Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent most of the daylight preceding Christmas at rose wine 's house. King James was determined to use all of his spare time for Quidditch practice, and he had to go to Rose 's menage for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Victor Hugo would aid James practice session while Rose read.

Harry had to practically break James from his Scots heather by magic on Christmas Eve so they could go to Godric 's Hollow. James wanted to stay at pink wine 's business firm and sustain practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The trip was quiet since James II was rather sullen the total time.

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

"That 's good,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

Albus nodded as Lily began to describe in great item what kind of cat she would transform into.

Everyone else was already at the Burrow and Albus felt an immediate warmth come over him as he stepped inside. It had nothing to do with the fact that it was so cold and snowy exterior, either. There was something so comforting about being at the tunnel surrounded by all his family. He was able-bodied to block all the way out with the Quidditch tournament and Professor Killigan. All he could mean about was how wolfish he was and how effective some of his grandmother 's cooking would be right about then.

rose wine sat down following to Albus as he tucked into a big bowl of onion plant soup with a side of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and Aunt Katherine are going back to Romania this summertime,"rosiness announced.

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

"Yeah,"blush wine nodded,"They might outride even after the summer 's over, but ling and Mark will get back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

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

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

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

"I wish our parents would take us to some other area,"Albus sighed.

"Me, too,"Rose agreed,"Imagine the history we could learn."

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

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

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

"I would n't count on it, Teddy,"molly said as she handed Albus another hunk of wampum,"We 're supposed to get the snowstorm of the decade tomorrow. The Muggle electricity is already out in town."

"Is it really ?"Arthur popped his caput into the way,"Fascinating ! I may have to go see it tomorrow !"

"You 'll do no such matter !"Molly shouted,"It 's near inconceivable to Appparate during such a storm. Not to cite the fact that it 's Christmas and you should be here."

"We do n't need electricity to play Quidditch !"shift exclaimed,"It 'll be utter training conditions ! If you can overhear a Snitch in the middle of a blizzard, you can catch one in any weather. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

"We 'll see tomorrow, teddy bear,"mollie sighed.

Albus finished his soup and he and Rose went into the den, where they were greeted by a aloud chorus of 'Odo the Hero', sung by George V, Alicia, Charlie, and Ron. Bill and Fleur were laughing while Hermione shook her head. Albus had a feeling the only understanding why Fleur approved was because the singing was drowning out Celestina Warbeck.

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven Sickles for that !"Percy said to Katherine, who was only sort of paying attention,"And the cuss looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that much for a duty tour of a questionably historic old construction. There really should be regulations on such things. It 's one matter I 'll change if I 'm ever Minister."

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

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

"Hi Victoire,"Albus made his way over to her,"How is therapist breeding ?"

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to estimate out which share of the infirmary I want to do the residual of my training in by Sep. We 've been rotating throughout all the flooring, but now we have to pick one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until September,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a recollective clock time to him.

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

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

"Thanks, shift,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the Maternity hospital ward or trance Damage."

"There 's a busy ward,"teddy grinned,"turn legal injury. You 'll get all the funny harm there."

"That 's not a upright reason to pick a specialization,"Victoire groaned.

"Good a reason as any,"Teddy shrugged.

The fourth dimension grew later and after Albus played numerous turn of Exploding grab with his cousins, his grandmother announced that it was time for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no point. Everyone, including the other adults, knew that arguing with Molly Weasley was useless.

Albus trudged up the stair to the highest bedchamber that he shared with James, Ben, and Cedric. He climbed into bed and then realized just how big this impending blizzard was. The current of air was howling louder than he 'd ever heard before.

The winding was so powerful that Albus could experience it through the break in the window. Every once in a while, the house would creak and stimulate. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his ears to try and drown out the howling.

Albus did n't manage to cast off to sleep until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no deception outside of school rule to put a silencing appealingness on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his annual Yule wake-up call, Lily. She breezed through the room access shouting about how they all needed to ignite up and open their present tense.

"And there 's three understructure of bamboozle outside,"Lily said as she left the way,"I checked."

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

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

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

"We could progress an integral snow wizard army,"Albus said.

"Presents first,"Henry James said as he located his mint of presents.

Albus descended upon his own hatful of presents and began opening them. There were the usual confection and Weasleys'products from his aunty and uncles. Another Weasley sweater, this one scarlet and gold striped. He pulled it on over his pajamas and opened the quietus of the presents from his aunts and uncles. His aunt Hermione had gotten him a few books he 'd probably never show, including one about the story of theater extremely low frequency at Hogwarts.

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

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

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

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

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

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"humans Cup just the ticket !"

"I did n't even know they were on sale this early !"James said.

"You two get the best nowadays,"Cedric said.

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

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

Albus suddenly realized he had the Same problem. Two ticket. Five ally he would want to read. Who was he going to choose ? Not pink wine. They may have been protagonist since they were babies, but she just did n't accept a Passion of Christ for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to cover off the leaning. John and mat were the Quidditch fans. He 'd have to choose between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't adopt a team or anything.

"Those are limited edition ticket,"Ben said,"They do n't know who 's playing yet, so they do n't deal very many tickets ahead of time."

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus and James said at the same time.

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

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

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

"They were a gift from the minister of religion,"Harry replied,"The Cup is in Canada this year and he 's proficient champion with their minister. Got him a lot of gratis tickets."

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

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

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

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

"Maybe after luncheon, then,"slip shrugged.

Molly shook her principal and sighed as she set a few more platters of ballock and pledge onto the table.

There was a knock on the threshold that could only just be heard over the ululation wind. Molly glanced at Arthur, who shrugged and got up to see who it was. Albus followed, very curious to see who would chat on Christmas Day morning in the eye of a huge blizzard.

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

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

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

"Good, but if you feel it 's too rickety, just let me cognize and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy plant life. The leaves do curiosity on old building. Makes them like new. I just put a bunch into my spot and it 's a good thing, too. Of course, they tend to pull Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's voice trailed off.

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

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

"Then you must rest here a while. Molly 's falsify far too practically nutrient, like usual,"Arthur principal Xeno into the kitchen.

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

Molly was more than happy to provide Xenophilius with a large platter of breakfast and he settled down to discuss the storm with the adults.

Albus spent most of the morning playing Exploding Snap, Wizard 's Chess, and Gobstones with his cousins. They tried to play hide and go look for, but the house was too crowded to meet it properly.

teddy and James kept looking out the window, willing it to stop snowing. Both of them were just itching to go play Quidditch. Albus would have gladly gone and played if it would block up snowing so much. He was dedicated to the game, but not enough to playact in this tempest.

lunch period came and the Snow was still falling. George went outside to evaluate it and came back with the news that it was three and a half ft.

Teddy went upstairs after dejeuner and came back decked out in three jumpers, a thick cloak, and a pair of flush. Under one arm was his broom and under the other was a box of Quidditch ball. William James was decently behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus lupin !"mollie shouted,"I suppose I ca n't end you from going out there and catching death of a frigidness, but I will not let you drag St. James the Apostle with you !"

"He 's not dragging me, granny,"James rolled his eyes,"I want to go !"

"Just let them, Molly,"Harry said,"They 'll get moth-eaten soon enough and come back inside."

"Fine,"molly replied and went back into the kitchen.

"Excellent,"Teddy grinned,"Anyone care to join us ?"

Georgia, Fred, and Calluna vulgaris suited up in warm dress and joined Teddy and James. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't want to freeze when he could rest inside and be warm.

The Yuletide Quidditch lasted a half an hour. Teddy, James IV, Georgia, broom, and Fred all stumbled back into the firm shivering with their faces red and covered in coke and ice. Molly immediately descended upon them with kisser of hot umber and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

"C-ca n't encounter the Sn-Snitch,"teddy bear muttered.

Harry laughed."That does n't storm me. You 'll find it when the violent storm calms down. You put the charm on it to bide in the yard, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"chemise replied.

Christmas dinner came and went in its usual chaos. Xenophilius stayed for it and James II snuck sneezing powder into his soup, which he found incredibly shady. molly was not as impressed and gave Epistle of James quite the scolding. How she found out it was James was beyond Albus.

The storm continued throughout the night and Cedric had to put the silencing charm back on their way in order for any of them to get any sleep.

******

Nobody left the tunnel until two twenty-four hour period after Christmas. That was when the snow finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half foot, which was a new record for Albus 's lifetime. The Burrow 's pace had been decorated by dozens of play false witches and wiz, along with hippogriffs, owls, and a variety of early magical brute.

When Albus found out what his family was doing after they left the burrow, he wished the C would birth kept coming. They were going shopping for dress robes for the New Year 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old clothes robes ?"Henry James whined as they walked down Diagon alley towards Madam Malkin's.

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

"Yeah, Victor-Marie Hugo 's the lucky one,"Epistle of James muttered. Hugo was wearing James II 's old frock robes to the party and therefore did not deliver to go shopping.

"ma, I want empurpled gown,"Lily announced.

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the initiatory dyad of attire robes he found, so long as they were n't pink or purple. The Oklahoman they were done gown shopping the better.

Rose and Lily made a beeline for the little girl frock robes as soon as they walked in the doorway. Albus stood awkwardly next to James while their mother found various robes for them.

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

"Very Slytherin,"James snickered.

"Shut it, James,"Albus muttered.

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

Albus reluctantly tried on the Slytherin colored gown and then left the dressing elbow room for his mother to see.

"Too abruptly,"she announced,"But the color is perfective. I 'll encounter a bigger size."

Epistle of James wound up with a navy blue pair of robes, which Albus would have preferred. Lily found her purpurate gown and pink wine got a sky blue twain.

"Next time you 're getting green robes,"Albus muttered to James River, who was still making fun of the color of Albus 's robes.

"No I wo n't. I do n't have greenish centre,"St. James grinned.

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

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


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the amazing citizenry who have read and reviewed this ! Also, for anyone who read In Moon 's darkness, the first chapter of the sequel, Beyond the Shadow, is now up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The company was at the Minister 's Mansion, the house where all the Ministers of Magic had lived. Albus had been there a few times before, but not in a duad years. Usually all the political party the minister held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few time of day before the party, Ginny made Albus, James, and Lily all take showers and comb out their hair properly. She spent a honorable XV mo trying to get Jesse James 's fuzz to lie flat and another fifteen minute putting Lily 's up in some sort of complicate bun eccentric matter. Albus was very glad his own hair was far too myopic for that sort of thing.

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

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

"We 're trusting you to keep back yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to experience to amalgamate with everyone and we wo n't be able-bodied to watch you every second,"Harry added,"You 're all at Hogwarts now. You 're old enough to not be glued to us for the evening."

"Do n't worry,"James IV said,"I know when mischievousness is n't appropriate."

"Let 's hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his family Apparated to the Minister 's family, which meant side-along fantasm for Albus. He hated side-along specter. It felt like he could n't breath. It was worse when the soul who was Apparating him was also Apparating another someone, which was always the guinea pig in his home. It was the curse word of being the in-between kid. He was either with Saint James the Apostle or Lily. This time it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

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

A long and winding sidewalk, framed with bushes and Christ Within on either English, conduct up to the front line doorway. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

The mansion seemed to get full-grown as they got closer. It was painted brown with a black roof and reminded Albus of a rook. It was n't nearly as big as Hogwarts, of course, but it was still huge.

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

curate Langston Hartwell was the third minister since the fall of Lord Voldemort. He was a tall, rotund man with very little tomentum left on his head. He did rollick a rather heavy moustache, which caused Albus to intend of him as a much magniloquent version of prof Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very educated necromancer who spoke using very boastfully Bible that Albus could n't really understand. He was verbose and most of his lecture could be condensed down into a few prison term, according to Harry, that is. He was a very nice man, though.

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

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

The room was decorated with atomic number 47 and black and was already filling up with masses. Albus spotted Rose and Matt in the back of the elbow room and left his kinsperson in the doorway to go see them.

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

"This is the adult menage I 've ever seen,"rose agreed,"I see you 're wearing your Slytherin robes."

Albus rolled his eyes."Shut it."

"What do you opine, mat ?"blush wine turned to Matt,"His mum says they match his eyes, but Saint James the Apostle says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"Matt said immediately.

"Then yours are Ravenclaw,"Albus pointed out, gesturing to matt 's sorry robes.

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

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

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

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you know near of these mass ?"

"Some,"lustrelessness said,"That 's the lad Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very tumid wizard,"McVicar."

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

"Dad never thought he would either,"matt laughed,"Then we 've got your Uncle Walker Percy, I think you probably know him. Those people are a few of Dad 's colleagues,"lusterlessness gestured to a few more beldam and necromancer,"Then there 's a bunch of masses from early departments, but I do n't call back any of their names."

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

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

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the wine and Champagne. It 'll still try out exactly the same,"Matt grinned mischievously,"By the time midnight rolls around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not drunk. It 'll be funny."

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

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

"I have to admit, that 's really creative,"Rose giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the food. Charm the chocolates to taste like vanilla, charm the helping utensils to move every time you go to piece them up, that sort of stuff,"Matt explained.

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

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

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

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

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

"What exactly happens when you use this appealingness ?"pink wine asked.

"Oh, it 's great,"Amy grinned,"First, only a couple masses notice and they make a very quiet quotation to another person and then that person agrees that there 's something legal injury with the drinks. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then individual will test the drinks, bring out the inebriant 's been charmed away, replace it, and then everyone will cheer. But some of them will act drunk because they think there 's alcohol in the drinks."

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

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

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

"You never know,"Matt shrugged.

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

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

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

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

"I would n't bet against that,"Albus said,"And Samantha and Lindy will sneak out of the room the next clock time Aunt Corrine looks away."

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

"Are any of your other cousins coming ?"Amy asked.

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

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

Albus and Rose agreed. Amy left to go talk to someone else and the three supporter walked over to the buffet. There was already a humble waiting line in front end of it.

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

The queue moved quickly and soon Albus was in front. He grabbed a plate and piled it luxuriously with just about everything. There was always the best intellectual nourishment at this variety of party.

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

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

More and More masses arrived as Albus ate his dinner. He recognized a few of them, but did n't think any names. He also noticed that cipher was acting strangely due to Amy 's charm. They were all acting perfectly normal for adult who had had a few drinks.

Albus, lustrelessness, and blush wine wandered around the room once they finished their food. A few adults stopped to cry out how big they 'd gotten and to investigate what year they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't want to be associated with St. James and Cedric 's mischief.

"hello, everyone !"minister of religion Hartwell shouted from the podium at the movement of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to watch out him. Albus, Rose, and Matt were somewhat closely to the podium.

"Thank you,"he smiled,"I assume you all know why I 've thrown this party, and it 's not just to unlade the large measure of wine I was given for Christmastime !"

The grownup all chuckled at Hartwell 's attempt at a put-on and then quieted down once again.

"Yes, yes, well, this political party is in award of none other than Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the office of point of the section of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. There is no one else whom I would trust with such a job ...."

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

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

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

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

"However, the main intellect for my want of an earlier retirement was because there was not a bingle individual employed in the Ministry whom I would have trusted with this job. Nobody had the potentiality to stock out this position in the way I would care. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my catchword up until five geezerhood ago, that is.

"A little over five geezerhood ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the section of the Regulation and ascendence of Magical Creatures. He applied for a job in werewolf accompaniment Services, a position that had been heart-to-heart for well over a year. I was ready to hire anyone who walked through the door at that compass point, but I had no melodic theme what was to come up when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may know that Bruno Walter has experience in this field of view. He was the pass of the Department of regularization and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia for three days before leaving the position in rules of order to move to England.

"Walter revolutionized Werewolf backup Services as soon as he started. The theme he had were I that even I had n't thought of. In five short days, he has bettered life for those plagued with lycanthropy Sir Thomas More than anyone else in the department have in their entire careers.

"It took only six months for me to realize that I wanted Walter to take over for me when I retired. Not only does he bear the experience and news for the job, but he also has allegiance that I have never seen before. I even have to admit that his dedication surpasses my own. I have never seen anyone fight as hard for werewolf rights as he has.

"The only thing left for me to do was convince myself it was clip to withdraw,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did admit the better part of five years to do that. But now, I feel very confident as I hand the reins over to Walter."

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

"I 'll say,"Matt agreed,"And McVicar does n't usually praise the great unwashed like that."

"well,"matt 's dad began,"Thanks for your vote of confidence, Rob. I certainly hope I can live up to your expectations.

"I have to begin by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no intentions of becoming the head of the full department again, no matter which nation I was living in. Werewolf supporting serving has been such a dandy place to work these past few years. It truly is my passion.

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

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

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

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

"They 're too intoxicated to imagine much on it,"rosebush smirked.

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

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

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

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

Amy was standing nearby, so Albus, Matt, and pink wine squeezed their way through the crowd to get to her.

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

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

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

Amy grabbed a ice of wine-coloured and tried it."Well, it tastes o.k., but it 's supposed to."

"You 'll have to toast a lot more than that to get properly drunk,"Matt grinned.

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

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

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some extra intoxicant to that wine-coloured,"James whispered.

Albus, Rose, matte, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not believe it. All of their pranks had backfired. The vino was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so funny ?"Cedric asked.

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

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

"So much for that caper,"James groaned.

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

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

"What do you want to do now ?"Albus asked as Saint James the Apostle, Cedric, and Amy left.

"deficiency to explore the Minister 's residence ?"Matt suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"rose wine asked skeptically.

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

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

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

"This place is so damn fondness,"Albus said.

"It reminds me of my grandparents'theater,"Matt said.

"Their house is this big ?"rose wine asked.

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

The three friends wound up in a very vauntingly aliveness room filled with antique piece of furniture. There was an oriental person carpet on the solid ground and oak mesa and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the table were fancy vessel of heyday and crystal sculptures.

"We 'd better be careful in here,"Rose said as she walked into the way,"If we break any of this stuff and nonsense, our parents would slay us."

"Cinda 's got one of these,"lustrelessness pointed to a watch glass swan.

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

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

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

"They 're all about political science, though,"Matt pointed out,"Pretty boring."

"Mum would like them,"Rose said

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

"Probably older than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, Matt, fall here,"Rose said as she looked out the window.

Albus and Matt walked over to the windowpane and leaned over the table that was in front of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"feel, there's-"

Matt leaned farther over the board and knocked one of the crystal carving off. rosebush gasped and managed to watch it before it crashed onto the floor.

"Merlin,"Rose whispered as she set it back on the table,"Be careful."

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

"There 's person sneaking around out there,"rosiness said.

Albus peered out the window into the dark. He could just barely make out a shadow lurking around the George Herbert Walker Bush. It did n't take care like the soul was walking up towards the business firm to go to the party. Plus, why would he show up three hour late ?

"There 's definitely soul out there,"lusterlessness said.

"Let 's go find out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't feature a clue as to who it was, but he wanted to find out. There was no intellect for someone to be sneaking around the government minister 's mansion house at this prison term of night.

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

"Look, I just want to go see if we can find out who it is. I 'm not saying we should go duel them. Plus, there 's a completely way full moon of Ministry officials in case whoever is out there is soul bad,"Albus said.

"That 's a good power point,"Matt replied,"Why would individual sneak around a house that 's good of Ministry official, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

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

blush wine reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and flatness, muttering under her breath. They found the nearest door and went out into the low temperature night, drawing their sceptre as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll immobilise to death,"Rose muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the business firm and tried to hold on himself concealed in the bushes as he looked for the chassis. However, he could n't see or hear anything.

"Do you pick up anything ?"he whispered to Matt.

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

"commodity,"Rose muttered,"Now let 's go back inside."

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

Albus continued creeping around the house, with his sceptre out in front of him. His core was beating fast and his manpower were sweaty despite the common cold. He did n't want to stop, though. Figuring out who this bloke was was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.

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

Rose screamed and grabbed hold of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own wand, his bridge player shaking.

"Who are you ?"the person shouted.

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

"He sounds familiar,"lusterlessness whispered,"hang on. Bloody snake pit, that 's Professor Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a second and the interpreter did go a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the Minister 's star sign ?

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

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The wand light lowered and Albus heard the man step through the lead by the nose towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed professor Balladanis. He breathed a suspiration of backup as Rose let go of his arm.

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

"Y-yes, sir,"flatness replied.

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

"Told you,"Rose whispered to Albus.

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

"And you 're lucky it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could have been abruptly if that person had been a dark thaumaturge. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

Albus nodded and followed Balladanis through the snow and towards the doorway."Sir,"Albus said,"If you do n't mind my asking, what were you doing outside ?"

"If you must know, the Minister asked me to control the grounds in ordination to make sure nobody was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


It was nearing midnight when Albus, mat, and rose wine re-entered the building, escorted by Professor Balladanis. Albus had been hoping the prof would just see them to the door and then stay on his search of the perimeter, but instead he went back to the dance hall with them and marched them right up to Harry.

"Potter,"Balladanis interrupted the conversation Harry had been having with some wizard Albus did n't experience,"I found your son, your niece, and their Quaker wandering around outside."

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

"I 'll pull up stakes them with you,"Balldanis said,"Happy New Year."

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

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

"Care to explain ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

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

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

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

Harry went back to his conversation and Albus lead his protagonist back to the counter.

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

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

"10 !"individual shouted.

Albus looked at the nearest clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their drinking glass of champagne in the air. Amy joined Albus, rosebush, and Matt.

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

The bunch began to thin out a little while later. well-nigh of the people Albus did n't know left, along with his Uncle Sir Henry Percy, Aunt Corrine, and his cousins. Albus 's parents did n't reckon like they were in any rushing to leave alone, so he got a plateful of the leftover sweet and at them with his friends.

pink wine 's folk and Amy left, and then it was just the potter, mat, his parents, the government minister, and his wife left. All the grownup were talking, James IV was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and flatness were finishing off the last of the desserts.

"Do you think there 's any way for Hogwarts to win the Quidditch tournament ?"Matt asked as he polished off a piece of deep brown cake.

"Only if Linda 's demented the day of one of the mate,"Albus sighed.

