers and it will be interesting
to find out whether this incident plays
a boost theatrical role in Apr 's election.

Albus set down the paper and pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. Why did the Prophet have to print that ? It did n't appear relevant to the election. Balladanis had been sacked and was long gone. It was in the past times.

"Your dad 's right,"Amanda said to matt later on when they were in the Marauder 's Den."She 's just trying to do affair into a bigger deal so she can win Sir Thomas More votes. Politicians turn the unproblematic matter into huge deals."

"I know, but still,"Matt said as he picked through a big bucks of Bertie Bott 's Every savour noggin."It 's like none of them realize that it 's my life they 're making a big hatful of."

"Honestly, I do n't think it 's actually the information that people want,"rosiness said, looking up from her Potions textbook."Think about it. If someone were to leak the information, and say that Balladanis was teaching so much about identifying werewolves that masses could picture out you were one, they 'd possess zip else to talk about-"

"Yeah, because they 'd be talking about how there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts,"Matt said.

"No, that 's not what I meant,"rose wine replied."They 're interested in the bragging take. The fact that there might be censorship at Hogwarts. They do n't care what the entropy is that 's been censored. They just give care that something 's been censored. And I think that if they really knew what it was, they 'd all harmonise that Balladanis had gone over the top."

"I guess,"Matt said."But that 's the affair, no one 's going to really screw what it is."

"It 'll all blow over soon enough,"Albus said."Next debate 's on law enforcement. Aurors, Azkaban, that sorting of matter, and Laurentis runs Azkaban."

Albus spent much of Sunday afternoon on the Quidditch pitch, which was a receive backup man from discussing the public debate and the election and Walker Percy and Laurentis. He loved his friends, but they all seemed to be able to talk over the election for ages and he could n't. Fred would have had them on the pitch longer, but Hufflepuff had reserved it for the evening.

The discussion of the censoring clause seemed to calm down the future day, if only because a good bulk of the professors had all scheduled examination that day and everyone was meddlesome with hold out hour studying. Albus had exams in both Herbology and defense team Against the Dark artwork, although the latter was really no different from the usual worksheets. Luckily there was no exam in guardianship of Magical animate being and then Albus had a free period.

matte slept the entire unloose period of time and up until dinner in promise that he would be able to serve that night 's detention. He had no desire to do hold on his own, so he was hoping that he 'd be capable to get away with just missing the side by side Night 's. He still looked absolutely exhausted even after the nap.

"If we 're doing anything outside I 'll have to leave,"matte said as the four boys made their way to Filch 's sketch."Merlin I hope it 's not outside."

"Me, too,"John said."land 's horribly muddy after last Night 's storm."

"Bet the team will love that."Albus said They had pattern that night and Albus was missing it.

The boys continued their way through the castle until they made it to Filch 's subject area. Albus knocked three times and then stood back, waiting for the ancient caretaker to unfold the door.

Filch was holding his cat, Josie, in his weaponry when he appeared in the threshold. He was scowling, the wrinkles on his face showing more than ever, and looked thoroughly disgusted at having to supervise the boys'detention. He let the cat down on the ground and she took a swat at Kaden 's robe before darting behind a nearby causa of armour.

"You lot again,"Filch muttered as he shut the door behind him, despite the fact that the four boys had n't had a joint detention with Filch since second class."You 're scrubbing the 2nd floor young lady 's toilet. With soup-strainer, of course."Filch reached into his pocket and pulled out four Myxocephalus aenaeus toothbrushes.

"That 's Moaning Myrtle 's toilet,"Albus whispered to his friends as they distributed their cleaning implements and followed Filch down the corridor.

Filch shooed them into the lav and leaned against the door, his munition across his chest of drawers, and scowled at them as they began. Albus squatted down and began to scrub the floor, John and Kaden doing the same. The three had agreed to make the detention as prosperous as potential for mat and thus left him the swallow hole.

Albus had n't been scrubbing for more than than two instant when he heard a splashing behind him and a girlish giggle. He turned around and saw Vinca minor, smiling and winking at him. She floated over until she was hovering over the section of floor that Albus was scrubbing.

"Albus Potter."She giggled again."You 're back to my toilet. Oh, but this clock time you 've been in trouble, have n't you ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus muttered.

"This is n't for what you did to the Slytherin common room, is it ?"myrtle asked."Your brother asked me about that. I told him that you 'd been in here that night, hiding under your invisibleness Cloak."

Albus flinched when she said the Holy Scripture"invisibility cloak"and hoped that Filch had had some listening loss in his old age. The last thing Albus needed was for the caretaker to know he had an invisibleness Cloak.

"I did n't know you were pranking the Slytherins, though,"Myrtle continued."I like son who pull pranks, you know."Vinca minor giggled again and floated closer to Albus, so close that his hand was now inside her arm. He moved it away.

"You know, some years I hardly get any male child coming in here,"myrtle said as she floated towards John."And this twelvemonth there 's so many. I think you should come gossip me more often. It gets lonely in here, you know."

"Yeah, I imagine it 's quite lonely, being utter,"Kaden said.

Myrtle let out an ear-piercing shriek and started wailing. She sped past Albus and into one of the sales booth, where she plunged herself into the toilet.

"Sensitive type, is n't she ?"Kaden said.

There was another loud dab and Myrtle was suddenly right in front of Kaden."You would be too if you were dead !"she shouted.

"But could n't you leave the loo ?"John asked."The other ghostwriter float about the rook all the time."

"Leave the loo ?"myrtle repeated."Leave the loo ?"She said a bit louder."But this is where I died ! I find it 's best to think about my death rightfield here. right field where it happened."

"Would n't it be less lonely with the other ghosts ?"John asked as he began to scrub one of the cubicle doors.

"The former ghosts do n't understand,"Myrtle lamented."They 're all satisfied being dead. Even the Grey Lady and she 's always seemed slightly miserable. But no, none of them are as execrable as me."myrtle seemed lofty about that.

"Wyrd,"St. John muttered under his breath.

"quiet !"Filch shouted."You 're in detention. No talking."

Myrtle resumed floating above the boys, letting out a loud wail every so often. Kaden and Matt continued to scrub the floor while King John scrubbed the stalls. Matt was still scrubbing the sinkhole, but was going very slowly and winced every so often.

"You look miserable !"Vinca minor exclaimed as Matt 's handwriting slipped and he dropped his toothbrush. He bent down to pick it up and leaned on the sink, squeezing his optic shut. Myrtle floated down to hover just above the sinkhole next to him and smiled.

matte said nothing and turned from Myrtle, to get started on the sinkhole on the former side. Vinca minor followed."You know, I 'm miserable here all the time. I just sit here and muse my death ..."Vinca minor continued.

myrtle continued to succeed flatness around the bathroom while he was clearly trying to discount her and put as a great deal length between them as potential. He had no luck with this since he was exhausted and Myrtle was a ghost. Albus caught can 's eye as myrtle giggled for the twentieth time and the two shared a tacit laugh.

After they 'd been scrubbing for nearly two 60 minutes Filch finally told them they could stop. Albus 's articulatio genus and men were raw and he had a notion he smelled strongly of cleaner. whoremonger and Kaden looked equally paltry and matte looked as bad as he did the good morning after a full lunar month, only without the cuts and bites. Myrtle looked delighted at their misery.

"sojourn me again soon !"she shouted after them as they left."Especially you,"she added to matte with another giggle.

"mortal has a crush on you,"St. John said to lustrelessness as soon as they were out of earreach of Filch.

"Shut up,"matt muttered.

"lustrelessness and Myrtle, what an adorable couple you 'd progress to,"can continued."You should go visit her. She seemed to be happier knowing that you were miserable."

"I said shut up about it !"Matt shouted.

"amercement, was only making a laugh,"John Lackland replied.

The boys walked in muteness the rest of the way to Gryffindor pillar. They did not come across anyone else, which Albus was thankful for since he was uncertain as to whether it was past curfew or not. Once back in Gryffindor, mat immediately went to the residence hall without saying another word to Albus, John, or Kaden.

"Hope it 's not cleaning tomorrow,"whoremonger muttered as he sat down on the penny-pinching professorship and pulled up his gasp leg."Look at that. My knee 's all red."

"friction match my fingerbreadth,"Kaden added.

Albus would gladly suffer through another day of Muggle cleaning if it meant the rest of the detention would be called off. He was missing two Quidditch practices and the final stage dueling pattern before the first duel. Some police chief he was, missing the finally exercise before their firstly tournament. Their net practice was Thursday even and Albus would be off in detention, doing who knows what. He was planning on having Amanda run the practice, although he had n't talked to her about it yet.

The doorway to the common way opened and the Gryffindor Quidditch team, minus Albus of track, trouped in. They all looked muddy, exhausted, and sweaty and Albus felt a twinge of guilt feelings as he watched them head up to the dormitories to shower.

"Missed you, Al,"Fred said as he passed."You 're missing on Midweek, too, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus muttered."Sorry."

Fred nodded."Just do n't do it right before a match."

That was at least fortunate, Albus thought. They would n't be playing in another Quidditch match until after the vacation, seeing as the succeeding match was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. However, he couldn't assistant but palpate that missing dueling practice right before a tournament was worse than missing Quidditch practice right before a match.
***


Albus 's week did not improve the following day, when he began it with dual potions. mat, feeling too ill to brew potions all sunup, stayed in the dormitory to log Z's, leaving Scorpio Malfoy without a cooperator to brew that day 's verruca removal Potion. Even tough, Albus 's partner was also not in stratum. Slughorn saw this as the everlasting opportunity to pair Albus with Malfoy.

Albus set up his cauldron while Malfoy stalked off to the potions cupboard to get the fixings. He returned a short while later and began to chop a shrivelfig into perfectly sized composition. Albus took the rat short temper, dumped it into the cauldron, and began to stir it.

"Word is you and your supporter got a week 's custody for that prank,"Malfoy said, not looking up from his shrivelfig.

"Yes. Not that it 's any of your business,"Albus responded.

"Oh, but it is."Malfoy smirked, finally looking up."You did n't by fortune get Th off from hold, did you ?"

"No,"Albus muttered. He took a few deep hint, trying to calm himself down. He was stirring the cauldron far too quickly.

"That 's dueling drill,"Malfoy said, as if it had slipped Albus 's head."Our own maitre d'hotel, missing recitation because of detention. I do n't suppose you 've found individual else to run practice, have you ?"

"If you 're angling for the job you 're out of luck,"Albus said as he threw another rat spleen into the caldron with more force than was necessary."Amanda already said she 'd do it."That was n't necessarily true up, as Albus had slept too late that morning to see Amanda at breakfast before they 'd had to go down to the dungeons.

"tagger ?"Malfoy scoffed."I think the captain ought to own at to the lowest degree some skill at dueling."

"Why does it matter so much ?"Albus asked."It 's one practice ! It 's not like one praxis would make you captain."

"When the professors see what a amend job of it I do-"

"One reason, Malfoy,"Albus interrupted."present me one reason why you should do it over Amanda."

Malfoy 's brass broke out in a malicious smiling."One reason ? The Sun Myung Moon 's going to be in an occupy form tonight."

Albus lowered his phonation."You would n't. You ca n't. Kendrick would release you."

"Only if he knew it was me who spilled the beans,"Malfoy pointed out.

Albus felt the blood drainage from his face. Why had he never thought of that ? Of course there were ways Malfoy could let it steal without anyone knowing it was him."mulct,"Albus muttered."mulct. You captain the team on Thursday. But just that day. I do n't possess detention on Sabbatum afternoon."

"carnival enough,"Malfoy said, clearly satisfied at how things had turned out.

Albus took a parsnip and began to hack it with as much force as he could summon, imagining Malfoy 's smirking face upon the vegetable 's surface. Luckily, Malfoy did not say another word to Albus throughout the entire class, which gave Albus the chasteness not to hex him into next hundred after they left Slughorn 's room.

The day continued in a downward spiral when Patil had them work on transfiguring rats into teacup and Albus 's teacupful ran across his table and crashed onto the trading floor. government was no better because prof Embry had the division discuss the past times Saturday 's debate, something Albus just wanted to put behind him. He could n't assist but feel as if the intact year was staring at him for the whole hour since Embry brought up the issue of his kidnapping and the dismission of professor Balladanis.

Kendrick sent Albus, flatness, John, and Kaden an owl at dinner informing them that their detention would take place in greenhouse Two, where professor Longbottom needed help transferring his dragon dung plant food from a Brobdingnagian chain reactor outside to various sight inside.

"Disgusting !"whoremonger exclaimed upon reading the notation."I get enough of that in Herbology."

"At to the lowest degree we 're with Longbottom and not Filch,"Albus pointed out."matte will be missing this one, obviously."

John nodded."Where is he, by the way ? Have n't seen him all day."

"Probably still in the student residence. He was heavy asleep when I went up there to grab my Transfiguration book at lunch,"Albus said.

Kaden glanced at his watch."We 're not even going to have time to go back there before hold. It 's six-thirty."

Albus set his fork down. He had been picking at his kick stew, but not really eating it. He still had n't told his supporter that Malfoy was going to be running his dueling recitation later that week. Add that to the fact that now he would n't get to see Matt before the full Moon and it was just turning out to be an awful evening.

Rose seemed to record Albus 's thinker."We 'll go check on him after dinner party,"she said. Amanda nodded.

John and Kaden polished off the rest of their meal and then the three boys set off for the greenhouses. The sun was just beginning to set as they walked across the grounds and Albus knew that meant that Matt would be heading to the hospital offstage soon. He hoped Rose and Amanda would pull off to see him before he did.

Neville was waiting for them when they arrived, bearing four spadeful and four sets of glove.

"matt ca n't descend tonight,"Albus said once they reached Neville.

Neville glanced at the sky."Oh, right. I 'd forgotten."He handed the boys the excavator and gloves."All of this,"he gestured to a magnanimous pile of manure,"pauperization to be moved into the pots in glasshouse Two. You can leave behind once you 're finished."

Albus groaned inwardly as he looked at the pile. It must have been at least six metrical unit high and as big around as the heather shed near the Quidditch pitch. It would exact them at to the lowest degree an hour. He sighed as he pulled on his boxing glove and began to shovel the manure.

With all three boys working steadily it took them an time of day and a half to move all the manure. When they finally finished all Albus wanted to do was go up to Gryffindor Tower and take the world 's long shower bath. He felt worse than he did after a Quidditch exercise in the pouring rain.

"Two down, five to go,"John said after Neville parted slipway with them on the second floor."I 'd never thought I 'd say this, but I 'd really care some lines."

"I just wish they 'd invalidate Thursday 's,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, right, what are you doing about your dueling practice session ?"John asked.

Albus felt ira boiling up in him again just thinking about it."Malfoy 's taking over for the practice."

"time lag, seriously ?"John exclaimed."But Amanda 's on your team. She could have-"

"It 's complicated,"Albus muttered. For some ground he did n't need to get into why Malfoy was going to be maitre d'hotel for the nighttime."And it 's only for a night."

St. John gave Albus a strange smell."I guess, but still ... Malfoy ? It 's going to go to his head."

"I know !"Albus exclaimed."I know, all right ? It 's not like I wanted to have custody on Thursday and miss that practice. I 'll remind you that this buffoonery was yours and Kaden 's idea. Not mine."

"I know,"john said."But Malfoy ..."his articulation trailed off.

Albus spent a sound half time of day in the exhibitioner once he returned to Gryffindor and then collapsed into bed, wishing that he could wake up and find out that the day had been an horrific dream. Instead, he dreamed that professor Kendrick decided to demand away Albus 's captaincy and sacrifice it to Malfoy.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! This will be the only update this calendar month as I am currently working on NaNoWriMo.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


John got his wish the following evening when the boys spent an hour doing line with prof Cy Young, which was slightly pointless since Young paid absolutely no attending to them. After they were released, Albus, Gospel According to John, and Kaden immediately went to the Hospital offstage, as they had been ineffectual to visit mat earlier in the day.

Madam Pomfrey was refilling potion bottles when they arrived a brusque spell later. The curtains were drawn around Matt 's usual bed while all the other beds remained empty.

"Hello, boys,"the nanny greeted them."I 'll let you visit for ten minutes, but curfew 's very soon."

Albus nodded and led John and Kaden to lustrelessness 's bed, where he pulled back the pall and entered the belittled area. matt was laying in bed with a bandage around his pass on arm and another on his forehead.

"How are you feeling ?"Albus asked.

"Awful,"lustrelessness replied."But I do n't want to speak about it. What 's new with you lot ?"

"Just did an minute of lines,"John said."And last night we had to shovel manure for Longbottom. You 're lucky you missed that one. I swear I still smell like dragon dung."

"But now I have to do two detention by myself. Possibly three,"Matt lamented.

"Three ? You 're not going to get out of here tomorrow ?"Kaden asked. Usually Matt got out of the hospital fender two days after the full moon.

"I will, but it just depends on what the detention is. If it 's lines then I can go but if it 's cleaning again then I 'll have to bound off it. Madam Pomfrey wants me to rest tomorrow."

"Ca n't mean of what else they 'd have us do,"John said."Guess what else ? Albus is having Malfoy run his dueling squad 's practice session tomorrow since he 'll be in detention."

"You 're what ? !"Matt exclaimed."That 's mad, Albus."

Albus sighed."It 's one day. One practice session. It 's not like I 'm giving him my team."

"Yeah, but there are other masses on your team,"Matt pointed out."One of them could have captained it."

"As I told John and Kaden, it 's complicated,"Albus said."And it wo n't take place again."

mat shrugged, but he did n't seem convinced. The last thing Albus wanted to do was tell him the material rationality why Malfoy was going to run the practice. Matt did n't need that on his home plate.

"time 's up !"lady Pomfrey announced as she brought a tray of potions to matte."hastiness back to Gryffindor. The last thing the three of you need is another detention."

As it turned out, there were early affair that the professors thought of for the son'detentions. Thursday evening they cleaned cauldrons without magic in Professor Slughorn 's classroom, something that Madam Pomfrey forbade Matt from doing, insisting that he turn in too soon instead. Albus spent the entire detention thinking about what Malfoy was doing with his dueling squad and counting down the minutes until he would be capable to ask Amanda about it.

"He was really nasty,"Amanda said once the male child were back in the common way after detention. Amanda had gotten out of dueling practice before they 'd finished detention."A few of the second twelvemonth were cursing him afterward. I heard them. Not that I blame them since he all out yelled at them for not being able to do a Jelly-Legs Jinx."

"What does he expect ?"Albus replied."They 're second years !"

"I tried to tell him that, but he did n't give care,"Amanda said."He even yelled at a Slytherin."

"Seriously ?"Albus said."Wow."

"I 'm really beaming Longbottom made you captain and not him,"Amanda continued."I think I 'd quit otherwise."

"I would 've discontinue if he was on my squad, period,"John said.

"He would n't last as captain anyway,"Amanda pointed out."Professor Cedonia was supervising and she had to tell him to tone it down about five clip and then once one of the second years was close to tear, she called an end to the practice."

Albus could n't help but palpate a bit of satisfaction that Malfoy made such a bad captain, despite the fact that he did feel bad for his teammates. He doubted Malfoy would stop insistence that he should have been made captain, but Albus doubted anything would stop that.

Saturday brought with it a loud thunderstorm that rendered it nearly impossible to hear what anyone was saying in the Great G. Stanley Hall at breakfast. Albus was quite happy that Fred had not scheduled a Quidditch practice for that day, but hoped that the storm would calm down by the time the tournament began since his team would need to be capable to hear each other speak.

Malfoy was already seated at Team seven 's smudge at the Hufflepuff mesa when Albus arrived later that afternoon. He was pleased to see that the repose of the squad was giving him a panoptic place, including a few of the younger Slytherins.

"Albus !"one of the second class Hufflepuffs, Alice Jake, shouted when she saw him coming."So gladiola you 're back."

"Me, too."Albus grinned as he sat down in between her and another Hufflepuff."You lot ready ?"

There was a Greek chorus of"yes 's"and a few nods of headway from Albus 's team. The survive few duelers ran into the elbow room and snagged the last few seats, which were unfortunately next to Malfoy.

Albus glanced at his watch. Five minute of arc until the tournament began. He felt like he should crap some sort of speech, like all of his Quidditch senior pilot did before matches. But what was he supposed to say ?

"Er, well, here we are. The world-class tourney,"Albus began."You are all excellent duelers, each and every one of you. We 've all been practicing severely and you 've all made large improvements. We 're going to do great, but call back, just take in fun. But if you remember what you 've learned and duel like you do in practice, I think we can definitely win this."

The quietus of his team ( sans Malfoy ) gave a hearty sunniness and then turned to professor Longbottom, who had just called for attending. Albus 's team immediately quieted down.

"Welcome to the commencement dueling tournament !"Neville announced."It will run as it has in the past tense, with two duel happening simultaneously. professor Cedonia is coming around with the tourney agenda, which will be given to each master. Please pay attention and get laid when you are to duel. Everyone will duel twice. Professor Cedonia and I will each preside over a dueling circle and will announce the winner. The first-class honours degree person to disarm their opponent will be given a point. Remember, you are only allowed to use spells you have learned in your course of instruction. The first affaire d'honneur will start momentarily."

prof Cedonia handed Albus a piece of music of parchment and he set it down while his squad crowded around him."I think it 'll be easier for me to let you know when you 're to duel. I 'll state you two duel before you 're scheduled. Alice and Tucker, you 're first."

Albus glanced down the inclination and noticed that he was the tenth affaire d'honneur in Neville 's tintinnabulation and the seventeenth in Cedonia 's. That would apply him plenty of time to get used to organizing his team. It was slightly overwhelming, having to constantly be paying attention to the list and figuring out when everyone should be dueling. After a few duels, he managed to get the bent of it.

"Malfoy,"Albus said."You 're up in two duels, in Cedonia 's ring."

Malfoy nodded, but did n't say anything. He had not said a parole the entire tournament, which was very uncharacteristic, and the repose of the team seemed to be set on ignoring him.

Albus handed the lean to Amanda and headed to Neville 's dueling hoop, where he was set to duel John. Two Hufflepuffs from other squad were currently battling it out and Albus was next. The shorter of the two Hufflepuffs finally managed to disarm his opponent.

"Point to team Four !"Neville shouted as the two Hufflepuffs left."Albus ceramist versus John Brickston."

Albus and whoremonger gave each other apologetic smiles before bowing and raising their wands, waiting for Neville 's okay.

"Ready, duel !"Neville shouted.

Albus immediately sent a leg-locker curse at John, who easily deflected it. John sent the same at Albus who also avoided it. Albus continued sending magic spell at whoremonger, who kept avoiding them, until he finally got hit with a Jelly-legs cuss and nearly lost his footing. In the time it took him to execute the counter-curse, Albus was able to hit him with Petrificus Totalus.

"Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted as John fell over. He caught John 's wand in his right mitt and then turned to Neville, who was smiling.

"Point to team Seven !"

Neville performed the counter-curse on John and the two boys left the ring. Albus headed back to his table, where Malfoy was just heading to Cedonia 's dueling mob.

Malfoy dueled a 2nd year and won within two minutes. He was smirking as he walked back to the Hufflepuff table, but he returned to mediocre applause. It seemed that the remainder of the team was still bitingly about Th 's practice session.

The rest of the tournament went well. Both Albus and Malfoy won their moment duels, although Malfoy had a lot more difficulty since he dueled a fellow fourth part year.

"aid, I 'd like to announce the winner !"Neville shouted a short piece after the net duel. The stallion room immediately quieted and looked up at Neville."Thank you. In third place with 44 points is Team 4 !"

sunniness erupted from the Ravenclaw board, where Team Little Joe was currently seated. Once they quieted down, Neville spoke."In second billet with 52 level is Team Seven !"

The rest of Albus 's team began to shout and cheer, but Albus was too stunned to do much of anything. He could n't believe it ! His first ever tournament as senior pilot and his team had gotten secondment post ! A few mass slapped him on the spine and he broke out into a grin.

"And in first post, with 55 points is squad Six !"Neville announced.

There were sunshine from the other end of the Hufflepuff mesa, but Albus ignored them. He was still shocked that his own team had done so well.

"Great job, everyone !"he said once he regained his calmness."I knew we could do it !"

The mesa was filled with fervor and chattering and it continued even after they got up and began to leave the way. Albus was nervous to get back to Gryffindor tower where he could observe his near win with his friends.

"Nice going, Potter,"Malfoy spat as soon as they left the Great Hall."I bet if I were the captain we would 've won."

"We got second,"Albus replied."That 's really good."

"First would 've been better,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm amazed we even got second considering how awfully you are at practices."

"wagerer than you,"Albus said."No one liked your practice on Thursday. Did you note how no one talked to you today ? They hated it."

"They 're just too used to you coddling them,"Malfoy said, taking a step closer to Albus.

"Well it does n't very much matter because I 'm the maitre d' and you 're not,"Albus said as he toyed with his wand, which he was still brandishing in his odd hand.

"For now,"Malfoy replied, eyeing Albus 's verge."If you keep getting in fuss I bet they 'll replace you."

"C'mon, Albus."Matt had appeared following to Albus."Let 's get back to the vernacular room."

"punter listen to him."Malfoy gave a short joke."You 'd think it 'd the other way around, though. Him attacking me rather than you. But I suppose that would only be in a certain prison term of-"Malfoy glared knowingly at Matt.

"Shut up ! And conduct that back,"Albus seethed, raising his wand.

"Seriously, Albus, let 's go !"Matt grabbed the back of Albus 's robe and pulled him towards the stairway.

"evil git,"Albus muttered, looking back at the gang in the Entrance G. Stanley Hall. Malfoy was already gone."Why does he always have to bring it up like that ?"

"It does n't matter,"lustrelessness said.

"Of course of instruction it matters !"Albus said indignantly."It 's insulting !"

"I 'm used to it,"lustrelessness said quietly.

"So what ?"Albus exclaimed."That does n't entail you should possess to spend the sleep of Hogwarts having him bring it up every day."

"And you hexing him would have solved everything ?"Matt asked."You just would 've gotten another detention."

"Would 've been worth it,"Albus muttered.

"No, it would n't deliver,"Matt argued."You 've just got to dismiss him. I ignore him."

"I really hope that next year he 's not on my dueling team,"Albus said.

"I do n't think he will. Did n't they go back to planetary house team for dueling for fifth through 7th twelvemonth this year ?"Matt asked.

"Did they ?"Albus asked.

"That 's what one of the sixth eld said,"lustrelessness answered.

"trade good,"Albus said."Then I just have to abide through this year."

Albus and flatness were the finish of their acquaintance to get back to Gryffindor, where it appeared that no one was doing prep. St. James had set a few firework off out the window and everyone was watching them while eating platters upon platters of biscuits.

"What are you lot celebrating ?"Albus asked King James as he took a biscuit.

St. James shrugged."Just the fact that we 've got a Sabbatum with nothing to do. Well, Cedric, Ben, Nathan, and I that is."

"Where have you two been ?"Rose asked as she walked up to Albus and Matt. John and Kaden were behind her, a biscuit in each hand.

"Al nearly got into a affaire d'honneur with Malfoy in the incoming Hall,"Matt explained.

"Albus !"Amanda exclaimed."You ca n't get anymore detention !"

"I know, but he said something really worthless,"Albus said and turned to John."You would 've hexed him."

"What did he say ?"rosebush asked.

"He said that he was surprised I was n't attacking him,"Matt said quietly.

"You 're right,"whoremonger growled."I would 've hexed him."

"See ?"Albus said.

"And I told you that it was n't Charles Frederick Worth detainment over,"matt repeated.

"But if it continues,"Rose said,"you 've got to recount Kendrick."

"I 'm not telling Kendrick,"Matt insisted."I think he 's got enough to concern about with the possibility of the entire school getting changed if Laurentis wins this election."
***


"Why in the name of merlin are we doing detention in the forest ?"Kaden asked at breakfast the following first light.

"Seriously,"John agreed."That 's not really detention, is it ? The wood is cool. I 've always wanted to go in there."

"Are you two insane ?"Amanda asked."There 's all sorts of tool in there."

"My sister did detention in the forest once,"Matt said."She had to glean these plants Slughorn needed and they could only be harvested the night of the replete moon."

"fountainhead that 's one custody you 'll never have to do."bathroom laughed.

"Maybe we have to harvest some other kind of plant ?"Matt suggested, ignoring John Lackland 's comment.

"Dunno."Albus shrugged. The varsity letter they 'd received had not gone into specifics. It just stated that they were to meet Hagrid near his hut at three that afternoon.

"At to the lowest degree you 're not going at night,"blush wine pointed out.

The few hours Albus and his admirer had until detention went by rather quickly. They spent the hours in the uncouth way alternating doing homework while participating in very large rung of Exploding Snap with nearly all of Albus and Rose 's cousins. Everyone was covered in ash by the time three o'clock rolled around and the son had to run up to their dorm to lap their faces before heading down to Hagrid 's hut.

Albus liked Hagrid. He had known the half-giant since he was piffling and was slightly confused as to how detention with Hagrid could possibly be considered custody. Perhaps prof Kendrick was unaware that Albus and his friends visited Hagrid every so often and enjoyed outlay metre with him.

Hagrid was already outdoor when Albus and the early three son arrived, armed with his crossbow and Fang by his side. Albus swallowed laborious upon seeing the crossbow. Did Hagrid really think they would demand that ?

"'Ello, boys !"Hagrid greeted them."Fairly simple detention today. We 'll be collectin'unicorn tail hairs."

"Like getting them from unicorns ?"Kaden asked."I thought they did n't like boys."

Hagrid gave a smash laugh."No, no, Kaden. It 'd be a law-breaking to hold 'em right from the unicorn, wouldn'it. No, we 'll be gettin''em from bushes and trees. As the unicorns run past they get snagged. Let 's get goin'."

fang let out a loud barque as they made their way to the forest. Collecting unicorn hair. That was n't bad at all. But still, it was the woodland and that was where Washburn and Willinson had spent a lot of their time the previous year. They would n't be back there, would they ? Obviously Washburn and Quinton Willinson were in Azkaban, but what about Quinton 's father ? Where was he ?

"What do we need unicorn hairs for ?"John asked as they entered the woods."No one here makes wands."

"Used for a lot more'n sceptre, aren'they,"Hagrid answered."Potions, mostly. Tha 's what we need 'em for. one-seventh years are brewing somethin'that needs unicorn hairs so Professor Kendrick volunteered you four to take in 'em. Slughorn 's too old to do it himself."

"That 's for surely,"John muttered to Albus.

It was very dark in the woods, despite the fact that it was day. All four boy lit their wand and Hagrid 's pinko umbrella was providing more light up than two verge combined. Hagrid had told them that they would n't find any pilus until they were at least fifteen minutes into the woods since unicorns rarely ventured near the edge.

The timber was very dense and it was difficult for them to take the air succeeding to each early. Soon, they were forced to take the air undivided file through a very lowly path that was riddled with tree branches and rocks. Albus stumbled every so often and Matt managed to fall over three times before anyone found any unicorn seat haircloth. Galloping hooves could be heard in the distance and Albus figured they were centaur. His dad had told him that there was a ruck of centaurs in the timber, although Albus had never seen one before.

"Here we are,"Hagrid said after what had been at least a twenty minute walk. He gestured to a nearby bush."Jus'have a look around here and I 'm sure we 'll find pot. This is a known area where unicorns live. Don'wander too far."

Hagrid had provided them all with bucket in which to collect the hair. Albus set off for the nearest George Bush and found a few hairs snagged in the outgrowth.

"Last detention,"John said as he worked alongside Albus."Thank Merlin."

"Speak for yourself,"mat called out from a tree diagram a few m away.

"Do you know what you have to do for your next ones ?"Albus asked.

"product line, all three Nox,"matt said."Easier, I suppose, than coming up with anything else when it 's just me."

"better than cleaning bathrooms again. Or digging up Dragon dung,"Kaden said."Whoa, I just found a whole clump of hair."

After they 'd been working for a half hour Hagrid decided that they 'd collected enough. They set off re-tracing their tone through the forest. Albus found it a little less scary on the walk back and he was n't sure whether it was because he had gotten used to the interference or because he could see the sun at the edge. He was very exempt to find that he did not see Jarrett Willinson anywhere in the forest, although now that the hold was passed he realized that Willinson would n't go back there now that the Christ's Resurrection Stone was no longer there. No, Willinson was most likely still in Commonwealth of Australia, where no one was looking for him. At least, Albus hoped he was.


Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! You guys are awesome ! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. NaNo gave way to a frantic finishing of all the papers I 'd neglected during November. But I won NaNo and course of study are over so I 'm hoping to get a good bit of writing done within the side by side month.


The last few week of November provided the Hogwarts students and stave with a much needed period of calm. The next election debate would not take place until December and the the censorship at Hogwarts issue seemed to have died out, with the Daily prophet no longer publishing articles on it. Both Quidditch and dueling tournaments were over for the terminus, leaving the bookman with a bit More time to commit to their studies. The next Hogsmeade visit was scheduled for the instant Sabbatum in December, a week before term ended.

Albus enjoyed the monotony of those few workweek. His days were filled with homework, Quidditch drill, and dueling practice. Team seven-spot was very well-chosen to have Albus back as their captain and most continued to ignore Malfoy during praxis. Malfoy still reserved a exceptional glare of hatred for Albus and his champion, but he did not attempt to bulge anymore affaire d'honneur in the corridor, like he had after the dueling tournament.