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

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

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

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

Albus waved cheerio and then joined his mum, dad, James, and Lily. They all said congratulations to matt 's dad and then left the rector 's Mansion. Albus peered into the President George W. Bush as he left, but there was no sign of Professor Balladanis.

******

The difference of the Christmastime holiday went by very slow for Albus. He did all his homework, which was quite boring, and there was nothing to do after that. blush wine was visiting her former grandparents and William James was at Nathan 's business firm. Even Kaden was busy visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and Petunia ). He sent Albus a alphabetic character complaining about it, since the visit was also with Aunt oleo. Albus was very grateful that he did n't have to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and genus Petunia again.

Finally the day to return to shoal arrived and the ceramist made it to Platform 9 ¾ just in time. Albus found all his Quaker in one of the compartments and once they kicked Lily, Ashtyn, and Hugo out, they told each other about their holidays.

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

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

"Consider yourself favorable,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had better holiday ?"

"We found Professor Balladanis lurking around the Minister 's planetary house,"Albus announced.

"What ?"John, Kaden, and Amanda shouted at the Saame time.

"I saw soul sneaking around outside and Albus insisted we go inquire,"Rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the pastor had apparently asked him to tally the terra firma for trouble."

"Did he recover you ?"John asked.

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

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

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

"Weird though,"John said,"Why would the pastor think someone would be hiding around his house ?"

"Does n't he receive guards around anyway ?"Amanda asked,"The Muggle Minister does."

"Again, that 's why it 's weird,"John the Evangelist replied,"He does have guards."

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

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

"Again, weird,"John said.

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

"That settles it,"lav announced,"Albus, you 've got to incur out what he did before he started teaching Department of Defense ?"

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

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

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

"You never know,"John said.

******

"repose, quiet !"Balladanis shouted the following Tuesday, their first gear day of Defense Department after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to mat and privy and turned to face Balladanis. He was really hoping that the professor would say goose egg about what happened at the party and so far Balladanis was showing no recall of it.

"I trust you all had superb holidays,"Balladanis said,"But the vacation are over and although I am surely none of you thought a bit about defensive attitude deception during said holiday, it is now meter to start that thinking once again.

"outset, I 'll say that there is no time to not be thinking about defensive trick, as the dark art do not take breaks for petty things such as holidays.

"Second, in this term we will begin to search creatures far more life-threatening than hinkypunks and kappas. In this condition we shall see about those terrifying fauna such as acromantulas, basilisks, lycanthrope, dragon, and vampires."

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

"As the headmaster would find it highly inappropriate for a flying dragon to manifest itself in this classroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this full term,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few clock time. You will find that there are Sir Thomas More lectures in this term, much to my dislike. There is aught I would like better than to teach you about acromantulas and werewolves with practical lessons, but there are both laws and school rules that prevent such lessons."

Albus and matt glanced at each other. It was official. prof Balladanis was insane. What form of instructor would want to teach about flying lizard with live dragons ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the same as Balladanis.

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

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

"Divination is such a gag,"Gospel According to John said as he tossed his bag onto the story and collapsed onto a couch,"We started quartz egg gazing today. All I saw was a freight of fog."

"I told you not to take it,"rose said as she pulled a stack of Holy Writ out of her own bag.

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

"Palmistry was better,"Amanda said,"And Trelawney makes the unit thing worse."

"Trelawney could make Defense bad,"Albus replied.

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

"That would be dolt,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a chocolate Frog,"Those can down you with their eyes."

"I know,"pink wine said,"Balladanis is insane."

"Do you think that anamatek could turn into a werewolf if the moon was n't good ?"bathroom asked.

"Probably not,"Matt answered,"It would just be a savage. I think it would just be a Wolf any other time of the month, too, because there 's no way it could deform person into a werewolf by biting them."

"That 's good,"Albus said,"Because he did say that he 'd use the anamatek a few times this condition. question if he 'll have it move around into a vampire."

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

"If you think of it that way, there 's no item to have it turn into a fake werewolf either,"Rose pointed out.

"Good point, I guess,"John muttered.

******

The relief of the week went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch drill Thursday evening, and Wood informed the whole team that they 'd gotten rusty over the vacation. He also told them that the next match was in two weeks and they 'd be playing New House of York. If they won, they 'd be in second situation.

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

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

"Mr. ceramist,"Balladanis turned around and greeted Albus,"Is it secure to bear that you did not go wandering about late at night alone after New Year 's ?"

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

"Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis said as Malfoy walked into the room,"Now we may begin. I have decided that your understanding of the Protego charm is satisfactory so we are going to act on to something else.

"This particular good luck charm, when performed correctly, manages to unarm and disorient a somebody at the same time. The sense experience is often described as vertigo. Can either of you tell me what why this charm would be more utile than a standard disarming charm ?"

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

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

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

"Another good reasonableness, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to walk slowly around the room,"virtuoso who are expecting to induce to duel other wizards often keep multiple wands on their person. There are patch that can be performed on these wands to restrain them attached to your robes or your genuine consistence, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't surmount easily. However, these spells require constant concentration.

"If a star is hit with the charm I am about to learn you, they will turn a loss the concentration necessary to proceed their special wands affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the extra wands."

"Can you teach us that magical spell to keep extra sceptre in our gown ?"Malfoy asked.

"Perhaps towards the end of the twelvemonth. It takes immense concentration and magical energy to simultaneously do that charm while dueling mortal,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will learn the charm to demilitarize and disorient a mortal at the Sami time.

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

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

"Now, Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis muttered.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted.

Albus felt the charm hit his buckler, but it did n't violate through. He gripped his wand harder and stared at Malfoy.

"support going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The appeal hit Albus 's carapace a little harder this time. Albus could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five times to erupt through Albus 's shield. When it happened, Albus felt his wand leave his mitt and was overcome by a wave of lightheadedness at the Saame prison term. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the previous year, only without the fever.

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

Then, all of a sudden, the lightheadedness was gone. Albus shook his promontory and then looked up and saw Balladanis and Malfoy standing in movement of him. Malfoy looked instill and Balladanis looked like he always did.

"You did quite well with that shield,"Balladanis said as Albus stood up,"And I think it 's safe to strike that you could n't have held concentration for any go after Mr. Malfoy succeeded in breaking your shield."

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

"Normally the charm 's effects would hold lasted longer, but I performed the counter-curse because it looked like you were fix to devolve out,"Balladanis explained,"When you 're ready, you can try the charm."

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

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

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

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

The appeal hit Malfoy in the breast and his wand soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy bent over and fell to the primer coat, much like Albus himself had done.

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

"That was weird,"Malfoy muttered.

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

Balladanis kept them at it for the better division of an hour, yesteryear when Albus would have liked to quit. It was exhausting to be hit with that spell time after time while trying to hold up a carapace charm. Malfoy did n't look to be faring lots respectable and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to discontinue after a half hour, but Malfoy closed his rima oris, obviously thinking better of it.

The practice was n't for nada, though. Albus managed to hold Malfoy off longer and longer each clock time and although Malfoy was getting considerably at the carapace magical spell as well, Albus broke through it a few more times.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must have been the 10th time that nighttime,"I 'll see you in class on Tuesday."

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

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

Balladanis gave Albus the strangest facial expression he had ever seen. It was a intermixture of anger, unhappiness, and even regret. For a moment, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should induce just told privy they would n't be able to find out.

"Now is not the time,"Balladanis said quietly,"All in good clock time, I will tell you."

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

Albus left the elbow room as quickly as he could in his exhausted nation, before Balladanis could exchange his creative thinker about eventually telling Albus about his previous calling. The walk back to Gryffindor tug seemed longer than usual and all Albus wanted to do was collapse into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his friends. All five of them looked aghast and Amanda looked like she was going to be sick. He looked around the common elbow room and saw that most citizenry looked appal and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even King James I was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

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

Rose opened her lip to speak and then closed her centre, unable to do so. Albus turned to John and raised his eyebrows.

"You know that bloke who owns Dervish and Banges ?"John asked quietly.

Albus nodded, having seen the man on numerous occasions when he was in Hogsmeade. He was slightly older than Albus 's parents, with greying hair and a very acute personality. He never hesitated to make his notion known

"Someone killed him,"John said in barely more than a whisper.

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to look at all his friends in bit. lusterlessness nodded ever so slightly and then put his head on his hands.

"mustiness 've just happened,"Gospel According to John said,"They just found him. lady Rosmerta heard a rumpus and Flooed here, to get the Auror on duty. By the prison term they got back, his store was a complete deal inside and he was laying dead on the floor. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the timberland, the grounds, and the school day. cypher 's allowed out of their common rooms and dormitories."

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

"cypher even came in to narrate us,"Albus replied, still in shock.

mass were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That variety of matter just did n't pass anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. wellspring, Professor Torro had been killed back before his initiative twelvemonth and then that one witch from the Ministry had been killed over Christmas, but their sea wolf had never been found and nothing had happened since.

"Why would anyone kill him ?"Matt wondered aloud.

"Why would anyone kill anyone ?"blush wine replied.

The portrayal cakehole opened and all the rustle stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was prof Longbottom, looking worse for the clothing. His robes were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the rook and the solid ground,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some eternal sleep. The search will be long over by morning, so you will be free to exit the common room then."

Albus and his friends looked at each other after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their hall, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the arcsecond years'dorm. Nobody said anything as he curled up on the floor with one of Albus 's spare mantle. Albus got into bed and stared at the ceiling. He had been so discharge earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get much nap that night.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome readers and reviewers !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Lunch was very subdued the following day. Most people had slept quite late since it was a Saturday. Every student of Hogwarts had their olfactory organ in a copy of the Prophet, be it their own or a friend 's. The stave tabular array looked the same, with every professor either reading the prophesier or whispering with another professor, no doubt about what they 'd read.

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

HOGSMEADE shopkeeper MURDERED

A fray in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
resident to Hogwarts to rule the Auror on
duty lead to the find of the decease
of a storekeeper.

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

An extended hunting of Hogsmeade, the
afforest, Hogwarts, and its grounds turned
up nada despite the hours Aurors spent
searching. No fingermark were found on
the scene.

Aurors will be devoting sentence to finding
Wisander 's cause of death and a possible motive.

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

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very strong opinion and did not hesitate
to let others recognize his opinions. His most
Recent editorials have explored the subject field
of werewolf, vampire, and other so called
'half-breeds'rights. Aurors have declined
remark on whether they believe Wisander 's
editorials are a possible motivation for his
murder. Wisander 's obituary can be found
on page five.

Albus set the composition down and his friends all resumed their seats. nobody said a Holy Writ for a few moment. Albus did n't have it off what to cogitate. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his feeling. However, it did n't exactly say what his beliefs were. Albus had n't ever study any of his editorials, so he could n't say either.

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

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

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

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

"Have any of you read his editorials ?"Matt asked as soon as they were in the predator 's Den.

nobody had read them. Not even Rose. lusterlessness sighed and collapsed onto one of the couch."I 've got to find out what they were about. I do n't even know which would be advantageously, him being for or against wolfman rightfulness. If he 's for them, that means some gent is on the loose killing masses for wanting werewolf rights."

matt did n't even have to keep for Albus to know why that worried him. Matt 's dad was possibly the magnanimous exponent of werewolf rightfield in all of Britain and everyone knew it. If someone had been killed just for writing about werewolf rights, what would bump to soul who was actually passing laws for them ?

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

"Why else would someone stimulate killed him ?"Matt asked,"He was just a workshop proprietor in Hogsmeade."

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

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

"well, I do n't think you should interest until you find out what the editorials are about,"Rose said to Matt.

"The early option is n't often better,"Matt muttered,"If he did n't publish editorials for werewolf right field, then he wrote them against them."

Albus thought lusterlessness had a spot, but he kept his mouth shut. Any way you looked at it, this murder pointed to the fact that things were changing. Aurors had been patrolling Hogwarts for months, but Albus had quickly adjusted to that and did n't really think much about it, but maybe there was more happening outside of Hogwarts than Albus was cognisant of.

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

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the program library. When they arrived, they were surprised to get hold how crowded it was. Usually Saturdays were the days everyone put off their preparation and then Sundays were spent in the library.

Once they stepped inside, Albus saw that everyone was looking through old copies of the vaticinator. Nearly every table had a few newsprint on it and a few pupil poring over them. Madam Pince was bustling about, no doubt worrying about whether the scholar would rip her precious newspapers.

"power not be any impart,"John muttered.

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

lav was almost properly. There was a very small-scale stack of newspapers left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded table towards the vertebral column of the library. Albus, Matt, and pink wine each took a newspaper while John, Kaden, and Amanda played noughts and crosses on a spare bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two yr old, until he got to the newspaper column section. In the very middle, in the gravid font, was an column by Leroy Wisander.

therapist, BREWERS TO inculpation, NOT MINISTRY OFFICIALS

As I was locking up my shop last Night,
I noticed that it was a full moon. I
could not help but imagine of the poor
people plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

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

The clobber is expensive. I myself did
the calculations and discovered that
it would be extremely unmanageable for
anyone with a low income to give it.

And what kind of chore are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
one. The occupation where they make hardly
decent money to pay the rent and buy
solid food, let lonely buy a potion that
could alter their sprightliness for the better.

I am absolutely appalled that Healers
and potion brewers charge for this
significant potion. They must be making
a decent profit. They can use the profits
to charter overweening holidays while the
poor witches and sensation who buy it
struggle to afford it.

There is only so much Ministry officials
can do. Head of wolfman Support Services,
Walter Eckerton, says he would love to
give away free wolf's bane, but there just
is n't elbow room for it in the budget.

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

"nada in this one,"Rose said as she shoved hers aside.

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

"Read this,"Albus handed mat his newspaper publisher,"Wisander even mentions your dad."

Matt took the paper and he and rosiness began to read it. John, Amanda, and Kaden peered over as well. Albus sat and waited while they read.

"Let 's go back to the room,"matt said as soon as he 'd finished recitation it.

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

"Bloody Hell, that bloke must have had so many foeman !"John shouted as soon as they were back.

"I know,"Albus agreed,"And that one 's from two long time ago. Imagine what he 's written recently."

"Why did he take in to mention my dad ?"matt groaned,"He made it sound like my dad agrees with that newspaper column and he definitely doesn't."

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

"healer are n't like that. well-nigh of the ones I 've met would give away free Aconitum lycoctonum, but it 's more elaborate that that. The ingredients are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to mention how unmanageable it is. There are n't many healer who can brew it and even about brewer ca n't brew it,"mat explained.

"That bloke did n't bonk the half of it,"Saint John the Apostle agreed,"My dad 's a healer and he 'd get it on to reach away free potions. It just does n't work that way."

"My dad 's linked with that bloke,"lusterlessness said quietly,"And now that he 's head of the entire section, he 'll be passing more law of nature. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really near adept, though,"Albus pointed out to his worry protagonist,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are loads of Aurors milling about. And your star sign is more protect than any other house I 've seen, well, except the government minister 's Mansion."

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

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

******

Albus and his booster scoured the Daily Prophet every morning the following hebdomad. Every day there was an article about Wisander, the investigation, or both. So far the investigating had turned up zip. The Aurors had questioned quite a few the great unwashed, namely those very outspoken against werewolf and vampire rights, but the search had proved fruitless.

The articles about Wisander were far more interesting. It seemed that his editorial about wolf's bane Potion was one of the tamer ones. Each day niggling small-arm of his various editorials were being published. In one, he stated the intellect why werewolves should n't be locked up on full moons. The reasons were quite laughable, but the prophet had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampire should be allowed accession to humankind to bite. He suggested using prisoners and allowing vampires to take up them dry. Thus helping vampires and reducing prison costs at the Sami time.

"I reckon this chap was off his cradle,"can announced at breakfast the abide by Sunday. He had just finished reading an article about how Wisander spent a year living with a vampire tribe in Turkey when he was young. They were some of the few mass actually up at an ahead of time hour, as Albus had Quidditch practice and trick had a morning custody with Filch for putting dungbombs in the can in Moaning myrtle 's bathroom the previous day.

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

"What are you doing after Quidditch praxis ?"John asked.

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

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

"What a shame,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Anyway, I 'll probably bear to do prep, since practice will go until late. How about you ? Any plan for after detainment ?"

"Thought I might garner another detention,"lav grinned,"But Kaden 's busy with chess game nightspot this afternoon-"

"Wait,"Albus nearly choked on his juice,"Kaden joined the chess game golf club ? Kaden ? Kaden Dursley ?"

"Know any early Kadens ?"St. John the Apostle laughed,"rosiness said they want to learn him how to play properly, you know, like a challenge of sorts."

"I 'll tell blush wine good fate with that,"Albus said.

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

"right hand,"Albus said, remembering that the broad lunation was that nighttime,"But you did the dungbombs on your own."

"But it 's not as fun,"John sighed,"I guess I 'll just hang around the den with lustrelessness. I can have a nice one-sided conversation."

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

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

"fountainhead, have fun in your hold. I 've got to get to practice,"Albus said as he got up.

There were a few choice words Albus had for practice that day. Long, grueling, and acute. woodwind was in his all right frame as he ordered the team to do exercise hour after time of day. He seemed to get to a greater extent and to a greater extent stressed as the day wore on.

Epistle of James did a lot of one-on-one training with Teddy and Albus was more than a little envious. Teddy was a much more patient captain than Wood was and yelled a whole lot less. Tyler motorway mostly helped Wood.

Wood let them have a short intermission for luncheon, making sure they knew to come back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the squad talking about skipping out of the rest of practice, but they were back on the pitch at the time Sir Henry Wood told them to be.

The afternoon was very similar to the forenoon and Albus found that he could tune out forest 's yelling quite easily. It was similar to tuning out his mum 's yelling.

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

"Remember, drill Tues evening !"Wood shouted as the whole squad rushed to get off the pitch.

Albus trudged back to the castling tired and shivering. He went straight to Gryffindor Tower and took a very long, hot shower and then set off to find his friends.

rosebush, Amanda, and Linda were in the common room, but the boys were n't. Albus figured they were in the predator 's Den and set off to front for them after saying a promptly hello to the girls.

John and Kaden were in the middle of a heated game of Exploding Snap when Albus walked into the marauder 's Den a few minutes later. john 's face was full of ash, but Kaden 's was quite a clean. There was also a big smile on his facial expression which contrasted the scowl on toilet 's face. Matt was laying on the cast facing them, like he had been watching the plot, but he was sound asleep.

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

"Grueling. Wood 's ten times uncollectible than Peach State. Five 60 minutes we were out there. Five fucking hours in the cold !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the other couch.

"wagerer than scrubbing Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom with a toothbrush,"John muttered,"I do n't fuck what was risky, the scrubbing or listening to Myrtle."

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

"Can you blame us ?"Albus muttered.

"No, not really,"Kaden shrugged.

"How was chess ?"Albus asked.

"I got beaten by every I person in the chess nightspot,"Kaden shook his pass,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"John said as the carte du jour blew up in his face again,"Have you done that Defense seek ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

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

Albus groaned again and fished around in his own bag for his Defense Good Book. Balladanis wanted a foot long essay about basilisks, which were the current dark creature of the week.

St. John the Apostle sat down at the tabular array while Albus lay on the sofa. He just could n't make for himself to get up and do his essay. Instead, he mumbled answers to John whenever he asked a question.

"Do you think of the chicken egg under a frog or a toad ?"St. John asked.

"batrachian,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could pull a rose wine and tell you to do your essay,"St. John replied.

"Do n't even bother,"Albus said. Even Rose would n't be able to get him off the couch.

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

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

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

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

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

Albus managed to get in a somewhat comfortable position on the couch and wrote his essay with his book and sheepskin perched on his knees. It beat sitting at the table ; at to the lowest degree he was capable to sort of lie down.

A few 60 minutes later both Albus and John had their essays completed. Kaden was still scribbling furiously on whatever preparation he was working on.

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

John got up and began to prod lusterlessness 's arm. It took a good two minutes for lusterlessness to open his eyes.

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

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

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

"I 'll go with you to the hospital backstage,"lav said and matt did not object. Albus assured him they 'd visit him the succeeding day and then they left, leaving Albus and Kaden alone in the room.

John returned a piddling while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the vulture 's Den afterwards and John and Kaden continued working on their homework while Albus slept on the couch.

******

"Albus, get up !"

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

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

Albus opened his eyes and saw teddy standing over his bed. A glance at the clock told him that, yes, it was far too too soon to wake up. It was six in the morning. On a Sat. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch mate against New York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a reserve player anyway.

"Albus, you 'd ameliorate get up now. woodwind instrument 's in the commons room,"shimmy whispered.

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

"fielding 's sick,"teddy bear told him,"You 're playing today."

Now Albus was wide awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the former modesty chaser, a seventh year Slytherin.

"She 's disgusted, too,"shift explained,"The two of them are going out, so it does n't surprise me."

Albus took that to stand for that Teddy thought they were snogging and one got the former sick.

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

slip nodded and left. Albus threw on a tee shirt and a pair of jeans before running down to the common room, where he found Joseph Oliver wood tempo in front of the empty fire.

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

Albus nodded and sat down for what was sure to be a very retentive actor's line. Wood paused and then launched into an explanation of manoeuvre, which Albus had already heard during pattern that week. He could n't figure out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. Ellen Price Wood could let accomplished the Lapp matter at ten.

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

Part of Wood 's speech had been on the atmospheric condition, which was cold and slightly snowy. Could be spoiled, Albus thought. At least there was n't a blizzard. The conditions were very similar to those they had been practicing in all week.

Albus sat in the commons room reading a Holy Scripture he found laying around until his friends got up around ten.

"There you are,"Matt, who was looking significantly better than he had a few daylight ago, said,"What clip did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"Teddy got me up. Natalie Wood had to say me I 'm playing chaser today."

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

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

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

Albus went to the Great residence hall to eat tiffin with his booster, but he was n't really athirst. He did n't reckon he had ever been more nervous for a Quidditch lucifer. This was a really of import match, as Natalie Wood had pointed out legion sentence. If they won by a wide enough margin, they 'd be in s place.

Word had gotten around that Albus was playing in the friction match and numerous people came over to the Gryffindor table to bid Albus circumstances.

"Al,"Harry sat down succeeding to Albus.

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

"I 'll be watching the whole time. I 'm sure you 're going to do big. Just think of it as a match against another sign. Ravenclaw, I guess, since their robes are blue,"Harry grinned,"Good luck."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the rest of the Hogwarts team a few minute of arc later. All his Friend wished him thoroughly luck as he left the Hall.

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

However, Ellen Price Wood seemed to be all speeched out. He merely said that they 'd trained well and to throw it their all. Albus was a petty shocked by the shortness of the speech, but quickly got over it as he walked out onto the pitch.


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

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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Ten minutes into the match, Albus decided there were four types of Quidditch in the cosmos. chance Quidditch, like what he played with his cousins ; schoolhouse Quidditch ; professional Quidditch ; and then there was the character of Quidditch he was playing now.

It was a combination of schooltime Quidditch and professional Quidditch. The crowd was louder, the players more settle, and the stakes were higher than a normal school Quidditch catch.

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

Albus pushed his broom to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his chest. Then he plunged down to the footing, where cypher else was flying. He was back up gamey two minutes later when he had reached the New House of York destination spot. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the left end post. The Keeper was too dim and the Quaffle soared through.

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

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

The Quaffle continued to exchange deal quickly as the match went on. An hour later there was still no signaling of the Snitch and both teams were neck in neck as far as degree went. New York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few more goals and he began to unbend a little. The match began to feel more like a school match and less like a professional match, even though the stakes were still gamy.

Sir Henry Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least l points when James caught the Snitch, or they would n't be able to catch up with New York as far as overall points went.

"New York 's quester has seen the snitch !"Smith announced.

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

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

The gang roared and St. James the Apostle held the Snitch high above his question. Both squad flew to the reason and Albus saw the pained flavor on Wood 's face. They had n't won by sufficiency to be in back place overall.

"I had no choice !"James II shouted to him,"She was going to get it !"

Wood nodded in agreement, but he still looked disappointed. Albus chose to ignore this and helped the respite of the team to hoist Epistle of James onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the compass point, the Aussie School of Sorcery is in 1st post. New House of York and Hogwarts are currently tied for endorsement. The next friction match will subscribe place at the end of February !"Smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't meet up with his friends until they were back in the common room. Teddy had gone to Hogsmeade and a political party was currently underway in the Gryffindor vulgar way. Teddy informed everyone that the three other business firm were hosting parties as well. The scholar from New York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their Seeker, were sulking in a corner.

"I think that was your proficient match yet,"can said to Albus as they settled down at their usual table.

"I think so, too,"Albus agreed,"I kind of wish I could make for in the adjacent match."

"Maybe fielding will still be sick,"John said.

"doubt it,"Albus replied,"addition, I 'm certainly O'delle will get first dibs on the following match if any of the other pursuer get sick."

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

"Anyway, the next match you 'll probably be playing Australia,"flatness said.

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

The party continued until dinner time, when multitude began to leave as cypher had snuck down to the kitchens to get food. Harry came in to congratulate Albus and James shortly before Albus and his acquaintance left for dinner. He was also scheduled to patrol the school for the remainder of the weekend and wanted to let his youngster know.

******

Life at Hogwarts returned to pattern shortly after the Quidditch match. The seer printed fewer and fewer articles about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to blank out about his end. Everyone except mat, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

However, the students at Hogwarts were reminded again of the unresolved murder when the next Hogsmeade slip arrived two mean solar day after valentine 's Day. A portion of the students were too lovesick to notice the boarded up shop of Dervish and Banges as they made their way to Madam Puddifoot's.

Neither Albus, John, or Matt were too preoccupied to notice the desolate building, though. The three of them stopped to look at it for a while despite the biting hint. rose and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

"Who owns it now ?"King John asked as they looked at the evacuate building.

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

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

Albus did n't think it was a good sentence to remind lusterlessness that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the Shrieking Shack.

"Good tip,"Albus said,"But so far they have n't found anything."

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

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

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

Albus, Matt, and Gospel According to John went to the trio Broomsticks a little while later because all three of them were frozen. They warmed up with Butterbeer and were just thinking about heading back to the castle when Albus heard someone whisper his name behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

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

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

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

Albus immediately stood up and motioned for Matt and Saint John the Apostle, who were both looking confused, to follow him. He assumed Kaden would follow as well. Albus lead them up High Street until they reached the Shrieking hovel. cipher was hanging around it that day.

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do clear how poor fish this was."

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

"Bloody Hell !"John shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"lusterlessness asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a undecomposed sentence, but there was a reason I changed my mind and told you not to pussyfoot in today. Most of the teachers come to Hogsmeade for the February trip. My cousins told me. They want to realise sure no one does anything stupid because they 're in honey or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"matt asked.

"One-eyed crone statue,"Kaden replied,"track right into Honeyduke's."

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

Kaden 's face turned whiten and his sass dropped unfold. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met grimace to typeface with Professor Balladanis.

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

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

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

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

"They had nothing to do with it,"Kaden said quickly,"Albus was just telling me how stupid I was."

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

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

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, Mr. Eckerton, and Mr. Brickston, you may return to your common room. Mr. Dursley will connect you after I arrange his detention."

Albus, flatness, and privy could not get out of there quick enough. They walked straight back to the common way, talking about how favourable they had been. It must have looked like all three of them had helped Kaden slip into Hogsmeade. soundly thing Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned fifteen minutes later, looking quite distressed. He collapsed onto a chair and stared mutinously at the table.

"Detention every Saturday for the adjacent month,"Kaden muttered,"Plus he gave me a speech about how life-threatening it was for me to purloin out and if I did it again I 'd get a worse penalization than detainment. Did n't elaborate on that, though."

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

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

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

******

Kaden discovered what his detention was that dark. Balladanis decided to have him alphabetize his buck private library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the marauder 's Den ranting about the amount of books Balladanis had.

"He 's got more books on iniquity brute than your dad 's got,"Kaden said to Matt.

"That 's impressive,"lusterlessness replied.

"regard he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his detentions alphabetizing those books. He almost did n't manage to fetch up and if that had been the instance, Balladanis would have given him a one-fifth detention.

The next full moon came and went, as did the next Quidditch match. Albus was beginning to suspect that the full moons were becoming defective for matte, although he did n't know why.

New House of York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch match. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the Snitch a half minute in. woodwind instrument insisted that this was a good affair, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to make a good amount of finish before Linda caught the snitcher in their next mates, they would receive more boilers suit points than New York. Wood seemed to have lost any hope that Saint James the Apostle could beat Linda in Seeking, something James fumed about on a near daily basis.

Mar arrived and with it a three day rain violent storm that left the terra firma completely flooded. Both Herbology and tutelage of Magical wight had to take place inside, which resulted in incredibly bore deterrent example. Sir Henry Joseph Wood continued to take hold Quiditch practice and Albus returned to the castle completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

All of the teachers were piling on the preparation and prof Patil had even gone so far as to mention the O.W.L.s even though they were a all two years away. The only instructor who was n't talking about the end of terminus exams was Professor Balladanis.

Balladanis conducted his lessons as if end of terminus examination did not exist. He changed nothing about his lessons except the dark beast they were learning about.

"We 're starting lamia next week,"Balladanis announced at the end of grade on Thursday,"Please read the chapter on them by Monday."

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

"So,"King John said as he flipped through his demurrer script the following eve. Albus, Matt, John, and Kaden were in the marauder 's Den and John was just finishing the chapter on vampires."look what 's after vampires.

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

"Yeah,"Matt muttered,"It was bound to happen eventually."

"I wonder if Balladanis is going to make you go in for extra help during that unit,"lavatory grinned,"I 'm trusted you 'll need loading of extra help in identifying werewolves."

Matt rolled his eye."He better. It 'll look suspicious if I do n't go in for additional helper. Speaking of redundant service, we 're due to go in for it in fifteen minutes."

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

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

The desks were n't pushed to the side of the schoolroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a stone lavatory sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silvery string section of something out of his head and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the strand were retention, Albus realized. For a moment, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to tell him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

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

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

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

Albus glanced nervously at Malfoy. Balladanis was n't one for explanation, but Albus would have appreciated one veracious then.

"This is a pensieve,"Balladanis said,"It is used to explore computer memory. That is exactly what we 're going to do. Albus, angle forward and put your head into the pensieve. Your dead body will come. Scorpius, you will follow. I will derive after you."

Albus 's pulse sped up a short bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a stupefied idea ? He did n't even know what he was getting into. But it was just a store. Nothing could hurt him in a retentivity, right ?

Albus took a deep intimation and plunged his grimace into the pensieve. He had never been in one before. He landed on the hard Gunter Wilhelm Grass and looked around.

It was dusk and very smooth. There was a modest house in the length, atop of a stony hill. In fact, the whole sphere was mostly rocky. Albus had landed on the one lone piece of Gunter Wilhelm Grass in the unhurt place. It did n't await like any place in Britain.

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

"Follow me,"Balladanis said quietly.

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

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

"Greece,"Balladanis replied.

This did zilch but increase Albus 's rarity. Why were they in Ellas of all topographic point ? But he did n't ask. It did n't seem like Balladanis was in an explaining mood, judgment by his unforesightful, one Book answer to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the small business firm. The only noise was their footsteps. There were n't even any owl hooting or dogs barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

The house must birth been their address. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the break in down wooden fence surrounding it. The house reminded Albus of the Shrieking hut, only diminished. It was sort of wiped out down and did n't look like a stead that would be good to inhabit in.

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

Balladanis made no move towards the home. Instead, he seemed focused on the woodland that lay just beyond it. Albus decided the woods was as good a piazza as any to watch.

They watched the forest for a half an 60 minutes before anything happened. Then five hooded physique practically flew out of the woods. They were at the house before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His face was hardened.

All was quiet for two minutes. The figures entered the house, but did not turn on any twinkle. Then the sidesplitter started. Albus jumped at the sound of the first one.

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

His professor 's face showed nothing. Nothing but the Lapp case-hardened look he had seen on it so many meter. Malfoy on the early hand, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The screaming was coming from two different hoi polloi. There was a high-pitched one that must birth been coming from a woman, and a frown one that must have been coming from a man.

Then, they stopped. First the adult female, then the man. The hooded figures left the house as quickly as they had entered and returned to the forest.

Balladanis, however, made no move to give. Instead he stared at the house. Two bit later, somebody fled from it.

They ran from the family, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew cheeseparing, Albus could see that the person was a boy who looked no older than Albus himself. His font was etched with a sadness Albus had never seen before. It was too grim to tell, but Albus was sure there were binge running down his face.

The boy obviously did n't mark the three mass watching him. He ran right past them, up the rocky J. J. Hill in the distance. It occurred to Albus after he passed that the boy looked somewhat fellow. There was something about his face that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite place it.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


professor Balladanis did n't say anything for a yearn fourth dimension after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the Defense schoolroom. Albus landed next to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in nominal head of Balladanis 's desk. Balladanis landed behind his desk, facing the bulwark, and did n't turn around for a few minutes.

Albus glanced nervously at his professor as he thought of doubt he was just burning to ask. In fact, there was goose egg about the tantrum he had just witnessed that did n't make Albus odd. Everything about it had been confusing.

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

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

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

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

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

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

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

"There is a reasonableness why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my classes what I did before teaching. The reasonableness is that you two are incredible dueller. Both of you have skill beyond your yr that I have never seen before, and believe me, I have seen plenty of exceptional duellist in my time. This may be a good time to severalise you how rarefied it is to have two such skilled dueler in the same year at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to seem at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the kickoff of some sorting of house single speech or something.

"I know the two of you are n't the best of friends,"Balladanis continued,"But I must say how impressed I am that you seem to put the bad blood behind you when you step into my classroom for your lessons."

The exclusive reason for that, at to the lowest degree for Albus, was because of Balladanis himself. Albus doubted he would endure Albus and Malfoy bickering with each other during lessons.

"binding to what I was going to recount you,"Balladanis said,"That scene that I just showed you, in case you have not figured it out yet, took lieu while I was a boy of only thirteen. It was the summer before my third gear twelvemonth at school.

"I grew up in Ellas, in that very house we just saw. My parents, although they loved me deeply, were very poor and could barely afford to put food on the board. I think they were grateful when I went away to school, the sole ground being that they would n't receive to occupy about me getting enough to eat.

"I had two blissfully innocent and fun years at the Greek School of Magic. I returned home during summers replete of stories about my Friend and all the mischief we 'd perplex into."

Albus found it unmanageable to opine Balladanis getting into trouble at school or doing anything fun in general.

"Everything changed the summertime before my 3rd yr. It changed on the Nox you just witnessed. A coven of lamia entered my household that nighttime. They attacked my parents and drank them dry. I hid in a closet, too scared to do anything. Then, once the vampires left, I fled. I ran until I could not run anymore. I wound up at the mansion of one of my protagonist. His parents took me in, but things were obviously never the same. I changed on that night."

Balladanis stopped talking and Albus sat in fill out shock. Balladanis 's parents had been murdered by vampires ? That was one thing that had never crossed Albus 's mind.

"I returned to school that September hardened. Nothing was fun anymore. zero was queer. It was then that I decided to devote my life to ridding the Earth of such wickedness. vampire, sour genius, werewolves, anyone and anything that slaying viciously."

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

"However, I did take in that not all vampires, wolfman, hulk, and early beings are inherently evil. Not all of them want to kill. It was for this reasonableness that I did not wish to be employed by the Greek Ministry. The Hellenic Ministry prefers to plow with wizardly creatures as a unit and not distinguish between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very gravid population of vampires.

"thus, becoming an Auror was out of the question. Instead, I chose to enter a more tightlipped professing. One that you will not find pamphlets on when you get career advice from your point of house. One that no one except me is going to suggest to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

Albus 's heart sped up at this. Balladanis was going to give them career advice ? They were only thirteen. But at the same clip, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a good enough duelist for this calling, whatever it was.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Are you coming back next year ?"Malfoy asked.

"As of right now, I have no melodic theme,"Balladanis answered,"It is getting late. I 've kept you here much long than normal. If you think of anymore questions, do not hesitate to see me. I 'll walk you back to your park rooms."

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

The common elbow room was nearly vacuous when Albus climbed through the portrait mess. It must have been really late, since it was Fri night. Albus really did n't know what metre it was.

"There you are !"blush wine shouted,"merlin, you 've been gone for hours !"

"What did he have you doing ?"matt asked.

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

Albus was vaguely aware of his friends sighs of letdown as he went up to his residence hall, but he did n't feel like talking about it right then. He was tired and his judgment was racing at the same fourth dimension.

Albus tossed and turned the total nighttime. He alternated thinking about what he had seen in the pensieve and about becoming a Presuler himself. Then he wound up thinking about Linda and what Balladanis sentiment of her. He had said he did n't prevail a grudge against vampire that did n't kill people, but who knew what he really thought.

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

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

******

"Merlin, Albus, get up !"

Albus rolled over in his bed and put his pillow over his headspring. After waking up drenched in swither at four in the morning after a nightmare in which his unit family unit had been killed by lamia, he had finally drifted off into a somewhat properly sleep. One that he wished he was still in.

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

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

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

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

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

"Did you lose to Malfoy or something ?"lavatory asked,"Because that would do me desire to hole up in bed for the day."

"No, it 's not that,"Albus muttered,"I 'll assure you, but I 'm only explaining it once, so one of you salutary obtain Rose, Amanda, and Kaden. And I 'll evidence you in the Marauder 's Den because there is no way Linda can be around to see this."

The fille and Kaden met them in the Marauder 's Den after Albus, John, and Matt had tiffin. John kept pestering Albus all through lunch, wanting to have it away why Linda could n't get word about it, but Albus said nothing. He was n't even sure if he was allowed to recite his admirer about this, but Balladanis had n't really verboten him.

"Albus, what in the name of Merlin happened last night ?"Rose asked as soon as they were all in the Marauder 's Den.

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

"And you neglected to tell us until now ?"John gaped,"I 've been wanting to have sex for the entire year !"

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

"Sorry,"John the Evangelist muttered.

"Balladanis took us into a pensieve end night,"Albus began.

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

"Not that great, to be honest,"Albus said,"Probably would have been better if it was a better memory.

"Anyway, he took us without any explanation of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down house in Greece. Kind of looked like a small-scale more woebegone version of the screech Shack."

"In Ellas ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the house for what seemed similar minute and then these figures broke into it and we heard this terribly scream. Then the fig left. Then this lad who was about our age came running out with this frightful scared look on his face. Then we left."

"What does that have anything to do with what Balladanis does for a animation ?"John the Divine asked.

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

nonentity said anything for a long clip. Albus looked at his friends and they all wore equalize aspect of shock.

"And you watched it ?"Matt asked.

"From a aloofness,"Albus replied.

"Merlin, no wonder Balladanis is so bloody insane,"Gospel According to John let out a low whistle.

"He decided to dedicate his life-time to ridding the world of evil, whether it be lamia, coloured sensation, or other dark animate being,"Albus continued.

"So he 's an Auror ?"rose wine asked.

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

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

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

"Wow,"Gospel According to John said,"I thought he was an Auror or something."

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

"Only ones that kill the great unwashed,"Albus assured his lycanthropic friend.

"All loup-garou have the capability of killing people, Albus,"Matt said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

"Whatever his scene on vampires and werewolf truly is, it 's going to be worry to see how he teaches us about them,"rose mused.

"Guess this is why you did n't want Linda to take heed about this,"John Lackland said.

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

"Who knows ?"Rose shrugged,"I doubt we 'll ever feel out."

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

"Seriously ?"lustrelessness asked.

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

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

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

"Maybe because he does n't plan on staying,"Matt replied,"Why would he stop searching for the lamia who killed his parents to teach here anyway ?"

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

"Because that 's not suspicious or anything,"John the Evangelist rolled his heart,"There 's still something funny about Balladanis."

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

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

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be loose said than done, especially since Defense class was soon devoted to learning about lamia. Balladanis seemed to teach that particular unit with often more enthusiasm than usual, a effort that cipher thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than usual, but about just attributed it to the fact that he was bloody insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about lamia was stuff Albus already knew due to what lusterlessness had told them earlier in the school class. It was still fairly interesting, though. Albus found that the more grievous the beast they were learning about, the more matter to it was. Not to refer the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every scholarly person was grateful for.

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

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

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

"That would n't be any better. We 're doing lycanthrope next,"John reminded him,"And Matt said that thing could n't work into an actual loup-garou. public speaking of matte, he 's lucky he 's missing this."

"I think he 'd say otherwise,"Albus replied. The full moon had been the old night.

"lull,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our vampire object lesson today. Today I wish to show you what a vampire looks like, which is why I have brought back the anamatek. However, you will not be fighting it. None of you have the science essential to fight a vampire."

"He 's mental,"St. John muttered.

Balladanis drew his wand and pointed it at the trunk. It snapped open and out stepped a very picket man with rip off features. He did n't move, but merely stared out at all the students.

"vampire are the hone predator,"Balladanis announced,"They 're incredibly fast,"he pointed his wand at the vampire and it disappeared.

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

"They 're agile,"Balladanis continued,"They 're safe looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are all in. The alternative is not great, either. From the moment their teeth fall apart your cutis, you begin to transform into a vampire as well. You will become one if they do not suck you dry. There is no way to stop it, no potion to counteract it.

"vampire hunt at night when their visual sensation is still excellent, but when human sight is compromised. However, that is not the only reasonableness. Does anyone sleep together the other ?"

Rose raised her hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, Miss Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"vampire are in pith allergic to the sun,"Rose explained,"When the sunlight hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them worry and makes them palpate sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rare smile,"There is no potion to counteract the effects of the sun on vampire. Therefore they tend to inhabit area that see less sun and domain of dense forest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United States, component of Canada, and parts of Soviet Union. However there is also a significant vampire population in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his wand at the vampire again and it retreated back into the tree trunk. Everyone breathed a collective suspiration of fill-in. The moral continued until the bell rang. Balladanis made no honorable mention of moving onto the next unit, nor had he assigned the common end of the unit essay.

Albus and his friends went to visit matt late that night after Albus got out of Quidditch practice. They only had a one-half minute or so until curfew, but they had n't visited at all yet.

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

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

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

"He what ?"matt shouted, although since his articulation was husky it was n't very loud,"We 're still doing lamia, are n't we ?"

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

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

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

"Well, the yearner we spend on vampires, the More time we have before we start werewolves,"matt said quietly,"I really hope he does n't drop as much time on them as he has on vampires."

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

"Thank Merlin for that,"lustrelessness yawned.

"You 're tired,"pink wine said,"We should leave."

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

"'Night,"Matt said.

They left the cellblock just as Madam Pomfrey was coming out of her study, presumably to tell them to leave and give matt more potions. Albus and his booster headed straight for the common room, where they got started on all the homework that had been piled on them that day.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's first cousin had begun to take up bets on how long Balladanis was going to spend teaching the third years about vampires. Fred was certain he 'd spend the balance of condition, but Bradley was convinced he 'd go onto the next unit partway through Apr. None of the tierce years were actually participating in these wager because they were all afraid Balladanis would regain out.

The lamia unit was still well underway when the future Quidditch catch came along. This one was the second Hogwarts versus Aussie school of Sorcery match, which meant Sir Henry Joseph Wood was in his blossom when it came to exercise. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing rooms since he spent more than of his fourth dimension on the Quidditch Pitch than in the Gryffindor common room.

Albus awoke the day of the equal to Saint John 's flashy swearing instead of Teddy, which told him that he did not have to play during that match. He could n't avail but feel slightly defeated. Figuring there was no point in going back to sleep, he got up and asked John what happened.

"Tripped over Matt 's bloody caldron,"lavatory muttered, holding onto his good pes,"Why ca n't he just put that stupid affair away ?"

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

toilet muttered something undistinguishable and shoved his cauldron under his bed. He went into the bathroom while Albus woke Matt up. The three of them met Kaden in the common way a footling while later and then went down to the Great Hall to get something to eat.

A few hours later the boys were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the friction match to get down. Rose and Amanda were with them.