December arrived with a snow storm that caused the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to cancel two of their practice. This gave Fred the opportunity to Word the sales pitch for two additional practices, something that earned him a sizable superman of U-No-Poo in his morning pumpkin juice good manners of James and Tom Bradley. Albus was happy to see that the job of school prankster had been rightfully returned to James and his friends. The week of detentions had certainly dissuaded Albus from planning anymore japery. The Saami could not be said for St. John the Apostle and Kaden, who were plotting something, although Albus did not acknowledge what.

Albus, Matt, and Amanda spent the initiative Sat of December ignoring their homework in the Marauder 's Den. The Slytherin squad had the lurch for the full day, which gave Albus a much needed break from Quidditch. John and Kaden 's location would probably only be found with the Marauder 's Map and Rose was tutoring in the library.

There was a loud squawk from outside the elbow room, which was Rose 's sign that she was outside and wished to be let in. Albus got up from his plot of Gobstones and let her in. She dropped her bag unceremoniously on the level and flopped down on the couch.

"I 'm worry about Elsie,"Rose said.

"Elsie ..."Albus prompted.

"Elsie Willinson !"she exclaimed."The first year I 've been tutoring all year."

"Oh yeah, the one with the moron for a brother and a cousin and uncle who want to impart back Voldemort. Yeah, I 'd be worried, too,"Albus said as he returned to his game.

"No, I 'm not worried about her stupid pal. I 'm worried about her."

"What, is she still failing all her subjects ?"Matt asked.

"No, she 's actually doing much better,"Rose said."She 's just very tranquilize. She never talk of the town about anything former than homework-"

"phone like you."Albus turned around and grinned at his cousin."Although you 're not quiet."

"I 'm serious, Albus,"rose wine said flatly."Her brother walks her to the library for our seance and then picks her up when we 're done. I never see her with anyone other than him and occasionally Malfoy. I 've never seen her eat with anyone other than them, either."

"That is kind of strange,"Amanda said.

"See ?"Rose said."Amanda thinks it 's weird."

"So she 's shy."Albus shrugged."I just do n't see what it 's got to do with you."

"It does n't really,"rose said quietly."But if she 's having return. We all know about her kinsfolk. If her buddy 's keeping an eye on her there must be a reason."

Albus had n't thought about it that way. What if Felix Willinson was trying to hold back an eye on his babe ?"If she 's doing something her family does n't care I bet she 's going against something they want."

"That 's what I thought,"Rose agreed."Which means she 's trying to do something thoroughly. Or he 's trying to make sure she does n't spill house secrets."

"You think they have Thomas More crime syndicate mystery than just wanting Voldemort back ?"Matt asked.

"Of course they do,"Rose said."We only found out endure year that they were related by marriage to Lubar. I mean, you never would 've guessed that in first or endorsement year."

Matt shuddered."Probably a good thing that I did n't. I probably would have refused to come to Hogwarts."

"Most pure-blooded menage like them have iniquity secret,"Albus said as he fiddled with a Gobstone. It squirted him in the facial expression and he rubbed the liquidness on his gown."The ones that want the ancestry to remain pure and stuff. Like the Malfoys."

"And I 'd bet my live Galleon that Elsie Willinson found out one of those enigma and wants to tell someone,"Rose stated.

"You think it 's got to do with what they 're trying to do ?"Albus asked.

"I 'm sure enough it does."

"The exclusively problem for them is that Jarrett 's on his own now,"Amanda said."With the early two in jailhouse, what 's he going to do ?"

"You 're forgetting about Lubar,"matt said darkly.

Rose got up and started walking around the room."To be honest, I do n't know how often he 's going to be involved, especially if this going to take shoes in Britain. Think about it, last yr he had the excuse of the tourney to be here. He 's got no excuse this twelvemonth. He 's a Ministry official. A horrific one, but still a Ministry official. It 's not in his well pastime to be trying to impart back Voldemort."

"That did n't even work,"Albus cut in."They ca n't get him back, even a ghost of him, with the Resurrection Stone."

"Jarret Willinson was a Ministry official,"Matt pointed out.

"He was a secretary for the Obliviator government agency. That 's a short different from a forefront position,"Rose explained."Lubar has more to lose."

"I say we try and figure out what Elsie 's keeping secret and I bet it 'll have got something to do with what Willinson is planning now. Because I guarantee he 's planning something,"Albus decided.

"How are we going to do that ?"Amanda asked."She 's always with Felix."

"Not when Rose is tutoring her."Albus turned to Rose."You think you could try and get her to open up ?"

"well she 's not going to just come out and order me. I can try, but it 'll take a while,"Rose said.
***


Albus told lavatory and Kaden about the conversation about Elsie later that nighttime. John Lackland proclaimed that he knew something had been unearthly about that girl from the moment they had seen her at the rootage of the year. Both boys agreed that they needed to find out what it was she was keeping secret. Albus then asked them what prank they were planning, but John and Kaden mysteriously went silence as soon as Albus brought the theme up.

Albus laid awake that night for a long time thinking about Elsie Willinson. He could not shake the image of her with Felix and Malfoy in the source of the year from his mind. She had looked so unsure and ingenuous, far too unacquainted and young to be involved with anything like what her kinfolk was involved with. In fact, she reminded him a bit of Lily, although he was n't sure enough why since Lily was anything but timid.

sunrise arrived shortly after Albus had fallen asleep and despite the fact that he 'd only gotten a few hours sleep, he got up around six and decided to get a bit of reading done in the common room. He knew he would n't be able to fall back asleep.

Upon arriving in the mutual room, Albus thought he was still dreaming. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to try and come alive up, but it was no use. He was in fact awake. The picture before his centre was literal, and it was painful to calculate at.

The Gryffindor plebeian room was no longer red and gold. It was now decked out in green and atomic number 47. The comfy couches and chairperson were gone and had been replaced instead with standard schoolroom chairs. assorted banners were hung up in the room that depicted snakes. In fact, the Gryffindor common room now looked exactly as Albus imagined the Slytherin common room to look, except for it not being under the lake.

However, the sheer Slytherin-ness of the common room was not the weirdest alteration, by a long shot. The strangest new accession to the Gryffindor common room was a grey and white goat. It was standing in the middle of the way, its head down and buried in a leger. The thing about Capricorn the Goat, though, was that they did not enjoy volume the way people did. Goats ate books. This Capricorn the Goat was currently munching on The Standard Book of while : Grade Two. Albus 's eyes drifted from the Capricorn and around the way again, where he now noticed remnants of former books, quills, homework, and even a cloak.

The laughingstock looked up and stared at Albus. It let out a bleat and then went back to the book. Albus crept a little near and noticed that a sign was affixed to the laughingstock. It said 'The Gryffindor Goat : Gryffindor 's new mascot. Gifted by the Slytherins. Next fourth dimension, conceive twice about putting chickens in our vulgar room .'

Albus stood in the centre of the room, his stare alternating from the butt to the note and back again. A butt ? That did n't even make any sense. Not only that, they were clearly trying to copy John and Kaden 's prank. And changing the elbow room into a Slytherin elbow room ? It was horrifying, absolutely horrifying.

Albus tore his eyes away from the Capricorn the Goat and ran back up the whorl stairway until he got to his own dormitory. He flicked on the lights and Ethan, the lightest sleeper of the bunch, rolled over and groaned.

"Everyone get up !"Albus shouted."Up, get up !"

"What ?"Ethan asked shortly."It 's like six in the morn !"

"I know it 's six in the morning !"Albus replied."Get up and go down to the common room. Now."

Ethan slowly got out of bed and went over to Bilius 's bed to get him up. Albus woke John up and then the two of them woke matte up while Bilius and Ethan went down to the plebeian room. Their shouts of anger could be heard all the way in the dormitory.

"What is it ?"John asked as he and Matt followed Albus back down the stairs.

"The Slytherins have had their revenge,"Albus said, handing John the line.

Albus took a detour to the third gear year 's dormitory to get Kaden up. Kaden 's roomie got up as well and soon there was a large bunch in the usual elbow room. By the time Albus entered the room again, the initiatory, indorsement, and 6th years were all there. The seventh and twenty percent yr were right behind him.

The coarse way was in bedlam. James, Cedric, and Nathan were inspecting the Capricorn the Goat. The prefects were all congregated in one spot, clearly trying to figure out what to do. A quarter of the students were standing frozen, with facial expression of horror on their faces. Another quarter were laughing, despite the fact that the prank had happened in Gryffindor. Hugo was wrestling the laughingstock for the transcript of the standard Christian Bible of Spells : ground level Two, which evidently was his.

The lady friend'hall door opened and all the Gryffindor girls flooded out of it. rose and Amanda made their way over to Albus and the residuum of the boys, who were receiving numerous stares and glares from their buster students. Clearly a few of them were blaming Albus and his supporter for the Slytherins'pauperism for revenge.

"What in the name of Merlin happened ?"rosebush asked.

John handed her the short letter."The Slytherins have had their revenge."

"Malfoy ?"Amanda asked.

"No way to recognize, is there ?"Albus replied.

"It 's got to be, though,"John said."No one else hates us like he does."

"I bet a lot of Slytherins wanted retaliation,"rosebush said.

"All right, quiet everyone !"Albus 's cousin, bell ringer, shouted over the gang. He was one of the 6th year Prefects."You 're all to get back up to your dormitories. I 'm going to get prof Longbottom. Who 's the one who first saw this ?"

"I did,"Albus announced.

sign sighed, as if intellection he should have known."Al, rest down here. The remainder of you, back upstairs.

Rose handed Albus the note back and she and the rest of Albus 's friends turned to go back to their dorm. There was a general mutter and whispers as everyone left. Soon, the common room was empty except for Albus, the butt, and the six Prefects. scar left in ordering to go get Professor Longbottom.

The Prefects whispered amongst themselves while Mark was gone. Albus stood off to the side, as he did not know the Prefects very well. He recognized a few as friends of his cousin.

sign returned ten minutes later with Professor Longbottom in tow. The herbology professor froze in mid-step when he entered the room. His gaze shifted from the new piece of furniture to the goat to the streamer and back to the Goat.

"Albus discovered it,"Mark said.

Longbottom turned to Albus."And it looked like this when you found it ?"

"Mostly,"Albus answered."The Capricorn had been chewing on one of Hugo 's Quran so he took that. And someone 's cloak had been here, but it was a Gryffindor cloak."

Longbottom sighed."All right field, Albus, you can go back up to your dormitory."He turned to the Prefects."Let 's go through all this and see if we can chance any clues to count on out who it was."

Albus reluctantly went back up to his dormitory, where he found not only all of his roommate but Kaden as well, discussing the prank. They all turned to Albus when he entered.

"Find anything out ?"John asked.

"Nope,"Albus answered."The Prefects are helping professor Longbottom go through everything for clues."

The boys whiled away the clock time until breakfast by trading Chocolate salientian bill, playing rounds of Exploding Snap, and discussing the Quidditch season. mat fell back asleep after defending the shank to everyone else, but no one else was able to go back to bed.

stigma knocked on their door a few minute later and told them they were free to get up and go to breakfast. Albus woke Matt up and the boys went back down to the common elbow room. It looked normal once more. All oddment of the Slytherins were gone and the goat was nowhere in flock. The classroom chairs had disappeared and the regular comfy lounge were back. Albus was relieved to see their rough-cut room back to its usual state, although that did nothing to satisfy his wonder about who had done it.

"wonder what they did with the goat,"Kaden said as they walked down tot he Great Hall.

"Probably gave it to Aberforth,"Matt said.

"Aberforth ?"Kaden asked.

"Dumbledore 's blood brother. He owns the Hog 's Head in Hogsmeade. Keeps stooge in his pub. Weird bloke,"lusterlessness answered.

"He keeps caprine animal ? In his pub ?"Kaden repeated."Do they just wander around ?"

"Yeah,"Matt said.

The Great Charles Francis Hall was populated only by Gryffindor educatee, which did not surprise Albus in the slightest given the early hour and the fact that it was William Ashley Sunday. The prof were all up having breakfast and were whispering amongst themselves. No doubt that Longbottom had told them about the frivolity. Slughorn in finicky looked unnerved.

Rose convinced the rest of the group that it would be a dependable idea to head to the library after breakfast to pack advantage of the fact that it would be abandon. Albus had a few essays that he 'd neglected and Gospel According to John and Kaden needed to make up some new prediction for Trelawney.

After a few time of day of studying Albus felt his attention start to wander. The depository library had filled up since they had arrived and Madam Pince was watching over the space like a hawk. The doorway opened and Albus was surprised to see Elsie Willinson walk in, followed by her brother and Scorpius. Scorpius 's centre met Albus 's and he veered from his little group in order to waltz around over to Albus.

"How 's your vulgar room ?"he asked with a smirk.

"Is that a confession ?"Albus replied as he stood up.

"Of trend not. It 's all over the school. Everyone knows that your common room looked like an extension service of mine this good morning. And that goat, I heard it ate a few books. Serves you right after what you lot did to ours,"Malfoy said.

"We know you did it, Malfoy,"John said."Just waiting for the professors to prove it."

"If I did do it, and I 'm not saying I did, I would n't have left any evidence like you idiots obviously did."

"We did n't,"bathroom said flatly."Albus confessed to keep open his cousin and brother who had been wrongly accused."

"How noble."Malfoy laughed.

"Just secern me one thing,"Albus said."How did you get into the common elbow room ?"That was what had been bothering Albus the most. He and his friends had used the Invisibility Cloak to compute out the Slytherin parole, but how had Malfoy done it ? As far as he knew he did not have an invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't,"Malfoy said."And if I did I would n't distinguish you how I did it."With one More glare at Albus, the Slytherin walked away towards the table that Felix and Elsie had found.

"How did he get into our vernacular room ?"Albus asked as he sat back down.

"No approximation,"lusterlessness said.

"I 'm betting he threatened a first year into telling him what it was,"John the Divine said."Would n't put it past him."

"You do n't know it was him,"Amanda pointed out.

"They 're never going to happen out who it was, either,"Rose said."Not unless they confess like you did. Otherwise no one would 've found out it was you."

"guess it does n't really matter at this point."Albus sighed."They 've had their revenge."

"Which means it 's prison term for ours,"Kaden said as he grinned at John.

blush wine groaned."Really ? It 's just going to turn into a vast antic war if you have revenge."

"That 's the spot,"john replied.

If John and Kaden were trying to get a antic war Albus did n't need any part of it. He had had enough custody for a lifetime and did not desire disbursal anymore of his Hogwarts career scrubbing bathroom or doing line of descent. Albus sighed and returned to his meter reading. John and Kaden got up and left the library, presumably to operate on their succeeding clowning.

Later that day at dinner Professor Kendrick gave a very stern lecture to the entire school about breaking rules, especially the regulation about not entering common rooms that were not yours. It was very exchangeable to the talk he gave after the chicken clowning, except this clock time Albus could tell that the master was even more angry. Albus kept glancing at Malfoy during the speech but the Slytherin boy did not count guilty at all. In fact he seemed disinterested in Kendrick 's speech.

The talk of Gryffindor 's caprine animal ( as the prank had now been dubbed ) died down by the middle of the workweek. nearly of the castle was excited about the upcoming Hogsmeade slip and then the wintertime holidays. Professor Longbottom sent around a sign-up canvass for those scholarly person who wished to outride abode during the holiday, although none of Albus 's friends signed it.

"I 've always wondered what it would be like to stay put,"John said as Professor Longbottom passed by.

"Me too,"Albus agreed."But my parents already said I ca n't this twelvemonth since there 's some big Ministry Christmastide party we 've got to go to. For the election and all."

"Same here,"flatness said."We 're not even going to Commonwealth of Australia because of it."

"Wow, that 's the second year in a row,"Albus replied.

matte nodded."My grandparents are coming here and then we 're visiting them over the summer."

"I think we should all stick around next year,"Kaden said."Then I can go a entirely school year without seeing my grandparents. Or Aunt Marge."

Albus agreed that that was a good rationality to stay at Hogwarts over the vacation."Yeah, that would be fun. My dad says the castling 's cracking at Christmas."

"It would be interesting to see what Christmastime is like,"Amanda said. Amanda 's family was Jewish and celebrated Hanukkah.

"You 're receive to occur to our grandparents'sign of the zodiac for Christmastime this year,"Rose suggested.

Amanda grinned."I 'll ask my parents. I 'm for sure they 'll say yes since Hanukkah was early this year and I 've already missed it anyway."

"Rose, you 've got post,"Albus said, gesturing to Rose 's class 's owl, which had just landed on the table.

"Oh, good !"Rose said as she ripped open the letter. She scanned it for a instant before smiling widely."I wo n't be going to Hogsmeade with you."

"You wo n't be ?"Albus gave her a quizzical look.

"No. Mum and Dad are taking me to the argument that 's that day. I owled them a few twenty-four hour period ago to see if I could go and they said yes !"

"You want to go to another one ?"whoremonger asked.

"I 'd go to all of them if I could. They 're just so fascinating."She scanned the alphabetic character again."I 'm supposed to to to Kendrick 's discipline at ten on Saturday to floo home."

"What 's this one on ?"Albus asked.

"Law enforcement. The Auror Department. How it 's run and and how trials are run. I think it 's going to be the most occupy one since both Uncle Percy and Laurentis have already hinted at their panorama on that topic."

That was for sure enough. This debate would probably be even more explosive than the one on education."You 'll consume to let us know all the details,"Albus said.

"Oh I will,"pink wine replied."It 's why I wanted to go. I 'd rather not learn everything indorsement hired man from the Prophet."

She had a dot there, Albus thought. Although he was sword lily that rosiness was the one going and not him. As much as he thought the election was interesting, he 'd rather be in Hogsmeade with his Friend than sitting in a courtroom listening to politicians all day.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far ! I 'm almost done with school ( forever ! ) so I 'm hoping to update more often.


The week leading up to the Hogsmeade trip dragged by very slowly. Albus was certain that Wednesday in particular was at least twice as long as a convention day and by the time Fri finally decided to nominate an coming into court Albus was sure he would go insane from all the homework he had to complete. Tuesday had been the full moon, but luckily Matt left the hospital wing Thursday afternoon and had been cleared by brothel keeper Pomfrey to go to Hogsmeade.

When Sabbatum arrived there was a welcomed break in the blizzard that had blanketed the Hogwarts primer in two feet of nose candy. Albus and his ally slept late and by the time they woke up rose wine had already left to go to that day 's debate. Albus, matte, and John the Divine quickly dressed and met Kaden and Amanda in the common room.

Fred accosted Albus as he was about to leave."Albus ! gladiola I found you. I booked the sales pitch for today at three since there 's a good luck in the storm."

"But Fred, it 's Hogsmeade today,"Albus pointed out. As practically as he loved Quidditch, Hogsmeade misstep were rare social function and he had Christmastide shopping to do.

"Exactly !"Fred exclaimed."So none of the early team have booked the pitch. It 's booked solidness the rest of the hebdomad and we need another practice in before break starts."

Albus sighed. Fred was ripe, of grade. He glanced at his picket. It was noon, so if they hurried through lunch he would still possess a honorable two minute in the village."All right. I 'll see you at three."

"Excellent,"Fred said."Just have to obtain Jesse James ...."

Amanda snorted and started laughing. Fred, who had turned to leave alone, stopped and looked back at her."What ?"

Albus, John, matt, and Kaden also looked questioningly at Amanda.

"Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you,"Amanda began."pink wine and I were in the library survive workweek and overheard Jesse James asking some Hufflepuff fifth year out. They 're going to Hogsmeade together today."

Fred burst out laughing."waiting, James has a date ?"

"Saint James the Apostle asked a girl out in the depository library ?"Albus joined Fred in his laughter.

"Do n't recount him that Rose and I overheard him,"Amanda said."He 'd murder us if he knew it was us who told."

"Bet he 's already in Hogsmeade, then,"Fred said, still laughing."They bettor not be in Madam Puddifoot 's because I do n't take to going in there to tell him about practice."

Albus was still laughing about the idea of James asking a missy out in the library of all station. He wondered who the Hufflepuff was. Maybe he 'd manage to catch a glimpse of them in Hogsmeade together.

"He 's not actually going to get out her to go to Quidditch drill,"Amanda shouted after Fred as he left the unwashed room.

"He will if the particular date 's going poorly,"Fred shouted back and disappeared into the corridor.

"wellspring let 's hasten up and get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said."I want to see if I can figure out who this lady friend is."

Albus hurried out of the common room followed by his friends. They ate a very race lunch in the Great Hall and then ran outside and down the path to Hogsmeade. As they neared the village Albus kept his optic peeled for his sidekick.

"Where to first ?"Matt asked.

"Weasleys',"John and Kaden said together.

Albus and Matt shared a glance. They should have known. They followed John the Evangelist and Kaden as the two implike boys led the way to Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes.

The workshop was packed to electrical capacity as it always was on Hogsmeade weekends. Albus waved to his Uncle George who was behind the sideboard ringing people up as fast as the till would let him. Teddy was working that weekend and was restocking a shelf of Skiving Snackboxes. John and Kaden each grabbed two as the boy passed.

Albus grabbed a few extendable Ears as his seemed to have disappeared and a box of Deluxe whizbang shell for James for Christmastime. He joined the farseeing queue at the till and was joined by John and Kaden who each had weapon system overflowing with products. Matt and Amanda were n't buying anything and were playing with a few Pygmy powderpuff that were in a cage in the front line of the store.

"Neither of you have seen James I, have you ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"John said."Bet they 're at the Three Broomsticks."

"Or that place that Fred mentioned. Madam whatever ?"Kaden put in.

"Madam Puddifoot 's,"Albus said."Horrifying place. Covered in frilled matter, and pink stuff."

"Let 's not go there,"Kaden said.

Albus and Saint John both agreed. They would look for James, just not at Madam Puddifoot 's. The queue moved relatively quickly and soon Albus, John, and Kaden had their supply.

The future stop was Honeyduke 's where everyone stocked up on confect and Albus bought a Christmas present for Lily. Then they made their way to the Quaffle Shop and then the triad broomstick. Albus had yet to see Epistle of James, but his time was quickly running out. He had a half hour before he had to manoeuvre back to the castle for Quidditch practice.

lav went to the bar to get five Butterbeers while the rest of the radical found a table. Luckily Scorpio Malfoy was nowhere in peck. Albus gazed around the bar until he spotted his crony 's conversant red hairsbreadth. Unfortunately the miss he was with was facing away from Albus 's table so all he knew was that she had very long, very straight brown hair.

"There they are,"Albus whispered to lustrelessness, Kaden, and Amanda."Any of you know who the lady friend is ?"

"That 's Gabby Ellis,"John said as he returned with the Butterbeers."My cousin knows her. She 's one of the twenty percent year prefects."

"postponement, so James not only asked her out in the subroutine library, but she 's also a prefect ?"Albus exclaimed.

"speculation so."john shrugged."I 'll never ask out a prefect. Now he 's going to give to watch his step."

"You realize that there 's a good chance one of us might be a prefect adjacent year,"Amanda pointed out.

"Nah, they 'll pick Bilius or Ethan,"John said."They 'd never blame me, Al, or Matt after that prank."

"Well pink wine is obviously going to be a prefect,"Amanda said.

"We 'll just have to sneak around more following year,"john said."Ca n't have a prefect knowing about our pranks."

"Dervish and Banges is still untenanted,"lustrelessness said, changing the field of study."Do n't you think that 's kind of odd ?"

Albus had n't really thought about it."Yeah, but no one 's going to need to buy a shop where mortal was murdered."

"Still, it 's just strange,"lustrelessness said as he sipped his Butterbeer.

"mortal might still own it,"Amanda pointed out."They might not desire to do anything with it or sell it."

"Guess that 's a skilful full point,"matt said.

"Look, James and the lady friend are getting up,"Kaden said.

Albus turned and saw that James was indeed rising from his president. Gabby did as well and the two of them walked slope by side out of the pub. Gabby was pretty, Albus had to admit. Her oculus were bright and her impudence were pink. St. James the Apostle was grinning. Neither of them noticed Albus or the others on their way out the door.

"Think he 'll show to Quidditch praxis ?"John asked.

"If he values his life,"Albus replied."Speaking of that, I should probably get going."

Albus said adieu to his Quaker and headed back out into the cold. The sun was out and there was no wind instrument, but it was still bitingly cold. He trudged his way through the snow and back up to the castle, where he ran up to Gryffindor tower to flatten off his purchase and change into his Quidditch robes.

The rest of the squad was already on the pitching when Albus arrived. Fred was arguing with Henry James about something while the rest of the team stood off to the side.

"She 's not even on their team !"Saint James the Apostle shouted."She 's not going to steal any of our plays."

"But she 's still a Hufflepuff and this is a closed in practice session !"Fred argued.

Albus glanced over to the rack and saw Gabby sitting there, wrapped in a very heavy Hufflepuff blanket. She smiled and waved at Albus, who gave a slight wave back.

"I could n't just leave her. I promised we 'd expend the day together."

"And she wants to watch you wreak Quidditch ?"Fred asked."amercement, fine. She can stay. Let 's just get going. We 're wasting time."

Fred and James joined the rest of the chemical group."All right !"Fred shouted."Let 's fly around the delivery a few times to get warm up."

Albus mounted his ling and soared into the air. He joined the rest of the squad in their flight around the pitch and lost himself in flying. It was decent to just fly and forget about everything else that was on his creative thinker.

The practice went incredibly well. It was their unspoilt practice in week since the weather was cooperating. The Gryffindor team did not have any return with playacting, but the conditions was usually fearsome whenever they practiced. Fred insisted this was a dependable affair since it would help them study how to encounter in matches with bad circumstance but no one else agreed. Albus was very happy to have a practice where the conditions were idealistic. It made Quidditch so much more enjoyable.

St. James the Apostle and Gabby hurried off as soon as practice ended and the rest of the squad walked back to the castle together. They were nearly back to Gryffindor tower when Rose, Matt, St. John the Apostle, Kaden, and Amanda came running towards Albus, all five looking slightly terrified.

"What 's wrong ?"Fred asked.

"It 's nothing,"rose wine said."We just need to verbalize to Albus."

"sports meeting us in the way after you stash your broom,"Matt whispered and the five of them hurried off.

Albus hurried into the common room and up to his dormitory. He had absolutely no idea what was going on, but it must own just had to do with his friends because everyone else in the common room was acting normally. Albus quickly put his ling away and ran back out to the corridor.

It did n't drive him long to touch the Marauder 's Den. All his champion were sitting quietly and looked up at him when he entered.

"What in the figure of pigeon hawk is going on ?"Albus asked.

"Two matter,"rose began."One, the debate. It was ... well ... insane is the only countersign to key out it, really. And two, I 'll let everyone else explain that first."

"Malfoy was lurking near the screaming hut,"flatness said."After you went to Quidditch practice we walked around the village and noticed him. It looked like he was trying to get in."

"Did he ?"Albus asked.

"No, he ca n't,"lusterlessness said."There 's wards. It 's just odd. He was alone."

"Does he know that that 's where you go ?"Albus replied as he sat down next to Rose.

flatness shook his head."I 'm not really worried about it, either. It 's just very weird."

"Malfoy is friends with Felix Willinson so anything weird that he does needs to be remembered,"Albus said darkly.

"That 's what I said,"John replied.

"He 's not the first one to be curious about the scream Shack,"flatness pointed out.

This was different, Albus thought. He would suffer expected lusterlessness to be the one worried about this, not John.

"But he 's Malfoy ! It 's not good that he 's trying to get in,"John said.

"Well he ca n't get in. And he already knows what I am,"Matt countered."Let 's just forget about it for now. What pink wine has to say is far worse."

Albus turned to look at rose, who looked tip over and slightly scared. That was strange in itself since Albus could hardly retrieve a time when Rose was scared.

"The debate was on law enforcement,"Rose said quietly."She wants to completely change the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She wants to enquire every one Auror and reorganize the department because she does n't call back thing are working as they are. She ... well ... she basically called your dad incompetent."

Albus stared at his cousin-german. He could not believe what he was hearing. Albus 's dad had been in charge of the Auror department for years and there had never been any complaints. How could Laurentis just insult him like that ?

"Which means she 's going to lose,"John said confidently."No one 's going to vote for someone who insults Harry Potter."

"No,"rosebush whispered."They will. There 's been editorials in the Prophet for week about how the current Ministry is n't working. She has support."

"That 's insane,"Albus said."What did Uncle Percy do ?"

"Argued with her,"rosiness said."Talked about all the unspoiled your dad has done, but she argued correctly back."

"What about everyone there ? Did they clap for her ?"Albus asked.

"Everyone clapped for everyone. They were all polite about it and there was no way to tell who supported who,"rosebush said."If you ask me, I think she 's going to replace all the Heads of departments who do n't jibe with her. She 's going to want people in ability who are on her side."

"Which means my dad will be gone,"Albus said."Everyone knows he supports Uncle Walker Percy. It 's obvious."

"So that leaves what, matte 's dad 's job, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Head of Magical Transportation, and what else ?"John asked as he counted on his fingerbreadth."There 's got to be more."

"There are,"Rose said as she stood up and began pacing around the room."International Magical Cooperation, Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, Magical Games and sport, and then the department of Mysteries."

"Do you experience anything about the capitulum of those departments ?"John asked.

"The peeress who 's Head of Magical Law Enforcement was here during the debate. She 's really old and Dad says Mum is a shoe-in for her job when she retires,"Rose said."But I do n't know much about the others. The cuss in charge of witching Transportation moderated the offset debate."

"That 's eight place,"flatness said quietly,"and she could replace all of them. That would wind up being an entirely new Ministry."

"Essentially, yes,"rosebush said as she sank into an armchair."That 's why it 's so bad. There 's a rationality most newly elected Ministers do n't supersede everyone. It 's too much agitation. But if she wants immediate modification, it would be the easiest way to get it done."

"What 's the succeeding debate on ?"Amanda asked.

"Azkaban,"Rose said."Originally they were going to debate Azkaban with law enforcement, but Laurnetis requested a split Azkaban debate. She 's in bursting charge of it, so I 'm not surprised."

"And when is it ?"Amanda replied.

"Just after the new year,"blush wine answered."Once we 're all back in school. Then February 's debate is on charming creatures-"

"Oh that 's going to be good,"Matt said."shot that 's when we 'll get out if my dad keeps his job after the election if she wins."

"And then in March they debate International Magical Cooperation. Then it 's the election at the source of Apr,"Rose continued."That one is going to take aim place here. So is the Azkaban one."

"I still do n't mean anyone 's going to vote for her,"John muttered."Anyone who sacks Harry thrower would n't get decent votes."

"You 'd be surprised, John the Evangelist,"Amanda said."It sounds like she 's playing to everyone 's fears. I mean, I have n't been in the magical world long, but it seems like everyone fears another Voldemort. If she makes it seem like the flow Ministry and Auror section are too lenient and mite at the possible action of another war, and then claim that she could squash it before it became a war, she would easily get the voter turnout. the great unwashed are easily persuaded."

"That 's exactly it,"Rose agreed.

The room descended into uncomfortable silence. At the beginning of the schooling year, none of them had a good deal interest in the election or the Ministry in world-wide, but now, just a few month later, Albus and his friends were learning just how a lot the consequence of the election would affect them. The hypothesis of drastic variety to both Hogwarts and the wizarding creation did not sit well with Albus, especially if it meant both his and Matt 's dads were out of a job.
***


The remaining calendar week of shoal went by quickly. With the looming holidays and prison-breaking from school, hardly anyone in the rook was focusing on homework or the election. Instead, the yak that filled the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall during meals was about Christmastide and snowball fight and expenditure time with family line. Albus was sucked into the Christmas sunshine as well, but the election was still on the rachis of his mind.

For Albus, Rose, and the rest of the Weasley/Potter clan, the Noel vacation would be wrapped up in the election. A New Year 's party at the diplomatic minister 's Mansion was scheduled for New Year 's Eve, for all of the upper-level officials and their families, as well as Percy, Laurentis, and their phratry. All of Albus 's extended sept would be attending. But perhaps the most freaky prospect of the holiday was the fact that Uncle Percy was going to allow a reporter from thaumaturgist powder store to come him for not only the Ministry party, but Christmas at the Burrow as well.

"This is just weird !"Cedric exclaimed at breakfast the close day of term."A newsman ? At the Burrow ? And it says she 's going to be staying with us."

Cedric handed the letter back to Bradley, whom it had been addressed to. Thomas Bradley pulled out his wand and burned it, which seemed to be his new way of dealing with military post from his father.

"Did Gran concord to this ?"King James I asked as he loaded his plate with bacon.

"She must 've,"Bradley said."Anything to get Dad elected, probably."

"I sort of agree with her,"Albus said."I do n't want that Laurentis womanhood to win."

"Neither do I, but I do n't desire some reporter staying with us at the Burrow,"Cedric said adamantly.

"supposition you wo n't be getting the real Weasley Christmas Day experience,"Albus said to Amanda, whose parents had given permit to stay with rose for Christmas.

Amanda shrugged."Not a big business deal. With your family, it 's bound to be interesting."

"You have no estimate,"Albus said."We 'd better get to History of Magic."

Albus got up and his friends followed. Despite the fact that it was the last day of term, professor Binns still gave a lecture. Nobody paid him an ounce of attention. The remainder of the prof did n't trouble oneself teaching any new material as they figured the pupil would just forget it over the prison-breaking. professor Cedonia set them a practical lesson, but did n't have words them when they stopped charming their teacupful to dance and instead talked about Christmas. Hagrid had a tumid bonfire going to preserve them warm, but did n't teach anything. Instead, he told the narration of Norberta and bawled about how a lot he missed her. In Ancient rune, there was an test.