"Wonder how prospicient it 'll take Linda to find the sneak this time,"Albus mused.

"I 'm betting on ten instant,"John said,"Hey, remember that time we eavesdropped on Killigan ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Was n't Linda supposed to pop out flying irksome after that ?"

"That 's what I thought,"John Lackland shrugged,"But she did n't during the hold up match."

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

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

lusterlessness 's prediction proved even up. Linda did not slow down in the slightest. She flew at her usual abnormally fast pep pill, beating James to the sneaker by a few 1000. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Commonwealth of Australia at that item and only wound up losing by forty stage.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New House of York as far as Quidditch detail went. Australia was still in the pencil lead, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tournament. As of the most Holocene tournament, Hogwarts was winning. Australia was in in conclusion space and New York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty trusted that if the Quidditch and dueling tournament points were added up, Hogwarts and Australia would be neck in neck. Whatever the final result of the remaining qualifying tourney and mates, the final for both were going to determine the achiever of the competition. The points were just too close.

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

******

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

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

Albus, mat, and John saved their essays for the hold up potential moment, settling down to work on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly hard essay because Balladanis had given them so much entropy on the subject. It was just a very long essay to write. Rose and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't help but be slightly envious of them because doing the essay with an existent lamia would make it the loose essay ever.

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

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

"How long is your essay, rosebush ?"John asked as he measured his own essay.

"troika feet,"Rose answered.

john groaned."Do you think Balladanis will notice if mine 's three inches short ?"

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

"Maybe if we do n't finish it we can just vamoose class tomorrow,"lusterlessness muttered,"After all, I would n't need to show up in class without the essay done."

"But it 'll be unfit when you finally do go to stratum,"rose wine pointed out.

"I still do n't particularly require to go to social class tomorrow,"matt said,"Whether I 've finished the essay or not."

"You 're going to finish it,"rose wine told him,"You 've got two in left."

"Finished,"Albus announced.

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

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

"I know, I 've just got a bad touch sensation about it,"lustrelessness sighed.

"facial expression on the bright side,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the werewolf essay, you 're certain to get a 100."

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

Both mat and John managed to finish their essays before curfew and they returned to Gryffindor pillar, and they soon went to bed. Albus did n't cerebrate Matt slept much, though. He heard him tossing and turning all night.

Albus, mat, and John got a late starting line since John the Evangelist had misplaced his lamia essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was sure enough how it go there ), the three boys rushed down to the Great Hall to snap up piece of toast before running to Defense.

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

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

Balladanis began his usual pacing in front of the classroom. He stopped in movement of Rose and Linda 's tabular array and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would lead off with werewolf history,"he announced,"Nobody is trusted when the foremost werewolf came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding civilisation. Not only that, but even ancient Muggle finish have lycanthropy in their histories.

"Hundreds of years ago, before the Muggle field of psychology came about and foresighted before Muggles had any apprehension of the homo intellect, they tried to cook sense of people whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to attribute the insanity to the moon. Over the yr, the myth of wolfman came about. Thus, loup-garou have had a significant role in Muggle stories. In reality, the people Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from schizophrenia or bout of insanity."

Albus frantically tried to write everything down. He knew absolutely nil about the Muggle prospect of lycanthropy. He glanced at lusterlessness and saw that he was n't writing anything down, but his hand was shaking.

"Muggles of course know nothing about real number werewolf,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created loup-garou have little in common with the real matter.

"werewolf are plagued with the illness lycanthropy. Does anyone cognize what that means ?"

Rose was the only one who raised her hand. Balladanis nodded to her."It comes from the Hellenic row 'lykos'and 'anthropos',"Rose explained,"Lykos means wildcat and anthropos means man."

"Very adept,"Balladanis replied,"Lycanthropy refers to the disease and those who have it are called lycanthropes.

"Lycanthropes have been shunned by wizarding smart set for as long as account has told us about them. In recent years, there has been a great deal meditation about whether this is essential or even a well estimation. However, it is difficult to change the minds of the majority when we have been taught to avoid lycanthrope and shun them from wizarding society for so long.

"It has not been for no reason that this general prejudice has came about. When in wolf form, werewolves can not control their actions and thus snipe lost citizenry. This has long been construed as lycanthropes wanting to attack people, wanting to infect them with the horrible disease.

"This can not be farther from the case when it comes to most werewolves. Most do not wish to assail others. Within the past hundred years, werewolf have begun locking themselves up on the wide moon in order to avoid attacking others. However, there is one significant drawback to this for the lycanthrope. Does anyone bonk this ?"Balladanis 's eyes rested on Matt, but he continued staring down at his hollow parchment.

rosiness and Linda raised their workforce. This time Balladanis called on Linda."When wolfman do n't sustain anybody to attack, they attack themselves,"Linda said,"They do n't have a selection and they often wind up really injure because of it."

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

"We 'll pick up side by side social class with what happens before, during, and after wide moons for a person with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the Alexander Graham Bell rang,"If you have not read the werewolf chapter, please do so for next metre. Mr. Eckerton, if you could please fare see me."

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

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

"Interesting lesson, thrower,"Malfoy said quietly,"Very matter to indeed."

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

"Oh, nothing. Just a very illuminating lesson. I 've learned so much,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"Merlin,"toilet muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll bed after following object lesson. He 's onto it, that 's for trusted,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"John Lackland replied,"That 's a nice way of putting it. The hale school 's going to have sex in two years, after the next class."

"What are we going to do ?"Albus groaned,"If we tell him what Malfoy said, he 's going to be too scared to do anything. I mean, did you see him during this lesson ?"

"Yeah,"John nodded,"We ca n't separate him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether lusterlessness knows about it or not."

"I agree,"Albus nodded,"We wo n't tell."

"What are you two talking about ?"Matt appeared behind them, looking no better than he had before.

"nada,"John said,"What did Balladanis want ?"

"Told me I did n't have to go to the excess help during this social unit unless I wanted to,"flatness told them.

"What are you going to do ?"John asked.

"I do n't know,"Matt said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll look suspicious if I do n't, but I really ca n't shoot many more moral like that. Merlin, Thursday 's deterrent example is going to be awful."

Albus saw no level in denying that. lusterlessness did n't have a clue as to how terribly it would be. They said nothing more about it the completely way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so glad about having ridiculously long Quidditch pattern as he was Tuesday and Wednesday eve. He was perfectly glad to expend all his free time on the Quidditch pitch shot and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so unmanageable for him to keep what Malfoy said away from lusterlessness. He wanted nothing more than to admonish his Friend about it, even though he knew that would accomplish zip. All it would do was make lustrelessness worry even more and then act even more unquiet during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's mind off of what would pass after Malfoy 's suspicions were confirmed. It would n't be anything like when Albus found out or even when Kaden found out. No, Malfoy was going to use this to his advantage. Albus was nearly one hundred percent trusted Malfoy would announce it to all of Slytherin. Then, word would spread and the entire school would find out. Falco columbarius only knew what would happen when scholarly person'parents found out.

Albus knew that werewolf rights had come a hanker way since teddy 's dad was in school, but he also knew that almost people would not be glad if their tiddler were going to schooltime with a werewolf, especially one that did not take wolfsbane. Not to cite the theatre day the insistency would have with it. Matt 's dad had just become Head of the Department for the Regulation and control of Magical Creatures for merlin 's sake. It would be a repeat of what had happened when Matt and his phratry had lived in Australia.

Not to mention what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a slight luck that Malfoy found out about the passing under the Whomping Willow. He had nearly had a panic attack. What would happen if Malfoy found out he was a lycanthrope ?

It did not help that the full moon was that Friday. flatness barely spoke during the legal brief prison term that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch. He sat in the vulture 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, Wood 's tenacious Quidditch practice session took Albus 's head off of all of that, but they did not stop Thursday from arriving and earlier than Albus would have liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and John exchanged nervous glimpse as Malfoy walked in with a very self-satisfied look on his side. Albus was so focused on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's trunk was back in front of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked john in the side.

"What ?"bathroom seethed. Albus gestured to the automobile trunk."Merlin 's beard,"St. John exclaimed,"I do n't even desire to fuck what he 's going to do with that."

"lull down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll continue our loup-garou discussion today by talking about what happens to a werewolf when the Moon waxes.

"werewolf, in a similar way to vampire, are somewhat allergic to the moonshine when the moon waxes. For the few nights before the real full Sun Myung Moon, when exposed to moonlight werewolf will feel ill. The moonlight gives them concern and when exposed long enough, causes them to turn a loss consciousness."

Albus did n't bother writing any of this down, as he knew first hand what happened when a werewolf was exposed to too much moonshine shortly before the wide-cut moonlight. Instead he stole quick coup d'oeil at Malfoy and Matt. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing quick glances at lusterlessness himself. Matt was staring down at his lambskin and Albus was sure he was trying to push aside everything Balladanis said. He was blench and ill, but Albus was n't sure if that was because of the lesson or because the full phase of the moon moon was the next day.

"werewolf are often too ill to go about their day-by-day body process the day of the full moon Moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the actual transformation, I wish to indicate you what a person with lycanthropy looks like the day of the full phase of the moon moon."

For a brief second, Albus thought Balladanis was going to call Matt to the front of the room, but then realized that as a professor, Balladanis must have promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the trunk and a minuscule man stepped out of it. His pallor looked exactly like Matt 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces eager scrape and had a under the weather looking to them.

Balladanis began to speak about what the anamatek looked like, but Albus paid no attention. Instead he looked to Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the anamatek for a minute or so with shock and then he glanced at Matt. Finally, he met Albus 's gaze and Albus saw the heavy smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's face. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The remainder of the lesson passed by in a variety of fog for Albus. He and John had exchanged coup d'oeil and the face on John 's fount told him he had noticed Malfoy 's actualisation as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's lecture, but he did n't march it.

The moral seemed to drag on and speed by at the Saami time. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the same clip he did not want to be intimate what was going to happen after.

"Next lesson will focus on wolfsbane Potion and the consequence it has had on loup-garou right field,"Balladanis announced at the end of the lesson,"Class dismissed."

Albus and Gospel According to John looked at each other. Albus did n't bed what to do. Should he confront Malfoy ? Or should he tell lustrelessness what happened ? lustrelessness seemed oblivious to the whole thing.

They silently decided just to leave the classroom and decide what to do after. rose and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no idea what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the elbow room and Albus was not sure if this was a estimable or a bad thing. He had the sudden urge just to hex Malfoy right then and there.

"Another enlightening lesson,"Malfoy smirked,"Oh, Eckerton, feeling a bit ill ?"

"None of your business,"matte muttered. Albus and John both stepped a bit closer to him and Albus clenched his hand around his wand.

"Bet you 'll be feeling even uncollectible tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that clip of the calendar month, is n't it ? Tomorrow nighttime ?"

That got lustrelessness 's attention. His head word snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to John with the most panicked look on his face Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun full Sun Myung Moon, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just loud enough for mat, Albus and John to hear.

Matt did n't say anything. He shook his head and then ran. He pushed through the crowd, much to the dislike of the students who were trying to get to class, and disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Albus suddenly felt more hatred for Malfoy than ever. Not only had he worked out Matt 's secret, but he had used it to scare him. In nub, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the pip things he could experience done.

Ignoring all the former educatee who were going to stratum, Albus pulled out his sceptre and had it against Malfoy 's chest of drawers in two seconds.

"If you tell anyone,"Albus growled,"I will personally make sure you 're so identical that even your own parents wo n't recognize you."

"Is that a scourge, Potter ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to spell it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to regain out just how a lot substantially I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the Saame time.

"Expelliarmus !"John shouted.

The crew moved away so that there was a circle of onlookers surrounding the duel. Albus ignored them. It was just him, toilet, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected John the Evangelist 's disarming spell and snap another patch at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's shield and hit a nearby portrait. The portrait 's occupant shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbor 's frame.

Albus concentrated on his buckler charm and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling lesson, Albus watched as his shield held up while the hex shot at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a tickling jonah at John.

This one hit John and he collapsed onto the floor in a fit of giggles. Albus shot another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his face. Malfoy 's nose started bleeding and he rounded on Albus.

"What is going on out here ?"Balladanis shouted.

Albus did n't take down his wand and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't elicit off anymore hexes either. Albus let his shield down and noticed that the crowd had dispersed. John the Evangelist was still rolling around on the ground.

Balladanis pointed his verge at John and John immediately stopped giggling and stood up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three son followed Balladanis into his study. Albus looked nervously at can. Of all the prof to enamour them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of course, the one trade good thing about this was that Malfoy could n't herald lustrelessness 's lycanthropy to the full school while Balladanis was lecturing them.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and St. John the Apostle sat as far away as possible from Malfoy in Balladanis 's discipline. Balladanis just stared at them before speaking.

"I can not begin to tell you how discomfited I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. I am sure I taught you comfortably than this. The two of you especially should eff how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling skills and what sort of province lies with them. I have half a mind to discontinue our grooming sessions. However, I am willing to hear all English of this story before laying out any sort of punishment. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to class and ceramicist pulled out his wand and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to fight back myself,"Malfoy said.

Albus had to try hard not to snort. He and King John looked at each other and Saint John rolled his oculus.

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, if you please."

Albus took a deep intimation. He was going to tell the write up. The all history."Malfoy was threatening Matt, sir,"Albus began.

"Mr. Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked,"I did not see him anywhere."

"He left after Malfoy threatened him,"Albus continued,"You see, Malfoy has figured something out about Matt, after listening to your lectures on werewolves."

Balladanis 's eyes widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that truthful, Mr. Malfoy ?"

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the rightfulness to know if I 'm in schooltime with a werewolf."

Malfoy said 'werewolf'with disgust and it made Albus want to hex him once more.

"Mr. Eckerton has the rightfield to go on his medical issues to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His health is none of your business enterprise whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After Matt left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go tell the wholly school about flatness 's lycanthropy,"Albus explained,"And I guess we just wound up dueling."

"Just wound up dueling ?"Malfoy scoffed,"You had your baton on me."

"You sent the start hex,"Albus muttered.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Brickston ?"Balladanis asked.

"No,"john replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

"Very well,"Balladanis replied,"I see this issue goes much further than a affaire d'honneur. All three of you will receive four Night'detention starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten points from your several houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the headmaster. There are things more authoritative to discuss than hold,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew full well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and toilet said nothing as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's study. Malfoy walked a few feet behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's discipline since his first yr, when he went to talk to Dumbledore 's portraiture. The place had n't changed in the tenuous. Everything seemed to be in the demand same post. Both Dumbledore and Snape were awaken and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, Saint John, and Malfoy stood near the door while Balladanis strode forward.

"We have a problem,"Balladanis said,"These three have been dueling."

"I trust you to hand out detention, Tethys,"Kendrick replied,"I am busybodied at the moment."

"It 's not the dueling,"Balladanis said,"It 's what they were dueling about."

"And what would that be ?"Kendrick asked.

"Mr. Malfoy has discovered that matte Eckerton is a wolfman,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. Potter and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his pinion and looked up."I 'll take away this from here. I believe you have a lesson to teach."

"I believe I do,"Balladanis replied and left the room.

Kendrick conjured a few professorship and gestured for the three male child to bring together him at his desk. Albus sat down in the eye chairman and waited for Kendrick to begin. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying rapt attention.

"Well, well,"Snape said,"Deja vu."

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. thrower, perhaps you can recount me if anyone else knows about Matt 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"Rose Weasley, Amanda Tagger, and Kaden Dursley."

"I knew that Dursley kid knew something,"Malfoy muttered.

"Not now, Mr. Malfoy,"Kendrick said,"I 'll need to speak with them, as well as matt. I imagine they 're all in class."

"Sir,"Albus interrupted,"I do n't remember Matt 's in class."

"You may be right,"Kendrick sighed,"Do you have any estimate where he might be ?"

"Yes,"Albus answered.

"Very well. Please go find him,"Kendrick said,"And Mr. Brickston, please go find the others."

Albus nodded and he and St. John the Apostle left the study. Albus went straight to the Marauder 's Den while John went to the dungeon as pink wine and Amanda would be in potions.

Matt was sitting on his bed in the Marauder 's Den, staring at the paries and not moving a muscle.

"I suppose Malfoy 's told everyone,"matte said without turning to look at Albus. His vocalism was hollow.

"No,"Albus replied,"He has n't had the opportunity. can and I dueled him after you left. Balladanis gave us all four nighttime of detainment and took points away."

"He 'll separate everyone soon,"matt replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to end up school day. That 's not even the worst part. It 's going to be all over the vaticinator. My dad 's going to suffer his job again. We 'll probably have to move to New York."

He finally turned around and looked at Albus. He no longer looked anxious. He looked absolutely terrified, yet sad at the same time.

"Why did Balladanis have to be such a good instructor ?"matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sorting of terribly instructor then maybe Malfoy would n't have found out. He 's just so thorough ! He left zippo out ! Even the way he described the transmutation. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that stupid anamatek !"Matt sat up and looked at Albus,"That thing looked just like me, only Old. No curiosity Malfoy found out."

"You 're not going to get kicked out,"Albus assured him.

"How do you know ?"matt shouted,"How do you really know ? I know chemise 's dad got to delay after Snape found out, but this is different. That was when Dumbledore was here ! Everyone says Dumbledore was barking mad. Kendrick is n't. Kendrick 's perfectly sane and he 's not going to want to deal with this."

Albus did n't really do it what to say to that. Everything Matt said was true. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. cypher could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his study. He wants to talk to all of us. Me, John, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't want to go up there,"lustrelessness said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to stay here. Falco columbarius, my drumhead is killing me."

"I think you have to go,"Albus said quietly.

"I know,"Matt groaned and got up off the bed,"This just is n't fair. I hate it. I hate this whole affair. I do n't require to be a fucking wolfman anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how miserable Matt was at that minute. Albus had never once heard him kvetch about being a werewolf. Not when he was too tired to do anything because of the total moon or when he was laid up in the hospital wing for days afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's subject area. Albus muttered the password, that he had overheard Balladanis say, to the gargoyle and they ascended into the study.

Everyone else was already there and they all turned to Albus and Matt when they walked in. matt froze in place and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"Take a keister,"Kendrick gestured to the two abandon hot seat, one of which was side by side to Malfoy's.

Albus took the seat side by side to Malfoy 's, but did n't depend at him. mat took the other one.

"beginning, I want to secure you that you do not have to leave Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to lustrelessness,"Nobody else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

Matt did n't count reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My sire wo n't fit with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your father has no say whatsoever in which students I admit to this shoal,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I point out that his position is not very high."

"lustrelessness,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"Energy Department anyone else know ?"Matt shook his headway."And did you secern the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. mat nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

matt seemed ineffectual to address. After a few moments of muteness, Kendrick turned to Albus."How foresightful have you known, Mr. potter ?"

"Two years,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this question with Rose, Saint John the Apostle, and Amanda, who all gave the same reply as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus charm. He shared one horrified coup d'oeil with Rose and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His mouthpiece was agape love and he looked a little panicked.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"Fine,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"professor, Sir,"rosiness began,"We sort of put this charm on Kaden, so he would n't evidence anyone. He can only talk about it with us. He wo n't be able to say a affair about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's response, but before the master could say a Scripture, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus appeal,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"Rose answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an incredible witch, missy Weasley."

"Too chic for her own thoroughly, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the beat exploit, Miss Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you recount me how farseeing Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a year,"rose said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some things to discuss with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in individual. The rest of you may go to the Great Hall. I believe there is still a half minute or so left of lunch."

Albus did n't really require to leave without finding out what was going to encounter to Malfoy, but he knew Matt would tell him.

mat never showed up in the Great residence for lunch, nor did he go to Ancient rune or Charms. Albus could not concentrate on either of those course of study and was very glad when magical spell was over and he was able-bodied to leave.

Wood was not very happy that Albus had acquired four detentions. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty dollar bill minutes telling Albus how he should n't be picking fights with other educatee so close to the side by side Quidditch match, especially in front of teachers'classrooms. The speech had only ended when Albus told him he was late for Charms. Albus had run into Wood in in between ancient Runes and Charms.

"What do you speculate Balladanis is going to make us do ?"John asked as they walked towards the Marauder 's Den.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"whoremaster agreed.

Rose, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go obtain Matt before they went to dinner. They had to wait a patch for the corridor to sort out out before they were actually able to get into the room, though.

matt was fast asleep on the couch when they entered."Good thing he does n't have detention tonight,"John pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

whoremaster gently shook Matt 's berm until he cracked his middle open."Wake up,"John said,"Or you 'll overlook dinner."

"I 'm not athirst,"lustrelessness muttered.

"What 's Kendrick doing about Malfoy ?"Albus asked as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

"He should put that appealingness on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"lustrelessness sighed,"All he did was tell Malfoy how important it was not to cite anything. He said telling his father would do nothing. Then he told him that if he ever did recount anyone, he would front exclusion for revealing another student 's health check information. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did anticipate he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? Sure, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't learn it back. I 'd still consume to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't think he 's going to tell anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy kin, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified thaumaturgist. Malfoy wo n't want that."

"I guess you 're right,"matt sighed,"It 's just so strange, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you want to go eat dinner ?"

"No,"lusterlessness shook his head,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to post an owl to my parents, let them know about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. John and I have got detention tonight."

"Oh, right. respectable luck with that,"Matt replied.

******

Balladanis 's detainment was a bit anticlimactic. Albus had been expecting him to think up some really creative and taxing detention, but instead he assigned them lines. Lines were possibly the most boring detention ever thought up, but they were preferable to cleaning the toilet or something.

"potter, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten second,"Your dueling lesson is canceled for tomorrow Nox due to your detention. Detention will be at nine, after my duplicate service sitting, something I 'll anticipate you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said aught more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three boys, which Albus did n't really mind. He just wanted to get his billet done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on full moons, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a lycanthrope used to teach here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the best Defense teacher any of our parents ever had."

"Quiet !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was grateful for Balladanis 's chiding. Malfoy stopped asking doubt and went back to his logical argument. Albus sighed and went back to his own. How far was Malfoy going to go ? Why could n't he just be satisfied with having worked out Matt 's enigma ?

A half hour into their line writing, when Albus was contemplating switching hands despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his right script, there was a knock on the door. Albus looked up and saw Professor Kendrick standing in the doorway, along with none early than Matt 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to whoremonger. John had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The close thing they needed was for Balladanis to remember they were there and severalize them to get out so he could have whatever conversation he was about to have in private.

"Aplysia,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John. matt 's dad knew Balladanis ? How ? Matt had never mentioned that before.

"That 's his dad ?"Malfoy whispered.

"Shush !"Albus said again.

"I wish to talk to you about what happened earlier today,"matte 's dad said quietly.

"What about it, Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked.

"My son told me about your lessons,"Mr. Eckerton said,"How, informative they are."

"I teach my student what they 'll need to have a go at it in order to defend themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"Merlin, showing them exactly what a lycanthrope looks like before a transformation with an anamatek ? Do you bring in how dangerous those are ?"

"Of path,"Balladanis said, raising his vox a bit,"You 're not the only expert on witching fauna. I have stark control over my anamatek."

"cipher has everlasting control over an anamatek !"Mr. Eckerton said.

"The headmaster has already told me I 'm not allowed to use it anymore, so you really do n't postulate to be lecturing me about this,"Balladanis seethed.

"Oh, it 's not only that,"Mr. Eckerton stepped a bit closer to Balladanis,"It 's how much you taught the third geezerhood about wolfman. The inside information about their transformations, how to pick one out of the general population, what happens before, during, and after transformations. Your lesson was far more detailed than a thirdly yr text book."

"You 'd ascertain that all my lesson are like that,"Balladanis replied,"text edition al-Qur'an do not give adequate details."

"I think giving enough inside information about identifying a wolfman so that a tertiary year would be able to work out that someone not even in their same house is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should have been a bit more timid with your lesson."

"Withholding info from an entire year because of one student is not a good method acting of teaching,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be dangerous for that one student,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the smashing good for the gravid number, are we ?"

"There are times when that is a good school of thought,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll fit in to disaccord, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your lessons are putting my son in danger anymore, you may retrieve that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll teach however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three boy, none of whom were writing lines any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the table Albus, whoremonger, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded how-do-you-do to Albus and John before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the schoolmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the need to restate that there will be import if you make populace my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"trade good,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the castle tomorrow to look your study and classroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his breath as Matt 's dad left the elbow room with prof Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with John. He wanted nothing more than to forget, so he could peach about what had just happened.

"That 's sufficiency for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow nighttime at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his hastiness to get up. He ran out of the room as fast as he could with John following. Malfoy made no move to try and talk to them again, so they headed straight to the Marauder 's Den.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the lovely hoi polloi who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are amazing !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John burst into the Marauder 's Den a little while later to find that Matt and Kaden were the only ones there. Matt 's face was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the middle of a plot of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four profits for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the lineup,"Oh, Albus, lav ! How was your detention ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down next to matte,"Matt, did you experience your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talk to Kendrick. I went with him."

"well, do you bed where he went after ?"whoremaster asked.

"Home, I guess,"Matt shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our detention,"privy said.

"He what ?"matte replied.

"Yeah, it was really odd,"Albus said,"He came in with Kendrick and Kendrick introduced him to Balladanis. Only Balladanis said 'we 've met'. You never told us your dad knew Balladanis."

"I never knew,"mat shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really tempestuous,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too much about how to figure out if someone 's a lycanthrope and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how dangerous it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"lustrelessness said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the reasons he came here, to tell Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to inspect Balladanis 's way tomorrow to establish sure he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's educational activity puts you in danger again, the Ministry 's going to inquire him."

"It 's really not a good approximation to get on my dad 's bad side,"matte said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to learn however he wanted,"Albus explained,"Honestly, he did not look happy that your dad was there. I think something happened between the two of them."

"But what ?"Matt asked,"Dad 's never mentioned him before."

"Think he 'd tell you if you asked ?"privy wondered.

"Probably,"Matt said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd meliorate not tell anyone you 're a lycanthrope,"John said,"He looked pretty scary, too. I do n't retrieve Malfoy 's going to recount anyone."

******

It did not subscribe to very long for word to spread that Balladanis had gotten in trouble for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the next morning at breakfast, as a few onetime bookman had bet on how long he would make it. Somehow everyone knew that Matt 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the late nighttime and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had demurrer that morning and reported to Albus at lunch that Balladanis was even exacting than usual and seemed incredibly angry. That did not bode well for Albus 's detention that evening.

"He 's downright chilling,"Kaden said as he piled steak and kidney pie onto his plate,"Yelled at one of the Ravenclaws in my class for spilling her ink. She was nearly in tears. But I 'd hate to be in your class, Albus, he 's going to be roughshod. I mean, it 's pretty much because of mat that he got in trouble."

Matt had gone up to the piranha 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in dejeuner. Albus knew that Kaden was decent. Balladanis was going to take this out on lustrelessness, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't have intercourse why he cares so much,"Saint John the Apostle shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could have just taken that thing away. He 's lucky he just had to take it back to his business firm or whatever."

"I do n't think he likes the government,"Albus said,"That 's the feeling I got after listening to him verbalise about what he did before commandment here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"well, I think it 's a good idea for the Ministry to make him take that thing home plate,"St. John the Apostle said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a manticore next."

Kaden went to class after lunch while Albus and John went up to the marauder 's Den with blush wine and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"John asked as he gestured to matte, who was asleep in his bed.

"Doubt it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"Merlin, I just want to acknowledge what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"whoremaster groaned.

"You 're so raring,"Rose commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to wake him up,"John muttered.

The remainder of the afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his detention later and John complained loudly about how he had to go to the extra help school term about werewolves when he already knew so often about them.

Albus woke lustrelessness up shortly before dinner and he looked much worse than he usually did the day of wide moons. They all escorted him to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to get out the hospital extension, the threshold opened and in walked flatness 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to go over if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

whoremaster nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"John whispered.

"He 's not going to tell us now,"Albus muttered back,"looking at at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to mat 's bed and talking to Madam Pomfrey in hushed whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detention for zero. He entered the way before Malfoy and bathroom was already doing his lines. Balladanis said absolutely nothing to Albus as he handed him lambskin. Malfoy arrived a niggling while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not talk either. He did not ask anything about lusterlessness and did n't even comment that the full moonshine was that night.

Balladanis let them provide at half by ten. Albus and John found Kaden in the vulture 's Den and spent the remaining sentence left until astronomy playing Exploding picnic and Wizard 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to give this category with the Slytherins ?"lavatory groaned as they made their way to the astronomy Tower,"If Malfoy does n't micturate a I gossip about the wide-cut moonshine, I 'll eat an entire cauldron."

"I 'm going to hold back you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't conceive you 'll make to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his telescope up adjacent to Albus 's. Professor Polo spent ten arcminute telling them that they were to plot the position of Mar, Urania, the moon, and a handful of stars before turning them lose to actually do so.

"The moon is so brilliant,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... full ...."

Albus looked at lav."Looks like I wo n't be eating my caldron tonight,"whoremaster muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the Head of the Department for the Regulation and control of Magical Creatures ? Yeah, he must be, because he 's the one who made Balladanis get rid of the anamatek. Ca n't say I 'm really upset about that,"Malfoy said quietly,"But how ironic."

"Just stop talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, hail on, Potter. Even you have to apprise the irony,"Malfoy said.

"Will you just shut out up,"Albus seethed.

"Quiet over there,"Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more time before going back to his scope. The rest of the lesson passed without anymore commentary from Malfoy and Albus was quite happy when he was able to devolve to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in outset year,"Albus sighed,"Remember when madam Pomfrey locked the hospital flank ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"Rose said.

"well, she did n't lock us out this time,"bathroom pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his friends had slept late on Saturday dayspring and after grabbing a quick sting to eat, had gone to chitchat Matt in the hospital offstage. Madam Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the vulture 's Den, trying to forecast out why.

"She always lets us in,"bathroom groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad nighttime,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"pink wine wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the full lunation have been unfit the by few month ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us go Animagi,"John muttered.

"John, I honestly do n't remember you could become an Animagus,"Rose replied,"You 'd wrap up with a permanent tail affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"King John grinned,"Always thought it would be cool to make a tail."

"You 're not helping,"Albus sighed,"What are we going to do ?"

"I think all we can do is just keep going back to the hospital offstage,"John shrugged,"Until ma'am Pomfrey lets us in."

Their efforts proved fruitless, though. They went to the infirmary offstage twice that afternoon and then right wing before Albus and John had to go to detention. gentlewoman Pomfrey told them 'no'each time.

Sunday, the last day of Albus and whoremonger 's detention, was the same. Madam Pomfrey was quite livid when they showed up for the tertiary time that day.

"zilch 's changed !"she shouted,"ejaculate back tomorrow evening ! I 'll render the lot of you detention if you come back any earlier than that !"

With that, she strode back into the Montgomery Ward and slammed the room access."Can she even give detention ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and Gospel According to John broke away from the group to complete their last detention. Balladanis gave them agate line, just like he had the past three nights. Albus sat quietly completing them, very grateful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two words to him since Astronomy.

"You may blockade,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an time of day and a half.

Albus threw his quill down and leaned back in his chairwoman. Finally, it was over.

"I hope you learned something,"Balladanis said, which shocked Albus. He had been expecting Balladanis to stay his silence."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the import will be much more knockout than detention and lost points.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should continue giving you spare lessons. I have decided to present you one more fortune. deterrent example will go on this Friday at their normal clip. However, if either of you disregard my rules again, I will no longer have got them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in stratum on Tuesday."

"pigeon hawk, I 'm gladiola that 's over,"privy muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be atrocious in class, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't concentrate at all in his category the succeeding day. All he wanted to do was go to the hospital wing and find out how Matt was, but madam Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

Rose and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, John, and Kaden near the hospital wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very look sharp dinner due to Albus 's Quidditch practice at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the door to the hospital fender, one-half expecting madam Pomfrey to yell at them again. He walked quietly inside, followed the the others. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk and she visibly sighed when she noticed them.

"Go ahead,"she gestured to the only fill bed, which had the curtains pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the drape back. Matt looked exhausted and there was a rather prominent bandage wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd come visit me,"flatness gave them a half smile.

"We 've been trying !"John said,"lady Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"lusterlessness smirked,"I 've heard her call at you. It 's kind of amusing."

"fountainhead, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't brothel keeper Pomfrey let us come sojourn ?"

"Because I did n't rouse up until yesterday afternoon,"flatness answered.

"But that was-"John began.

"Nearly two solar day later ?"lusterlessness cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"Rose asked.

"A caboodle of affair, really,"matte sighed,"First, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always unfit when I 'm worried about something. instant, I hit my caput really unvoiced at some point that night. It still hurts. tierce, the transformations in general are getting worse, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's thinker. Albus and all his friends were obviously getting older and that brought plenty of changes, but he had n't even thought about how the woman chaser would change when flatness got older.

"So, are all of the broad moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"flatness shook his head and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really know what 'll happen in the future, but this one was just a combining of bad things."

"That 's dependable, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to leave ?"

"Tomorrow night at the earliest,"Matt sighed,"Although that means I 'll miss Defense."

"Wish I could miss denial,"lav muttered,"public speaking of demurrer, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"John, he just woke up yesterday,"rosiness pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"lusterlessness said,"But he came to see me in the beginning and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"John grinned,"And ?"

"And,"Matt said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really surprised that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed straits of the Department for the regulation and restraint of Magical animate being in Australia, he hired Balladanis to captivate a band of vampires who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too easy on them."

"What did he do to them ?"John asked.

"Sent them to prison. I think they got 20 years. Balladanis thought they should feature gotten biography sentences. Dad and Balladanis got into this huge argument at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Aboriginal Australian Ministry did n't take him after that,"Matt explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would agree on penalisation. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"matt replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issues. Oh, and he wanted me to warn you not to listen to everything Balladanis says during those dueling lessons you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a unlike side of Balladanis during the past week."

******

Tuesday first light dawned quickly and Albus trudged to Defense with John. Neither of them really knew what course of instruction would be like, but judging from what he heard about recent Defense stratum in the common room, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug ego now that detention was over. He sat next to Goyle wearing a smirk on his face. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the elbow room a few arcminute later. He waved his wand at the door and it slammed shut with a bang loud enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell twins, who had been sitting faithful to it, to jump.

"Pass your homework inquiry forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the tabular array in front of him and waited for Balladanis to collect it. He paused in battlefront of the table in social movement of Albus's.

"thrower,"he began,"You can say Eckerton that his preparation is belated and therefore I will not accept it. If he wished to get credit for it, he could throw graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him public eye from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the homework unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"Aconitum lycoctonum potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the public figure of Oliver Belby. He finished the origination in 1991. For near werewolves, the potion was a life belt. Who can explicate what it does ?"

nonentity, not even rosiness and Linda, raised their hands. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't call on him.

"Nobody ?"he said,"Pity. Wolfsbane potion renders a werewolf harmless during full-of-the-moon moons. The lycanthrope turns into a woman chaser, but a harmless one. One that will just sleep until the synodic month sets and will not have the urge to sting and kill.

"The potion is a lifesaver to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to indicate you what a werewolf would expect like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the castle,"Balladanis said with malice,"Therefore you will have to go without the visual. It seems that certain parents, Ministry officials, and the headmaster do not approve of my methods of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't call it suffering,"bathroom muttered.

"serenity, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to contribute to the class."

"No, sir,"John replied.

"goodness,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore appearances in this classroom and your education is going to bear for it. nil, and I repeat nothing can put back hands on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the phone line at having what was in essence a live manticore in figurehead of him. There were some multiplication when reading sufficed.

The example continued with Balladanis talking about Wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't work for all werewolves and Albus found his mind drifting. All in all, the lesson had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his brief bombast about his anamatek being banned from the rook, he had been pretty normal. Normal for Balladanis, that is.

"Next example will be the last on werewolves,"Balladanis announced at the end of class,"We will learn about lycanthropy 's effect on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. mat would be out of the hospital backstage by then. Why could n't Balladanis just finish the werewolf unit already ?

"He wo n't be back succeeding yr,"can muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just wonder who we 're going to get instead."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"Place your bets here !"Fred shouted the next day as he walked around the common room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrait muddle with Sakartvelo and James I after a particularly difficult Quidditch practice. Wood was getting them prepared for the mate against New York, which was to ingest place in a little over a week.

"Georgia, King James, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"Care to rank a bet ?"

"What are you taking bets about ?"Georgia asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on stuff, your mum is bound to see out."

"She wo n't worry,"Fred shrugged. He was probably right. Albus 's Aunt Alicia was the least stern out of all of his aunts. She 'd probably order a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just improve Hope Grandma does n't get out,"Georgia smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't blame him. Molly Weasley would probably send him a howler if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And broom and I are taking stakes on how much longer Balladanis is going to terminal. fear to take a guess ?"

"I suppose,"Georgia said as she pulled out some atomic number 79,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a week. I heard he had three commencement age in tears today."

"He nearly had half of my stratum in split,"Fred said as he took Empire State of the South 's gold,"Epistle of James, Al ?"

"terzetto Galleons says he 's gone in two weeks,"James said as he tossed Fred some gold and then left to go determine his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his head.

"courting yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his walk around the uncouth room,"Bets here, place your bets !"

Albus found his supporter crowded around their usual table in the unwashed room. Linda was with them. All three girls were working on homework. John and Kaden were trading umber Gaul cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in problem,"blush wine muttered as Albus sat down,"You did n't bet anything, did you ?"

"No,"Albus shook his foreland,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten Sickles he wo n't last the year,"John said.

"You should be intimate exactly when he 'll leave, what with your taking divination,"Rose smirked.

"Divination 's a jape,"John muttered,"I ca n't wait to omit it after fifth year."

"Told you so,"rose wine grinned,"Sick of making up clobber ?"

"It 's just so pointless,"John groaned,"We 're still doing crystal balls. I just secern her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking Divination,"Kaden announced,"Bloody waste matter of a class."

Kaden had chosen his classes for succeeding year a few daylight prior. He decided on tending of Magical creature, ancient rune, and Arithmancy.

"Easy homework, though,"John sighed,"I just keep reminding myself about that."

"What 's got leisurely homework ?"matt asked as he sat down in the professorship next to John 's. He looked a bit better than he had the previous day, but still worn out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"John asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in fourth dimension for Defense tomorrow,"Matt groaned,"I 'm tempted to use a Fainting fantasy to get out of it."

"I think half the first years are going to do that on Friday,"Kaden said,"I overheard them talking. Apparently Balladanis completely flipped out on one of them today, all over one incomplete homework question. Made her cry."

"That 's what Georgia was saying,"Albus replied,"Makes me want to use a Fainting Fancy. Two calendar week. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd give him."

******

John filled his pockets with emesis Pastilles before he set off to Defense the next dayspring. Albus did n't irritate. His rarity always trumped his dislike for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and know exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"lycanthrope,"Balladanis said as soon as the bell shape rang,"When the term is used, most people conjure up images of lonely adults, condemned to a miserable life history that revolves around the moon.

"However, there is a whole group of werewolf that are mostly overlooked. Children. Ah, yes, children do get attacked by werewolves. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too late. Even fewer survive the initial transmutation. Werewolf transformations, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few children are inviolable enough to ca-ca it through."

Balladanis paused and began to footstep the room."Parents are faced with a decision after their child is bitten. They have three choices. issue one, they can care with it. Deal with the monthly transformations and try and make life as normal as possible for the child. turn two, they can desert their shaver. personnel them to live with a wild face pack of lycanthrope, to grow up to vote down. However, there is a third option. Does anyone care to guess as to what it is ?"

nonentity raised their hand. Balladanis looked at his class until his centre rested on matte. A very creepy smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, aid to secernate us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to depend at lusterlessness throughout the lesson, stole a fast glance at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in hand, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"mat stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The third gear pick is to put the kid down. Not a pleasant option, but one that a few parents select anyway. This option used to be readily suggested by therapist, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the first base pick, to continue to raise their baby, are in for a very tough biography. lycanthrope baby are unmanageable to enhance. It is a vast adjustment for parents and siblings if there are any. The insect bite affects the altogether family. It changes animation, it can rip house apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects shaver and Albus looked again at Matt. His hand was shaking even harder and his side was as white as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a flavour with John the Divine and toilet reached into his air pocket. He slid a vomiting pastil across the table towards Albus and then slid one to Matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to stuff it into his mouth. John and matte did the Saami. Albus clutched his venter as the Sweet began to demand affect.

"Lycanthropic children rarely, if ever, get to attend school,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"John shouted,"I do n't find so well. May I go to the infirmary backstage ?"

"I do n't feel too well either,"Albus added.

"Shut it, you two,"Balladanis shouted,"And no you may not go to the-"

Balladanis was cut off by the audio of all three son vomiting at the like time. Albus leaned over his mesa and vomited right onto the floor. The form erupted into cry and Balladanis tried to continue order.

"Fine !"he seethed,"Get to the hospital Wing, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the itch to vomit again as he ran for the door. Matt and John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the sweets into their mouths as soon as they shut the door behind them. The affect was instant. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's evil !"privy shouted,"How could he teach that ?"

"Not here,"mat muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the Marauder 's Den."As I was saying,"John began,"What is ill-timed with that feller ?"

"I think a lot of things,"Albus muttered,"He 's a raving lunatic."

"He 's only doing it because you 're in the socio-economic class,"John said to flatness as he paced around the room,"None of what he said today is actually in the book. I mean, did you read the Christian Bible ? There 's not often in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his stupid anamatek,"Matt muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to induce you misfortunate because of what your dad did with those lamia years ago."

"It 's just not fair,"lustrelessness groaned,"I mean, did you heed to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it straight ?"

"Yes,"lusterlessness said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the therapist did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more be sick than he had when he ate the vomiting Pastille. How could a Healer, mortal whose job it was to make people healthy, actually suggest that to a shaver 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"john asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle doodly-squat hexed him at the same time,"lusterlessness gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own hospital bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really like to converge your Uncle Jack,"trick grinned,"He sounds like a great bloke."

"He is,"Matt smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a spell ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"lav sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"mat said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to have to do anything."

"ternion Clarence Shepard Day Jr.,"John said after Matt left,"I give Balladanis three to a greater extent days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't waste any metre,"rose said to Matt as she unfolded her copy of the Prophet the side by side morning at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and understand the paper over blush wine 's shoulder.

HOGWARTS professor TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The Department of Magical Education received an inquiry
late yesterday afternoon, requesting an probe
of Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts prof,
genus Aplysia Balladanis. The research was submitted by none
other than the newly appointed school principal of the section
for the Regulation and dominance of Magical Creatures,
Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

Professor Tethys Balladanis has been teaching denial at
the schoolhouse since Sep, when he replaced Head Auror
Harry Potter. Potter had taught the field of study for two
long time and wished to focus solely on his Auror life history,
resulting in his resignation at the end of finish school
year.

The impending investigation comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this week Walter Eckerton visited Hogwarts
after receiving a tip that Balladanis was holding an
anamatek in his schoolroom. This proved to be true and
Eckerton ordered him to get rid of it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's self-will, so all he had to
do was withdraw it from school assumption. Eckerton told
reporters that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the prof
repeatedly put students in danger and humiliated them
in movement of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told newsman,
'I 'm filing this interrogation as a parent, not as a Ministry
functionary. showtime and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The probe will set out today and be carried out
by official from the Department of Magical instruction,
a department that was set up for this purpose after
the downfall of Lord Voldemort. official will visit
the school and interview both scholarly person and faculty as
a part of their investigation.

Tethys Balladanis will cover to teach refutation Against
the dark Arts during this time.

"He 's still going to instruct ?"john said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to defense force anymore,"Matt said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't bar him from teaching until they do the investigation,"rose wine explained,"Only Kendrick can stop him from teaching at the moment."