The abide by dawning Albus and his friends climbed aboard the Hogwarts limited for the misstep back to London. On the Hogwarts express, Albus felt weirdly immune to everything that was happening in the wizarding public. He felt condom from Jarrett Willinson and somehow the election did n't seem as big a deal. The string was like its own slight worldly concern with only students and Sweet from the tramcar ; on the railroad train, nothing bad could happen.


Long hiatus ! I apologize for that. I am now working on this for the second half of June 's refugee camp NaNoWriMo, so I 'm hoping to get a clump of chapters written so I can go back to weekly updates. Thanks so a great deal for all the reviews !


"Remember, do n't say anything in front of her you do n't want printed in the clause,"Harry said as they walked toward the Burrow.

"Will she really print anything ?"Lily asked.

"Yes,"Harry said.

It was Christmas Day Eve and Albus and the rest of the Potters had just Apparated to the domain behind the burrow. Albus was a bit nervous about being in the comportment of a reporter from star magazine and was not at all corking about being in an clause. He was relieved they were late, as common, because by now the newsman would probably be involved in listening to mortal else 's conversation and might not even point out Albus.

"And James, do n't even conceive about slipping something into her soup,"Ginny said sternly.

Harry, who had just put his script on the doorhandle, turned around and stared at James."Seriously, Jesse James, absolutely not."

"I was n't going to !"James said."I swear !"

Harry sighed."Empty your pockets."

"But I was n't going to-"

"James Sirius Potter, listen to your father,"Ginny said.

Albus put his mitt over his back talk to hide his laughter while his chum pulled a smattering of Ton-Tongue toffy and a vial of Weasleys'Itchiest itch gunpowder out of his pouch. Ginny took them and incinerated them with her wand. She brushed the ash onto the priming coat and James stared at it longingly.

"Shut up, Albus,"Jesse James muttered as Harry opened the door.

That just made Albus laugh even harder, earning him a punch in the shoulder joint from James. Albus returned the punch while Lily rolled her eyes.

"Boys, cut it out,"Ginny scolded.

"Ginny ! Harry !"Molly exclaimed as they stepped inside."happy Christmastime !"

"Happy Christmas, Mum,"Ginny said as the two hugged.

Albus slipped past after giving his grandmother a fast hug, grabbing a handful of cooky on his way to the den. The first affair he noticed was that the newsperson was sitting on a BM in the street corner. She stuck out like a Weasley at a Malfoy assembly, in her Black doll, flowery top, high-heeled horseshoe. Who wore hound to the tunnel ? Weird, Albus thought. Her jet-black hair was done up in some kind of bun and her lips were smeared with burnished red lipstick.

The second thing Albus noticed was just how clean the tunnel was. He had n't noticed it in the kitchen, what with the many Mary Jane and dishes full of warm, steaming food, but out in the den, it was very noticeable. The tunnel was never soiled, exactly, but it was n't immaculately neat like matt and Kaden 's theatre were. Instead it merely looked lived in, Albus always thought. It was cluttered with piles of books and slew of board game and various Muggle and magical devices. Blankets and pillows were thrown haphazardly onto couches and chairwoman, never being folded or stacked neatly. But today, everything was bully. The stacks of Word of God had been shelved and the blankets folded. The sheer amount of stuff seemed to have got been moved or vanished because Albus did n't see a single Muggle electronic device half-taken apart on the floor or board. It was bizarre. The burrow did n't front like the burrow without its clutter. You never knew what you 'd find at the tunnel and Albus liked that.

Shaking his head slightly, Albus carefully stepped around a few of his cousin-german and walked over to where rosiness and Amanda were sitting on the floor. They had a big platter of food in forepart of them, making Albus actualise how hungry he was.

"So, what have I missed ?"he asked in between bit of roller."I see mortal cleaned."

"Gran did. Said she wanted to create a just impression. Uncle Percy 's been bragging loudly to the reporter about all the laws he 's helped strait,"rose wine said."But all the reporter wants to do is interview the rest of us. I guess her article is all about where Uncle Percy came from and what his family is like."

"Who 's she talked to so far ?"Albus asked.

"Aunt Corrine, grandma, Gramps, Uncle Bill, Uncle Fred, both of my parents, Victoire, Samantha, and Lindy,"rose said.

"Wow. Already ?"

"She has n't wasted any time,"Amanda said.

"There 's a photographer around here somewhere,"Rose said as she glanced around the room."Oh there he is."

rosebush indicated to the stairs, where Percy was leading a scrawny feller back into the den.

"Is he wearing-"

"apparel robes ?"Rose said."Yeah, he 's been wearing them all night."

"Let 's get a few shots of you playing a game with the Gemini the Twins,"the lensman said as he and Walker Percy walked retiring Albus, Rose, and Amanda.

"Wonderful estimation !"the newsman exclaimed as she hopped off her stool.

"How did she hear that ?"Albus whispered to Rose.

"Harry potter 's son !"the newsperson said as she grabbed Albus 's arm, causing him to flatten the biscuit he was holding."Let 's get him in the stroke, too. Hmm ..."she glanced around the room, her heart finally coming to take a breather on Amanda."We 'll need a shot with you and Walker Percy as well. Candidate plays Exploding Snap with the prime of life Minister 's niece ! Perfect ! I could not ingest planned this better."

"How did she know that I 'm the flower minister of religion 's niece ?"Amanda asked.

"She knows everything,"Rose said darkly."Creepy, really."

Albus soon found himself playing a staged biz of Exploding Snap with Uncle Percy, Samantha, and Lindy. The whole thing was very pathetic since none of them were photographed with ash on their faces. Then it was Amanda 's spell, but she was posed with a set of hotshot 's Chess,"for variety."

"Now that 's something Laurentis wo n't have,"Harry Hotspur said jovially after the lensman finished."pic with the peak Minister 's niece."

"But nobody knows I 'm the blossom government minister 's niece,"Amanda said once she, rosiness, and Albus escaped into the kitchen."It 's supposed to be a secret."

"Maybe it wo n't get printed,"Albus said.

"God, I hope not,"Amanda muttered."So is this what Xmas Eve is usually like ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said as he walked over to the doorway. He peered into the den and took inventory of what his family was up to.

His uncles Fred, Ron, Bill, and Charlie, were penny-pinching to the kitchen and were singing 'Odo the hoagy .'All four had mugs of eggnog in handwriting. nan was listening to Celestina Warbeck while Aunt Fleur glared at the wireless. It seemed to be distracting her from the conversation she was having with auntie Katherine and auntie Hermione. nigh of his cousins were eating or laughing about one affair or another. Samantha and lindy hop were playing Exploding Snap for real now, along with Eddie and Angie.

In fact, the only when one who seemed to be acting any differently was Uncle Sir Henry Percy, who was talking with the reporter and the photographer. Aunt Corrine was as well, but none of their onetime children were anywhere in sight.

"rich person you seen Tom Bradley, Cedric, or Georgia anywhere ?"Albus asked Rose.

"Actually, no,"blush wine said."Let 's go find them."

Albus and Amanda followed rosiness out of the kitchen and up the stairs. As they peered into each bedroom, Albus found out just where his gran had stored all the stuff that used to be in the den. Every one room had a atomic reactor of random stuff in it. They eventually found their three full cousin hiding out in Uncle Ron 's old bedroom at the top of the house. They were sitting on one of the beds and were deep in conversation.

"What 's going on in here ?"Albus asked as they shut the door.

All three startled, but then seemed relieved to witness it was only Albus, Rose, and Amanda.

"We 're avoiding the newsperson,"Sakartvelo said,"and talking about how much it will sop up if Dad gets elected."

"But Laurentis is bloody insane,"Albus said as he stepped over a typewriter and sat down on the opposite bed."Uncle Hotspur has to win."

"well, I do n't want him to,"Bradley said."Do you realize how much life will change if he does ?"

"I 've got a bit of an estimate,"Amanda said, sitting down succeeding to Albus. Rose sat on his early side of meat.

"Before his campaign started no one really knew what Dad did,"Bradley said."Or even who he was. I mean, if they heard his name they would know him, but he was just Hotspur Weasley. Do you know what I mean ?"

"He 'll be Percy Weasley, pastor of magic trick. Not just Percy Weasley, your dad,"Amanda said."Minister is n't a just a job. It 's not something he 'll leave at the bureau at five. It 's Sir Thomas More a lifestyle."

"Exactly !"Bradley agreed.

"And you 'll always be the pastor 's son,"Amanda said.

"How do you know all this ?"Cedric looked at Amanda strangely.

"My Uncle 's the prime quantity Minister,"Amanda said casually.

"Of Britain ?"Bradley exclaimed."And you 've kept this secluded for four years ?"

"Yeah. It wo n't be for much recollective since that photographer just took a picture of me with your dad,"Amanda said."Anyway, you 're right that your life wo n't be the same if he gets elected. And even after his term is up you 'll still always be the Minister 's son."

"And we 'd have to move into the Minister 's manse,"Bradley said.

"You would n't. You 're going to fine-tune in June,"Cedric pointed out."And Georgia already moved out."

"You 'll be in Hogwarts most of the yr,"Georgia pointed out.

There was a smash on the doorway and then it swung wide-cut spread out. Percy stood in the room access flanked by the reporter and lensman. Sir Henry Percy had changed out of his robe and was now wearing a jet Weasley pinafore with a red'P'on the front. In his arms was a stack of what appeared to be Thomas More Weasley jumpers.

"There you lot are,"Percy said."We 're doing a picture of the solid family in our jumpers."He tossed one to each of his children and then one each to Albus and rosiness."Get changed and get downstairs."

"Are they all initial jumpers this year ?"Georgia asked as she held hers up. It was grey with a purple'G .'

"Must be,"Albus said as he yanked off the jumper he was wearing and pulled on his new one. It was naughty with a gold'A .'

"Bet it 's to hit us look like a cheesy folk,"Thomas Bradley muttered as he changed.

Once they 'd all changed Albus and rosebush followed their cousin-german back down to the den. Amanda followed as well, but she lingered on the stairs, clearly not wanting to be dragged into anymore photograph.

Albus 's entire family was posed in half the den. The lensman was running around making small allowance, which Albus thinking was pointless. There was no way he was going to get thirty-two people to all look at the camera and smile nicely at the same fourth dimension.

The photographer noticed Albus, Rose, Georgia, Omar Bradley, and Cedric and shoved Albus in between James and Lily, who were sitting right in the middle, on the floor.

"Lovely !"the photographer exclaimed a few instant later. He ran to the other incline of the elbow room and stuck his header behind the television camera."Everyone smiling ! Beautiful !"He took scads of pictures and Albus soon grew tired of sitting still and smiling.

"Wonderful !"the reporter shouted once the lensman finally finished."I think we 've got what we need. I wish you all a happy Christmas. The article should be out just after New Year's."

"I thought she was staying for tomorrow, too,"Albus whispered to Rose.

blush wine shrugged."Maybe she got enough from just one night. Either that or she got overwhelmed."

Percy walked the reporter and photographer out of the Burrow, thanking them profusely as he did so.

"Bedtime, everyone !"mollie shouted.

No one objected. It had certainly been the unusual Yuletide Eve gathering the Weasley fellowship had ever had and Albus was very lots looking forward to tomorrow, when thing would get back to some semblance of normal. Albus walked up to bed with pink wine and Amanda, wishing them both skillful night when they reached Uncle Charlie 's old sleeping room, where the two would be staying. James, Ben, Cedric, and Bradley were already in Uncle Ron 's old way when Albus arrived.

"Quidditch tomorrow ?"James River asked as all four boys climbed into their beds.

"You 're going down, ceramicist,"Bradley replied.

"Is that a challenge, Weasley ?"

"Sure is,"Omar Nelson Bradley said.

Yes, tomorrow would be a lot more normal, Albus thought. Quidditch was a Xmas tradition for his mob and goose egg, even his uncle running for Minister, was going to prevent it.
***


"And that 's how we do it in Kenmare !"Georgia exclaimed, having just saved a goal by spinning in midair and hitting the Quaffle back into play by the end of her ling."Kenmare Krazy custodian relocation !"

"You 're still going to fall behind !"Omar Nelson Bradley shouted as he hit one of the Bludgers toward Albus, who dodged it and caught the Quaffle."We 've got shimmy !"

"If Teddy were a actual quester he 'd be playing for a conference squad and not studying to be an Auror !"GA shouted back.

"He 's still not as full as Jesse James,"Tom Bradley said.

"Yeah, I taught Epistle of James everything he knows !"Teddy said as he flew yesteryear, heading toward Georgia 's left goal post."And that 's game !"he shouted, returning with the Snitch clutched in his hand."Aurors have to have invariable vigilance, just like Seekers."

Albus flew to the ground, still holding the Quaffle. It had been a right game, even though his team had lost, but the temperature was dropping and the clouds were rolling in. It was a unspoiled time to head back inside for Christmas Day dinner, especially since the odor of roast Meleagris gallopavo and potatoes had been drifting external for the past half hour.

Tables, already covered in numerous looker of food, had been set up in the kitchen extending into the den while they played. Albus hurried upstairs to change and when he returned, everyone was drifting toward the tabular array. Albus hurried to the seat Rose and Amanda had saved him, which thankfully was nowhere draw near Percy.

"How was Quidditch ?"pink wine asked.

"good,"Albus said."We lost, but slip 's pretty much invincible, so I was n't surprised."

"I 'm surprised he did n't play professionally,"Amanda said.

"He thought about it,"Albus explained."And he had crack, but he deferred them for a year because he was n't sure enough. Then he just decided to bring together the Auror Academy, because of his parents, you know."

"make sense,"Amanda said.

"I 'd wish to make a toast,"Percy announced after everyone was seated. He held up his ice of pumpkin succus."I just want to say thank you, to all of you, for putting up with the reporter yesterday, and for everything you 've done for the military campaign. We only have three month to go, so let 's fix the most of it. keep up all the great work. Here 's to a win in Apr !"

Albus clinked spectacles with pink wine and Amanda and then served himself a large helping of Meleagris gallopavo. This was what he enjoyed the most about Christmas at the Burrow. As he he ate, he listened in on the conversations his cousin, aunty, and uncles were having.

To Albus 's left wing, his aunty Hermione was giving St. James, Cedric, and Ben study crest for their O.W.L.s. The boys were nodding as if they were listening, but Albus knew they were n't. Victoire and teddy bear were holding hands under the table, which was variety of funny story because Victoire was having to eat with her left hand, a acquisition she clearly did not possess. Saint James, Bradley, and Georgia were discussing Quidditch with Uncles George and Ron. Eddie was showing the twins, Lily, and Victor Hugo just how many peas he could fit into his mouth at once. Walker Percy was, of course, discussing the gritty details of his campaign with his married woman and parents. Fred and bull's eye were telling Angie about the secret passageway that lead into the basement of Honeyduke 's. The rest of his family was too far away for Albus to discover what exactly they were saying, but everyone seemed happy.

"This is what it 's really like,"Albus told Amanda."Usually there are a few pranks."

"You missed one other,"pink wine said while Amanda laughed."James put one of those wind-up Pygmy puff of air in Gran 's expectant pot, so while she was chopping vegetables it jumped out and started screeching. Aunt Ginny knew it was James, too. He got chewed out while you were upstairs changing."

"She had no proof !"James cut in."It could feature been Cedric."

"But it was n't,"rose said."It was you."

"James River, did you get word me ?"Hermione asked."I was just saying how you need to start up with your faint subjugate first. Honestly, you should 've started preparing live on twelvemonth. Albus, rosebush, Amanda, are you listening ? You should startle alteration now."

"I started calendar week ago, Mum,"rose wine said.

Hermione smiled."That 's my girl."

"She 'll be prosperous if Henry James starts revising a calendar month before,"Albus whispered to Amanda.

"That would be stupid,"pink wine said."What does he want to do after Hogwarts ? He 'll postulate certain O.W.L.s to get into the right N.E.W.T. classes."

"He 's got no estimation,"Albus said,"except he wants to play Quidditch."

"He 'd break get going,"Rose said.

"Oh, and I suppose you 've got it all figured out, Rose ?"King James asked.

"As a matter of fact, I 'm thinking of getting into psychiatry,"Rose said."Get my healing degree, specializing in psychiatry."

"amercement, then,"James muttered.

"Really ?"Albus asked.

Rose nodded."I 've been thinking about it since summer and it 's really deprivation I want to do."

"Do n't you think you 're a bit Danton True Young to give decided that ?"Albus asked.

"flatness 's sister had it all figured out in fourth year and face where she is now,"rose pointed out.

She did have a peak there, Albus thought. flatness 's sister was well on her way to getting both her healing and brewing level, with only two and a one-half more years to go. Albus did n't even desire to imagine about what he would do after he graduated from Hogwarts. It was too far away.

"I have an announcement to wee-wee !"Gabriella said as she stood up.

The room quieted and everyone turned to front at Gabriella. She was n't usually one to make speeches or announcements during menage dinner party. In fact, she was one of the quieter of Albus 's cousins, certainly not coming near to the spirit level of boisterousness of Omar Bradley, James IV, or Georgia.

"Thanks,"she said."None of you know this yet, since I figured I 'd just evidence you all at once today. I 've decided to move to France."

The room was unsounded, a great deal like it was after Walker Percy announced his spirit to run for minister of religion at the before school dinner. Then, as happened after Walker Percy 's declaration, everyone began to verbalise at once.

"You 're what ?"Bill exclaimed.

"Gabriella, honey !"Fleur shouted, dropping her glass of wine."What prompted this ?"

"The political climate in France is very unfirm,"Percy said."I would n't recommend moving there."

"What are you going to do there ?"Scots heather asked.

Albus was n't at all surprised. Gabriella had spent a few calendar week in France that free fall and seemed to savour it. He was n't certain why her parents seemed so surprised.

"If everyone could just let me lecture !"Gabriella shouted. The elbow room quieted one more than."I 've already cleared it with Grandmere and Grandpere. They 're going to let me stay with them until I get on my understructure. When I painted there this fall it just felt so right. My paintings there were so much adept than the ace I 've painted here-"

"But what will you do for money ?"billhook asked."You know I could still get you that internship. This is crazy."

"Dad, it 's what I want to do. I do n't want to spend everyday in an agency and miss out on life. No offensive activity. picture is what I love. I want to try this."

"But Gabriella, it 's not practical-"Bill began.

"bill,"mollie said quietly."She 's just rebelling a bit. You did the Lapplander when you were her age. Remember the earring ? The whisker ?"

banknote 's fount reddened."It 's not the same, Mum. I had a job. I was n't learning the finer points of being a starving artist !"

"Dad ! I 'm a good artist ! I 'm not going to famish !"

"You know my parents would never let her famish,"Fleur said.

"That 's not the breaker point. The point is that she should be doing something rich. When Victoire was her age-"

"I 'm not Victoire !"Gabriella exclaimed. She turned and left the elbow room, running up the stairs. A few here and now later a door slammed.

billhook made to get up, but Victoire put her manus on his shoulder, forcing him back into his posterior."Dad, I 'll go."

The room lapsed into uncomfortable secrecy after Victoire took off after her sister. Albus was slightly shocked at his uncle 's dislike of Gabriella 's programme. Albus had always thought of Bill as his cool uncle, the uncle who would be supportive of whatever his Kyd wanted to do. But now he was acting just like Hotspur had about GA 's desire to be a Quidditch player.

"I support you, measure,"Sir Henry Percy said pompously."Artist is not a career. You 've got to fight this. Went through the same thing with Georgia-"

"Really, Dad ?"Empire State of the South asked."After the past few month of going to my games and making the press think you 're supportive of my dreams, you still do n't think I should fiddle Quidditch ?"

"Quidditch, like painting, is a hobby,"Sir Henry Percy said."It 's not a career."

"You 're unbelievable !"Peach State exclaimed."The reinforcement, the cheering, it 's all pretender, is n't it ?"

"Georgia-"

"You know what, Dad ? Do n't even bother."GA stood up and left the table in a similar manner to Gabriella.

"This,"Albus whispered to Amanda,"is not normal."

"I thought Gabriella liked Uncle Percy 's pretender backup,"Jesse James muttered.

"Well, she did at first but she probably thought there was no way he could fake it for so long and not set out to issue forth around. She surely thought it was rattling by now,"Rose said.

"You 're going to make a good shrink,"Albus said.

"Yeah, you can start with Uncle Percy,"James II said.

"Energy anyone want pudding ?"grannie asked.


A/N : Thanks for all the reassessment !


Never before had Albus experienced such an awkward Dec 25 dinner, and that included the time his auntie Katherine went into task with Eddie at the tabular array. After Gabriella and Sakartvelo stormed out, nanna served pudding to the remaining family members, but everyone ate in secrecy. Albus, pink wine, and Amanda ate as fast as they could and then escaped to the one place they did n't recollect anyone else would go- the loft.

The Classical Greek of the Burrow was exchangeable to an archaeological site. It contained bed of Weasley house account and if you dug deep enough you could even retrieve motion picture of Uncle Bill when he was a baby. It used to firm a ghoul, but the ghoul died twelvemonth before Albus was born. Albus did n't go up in the attic much anymore, but when he was little it had made an excellent hiding spot.

"I never realized how like Gabriella and Georgia were,"Albus said once they 'd shut the attic door.

"I never realized how alike Uncle Percy and Uncle government note were,"Rose replied."I never thought Uncle Bill would respond like that."

"Me either,"Albus agreed."Let 's not tattle about it. I just want to do something fun."

"Let 's drama Monopoly,"Amanda said."It 's a Muggle plot. I brought it from my house."

Albus and rose readily agreed and soon the three were playing monopoly in the garret. It took Albus and Rose a little while to get the hang of the money, which was based on Muggle money, but once they did, it was very fun. Albus 's favorite thing about it was how long it took. They spent hours on one game and by the time Amanda beat him and Rose, almost all of his crime syndicate was asleep.

By breakfast the next morning nearly everything had blown over. half of his aunts and uncles had left because they had to go to work and the former half were in the appendage of getting prepare to leave. Some of his cousins were still there, but quite a few had left. When Albus went downstairs he noticed his uncle Bill and aunt Fleur having a public lecture with Gabriella over disk of sausages. Albus paused in the doorway, waiting for them to finish.

"We do n't want you to think we are n't supportive of your art,"Bill said."We are. Both of us. I just want to know you 're going to be okay."

"I am, Dad,"Gabriella said."I 'll be staying with Grandmere and Grandpere."

"That 's reassuring,"greenback said."And I did overreact finally night."

Fleur snorted."Yes, I 'd say you did."

"I certainly do n't want you to think I 'm anything like your uncle Percy,"government note whispered."I 'd never try and stop you from pursuing your dream."

"wellspring, painting in France is my dream for now,"Gabriella said adamantly.

"Then we 'll support you,"posting said. Fleur nodded in agreement."I 'm sorry for overreacting last nighttime. I think we were all on boundary from the reporter."

"Thanks, Dad,"Gabriella said.

"When were you planning on leaving ?"Fleur asked.

"After that Ministry party. Ca n't miss that or Uncle Percy would go insane."

"The weekend after that, then,"flier said."We want to help you move."

Gabriella nodded."Thanks."

placard stood up and gave his daughter a hug."I 've got to get to work, but I 'll see you at house later. I love you, Gabby."

"Love you, too, Dad,"Gabriella said as she hugged him back.

Albus walked into the kitchen as his uncle left, grabbing a few sausages and a cinnamon bun on his way to the tabular array. He was relieved that Uncle vizor and Gabriella came to an agreement, especially one that involved Gabriella still moving to France. He wanted his cousin to be glad and he still wanted to think of Bill as his chill uncle.

Albus returned to Grimmauld Place later that day and it only took him a few hr of boredom to start his vacation reading. pink wine and Amanda had returned to Rose 's house, so without them, he was forced to be fat. In fact, Albus was actually looking forward to the Ministry party for the exclusive ground that he 'd get to see rose wine and flatness.

The few twenty-four hour period in between Boxing Day and New class 's Eve were fairly uneventful, especially compared with Christmas day. Georgia and Uncle Percy still had n't made up and Empire State of the South came over for a candid with Albus 's mum the day before the party. Albus often forgot that his mum used to play master Quidditch and would be the perfective tense mortal for Georgia to seek advice from.

Albus attempted to hear in on their conversation via extendible Ear, but his mum must 've put an interperbabble spell on the kitchen doorway because he could n't find out a affair. Dejected, he put away his extendible Ear and returned to reading his Transfiguration book.

Shortly after Georgia left James walked in the back threshold with a grin on his face.

"What are you so glad about ?"Albus asked.

"Mum forgot to put the charm on the window,"James said."I heard everything."

"fountainhead, secernate me what you heard !"Albus said as he closed his book.

"I do n't roll in the hay ...."

"seminal fluid on, Saint James the Apostle,"Albus said."If you do I wo n't tell Mum and Dad what you 're planning on doing to the punch at the party tomorrow."

"fine,"James River muttered as he sat down."Basically, Georgia 's still mad at Uncle Percy and does n't want to go to the company tomorrow. Mum convinced her that she needs to demand the high road and be supportive of Uncle Percy even though he is n't being supportive of her. And she said there 's no mystical to getting him to recognize Quidditch as a valid career. He just has to realize it on his own and all Georgia can do is be the best player she can and support herself and not ask him for money. But then she reminded GA that grandfather was very supportive of her Quidditch career."

"goose egg too exciting, then,"Albus said.

"Nope, not really,"King James I agreed."Going to hold for an worry party, though."

"That 's for sure,"Albus said.
***


"Is the rector 's Mansion glowing blue ?"Albus asked as he followed his parents up the winding path to the mansion.

It was New Year 's Eve and the potter were slightly former for the party, as usual. This prison term James had not been the ground ; they were late because Ginny had had to lengthen Albus 's robes last min.

"It looks that way,"Harry answered."wait until you see the interior. The election New twelvemonth 's Eve party at the rector 's Mansion is one of the rarefied occasions the Ministry puts on, only beaten out by the party that will carry place for the succeeder of the election. It 's going to be far fancy than the political party for Mr. Eckerton lowest year."

Albus nodded. As they drew closer to the mansion Albus noticed that the blueing light seemed to stem from the earth, illuminating the sign as it went upward, but he could not see where the luminosity came from. It looked to just look out of the reason. The path itself was lined with silver candles.

The door was already open when they reached the end of the path. A man dressed in a good dinner jacket with hind end stood in the doorway and he took Ginny and Lily 's wraps while another man led the Potters into the sublime dance hall.

The ballroom was already filled to mental ability and Albus noticed that nearly one-half of the people in attending were his aunts, uncles, and cousin. The ballroom itself was lit by silver standard candle similar to the one that lined the path outside. The windows were draped in heavy navy curtains tied with silver ropes and matching linens dressed the table and chairs scattered throughout the room. Larger tables containing platters of food stood in the center of the way, each one holding an ice sculpture. The sculptures were of various historical edifice in wizarding Britain, including one of Hogwarts.

waiter dressed in the same black tie as the wizards by the door walked throughout the way carrying plates of food and drink. After taking a look at some of the intellectual nourishment they carried, Albus wondered if there was anything normal or if it was just fancy hors d'oeuvres.

"Before you all take off to observe your cousins,"Harry began, staring Thomas More at his sons than at Lily."James, absolutely no pranks. Albus, no sneaking off to other division of the mansion or going outside this class. Promise me, both of you."

"I promise,"Albus and Saint James the Apostle each mumbled.

"All right, you may go,"Harry said."And preserve an eye out for your new full cousin. Make for sure they 're not getting into trouble."

Albus nodded and then slipped into the crowd in search of Matt, Rose, and something to eat that did not resemble something his aunty Fleur 's mother would establish. He finally wound up at the dessert tabular array where he found both a large opus of chocolate cake and his friends.

"Albus, there you are !"rose wine said."We 've been here for an hour already."

"Mum had to lengthen my robes,"Albus said in between bites of cake.

"I 'm not surprised. You grew a foot in the past times year,"rose wine commented.

"Seriously, you 've got to stop,"Matt said."You make me look like a second year."

"Is everyone else here ?"Albus asked as they walked over to a mostly empty board. Its only occupant was a very old man who seemed to be taking a nap.

Rose nodded."Even GA showed up. But I did find out that the only reason we were all invited was to make Uncle Hotspur look like more of a crime syndicate man."

"Really ?"Albus asked."I thought it was just because families of the candidates were always invited."

"No. Usually it 's only immediate family fellow member, plus all the fountainhead of departments and top Ministry officials and their families. So not all of us were going to be invited at first. It 's to make us attend like a very close knit family."

"You are a close knitting family,"flatness said."It 's like you 're all brothers and sis rather than cousins."

"But Uncle Percy never really involved any of us in his Ministry career before,"Albus pointed out."Anyway, Matt, how was your Christmas Day ?"

"good,"flatness said."pink wine already told me about yours. Sounded much more interesting than mine. My grandparents came to bring down and they went home yesterday. Mum and Cinda argued over the fact that we do n't call them enough anymore and then Mum and Amy argued over the fact that Amy never comes home except for holiday. Dad, Richard, and I just stayed out of it. I swear, those three could argue over nothing."

"auditory sensation like yours was interesting then,"Albus said.

mat shrugged."Honestly, it 's been rather boring at home."

"I 'm ready to get back to Hogwarts,"Albus said."Is Amy here ?"

"Yeah, she 's off with Victoire and shift,"matte said.

"Oh, by the way, do n't drink the clout,"Albus warned them."James is planning to put something in it."

"What ?"Rose asked.

"I do n't make love, but it 'll probably be 144,"Albus said.

"If your uncle wins your cousins will get to live here,"Matt said as he gazed around the room."Weird to think about. This place looks bigger than my old house."

"It probably is,"blush wine said."And you 're right, that is weird to think about."

The old man let out a razzing and woke up. His centre darted around until they rested on Albus, Rose, and lustrelessness."Who are you three ?"he demanded.

"Er, I 'm Albus Potter and that 's rose wine Weasley and Matt Eckerton,"Albus said.

His face softened."Oh, decent to come across you ! I 'm Gregory Laurentis. My daughter 's running for Minister. Could not be prouder, but I suppose she 's running against your uncle. Albus potter, Merlin 's beard ! I told patty, I told her she was nuts to run against Percy Weasley what with him being related to Harry Potter himself, but her political party picked her to run so I suppose there was nothing I could do about it. And she could n't turn down that chance ...."

Albus glanced at rosebush and Matt while Laurnetis 's dad continued to rattle on about how gallant he was of his daughter, yet marvel at her betise for running against someone related to Harry ceramist. He was rather funny, Albus thought.

"This place is too blessed fancy,"Hildebrand Laurnetis muttered as he fingered the tablecloth."And the food, my God, what I would n't give for some bangers and mash ...."

Albus stifled a laugh, but he did agree with the old man."I think I hear one of my full cousin calling me,"Albus said."We 'd ameliorate go."

"Oh, right, right,"Gregory Laurentis said."I do n't try anything, but then again my hearing 's so bad these twenty-four hours. well, good fate to your uncle, then. Not that he 'll need it !"

"trade good circumstances to your girl, too,"Albus said as he stood up.

All three burst out laughing as soon as they were out of hearing of Gregory Laurentis. A few Ministry officials looked at them strangely as they did so, but Albus did n't like.

"Albus !"lusterlessness suddenly whispered."Is that Balladanis over there ?"matt pointed to the far back corner, where a man in plain black robes stood with his blazon folded across his chest.

Albus peered at the man for a few moments."Yeah, I think it is."

"What 's he doing here ?"Matt asked.

"Probably in case of an attack,"Rose said."Every prominent Ministry official is in this room right now. There 's probably Aurors stationed at every doorway outside, too."

"Do n't let him see us,"Matt said as he grabbed both Albus and rosebush and pulled them behind a boastfully radical of mass."Can we just go somewhere else ?"

Albus glanced at Balladanis and then back at mat, who looked more than a picayune queasy. Albus did n't blame him. After live year 's scandal with Balladanis, it was no admiration lustrelessness never wanted to see the man again. Albus thought briefly of what his dad told him when they got there, but pushed the promise from his judgement. If Matt did n't want to be in the Saame room as Balladanis, then Albus was just going to take in to break his promise.

"cum on,"rosebush said before Albus could reply. She took Albus and Matt 's hands and pulled them through the crowd. She let them go once they reached the corridor.

The corridor was much quieter than the ballroom. Albus had n't even realized just how brassy the dance palace was until now. Between the music and hoi polloi 's phonation, it was a wonder he 'd even been able-bodied to think in there.

"Thanks,"Matt said quietly."He just gives me the creeps."

"No problem,"blush wine said."Where should we go ?"

"We could try and find that library again,"Albus suggested.

blush wine and Matt nodded and the three set off down the corridor. It took them XV minutes and three improper turns to encounter the depository library and once they got there, they saw that it was already occupied by none other than Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric.

"We 've got to stop using the same hiding topographic point,"Georgia said with a laugh as they entered."Just joking. Come on in."

Rose shut the threshold behind them and they joined Georgia, Thomas Bradley, and Cedric on the other side of the room.

"Sick of the party ?"Georgia asked.

"We saw Balladanis,"matte said quietly as he sat down."Did n't desire him to notice us."

Georgia shuddered."Do n't blame you there, especially since your dad is the reason he got sacked."