"Then why does n't Kendrick do that ?"Albus asked as he looked up at the staff table.

Kendrick was talking with Neville and there was a written matter of the Prophet laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't have it off,"Rose said quietly,"But Defense is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"Matt said adamantly.

For once, Rose did not objurgate him about skipping class. Albus could n't blame him. He himself was half tempted to skip, but he knew his curiosity would get the better of him.

"Somehow, I do n't call up you 'll receive the probability to skitter,"rosiness muttered,"We do n't have defence reaction until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"John grinned,"Now I wo n't deliver to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"Rose replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"facial expression, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the staff table.

"May I have your attention !"Kendrick shouted and the yack in the Hall immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or heard about the clause on the front line page of the Prophet.

"Ministry officials will be visiting the school today and tomorrow to conduct their investigation. They will be selecting student to interview. If you are selected, I advise you to answer their questions truthfully.

"As of rightfulness now, Professor Balladanis is still your instructor, therefore you need to handle him with respect and attend his classes. This is, at the bit, an investigating and nothing more. Now, you 'd best be off to class."

"Albus,"Rose whispered as they made their way out of the Great Hall to History of conjuring trick,"You 're not going to that dueling lesson tonight, are you ?"

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged. He had n't really thought about it until then.

"I do n't cogitate you should,"Rose told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't want to go, but he also did n't require to observe out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't show up that evening.

cipher fell asleep during story of trick. It must have been a new record, one that was previously set back when Binns was still active. However, the lack of fatigue was not due to Binns 's speech. No, that was just as drilling as common. The scholarly person remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The classroom was filled with the hushed whispers of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw 3rd yr and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six students in the palace who knew the specific reason why matte 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, rose wine, John the Divine, Amanda, Kaden, and Matt himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not know that it had been Balladanis 's lecture on lycanthropic baby that pushed Mr. Eckerton to accede the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the school put the blame on the anamatek, even though lustrelessness 's dad had come out and said that was n't the real reason. The Prophet had only glazed over the reasons, not getting into specifics. The Hogwarts students wanted specific. They wanted to know what had pushed Matt 's dad to submit an inquiry when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The reasons the students fabricated ranged from plausible to outrageous. A few seventh year, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his redundant aid sessions and perhaps used mat as an case of someone who did not possess the acquirement to defeat dark wizards. meld that with an overprotective parent ( what the one-seventh old age claimed Matt 's dad to be, which was not actually an overstatement ), and the investigation was born. They believed that the investigation would blow over and within two workweek everything would be back to formula, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited first years were the on the opposite incline of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a chimera loose in his schoolroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin third long time. Apparently they overlooked the fact that nonentity had turned up injured after class and the fact that Balladanis would consume been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

matt had become somewhat of a famous person inside the Hogwarts walls. There was n't a bingle person, living, specter, or portrait, who did n't do it it was his dad who launched the query. He was stopped no to a lesser extent than six times on the way from History of deception to Herbology by people wanting to experience the details of the inquiry. It was something Albus could recount Matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"merlin, when will they pick up that I do n't require to lecture about it !"lusterlessness groaned as they made their way back to the rook after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second days had just run up to matte, demanding to know why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just stand up on the Gryffindor table and make an announcement during lunch,"John suggested.

"Definitely not,"Matt said,"I 'm just glad we do n't consume class this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, look, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking people striding up towards the castle. There were two witch and a wizard.

"Probably,"can said,"I wonder who they 're going to consultation ?"

"Ten Galleons says they audience me,"Matt replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those private lessons."

"Let 's just Hope they do n't consultation those two Ravenclaws,"St. John the Apostle said.

Albus, Matt, and Gospel According to John continued their trek to the Great Hall, where they ate a very firm lunch. None of them wanted to delay very long since everyone was still asking Matt about the query. After they finished, the male child went to Gryffindor Tower to lodge their bags before going to the Marauder 's Den to put off their homework.

The rough-cut room was mostly vacuous when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the board.

"Do n't you three have class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got defence and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's nothing you can do to make me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your class where Balladanis made mortal cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't give care if we get detention either. Oh, and bathroom, you 'd better not tell Mum."

"I wo n't,"John said,"The three of us used Puking Pastilles to get out of Defense yesterday."

"You should ingest just skipped from the beginning,"Ashtyn told them.

"well, you three enjoy your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, believe me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The boy quickly stowed their bags in their dormitory and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portrait kettle of fish and ran straight into Gabriella.

"There you are, Al !"Gabriella exclaimed,"I 've been looking for you. Kendrick wants to see you in his study. Oh, hang on."Gabriella consulted the man of parchment she was holding."He wants to see Matt, too."

"Looks like you two are getting interviewed,"John said as Gabriella went into the common room.

"Guess so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving buck private lessons with Balladanis, he probably would have been interviewed. It was one of those thing that happened when your male parent was the most famous thaumaturge in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"John replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his oculus,"Loads."

Albus and Matt left for Kendrick 's written report while Saint John continued towards the Marauder 's Den. Albus had no musical theme what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that whoremonger would be bored within fifteen minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April Fool 's Day trick ! The stave really outdid themselves this year. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this history !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing succeeding to the gargoyle that concealed the entrance to Kendrick 's study. It was apparently his job to grumble the watchword to the gargoyle to leave all the scholar being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and Matt ascended into the study and found three other students waiting in front of Kendrick 's closed door. A very bored looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in sixth or one-seventh year, Scorpius Malfoy, and much to Albus 's consternation, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the grounds earlier.

Albus was not at all surprised to see Scorpio Malfoy there. After all, he had private lessons with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to brush off Malfoy 's mien and leaned against the rampart to begin the long wait.

What had been the point in sending them all to Kendrick 's study at the same time ? They were obviously only interviewing one person at a time. Why could n't they have just summoned Albus later, when there were LE hoi polloi waiting ?

Kendrick 's threshold opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor first yr walked out. She hurried out of the study and one of the Ministry officials motioned for the Ravenclaw to enter.

The Ravenclaw was in Kendrick 's study for about 15 minutes. Then it was Malfoy 's turn. He took a bit more time, but finally came out and left without so a lot as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the meanspirited clock time, two more than students had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the Chasers from the Slytherin Quidditch team. The other was a young Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must have been at least an hour, Albus was finally called into the room.

Kendrick was not in his study. Only the three investigators were. Albus was now able to see them up close. The one who had called him into the room was quite tall and wore a menacing blaze. Her robes were perfectly pressed, without a single crease, and her hair was pulled into a smashed bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The early witch was the complete opposite. She was short and quite a bit overweight. Her frizzy brown hair stuck up at all kind of odd angle and she had a small pair of glasses perched on her nose.

The remaining investigator was a champion and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a quill feather in hand. He looked a bit bored by the entire affair. He was gazing about the room and had the look of someone who was n't quite paying attention.

Two multitude who were paying rapt attention, or should he say portrayal, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The tall Wiccan gestured for Albus to take a seat in social movement of the desk. Albus did so.

"My figure is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lorraine Smyth,"the magniloquent witch gestured to the short witch,"And that is Herb Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No admiration he was so bored, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please state your full name, age, year, and house for the phonograph record,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his eyebrow. Would n't they already know all of that info ?

"It 's communications protocol, lamb,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus Potter, long dozen, third class, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can tell us what goes on in an average example with Professor Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"well, he comes in and William Tell us all to contain talking. Then he 'll pile up the preparation. Oh, and you have to get the preparation in on time, no matter what. He does n't call for later oeuvre, even if you 've got a good excuse. You could be sick in the hospital annex and he would n't involve late homework.

"Then he 'll learn us a new while or about some new tool. Then we 'll have to do the spell."

"What happens if you do n't perform it properly ?"Smyth asked.

"He makes you do it again, and again, until you get it,"Albus answered,"If you do n't get it, he makes you go to extra assistant sessions."

"Has this caused hurt to any of the pupil in your family ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my course of instruction, but I 've heard of other student crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"have you attended any supernumerary supporter school term ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"prof Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling lessons by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you tell us a bit about them ? What do they consist of ?"

"Most times he just teach me new spell, while that are harder than the ace we learn in class. Scorpius Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each other with the charm,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he have you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his president,"One sentence he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by vampires,"Albus said after a legal brief hesitation. He doubted Balladanis would be glad about this, but Kendrick had said to be truthful.

Both Torenzo and Smyth looked horrified. Cletus was writing away furiously on the parchment. Snape was smirking and Dumbledore 's face had seemed to harden.

"We did n't actually see it,"Albus said quickly,"We stood outside the house as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the business firm. Then we watched Balladanis, in the memory, run away from the house. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't assure you ahead of time ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"He just told us to go in the pensieve."

"Did he explicate why he wanted you to see this ?"Torenzo asked.

"Yeah. He wanted to testify us why he became a Presuler,"Albus said.

"He told you he 's a Presuler ?"Torenzo raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, he thinks me and Malfoy should become Presulers,"Albus explained.

"Very well,"Torenzo said as she walked towards Albus,"I have one final question. Would you feel well-situated if professor Balladanis continued to teach here ?"

Albus thought about it for a moment. Balladanis was certainly a motivated teacher and one Albus could learn a lot from. But on the other manus, he was n't the variety of wizard Albus felt comfortable around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please return to your uncouth room. You are not to speak of this interview to anyone until after the probe is completed."

Albus got up from the chair and Torenzo followed him out of the way. She called lusterlessness in as Albus left. Albus muttered a muted 'good hazard'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just evidence us ?"John lamented as the boys sat around the Marauder 's Den after dinner. pink wine and Amanda were currently in the girls'dormitory with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry witches said we could n't peach about the interview."

"But how would they live ?"John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the all school about it."

"Neither will I,"Kaden added.

Albus snorted."I 'll tell you about it after Balladanis is sacked, or is n't sacked. I do n't think it 's going to take long for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"lusterlessness said adamantly and then turned to John,"You 're not going to his surplus service school term tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid twenty Galleons,"John replied,"well, ok, maybe if I was paid XX Galleons, but not for less than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling moral ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to bonk was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz down to the dungeon, barge into the Slytherin common room, and ask.

"No theme,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"Matt said,"If you go, I 'm going to initiate worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you want to go ?"John gave Albus a strange look.

"I might find out something about how the investigation is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

John opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the door. A loud squawking racket had seemed to give out from it.

"Did you hear that ?"John the Divine asked.

Albus nodded and got up from his seat. He walked over to the door and paused next to it. The squawking noise was repeated.

One thing Albus loved about the marauder 's Den was that it was always very quietly. No dissonance could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard noises from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the threshold and instead of the off-the-wall wench he had expected to see, Rose was standing there with her scepter out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never do to the door."

"Rose ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"pink wine said hurriedly,"I had to get you to get out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the green room. I told him I 'd come up you."

Albus turned around and told mat, John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the room, that he would be back soon. He had no idea what his dad wanted, but it must have been important for him to go to the rook on a day he did n't have to patrol it.

Harry was sitting in one of the squashy armchairs in movement of the fervency when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, virtually likely about Quidditch judgement by their excessive use of hand gesture, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portraiture hole.

"Let 's talking outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrait trap and down the corridor a little ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"Nothing,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"Well, I 'm no longer a instructor here, so I wo n't say a word about you causing trouble, if that 's what you were doing,"Harry told him,"But anyway, what I wanted to ask you is whether you were planning on going to Professor Balladanis 's dueling lesson tonight ?"

That seemed to be the question of the evening, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the conclusion is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would advise you not to go. Professor Balladanis is under a considerable amount of money of stress, of which you do n't love the half of. I 'd say the chances are high that he may take out this stress on you and Scorpius."

"Do you know if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no idea,"Harry answered,"But I tend to believe he won't."

"I do n't think I will either,"Albus said.

"A Stephen Samuel Wise decision,"Harry smiled.

Harry said dear night to Albus and then Albus went back to the vulture 's Den. Kaden was in the middle of showing flatness and John how to make a right paper airplane.

"What did your dad require ?"John asked without looking up from the parchment he was folding.

"To secernate me it was n't a adept estimation to go to Balladanis 's lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the evacuate couch.

"And ?"Matt asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"Good,"mat replied.

"You know what was Weird, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of strain, most of which I do n't know about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Weird,"Kaden shook his oral sex,"I 'll be happy when he 's sacked."

"We do n't know for sure that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to battle a beautiful cleaning woman,"St. John smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't conceive I did n't put that together Sooner. It was n't a beautiful womanhood ; it was a vampire. It 's so obvious now that we know what happened to his parents, too."

"Yeah, that does appear fairly obvious,"Matt agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his strain ?"

"Probably nothing,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"John began,"This is the first Fri we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're right,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And expend the night here,"matte added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The boys snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many sweets and puddings as they could take by the house elves. Then they stayed up belated eating all of it and playing various biz. Albus was even capable to bury about Balladanis for a while, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry official remained a permanent fixture at Hogwarts throughout the remainder of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of students mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including John 's cousin Isabelle, one of the chaser on the Ravenclaw Quidditch squad, and Gabriella.

Professor Balladanis did not read up at a single repast. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. cipher saw him, which raised the question of whether he was even still in the castle.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a prospect to realise their decision. Albus was more than a little nervous about going to Defense on Tues and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday break of the day that all the Hogwarts students knew a verdict had been reached. prof Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something important happened. He was flanked by the two witches from the Ministry. The genius was no foresightful there.

The Hall immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's impending announcement, since there had not been a single reference of Balladanis in that sunup 's Prophet.

"A conclusion has been reached about Professor Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"Madam Torenzo will inform you of it. The Prophet has kindly agreed not to write the article about it just yet, as I wished to inform you of it first."

"He 's sacked,"John muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"Good point,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the students with a neutral face on her face."Upon extensive probe of prof Balladanis 's didactics methods and thoroughgoing interviews of choose scholar, the Ministry has seen it fit to remove him from his teaching spatial relation here at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor Balladanis packed his things late in conclusion night and no farsighted resides in the rook. Professor Kendrick will inform you about what will befall with defense form for the rest of the year. I would like to thank all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and keep on eating her breakfast like nada had happened. The Great Hall immediately erupted into whispers, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"Defense Against the Dark artwork course of study will not conduct place until further notice. I will try and procure a suitable substitute for Professor Balladanis as quickly as potential. Until then, delight use the fourth dimension to study for your coming exams,"Kendrick said and then resumed his seat. He began to mouth with Torenzo and the students articulation rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"Matt exclaimed,"topper news I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Georgia shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Merlin !"James groaned,"Why 'd they have to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to change hands throughout the Gryffindor table as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you think Kendrick 'll find a surrogate ?"John asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to begin with."

"gladiolus I did n't do that werewolf essay,"John grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't find a replenishment,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd have one less exam."

"That would be brainy,"John replied.

The atmosphere in the castle for the residuum of the day was incredibly upbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few bookman asked matte to thank his dad for them. It seemed that the only bookman upset by it were those who had lost bets because of it.

Argus Filch was another who was unhappy. The general exhilaration of the castle caused him more study. Peeves destroyed the defense team classroom in solemnisation ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), James and his protagonist set off a few Weasley fireworks, and then there was the general hole that was associated with students celebrating by playing external in the muddy grass. Plus, Moaning myrtle flooded her lav when a few students told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not agree. For some odd reason it reminded her of her death.

One somebody who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the palace with a big grinning on her face. Albus could only attribute this to the fact that Balladanis had taught so extensively about vampires. But he never taunted her the way he 'd taunted flatness. Perhaps that was because his self-aggrandising fear was vampires.

There was even a company in the Gryffindor commons elbow room that night. Rose thought it was a trivial ridiculous, to celebrate the dismissal of a instructor, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an splendid thing to celebrate.

"Just think,"whoremonger said,"We do n't ever sustain to take heed to him go on and on about how bad the night nontextual matter are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"Matt added,"I could 've gone my hale life without seeing one of those."

"What do you believe he 's doing now ?"rosiness mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some shoes far, like Madagascar or somewhere."

"Yeah,"lustrelessness agreed,"I bet he 's not even in Britain anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd bother to stick around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the night to forefend anyone seeing him."

"indirect request we could 've seen him leave,"John grinned mischievously,"Would 've been nice to pass him a proper send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"Rose muttered,"Maybe now you lot can centralise on exam. And maybe the castle will get back to normal."

"Normal ?"Albus raised his eyebrow,"This berth will never be normal. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Saturday. It 's the death match before the final."

"When 's the final ?"Rose asked.

"Beginning of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, John, Matt, and Kaden all sent scathing looking at at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New House of York in this match,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Wood is in replete conformation this calendar week. I 'm practicing every nighttime starting tomorrow."

"Oliver forest is insane,"Rose muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch sales talk,"John grinned,"I would fuck to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can require my place."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not cause denial Against the dark Arts the next dayspring, Albus was down in the Great Hall bright and early because he wanted to read rosebush 's Daily Prophet. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's dismissal was one thing, reading it in the Prophet was entirely different.

pink wine was already there when Albus, matt, and John sat down at the Gryffindor table. Amanda and Linda were on either incline of her and all three girlfriend were reading the article. Albus drummed his fingers impatiently on the table while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, blush wine handed him the newspaper publisher without saying a news and Albus read it, with Matt and John looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS TEACHER REMOVED FROM side BY MINISTRY

In an event that causes much of the wizarding world to remember
back to Voldemort 's reign, Hogwarts defence force Against the iniquity
Arts instructor, genus Aplysia Balladanis, has been removed from his
positioning by the Ministry of magic trick 's Department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's reign, denial teachers rarely lasted more
than a year at the schoolhouse, a mystery that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two yr
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense teacher since that
fateful May day.

prof Torro taught at Hogwarts for years until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three years ago. He was
replaced by Head Auror, Harry ceramicist, who is rumored to
have only taken the spot after nonentity else agreed to
filling it.

Harry ceramist left the spatial relation this past autumn and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two days ago, when he was removed
from his spatial relation. Approximately a week and a one-half ago, a
complaint was lodged by Head of the department for the
ordinance and Control of Magical Creatures, Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The ill included coarse teaching methods, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching tool, singling pupil out for deficiency of
skill, and embarrassing students in front man of their peer.

An investigation by Ministry officials ensued and included
the interviewing of select scholar and stave. The department
concluded their investigating late Billy Sunday evening and informed
both Balladanis and headmaster Fabius Kendrick of their decision.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
decision. When asked for a statement on the exit, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the word, Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very happy
with the decision and that the probe was concluded in
a timely fashion. I am not happy that it came to this, but I
feel that nothing should be put ahead of minor 's condom .'

Hogwarts students will not take care defence mechanism stratum until a replacement
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd stick around your dad in there somehow,"John the Divine announced once they 'd finished reading.

"There was n't anything in there that we did n't already sleep together,"Albus muttered,"I was hoping Balladanis would 've said something or we 'd find out what happened when he left the castle."

"Maybe he really did go quietly,"Matt shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"question it,"rosiness answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

Life soon returned to normal for the Hogwarts bookman, as it often does after something stimulate happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the clause was published, but soon there was null left to say and the students focused on the upcoming Quidditch match, which was mere days away.

Albus had an easy clip forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch pattern. He was out on the lurch every evening and was soon hearing Wood 's statement in his head as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed normal. Albus was almost glad that the twelvemonth was drawing to an end because once the tourney was over, he would n't possess to deal with Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus bring in that Gryffindor would receive a new captain the succeeding year since GA was graduating. Albus was certainly it would be either Fred or Heather, but he was n't trusted which.

Albus trudged into the Great Hall on Thursday morning time sorely wishing that John had n't woken him up. They did n't have a course of study initiative thing, so why 'd he bother doing that ? Albus was already running on little sleep.

"I 'm going to rouse you up at five in the morning this Saturday,"Albus muttered to lav as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"King John grinned,"I need you to assist me finish that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the reason for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't move up assistant you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"John muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not suffer accidentally set fervour to her Potions notes finally night,"John said.

"And I should throw to hurt because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you manage that anyway ?"

"It was n't an chance event,"Matt put in,"toilet and Kaden were tinkering with those superintendent military posture dung bombs last nighttime in the predator 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the table rightfield where Rose 's banker's bill were. The muck bombs exploded and Rose 's notes caught fire."

"See, an stroke !"St. John the Apostle exclaimed.

"No, betise,"flatness said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't suggest going in the Marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't have got time to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch recitation again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"Jesse James shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this week ?"Epistle of James asked.

"I do n't know, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"James pointed to the faculty table.

Albus looked up and saw that his dad was talking with Neville. Except he was n't wearing his Auror robes, he was just wearing normal gown. Albus glanced back at Saint James who shrugged.

"May I have your attending ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just like to inform you all that Harry Potter has kindly agreed to admit over defense mechanism course for the residual of condition. Because of this, defensive structure classes will summarize today."

"Good thing I woke you up,"John grinned.

"Guess you wo n't be capable to land up that essay,"Albus nip back.

"Merlin,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he give care that much. He 'd already had his dad teach for two geezerhood and it had n't been bad at all. Plus, his dad was a far better teacher than Balladanis.

Albus walked with Matt and John to defending team. rose was still not speaking to John and she walked with Amanda and Linda a lilliputian slipway ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't turn into what happened earlier in the year.

The intact division erupted in hand clapping as soon as Harry entered the room and Albus noticed that this caused him to blush. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"Well, I did not consider I 'd be back here. I do stimulate to continue with the curriculum, so I must ask that you complete the werewolf essay for next Thursday. However, it only has to be one base of parchment."

There was a collective groan from the integral class."Great,"John muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that firmly,"Matt rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be time consuming,"John the Divine replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a calendar month and a half of condition left and I ca n't just let you suffer this fourth dimension to mess around."

The class was the most enjoyable Defense form the tertiary years had had in quite a patch. Harry lectured for the entirety of the year, but it was n't tedious. Albus did not mind in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the time Saturday arrived, virtually no one in the castle was talking about professor Balladanis. Quidditch was on the forefront of everybody 's minds and the tenseness ran higher than they had all twelvemonth. The termination of this mates would determine who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly worried. Hogwarts had already beaten New York once and they could easily do it again. The total squad was in good wellness and none of the alternates were needed. Albus was perfectly content to sit in the tie-up with his champion and just keep an eye on the match, rather than have to run in it.

It was a affectionate spring day with a slight wind and swarm cover charge, perfective tense playing conditions. Ellen Price Wood had spoke of the weather during the late dark 's practice session, telling the team that a large storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The compeer commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the crowd. Hogwarts scored five goals within the first fifteen minutes of the peer and New York scored two. The team remained neck in neck for the remainder of the match, until James pulled out of a plunk clutching the gold Snitch in his left hand.

The crowd erupted into cheers and James was soon hoisted onto the shoulders of some of the senior students.

"I have an announcement to make !"prof Kendrick shouted over the crew,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the final Quidditch match, scheduled to take blank space on the first of June !"

The usual after Quidditch party ensued in the uncouth room and everyone rehashed their favorite parts of the match. No one talked about the final catch, although Albus was sure enough it was in the backs of everyone 's minds. Australia seemed inconceivable to beat.

Once the inflammation from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts scholarly person seemed to realise that exams were quite draw close. The depository library soon became a pop billet to be and fifth and 7th years in detail could be seen there all hours of the day.

As the middle of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a tranquillize common way in the evening, much like her sis had two years prior. Albus and his friends spent more metre in the predator 's Den after that, usually without pink wine, Amanda, and Linda. The three girls seemed to like the quietness of the vulgar room.

Rose did forgive John for messing up her tone, but she became more tense and snappy as examination drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a sort of end of terminus custom with Rose.

United States Department of Defense lesson took a drastic turn for the better. Albus and all of his supporter got thoroughgoing marks on their lycanthrope essays, to the surprise of no one. After that, the classes bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, Merlin !"John shouted at breakfast one Friday in the middle of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as Defense instructor or something.

"England did n't take a crap it into the World Cup final,"John sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did clear it ?"Albus grabbed the paper from John, suddenly remembering the tickets he 'd receive for Dec 25. He had n't picked who he was going to take in to go with him. Actually, he had n't even recite his friends about the tickets.

"Portugal and Russia,"john groaned,"Russian Federation ! They 've got a folderol Quidditch team !"

"Obviously not,"Rose smirked,"Albus, did you pick who you 're going to carry when you go to the Cup ?"

"Wait, what ?"Gospel According to John gaped at Albus,"You got tickets ?"

"Er, yeah, for Christmas,"Albus said.

"And you did n't order me !"John exclaimed.

"wellspring, I only got one spear carrier and I did n't know how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and flatness. idea you, if you hate Russia, I 'll just find fault lustrelessness,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Russia,"lavatory said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to peck then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't bear to,"mat said as he sat down next to Albus.

"Nice to see you awake,"John grinned. Albus and lavatory had attempted to ignite Matt up before they went down to the Great Hall and had no luck. The full lunar month was the future day, so Albus had n't even been trusted if Matt was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad clock time of the month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"lustrelessness shook his oral sex,"It 's just that my dad got slate, so you can just apply your extra one to John."

"Oh,"Albus grinned,"That makes things easy."

"Where is the Cup ?"Amanda asked.

"Canada,"rose replied.

"How are we getting there, Albus ?"bathroom asked,"Are we going to take a Muggle airplane ?"John Lackland looked excited at that prospect.

"No melodic theme,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's boring,"John said.

"wishing I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"toilet asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're weird, Kaden,"John laughed.

"So are you. airplane are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"Matt said,"I 'd take a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for exams and Quidditch praxis, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squeeze in fourth dimension to visit Matt in the hospital wing on Dominicus, but only briefly before he went to Wood 's day long Quidditch practice.

The following weekend was the final lucifer of the Junior 's Dueling Club, something Albus had been forced to ignore due to Quidditch drill. After begging Mrs. Henry Wood and a bit of aid from chemise, Albus was able to serve the net. Albus 's team won, much to the delight of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with Professor Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a word to Albus, or any of his acquaintance. Malfoy remained mysteriously unruffled around the total moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or Matt. It was strange, but not something any of the boy were going to complain about it.

Three twenty-four hours before the Quidditch terminal, the Great dormitory was filled with whispering vocalization that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. copy of the Prophet were being passed back and Forth River and quite a few students looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked pink wine as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"Rose whispered, her fount completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the penny-pinching copy of the prophet. Matt and John crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN BREAKOUT

official have reported that three prisoner
broke out of Azkaban late last night. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban safeguard
have refused to speak with reporter, and the
Ministry does not care to disclose information
at this time.

The public figure of the escaped prisoner have been
released and anyone with information reguarding
any of them are asked to contact the Ministry.

The prophesier then gave detailed information about all three of the head for the hills prisoners. Albus only recognized Willinson. The other two had been imprisoned for to a greater extent petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an imbecile !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"blush wine said.

Any hope Albus had of getting homework done that calendar week was gone. He was lucky he was able-bodied to focus on Quidditch pattern. Willinson was out of Azkaban. He was galavanting about England, doing whatever he pleased. That in itself was not necessarily that bad, due to Willinson 's stupidity. If he somehow met up with his father and Washburn, then it could be quite bad.

What worried Albus the most was the fact that he would be after the Hallows, all of which still resided somewhere in or around Hogwarts. Willinson was bound to come back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the nighttime before the Quidditch final arrived and Mrs. Henry Wood called the team into the changing room after ending practice.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to manage this team,"woodwind instrument said as he began to pace in movement of them,"There were difficulty in the beginning,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the team,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a team wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a radical of students from all four houses can come together and spiel together on the like team. I am not sure this could have been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a recollective way over the year. You 've all made vast improvements in your science. Quite a few of you are seventh years and I am very happy to tell you that there will be scouts from a twosome Quidditch teams watching tomorrow 's match. I have luxuriously hopes for the lot of you, when it comes to Quidditch.

"I can not say whether we will win tomorrow. Australia is good, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and feed it your honest. Now, I think you should all turn in too soon and eat a right breakfast tomorrow before the couple. slip, Tyler, anything to add ?"wood turned to the boys.

chemise and Tyler both shook their heads and woods turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. Good night."

Wood, teddy, and Tyler stayed behind to discuss tactic while the team left. Albus and James were the last two to leave. Peach State had left with the other seventh twelvemonth, excitedly discussing the vista of scouts.

"You think Peach State 's going to sign with one of the master teams ?"Albus asked James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"St. James the Apostle said,"I just hope it does n't hurt her chances when we lose."

"We might not lose,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to lose,"James muttered,"Linda 's too good of a Seeker."

Albus said goose egg. He wished he could just tell James that Linda was a vampire. It would be so often easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own cerebration. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a garish go in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a limb breaking,"James answered.

"It was too loud,"Albus said as he looked into the forest,"It sounded like someone Apparating in there."

"I do n't conceive you can Apparate in the woodland,"James pointed out,"And it did n't vocalise that loud. You 're just tired from all the Quidditch practice."

"I guess,"Albus said as he and James kept walking,"But what if it was somebody Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too often, Al,"James groaned,"This plaza is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here full time now. You 'd have to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is dazed enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"James laughed,"If he 's stupid enough to do that, he 's going to get caught and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be poor fish, but he did do to kidnap Kaden the premature spring, and he had been on the run for a year prior to that. He may be a scrap duelist, but he was certainly full at not getting caught for the most part.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The standard atmosphere in the Great residence hall the succeeding dawning was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts team was sitting together at the Ravenclaw board, surrounded by students from all four mansion. Teddy and President Tyler seemed to be in the thick of it and were loudly discussing tactics.

The Australian team was sitting together at the Hufflepuff mesa, with a large distance between them and the Hufflepuffs. A small crowd of Australians had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to link up the rest of the Hogwarts squad at the Ravenclaw table. nonentity was ineffective to act as that day, so Albus 's days on the team were pretty often over. To be honest, he was kind of relieved. There was just so lots pressure.

"I think this tournament has been good for Hogwarts,"rose mused,"tone at everyone. nobody seems to worry who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to normal once the match is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"Rose shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't know, Rose,"matte said,"I do n't call up one year can change one C of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"rosebush said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't think this has helped international magical cooperation,"John gestured to the Australian team. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"Competition rarely does that,"rose muttered.

"fountainhead, they 'll all be going home soon,"matt said cheerfully.

Rose shot him a dirty look and then looked up at the staff table. Albus 's regard followed. The faculty table was quite overcrowded that morning. There were scouts from Quidditch team, Ministry officials including Albus 's Uncle Percy, and a variety of masses from Commonwealth of Australia and New York.

"looking at at that Wiccan,"John pointed to a very tall, beautiful beldam with pallid white hide and long dark hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"rosiness told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"Rose whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"John said without taking his eyes off the witch.

There was a gaudy cheer from the Ravenclaw table and the Hogwarts squad began to will the Hall. Their suite followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at respective tables.

The Aboriginal Australian team followed shortly. The excitement only seemed to increase now that the squad had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few minutes later people began to leave for the pitch. The crew at the faculty table left first and the students followed.

"Albus,"John said as they got up from the board,"I 've got a few pairs of omnioculars in my trunk. I want to see it up close when Linda catches that Snitch."

"Let 's go get them, then,"Albus replied.

Rose rolled her eyes."Meet us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the door as the boys ran up the tremendous staircase.

"Why did n't you just convey them to breakfast ?"matt asked.

"Forgot,"John said.

The palace was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor tower. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

John had to empty out his total tree trunk in gild to find the omnioculars. He had four duad and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to leave out the starting time of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running game in the corridors rule as he made his way through the castle. There was n't anyone to lambaste him anyway. The footfall behind him told him his friend were n't far behind.

Albus turned a corner and ran smack into something. He fell down onto his back and looked up, only to see that it was someone. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with lusterlessness 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would have manifested itself into what Albus was most afraid of. At that moment, it probably would have been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to depend at his friends.

mat had turned white and looked far more afraid than Albus had ever seen him before, including when he had faced the boggart and when Malfoy had found out about his lycanthropy. lav was looking from Matt to the man, an obvious repulsion on his face. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his friends, pulling them into the nigh classroom. He slammed the door and pulled out his wand, putting every locking charm he knew onto the knob.

lustrelessness collapsed onto the nearest chair and put his head in his hands."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the hell is he doing here ?"john ranted,"He 's got no business here !"

"Why 's he in the palace anyway ?"Albus began to step around the room,"If he 's here to watch the Quidditch mates, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to check the Quidditch ?"John said darkly.

"Who the bloody hell is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at matte before looking at Kaden. matte did n't seem to have heard Kaden 's question.

"His public figure 's Lubar. He 's the head teacher of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the intellect why Matt had to run here, amongst former things."

"He 's a sick and twisted evil git,"lavatory muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the door and peered out the small windowpane at the top. Lubar was no longer in sight.

"I 've g-got to go to the Ministry,"lusterlessness said,"I 've got to t-tell my dad. L-Lubar, he ca n't be here."

Albus paced back and forth in front of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? ling ? No, that would guide too long. They 'd have to use the Floo mesh, but none of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to have to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll sneak into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

lusterlessness nodded."You guy wire do n't ingest to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you genial ?"John exclaimed,"That bloke out there is probably worse than Willinson. We 're not letting you do this alone."

Albus nodded in agreement before waving his scepter and undoing the lockup spell. He cautiously looked out into the corridor before leaving. It was empty.

Much to Albus 's reliever, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd left them. He shoved them into his gown and ran back to the classroom. lusterlessness, John, and Kaden were all talking quietly. mat did n't look any to a lesser extent scared, but at least he did n't look to be in shock anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"John said immediately,"I 'm grandiloquent so I 'll get up the most elbow room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the outdo liar."

Albus could n't argue there. Both he and flatness were horrifying liar and Kaden still had n't gotten over his inability to continue secrets.

"You take the map, then,"Albus handed the map to John,"We 've got to get to the one-eyed witch statue on the third floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, matte, and Kaden, and the three of them followed St. John the Apostle out of the room. The corridor was still vacuous, much to Albus 's moderation.

John Lackland set a very fast pace and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would give away his presence. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the least amount of noise possible.

The male child made it down the two flying of steps necessary to get to the third base and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and block it into his pocket. With a quick tap of his wand, he statue 's hump opened and the boy climbed inside.

Albus lit his wand and took off down the low passage. lusterlessness, John, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"toilet asked as they ran,"Does n't he know what he did ?"

"Yes,"lustrelessness answered,"I do n't think Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't think he came here to see you ?"Albus asked matt,"I mean, retrieve when Killigan saw us that one sentence and he seemed so interested in finding you ?"

"Of course of study I do,"lusterlessness muttered,"And it really would n't surprise me if that 's why he 's here. But I 'm betting there 's another reason."

"What did he do ?"Kaden repeated, a bit louder.

"Why else would he be here ?"Albus asked,"The match ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"matt replied,"I do n't know for for certain, but it seems too coincidental for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he desire to see you ?"

matt stopped running and wheeled around to seem at Kaden."It 's a retentive story. Lubar 's got a grudge against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Australia for six yr,"Matt paused,"He passed a bunch of Pentateuch against werewolf and I wound up having to translate with a bunch of other wolfman. It was bad."

Matt resumed walking and did n't work out on the subject. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"lusterlessness shrugged,"Maybe talk to Kendrick or something."

There was no doubt in Albus 's mind that Matt 's dad would be able to get Lubar to result Hogwarts, possibly even leave the res publica. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this year, but now he knew that you did not want to be on his bad side. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The passage finally began to rise until it came to an sharp stop at a knotty wooden door. Albus pressed his ear to the door, but heard naught. He carefully pushed it unfastened, wincing as it creaked.

beholding cipher in the warehousing elbow room beyond, Albus beckoned his friends forward. The elbow room was dimly lit, enough for Albus to see a huge total of boxes littering the floor. On the far wall he could see a fireplace.

The boy climbed over the various boxes and stood in presence of the fireplace. Albus located a small sackful of Floo Powder and then lit a fire. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into someone 's study at the Ministry. We 're going to cause to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a handful of pulverization and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the gunpowder into the fire and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of trick !"

Albus stumbled out of a different fireplace indorsement later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, save for a few wizards striding towards the lifts, clearly too interfering to notice Albus.

Matt landed rather ungracefully on the floor. He picked himself up, brushing stray ash off his robes.

"berth is deserted,"mat said as he looked around.

"It 's a Sabbatum,"Albus pointed out,"Does your dad work Saturday ?"

"Yeah,"flatness nodded,"At least mornings."

John the Evangelist was next to abuse out of the fire, doing so more elegantly than Matt had. He stood in straw man of the fire, staring around at the Atrium. His optic rested on the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more than fancy than I imagined,"John said.

"Bloody netherworld !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"Matt said quickly,"But we have n't got time to explore. Let 's go."

Albus followed Matt towards the desk in the front of the Atrium. There was an old wizard leafing through a copy of the Quibbler, unmindful to his surround. Albus almost thought they 'd be able to sneak around him, but he looked up just as they were about to pass.

"Where do you think you 're going ?"he asked and then his center rested on Albus,"Albus Severus ceramicist. Why are n't you in school ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a little unnerve that the man knew who he was.

mat stepped in strawman of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the Head of the department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It 's variety of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your sceptre up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed suit. They waited impatiently as the old thaumaturgist tested their wands and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the level of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can tell whose wand did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the raising arrived, the male child piled in and Matt pushed the numeral four. Nobody said anything as the lift creaked its way to the one-fourth floor.

Matt took off at a run down the corridor after they left the lift. Albus had never been to this picky floor. It looked rather similar to the Magical Law Enforcement 's floor, with nondescript sets of double door on one side.

Matt skidded to a arrest in figurehead of the lonesome door that was single and banged his script loudly on it. When there was no answer after a few seconds, he banged again.

"Hold your hippogriffs !"called a voice from the inside,"I 'm coming, I'm-"Matt 's dad said as he opened the door.

Mr. Eckerton seemed to freeze at the pot of his son and the other three male child. He gaped at them for a 2d before shaking his head.

"Matt ?"he asked and rubbed his eyes, as if he thought he was seeing a delusion,"But, why are n't you in school ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and John, Kaden ?"

His eyes rested on Matt again."lusterlessness ? What 's wrongfulness ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the male child into his study. He shut the door quietly behind them.

The subject area reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were large windows on the side opposite the threshold, although the scene outside was not really, nor was the patrician rain that was pattering onto it.

There was a large leather covered chair behind the huge oak desk and a few pocket-sized chairperson in battlefront of it. Along the early two walls were shelves with loads of books. nearly of them were about respective magical creatures.

Albus, lustrelessness, and Saint John took the rear that were in front of the desk while Kaden wandered around the study looking at things. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the front of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"Matt said in barely Thomas More than a whisper,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch final exam,"Matt said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody nether region !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his fist loudly against his desk,"Did Professor Kendrick allow this ?"

"I do n't hump,"Matt replied,"B-but everyone else was at the match and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's face hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with Professor Balladanis earlier in the term."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to receive a word with professor Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his study and down towards the face lift. John 's walking swiftness was nothing compared to matt 's dad 's. The boy had to run to keep up.

"Where did you Floo from ?"Mr. Eckerton asked once they were in the lift.

"Honeyduke 's,"Albus answered.

"We 'll Floo there now,"Mr. Eckerton replied.

The wizard at the welcome desk looked at them curiously as they rushed towards the fireplace, but did n't say anything.

Mr. Eckerton handed Albus a bit of Floo pulverization and gestured for him to go first. Albus stepped into the fire and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to birl faster and faster. He saw glimpses of mass 's houses, shops in Diagon alleyway, and a variety of former space he did not recognize. Then, out of one of the open fireplace, came a bridge player. Everything seemed to retard down, but Albus was n't sure if it actually did or not.

The hand grabbed him. Albus fought against it, but it was too strong. All of a sudden he was laying on a dusty wooden trading floor, one that was not at all like the one in Honeyduke's.

Albus coughed and stood up. His nerve was beating fast. What had happened ? Why was n't he in Honeyduke 's ? Where was he ? Whose hired man was that ?

Albus grappled for his wand and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, Potter,"a cold-blooded voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching next to the fireplace with his hand inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank room than he did in Hogwarts.

The fireplace glowed green and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. Saint John the Apostle came tumbling out of the fire and scrambled too his feet, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breathing space and stuck his deal in the fire again.

"What the ?"John whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody Hell !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the room. It looked vaguely familiar, but Albus could n't put his fingerbreadth on it. The windowpane were boarded up, but it was definitely not the Shrieking Shack. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo meshing anyway.

The fireplace glowed immature yet again, this time sending Kaden onto the floor. This earned another call from Lubar, who stuck his hand in the fire again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his feet and stood following to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid eyes on Lubar.

Albus wanted nothing more than to run from the elbow room, but he did not know where the building was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stun him or something.

special K spark filled the elbow room as the fireplace glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that flatness would be the one to next fall out of the flames. Mere seconds later, that suspicion was confirmed.

Matt coughed and scrambled to his feet. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the fire and lit his baton, which illuminated his sinister case. He began to pace slowly in front of them.

"well, well, you went crying to Daddy just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do love when thing work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could feel Matt shaking next to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and disarm Lubar.

"Any idea where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. Lovely shop, pity about the owner. Yes, a substantial shame."

Lubar did n't seem at all upset about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"well, let 's not rot our metre here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few the great unwashed who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his fingerbreadth three clock time and Albus heard stride on the stairs.

deuce-ace wizards descended the stair and strode into the way. They lit their wands at the Saami time and Albus gasped when the illumination showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three people Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As full a dueler he was, he was up against four fully qualified wizards. Three of them did not possess the skills to duel, but Albus had no idea what Lubar was able of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a lovely reunion. Unfortunately we have n't got time to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his baton pointed at his cervix. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his don had Gospel According to John. matte, seeing his Friend restrained, made a run for the nighest window.

"Not so fast, young werewolf,"Lubar caught him by the backrest of his gown and wrapped one of his arms around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robes with his barren hand and pulled out an old tea timpani. He held it out to the former three men and each one put a spare bridge player on it. Albus knew what was going to happen right before it did. He shared a frightened glimpse with mat before feeling a jerk behind his belly button.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist.
A/N : I decided to do part of this chapter from Harry 's point of view. It begins in his stop of view and then switches back to Albus 's. asterisk indicate where the gunpoint of view switches.


"Spectacular salve by Georgia Weasley !"the commentator shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into play. It was immediately taken into possession by Hogwarts, and all three pursuer threw it back and Forth as they flew to the Australian end of the pitch.

"Score ! Hogwarts has scored against Australia, bringing the tot to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as loud as the students. One affair he loved about the Quidditch tourney was that he did n't sustain to try and conceal his excitement when Hogwarts scored. During planetary house compeer, he had to try and venture he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As happy as Harry was about the Hogwarts Chasers being very skilled, he did not let hope that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's quester, Linda morale, was the skillful quester Harry had ever seen outside of pro Quidditch. He knew that his son, James, was in force, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his finger on it. Her swiftness on a Scots heather just did n't seem natural. Professional Quidditch histrion would toss off for her speed.

"I 'm surprised she has n't found the Snitch yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the pitch. St. James the Apostle was doing the same,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the rest of the faculty who were sitting around him. well-nigh of them were quite reserved. cipher seemed to be showing the enthusiasm Harry was. He did n't care. Harry did n't share their belief that instructor could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few professors stood up and then sat back down again as someone squeezed their way past them. Harry craned his drumhead and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't know the man well. They 'd met on occasion at the Ministry, although Harry had a smell he 'd be seeing more of him now that he was Head of the department for the regulation and controller of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than professional tier. Harry had never met a begetter who was more protective of his son than Bruno Walter Eckerton, although he did experience upright reason. Never a more devoted Church Father, either.

Bruno Walter continued his way past the former prof until he stopped in nominal head of Harry. Harry was even more appall to see the expression on his cheek. worry was etched in every function of his expression, bringing out the crinkle, but there was anger in his eyes.