"I sort of liked him,"Omar Nelson Bradley said.

flatness looked at him like he was insane."Are you kidding ?"

Bradley shrugged."Nope. I 'm not terribly upset he 's gone, but he was form of cool."

"You 're mad,"Matt said.

"What about you three ? What drove you to the library ?"Albus asked, wanting to stave off an disceptation between his best friend and cousin.

"Decided to explore the sign of the zodiac,"Cedric said."If we 're going to have to hold out here, we wanted to see what we 'd be getting into."

"And what do you think ?"Rose asked.

"Living here would n't be so bad,"Cedric said."Bradley and I would n't sustain to share a way. Neither would Samantha and Lindy, for that matter."

"I told you, one of you can have got my room,"Georgia said.

"Dad wo n't let us,"Omar Bradley replied."Says you 're going to follow back when Quidditch stops paying off."

Georgia groaned."Really, the faith he has in me is incredible."

"We met Laurentis 's dad,"Albus said.

Georgia burst out laughing."Seriously ?"

Albus nodded and told the story. All three of his cousins were laughing by the prison term he finished.

"I may have to go back out there just so I can run across him,"Georgia said, still laughing.

"He sounds like a very interesting bloke,"Omar Bradley said.

lusterlessness got up from his hot seat and began wandering around the subroutine library. He paused by the doorway, as if listening.

"What are you doing ?"Albus asked.

"I heard something,"Matt whispered."Shut up, all of you."

Georgia immediately stopped laughing and all five of them stopped talking. mat 's heart grew big and he hurried back over."person 's coming !"

"I do n't hear any-"Bradley began.

"Sshhh !"Albus said as he jumped up."trust him on this. We 've got to hide."

"There 's a water closet,"rose wine said as she hurried to open the door."It 's not very big-"

"Department of Energy n't weigh,"lusterlessness said."Hurry, get inside."

Albus just started hearing the vocalism as they hurried inside the W.C.. It was a very closely hug and rose was stepping on his left foot, but he said nada as he shut the door. Two sec later he heard the door to the library open.

"It 's not working !"a cleaning lady said. Her voice was muffled ; Albus could barely make out what she said, let alone who she was.

"I ca n't try anything,"Cedric whispered."Is this door solid mahogany or something ?"

"Shut up !"lusterlessness seethed. He had his ear pressed to the door.

"The one sentence I do n't contribute any Extendables with me,"Cedric muttered.

Albus pressed his ear up against the door. The voices were still muffled, but he could hear.

"I told you they 'd eat up the whole house man matter,"another vocalisation said. This one was male person."Not to mention he 's Harry potter 's brother-in-law for God 's sake !"

"Harry Potter is an incompetent moron and you know it,"the woman replied."He 's famous for something he did as a nipper and the general public is stupefied to still think of him as the champion of the wizarding populace. He 's gone soft."

"It 's Laurentis !"mat said.

"How can you recite ?"Thomas Bradley asked."This door is so bloody thick."

"I just can,"Matt said.

Albus could n't tell that the representative was Laurentis 's, but based on what she was saying, Matt was flop.

"Well, what am I supposed to do about it ?"the man said.

"We 've got to call up of something,"Laurentis said."The Azkaban debate is in a week. I 'm sure you can believe of something to do for that."

"I think that 's her campaign manager,"Matt said.

"She sounds awful,"Albus said.

"It should n't be that severe. All we have to do is expose Weasley for what he really is and get everyone to gain potter 's not the champion they all think he is,"Laurentis said.

"And who is Weasley, then ?"

"A pompous idiot !"Laurentis exclaimed."You do n't really buy the unhurt fact that he supports his daughter 's Quidditch career, do you ? I 've seen the way she looks at him and there 's no way that 's real."

"You ca n't really know that-"

"I can,"she interrupt."I can translate people, Pierce. That 's why I got into politics. It 's all about reading mass and figuring out the Trygve Lie from the the true. See what you can dig up. We 'd better paying back to the political party. I left my father alone with Minister Langston. That wo n't turn out well."

"Yes, Ms. Laurentis,"President Pierce replied.

Albus heard the phone of high cad on hardwood base, the room access creak undefended, and then fall into place shut again. He waited two full second and then opened the door to the closet. Everyone hurried out.

"What was that ?"Matt demanded."What is she up to ?"

"How did you catch all that ?"Bradley asked."Do you have super homo earreach or something ?"

"Or something,"mat muttered,"but never mind that. Laurentis knows your dad 's putting on an act and is going to try to expose him."He turned to Albus."And she is going to try and turn the wizarding world against your dad."

"She 's insane !"Albus exclaimed.

"You 've got to tell your uncle-"matte began.

"No way,"GA said loudly."confidence me, all he 'll do is blame me for not playing my section well enough. This is n't leaving this room."

"But she 's going to sabotage his hunting expedition,"Albus said.

"Georgia 's rightfulness,"Rose said."It wo n't help anything. Campaigns are half about digging up dirt on the other candidate. Anything she says about Uncle Harry, no one will think it unless they 're an idiot. Anyone with half a head knows he runs the Auror Department well."

"If anyone says anything he 'll just get mad at us for spying,"Tom Bradley added.

"Not to honorable mention we 're not technically allowed in here,"Cedric pointed out.

"Oh, right,"Albus said."My dad did puddle me promise not to leave the ballroom."

"No one 's saying anything,"Georgia said."And I think we 'd all bettor get back to the ballroom, just in case anyone notices we 're all gone.


Thanks for all the reviews ! Remember to keep them 12+. Props to all who caught the 'mahogany'Hunger Games source. Credit for that goes to Suzanne William Wilkie Collins. If any of you are phallus of the forum ( and if you 're not, you should be, link up on the justly slope of the page ! ), feel free to tick out my Meet the source page ! It 's linked on my author Page. Please ask me questions on my MTA page since I love answering them !


When they returned to the dance hall Albus was pleased to see that Balladanis was nowhere in peck. Perhaps he left to patrol the basis. Albus did n't really care ; all that mattered was that he was n't there anymore. Judging by the bunch in the room, no one else had left yet, and they all seemed a bit more boisterous, near likely due to the beverage.

Walker Percy accosted them before they were even able to get to the desert mesa to reload their plates with cake. He walked with purpose, similarly to the way he had walked when he took Albus and his protagonist to Kendrick 's study. He seemed very at home in the Minister 's Mansion and it was n't even his yet.

"Georgia !"he said."There you are. I 've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was in the loo. Something you need, Dad ?"Georgia asked.

"Er, yes, actually,"Percy replied."I need you to take Samantha and Lindy home. It 's nearly xi and your mother and I are going to be here well preceding midnight. Samantha ate too much bar and tactile property ill. I just think it would be undecomposed for them to go home base and get some nap. They 're over at that table."Hotspur gestured to a nearby table, where Samantha and Lindy were sitting, both with their foreland in their hands, looking extremely bored.

Georgia raised her supercilium, as if surprise that Harry Hotspur was actually going to not only let three of his children leave, but request that they do so. Albus was surprised he 'd even guess about the fact that it was n't really a party for two nine-year-olds.

"Yeah, I can take them home,"Georgia said.

"What about us ?"Bradley asked, gesturing to himself and Cedric."Could n't we subscribe them home ?"

"I 'd rather Sakartvelo do it,"Percy said."You do n't even have your specter license yet, Cedric. And Thomas Bradley, you just got yours. You 're not ready to side-along Apparate two people."

"They do have open fireplace here, Dad,"Omar Bradley muttered.

"Georgia 's taking them, and the two of you are staying here,"Percy said adamantly."Thank you, Georgia."

"You 're welcome,"Sakartvelo said as Percy strutted off to verbalize to some Ministry official."Ha !"she said once he was out of earshot."I get to leave."

"Shut up,"Cedric said."I 'm going to go find James."

Sakartvelo headed over to the board her sisters were sitting at while Thomas Bradley and Cedric disappeared into the crowd. Albus, Matt, and Rose wandered over to the dessert table, piled a shell high school with the biscuits a waiter had just set out, and then set off to notice another board. They found one, which Victoire, slip, and Amy were vacating.

"Where are you three off to ?"Albus asked.

"We 've got early round of drinks tomorrow,"Victoire said."Five in the morning time. If we 're favorable we 'll get four hours of sleep."

"I do n't see a great deal point in staying if they 're not here,"teddy said."Technically I was n't even invited, but seeing as I 'm Harry ceramicist 's Godson, no one was going to kick me out."

Albus laughed."See you later, then."

After Victoire, Teddy, and Amy left Albus sat down and his friend sat on either side. He absentmindedly chewed on a cooky and watched the crowd.

"Do these taste funny story to you ?"lusterlessness asked, holding up a partially consume biscuit.

Albus took another bite. They did taste Weird."Yeah."

rose burst out laughing and started pointing at their heads."I think William James messed with the biscuits instead of the poke. Al, your whisker is dark and Matt, yours is green."

Albus and matte both started laughing. Albus took another look at the crowd."Look, that Lady 's pilus is imperial !"He pointed to a witch a few yards away. The bloke she was talking to was clearly trying not to stare at her head.

Over the next few bit people gradually began to realize that their whisker was turning various colors and that the biscuit were the perpetrator. Wands appeared everywhere, as the guests charmed each other 's hair back to its normal colour. Another min later Albus spotted both of his parents walking around the perimeter of the room, clearly looking for King James I, but he was nowhere in sight.

"I like this prank,"Albus said."I 'm leaving my hair as is."

"Me too,"Matt agreed. They both turned to Rose."You should eat one."

Rose sighed."Might as well."She took a cooky and a minute later her formerly red tomentum was a lovely nicety of pink.

The rest of the company was rather boring. Harry eventually found Saint James and told him he 'd be staying in his room for the balance of the vacation, only being allowed out for meal. When midnight rolled around Albus, Matt, and rosebush toasted to the new year with Lily and Hugo. matt and his parents left immediately afterward and Albus and his house left a short while later. Albus was relieved to be going base since the night had been exhausting, and he still could n't get the conversation he overheard in the subroutine library out of his mind.
***


"It 's here !"Saint James shouted the next morning at breakfast, brandishing a copy of Wizards magazine. The presence natural covering was a picture of Albus 's grandparents, his mum, Uncle Hotspur, Uncle circular, Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, and Uncle Ron.

"Let me see it !"Albus shouted.

"No, I got it first !"James II shouted back.

"I want to study it first !"Lily exclaimed.

"Kids, settle down !"Ginny said."James got it first. Al can read it next, and then Lily."

"Not fair,"Lily muttered."I 'm never first."

That was a lie, Albus thought to himself. It was either James or Lily who got things first, never Albus. Curse of being the middle baby, he figured.

Albus sat and ate his breakfast while James I read the clause. His blood brother let out groans and sighs and even laughter while he read, which made Albus even more anxious to read it. After what seemed like forever, it was finally Albus 's tour. He yanked the magazine out of James River 's hand and opened it up to the article.

The first pageboy ( or rather, first two pageboy ), contained the scene of his entire family. Albus had been right in guessing that there was no way the photographer could 've take a photo that they all looked good in. Albus himself at least looked middle decent. He was smiling and kept turning to look at pink wine and then back to the camera. Lily on the other handwriting, was caught mid-grimace and always returned to that amaze every few minute. Across the photograph was the name of the article- 'Christmas With the Weasleys .'Albus turned the page and looked at all the other picture that accompanied the clause before reading it. There was one of Hotspur, Corrine, and their kids. Another featured Percy and Albus 's dad. Then there was the one with him playing Exploding snatch with the twins and Percy, as well as the one with Hotspur and Amanda playing chess game. The legend on that read 'Minister wannabee Percy Weasley challenges the Prime parson 's niece to a game of Bromus secalinus .'Amanda was not going to be happy, Albus thought as he turned his attending to the article.

When I first entered the childhood home of Sir Henry Percy
Weasley I immediately noticed the delicious flavor
that filled the air. molly Weasley, Walker Percy 's mother,
was intemperately at work cooking Xmas Eve dinner party. The
small, but cozy, menage was filled to capacitance with
Weasleys, although it only grew more crowded with
the arrival of the thrower an hour later.

The Weasley family gathering for Xmas at the
domicile of Chester Alan Arthur and mollie Weasley every year.
Arthur, a retired Ministry employee, says ,'I
love having the entire kinsperson together. It 's
chaotic, but I would n't have got it any other way .'
The evening begins with a meal, although eating
seems to take place over many hours. The standard pressure
is homy and happy, with every ace family
phallus enjoying their prison term with each former.

Walker Percy Weasley, a loving Father of the Church of five, joint in
on the fun and Christmas spirit by challenging
his nine-year-old girl Samantha and Lindy,
as well as nephew Albus Potter, 14, to a game
of Exploding gingersnap .'I feel it 's important to
spend time with my youngster, as well as my nieces
and nephews ,'Weasley said, 'we have such little
time with them before they go off to Hogwarts.
My firstborn is already out on her own and my sons
only have a little meter left at Hogwarts. The
twins are still young, so I try to expend time
with them every single day .'When asked
about their father 's effort, Samantha said,
'I want him to win. He 's good at his job .'
Lindy merely shrugged, 'It would be sang-froid if he
wins, but he 'll still just be Dad to us .'

The home of Chester A. Arthur and mollie Weasley is not
only open to Weasleys at Christmas prison term. This
year they were joined by a booster of Albus Potter
and rose Weasley, 14. Amanda tagger, also 14, is
a fourth yr educatee at Hogwarts. tagging program is no
stranger to political folk since her uncle
is Michael Smythe, Prime diplomatic minister of Great
U.K. .'I think it is just marvellous that
the flush minister 's niece is a witch ,'Harry Hotspur
said. 'We are always trying to promote a
respectable human relationship with the Muggle Ministry
and this will only help .'

Before posing for the photograph found on Page
20 and 21, the Weasley family first donned
their Weasley jumpers. Each member of the family
receives one of these jumpers for Christmas
every year. The traditional jumpers are knitted
by Molly Weasley .'I 'm not sure how it started,
really ,'Molly said, when asked about the origin
of the jumper ,'I suppose it was when Bill and
Charlie were small, before Hotspur was born. I
wanted to rumple them matching jumpers and they
outgrew them by the following year, so I made
new one. Then when Percy was born he needed one
so it soon grew into a yearly thing .'

If I had to choose one word to key the Weasley
family, I would choose 'laid-back .'Spending a
Noel Eve with this family, you would never
think that they were notable for their endeavour in
the war against Voldemort. They are just so normal.
eve Harry thrower, caput Auror, is just your
average father. He spends Christmas Eve joking
around with his brothers-in-law and playing secret plan
with his youngster, nieces, and nephews. I asked
him what a typical Xmas day is like in the
Weasley home and he responded with, 'Quidditch.
We live for Quidditch. No thing the weather we
get out there every Christmastide and make for a mate or
two. Then we 'll come inside and have dinner, all
of us together. It 's simple, but perfect .'

There you have it. Christmastide with the Weasleys
summed up in one condemnation by none early than Harry
Potter himself. I thoroughly enjoyed spending
Christmas Eve with Percy Weasley and his entire
class. adjacent sentence I interview him, I really must
ask for his mother 's sheepman 's pie recipe. It
truly is wonderful.

"Really ?"Albus asked after handing the magazine to Lily."After all that ? She interviewed half the folk and only quoted a few of us ?"

"I 'm guessing the rest could n't really be used for the case of article she was going for,"James pointed out."poster how she only included stuff Samantha and lindy said."

"And she made it seem like the lensman just happened to direct word picture of us playing games with Uncle Percy,"Albus said."All of that was staged."

"That 's journalism,"Ginny said."Not good journalism, mind you, but it is fairly mutual practice."

"I guess it could have been worse,"Albus said.

"Yes, it could possess been,"Ginny agreed."I think we 're all just thankful she did n't stay for Christmas dinner."

James laughed."I wonder how she would 've twirl that. I 'm bewilder no one 's figured out that Uncle Walker Percy does n't really like that Sakartvelo plays Quidditch."

"bread and butter your mouth shut about that, St. James,"Ginny said quietly.

"Anyone with half a brain could see it,"James muttered.

Albus said nada. He still was n't completely sure that saying aught about Laurentis figuring that out was the right matter to do. But he could n't exactly say anything, not when all his full cousin and Matt had agreed not to.

"Henry James,"Ginny said."sufficiency. And I suggest you use the balance of your fracture to contemplate for those O.W.L.s. June is a lot sooner than you think."

James River certainly did a in effect job of pretending to study for the balance of the holiday, while shut up in his room for his penalization. Albus noticed that while he always had a book cracked undetermined nearby, to grab when one of their parents walked into the room, it was always the Sami record, opened to the same page. Albus was amazed neither of his parents realized that, but he supposed both of them had their minds on Percy 's election. Albus finished all his homework before the weekend, leaving him with two blissful Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of doing zippo. On Saturday he, along with his parents, James, and Lily, visited Kaden and his family unit for a deep Christmas and New twelvemonth 's celebration. Albus was relieved that Kaden 's grandparents were n't there.

Monday arrived and it was prison term to go back to Hogwarts. Albus was quite happy about this because he had grown bored of staying at abode and doing zero and was sick of being in such finis quarters with St. James and Lily. At least in Gryffindor tug they kept to their own mathematical group of friends. But mostly, Albus wanted to get Amanda 's take on the conversation they overheard at the Minister 's Mansion.

"Everyone 's staring at me,"Amanda said as she entered the compartment Albus, blush wine, lusterlessness, John, and Kaden were occupying."Took me ages to find you, just because masses kept wanting to mouth to me. It 's that stupid cartridge article. Now everyone knows I 'm the Prime Minister 's niece."

"It was bound to happen Oklahoman or later,"rosiness pointed out."But I 'm regretful. If I 'd screw the reporter was going to talk about that, I would n't have invited you for Christmas."

"No, it 's okay,"Amanda said as she sat down."I 'm sword lily I went. It 's just annoying. Guess I know how it feels to be you lot."

"Except us,"St. John said as he gestured to himself and Kaden."We 're normal."

"You 're normal, trick,"Amanda said."But Kaden 's Harry Potter 's first cousin once removed or something."

"And that really makes me question how I got wrapped up in all this,"John said."My parents just are n't nearly as challenging as yours all are."

"How was that party, by the way ?"Amanda asked.

"Mostly drilling,"Albus said."But we did wrap up in a tiny closet with my first cousin Georgia, Tom Bradley, and Cedric and overheard a conversation between Laurentis and her drive manager."

"You what ?"Saint John exclaimed."And you did n't think that warranted an owl ?"

"We wanted to tell you in person,"Albus said."The conversation was really weird."

"Tell us !"Amanda said.

Albus explained what he overheard, with supporter from lusterlessness, who had been able to find out it a bit Thomas More clearly. John and Kaden looked slightly uncomfortable when they finished, but Amanda did n't appear at all surprised or upset.

"That ca n't be secure,"lavatory said."What do you think she 's planning ?"

"That 's just it, I do n't know,"Albus said."And all my cousins and lusterlessness agreed not to say anything-"

"They 're right on, of course,"Amanda said."You 'd just stir up worry. Your uncle has got to focus on convincing people he 's the right one for the job, not discrediting everything Laurentis says."

"But she 's going to try and convert everyone my dad 's a bad Auror,"Albus pointed out.

"Your dad is n't running for parson,"Amanda said."And honestly, I do n't imagine she 's going to be able to convince all of wizarding Britain that your dad 's incompetent person by April."

"But what about the Georgia thing-"

"Albus,"Amanda said as she stared directly at him,"this is what political leader do. Half the hunting expedition is spent trying to convert citizenry the opposite is bad for the job. As much as it should just be spent on trying to convert people they 're right for the job, prospect just do n't do that. cartel me. My uncle 's on his second term. I know how these things work."

"I guess,"Albus said. He felt slightly better about it, now that he had Amanda 's opinion, but he still felt unquiet."Something is going to materialise at the Azkaban debate, though. She wanted her run manager to dig something up."

"Worst character scenario, she figures out that your uncle Walker Percy does n't really okay of Georgia 's Quidditch vocation,"Amanda said."Then he 'll generate an interview and say that at first he was n't because he was distressed about her future but then he saw her play and now he realizes how good she is and fustian, fustian, fustian. It 'll be fixed."

"She 's good, Albus,"pink wine said. The others nodded.

"How do you get it on all this ?"Albus asked."I mean, seriously."

"I 'm an excellent eavesdropper,"Amanda said with a grin."And all without Extendable Ears."

"Amazing,"John the Divine agreed.

"It 's simple, really,"Amanda said."Be the kid in your family that goes unnoticed. My older sister is the play queen, so everything that happens to her, no matter how small, is a huge slew. My minuscule brother is a brat who demands incessant care. Me ? I 'm the quiet one. They 'll have unscathed conversations about stuff in movement of me that they 'd never deliver in front of either my brother or sister."

Kaden laughed."Bet that changed when you found out you were a witch."

"At beginning, but then me being a beldame became normal,"Amanda said.

lusterlessness let out a low whistle."wish well I had that skill. I still ca n't even go into the same room as my parents without one of them asking me if I feel okay. Bit of an exaggeration, but still."

"I think my parents drop too much of their childhoods eavesdropping on people to give me a decent opportunity at it,"Albus said."They know all the tricks."

"So do mine,"rose said."I swear my mum can sense an extendable Ear a mile away."

"I think I 'm too flash,"toilet said.

"Lapplander,"Kaden agreed.

"So, would you believe me if I said I actually wanted to go to the Azkaban debate ?"trick asked as he opened a box of Bertie Bott 's Every savour Beans.

pink wine burst out laughing."Really, John ?"

"Yes, really,"John said, popping a edible bean into his mouth."Butter, Wyrd. If Laurentis is going to do something, I want to be right there to witness it."

"Maybe you 'll get lucky and you 'll get picked,"Amanda said."I hope I get picked for one."

"I bet they 'll let you go to all of them now, being the bloom Minister's niece and all,"toilet said.

"Not necessarily,"Amanda said.

"You can always lead my speckle, bathroom,"matt said as he got up to steal a smattering of St. John the Apostle 's Bertie Bott 's."Full Moon 's on Friday, so I wo n't be going."

"Maybe you can win over Madam Pomfrey, since it 's educational,"Kaden said.

lustrelessness popped a bean into his mouth and then promptly spat it out."Ew, turd. Does n't matter what Madam Pomfrey says. Day after the good moon ? I 'll be asleep. You 'll just let to take notes and let me know what happens."

whoremonger groaned."I 'll pass on your spot if I have to take notes."

"Someone 's going to take in to use up tone either way,"Matt said."I 'll need them for the essay that Embry will assign."

"Do n't worry, I 'll ask short letter,"rose wine told him.

"Thanks,"Matt replied."Now, who 's wants this bean plant ? It looks just the likes of dirt, but it could be chocolate."lusterlessness held up a suspiciously dark-brown bean.

"I 'll admit it !"toilet said. He took a flyspeck nibble, screwed up his human face, and threw the residue of the bean back at matte, hitting him square up on the forehead."Thanks, fellow, another dirt."

Albus laughed and took a handful of edible bean. The end of the trip was much more lighthearted than their conversation about the campaign manoeuvre of Laurentis and Walker Percy. They finished off John 's Bertie Bott 's, growing braver as the box emptied. Albus stopped after he got a regurgitation flavored one, but enjoyed it immensely when Kaden ate one of the Saame flavor. The caravan drive went quickly and soon they arrived in Hogsmeade station with Hogwarts, Albus 's arcsecond household, just a short-circuit carriage ride away.


Sorry for the late update ! My cousin-german got married on Friday so I was gone the whole weekend and did n't have my computer with me. Thanks to my sister, Linda, who in my family, is just like Amanda and can listen in on everyone. She gave me the musical theme for that. Thanks for all the cover girl brushup !


"This condition we will pore on how the first and second wars against Voldemort shaped how the Ministry of Magic is organized today,"Professor Embry announced after the bell rang for Tuesday 's political sympathies division."This part of the class will overlap with your History of legerdemain class quite a bit, although I 'd hazard a guesswork that none of you pay attention in chronicle of magic, not that I blame you. I never could abide awake in that course of study either.

"First, we will take a tightlipped look at exactly how the Ministry was organized prior to Voldemort 's upgrade to exponent and why it was such a problem,"Embry continued."Part of the reason why Voldemort was able to resurrect to power as quickly as he did was because the Ministry was susceptible to a takeover. Since then, precautions have been taken to prevent a interchangeable state of affairs. Does anyone know the briny difference of opinion between the Ministry before Voldemort and the Ministry now ?"

A few bridge player went up in the air, including Amanda 's. Albus knew the response, but he did n't really require to raise his hand. He preferred listening during class.

"Yes, Miss Tagger ?"

"The Minister was n't elected,"Amanda said,"which is odd because the Muggle curate is elected, form of. It 's not like in the United state of matter, but the public right to vote on which party will be in power."

"Exactly,"Embry said."Prior to the shakeup of the Ministry of magic in 1998, the government minister was appointed by the Wizengamot. Can anyone severalize me why that is a problem ?"

Amanda 's hand shot into the air once more. She was even faster than Rose in this class.

"Miss tagger ?"

"It was bad because the people had no tycoon. Only the Wizengamot had any power in the Ministry, because they were the ones who appointed the minister, who then appointed all the other officials. No one had any say in anything."

"Right again. Ten peak to Gryffindor,"Embry said."The Wizengamot, prior to 1998, was a mathematical group of very influential witch and wizard, mostly thoroughbred, who essentially ran the Ministry of deception. They also served as the judicial organization. These witches and wizards inherited their seats on the Wizengamot from family members because each influential family in the British people wizarding world once held a buttocks in the Wizengamot. The job with this are obvious because it meant that only purebred and a choose few half-bloods had any gloss of power."

Albus was scribbling furiously. He knew the basics of the political arrangement just from overhearing his parents'conversations, but the particular were blurry. Now that he was learning the gritty details, he wondered why it took so long for the Ministry to be reorganized. It seemed like it was based solely on blood status and how a great deal money mortal had, which was n't right.

Embry continued to excuse the old Ministry and the various power that each person or group of people in the Ministry had prior to Voldemort 's reign. By the end of the lecture Albus had just over a foot of notes, which was just because Embry had already set them an essay.

"Before you leave, I 'll announce who will be attending Saturday 's argument,"Embry said after he finished lecturing."Like stopping point clip, Albus potter, rosiness Weasley, and matte Eckerton will be able-bodied to take care. The two Hufflepuffs who will be attending are Elaine Asterly and Charlie Parker Wayland. The two Gryffindors are Amanda tagging program and Ethan Kesse. You will report to the Great anteroom at ten and wait for instructions from the prefects waiting by the door. Everyone else will be listening to the debate via wireless in the Transfiguration of Jesus classroom. I expect an essay on which nominee you feel made their point better by side by side grade. You are dismissed."

"I guess I wo n't get to go to all the debates after all,"Amanda said as they left the classroom.

"This one will be full, though,"Rose said."You 're lucky they picked you for it."

"Wish I got picked,"John lamented.

"I 'm telling you, just go instead of me,"Matt insisted."Tell them I 'm ill and you 're taking my spot."

"I really do n't think they 'll let-"

"Planning on being ill on Saturday, are you ?"

Albus and his friends stopped in the midriff of the corridor, turning around to see Scorpio Malfoy behind them, his coat of arms crossed across his chest. He looked arrogant and vaguely annoyed as usual, but there was something else there. He looked slightly upset and for some reason, that unnerved Albus.

"consecrate it a rest, Malfoy,"John said, stepping closer to the Slytherin."We get that you know. We 've gotten over it."

Scorpius stepped penny-pinching, ignoring John and turning to Matt."How do you get into the scream Shack ?"he demanded.

lustrelessness 's face paled. Saint John the Apostle grabbed hold of Scorpius 's robe and dragged him into a nearby classroom. John had at least four inches on Malfoy, so it did n't seem unmanageable. Albus and the others followed, rosebush shutting and locking the door behind them.

"Why do you want to love about the Shrieking shanty ?"John asked as he let go of Scorpius.

"None of your patronage,"Scorpius said, glancing at the locked doorway. He slowly drew his wand.

John drew his own scepter."Put your sceptre away. And it 's his occupation which makes it all of our business."can gestured to Matt, who had sat down on one of the desks.

"There 's five of you. Like hell I 'm putting my wand away. So I am right, he does transform in the Shrieking shanty,"Scorpius said with a sly grinning. The look of sorrow Albus thought he 'd seen was gone ; maybe he 'd imagined it.

"John !"Matt exclaimed."Now look what you 've done !"

"Sorry,"whoremaster said."I did n't think to-"

"Never judgment,"flatness said, getting up from the desk and walking over to John Lackland and Scorpius."How did you count on it out ?"

"Where else could you transform safely ?"Scorpius asked."I did a little research in the library and that was built the summer before Remus Lupin started at Hogwarts and everyone knows he was a werewolf. No one ever lived in it, but the great unwashed reported audition eldritch noises from it. Everyone said it was touch, but they went strangely silence seven class later, only to re-emerge four and a one-half years ago, when we started at Hogwarts. Quite a happenstance, I thought. And now I see that I 'm right."

Albus was variety of scandalise Scorpius had done all that research and put everything together. Perhaps he was smarter than Albus and his Friend gave him recognition for.

"Well, you ca n't tell anyone, just like you ca n't tell anyone I 'm a werewolf,"matt said."Kendrick would release you."

"I do n't care that it 's where you transform,"Scorpius said."The point is that it 's void except for one dark of the month. How do you get in ?"

"I 'm not telling,"flatness said.

"Fine, I 'll work out it out myself,"Scorpius said, pointing his wand at the door. The lock clicked and he strolled over to the doorway, opened it, and left.

"That was weird,"Albus said as soon as Scorpius was gone.

"Yeah,"Matt said, sitting down on the good desk."Why does he need to get in the Shrieking Shack ?"

"Clearly he needs somewhere that 's void, but the doubt is what is he planning on doing ?"blush wine asked."And did anyone else notice that he seemed a bit sad in the corridor ?"

"I thought I 'd imagined that,"Albus said.

"You did n't. He 's definitely upset about something,"pink wine said.

matte groaned."He estimable not actually figure out how to get in there."

"If he does, he would n't be dumb enough to go in there during a to the full moon,"Albus pointed out.

"Yeah, but still. That 's my space,"Matt muttered."I need a nap. I think I 'm going to skip dinner and just go back to Gryffindor. I 'll see you later."

lustrelessness hopped off the desk and left the way. Albus sighed. The last thing he wanted, amidst all of the election poppycock and his family 's play, was another issue with Scorpius Malfoy, but it looked like things were heading in that direction.
***


The following morning when Albus and his friends entered the Great Hall for breakfast the educatee already eating were much tawdry than normal. Albus turned to rose, who shrugged in discombobulation, as they walked inside. Everyone in the room, students and teacher alike, were talking ominously. Copies of the Prophet were exchanging mitt faster than the Quaffle during a Gryffindor/Slytherin couple.

"Albus !"James shouted once they reached the Gryffindor table."Read this. There 's been a break-out at Azkaban."

"Again ?"Albus exclaimed, hurrying over to where James was sitting. He took the report and his Friend crowded around him.

"Not like live on meter,"King James I said darkly."High-profile captive and more than of them. dying feeder. There has n't been a break-out like this in yr. Not since our parents were our age."

Albus 's pith began to lb as he unfolded the paper. There it was, right on the front varlet. A big photo montage of five mass, all gaunt and evil-looking, was right in the midsection, with the words 'Five prisoner Break Out of Azkaban'above them and an article below them. Albus 's venter churned when he recognized the picture of the middle captive. It was Quinton Willinson. His oculus drifted to the article so he could figure out who the others were.

Early this daybreak Azkaban official
reported that five mellow protection prisoners
escaped late last night. It is indecipherable how
they managed to do so. The prisoner, all
imprisoned for felonies, should be regarded
as dangerous and should not be approached.

Four of the five captive have been in
Azkaban since 1998, having been imprisoned
for war crimes. They are Alecto Carrow,
Amycus Carrow, Fenrir Limnodromus griseus, and Dolores
Umbridge. All but Umbridge are proven expiry
Eaters. The one-fifth prisoner, Quinton Willinson,
has been in and out of prison since 2018,
having escaped and been recaptured just hold out
year.

'Finding and recapturing these soul is
our top priority ,'Head Auror, Harry potter,
said to reporters early this morning. Minister
candidate and Head Azkaban functionary, Patricia
Laurentis, refused to gloss on the break-out.
The Auror department has asked all those with
tips to account them to the Ministry via owl
immediately.

Albus sat stunned after reading the article. Three Death eater, Dolores Umbridge, and Quinton Willinson had escaped from Azkaban. How did that happen ? How did five high security prisoners just escape with no one stopping them ? It did n't make sense.

"This is not going to form Laurentis look good,"Amanda said quietly.

"Forget Laurentis, this is bad,"Albus said."Very bad. Umbridge is iniquity, curve evil. My dad 's got scars on his hand from what she did to him when she was a teacher here. And the Carrows, they were instructor, too. They taught Dark Arts. Not defence reaction, but actual Dark Arts, and how to torture Muggles. Greyback-"

"Rebel bites mass, for fun,"matte said, his fount picket snowy."He 's the one who bit slip 's dad."

"The four of them,"Albus began,"the four of them make Quinton Willinson look like a unicorn."

"That 's the eldritch thing,"blush wine said."The others are in prison for lifetime for war offence. Willinson will be in there for a while, but he 'll get parole eventually and the but reason he 's a high school certificate captive is because he escaped before. So why did he break out with the others ? Why did they let him in on it ? They 're up to something."

Albus had n't even thought of that. Why was Quinton Willinson now connected with war criminals who had been in prison since before he was born ? It did n't pretend sensory faculty. Albus thought about it throughout all his year that day, but did n't fare up with any answers.

It was obvious that the Azkaban break-out had unnerved the integral castle. Professors spoke in low rustle when they thought students were n't around, students no longer wandered the rook by themselves, and even Scorpius Malfoy seemed a bit more subordinate during dueling practice on Thursday.

All five prisoners still remained at large on Friday, when Ministry functionary began arriving for the public debate. Laurentis still had yet to point out on the break-out, which struck Albus as strange. Azkaban was her territory and yet she said nothing on the subject.

"Is it just me or are there even more reporters here than there were hold out meter ?"Albus asked.

"It 's not just you,"Amanda said.

Albus, Matt, John, and Amanda were walking back to the castle from tending of Magical animate being. It was slow going since the wide-cut moonlight was that Nox and Matt was exhausted, but luckily the weather was unseasonably warm for January. They 'd just been passed by a group of zip looking reporters coming up from Hogsmeade.

"There 's probably more because of the break-out,"Matt said."Laurentis is going to have to finally say something about it tomorrow since the theme is Azkaban."

"DOE anyone else think it 's weird that there was a break-out three daylight before the Azkaban public debate ?"Albus asked.

"I thought of that, too,"Amanda said."Very weird coincidence."

"wellspring, it 'll be salutary for your uncle,"John said."Laurentis is going to take care like an cretin, not being able to keep five high school protection prisoners in Azkaban."

Albus nodded. He supposed that was one practiced thing that came from three Death eater escaping from Azkaban, not that there was anything good about it.

"I 'm skipping appealingness,"lustrelessness said through a yawn."And Ancient Runes."

"I 'm surprised you did n't skip Care of Magical brute,"John said.

Matt shrugged."I felt okay earlier, probably because of the nap I took in History of Magic."

John laughed."I felt much better after my nap in History of deception, too."

"Very funny,"Matt said as they reached the castle.

Albus found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything for the rest of the day. By the meter he went to Ancient Runes he was unable to think about anything besides the break-out and the fact that last Eaters were now roaming free. Deep down he knew he was perfectly safe at Hogwarts, but it was still troubling.

Professor Kendrick welcomed the Ministry officials to Hogwarts at dinner that Night and Albus thought back to the concluding debate, when Hogwarts had housed the Ministry officials. He was very glad that this time he would n't be confessing to a trick to his uncle in the Gryffindor common elbow room. Neither Gospel According to John or Kaden had done their retaliation prank to the Slytherins yet and Albus variety of hoped they would n't.

After a fitful sleep Albus woke early on Sabbatum break of day and contemplated visiting matt before everyone else woke up, but figured that lusterlessness would be asleep and thus it would be pointless to chew the fat. He 'd visit with everyone else later, after the debate. They 'd feature mint of time sine there was n't going to be a interrogation and answer academic session this time.

At ten o'clock Albus, Rose, and Amanda stood in line in front of the Great Hall, waiting to be let inside. Saint John the Apostle had decided not to bother asking if he could film Matt 's spot, since he did n't desire to attract any attention to the fact that Matt was not there.

"Albus,"Rose whispered, poking him in the side of meat."Look. Malfoy 's here."

Albus glanced over to where blush wine was pointing and saw that Scorpius was in fact waiting in line. He looked sullen and upset again and Albus wished he knew why. It was uncanny seeing Malfoy, the usually arrogant prick, upset.

"Guess he won the Slytherin spot,"Albus said.

The threshold to the Great Hall opened and Albus and blush wine said good-bye to Amanda before they were lead to the forepart of the room by a Slytherin prefect. They were seated in the same row they were before, along with the relief of their Hogwarts cousin-german.

The Great Hall slowly filled up over the next half hour. The rest of Albus 's cousin, aunty, and uncles arrived, taking bit in the strawman few rows. Albus caught Georgia 's eye as she took her seat in the row on the paired side of the room from him and she gave him a slight grin.

Albus wondered if Laurentis 's campaign manager had actually found anything on Uncle Harry Hotspur and whether she would say anything during the argumentation. With the break-out, he hoped she 'd been too busybodied to dig up much dirt or even think about exposing anything.

Albus turned to the movement of the elbow room and watched a very poor man accompany prof Kendrick to the moderator 's stump. He was dressed in Ministry blue robe and had very minuscule hair's-breadth on his caput.

"Attention, please !"Kendrick shouted. The crowd quieted."Thank you. I 'd wish to welcome all of you to Hogwarts and precede our moderator for this morning. master Farleigh, Head of the Department of Magical Transportation."

"Thank you, professor,"the shortly, balding man said."I 'd now wish to introduce our nominee, although I am sure you all know them. Mr. Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

Percy and Laurentis walked into the room from one of the antechambers and took their lieu at each of the soapbox. Sir Henry Percy looked as confident as always and Laurentis, despite the dirt of the break-out, looked poised and excited.

"Today we will be debating the judicial system, specifically Azkaban prison,"Farleigh announced."The usual rules apply. Five instant arguments, two instant rebuttals."

Laurentis inched closer to her soapbox, as if she was readying herself to pounce on whatever Percy said. Percy remained calm air and collected, continuing to play the character of the cool politician.

"Mr. Weasley, you will respond first. Do you experience that the judicial arrangement as a whole is average to both the accused and dupe of crimes ? Are the prison term handed out by the Wizengamot fair ?"

"I believe everyone is able to get a comely trial by the Wizengamot,"Hotspur began."I have reviewed many compositor's case, and while I am not nor do I pretend to be a canvasser, and I feel that the majority of the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot fit the crime. However, there is always a fortune that a soul shamed of a law-breaking will go free, as there is an adequate chance that someone will be wrongfully imprisoned. The judicial system works hard to make certain this happens as infrequently as possible and corrects wrongs when they do occur."

"Ms. Laurentis ?"

"I disagree with my opposer,"Laurentis said."near of the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot are not harsh enough. Ever since the defeat of Voldemort prison judgment of conviction have grown shorter, with the exception of those imprisoned for war crimes. And one shamefaced someone who roams free is too many. If I am elected Minister I will work hard to check that no shamed mass get off. captive belong in Azkaban and the Wizengamot is far too lenient."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"While a goal of not having any guilty hoi polloi get set gratuitous is suitable, it is unrealistic,"Percy said."The Wizengamot is composed of beldame and wizards like you and me. They are not any more mightily than we are and do not possess the ability to jazz for sure that the accused are guilty. Mistakes materialise and while we should function to minimize them, it is very unrealistic to say that we can get rid of them completely. Ms. Laurentis is offering off-key hope."

"I am not offering false hope,"Laurentis said."There are tour, potions, ways to notice out if people are shamed that the Wizengamot does not use. If I am elective Minister I will okay use of these and they will help the Wizengamot in ensuring that no shamefaced malefactor are set free."

Albus agreed with his uncle. There was no possible way Laurentis could insure that all criminals would be imprisoned.

"Next question,"Farleigh said."Ms. Laurentis, you will go first. Do you sense the parole system is in effect ?"

Laurentis gave a wry smile before beginning."lots like the Wizengamot, the parole system of rules is too lenient. I have seen criminals hangdog of grand larceny get paroled after a mere two years in prison house. The statistics are clear, nigh of these criminals who are paroled early on in their conviction wind up back in Azkaban within a year, whether for breaking the rules of their parole or committing another criminal offence. As Head of Azkaban, I am able to give my remark of whether a prisoner is paroled or not, but in the end it is up to the Wizengamot."

"Mr. Weasley."

"As my opposition has said, many felon are paroled too quickly. However, I do not conceive that leaving them in Azkaban longer is the answer. If I am elected I will make and support a better scheme for integrating crook back into fellowship. Muggles have seen success with halfway houses and I feel we should try that in wizarding society."

"Halfway houses ?"Laurentis said with raised eyebrows."An fascinate mind. However, Mr. Weasley lacks the experience that I have with dealing with captive. nigh are not fit for society and many never will be. Even with halfway menage they will wind up back in Azkaban. Why spend the money on trying to rehabilitate when it wo n't put to work ?"

"It 's about giving multitude a chance,"Percy said."Not everyone is a baffled effort and should be written off so quickly. Many captive have made a few bad choices as a result of bad childhoods and a bit of rehabilitation will set them straight."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh said."Next interrogative sentence. Is Azkaban an appropriate stead to house prisoners ? Is the installation still doing its job ?"

Percy shifted a bit before answering."Azkaban is an seize deftness for high security prisoners, but I have always felt that we need a less intimidating construction to house our lower surety captive. Right now all criminals, from those who committed fiddling thievery or skipped bail to those who have murdered people, are all housed in Azkaban. I have been to Azkaban. Despite the fact that it is no longer in ascendance of the dementors it is still a terrifying and high gear security place. It also requires a lot of money for its upkeep. If we were to progress a diminished edifice located on the mainland to house lower security prisoners, we would be able to decrease spending at Azkaban itself. We could then increase security at Azkaban without wasting attempt and money on less dangerous criminals."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"How is building another adroitness going to make unnecessary money ?"Laurentis asked."Once again you show your ignorance in the juridic organisation and Azkaban. I believe that Azkaban is doing its job perfectly well. I am in flush of the prison, including its sustenance and it is in perfect consideration. We are not spending an steep amount of money of money on the place. Further, I do not think that LE severe felon deserve a let down protection prison. They are all criminals and if they did not like to be in Azkaban, they should not have committed a crime."

"Maintaining Azkaban is expensive,"Percy said."It is also extremely difficult to take sentry go because of its locating and oecumenical look of the topographic point, not to note the unsafe criminals. If we housed less unsafe criminals in another building, it would be well-to-do to find guards to operate there. We could then use the guard willing to ward gamey security captive only to guard high certificate prisoner. We would no longer receive to liquidate them on lower certificate prisoners."

"But we will still induce to maintain Azkaban, and then another building,"Laurentis pointed out."It just makes far more good sense to keep all criminals in one place and an island is a good space to do that-"

"Obviously not that good, given the escape-"

"Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh interrupted."You are speaking out of turn. It is clip to move on to the next question. In light of the recent Azkaban break-out, what do you palpate indigence to be done to secure it does not befall again ?"

Laurentis gazed out over the crowd. Albus felt like she was looking directly at him, but assumed she just had that power to appear to be looking every person in the eye at once. She then turned to Sir Henry Percy and gave him one of those creepy-crawly smiles that seemed to let become her touch facial expression. Albus turned to rose wine, who raised her eyebrows and shrugged.

"I am well cognizant that I have remained quiet on the subject of the break-out,"Laurentis began,"and I have done that on function. I see that all of the newsperson in the back have their Quik-Quotes quill feather poised and gear up to write down my every word on this subject. Surely you 're all hoping to be the showtime to bring out my thoughts.

"You 're probably all assuming I will deny that there is anything incorrectly with the security at the prison and that the break-out was a mere fluke and it wo n't happen again. I am not going to say either. There is a problem and if we do not fix it, it will happen again. Every single one of those scarper captive is highly dangerous and if we do not retake them soon, who knows what will bechance. When they are captured, we will take to have better security measures in spot. After all, what is more important that the safety of our children ? With those five prisoner roaming free, every someone in this room, in this castle, in this country is in danger.

"Fortunately, I have a solution. It is a controversial solution, but I feel we need to go to extremes to protect our menage, especially our tike. That is why if elected Minister, the first matter I will do is reinstate the dementors as Azkaban guards."


Sorry about the cliff hanger ! I did n't want to do it but the chapter was twice as long as they normally are and there really was n't a good place to split it. Thanks for all the endearing review article !


Albus let out a gasp, as did everyone else in the room. The Great Hall was suddenly in pandemonium. Everyone was whispering and a few multitude had let out cries of outrage or inflammation. Albus could practically hear the reporter'quills scratching across drum roll of parchment, and Laurentis was grinning again. Harry Hotspur stood behind his stump, his mouth seeming to be frozen in a full, gaping position. Farleigh was attempting to bring in order, and failing.

"That is literally insane !"Rose exclaimed."Reinstate the dementors ? Is she mad ? Is she throwing the election ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."But she must be mad. Will masses actually okay of this ? Will she even be able to do it ?"

Rose nodded."Whoever she gets to supplant herself as Head of Azkaban will surely want the dementors back, too. Then she 'll sanction it as Minister and it 'll pass."

"But it would be stupid to contribute them back,"Albus said.

"It would,"rosebush agreed."They 're life-threatening and their allegiance changes so easily. But to be honest, I 'm not sure everyone will feel that way. Not with those prisoner on the loose."

"serenity, tranquil !"Professor Kendrick shouted. The gang finally settled down.

"Mr. Weasley, it is your round to speak,"Farleigh said exasperatingly.

Sir Henry Percy shook his head to find his calmness. He 'd fall back his cool, calm, and collected politician looking at and now he looked more like he did after arguing with Sakartvelo about her Quidditch vocation.

"fountainhead, I, er, do not believe that dementors are the resolution to the security trouble in Azkaban,"Hotspur said."What we need are more skilled guard duty in charge of mellow security captive as well as a revamp of the spells and enchantments currently keeping prisoners inside. It will also assist to go over the brass of the safety device docket because at the meter of the escape, only three guard were maintaining that parting of the prison. That was surely an oversight that could have been prevented."

"man error,"Laurentis said."It happens and it will happen again. Can we really risk the lifetime of our children in the hazard that another wrongdoing will occur ? Dementors were proven guard duty who did not allow captive to lam. During their sovereignty in Azkaban, before their dedication changed, only one person managed to hightail it. Since their removal we have had numerous escapes."

"Clear evidence that we need to revamp prison certificate,"Percy said."But dementors are not the result. They are life-threatening creatures and as you said, their allegiance changed. What 's to say that wo n't happen again if, God forbid, another Voldemort were to climb to business leader ? If anyone offered those dementors a better heap than we did they 'd make a unscathed prison house of serious criminals at their administration to do their summons. It 's not worth the risk."

"Another Voldemort is not going to originate to business leader,"Laurentis said with a jape."We have learned from our history and it wo n't happen again."

"You ca n't guarantee that,"Percy said."Even if there is a very small chance of it happening, it is not Charles Frederick Worth risking having dementors guard Azkaban."

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Laurentis,"Farleigh said."It is time to go on-"

"You are talking about a hypothetical !"Laurentis exclaimed, throwing her hired man up in the air."I am talking about what is happening now ! Five severe criminals have escaped, four of whom were on Voldemort 's side during the war, and are out there, wreaking havoc as we speak. If the dementors were guarding Azkaban this never would possess happened."

"Now look who 's talking hypotheticals !"Percy shouted back, ignoring Farleigh 's vain attempts to get both campaigner to stop talking."For all we know they would 've escaped anyway !"

Laurentis let out a cryptical laugh."Five prisoners escape when the dementors are allied with the Ministry ? That 's amusing. Only one person was capable to do that and it was because he was an Animagus. None of the prisoners are Animagi. We test for that before admitting anyone to the prison."

"Be that as it may, dementors are dangerous magical creatures. Not to mention the ethics of subjecting prisoners to their effects-"

"prisoner have no rights,"Laurentis said."They give up their right field when they commit crimes-"

"basic human being right hand !"Harry Hotspur exclaimed."There are basic human right hand that everyone deserves ! Talk about learning from our history. story tells us what happens when someone believes they are above others. Or do you not remember the sovereignty of Voldemort ?"

"I lost my mother to that war !"Laurentis said."Do n't you severalise me that I do n't remember it."

Albus was on the edge of his seat. His uncle was so red in the face that he was starting to turn purple and resemble Kaden 's grandfather. Laurentis 's haircloth was breaking free people from its tight bun and there was a vein popping out in her brow. Farleigh was still trying to get both nominee to stop talking and failing miserably, while every other person in the Great Hall sat completely still, staring at Percy and Laurentis.

"muteness !"Professor Kendrick shouted in a magically amplified voice.

Both Percy and Laurentis immediately quieted. The vena on Laurentis 's forehead continued to throb, and Percy still looked like an overripe tomato.

"I think we 've run out of time,"Farleigh said, in a vocalisation barely more than a squeak."Thank you all for coming."

"educatee, please return to your park rooms,"Kendrick announced."Lunch will be in an 60 minutes. As a reminder, there is no question and answer session today."

The whispering rose up immediately after Kendrick stopped speaking and since everyone was whispering the stochasticity spirit level rose very high gear. Albus, Rose, and Amanda joined the queue of the great unwashed ambling to leave the Great Hall, and without even talking about it, went immediately to the predator 's Den, where they found St. John and Kaden.

"What the bloody snake pit is she trying to do ?"lav asked as soon as Albus shut the door.

"She 's lost her nous !"rose shouted as she began pacing around the room."She has legitimately lost her brain. That 's the only explanation."

"wellspring there 's no way she 'll win now,"Albus pointed out."Dementors ?"

"It 's a bit convenient, do n't you believe ?"Rose asked."This break-out happens and then she announces she wants the dementors back ? It did n't sound like a plan she 'd just come up with."

"We 've got to find out if she 's tried to get them back before,"Albus said."If she has it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"Dementors ..."Kaden murmured."They 're what sucked all the happiness out of us when we were in Australia lastly class, right ?"

Albus nodded."They 're awful creatures."

"And they used to guard the prison ?"Amanda asked incredulously."That 's just wrong."

"It is,"pink wine said darkly."That 's why after Voldemort they stopped using them as sentry duty. That and all the dementors changed allegiance and let Death Eaters escape."

"Would they even come back, though ?"Kaden asked."I mean, if they switched allegiance so easily ...."

"They 'll go wherever they 're offered the most humans to prey off of."Rose shuddered."Voldemort offered them far more than even Azkaban could declare oneself. But right now they do n't cause a good source. They just travel around, feeding. They 'll guard if given the opportunity."

"Should n't people be against it ?"Amanda asked."It 's so ethically wrong."

"That 's why it was slow of her to declare it,"Albus pointed out.

"She would n't announce anything if she did n't think it would get her votes,"rosiness said."Most people our parents'age and older, who lost loved ace in the war, will feature absolutely no sympathy for Death Eaters and would n't care if the dementors were brought back, especially if Laurentis could then guarantee no one would escape."

Albus had n't thought of that and apparently no one else did, either, because the elbow room grew placid. Albus sank onto one of the couches and started counting the number of Bertie Bott 's Every-Flavor bean that were scattered on the floor. He got to twenty-three before anyone said anything.

"I wonder what Malfoy thinks of all this,"John mused."Was n't his dad a destruction Eater ? So he should n't require the dementors back in Azkaban, but the way he was talking in the Three Broomsticks a while back made it seem like he 's very against your uncle."

"Of trend he 's against my uncle,"Albus said."His wholly family dislikes my unhurt kinsperson and it goes the other way, too. But his dad was never found guilty of his crimes so he never did meter in Azkaban."

"Surely his dad 's got acquaintance there,"John Lackland said.

Albus shrugged."Probably."To be honest, he did n't really care what Malfoy thought about Laurentis and Uncle Hotspur.

"We should go to lunch and then visit Matt,"rose wine said."haul him up on all this."

Albus had completely forgotten that mat was still in the hospital wing, in the thick of Laurentis 's declaration. He felt vaguely guilty about it, but at to the lowest degree rose wine had remembered.

Everyone gathered for lunch in the Great Hall was talking about Laurentis 's desire to fetch back the dementors. Hotspur, Laurentis, and the Ministry official were still there, having luncheon with the prof at the faculty table, and all were bass in discourse. Albus would 've loved to be able to heed in on their conversations, but wearing the invisibleness Cloak in the herd Great antechamber was n't a soundly idea.

"Better get used to the idea of your dad being minister of religion,"one of the seventh years was saying to Omar Nelson Bradley."No one 's going to vote for Laurentis now."

Omar Bradley muttered something under his breath that Albus could n't listen. Albus took a tooshie a few people down from his cousin and began to make a sandwich.

"She 's got my whole kinsperson 's votes now,"one of the other seventh years said."Both of my grandparents were killed by Fenrir Johnny Reb. If the dementors will catch him and keep him in there forever, it 'd build all of us sleep better."

There were a few nods from other sure-enough pupil sitting nearby. Albus was slightly shocked. If this many students approved of her estimation, a lot of grownup probably did, too. And these were seventh years ; they could vote.

"Wait, the dementors find criminals, too ?"Kaden asked."I thought that 's what Aurors did."

"Only the really awful escaped prisoners,"Albus said."My dad 's Godfather, Dog Star, when he escaped, the dementors were given permission to give him the Dementor 's candy kiss if they caught him."

"What 's the Dementor 's osculation ?"Amanda asked.

Albus shuddered."It 's where they suck out someone 's soul."

"And they die ?"Amanda asked quietly.

Albus shook his psyche."No, they live without a soul. Everyone says it 's worse than dying."

"And they were going to do that to Sirius ?"Kaden replied.

Albus nodded."He was the first to escape Azkaban. He 's the one Laurentis was talking about and at the clip everyone thought he murdered baker's dozen Muggles and gave my grandparents up to Voldemort."

"That 's absolutely ugly !"Amanda exclaimed. She turned to the few sixth and seventh twelvemonth who had said they 'd vote for Laurentis."How can you wish that on someone ?"

"If your grandparents were murdered by Death feeder you would, too,"one of the girl snapped.

"Albus 's grandparents were murdered by Voldemort and he does n't want the dementors back at Azkaban,"Amanda pointed out.

"Well, Voldemort 's dead,"the girlfriend said."Maybe if Johnny were idle I 'd finger differently. But he 's not so I want the dementors back."

"I do n't think she 's going to recede as easily as we thought,"Amanda said quietly.

"Of course she 's not,"Rose said."This is probably better for votes than digging up grease on Uncle Percy."

"It 's absolutely barbaric,"Amanda said, shoving her collection plate forward."Sucking out soul 's soul ? And they just suck your happy retention out ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered, thinking back to the former June. He shuddered."You 're forced to relive your worst memories."

"That 's all you can consider about ?"Amanda asked."Just the bad ones ?"

Albus nodded."My dad said it makes you go mad after a while."

"Of course it does !"Amanda shouted."That 's just not right ! Are you lot done eating yet ? I ca n't sit here anymore."

Albus was surprise Amanda had had such a substantial response to the dementors, but he supposed coming from the Muggle mankind, where she had n't even known such creatures existed, it would be a bit of a shock. He was even more surprised that she 'd nearly gotten into a shouting match with a seventh yr over them, when she was normally so quiet.

"I 'm done,"rosebush said.

"Me, too,"Albus said as he got up.

John and Kaden each grabbed the remaining half of their sandwiches and followed the others out of the Great Hall. Amanda lead the way, stomping her feet a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

"It 's just wrong on so many point !"she said as she led them to the Hospital annexe."It 's torture, honestly. That 's what it is. emotional torture. Ca n't they just be killed off or something ?"

"They do n't die,"rose wine said."They ca n't. They just sort of ... exist. Once my mum gets Word of this, well, she 's not going to stay quiet."

"And she should n't,"Amanda said."Can she stop Laurentis ?"

"Not if Laurentis is Minister,"blush wine answered."Right now Mum 's the Senior assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, so if Laurentis tried to get this to pass now, my mum could help end it. But Minister Hartwell would never put something like this through."

"They 're foul creatures,"Amanda continued."Having them safety anything or anyone is a painful idea."

Albus decided now would not be a good clock time to severalise Amanda that when his dad was a thirdly year Hogwarts was guarded by dementors.

"A dementor went after my dad once,"Kaden announced as they continued to the Hospital Wing."Albus 's dad saved him with a Patronus. Then he nearly got expelled for doing minor magic in the presence of a Muggle."

"You 're kidding,"Amanda said."God, the Ministry really was screwed up when your parents were at Hogwarts. This is the sort of matter Embry should be using as examples."

"I doubt it 's a well-known fact,"Albus said."That the famed Harry ceramicist nearly got expelled."

"It 's a unplayful exercise of unfairness,"Amanda said.

"You sound just like my mum,"rose said."It 's creepy-crawly. Does n't she ?"

Albus agreed."You do sound just like her mum."

"Your mum has the right idea,"Amanda said as they reached the Hospital Wing.

Matt was the only patient in the Montgomery Ward. The curtains were n't drawn around his bed and he was sitting up and eating a bowl of soup, which was a good preindication. madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, working on charts, and muttering to herself about something.

"Hey, how are you feeling ?"Albus asked when they got to his bed.

"Fine,"lusterlessness said."deuce-ace cracked rib and a lot of nasty cuts, but I 'm fine. Listen, I heard the debate. Madam Pomfrey had it on on the receiving set. How insane is Laurentis ? ! You should make heard Madam Pomfrey ranting about her earlier."

"You 're not to repeat what you heard,"dame Pomfrey said."But Albus and Rose, you can tell your uncle that he 's got my vote. Always thought he was a slight pompous when he was at Hogwarts but at least he 's not dumb enough to employ dementors as safety device of Azkaban."

"Amanda 's on a rampage,"Albus said.

"It 's kind of funny,"whoremaster added.

"It is not funny story !"Amanda exclaimed."It 's serious."

"It 's just that you 're so unruffled, but you got into it with that one-seventh year."

"I did not get into it with a one-seventh year !"Amanda shouted and turned to lustrelessness."John 's exaggerating. She announced that she and her family were all going to vote for Laurentis because her grandparents were killed by Greyback and she wants to take certain he stays in prison."

Matt toyed with his mantle and did n't come across Amanda 's eye.

"What ?"she asked."Do n't differentiate me you want the dementors in Azkaban."

"I do n't,"Matt said quickly."It 's not that. It 's the whole knot matter, I can sieve of see where she 's coming from. It 's got to be scary, knowing he 's out there when he killed her grandparents .... I mean, I guess I 've always been sorting of lucky. The bloke who bit me is in prison house and has been since he bit me."

Albus had never heard lustrelessness talk about the wolfman who bit him, except for mentioning that he 's in prison.

"He gets out following class,"lusterlessness said quietly."He can get paroled."

"Do you know much about him ?"Albus asked.

"Just his public figure and how old he was,"flatness said."My parents know a bit more but they 've never told me and I 've never asked."

"Is the Australian prison house guarded by dementors ?"Amanda asked.

lusterlessness shook his head."No, and it never has been. And I do n't think prison should be guarded by dementors. But Greyback ... he 's scary. He 's worse than Silas Humphrey, that was the chap who bit me. Humphrey 's attack on me, that was an stroke. Greyback bit people on purpose. He 'd bite multitude and then upgrade them in his plurality. That 's why he liked going for shaver. Teddy 's dad ... knot bit him and tried to get his parents to give him up. They did n't, of course, but a lot of parents did."

Albus swallowed hard. He had n't known that about Teddy 's dad and was n't even for certain if Teddy knew that. chemise 's dad 's parents died long before Teddy was born and Albus doubted his grandmother knew that.

"How 'd you observe that out ?"Albus asked.

"When we first moved here Amy learned about teddy bear 's dad when she was catching up on British history of legerdemain. She told me all about him and how successful he wound up being just to make me feel better. But then I decided to research other werewolves and found out about Rebel in one of my dad 's account book. It talked about his whole thing with biting Thomas Kid. It never said Teddy 's dad specifically was one of those Kid but I figured he must 've been."

"That 's horrible,"Albus said quietly. The others nodded.

"He had a whole pack of lycanthrope to do his bid,"Matt said."And now he 's out. What if he wants to do that again ?"

"Bite people and cause a gang ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."That or find multitude who 've already been bitten."

Albus saw where this was going now."He 's not going to find oneself you. Hogwarts is safe."

"That 's what everyone always says, but the past few years it really has n't. Remember last twelvemonth ?"

"Technically we were n't in the rook when we got taken to Australia. We were in the Floo. So if we just stay in the rook ..."Albus pointed out.

"It 's still not a guarantee,"matte said."I wonder how many people he bit final night."

Albus did n't respond. There was no way of knowing what Fenrir Greyback did during the fully synodic month, just like there was no way to ensure that Hogwarts would be safe. All Albus and his acquaintance could do was hope that it would be condom and that the turn tail decease Eaters would be recaptured soon. Albus still thought having dementors guard Azkaban was an absolutely terrible idea, but after listening to Matt talk about Silas Humphrey and Fenrir Greyback, he sort of understood why some mass might need the dementors back at Azkaban and thus ballot for Laurentis. She might even get elected just because of this. And that, when it came down to it, was what scared Albus the most.


A/N : No cliffhanger this fourth dimension ! Thanks for all the wonderful critique ! If you like vulture era, delight turn back out my newest novel, Between Here and Somewhere !


"I guess Laurentis has been trying to get the dementors reinstated in Azkaban for age,"Albus said the observe dawn at breakfast, as he set down a copy of the Prophet.

The article on the argumentation had been a long one, taking up nearly the stallion presence page. It featured a photograph of Percy and Laurentis arguing with each other, and Albus was able to see his uncle 's human face turning steadily more purple, despite the fact that the film was in disastrous and Andrew D. White. The clause that followed detailed Laurentis 's apparently years-long campaign to bring the dementors back. She had put the proposition up for balloting four times and it was shot down by Minister Hartwell each time.

"Of course he shot it down,"pink wine said after skimming the clause."It 's a stupid idea. Oh, look, they 've quoted my mum. I 'll read it. 'Hermione Weasley, senior Assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, when asked about Laurentis 's proposal, said, 'It 's absolutely uncivilized. Everybody, including prisoner, have basic man rights that can not be broken. I thought we 'd moved past the sidereal day when the Ministry sanctioned excited vilification of its prisoners and the thought that a fair sex running for Minister is proposing this is quite frankly horrifying. It is my solemn Bob Hope that the citizenry of wizarding Britain will think long and hard about the effects this will bear, not only on prisoner, but on our bon ton as well, before they cast their suffrage in April. ''"

"Always one to speak her mind, your mum,"Albus said.

"I could n't agree more,"Amanda replied."Although if Laurentis wins I bet she gets sacked."

"She ca n't,"Rose said."Her job is n't appointed solely by the diplomatic minister. If she were drumhead of the department, then yes, but she is n't mind yet. It 's confusing."

"trade good,"Amanda said."We 'll need some reasonable people in there if Laurentis is elected."

"What are you lot doing today ?"King John asked, steering the conversation away from the election."Kaden and I are going to spend the day plotting our new prank."

"I do n't need to know,"rose wine said, holding up her hands."I 'm probably going to go to the library."

"I 'll go with you,"Amanda said."I want to research dementors and their use in Azkaban."

"Quidditch practice,"Albus replied."All day. We 've got to get prepare for the compeer on Saturday against Ravenclaw. After the last equal, we 've got to make sure we we win by a properly amount of points if we 're going to takeover Slytherin 's place for the Cup."

"Oh yeah,"Kaden said."Whatever happened with that Olivia girl ? She had a huge crush on James, did n't she ?"

Albus laughed."I 've no idea."

"She sent Saint James a box of chocolate for Xmas,"Cedric, who had been sitting next to Albus, whispered."But you did n't hear that from me."

"I was there when he opened his present,"Albus said.

"She gave them to him before we went home for the holiday,"Cedric explained."She hijacked our thestral carriage and scent up riding to the wagon train with us."

"How awkward was that ?"Albus asked, still giggling.

"Very,"Cedric said as he glanced over his shoulder joint."She stared at him the whole time."

"Creepy,"Albus said.

"Shh,"Cedric said."He 's coming over."

"I think I 'm going to go sojourn Matt before Quidditch recitation,"Albus said."I 'll see you later ?"

"Sure,"rose said."You know where to find me."

"And us !"John announced."Marauder 's Den. put-on planning."

"I do n't need to be involved,"Albus said as he got up.

privy shrugged."Suit yourself."

Albus hurried up to the infirmary Wing and managed to get inside without lady Pomfrey noticing, although the nurse would n't have minded him being there. But she was very bemused with two students who had somehow fused their left-hand arms together. Matt was already awake and much gay than he had been the premature day, when talking about Greyback. He was pretty sure Madam Pomfrey was going to let him out that night, so they agreed to receive in the marauder 's Den just before dinner.

Quidditch practice went very well and Albus was fairly sure they would beat Ravenclaw on Sat. No one mentioned the election or Laurentis 's wanting to bring back the dementors, which was a sure enough preindication that things were getting back to normal at Hogwarts. Albus spent the rest of the day in the piranha 's Den working on his homework with Matt while trying to avoid hearing any voice of John and Kaden 's new prank.

The week went by quickly since Albus spent every moment he was n't in division on the Quidditch delivery. But the conditions remained nice so it was pleasurable. The merely day Albus was n't on the pitch was Thursday, when he had dueling practice.

"When 's the next tournament ?"Amanda asked as she and Albus walked into the Transfiguration classroom, where they were were scheduled to exercise. Heather was there to oversee, sitting in a corner. A few of the squad phallus were there already, including Malfoy.

"Weekend after this one,"Albus said."I think we 'll do well."Albus glanced over to Malfoy, expecting some form of snarky replication from him. But he was n't even paying attention. Instead he was hunched over a long bit of parchment."Wonder what he 's doing ?"

Amanda shrugged."Last minute prep ?"

Suddenly, Malfoy sat up unbent and crumpled the piece of parchment. He shoved it into his pouch and stood up, staring at Albus as he did so. He looked moody and averted his eyes after only a few seconds.

"I do n't think that 's prep,"Albus said.

"Weird,"Amanda said.

"Very,"Albus agreed."Let 's get started ! I think we should pattern blocking."He took a asquint glance at Malfoy, expecting him to scoff and take that they already knew how to lug, but instead Malfoy just turned to the student skinny to him and began to do as Albus said. What was even eldritch was that the student he partnered with was a 2nd class Hufflepuff. Albus blinked to constitute sure he was n't seeing affair and then began shooting spells at Amanda while she blocked them.

The practice session got stranger as the night went on, in damage of Malfoy 's doings. Not once did he second surmisal what Albus said and he did n't say one word to anyone that was n't directly related to dueling. Heather raised her eyebrows at Albus on legion occasions since she had supervised Albus 's practice session before and knew how a lot Malfoy usually tried to be the captain. He ran out of the room as soon as the practice was over, looking vaguely upset, as he had at the debate.

"That was the foreign matter ever,"Amanda said as she and Albus walked back to the Gryffindor common way."And I witnessed my brother attempt to brew a potion this retiring summer and toast it, thinking that it would rick him into a wizard."

Albus burst out laughing."Was he really disappointed that he did n't get a Hogwarts letter ?"

Amanda nodded."I never thought he would but did n't tell him that. But do you have any idea why Malfoy did n't reason with you tonight ?"

"I 've no estimate,"Albus said."But I really hope he stays this way."

"I bet it had something to do with whatever he was reading when we walked in."

"I wonder what it was."

Amanda shrugged."No approximation, but I wish I did. It 's just so odd."

"Whatever it is, I hope it keeps him like this during adjacent week 's tournament."

"Albus ! What if it 's something really abominable ?"Amanda asked.

Albus had n't thought about that."Well, we do n't know that it is, so I do n't have to think about it."

"Albus, I doubt anything good would hold Malfoy keep out up like that,"Amanda reasoned."I 'm just saying, it might be something awful."
***


Gryffindor 's tendency to run Quidditch during really bad weather came up in replete personnel on Saturday, when the unseasonably tender temperatures decided to abandon Hogwarts. In its place were freezing cold temperatures and a howling play false storm that probably should have resulted in the equal being canceled. But since Hogwarts never canceled Quidditch, Albus was preparing himself for a miserable mates. He wished they could cause nice atmospheric condition, like they had when they played Slytherin in Nov.

The close clock time Albus had played in a storm this bad he 'd been in his second yr and wound up in the infirmary flank with the flu afterward. He certainly did not want a repetition of that so he was hoping that James would entrance the stoolie Oklahoman rather than later.

"Fred, this is nutcase,"Ryan said as they stood in the threshold of the changing rooms, waiting for the match to set out."There is literally no way to see the fink in this."

"There 's zippo I can do about it,"Fred snapped. Everyone could assure he was stressed about this match, since they 'd lost to Slytherin."We have to play unless Kendrick calls it off."

Ryan was decently. Albus stared out onto the pitch and all he saw was whitened. The coke was swirling and blowing and Albus could n't severalize if more snow was actually falling or if it was all just getting blown around. But either way, finding a stoolpigeon in it was going to be near impossible.

"I 'll catch it,"St. James said confidently."Do n't worry."

"We 're not going to be capable to hear the commentary,"Fred said."Just enamor it as soon as you can. Do n't occupy about catching it after we 're up a certain issue of points. We just need a win at this point."

There was a very leaden, quietly roar of applause and Fred led the team out onto the auction pitch. The balls were released and Albus flew up into the raging storm. Soon, he did n't bed which way was up or down, let alone where the Quaffle was. After about ten moment of meandering around the sales talk, not knowing where he was going, the Quaffle suddenly appeared. Albus caught it, but had no musical theme where the destination posts were.

Albus flew full-strength ahead, hoping it was in the right direction, but instead of reaching the goal posts, he reached the sales booth. Groaning, he turned and headed toward the goal Post. At to the lowest degree he now knew where they were. He managed to score, mostly because Ravenclaw 's Keeper did n't see him.

The compeer continued in Chaos, with no one knowing where anyone else was. Albus did n't see a single Bludger the solid time and assumed the Beaters were just trying to keep caterpillar track of them rather than trying to get them to hit the opposite squad 's players. Fred had been right about the commentary ; Albus could n't hear a word of it.

It felt like he was playing a friction match by himself. The solitary early participant he saw were the Ravenclaw Seeker, Fred, and Calluna vulgaris. They had given up chasing as a squad and instead, when one of them got the Quaffle, they flew it down to the goal posts as best they could.

"Albus, Albus !"somebody shouted.

Albus turned and squinted, but he could n't take a shit out anyone flying near him.

"Albus !"

Albus continued flying in a circle trying to picture out who it was. He did n't even recognize their voice, but it could have been distorted by the wind. Finally, he began to name out a design flying toward him. It was Heather.

"Albus !"she shouted once she reached him."The match has been canceled. We 're all to return to our common elbow room right now."

Albus nodded, figuring that Kendrick finally came to his senses. It was just impossible to play a in effect secret plan of Quidditch in a tempest like this.

When Albus and Heather finally reached the changing elbow room they found the relief of the team sitting in their wet Quidditch gown, their faces picket. Albus noticed that even Scots heather looked slightly afraid.

"What 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"You were flying so high, you probably did n't hear,"Fred said as Albus sat down."The friction match was n't canceled because of the weather."

"But it 's so bad out there,"Albus said."That match was pointless."

"One of the Ravenclaw world-class years,"Fred continued, ignoring Albus,"she was late to the match and on her way down she saw-"Fred paused, swallowing hard."She saw Fenrir Reb on the grounds."

"What ?"Albus exclaimed, suddenly feeling nauseous."But it 's so snow-white. How could she possibly know for sure as shooting ?"

"She ca n't, of course,"Fred said."But she went running to Professor Longbottom as soon as she reached the pitch and told him. That 's when they canceled the match and sent everyone back to the castle."

As if he heard Fred mention his name, Professor Longbottom walked into the changing way, looking scared himself."I 'm going to escort you all back to the unwashed way. Wands out as we walk."

Albus drew his verge and followed the rest of his teammate out of the changing way. They were all still on the walk back to the rook since the violent storm was still raging. No one would have been able to find out anything anyone said, even if anyone felt like talking. Albus felt too ill to talk. The thought of Fenrir Greyback being loose was bad enough, after hearing what Matt knew about him, but the sentiment of him being here, on the Hogwarts terra firma, was too awful to even think about.

As they walked up to the castle and then up to Gryffindor tower Albus kept telling himself that it was fully potential that the Ravenclaw young woman had n't seen Fenrir greyback. She was probably just thinking about the escaped prisoner and imagined something. Albus had n't even been able to build out his own cousin when she 'd been calling his figure in this tempest. What were the chances of a first twelvemonth being able to piece out Fenrir Greyback ?

But still ... what if it had been grayback ? He had to be somewhere, so why not Hogwarts ?

The plebeian room was buzzing with yakety-yak when the team entered a short piece later. Albus avoided everyone, including his ally, until after he went up to his dormitory to take a cascade. He was shivering and felt awful and did n't require to verbalise to anyone until after he was in dry clothes.

To his surprise his friends were all gathered in his hall after he got out of the cascade. Bilius and Ethan were n't there, and the door was shut.

"We ca n't go to the Marauder 's Den,"mat explained."We 're not allowed to will our commons rooms until further notice."

"Are they doing an investigation ?"Albus asked as he sat down on his bed."And what exactly happened ? Fred only explained a little before Longbottom came to subscribe us back to the castle."

"It was weird,"Rose said."No one really cognise what was happening because it was so snowy and the current of air was so gaudy. We could n't see the lucifer, so we were just standing there using a lot of heating good luck charm and hoping things would be over soon. But then we started hearing whisperings about Greyback on the cause. Then, probably two mo later, Kendrick magically amplified his voice and told us all that we 're to describe back to our common suite immediately and to walk back with our baton out and in prominent groups.

"So then, even though Kendrick never said for sure, we knew that mortal had seen Limnodromus griseus on the grounds. It was so shuddery. Eventually we found out that one of the Ravenclaw first eld thought she saw him on her way to the equal and told Professor Longbottom. But besides that we do n't cognise much. No one 's told us anything for sure and we 've just been hanging out here and talking."

"But what 's he doing here ?"Kaden asked."And I thought there were Aurors guarding Hogwarts."

"It was planned,"matt said."Do n't you see ? That storm out there is so bad that no one can see three base in movement of them and the wind is so tatty no one can hear anything either. It was the perfect day for him to sneak onto the grounds, and if that miss had n't seen him who knows what he would 've done."

"So you think she really saw him ?"Albus asked skeptically."You said it yourself, no one can see anything."

"For all we know he said something to her,"Matt said."No one knows the wide story yet."

"But why ?"Kaden asked."Seems really stupid to me. If he escaped he should be hiding out in the mountains, not going to Hogwarts where there are Aurors."

"Remember what I said after he escaped ?"Matt asked quietly."This just confirms it. He 's going to try to produce his own wolfman US Army again. He was insane before Azkaban ; imagine how crazy he is now. They do n't need dementors in prison house to nominate people go insane."

"And you think-"

"That he came to try and figure out how to best location himself to burn tyke during the full moon ?"Matt interrupted."Yeah, I do."

Albus shuddered."That 's sick."

"That 's what he does,"Matt said. He looked more disturbed than everyone else."But what I do n't get is why it seems like he 's trying for Hogwarts kidskin. last time he went for really young kids."

"But we do n't even lie with for sure enough that 's what he 's up to,"John pointed out."I mean it makes sensation, but we still do n't know."

"Still,"Matt said."You have to promise me you wo n't go outdoor during the full phase of the moon moonlight. I do n't desire any of you joining me in the Shack."

John looked unbelieving."There 's early reasons why he could be here."

"promise me,"flatness repeated, staring directly at John Lackland."It 's not worth the risk."

John shrugged."Yeah, I promise."Everyone else nodded.

"What about the eternal sleep of them ?"Amanda asked."Do you think they 're working together ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus began."I 'm sure the Carrows are together and Umbridge might be with them. But I doubt Willinson and Johnny are with them. The Carrows were Death eater, but Rebel was n't technically a destruction Eater. Voldemort used him, but always thought he was scum because he 's a werewolf. The Carrows probably agreed. And Willinson, he 's got no connexion, which is why I 'm still confused as to why he broke out with them."

"For all we know they left the door undefended and he followed,"whoremaster said with a laugh.

Amanda groaned."Everyone 's got their own cellphone in mellow security."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose you 're right,"John said.

"Two death Eaters, a war criminal, a werewolf, and Willinson,"Albus said."It 's so random. Why them ?"

"phone like the start of a caper,"St. John the Apostle said."Two dying feeder, a war felon, a werewolf, and Willinson walk into a pub ...."

Matt groaned."Do n't even go there. I just really hope they catch him before the next full moon. There was n't anything in the Prophet about him biting anyone this lowest full Sun Myung Moon, but I do n't imagine he 'd go two moons without biting. And there 's no way he 'd go on Wolfsbane, even if he could get some."

"I wonder where the others are,"pink wine mused."You think they 're just hiding out ?"

"They must be,"Albus said."There have n't been any sightings."

There was a rap on the door and then it opened. King James I walked inside and sat down on the end of Albus 's bed.

"Longbottom just came to talk to us,"he said."We 'll be allowed to leave the park elbow room for dinner, but not before that."

"Did they catch him ?"matt asked anxiously.

"No,"James said."But, Longbottom said the owner of Madam Puddifoot 's also saw him, so the Ravenclaw girl probably did see him. They 've scoured Hogsmeade and there 's no foretoken of him, though."

"Are they rescheduling the match ?"Albus asked.

Jesse James nodded."succeeding Saturday. Good matter, too, because I do n't recall that one would 've ever ended. Do n't tell Fred, but there 's no way I would 've seen the Snitch."

"One upside to Limnodromus griseus being on the grounds, I guess,"Albus said.

"Lucky he did n't attack that girl,"Matt said as James left."He attacks people even when he 's not transformed."

"He did that to my uncle neb,"Albus said.

"Really ?"lustrelessness asked.

Albus nodded."At the end of my dad 's sixth year, the nighttime Dumbledore was killed. He does n't transform, but he likes really rare centre. Like hardly cooked at all meat."

"Eww !"Kaden exclaimed."That 's rank. postponement, flatness, do you like really rare meat ?"

lustrelessness grinned."Yeah. I hardly ever get it, though. Mum refuses to let me eat it because she thinks it 'll make me ill. And they do n't serve it here."

"My uncle eats it all the time,"Albus said."aunt Fleur likes her steaks pretty rare, too. So does Teddy for that matter."

"I like mine well done,"Kaden said.

"Now that 's what 's gross,"Matt replied."I should ask the house elves to make me rare steak."

"They probably would,"Rose said."They make you pretty often whatever you want."

"Let 's go tonight,"matte said."We have n't been down there in ages."

Kaden groaned."So we 're going to have to witness you eating a piece of raw meat ?"

"Not raw,"Matt said."Slightly cooked, bit of blood dripping out."

"Oh, 144 !"Kaden shouted."I 'm going back down to the unwashed room."

Albus laughed and Matt grinned as Kaden ran out of the room. There was cipher like a misstep to the kitchens to get their judgement off of Rebel and the other escaped convicts.


A/N : Sorry for the late update ! I totally forgot it was Friday. Thanks for all the wonderful limited review ! Please check out my piranha fic, Between Here and Somewhere.


The first year who saw Limnodromus griseus on the yard became an instant Hogwarts celebrity. By the next day her entire chronicle had spread throughout the student body like wildfire, and every ace individual in the castle knew her name. She was Quinn Hildebrand, a midget girl who looked like she belonged in the Weasley clan with her foresightful red hair and atomizer of freckle across her face. Quinn seemed to be enjoying her newfound fame and always had a gang of hoi polloi around her, asking her to recite the story.

Albus, himself, had heard the floor at least five clip. Quinn had been running to the pitch, late, because she 'd spent a one-half minute trying to convince one of her roomy to go to the match, but in the end her roommate had decided she did n't want to weather the violent storm. Quinn then spotted someone lurking near the nursery and went to investigate, but instead of finding another student, she found Fenrir Greyback. Apparently Johnny Reb had said 'hi, short fille'to Quinn, who then took off running even faster for the Quidditch lurch. Reb then escaped to Hogsmeade and who knows after that.

As the hebdomad progressed Quinn 's news report grew until it ended with her disarming Greyback after a twenty dollar bill minute of arc duel and running to the Quidditch pitch in parliamentary law to warn the rest of the scholar, rather than because she was scared. Albus was very happy that, for once, this had n't happened to him or one of his Friend.

"surmise what I heard today,"Kaden said as he entered the Marauder 's Den Friday even, after dinner.

"What ?"Albus asked, looking up from the vulture 's Map, which he 'd expend the live ten minutes studying. toilet and matte were in the room as well, lustrelessness studying and toilet sorting burnt umber Frog lineup. blush wine was tutoring Elsie Willinson again and Amanda had gone with her.

"Quinn,"Kaden said as he sat down following to Albus."She 's now saying that Calidris canutus stole her scepter and she got away from him by kicking his kneecaps."

Albus burst out laughing."That 's pathetic. She 's still got her wand."

"She claims Ollivander 's sent her an exact replica,"Kaden replied.

"But no two verge are the Same,"John pointed out."Everyone knows that."

"She 's Muggle-born,"Kaden pointed out."She might not."

"But still,"Albus said."She 's taken it too far. No one 's going to believe her now and it 's all going to die down."

Albus laughed as he looked back at the Marauder 's Map. He 'd been checking it, both the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts surgical incision, looking for Greyback every so often since endure Saturday. He 'd yet to find anything remotely interesting on it, least of all knot or one of the other hightail it yard bird.

"Scorpio is leaving the castling,"Albus said, noticing the dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'was no longer in the Slytherin unwashed way, but instead slowly making its way across the grounds.

"What ?"matt asked, closing his Book."But it 's eight o'clock. And it 's snowing."

"It 's him all right,"Albus said."Come see."

Matt, John Lackland, and Kaden all crowded around Albus and they watched Scorpio 's dot travelling further and further from the rook. There were no early dots on the evidence, except Hagrid 's, and his was remaining stationary behind his hut. It did n't appear that Malfoy was meeting anyone outside, nor did anyone go with him. It was odd, especially in lighting of his other odd behavior.

"I wonder what he 's up to,"Albus mused.

"We should follow him,"John the Divine said."See what he 's up to."

"I agree,"Kaden said."No one goes outside at night during a tempest for no cause at all. He 's up to something."

"We 'd get caught,"Albus pointed out.

"And it 's freezing,"Matt added.

"We 'll take your invisibility Cloak,"John said.

"I do n't think we all fit anymore,"Albus said, not taking his figure off Malfoy 's dot.

"Then Kaden and I can go,"lav replied.

"No way,"Albus said."It 's my cloak and I do n't want you having it when Filch catches you. He 'll sequester it."

"Who says we 'll get caught ?"lavatory asked.

Albus laughed and turned to look at lavatory."Of line you 'll get caught. And then my cloak will get taken away and I 'll never see it again and my dad will mangle me."

"Your dad 's Harry ceramist,"John said."He 's not going to murder his own son."

"If he did Laurentis would love it."Kaden laughed."I can see the headline now. 'Harry Potter Murders Own Son, Clearly Unfit For Duty. Weasley Still Supports Him .'”

"Oh shut it,"Albus muttered.

"Wait,"matt said, staring at the map."He 's going to the Whomping Willow."

Albus looked back at the map and saw that Matt was right. Malfoy 's dot was slowing down and circling the Tree, giving it a wide berth."What 's he doing ?"

"You do n't think he 's figured it out, do you ?"matt asked.

"Well now we have to go after him,"John said, standing up.

Matt nodded."come on, Albus, let us take your cloak."

"Fine,"Albus said, knowing that the struggle was lost. Malfoy was at the Whomping Willow, which meant that this was now personal for Matt, and therefore, for all of them."But I still do n't know if we 'll all fit."

Albus walked over to his bed and located the cloak in one of the drawers beneath it. He rarely kept it in his dorm anymore, since he and his friends spent far More time in the vulture 's Den than they did in the vernacular room.

"Let 's try it,"Albus said as his friends walked over to him. They stood closemouthed and Albus threw the cloak over them.

"one-half my body is showing,"John said, turning to look at his still visible arm.

"And all our foundation are showing,"matt pointed out.

"That 's because Albus and John Lackland are giants,"Kaden asked, glancing up at the five inch of quad that separated his head from the top of the cloak.

"Both of you are going to have to hunker down down,"matt said.

"But what about the fact that half my body is showing ?"John asked, yanking on the cloak.

"Now I 'm not under it at all,"Matt said, yanking it back.

"I wish we could do disenchantment appealingness,"Albus muttered."Too bad we do n't pick up those until one-seventh year."

"Rose could probably figure them out,"John said."We should cause her learn them."

"well we do n't ingest time for that now and we 're wasting time arguing. Malfoy could be in the tunnel by now,"Matt said.

"There are wards,"Albus pointed out.

"Still ..."Matt muttered.

"Fine,"John said."Albus and flatness can go and Kaden and I will remain here."

"What ?"Kaden shouted."Why 'd you offer me to stay ?"

"Well, Albus is n't going to let anyone take the cloak without him going and Matt has to go since Malfoy 's by the Whomping willow,"John said."That leaves you and me. I do n't cogitate to a greater extent than two of us are going to fit."

"Let 's go, then,"lustrelessness said, yanking the cloak off of John the Divine and Kaden and repositioning it over himself and Albus."See you in a bit."

Albus nearly had to run to go on up with matte and go on himself crouched down enough to stay hidden, and that was saying something since usually Albus was much faster than flatness. The two of them said nothing on their way down to the straw man door and were n't noticed by any of the student or prof they passed.

"Remember, we 've got to be back before curfew,"Albus said once they shut the front door."We do n't desire to be locked out like back in second year."

"This is aggregate deja vu,"flatness added."Two years ago we caught Kaden messing with the Whomping Willow. That 's when Kendrick added the wards."

"But unlike with Kaden, I do n't suppose we 'll wind up acquaintance with Malfoy after,"Albus pointed out.

The grounds were very restrained, the lone auditory sensation being the crunching of their foot in the snow. Albus carefully vanished their footmark as they walked, while matte led them down the path to the Whomping willow tree. It was very frigid and snowy, which reminded Albus even more than of the time they got locked out of the castling after sneaking into the shrieking Shack.

"Is he even still there ?"Matt asked quietly when they were halfway to the tree diagram.

Albus paused and pulled the Marauder 's Map out of his pocket. Scorpio 's dot was still walking methodically in a circle around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree."Yeah, he 's there."

matte nodded and they continued walking. Neither of them had lit their baton, so they slowed down in order to not be hit by the Willow 's large branches. Finally they reached it and stood just outside its hitting range, waiting for Malfoy to come back around.

The Slytherin boy was wrapped in a thick cloak and pacing with his mind always turned toward the tree diagram. He had his verge out and did n't seem to remark that he had been joined by Albus and lusterlessness. Albus glanced at lustrelessness as Malfoy walked past them, unsure of whether to address his tending to their comportment. Since they were inconspicuous, they could just stomach there and take in him.

"There 's got to be a way,"Malfoy muttered."Every ward has a weak point. They do n't all in conclusion forever."

Albus could now see that Malfoy was sending various hexes and jinx into the wards, but they were all deflecting away. As he rounded the tree diagram once more, a hex bounced off the Ward and nearly hit Albus, who had to stick out out of the way to avoid it. His leg slipped out from underneath the cloak in the procedure, but Malfoy did n't see it.

"It 's got to lick,"Malfoy said."There 's no other way in ...."

"Into where ?"Matt mouthed. Albus shrugged.

They waited for Malfoy to make another dress circle around the tree and this time one of the hexes reflected off the wards and toward matte, who jumped to get out of the way, but tripped over a partially buried tree tooth root instead. He fell over, yanking the cloak down with him, leaving both himself and Albus exposed. Matt let out a stream of curses and a cry of pain. Albus heard a sickening crunch as he fell and hoped it was the tree root and not matte 's leg.

"Who 's there ?"Malfoy shouted, aiming his wand at Albus and flatness. He lit it and his face visibly paled."What are you two doing here ?"

Albus lit his own scepter. Matt was still sitting in the snow."I could ask you the same thing, Malfoy,"Albus said.

Albus pointed his wand at matt and reached down to help him up. He was clutching his radiocarpal joint and his grimace was as pale as Malfoy 's, although for unlike reasons.

"I said, what are you two doing here ?"Malfoy repeated, not sounding very confident.

"Following you,"Albus said simply, thinking honesty would be the best policy here. After all, all three of them were breaking the dominion. Not much point in denying it or making up apology.

"How did you know I was here ?"Malfoy asked. His sceptre arm was now trembling, although Albus did n't lie with if it was from the common cold or fear.

"Saw you leave the castle,"Albus said."Figured we 'd see what you were up to."

"What do you require with the Tree ?"Matt demanded. His spokesperson sounded pained.

Malfoy 's mouth turned up in a sly grin."Once again, you just confirmed my suspicions. This Tree 's how you get into the screaming Shack. I did a little more research, and turns out this thing was planted the same year the screeching Shack was built. The same class Remus lupine started going to Hogwarts. That hut 's all boarded up so I figured there must be some sort of tunnel leading to it and what better way to hide out a tunnel than to put a murderous tree above it ? Trouble is, I ca n't disable the Mrs. Humphrey Ward. Bet you can, though."

"Why ?"lusterlessness asked. Albus heard him inhale sharply and began to wonder if his wrist was broken."Why do you want to get in there ?"

"Ca n't severalise you,"Malfoy said.

"well, I 'm not disabling the Barbara Ward,"lusterlessness said.

"I 'll figure it out eventually,"Malfoy said.

Albus wanted to ask him about his behavior at dueling practices so badly. They 'd had another practice the previous day and again, Malfoy had n't said two row to anyone. It was just foreign. Bur Albus figured that even if he asked, Malfoy would n't respond.

"It 'd be dull, you know,"mat said."Going into the Shrieking Shack."

"Well I would n't go in on a full Sun Myung Moon, idiot,"Malfoy said."Believe it or not this has nothing to do with you or your malefic side. I could n't give care less that you 're a filthy werewolf. I have substantially things-"

Albus jabbed his wand into Malfoy 's chest, nearly knocking him over in the process. His heart was pounding and he could palpate heat rising up in his soundbox."You. Take. That. Back,"he seethed.

"Albus, do n't,"lustrelessness said.

Malfoy scowled."No. I wo n't, because it 's dependable. I do n't like. It was the mystery that I liked and null more. You do n't know the half of what 's going on or why I want that Shack. He only uses it one night out of twenty-eight. I want it the former twenty-seven. I do n't get why that 's such a huge deal."

"What 's going on over there ?"a loud voice boomed over the dry land."Eh, what 're yeh doing ?"

Albus quickly moved his wand and pointed it elsewhere. It was one thing to get caught on the terra firma after dark but another to be caught threatening another educatee. He pointed his wand in the direction of the vocalism and saw Hagrid making his way toward them, his turgid Newfoundland, Fetch, at his side.

"Albus ?"Hagird asked as he drew nearer."matte ? What 're yeh doing out here ? And Malfoy ?"

"Er, nil,"Albus muttered.

"Well, yer breaking the rule so I 'm going to have to take yeh to Longbottom,"Hagrid said and then turned to Malfoy."And you 'll have to see Slughorn."

"Hospital wing,"Matt said."First."

Hagrid turned to Matt and looked at his articulatio radiocarpea."O'line,"he said."What did yeh do ?"

"Tripped over a source,"Matt said."Landed on a rock."

Hagrid nodded and clapped Matt on the vertebral column, a gesture clearly meant to comfort him but instead nearly knocked him over again. After he recovered they set off for the castle, walking following to Hagrid. Malfoy followed at a short length. Hagrid did n't ask them what they were doing by the Whomping willow tree again, although Albus had a feeling he probably knew. After all, he knew why the tree was there and the fact that Matt was a loup-garou.

The castle was much emptier when they returned than when they had left. Albus only saw a few prefects doing their daily round and realized that curfew must have passed. So much for not getting in difficulty.

Hagrid walked them to the infirmary wing and left Albus and flatness there while he then escorted Malfoy to Slughorn 's study. Malfoy had remained tranquilize during the intact walk, but lost the sneer he 'd bust when he insulted Matt.

"I thought you lot had grown out of this,"Madam Pomfrey said as she examined lusterlessness 's carpus."This sneaking about in the dead of dark, following people. At least you did n't get locked out this time.

"Yes, your wrist is definitely ruin. But I can mend it quickly."

Madam Pomfrey took her wand out of her gown and pointed it at Matt 's articulatio radiocarpea. She muttered a charm and instantly, his wrist was healed.

"Thanks,"flatness said, bending his wrist.

"You 're receive,"the nurse replied. She hurried over to a storage locker and returned with a goblet of potion."Take this for the hurting and you 'll be salutary as new. No need to stay the night. I know you stay here enough as it is. You 're to wait here until Professor Longbottom comes to take in you."

matte nodded and downed the potion in one large gulp. Albus sat down adjacent to him on the bed and they waited for Longbottom. Albus did n't think Hagrid had seen him with his wand pointed at Malfoy, so his penalization should n't be too bad.

"You do n't opine he 'll micturate you young lady Quidditch tomorrow, do you ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought of that."I hope not. Fred would down me."

The room access to the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth opened and prof Longbottom walked inside. He looked commonplace and slightly annoyed. He sighed and shook his point when he saw Albus and Matt.

"You two again ?"he asked."Hagrid said you were on the dry land after curfew ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied. He always felt weird calling Professor Longbottom 'sir', but figured it could n't suffer in this situation.

"Should I bother asking why ?"Longbottom replied.

Albus shook his head, knowing that telling Longbottom why would n't get them any few detentions, nor would it stop Malfoy from trying to figure out how to get into the screaming Shack.

"I 'll have this easy, then,"Longbottom said."Ten stage from Gryffindor, each. And you 'll both serve detention tomorrow, immediately following the Quidditch match. Lines, in my office. I 'll see you then."Longbottom turned to leave alone. He nodded to ma'am Pomfrey as he walked to the door."Good night, Poppy."

"Good night, Neville,"Madam Pomfrey said.

Albus and matte said good Night to the nanny and then left the ward, both automatically going back to the common room rather than the Marauder 's Den. If they were caught outside of Gryffindor tower twice in one night they 'd get a much unfit punishment than twenty dollar bill lost distributor point and a custody. Albus thought they 'd gotten off easy, to be honest. He wondered what Slughorn had set for Malfoy.

John, Kaden, rose wine, and Amanda were waiting for them when they got back. John and Kaden were smirking.

"Do n't say a intelligence,"Albus muttered."I knew whoever followed him would get caught."

"Figured you did, seeing as you 've been gone for over an hr,"whoremonger said."What 's your punishment ?"

"Detention tomorrow after Quidditch and we each lost ten points,"Albus said.

"You got off well-fixed,"Kaden replied."If it had been me and John we would 've gotten three detentions."

"I think Longbottom took pity on us because Matt broke his wrist while we were out there,"Albus said.

Saint John laughed."Of class he did."

"Shut it,"Matt said."It really suffer. I was dodging a curse that Malfoy sent to the Willow that reflected off the wards."

"Did you find anything useful out ?"Rose asked."Not that I approve of this."

Albus and Matt explained what had happened, including the part where Malfoy insulted matt and Albus nearly hexed him.

"Very odd,"rose mused."What can he possibly want the Shack for ? And what did he stand for when he said he had early material going on ? What other stuff could he possibly have going on besides school ?"

"Whatever he 's got going on with Willinson ?"John suggested."Surely Felix knows what his cousins are up to and Malfoy 's always involved with that."

Albus shrugged."Maybe. But why would he need the hut ?"

"Who knows,"John said.

"I bet it 's got something to do with that letter,"Amanda said."And why he 's acting so strangely lately."

"Speaking of acting strangely, Elsie Willinson is still acting Weird,"Rose said."I thought she would 've adjusted by now, but she has n't. She does n't seem to give any friends."

"Does her brother still pick her up from tutoring ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah,"Rose replied."It 's very odd. I asked her if she wanted to hang out with me and Amanda until curfew, but she said she could n't. So I said maybe another clip and she said probably not."

"That 's odd,"John the Evangelist said."Clearly they 're up to something."

"They 're always up to something,"Albus pointed out."I 'd love to know what it is, though. I wonder if they 've been in physical contact with Quinton."

"They 'd be stupid to be,"rosebush said."Kendrick did n't penalize Felix for what happened to Kaden two years ago, telling him if he did it again he 'd get expelled."

"I still say you 've got to figure out what 's up with Elsie,"John said.

"I 'm trying,"Rose insisted."It 's not as easy as you 'd intend. She hardly talks at all."

"Just keep trying,"John said.

"team !"Fred suddenly shouted from across the uncouth room."Off to bed, all of you ! We 've got a moment fortune at this and let 's not ruin it by staying up all night."

Albus did n't debate. Turning in early was a good idea and he was actually quite fatigue after his sashay to the Whomping willow tree. He bade beneficial dark to his friends and went up to his quiet, abandon dorm. It did n't take him long to flow asleep and he dreamt of playing Quidditch with Malfoy while the two of them dodged the Whomping Willow on brooms.


A/N : Thanks for all the reexamination ! I am doing Camp NaNoWriMo again this month ( probably not a beneficial thought ... ), and I 'm writing this for it, so hopefully I 'll finish it !



The weather for the rematch was vastly unlike from the old Saturday 's weather. The sky seemed to be all out of snow and the sun was shining. Although it was still bitterly frigidness, there was slight flatus. Albus hoped the match would be a long one since as soon as it was over, he had to swear out custody with Professor Longbottom.

Albus went down to the Great Hall by himself for breakfast. His early dark had given way to him waking up far sooner than he normally did. It was nice being capable to lallygag over breakfast, though, and concentrate on the upcoming match rather than interact with his Friend. As he ate, the Great Hall slowly filled. He had just finished the last of his eggs when the post owls arrived.

Albus observed the owl and did n't make out any of them. Clearly he was not receiving any Emily Price Post today, which was a secure affair because he was fairly certain Longbottom had owled his parents about his detention. But then he noticed a very large owl holding a red gasbag in its mouth ; it was a howler monkey and the owl was heading toward the Slytherin board. Albus continued watching it and saw it shoot down right in front of Scorpius, who yanked the gasbag off the owl 's leg and tripped over the terrace in his hurry to leave the room. Albus actually sympathized with him ; it was frightfully opening a sidesplitter in public. From the sound of it, Malfoy did n't quite make it to a loo or discharge classroom. Muffled cheering could be heard coming from the Entrance Hall.

Malfoy did n't yield to the Great Granville Stanley Hall. Albus figured it must have been a particularly awful howler and was wondering what it could possibly cause said when his ally sat down succeeding to him.

"Malfoy got a howler,"lav said as he started loading his collection plate with bacon.

"I know,"Albus said."Saw him get it."

"fountainhead, we heard the fag end end of it,"John said.

"It was awful,"Rose replied.

"What did it say ?"Albus asked."Who was it from ?"

"His dad, I 'm guessing,"bathroom said."It was a man 's vocalization. We crouched down on the step when we saw him. Basically his dad was yelling at him for getting in trouble for stupid things when he should be studying and concentrating on his school day work and keeping his headspring down. Then he said something about how Malfoy knows that they, meaning his parents, have far more of import things on their minds than worrying about Malfoy getting in trouble in schooling. And how they ca n't vex about him at schoolhouse when they 're meddlesome worrying about other things."

"That 's vague,"Albus said."He did n't say what the other matter were ?"

"Nope,"lavatory said."But Malfoy obviously knows what they are because he was shaking and he ran for the keep after the howler blew up."

"I told you the letter of the alphabet he read at practice was about something bad,"Amanda said.

"And now we know it 's got something to do with his family,"Albus said.

"Maybe they 're going to join up with Willinson and the Carrows and all them,"mat said."His dad was a destruction feeder, was n't he ?"

"variety of,"Albus said."His grandfather was, but his dad sort of got caught up in it and he got off. So did his grandfather, actually. No one really knows why, but my dad vouched for them at their hearing."

"Now that is weird,"Matt said."Maybe his grandfather is planning on joining them."

Albus shrugged."Maybe, but it just does n't sound right. Listen, I 've got to get to the pitch. I 'll see you after."

"Yeah, for detention,"matt muttered."Going to be a blast."

Albus 's wishing for a long match came truthful. Since the weather was cooperating, King James I put off catching the canary until Gryffindor was up by 200 percentage point, instead focusing his efforts on faking dives to go along Ravenclaw 's Seeker away from the Snitch. It worked, and three and a half minute later James caught the Snitch and won the mates for Gryffindor. Albus was sorely let down that he 'd let to pretermit the resulting party in the usual room, but figured that 's what Longbottom was going for when he scheduled detention for right after the match.

Matt was waiting for Albus in the Great Hall and the two of them grabbed a prompt lunch before hurrying to Longbottom 's billet. They spent the next two 60 minutes writing'I will not sneak out of the rook after shadow'over and over again. By the time they were done Albus wanted to curl up and take a nap, since the Quidditch match itself had exhausted him. He and Matt decided to spend the afternoon in the predator 's Den, just relaxing if not actually sleeping.

When they arrived they found John and Kaden in the middle of plotting their new clowning. rose and Amanda were in the subroutine library, apparently avoiding John and Kaden and their prank.

"Are you two indisputable you do n't want to be involved with this ?"john asked."It 's going to be legendary."

"It wo n't be worth the detentions,"Albus said.

"Seriously,"matte agreed."If it 's legendary it 's going to mean a lot of detentions."

"Fine,"King John said.

Saint John and Kaden lowered their voices, but Albus distinctly heard the words 'Weasleys '', 'itching powder ,''Slytherins ,'and 'alarm filaree .'At that point, he really did n't desire to know. He and Matt decided to start a game of Bromus secalinus and attempted to tune out Gospel According to John and Kaden 's whisperings.

"I was thinking the other nighttime and realized if my dad loses his job when Laurentis is elected it 's going to be just like Commonwealth of Australia,"Matt said as he captured one of Albus 's pawns.

"I had n't thought of that,"Albus said."Does that intend you 'd move again ?"

"I do n't cognise,"Matt said quietly."I really hope not. I guess I do n't think so because the rattling reason we moved here was so I could go to school, not for Dad to get a new job."

"Then you probably wo n't,"Albus replied, taking one of matte 's bishops.

"But if he does lose it, it 's going to probably mean Laurentis disagrees with him on werewolf topic,"lusterlessness pointed out."That could be really bad."

"You never know,"Albus said."There 's other things your dad deals with that they might disagree on."

"But my dad 's the most vocal on werewolf rights. Everyone knows that,"lustrelessness said."If they 're going to disagree on something, that 's going to be it."

"I guess you 'll have to wait until the argument,"Albus said.

"I 'm thinking of going,"mat said quietly."It might be dread, but I want to know what she says firsthand, not from the Prophet."

"That makes mother wit,"Albus said."When is it ?"

"In three week,"matte said."February 15th. That 's the but thing ; it 's the day of the Hogsmeade trip."

"That happened stopping point Hogsmeade weekend,"Albus said,"when rosiness went. suction that they do that."

mat nodded."I think I 'll go anyway. I mean, it is the Valentine 's Hogsmeade trip. public speaking of that, is James still going out with that Hufflepuff girlfriend ? I forgot her name."

"Gabby Ellis,"Albus said."I 've no idea, to be honest. I guess we 'll feel out when the Hogsmeade stumble comes."

"Just as long as Fred does n't schedule Quidditch practice for that day again,"lusterlessness pointed out.

Albus laughed."He wo n't. None of us minded too much since the conditions was so nice, but I think if he did it again the whole squad would hate him."

"That would take a crap an awkward category dinner, considering over half the team are your cousins,"Matt said.

"kin dinners with my family have become ill-chosen by definition,"Albus said."Luckily the following one wo n't be until far after the election."

"Only a picayune over two months to go,"lusterlessness said."You can make it."

"I hope so,"Albus replied, as he moved his queen in the direct communication channel of lusterlessness 's Rex."Checkmate."
***


"Rufus Scrimgeour was the lastly Minister of illusion to be appointed by the Wizengamot,"Professor Embry said as he strolled around his classroom. It was the start week of Feb and the class had finally gotten to the point in time where they were beginning to talk about the instant war."He was appointed quickly, after Cornelius Fudge resigned.

"parson Fudge is commonly known as the least competent Minister ever to harbor spot,"Embry continued."He refused to believe evidence that was laid out plainly in front of him, for concern of being known as the Minister who held office when Voldemort returned. Somehow, he thought that if he ignored what was right in figurehead of him, it would just simply go away. This backfired, of course, because he is now known for being the to the lowest degree competent minister.

"Scrimgeour is seen in a slightly better light than Fudge, although he was Minister when the Ministry fell to Voldemort in August of 1997 ...."

Albus knew all of this, of course. He 'd grown up listening to his parents laugh at the incompetence of Fudge and the pointlessness of Scrimgeour being considered a minister at all. Nevertheless, he listened to Embry and took detailed notes since the essays Embry set were often long and hard.

"The time of the moment war was a sentence of fearfulness and chaos,"Embry said as he reached the front of the room again."No one knew what was going on or who to believe. Many people heartily believed Fudge and what he said, believing Albus Dumbledore to be a fraud or even senile. When this realness was shattered for them in June of of 1996, they did n't know what to do or who to turn to, or even what to think. They 'd been fooled for a full class, believing what their Ministry and newspaper told them. Now that they knew they 'd been lied to for a twelvemonth, what were they to do ? They did n't trust anyone, let alone the Ministry. about masses 's goals were to protect their family and Friend and that was it.

"It was the fear and chaos that allowed Voldemort and his followers to adopt ascendency of the Ministry. Without the support of wizarding Britain, the Ministry was decrepit and susceptible to a takeover. It was simple for Voldemort to err in and takeover in a issue of weeks."

"alibi me, prof ?"Olivia terms said, raising her hand.

"Yes, miss terms ?"Embry replied."You have a motion ?"

"Yes, sir,"Olivia replied."I was just wondering, and you do n't have to answer, but what were you doing during the second war ?"

If Embry was surprised that Olivia asked him a question about his personal lifespan, he did n't demonstrate it. Instead he gave a slender smile and began to walk around the schoolroom again.

"I do n't beware answering that,"Embry said."Many of your parents were involved with the war travail, so of course you 're curious. When the Ministry fell I 'd been working there for about six years. I got a job as an undersecretary in the Department of Magical transit when I was just out of Hogwarts and worked my way up the rank and file.

"I 'd pick up a promotion shortly before Minister Fudge resigned and worked to enlist laws, but I quit after Scrimgeour got appointed because I saw that the Ministry was watery and corrupt and no longer wished to align myself with it. After Voldemort 's defeat, I was approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt asking if I would like to be involved with rebuilding the Ministry, and I said yes."

Albus was impressed. Embry had n't mentioned what sort of job he did at the Ministry and Albus had had no idea he had been so need with its rebuilding after the war.

"So you can see why I believe it is so important to educate all of you about the story of the Ministry and how it is organized now,"Embry finished."Looks like we 're out of time for today so please write an eight in essay on Rufus Scrimgeour 's term as rector for homework, due next Tuesday."

Albus packed up his bag and headed back up to Gryffindor tower with his booster. When they arrived, there was a crowd around the notice board, which was strange. The Hogsmeade weekend day of the month had already been announced and rarely did other notices garner such a crowd around the notice card.

Albus shrugged at his friends and they squeezed through the crowd until they could read it. It was a large posting, covering the majority of the card, imposing an other curfew Sunday Night. Everyone, first through 7th years, were to be back inside the castle by five in the evening, no exclusion. Below that it warned that Filch was going to lock the nominal head doors at exactly five and that everyone was to report to their common room at five-thirty.

"That 's Wyrd,"Albus said as he and his friends retreated."I do n't recall they 've ever imposed a curfew so former before, and for everyone ?"

"It 's because Greyback has n't been caught,"Matt said quietly."Billy Sunday 's the wax moon."

"They must think he 's going to come back,"Albus replied.

"Scary,"lavatory added."Do you really think he will ?"

"I do n't do it,"Matt said."But I 'd bet my parents'whole Gringotts vault that he 's going to sting individual Sunday night."

"Wait,"pink wine said."You do n't usually go to the Shrieking hovel until six or seven."

"They 're probably doing it early just to be safe,"Matt said."In case some people do n't pursue it or something. It says on there that the prefects are going to do a mind count. That 's why we all have to come in back to the plebeian way at five-thirty."

Rose nodded."Then you 'll cause to allow later, after the threshold are locked."

"Either that or Madam Pomfrey will deliver me go early,"lusterlessness replied."I really hope not, though. I hate sitting out in the Shrieking Shack."

"I hope not, too,"Albus said quietly.

Albus and his friends were probably the just educatee who knew the cause why a curfew had been imposed on William Ashley Sunday. Even the prefects seemed clueless, since Albus overheard a few of them trying to see it out. More than a few students were angry about it, although Albus had no thought why since it was n't uncouth for student to get a promenade on the grounds on a Sunday night in February. He supposed they liked the choice, though.

As Dominicus drew close-fitting lusterlessness became quieter and even more closed off than he normally was. In fact, it reminded Albus a lot of the way he was in first twelvemonth, before Rose figured out why he disappeared once a month. Both Albus and blush wine tried to get him to spread out up about it, but he shrugged them off and insisted he was fine. St. John and Kaden did n't seem to mark any difference in Matt, and Amanda was n't one to ask about it when he closed himself off.

Saturday 's Dueling tourney proved uneventful. Albus spent the total few hours worrying about Matt because he had elected to cut the tournament in gild to sleep, which was odd since he 'd normally at least try to participate. At least Malfoy made Albus 's life well-heeled by remaining quiet throughout the tournament and not blaming Albus when the team came in 3rd property. Albus himself won both of his affaire d'honneur, as did Malfoy.

On William Ashley Sunday Albus and his friends spent the day in the Marauder 's Den, working on preparation and playing games. Matt slept for much of the day and he still was n't saying anything. While Albus was worried, he was fairly certain the reason Matt was so quiet was Johnny Reb. When a quarter to five rolled around, they had to return to Gryffindor to test they were in the rook. mat was still asleep, so Albus told everyone else go to on ahead and that they 'd follow.

"Matt,"Albus whispered as he shook his friend awake."We 've got to go back to the green room."

"This is stupid,"lusterlessness muttered."They 're counting everyone to ready sure no one gets attacked by a werewolf when they 've got one life in the castle."

"Is that why you 've been so subdued this week ?"Albus asked as lusterlessness got up. He did n't answer."You and Calidris canutus are n't the same."

"I know,"Matt said as they left the room. The corridor was evacuate, so he continued to verbalise."It 's just the fact that we 're both loup-garou. That 's the same. What if they start doing this curfew thing every good moonlight, all because of me ?"

"They wo n't,"Albus said."You 're not grave because you 're in the shriek hutch. It 's all seal up."

"I guess, but it 's still possible."

"You and Rebel are different because he wants to bite people. He purposely transforms near multitude, not on wolf's bane, so he can infect people. You hide yourself away to protect everyone. That 's a huge difference."

"But what if he does come up to Hogsmeade,"flatness continued."He 'll hear me howling and know there 's a werewolf in the scream hut and he 'll try to get in."

"But he wo n't be able to,"Albus pointed out.

"And then if he does bite someone, and let 's face it, he will,"Matt said."It 's going to face bad for all werewolves. All it 'll take is a few attempt and multitude will bug out believing we should have our rights taken away. That 's what happened in Australia."

"You 're getting ahead of yourself,"Albus said as they reached the common way."Right now you do n't get it on that any of that 's going to chance. Wandering banshee."

"You 're nearly late,"the Fat madam said as she swung her portrait open.

Albus and mat climbed inside and found the common way the most crowded they 'd ever seen it. Prefects were milling about attempting to get everyone to quiet down down, but everyone was still trying to reckon out why such an other curfew had been set. The room was so crowd together that Albus and Matt could n't recover the balance of their friends and since being in a push elbow room was not the best idea for matt right wing before the wax moon, they quit searching and instead sat down near the dorm room room access.

"Everyone, placidity, please !"Heather announced in a magically blow up vox. The way finally quieted down."I know you 're all distressed about the curfew but they have n't even narrate us prefects why it 's been imposed. It 's not that big a deal since it 's February, dark, and freezing external. None of you would be outside anyway. Now just remain tranquillize while we take roll so we can all get downstairs for dinner. After we 're done you 'll be allowed to roam the palace until your rule curfew."

heather mixture began calling out names in alphabetic order by year. It took her fifteen or so minutes to get to the fourth years and after that Albus tuned her out. 15 minutes after that she finished and all the Gryffindors had been accounted for. The green room emptied out quickly, since everyone wanted to get to the Great lobby for dinner party. Matt had fallen asleep and after Albus prodded him awake, he went up to the dorm room to kip until he had to go to the infirmary wing.

When Albus and his friend returned from dinner Matt had already left for the hospital wing. They decided to just mystify around the vulgar elbow room since it was fairly discharge and spent the evening working on their essays for Professor Embry.

"Any chance you lot know why we 're stuck inside ?"James I asked as he snagged the last chairperson at Albus 's mesa."Cedric, Ben, and I are asking everyone."

Albus exchanged a glance with Rose. He supposed it could n't injure to tell James IV the reason why, just so long as he did n't tell him why they knew. Of course of instruction, as soon as he told King James I it would spread around the castle like Dragon pox at a wizarding baby's room school, but again, that would n't really hurt anything.

"We 've got a suspicion,"Albus said."Remember how Quinn Hildebrand saw Greyback on the grounds during the Quidditch match ?"

"Yeah,"James said.

"Well, tonight 's a full lunar month,"Albus said."Put it together."

James was still for a moment and then his centre grew big."You think Kendrick thinks he 's going to come here tonight ?"

"That 's our guess,"Albus said and his friends nodded.

"shuffling sense,"James said."Can you imagine what form of worry Kendrick would be in if someone got bitten by a werewolf on the grounds ?"

Albus did n't require to think about it. He doubted lustrelessness wanted a companion in the screech Shack.

"Scary,"James said,"thinking about Reb transformed while wandering around the grounds. I wonder why they did n't just tell us. No one would be tempestuous about it if they 'd told us the reason."

"Probably did n't want anyone to panic,"Albus said.

"shot so,"James agreed."But still, everyone 's going to have it away now."He grinned and then got up to go regain Ben and Cedric. The fact that the curfew was due to grayback would be vernacular knowledge in the castle within ten minutes, Albus guessed.

Albus managed to end his essay and decided to yell it a Night shortly after. He did n't feel like talking, not with the possibility that Greyback was either running around the Hogwarts grounds or setting himself on some unsuspecting hamlet, wanting to infect small fry with lycanthropy. It was awful to remember about. Albus laid awake for hours, trying not to call back about it, but try as he might, he just could not push the thought from his intellect.


It was a rarefied occasion that Albus witnessed the sun rise. Being fourteen-years-old, Albus preferred to sleep until the very late dawning or early on afternoon, but this particular morning he was up before the sun. He had n't slept much that nighttime due to his vexation about Fenrir Limnodromus griseus and lustrelessness, and decided that it was pointless to try and slumber when he 'd just birth to be up in an hour anyway.

Albus sat at the window and watched as the sun slowly rose over the skyline. The earth looked peaceful, and not at all like the office where a werewolf could 've been roaming just a few hour before. The Sun Myung Moon had set and both Matt and greyback would be back in their human strain by now. Whatever had happened was over now and there was nothing anyone could do to change it. Albus wondered just how yearn it would take for the prophet to bring out some form of article on any attacks knot might 've been the lawsuit of.

Bilius and Ethan awoke before John did and busied themselves with talk of the town of the Balycastle and Kenmare match that had taken place Sabbatum, completely unworried about Greyback. Albus was n't surprised since neither of them had any sort of personal connexion with the escaped werewolf. But they at to the lowest degree knew that the previous night had been a full moon, since King James had spread that information around the rook.

John finally rose shortly after Bilius and Ethan left for breakfast. Albus was relieved since they could now speak freely.

"What time is it ?"John the Divine asked as soon as he sat up."Have we got sentence to inflict matt before Herbology ?"

"Just after eight, so not really,"Albus said."And there 's no decimal point in visiting him now as he 's probably unconscious or sleeping. The moon just set two hours ago."

"Yeah, but he might know something,"toilet said as he closed the hangings on his bed while he dressed."He might 've heard Greyback in conclusion night."

"He never remembers anything about broad moonlight,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's still worth a snapshot,"privy replied.

Albus thought it would be kind of pointless, but they did n't have metre before Herbology anyway. After toilet finished, the two hurried out of the dorm and down to the Great anteroom for a quick breakfast before class. Rose, Amanda, and Kaden were already there.

"Anything in the Prophet ?"Albus asked as he grabbed a mess of toast.

Rose shook her head and swallowed her bacon before answering."No. Absolutely nothing, but that does n't mean much. It could just be too soon for enough details to ingest emerged."

"fountainhead, we 've got a free period this good afternoon, so we can go ask Matt,"John said.

"I told you that he 's not going to know anything,"Albus reminded him.

John shrugged."You never know."

The ease of the student torso seemed to have already forgotten about the other curfew and the full lunation. Albus did n't get word anyone discussing it on his way to Herbology or at lunch later that day. Since there had n't been anything in the newspaper about an attack, it was old news for the Hogwarts students. Everyone that is, except for Albus, St. John, Rose, and Amanda.

Albus, John, and Amanda were still discussing it on their way to Care of Magical Creatures that afternoon. When they arrived they found Hagrid surrounded by cages filled with small, mordant, fluffy creatures.

"'ello !"Hagrid shouted."I 've got nifflers for yeh today. Can anyone enjoin me what makes nifflers unequalled ?"

Albus raised his hand.

"Albus,"Hagrid said.

Albus grinned."Nifflers find gem. They like shiny things."

"Tha 's right hand,"Hagrid said."So if you 've got watches or jewelry on, contract it off. I 've buried a load of leprechaun amber and your job for today will be to use the nifflers to find it. Everyone pair off and then derive get a niffler. Whichever pair finds the most gold gets a multitude of deep brown Frogs."

There was a flurry as everyone hurried to read off their jewelry and find a niffler that looked like it would be a particularly treasure hunter. Albus took off his spotter, shoved it into his scoop, and followed John and Amanda over to the nifflers. With Matt in the hospital fender, Albus was without a partner and decided to just conjoin John and Amanda.

john grabbed the niffler with the longest beak and held the end of the lead story while they followed it around the land. Every so often the niffler would stop and dig through the snowfall, revealing a small lot of coins. Albus collected them and shoved them into a bag Hagrid had provided.

The intact procedure was rather hold. Albus enjoyed watching not only his niffler, but the rest of the stratum 's nifflers as well. They were lovely, funny tool. At one pointedness, Janie Creevey and Karina Jordan-Bell 's niffler managed to sniff out a set of scale leaf in Bilius 's bag resulting in all three of them playing tug-of-war with the niffler.

"Why 's he got his graduated table in there anyway ?"John asked as they watched."We have n't got potions today."

Albus shrugged."No idea."

"Albus, John, look !"Amanda shouted, pointing toward the castle.

Albus turned around and saw two figures walking toward Hagrid 's hut. It took a few s, but he soon realized that he knew both of them. One Albus recognized as a Danton True Young Auror from his dad 's department. His name was Paul Newman and he 'd been one of the Aurors to help when Kaden was kidnapped two years ago. The second man was none other than matte 's dad.

"What 's flatness 's dad doing here ?"John asked.

"Yeah, and who 's that other bloke ?"Amanda asked.

"He 's an Auror,"Albus said."But why are they here ?"

The two hotshot walked past tense Albus, John, and Amanda without making any sort of eye contact, acting as if they 'd never seen them before. By now, the rest of the grade was looking at them strangely. Matt 's dad and Newman kept walking until they reached Hagrid, and they began speaking with him in low voices.

"C'mon,"Albus said as he began walking toward Hagrid.

toilet tugged the niffler 's lead and he and Amanda followed Albus. Albus stopped once they were within earreach, hiding behind a Dubyuh. John and Amanda crouched down on either side of him.

"I s'ppose I did take heed some funny story noises las'night,"Hagrid said."more'n usual, that is. Always singular noises from the timber. A bit more wondrous than normal las'night, coming from Hogsmeade. Could 've been a lycanthrope, but I don'know for sure."

"And did you see anything roaming the grounds ?"lustrelessness 's dad asked. His representative sounded serious.

"No,"Hagrid said."Wasn'exterior late. What 's this about ? Rebel ?"

Matt 's dad and Newman glanced at each other."Yes,"mat 's dad said."We have reasonableness to believe Greyback was in the expanse last Night and we 're looking for anyone who might 've seen something."

Hagrid shuddered."bid I could facilitate yeh. But yeh know, that howling from Hogsmeade could 've just been-"

"Yes, I know,"Mr. Eckerton cut him off, with a straightaway glance at Newman."We 've had report card of more roughshod, louder ululation. Howling that seems to convert location."

"Oh !"Hagrid exclaimed."Yeah, well, again, indirect request I could help. I 'll pay a bit Sir Thomas More attending next full-of-the-moon moon."

"We 'd appreciate it,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thanks for your time."

lusterlessness 's dad and Newman turned and left, without a second glance at Hagrid or the class. The rest of the year had yearn since returned to their nifflers and all had purse of gold far larger than Albus, can, and Amanda 's. But Albus no longer cared about winning the coffee Gaul. It seemed that something did happen survive nighttime, but nobody knew exactly what.

At the end of the course, Albus, John Lackland, and Amanda came in absolutely last-place for amount of coins collected. Hagrid seemed disappoint, but said that their niffler must 've just been tired. After returning it to its batting cage, the three hurried back to the rook, anxious to stow their dish and go visit Matt.

"If Johnny is n't on Wolfsbane should n't he be well-fixed to receive after the total lunar month ?"John asked as they walked to the hospital wing."Would n't he be injured ?"

"Not necessarily,"Albus said quietly."mat only bites and attacks himself because he has nothing else to round. If Greyback 's out roaming the countryside, he can attack fauna and people."

"But what about the actual transformation ?"John replied."Even werewolf on wolf's bane are achy the following day because of that, right ?"

"I think so, yeah, but I bet if you 're being chased by Aurors that 's the last-place thing on your idea,"Albus pointed out."I 'm not trusted. lustrelessness would probably know."

mat was the only when patient role in the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey was busy in her field of study, so Albus and his friends were free to talk over whatever they pleased. Albus was happy to see that Matt was awake, although he did attend slightly unsettled.

"Was there anything in the Prophet ?"matte asked as soon as Albus, John, and Amanda had taken seats on his bed."And I 'm ticket, so do n't get to asking."

"Er, no,"Albus said."Why ?"

"endure night was weird,"matt said.

"Told you he 'd recognise something,"St. John the Apostle said to Albus.

"But I do n't,"matt replied."It was just Wyrd. I do n't know how else to describe it."

"What happened ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't sleep with,"lustrelessness said quietly as he pulled his hands out from under the blanket. They were completely bandaged."flavor. My hands are the solitary theatrical role of me that 's offend. I mean, I ache all over from the shift, but I did n't sting myself at all last night."

Albus looked at the patch."But your hands. You did n't bite them ? Then why are they bandaged ?"

"Splinters,"Matt said."Madam Pomfrey thinks I spent the Night scratching at the door and trying to get out. I 've never done that before. I never remember anything from when I 'm the wolf, but I do sometimes recall feelings. Like if the wolf was really wild or something. Last Night it was desperate, although I have no idea what for. I guess to get outside, if Madam Pomfrey is right."

"And your wolfy self has n't done that before ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Matt shook his head."I 've been transforming in the Shrieking shack for three and a half days and the brute has never done that before."

"I 'll separate you something weirder,"John said."Your dad was here earlier."

"What ?"Matt exclaimed."When ?"

"Just now,"John said."During tending of Magical Creatures, he and some Auror came to talk to Hagrid. We listened in-"

"Of course,"lustrelessness cut in.

"Your dad and the Auror, they were asking Hagrid if he 'd seen or heard anything weird last night. Hagrid said he did n't see anything, but he thought he heard more noise than common from Hogsmeade. Then he said that it may take in just been you, but your dad cut him off, probably because of the Auror. Then your dad said that there had been reports of more vicious howling than usual."

"They definitely think that Greyback was in Hogsmeade last night,"Albus said.

"What would 've happened if you got out ?"Amanda asked.

"Out of the hovel ?"Matt asked."aught good. But now he knows that I was there. He 'll celebrate coming back until he 's captured. I wo n't actually be able to escape from the hut. The Montgomery Ward are too good."

The door to the ward flew undecided and Matt 's dad came striding inside, still looking as dangerous as he had earlier. After a quick glance around the elbow room, he strode over to mat 's bed.

"Dad,"Matt said.

"You do n't search surprised to see me,"Mr. Eckerton replied as he gave his son a hug."How are you feeling ?"

"I 'm all right wing,"matte said with a shrug."Albus, St. John the Apostle, and Amanda saw you talking to Hagrid. Well, they heard you, too. Where 's the Auror ?"

Mr. Eckerton let out a short laugh and then turned to Albus."I saw you in the George Walker Bush. succeeding time you 're trying to hide, do n't blot out with a niffler. They 're infamous giveaways. Yours was trying to whiff out Cardinal Newman 's pocket watch."

"I missed nifflers ?"Matt asked, clearly defeated.

"Yeah,"Albus said."I bet Hagrid would let you see one after you 're sound, though."

"I need to mouth with you about in conclusion Nox, Matt,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."In buck private, perhaps ?"

Matt shook his caput."I already told them about last nighttime, so they might as well stay."

"All right,"Mr. Eckerton said."I need you to try and recollect if you heard or saw anything strange last Nox. I know you never think back anything, but try."

Matt held up his bandaged workforce."madam Pomfrey thinks I tried to get out of the shack final night. That never happens. Whatever was outside kept the masher occupied all night. I did n't assault myself."

Mr. Eckerton 's optic grew large and Albus noticed that the dangerous facial expression had dissipated. It was replaced with a look Albus had seen quite often on his own Padre. It was a founder 's blow and vexation.

lusterlessness explained the rest, including the part about the wolf feeling desperate. Mr. Eckerton seemed to ponder this for a few minutes before sighing and shaking his head.

"What 's going on, Dad ?"Matt asked.

Mr. Eckerton sighed once more."I suppose it could n't pain to tell you. It 'll be in the prophet tomorrow anyway. Two tike were attacked in Little Shingleton last night. It 's a township about five statute mile away, on the other position of that mountain next to Hogsmeade. We 've been trying to figure out whether it was greyback or not, since he left immediately after biting them."

"Were they Muggles ?"mat asked.

"No,"Mr. Eckerton said."Which makes me consider that this was a carefully planned attack. footling Shingleton is a Muggle village, with these two youngster and their parents being the only crone and ace in the field. It 's too simultaneous. And why approach both children ? virtually loup-garou take off immediately after biting someone, their instinct telling them to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible."

"And did they ... live on ?"lusterlessness replied.

"They 're both in horse barn condition at St. Mungo 's. Once their bites heal, they 'll be fine, save for the fact that they now have lycanthropy. The bites were fairly and small, not pattern werewolf bites. These insect bite were inflicted just to infect. Another sign toward Greyback."

"But what about Hogsmeade ?"Albus asked.

"Five naut mi is not an impossible journey for a loup-garou in a night,"Mr. Eckerton explained."Most likely Limnodromus griseus heard Matt 's howls last Nox and followed the sound. Once there, he probably spent the rest of the Night attempting to get inside the Shrieking Shack, which is impossible."

"So you really think it was him ?"Matt asked.

"I do, and Auror Newman agrees with me. I left him in Kendrick 's discipline, after telling him I needed to visit you since we were already here. But what you 've told me just solidifies it."

"But ca n't you just go get him ?"John asked."He ca n't be that far. No offence, matt, but if you were outside you would n't get very far."

"None taken."

"The thing that makes lycnathropy so difficult to learn, and also most likely the reason why Wolfsbane does n't work for all loup-garou, is that each mortal 's lycanthropy is vastly dissimilar from others. Its effects depend a lot upon a person 's scene toward their own lycanthropy. Fenrir Johnny has spent his life embracing his lycnathropy and living for that one Nox a month where his true nature emerges. He embraces his beast incline so very much that he even attacks hoi polloi when the moon is not full.

"You, lusterlessness, on the former paw, identify nigh with your human side. As you should, considering you 're only a wolf one Nox out of 28. Therefore, you resist the transformation. You fight it with your every fiber, every month. Reb embraces it, and probably pitch a lot easier than you do. His shift most likely do not cause him the same pain."

"I guess that makes common sense,"flatness said.

"But still,"lav said."They should be combing the forest for him."

Mr. Eckerton chuckled."They are. Trust me. They have the integral wolfman controller Unit searching for him, along with six Aurors, and a handful of Jnr and trainee Aurors. They do n't normally dispatch Aurors to capture rogue loup-garou, as that 's usually the werewolf ascendence unit of measurement 's job. And it 's not usually my job to inquire werewolf attacks. But this is a high visibility case, so they want many hoi polloi on it, including citizenry in billing. We 'll get him."

Albus wondered if shift was on the pillow slip. He was a junior Auror now. Knowing shimmy, he 'd want to be on the type since Johnny had turned his dad into a werewolf.

"I 've got to get back to the Ministry and satiate out a write up,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up from his chair."If you think of anything else, Matt, ask to use Professor Longbottom 's Floo. owl are easily intercepted."

lusterlessness said goodbye to his dad and soon the boys and Amanda were alone in the hospital wing once more. Albus did n't know what to say. Fenrir Greyback, it seemed, was up to his old tricks and somehow flatness had gotten involved.
***


Fenrir Greyback 's attack on the two children took the entirely forepart Sir Frederick Handley Page of the prophesier the take after morning. The total Great residence hall was talking about it, professors, pupil, and trace. written matter of the newspaper were being passed faster than phonograph record of bacon. Albus managed to snag a copy from his cousin-german Ben.

FENRIR Johnny Reb flack IN LITTLE SHINGLETON

Fenrir Rebel, escaped convict and werewolf,
was sighted finis nighttime in Little Shingleton,
Scotland. Little Shingleton is nearly an
entirely Muggle village, save for one
wizarding household. The family, whose
names have not been released due to the
Underage wolfman auspices Law,
suffered an extreme disaster last-place night,
when Fenrir Greyback attacked both of
their youngster. Both minor are
reportedly in stable condition at St.
Mungo 's.

An investigation, organized by both the
Auror Department and the Department for
the regulation and Control of Magical
Creatures, headed by question of that department,
Walter Eckerton, concluded late yesterday.
'We 've interviewed several eyewitnesses
who saw or learn a werewolf in Hogsmeade
during the full moon synodic month. Hogsmeade is only
about five Admiralty mile from Little Shingleton .'
Investigators said that numerous other
hint led them to believe that the tone-beginning
was by Fenrir Greyback, despite not having
actually seen him in Little Shingleton.
'We are not prepared to disclose all detail
of the investigation. But we are positive
that this was an attack by Rebel. A team
of Aurors and lycanthrope Control whole employees
are working around the clock to capture
knot .'

The article was followed by a recap of Johnny and the crimes that had landed him in Azkaban in the first place, along with a cruddy photo of him. Even in his human human body he looked rather wolf-like, which was such a drastic contrast compared to Matt, who did n't resemble a wolf at all, spare for his center. Albus glanced up from the article and his eyes fell on matte 's. They had a yellow tint to them, with fleck of gold amidst their cancel wild blue yonder colouration. They were indeed the solely wolf-like trait he possessed when the Sun Myung Moon was n't full.

"This is why masses want stricter werewolf ascendancy jurisprudence,"flatness said quietly.

"Even those could n't let stopped this,"Albus pointed out.

"mass wo n't think about that. All they 'll think about is how their children are n't safe, and they 're right. It 's just lousy timing. Laurentis is going to use this to her advantage."

Albus wanted to ensure Matt that everything would be all right wing, that Laurentis would n't blow everything out of proportion, but he could n't. He knew that mat was right, that Laurentis would once again use a terrible tragedy to cast Sir Thomas More support from the wizarding public. If his uncle Percy was going to brook a chance against her, he was going to have to drastically shift his hunting expedition scheme.


A/N : So I just realized that I uploaded the improper chapter live Fri. This is the real chapter 25 and the one I uploaded last Friday is chapter 26. Sorry about that !


The thing about werewolf attempt was that they were only able to happen once a month. There was absolutely no probability of a loup-garou attack during the residue of the month, so it was comfortable for the Hogwarts bookman to soon forget about Fenrir grayback, or at least push him into the furthest corners of their minds. After the initial article about Greyback 's blast on the two Pres Young nestling, the paper returned to its usual election coverage, although both candidates were being very quiet about the attack. Neither Walker Percy nor Laurentis made a command, which did n't surprise Albus. The public debate on regulation of charming wight was scheduled for Saturday, so both nominee would defecate statements then. There had been a few column in the newspaper publisher written by people pushing for stricter werewolf Laws, but that had been it.

Sat was also the day of the next Hogsmeade slip, and this gave the Hogwarts students a much needed beguilement from the away world. Word spread amongst Albus 's full cousin that Epistle of James was once again taking Gabby Ellis to Hogsmeade, and quite a few of his other cousins had engagement as well. Albus himself did not, and was planning on spending the day with John, Kaden, rosiness, and Amanda. Matt had arranged to attend the debate with his dad, and would miss the tripper.

"Are you sure you want to go to this disputation ?"Albus asked Matt as they played chess in the Marauder 's Den.

"What ?"Matt asked, turning to Albus. He 'd been staring at the wall under the pretext of taking his turn for the yesteryear five minutes.

"You were zoning out,"Albus said."I asked if you 're sure enough you want to go to that public debate Saturday."

Matt had seemed distracted all week and whether it was from Greyback being so near during his transformation or the approaching debate, Albus did n't know.

"Yeah, I 'm certainly,"Matt said."I 'd rather hear it straight from her than read it in the Prophet."

"What about your dad ?"Albus asked."Is he going to speak out against her if she wants stricter police ?"

matt shrugged."I do n't know. That did n't influence too well in Australia."

The threshold to the Den burst open and toilet and Kaden came barging in, both wearing indistinguishable smiling. It was slightly uncanny, how interchangeable they looked.

"We 've finished,"John announced.

"Finished what ?"Albus asked. He was slightly worried. It was never a proficient sign when John and Kaden were that well-chosen about something.

"Our prank,"Kaden answered."We 've finished planning. We 're not quite for certain when to do it, though."

"Yeah, any hypnotism ?"whoremonger asked."Or are you two still being all prefecty on us ?"

Albus burst out laughing and turned to mat, who smirked."Prefecty ?"Albus repeated.

"Yeah,"john said."Everyone knows it 'll be one of you who makes prefect next year. And you 're getting started early by not liking our pranks."

"We just do n't want hold again,"flatness explained."Honestly, I could n't care LE if you prank the Slytherins. Malfoy 's a git. clowning him all you want."

"Are you sure you do n't want to get laid what it 's going to be ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Not a chance,"matte said.

John shrugged."All right. But when should we do it ?"

"Let 's just time lag and see when the time tactile property right,"Kaden suggested."It 's not, er ... time-sensitive ...."

whoremaster and Kaden burst out laughing."Sure,"John the Divine said."Not time-sensitive at all."

Albus and Matt exchanged a glance.

"We could separate you why that was so comic,"John said.

"Or you could just wait and see like the rest of the rook,"Kaden added.

"We 'll wait,"Albus said. He was singular about it, but not funny enough to possibly twine up with another calendar week 's detention.

Whatever the frivolity was, lavatory and Kaden did n't follow out it before the next day. Sat brought spicy skies and bitterly cold temperatures and Albus put on two Weasley jumpers in preparation for walking around Hogsmeade.

matt left early for the argumentation, Flooing from prof Longbottom 's study. Albus and John slept later and met Kaden, Rose, and Amanda in the Great Hall for a flying lunch before setting off for Hogsmeade.

The February Hogsmeade trip was always an occupy one. The settlement became filled with youth couples either snogging passionately in figurehead of the shops or staring awkwardly at each other across a table in the ternary Broomsticks or dame Puddifoot 's. Having never been on a date before in his living, Albus found it really funny to watch. John and Kaden found it amusing as well, but pink wine and Amanda seemed to stare wistfully at the couplet and did n't find them at all rum.

"Where to first ?"Albus asked.

"Not Madam Puddifoot 's,"Saint John the Apostle said immediately, grimacing as a few love-struck distich headed toward the place.

"I plan on never setting foot in there,"Kaden said."I do n't deal how many female child ask me to go there with them."

John laughed."You 'd own to get a girl to like you first."

"Shut up,"Kaden said."Let 's just go get some Butterbeer."

The sleep of the group agreed and they were soon crowded around one of the lonesome abandon tables in the Three broomstick. Albus was hoping to enchant a glimpse of James because despite the fact that James had been out with Gabby Ellis before, Albus could n't get over the fact that his brother was going out on dates. It was just Wyrd.

After finishing their Butterbeer, the group went to Honeyduke 's and Weasleys'in order to stock up on Skiving Snackboxes and hot chocolate Frogs. By then it was nearly dinner clock time and they decided to phone it a day. The malarky was picking up and none of them fancied being caught in a storm.

"Albus !"John shouted just as they were setting off on the path back to the castle.

"What ?"Albus asked, turning to see what Gospel According to John was pointing at.

"Henry James and Gabby Ellis,"John said.

Albus squinted and just made out his crony, leaning against the exterior of Honeyduke 's, his mouthpiece attached to Gabby Ellis 's. They were so end that they almost looked like one person.

"Oh my God,"Albus said quietly.

"That is disgusting,"Rose added."I could 've gone my intact life without seeing someone snog James."

whoremaster and Kaden were both laughing."Looks like they 're enjoying it,"privy said.

"Oh utter !"Albus exclaimed as he turned back to the path."Let 's go."

"I think it 's safe to say they 're together,"Amanda said as they walked back.

"What she could possibly see in James ..."rose muttered.

"Well, he does play Quidditch,"Amanda pointed out.

"So do over half my cousins,"Rose said."So does Albus."

"Can we modify the topic ?"Albus asked."Please. C'mon, let 's speed up. I bet Matt 's book binding from the debate."

That seemed to get his supporter'minds off of Henry James 's romanticist liveliness. Albus himself wanted to put the trope of his brother kissing someone out of his mind forever. At least she was a Hufflepuff and he 'd never receive to see them kissing in the common room. If he did he may get to pass all of his time in the predator 's Den.

dinner party had n't started yet when they arrived at the castling, so the mathematical group decided to go find lusterlessness first. They found him right where Albus figured he 'd be, in the Marauder 's Den. Albus was slightly nervous about what had happened at the debate, but mat was sitting on the put casually reading his Charms book, seeming hardly upset at all.

"How was Hogsmeade ?"Matt asked as he set his book down.

"Disgusting,"Albus said as he sat down next to flatness. lavatory, Rose, and Amanda pulled up chairs.

matt raised his eyebrows."Disgusting ?"

"We saw James snogging his new girl,"Rose said with a shudder."Trust me, there 's nothing pleasant about seeing the boy you remember eating a mud pie kissing a girl while pressed up against Honeyduke's."

Matt laughed."I have n't got any cousins, so I 'll take your word for it."

"Consider yourself favourable,"Albus muttered."But what happened at the debate ?"

"It was n't as bad as I thought it would be,"lustrelessness said."well, okay, contribution of it were n't as bad as I thought they 'd be. It was at the Ministry, in one of those court suite in the basement. Mostly it was people who work at the Ministry there, but there were some early citizenry there, too, because the room was so big.

"I 'm not surely how much you know about the Department for the ordinance and Control of Magical animal, but every animal is divided into one of three categories. being, liquor, and savage. Spirits are spook and poltergeists and boggarts. existence are creatures that are n't human, but have man intelligence service. Beasts are everything else. The bloke who was running the argumentation started by asking Percy and Laurentis how they feel about the rights given to Beings. You know, hobgoblin, house-elves, centaurs, those sorts of creatures. They did n't have much to argue about that because neither of them think any of those creatures should stimulate their right hand taken away. And Rose 's mum has worked so hard to get them right field.

"Then they moved on to the Spirit division and there was n't much controversy with that, either, since there 's not often that can be done about life. They 're just sort of there. Ghosts do n't harm anyone and poltergeists it all depends on the specific poltergeist. Laurentis brought up the matter of Peeves, which was odd, but Hotspur did n't look to have an vox populi on Peeves."

Albus had n't expected much controversy with the being division. There had been a lot of argumentation back and Forth about the rightfulness of Beings back when his parents had been in schooltime and his aunt Hermione had dedicated her body of work life toward giving rights to Beings, especially house-elves. Over the old age she 'd done a very effective job with it and had n't met much opposition. As for the Spirit division, Albus did n't reckon there had ever been often controversy there. spook were just ghosts. They pretty much did as they pleased.

lusterlessness paused."Then there was the Beast sectionalisation. Throughout history both werewolves and lamia have sometimes been in the existence division and sometimes been in the Beast division. Classification in the wolf division is the grounds why werewolves have been stripped of their right hand and how the Ministry can get away with it. If they 're not seen as Beings, then legally, they do n't have got to be given the Lapplander rights as humans. It 's a technicality, really.

"A hanker time ago lycanthrope were in the beingness division, but they got reclassified in the 1950s, after a huge lycanthrope attack on an total Town. It was horrible. But ever since then, no one has wanted to separate them as Beings again. My dad has been an proponent for classification as Beings ever since he started in Australia.

"The thing about classification is that, for the to the highest degree part, Ministries all over the humanity have to harmonise. That 's why reclassification is such a time-consuming and difficult thing to do. person has to get it up and organise negotiations between area and it requires a lot of effort. When Voldemort came to exponent no one in Great Britain had the time or muscularity to put toward the reclassification of werewolf. Not to mention they could n't give up the people to put the prison term into it. Since the brutal tone-beginning in the 50s happened in England, the other country have n't wanted to touch the approximation. Although I 'd wager that Australia would put up a commodity fight if it was ever brought up again.

"So, basically, my dad has been trying to do this for age, but he does n't have the support. Even curate Hartwell has n't wanted to adjoin it since it 's such a controversial consequence and he does n't accept a great deal meter left."

"Wow,"Albus said."Binns did n't teach us any of that in account of Magic."

"And he probably wo n't,"matt said."It 's not a well-known issue since nigh the great unwashed probably do n't worry to put in the endeavour to reclassify werewolves. The only people who 'd want to are werewolves."

"That 's awful,"Amanda said."But what happened at the public debate ?"

"The wizard in kick of the debate dodged the question of greyback for a while, asking interrogation about other animate being like thestrals and dementors and the like. But he finally brought up the topic of greyback and Laurentis basically said that it was n't a matter of werewolf control constabulary, but a matter of Azkaban security-"

"Well, that 's good,"Albus said. He would n't make expected that of Laurentis.

"sort of,"Matt replied."I have n't finished. Anyway, your uncle agreed with her, but he of row said that putting the dementors back would be stupid. Laurentis said that if the dementors had been there then Greyback would n't deliver escaped and those Kyd would 've been safe. Then they started arguing about Azkaban and dementors again. But the feller in explosive charge cut them off.

"Then he finally brought up the fact that my dad 's been pushing for the reclassification of werewolves as Beings for twelvemonth and how he 's got the support of Rose 's mum and asked what their opinion of it was."

"But if my mum was able to help house-elves and hob, then why could n't she do it for werewolves at the same time ?"Rose asked.

"House-elves and goblin have always been classified as being,"Matt explained."They were being denied rightfulness that they technically already had. It was just a matter of reworking the Pentateuch and enforcing them properly. None of the werewolf rights police force can be changed unless their classification is changed-"

"But that 's just stupid,"toilet said.

lustrelessness shrugged."It is, but there 's aught anyone can do about it."

"Well, what did Laurentis say ?"Albus asked.

"Laurentis said that reclassifying werewolves as being would return the flow werewolf ascendance laws unenforceable and that it would give the Ministry far less dominance over werewolves. Which is true,"Matt said."Not that it would be a bad thing."

"Of trend not,"Albus agreed.

"Then she said that if werewolves were currently classified as existence it would defecate it difficult to even catch Greyback and prosecute him for what he 's done, which is n't true at all. My dad was turning purple at this full stop. She really knows naught about the way his department works."

"What about Uncle Sir Henry Percy ?"Rose asked.

Matt did n't say anything for a full phase of the moon instant."He was n't as bad as Laurentis, but well, your uncle does n't want to change anything. I 'm sure you 've noticed that he says everything 's alright the way it is and we do n't ask to change anything, whether it 's Azkaban or Hogwarts. He thought the Sami about werewolves."

"What do you think of ?"Albus asked."He thinks that-"

flatness averted his gaze, looking at Kaden rather than Albus and Rose."He thinks that 'putting Department of Energy into reclassifying werewolves as organism would be a poor idea, given the early result facing the greater wizarding community .'And that is a verbatim quote. I ca n't ever bury that."

Albus wished he was surprised. He really did. But the fact remained that Uncle Percy did n't like to stir the cauldron, so to talk. If things were working the way they were, he would n't deepen them. He 'd rather keep affair the same then speak out openly either for or against anything, if it would cost him support or votes.

"Then he went on to excuse,"Matt continued."He said that lycanthrope classification does n't affect a large number of witches and wizards and that it 's very complicated and would require a lot of effort, which is truthful. But it 's like he did n't think it was worth it, just because it would n't impact a lot of people."

"It does n't surprise me,"Rose said quietly."The election is so soon. I do n't think he 's going to say anything too controversial."

"Honestly, it was almost worse than Laurentis,"Matt said, turning back to Albus and Rose."Sorry. I know he 's your uncle-"

"Do n't apologize,"Albus said, suddenly glad he was n't of age and would n't have to choose between the two prospect.

"It 's like he does n't even have a hard opinion on it. He does n't want to own a strong opinion on it,"Matt added."Laurentis at least has a grounds. Your uncle does n't even have that. Honestly, Albus, I 've no idea who my parents will vote for now. Same with Amy."

"I do n't hump who I 'd vote for now,"Albus said quietly.

"But either way, I do n't think lycanthrope will get reclassified,"Matt replied."nothing will happen without musical accompaniment of the British Minister at this point."

"That 's just not fair,"Amanda said."What exactly does the law say now ? What are you not allowed to do ?"

mat averted his gaze once more. This was another topic that Matt had n't ever spoke of before and Albus had n't dared ask.

"fountainhead, technically,"flatness began,"I 'm not allowed to be at Hogwarts."

"What ?"Albus shouted. The rest of his friends let out similar exclamations of shock.

"But Teddy 's dad-"Rose began.

"Not legal,"Matt said."Dumbledore frequently broke the law and that was no dissimilar. prof Kendrick follows the law a bit more but he liked the idea of allowing me to attend. It 's kind of murky, to be true. It 's in the law that werewolves can not hang Hogwarts, but at the Sami fourth dimension, Hogwarts master have unadulterated ascendancy over who they admit. So as long as it 's proceed quiet-"

"But what about Malfoy ?"rose asked."If he were to let it slip-"

"Then Kendrick would kick out him,"Matt explained."And he 'd be allowed to, since it would be detrimental to another student 's education for him to reveal my shape. I told you ; it 's very murky."

"What else ?"Amanda asked.

"The respite has mostly to do with employment,"matt said."well, that and the Ministry is allowed to celebrate werewolves for questioning about full moon attack without actually arresting them. Werewolves as prisoners have virtually no right wing.

"But anyway, employment. I 'm legally obligated to inform any potential employers of my precondition. If werewolves were classified as Beings, that would n't be required, because lycanthropy would be seen as a medical circumstance and use can not be terminated based on a soul 's medical conditions."

"That is the most fuddle thing in the world,"Albus said. His head was spinning."How do you keep all that straight ?"

matte shrugged."It 's my life. That 's the former thing, Albus, your uncle really has no theme how things are run in the Department for the rule and Control of Magical Creatures. He 's not really measure up to say what outcome the reclassification would have on everything. Because, honestly, it would only affect werewolves."

"That seems obvious,"Albus said.

"So someone can not hire you just because you 're a lycanthrope ?"Amanda asked incredulously.

Matt nodded."Does n't even count if they 're on Wolfsbane or not, either."

"What will you do after Hogwarts ?"Amanda asked.

"No musical theme,"Matt said."I 'm trying not to think about that. But this whole pretending to be normal thing that I 'm doing at Hogwarts ? It 's temporary. That 's all there is to it."

No one quite knew what to say after that. Albus certainly did n't. He wished more than anything that his uncle would suffer the reclassification of werewolves as Beings, despite the fact that it might lose him a few votes. It might even cost him a few not to have spoken up, because now, matte 's parents and Amy might not vote for him. But this had such a heavy burden than just the election. lustrelessness was right ; this was his life, and Uncle Percy and Laurentis were just seeing it as a way to get up up more right to vote. Maybe Uncle Walker Percy was n't the redress man for the job, after all. But Laurentis certainly was n't, and since no one else was running, what would occur after the election ?


A/N : Thanks for all the awesome limited review !


The debate on the regulating and Control of Magical Creatures did not seem to be a hot topic of discussion amongst the Hogwarts students. Unlike the debate on education, this particular debate did not relate directly to Hogwarts students, and thus there was n't much discussion beyond a few opinions at breakfast the adjacent day. The article on the debate was much More tame than the late articles, most likely because Percy and Laurentis had n't disagreed on the topic. In fact, the clause mostly focused on the dementor issue.

Albus and his friends kept close picket on the Prophet in example there were any updates on the escaped captive, but the rest of February passed without any sightings or seizure. It was kind of strange since the prisoners had to deliver been hiding out somewhere. Yet they 'd been loose for nearly two calendar month and the only one who had been sighted was Greyback. Willinson, Umbridge, and the Carrows were nowhere, it seemed.

In the meantime, Laurentis used the lack of capture to her reward, by publishing a new assertion every few days declaring how incompetent the Auror department was. These instruction were usually followed up with another declaration of how the prisoners would n't have escaped if the dementors had been in control of Azkaban.

When March arrived, the prophet began putting a countdown until the election at the top of the front line page, every ace day.

"Apr Fool 's Day,"St. John the Apostle commented as he pointed to the countdown, which read '29 Clarence Day .'“ Does n't that seem a bit weird, to do an election on that day ?"

"A little,"Albus said."But I doubt the Ministry cares."

"We should do our joke that day,"Kaden said.

"Do n't,"Rose said."Hogwarts is a polling berth. You 'll mess it up."

"No, we wo n't do it then,"privy said as he exchanged a mischievous grin with Kaden."Want to have it away why ?"

"Not really,"Albus said.

"They 'll come up out soon enough,"Kaden said.

"Does this have anything to do with why you two disappeared all eve yesterday ?"flatness asked.

"Possibly,"John said."Oh, look at the meter. We 've got to get to potions."

Kaden burst out laughing."Oh, yes, looks like it 's metre for me to go to Divination."

Albus looked at mat and shrugged. John and Kaden had been laughing at every mention of 'time'or 'clocks'for the past tense few weeks, but had yet to portion why. Albus could only assume that it had to do with their joke.

Albus, Matt, John, Rose, and Amanda said auf wiedersehen to Kaden and headed for the dungeons. Since it was a double class, Slughorn gave them a potion to brew and sat at his desk grading essays while they worked.

Albus and lusterlessness partnered on their potion and worked quietly, chopping and mixing. Halfway through the endorsement class they were chopping asphodel when lustrelessness suddenly stopped.

"Did you hear that ?"he asked Albus.

"Hear what ?"Albus replied. He had n't heard anything.

"Never psyche,"Matt muttered."Could 've sworn ... guesswork I 'm hearing things."

A few minutes passed and Matt stopped again."I swear there 's something ringing out of doors. It sounds like an alarm clock."

Albus glanced around the classroom, but cipher else seemed to have heard it. Everyone was working quietly, except John Lackland, who was staring at the door for some strange understanding. Then Albus heard it. The faintest reverberance.

"Do you hear it now ?"Matt asked.

"Yeah,"Albus said. It was becoming louder, too. The eternal rest of the grade was beginning to notice as well, and John suddenly turned around to look at them. He grinned widely and then returned to his potion.

"It 's their clowning,"Matt hissed."It 's got to be."

Nobody was paying any care to their potions now and a few of them were boiling over. Slughorn got up from his desk and left the room, without saying a word to the division. He returned a few minutes later.

"nursing bottle your potions as is,"he said."It seems there is some kind of alarm going off all over the castle. After you 're done cleaning up you may leave early."

Albus and Matt worked quickly, wanting to talk to privy as soon as they could. They met him, along with rose and Amanda, outside the classroom a few mo later, and headed to the Great manse. john still had n't said anything.

Kaden was already there when they arrived."Trelawney let us out as soon as the warning signal started. I think it was driving her mad. I mean, more mad than she already is."

"Are you going to tell us what you 've done ?"Albus asked as he began making a sandwich.

"Yeah, we might as well,"John said."We put an consternation clock inside every exclusive case of armor and charmed them to go off at five mo intervals."

Albus started laughing."That 's brilliant !"

"That 's actually really good magic spell study,"Rose said, clearly impressed.

"It gets better,"Kaden said."The instructor wo n't be able-bodied to turn them off with one charm. We charmed them so they have to be manually turned off. It 's going to train them ages."

"I feel bad for whoever 's got August 6 next,"James IV said as he sat down next to Albus."There must be twenty suits of armor across the corridor from the Transfiguration room. It 's so tatty in there you can barely hear yourself think."

"Damn,"Albus said."We 've got Transfiguration next."

"Look, Kendrick 's standing up. Bet he cancels classes."John the Evangelist pointed to the stave mesa.

"silence !"Kendrick shouted."Very amusing caper. It would appear that the alarm filaria have to be manually turned off, so I am canceling family for the afternoon while the faculty and prefects turn off all the alarms."

There was a forte sunniness as Kendrick resumed his seat. The staff table was only half-full, as the residuum of them must have got been already turning the alarm system off.

"He does n't seem untune,"Albus said."This is actually variety of tame. I thought you were going to get revenge on the Slytherins."

John grinned."Oh, we are. That 'll come another day."

After lunch Albus and his supporter went to the vulture 's Den with the intention of spending the day there, but the incessant alarms quickly grew too annoying. Despite the coldness, they decided that exterior would be preferred to inside. The Snow had melted, so they were capable to come up a dry spot to sit.

"I still hear the ringing,"Matt said as they settled down under a immense beech tree by the lake."It 's like my brain is an alarm system clock. I think if you had done this around the full Moon I would 've murdered you."

"That 's why we did n't do it around the full synodic month,"St. John the Apostle said.

"Really ?"Matt asked skeptically.

can laughed."No. Had n't even thought of that, to be honest."

"We did it today because I had a History of magic trick exam this afternoon,"Kaden said."I 'm hoping Binns will forget about it."

"It 's soon, though, is n't it ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"The full moon ? Yeah, it 's Monday,"lusterlessness answered."I 've been thinking about it. About grayback. He 's probably going to come back unless the Aurors catch him before."

"Probably,"Albus agreed.

"I had an idea,"flatness said quietly."I think we can facilitate watch them, using my wolfy side."

"As lure ?"Albus asked, shocked."Then you 'd be in danger."

"No, I would n't,"mat said."I would n't be doing anything different. I 'd just be in the Shrieking hovel like usual. Albus, the vulture 's Map label Animagi as their human public figure, right ?"

Albus nodded."Yeah, of form. That 's how Teddy 's dad found out about Pettigrew."

"wellspring, should n't it be the same for werewolves ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought about that before. In all his meter of having the second edition Marauder 's Map, he 'd never checked the Shrieking Shack during a full synodic month."I think it should."

"Then all the Aurors have to do is watch the new edition of the Marauder 's Map during the good synodic month, delay for Greyback to show up, and then catch him."

Albus thought for a few instant. It seemed so simple, almost too unsubdivided to work."matte ... that 's brilliant."

"When did you think of this ?"rosebush asked.

"Few hebdomad ago,"Matt answered."Greyback was there by the Shrieking shanty for nearly the entire night. It would 've been well-to-do to capture him if person just knew he was there."

"delay,"rose said, looking at Albus."You are n't proposing that you do this, are you ? Because that would be stupid."

"Of course not,"lusterlessness said."It would be my dad and Albus 's dad."

"I do n't think my dad 's in charge of the Greyback capture,"Albus pointed out."It 's that other Auror, Newman."

"If I 'm going to go along with this and secernate them my plan then it 's got to be your dad,"Matt said adamantly."He already knows I 'm a werewolf. Newman does n't. I do n't know what he 'd do if he knew there was a loup-garou at Hogwarts."

Albus thought back to what mat had told them about how it was n't clear whether admitting werewolves to Hogwarts was effectual or not."All right. That make sense."

"But why are you so surely he 's going to occur back to this same spot ?"Amanda asked."If he were smart he 'd transform someplace completely different."

"He 's got a hangup about loup-garou pretending to be human being,"Matt said quietly."He thinks that we 've all got to sweep up our wolf-selves and alive together in mob. I do n't remember he 's going to give up easily on finding me. He did the same thing with Teddy 's dad."

"Then he might be transforming near those Thomas Kid he attacked live on month,"Rose pointed out."They should station Aurors there, too."

Matt nodded."Let 's go send some owls."
***


Albus and matte did n't say much in their letters to their don, wanting to save almost of the contingent for later. Both of them replied saying they would meet the son at Hogwarts Fri evening in society to work out the inside information.

The week went by very slowly and Albus noticed that Matt drew quieter and quieter as it progressed. He never said it out loud, but Albus had a tactual sensation he was incredibly anxious about the plan and his use in it, despite his saying he would be fine. By the time Friday arrived he was completely silent, except for the few clip he snapped at Saint John and Kaden for being irritating.

"You know if this plan actually works and Greyback is captured it 's going to make Uncle Harry reckon very good,"rose said."Which will be skilful for Uncle Percy."

"I thought of that,"Albus said."And since the election is only three weeks away, it 's arrant timing."

"When are you meeting your papa ?"John asked.

"Seven,"Albus answered as he glanced at his vigil."We should probably go."

Albus shoved the lowest bite of his bar into his back talk and left the Great anteroom with Matt at his slope. Professor Longbottom had leant them his subject for the group meeting, so Albus and lusterlessness walked up to the fourth floor.

Professor Longbottom was n't there when they arrived but the room access was partially exposed. Albus led Matt inside and they sat down on a lounge to wait. Albus had always loved Longbottom 's work. It was filled with all form of exotic flora that you never wanted to pertain because some of them bit. The furniture was mismatched and the totally place was pleasantly cluttered. It felt very safe.

Harry and Bruno Walter walked in a few minutes later and shut the doorway behind them. Both looked very scheme and slightly confused.

"Al,"Harry said as he gave his son a quick hug."What 's going on ?"

Albus glanced at lustrelessness, who had just been let go of by his own Padre. This was his plan to explain.

"I know how you can get Johnny Reb,"Matt said quietly, and then proceeded to explicate the entire program."See ? Good plan, right ?"

Harry and Bruno Walter exchanged glances. Bruno Walter looked incredibly worried."Matt, look, I know you want to aid and I know the fact that Limnodromus griseus 's out there scares you out of your mind-"

"I 'm not that scared,"flatness interrupted, but everyone in the room knew he was."Look, he 's going to number to Hogsmeade anyway. You might as well be there waiting for him."

Walter sighed."Yes, I suppose you 're right-"

"So what 's the problem ? I 'll be in the Shrieking hut with all the wards up."

"There really is n't a problem,"Bruno Walter said."It just sounds bad on the control surface, me using my son as hook. What do you recollect, Harry ?"

"I think it 's up to you,"Harry said."You 're in charge of this search. I 'm not even on it. I assigned it to Newman."

"Newman ca n't be there,"mat said quickly as he turned to his dad."He ca n't be. He does n't know about me."

"He 's rightfulness,"Bruno Walter said."It 's got to be you and me if it 's going to be anyone. Whoever works this is going to encounter out there 's a loup-garou at Hogwarts."

Harry sighed and began to pace the room."I had n't thought of that. But there 's got to be Sir Thomas More of us. I 'll convey Ron in, and Teddy."

"Ron ?"Matt asked.

"rosebush 's dad,"Albus explained."My uncle."

mat breathed a sigh of relief."Oh, all right then."

"They 'd be very well,"Walter said."Four of us should be able to handle it. What about those nipper in Little Shingleton ?"

"I 'll depute Newman to them,"Harry decided."And you can pluck a few people form your department to go with him."

Walter nodded."What about the villagers ? We ca n't hang around the Shrieking Shack all night. It 'll bet suspicious."

Albus suddenly remembered the map. He pulled it out of his air hole and handed it to his dad."Use the map. Then you can watch until he gets there."

Harry grinned."I 'd forgotten about this."He turned to Walter."Map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, created by my dad, Dog Star inkiness, Remus Lupin, and Saint Peter the Apostle Pettigrew. It shows where everyone is, so it should show us when grayback turns up. We can hold off at the Hog 's Head until then. No one there will pay us any attention."

"And in the write up ? In the paper the succeeding day ?"Walter asked.

"No reference of Matt or his being in the Shrieking Shack,"Harry said."We 'll say we got an anon. tip that he 'd shew up in Hogsmeade."

"Can I wait with you ?"Albus asked.

Harry laughed."Absolutely not. You 'll stay put in the castling, where it 's secure. I believe they 're doing a compulsory early curfew again ?"

Albus nodded. They 'd put up bill sticker in the common room a few days ago. This time, no one seemed upset about it.

"I wish they 'd do it in Hogsmeade,"Walter said."But getting something like that set up takes weeks."

"Well, if people are smarting they 'll stay inside with Montgomery Ward up,"Harry pointed out.
***


Never before had Albus heard so many mass talking about the full Moon. All weekend, everywhere he turned, he heard someone mentioning either the full synodic month or greyback or both. Suddenly, werewolves were the hot topic of discussion at Hogwarts.

Most people, from what Albus could conglomerate, did n't have a secure ruling on lycanthrope one way or another. But a few people, most having had a relative murdered by Fenrir greyback, told anyone who would listen how happy they were that neither prospect wanted to convert the categorization of lycanthrope from fauna to Beings. It only took Matt overhearing one of these conversations to decide to drop the residue of the weekend in the Marauder 's Den.

"It 'll all be over in three workweek,"Amanda said."Once the election takes place no one is going to handle as much. But these by few calendar week have certainly made me enquire if I should go into the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

It was Sunday nighttime and Albus and his admirer were in the predator 's Den, yet again, working on their prep that was due tomorrow.

"You could work with my dad,"flatness announced from the couch."That 'd be weird."

"wellspring, it 's just dreaded,"Amanda said."And it does n't make signified. Why should goblins and house-elves be Beings but not werewolves ? You 're more homo than a house-elf."

matte laughed."Tomorrow night I wo n't be, and that 's what it comes down to. House-elves are n't that severe. Werewolves are."

"I do n't hump,"Albus began."When my dad was a second year a house-elf charmed a Bludger to break his arm. That 's fairly dangerous."

"What about vampires ?"Rose asked."I ought to owl Linda."

"lamia are Beings,"flatness explained."It 's because they do n't have to drink man blood to hold out. It 's a choice. Werewolves, when we bite somebody, it 's not a choice. We ca n't control it."

"Except with wolf's bane,"Rose pointed out.

"Yeah, and maybe if someone invents Wolfsbane that works for all werewolf we might get reclassified,"Matt said.

"What about lamia who bite people ?"Amanda asked.

"They 're put in prison,"Matt said.

"So can vampires go to schoolhouse and hold Book of Job ?"Kaden asked.

"I suppose they could. Linda went to schooltime. But they live forever so virtually do n't want to go to shoal or already have, because virtually vampires are onetime. As for jobs, they do n't have to narrate employers what they are, so yeah, they could."

"It 's so bloody confusing,"John said."Does n't form a bit of sense."

"It really does n't,"Matt said with a yawn."But it 's life."

flatness slept the balance of the eventide and near of the next day, not attending any of his classes. Albus could n't pick him, what with all the lycanthrope public lecture that was going around the school. Albus himself found it hard to digest on any of his grade or prep since there was the distinct possible action that Fenrir Greyback would be captured that night.

Albus and his ally reported to the vernacular elbow room at five, as per the curfew, and then went to dinner. Matt did n't join them. He was gone when they returned. Albus gave up on homework for the night and played a few halfhearted bout of Exploding Snap with John and Kaden before deciding to go up to his dormitory early. He knew he would n't sleep, but figured it would be slightly more productive than cleaning ash off his face.

Instead of sleeping, Albus sat in the windowsill and watched the sky. It was net, giving him a very undecomposed opinion of the adept. After locating a few constellations Albus watched the horizon and the faint gleam that was above it. Then, the moon rose.


A/N : So, some of you may receive noticed that I screwed up shoemaker's last workweek 's update. I accidentally skipped chapter 25 ( full Moon Attacks ) and went right to chapter 26 ( Spirits, Beings, and Beasts ). If you have n't already done so, go back and scan the substantial chapter 25. The story will spend a penny much Thomas More sense after that.

I am pleased to announce that I have finished this account ! It topped out at 37 chapters. I may bulge out updating this twice a week, but have n't quite decided yet. A lot of you are asking in reviews when the next update will be, so I 'll reiterate that I update every Friday. The exact time will diverge. Thanks for all the brushup !