"Walter,"Harry shook his hand as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Walter muttered,"I need a word in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be right back and he followed Walter out of the stall. They continued walking until they were a short circuit distance away from the pitching and then Walter stopped.

"The boy have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"postponement, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and Matt ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the read/write head of the department for the Regulation and ascendance of Magical Creatures in Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the variety of issue."Yes, not a very tolerant cuss, is he ?"

Bruno Walter 's face hardened."That 's a nice way of putting it. The bloke is sick and twisted and he 's got a score against me. Very foresighted narration and I have n't got time to tell it. Short version is that when lusterlessness was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to transform in a building with former lycanthrope, former loup-garou. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever ground, Lubar decided to confabulate Hogwarts today, possibly under the pretense of attending the Quidditch match.

"The boys saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. lustrelessness 's absolutely terrified of him, which is why they came to me. I came back with them. They Flooed before I did, but when I arrived at Honeyduke 's they were n't there. I 've already spoken with the owners of the shop as well as a few early Hogsmeade residents. No one 's seen them. We 've got to find them."

Harry 's ticker sank."You do n't imagine Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not dangerous, is he ?"

"To matt, yes, but I have n't the slight idea as to why he 'd want the other boys,"Walter said.

"Even if he did only want Matt, he 'd have to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him subscribe to Matt sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every usable Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to reposition himself from Washburn 's grasp as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the positioning was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instantaneous, but this meter there was a significant lag. Albus had metre to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The second clue that their name and address was far away was the fact that it was very dark when Albus finally landed on the ground. Not dingy like an impending storm either. night as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his pes. Loud thumps around him told him that his friends had landed as well.

The ground was tone down and strong and the foliage around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some sorting of timber. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar trees that seemed to stretch towards the starry sky.

There was no moonlight to illuminate the forest. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yards away from the male child and were whispering to each other. All four had lit their verge, but it was n't decent wand light to give Albus a good view of his surroundings.

lustrelessness, John, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their scepter out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't dare light it.

"Why is it Nox ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the hell are we ?"John asked.

"We 're in Australia,"Matt said in awe, as if he was just coming to terminus with that fact.

"We Portkeyed across an sea ?"Kaden gasped.

When Albus thought about it, it made sensory faculty. Lubar was from Commonwealth of Australia, so why should n't he use up them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't make sense was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could tell, the four wizards seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the world. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old firm ?"John asked.

"How should I know ?"Matt snapped,"Australia 's a huge area !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could hide there,"John Lackland muttered.

"You would n't need to,"Matt said,"My stupid cousin owns it now."

"You have a cousin-german ?"Albus asked.

"Not authoritative,"Matt said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying attention,"John whispered, gesturing to where the four sorcerer stood huddled in a roofy,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right wing there,"Matt pointed to the tea timpani, which was a few feet away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the counting of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to peck it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the former three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you expect ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you recognise how much more hard this is going to be now ? We only needed ceramist ! But no, you had to go and importune on bringing that werewolf kid as well."

"You would n't even have managed this if it were n't for me !"Lubar growled,"So do n't go telling me what I should and should n't have done."

"well, now we 've wound up with two extra 1 as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're kids, how much problem can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't know this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the reason we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your incredible stupidity,"Lubar said.

Albus was very intrigued. Lubar was arguing with them as if he knew them well. Had Lubar really been working with them all along ?

What did they need him for anyway ? What had Willinson meant when he said 'we only needed Potter'?

"Shut it, Lubar,"Jarrett said.

"I 'll say what I like,"Lubar replied,"This is my bush, not yours."

"You own the forest now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a thing of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to lustrelessness,"So many years have passed. state me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprise, it was toilet and not flatness who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed John the Divine with a work-shy wave of his wand, leaving whoremaster stunned in nominal head of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better dueler than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing John 's sceptre, Lubar turned back to flatness, who was shakily holding his scepter up.

"It does n't matter what commonwealth you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the same thing no matter where you live. The Laws do n't change what you are. sham as practically as you like, but it wo n't interchange a thing."

Now Albus wanted to go after Lubar. The angriness was boiling up inside of him and he did n't think he had ever felt more angry in his full life, and that included every confrontation he had had with Scorpio Malfoy. Malfoy was like a fluffy kitten compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. whoremonger was already wandless. It would do them no good if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to expect, to wait until he could entrance them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the head of the department in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"Guess it 's just a thing of clip until the same matter happens. You 'll make to flee again."

flatness was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his brain, trying to work out out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for Merlin 's sake !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping things ? Did we really risk Portkeying a clustering of kids to Australia just to liquidate fourth dimension taunting one of them ?"

"Quiet !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"alibi me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the name of Merlin do you eff them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breath, waiting for Lubar to put some sort of jinx or condemnation on Kaden. Sometimes his cousin was quite dense. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a time not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprisal, Lubar smiled. It was a twisted variety of grinning, but a smile nonetheless.

"I think that 's a fair question,"Lubar said."My first cousin married this idiot,"Lubar pointed at Jarrett.

"You 're married ?"Kaden gaped at Jarrett, causing Albus to groan. Why would n't Kaden just shut up ?

"Not for much tenacious,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we please just get on with this ?"

"Patience, cousin-german,"Lubar said as he began to walk slowly around the former three,"We mus n't do this hastily. Haste is the reasonableness you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The merely thing Albus could consider of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their plan, they would n't have taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at Matt, who still looked scared out of his mind. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed saucy, much sassy than the early three, and that scared Albus Sir Thomas More than anything else. There was a big dispute between dueling somebody who was voguish and dueling someone who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a short while later. Harry had briefly questioned the owners of Honeyduke 's, but they had not seen any of the boys.

Harry and Walter ran towards the lifts at top f number, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the blighter at the welcome desk. The lifts could not go fast enough for the two men. Harry nearly pulled the doors open when they finally arrived at Magical Law Enforcement 's floor.

The Auror role was slightly more lively than the residual of the Ministry, but not much. Three Aurors were inside, two of whom hastily shoved away a pile of Exploding Snap cards and stood up upon seeing Harry arrive. The other Auror, a rather unforesightful but stocky witch, shoved the Scripture she was reading in the drawer, and joined the other two.

"Potter, sir !"the Wiccan said,"We thought you were at Hogwarts today !"

"I was,"Harry said darkly and explained the situation.

The three Aurors looked grim as they waited for Harry to give them pedagogy.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the wizards,"Brighton,"he looked at the witch,"Get started with an across-the-board hunt of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't busybodied with anything else. Tiburon and Oswald are on tariff in Hogsmeade today, inform them of the situation."

Dabney and Brighton nodded before dashing out of the elbow room. Harry turned to the remaining Auror."Lewster, you will be searching the Forbidden woodland as soon as someone else arrives."

Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a tour. An tremendous silvery stag flew out of his wand and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the room and Harry leaned against the nearest desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the doorway just as Ron was running through, followed by half a twelve former Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a vex tone.

Harry rehashed the entire situation again. Ron 's side paled."What about rose wine, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his headspring,"It was just the boys."

"Thank Falco columbarius,"Ron whispered,"But Harry, what about Willinson ? D'you think he 's got anything to do with this ?"

"It 's crossed my mind,"Harry muttered,"But I have n't got a hint as to how Lubar would know him."

"With dark adept, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the search of the Forbidden Forest. Lewster 's going with you. And take Daniel and Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the room, followed by Lewster and two former wizards. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The rest of you can search the castle and primer coat. Be discrete. I do not wish to interrupt the Quidditch couple unless it is absolutely necessity,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the way and Harry turned to Walter. He slowly shook his head. Why was it always Albus ? This was the third year he had gotten into difficulty. Albus 's yr at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd meliorate go Floo home and tell Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to descend apart."

Harry nodded as Walter left the room. Ginny. Harry snapped his head up. She was going to be watching the friction match, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the room. How was he going to assure his wife that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't have a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go wrong ? We 're halfway across the world from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your stupidity,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the public ? Harry thrower 's son ! You have n't a clue as to how affair work in the Ministry !

"I can guarantee you that at this very moment, the entire Auror section is looking for them. Harry ceramicist 's probably got every Auror on this case. It wo n't take them long to realize that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to matte,"He 's got the most meddling parents in the world. They 'd sooner kill everyone in the world before letting something materialize to him. Very irritating. They wo n't rest until they find him. Not to mention the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry official. We 've got two kids of two of the most striking Ministry officials of United Kingdom. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be measured !"

"Well, you 're the one who wanted to take the werewolf, too,"Jarrett growled.

"And you 're the one who insisted we take ceramist 's son !"Lubar shouted,"Why do we even need him ?"

"We just do !"Jarrett shouted back.

"If both of you cretin had n't wanted to bring the nestling, we could 've done this whole affair without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the same time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't consume a chance to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only desire that the wizards would have enough to argue about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the planetary house ?"

"wealthy person you learned nothing ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the first gear blank space they 'll look is the house."

"Got any intimately approximation ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a secret trivial shack somewhere in this land ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. Plenty of blank space to obliterate, not very inhabited. Perfect place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice grip again. Matt was once again in the clutches of Lubar, and King John and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very minuscule about the Australian outback, just that it was n't suitable for much human inhabitation. However, the one bit of information he did have a go at it about it was that it was where nigh of the dementors that used to guard Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat popular place for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two minute to realize what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sensation of side-along Apparition.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the premature chapter, this one goes back and forth between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking exempt of Jarrett 's hold. He tripped over a rock and landed face first in the Sand. Spitting the grittiness out of his mouth, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too dark to see anything but the lineation of mountains in the distance. The outback seemed very empty and very quiet. There was a very little clump of bushes and tree nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see much else in the way of flora life.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a defect seat in his life story. There was absolutely zippo around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't have gotten very far. As dangerous as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would have no opportunity of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to sleep together that Albus and the others would n't run away. He neglected to use any sort of rophy to tie them up or put any magic spell around them. Instead, he walked a shortsighted space in the counselling of the mountains and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to follow them.

"What are we going to do ?"Gospel According to John seethed,"Has anyone got any idea where we are ?"

"The outback 's huge,"lustrelessness replied,"I bet we 're flop in the middle of it. The skinny civilisation 's probably international nautical mile away."

"So we 're done for,"john groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No idea,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not give to discover out."

"Do you really retrieve your dads are going to be able to detect us ?"trick asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's rightfield,"Albus said,"The unharmed Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll find out us."

"doe stuff like this happen every yr ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, last year I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll happen next year ?"

"Hopefully nothing,"Albus said.

"If there is a next year,"John muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the boys,"I did n't recount you to babble !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the length,"There 's hoi polloi gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his heart leapt a bit. There was a belittled gathering of public figure a few pace away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"Calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just vampires. They wo n't bother us. I know that coven. They know better than to mess up with me. I 'll produce life pretty miserable for them if they do."

"press cutting sight with lamia now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's hope sank once again. Lubar seemed more confusing than ever. He cut deal for vampire but passed restrictive laws on loup-garou ? It did n't make sense.

The men lowered their voices again and Albus wished he had a few extendible Ears with him. He did n't dare talk to his Friend, just sent them anxious glance every now and then.

A frigidity air current blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the kind of cold that chilled him to the bone. Hoping that it was n't going to rain, or snow ( was n't it winter in Commonwealth of Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no clouds, but what Albus saw was much worse than clouds.

Five or six cloaked physical body were slowly circling above them. Although he had never before seen one, Albus recognized them as dementors immediately. Despite the dark, Albus could clearly make out their frame. As they got closer, he could even take heed their rattling breath.

The humankind in forepart of him began to swim. He felt like he was going to turn over out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the happiness out of him. Albus was left with all his unhappy thoughts.

His dad was n't going to find them. They would be stuck on the Aboriginal Australian outback until Lubar and the others did what they were going to do. Then who knew what would happen ?

"No, no, no !"Matt shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to search towards his champion. Matt was kneeling on the ground, shaking violently. Both john and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of course the dementors would sham Matt the pip. He had gone through affair that Albus, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden could n't even imagine. It probably did n't help that Lubar was actually present, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his baton out of his robes. He 'd get wind the conjuration for the Patronus charm before and figured it was worth a shot. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his wand at the sky. zero happened.

A felicitous thought ! How could he take in forgotten that ? It was difficult to recall of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to Matt shouting on the ground.

When the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his wand to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the conjuration while using versatile happy memories. aught was happening, but Matt 's shouting was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the earth. It looked like matt had passed out.

Thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his sceptre at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his sceptre and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few seconds. He had sort of done a Patronus charm !

"Bloody hell,"St. John whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"someone shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar run at them with his sceptre pointed at the dementors. A silvery squirrel was floating ahead of him and the dementors scattered as it reached them.

Albus 's hazy brain immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his wand in his gown before Lubar thought to disarm him.

"Leave him,"Lubar growled at Saint John the Apostle and Kaden, who were bent grass to the ground trying to get lustrelessness to wake up up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a bally glorious post to come."

Lubar paid no attending to Washburn 's comment. His centre were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very curious look. Albus took a aflutter footmark back, but Lubar did not forfend his gaze. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"potter, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up highschool Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some unspoilt news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the Centaur,"Lewster said,"They saw three ace in the forest a few hour ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my last Galleon the other two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the centaurs know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the woodland floor for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't storm him. The Resurrection Stone was someplace in the timberland."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his headland,"And the centaurs are somewhat sure they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can notice out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't retrieve that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no doubtfulness in my mind,"Harry answered,"It 's just a matter of finding them. heed, I 've got to go search Dervish and Banges. I 've got this suspicion about the place. Seems like the perfect place for Washburn to occupy them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go grab the end of the match. I wo n't advert anything to James and Lily yet."

"goodness,"Harry said,"I 'll be in touch soon."He kissed her lightly on the forehead."We 're going to find him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"Stay safe."

Ginny turned around to walk back to the Hogwarts grounds while Harry picked up the pace and walked the short distance to Dervish and Banges.

The construction looked utterly abandoned. The windows were still boarded up, the grass overgrown around it. It certainly did n't await like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his wand, he crept cautiously to the door. He carefully pulled the dining table off of it and quietly wrenched the door open. Without lighting his baton, he walked inside.

The home had the smell of a recent fire in the fireplace. Someone had been there. However, there was not a sound from anywhere in the building. Harry lit his wand and saw that it was deserted.

After a thorough check of the intact building, in which Harry found no aliveness wight, he returned to the chief room. The fireplace was filled with nearly utter embers and there was a small pile of Floo powder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an conjuration that would recite him where the survive person to use the fireplace had Flooed from. He waited for the incantation to work, his nerve hammer.

Soft red smoke emitted from his wand, curling together to make the quarrel 'Ministry of Magic .'Harry breathed a sigh of easement. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a uncertainty, Harry knew that Albus and the other boys had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The sole motion was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, Potter ?"Lubar asked.

"Thirteen,"Albus replied, still a bit nervous as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the second dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus appeal to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his chief, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may possess taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the first off time I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't tell me you were skilled at Defensive magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is Potter 's aptitude for Patronuses really relevant to what we 're doing ?"

"It matters if they decide to try and hex us !"Lubar snapped,"I think it might be topper if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his baton harder. He glanced at Matt, who was still unconscious. Saint John the Apostle did n't give birth his sceptre. Kaden was n't very good at dueling. It would be up to him, to Albus, if this came to a duel.

"The only one who 's got any skill is ceramicist,"Jarrett said,"The early three are n't going to be difficult."

"amercement,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to talk to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few yards away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where lustrelessness had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing spell or two."Matt, Matt,"he whispered,"Wake Island up."

After a minute or two, flatness 's eyes fluttered subject and he sat up."What happened ?"he asked, looking around confusedly.

"You passed out,"Albus told him,"When the dementors were here."

"But Albus cast a Patronus !"John said excitedly.

"You what ?"mat gaped at him.

"It was just silvern mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his interest,"mat shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The other three boys shook their pass."Figures,"matte muttered.

"You need some chocolate or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"Might,"Kaden began fishing around in his air hole. He produced a coffee frog and handed it to lustrelessness, who took it without saying a word.

"Listen,"Albus said,"Whatever it is that they want to do here, they 're doing it soon. Do you conceive you can get up ?"

matt nodded and Albus helped him to his feet. Lubar and the others were walking towards them again. Albus slowly pulled his wand out of his robes and held it to his side, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a pile of Mrs. Henry Wood and set fire to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the boy. Albus was now clearly capable to see the twisted look on Lubar 's face.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"flak 's going to attract attention !"

Lubar laughed."Fire 's going to control that those vampires stay away and we 've got to see what we 're doing !"

Albus glanced towards where the lamia had been congregating. They were currently walking farther away from Albus and the others. Thinking back to Linda 's boggart, he remembered that lamia are destroyed by fire. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his hand, but Albus could n't make out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you be intimate what this is, Potter ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to voice too nervous.

"It 's the Christ's Resurrection rock,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly conceal his pant as he peered airless at Jarrett 's outstretched hand. There was a very diminished stone sitting in it. The Christ's Resurrection Stone. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three physical object he had been after for years. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to sound confident.

"Ancient conjuring trick is a beautiful thing, ceramicist,"Jarrett answered,"There are long disregarded spells, charm that work very nicely with tenacious forgotten magical objects such as this Stone. It was merely a matter of finding the correct spell, getting to the Forbidden Forest, and putting it to use. Quite simple now that I look back on it."

"Only because you did n't do any of the work,"Lubar muttered,"It was I who found the spell !"

"The other Hallows will prove to be easy to obtain with the help of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the audio of that. The Stone itself did one affair and that was bring back the spirits of people who had passed on. How would that assist Jarrett get the former Hallows ?

The Invisibility Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his gown. He really hoped Jarrett would n't recognize that.

"Another thing that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot cares who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the blast and strode stuffy to Albus. Albus took a stride back as his heart started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, Potter. You should be afraid,"Jarrett 's regard swept over all four son,"You should all be afraid."

"Quit taunting them and just do it,"Washburn said impatiently.

"With this stone,"Jarrett said a bit louder,"I will impart back nobleman Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the room access completely off its hinges as he did so. He had to recover Walter. He had to find Walter and then go to the Ministry. The fireplace did not show signs that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop. That left either apparition or a Portkey, both of which would have got left traces that he 'd need the Department of Magical exile for.

Harry rounded a box as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a witch. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a unusual expression of confusion and stupor, assorted with mingled fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a problem,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the compeer over ? How badly did we lose by ?"

"Only a century points,"Ginny said,"But we might not let actually lost. Listen, did you know Australia 's seeker is a lamia ?"

"delay, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to enclose his mind around that fact while still focusing his mind on Albus.

"I 'll explicate after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"Right,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead. Someone was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm sure it was Al and the others. I 've got to find Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not sure enough where that will lead us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be measured,"Ginny said as she gave him a candy kiss,"And bring him back."

"I will,"Harry said as he kissed her back,"I 'll see you soon."

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Walter striding out of Honeyduke 's. With one last-place look at Ginny, Harry met Bruno Walter half-way.

"We 've got to get to the Ministry,"Harry said immediately, and explained about what he had found at Dervish and Banges and what Lewster had learned from the centaurs.

Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the maculation. They reappeared a short while later in a modest specter chamber in the Ministry.

Passing the befuddled looking security sentry duty for the thirdly clock time that day, Harry and Walter ran to the raising. Neither of them said a word as the face lift clattered to the Department of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, write for one very drill looking witch sitting at a desk.

"Mr. ceramicist, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her foot off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to love if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that Saame emplacement. And if you 're able to, I need to have a go at it where they went."

"Of course, Mr. Potter, of form,"the enchantress said as she got up. She disappeared into another elbow room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the nigh professorship. Walter sat down in the conterminous one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll find them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Walter replied,"However, that is not the solitary thing I am worried about. The finale time mat had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for months afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not do it much about therapy, except that wizards did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must birth been bad.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not certainly if he was overstepping some kind of boundary.

Walter did not verbalize for several indorsement."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't have to explain."

"I will,"Walter said quietly,"Shortly after Matt was bitten, I became the Head of the department for the Regulation and control condition of Magical animate being in Australia. Nobody outside of the department knew about his consideration, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my former post of heading of the Werewolf Control Unit, and was quite jealous that I was given the header position. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a score he held against me for many year, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it slip that matt was a lycanthrope. A bit of legislation had been passed that required all places of transformation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected Matt 's and it failed on a technicality. Ministry centers were set up for werewolves to transform in, together. matte was required by law to transform there since his safe elbow room did not pass. I refused to have him transform there. The papers were all over it. I lost my job. Lubar was appointed to the Head position.

"More legislation was passed. A law that stated that Ministry officials could physically force wolfman into the transformation nitty-gritty. On the day of the full Moon, Lubar Flooed into our business firm and took Matt to the centre of attention. By the time I figured out which center it was, the moonshine had risen. It was too late.

"lusterlessness spent workweek in St. Mungo 's. By that prison term we were nearly fix to move here. He was so shock, it took calendar month for him to get over it. To be honest, I do n't cerebrate he 's fully over it.

"The solitary reason Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so demented and twisted,"Walter finished as he put his headland in his paw,"I swore I 'd never let him near Matt again. Swore I 'd kill him if he went near Matt again.

Bruno Walter gave an odd form of laugh."Listen to me, I 'm telling the Head of the Auror department that I 'd commit murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go salvage the boys,"Harry said, still processing what Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so reluctant to let Matt out of their heap, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One thing that Harry could secern was that Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to James, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your fault,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't own mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no unspoiled to dwell on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my Brother said when Matt was in St. Mungo 's,"Bruno Walter said wryly.

"Mr. Potter !"the enchantress came bustling out of the room she had gone into, brandishing a piece of parchment, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the sheepskin. His eyes scanned the parchment. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few short hours ago. That in itself did not shock Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Walter, who had visibly paled at the word,"They 're in Australia."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awful people who have read and left such lovely recapitulation !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the former chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so hard that he could Apparate. Why did you feature to be seventeen to get your fantasm permit anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical Transportation, he would change that law. Apparition would 've enabled him to get out of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to bring back Lord Voldemort with the Resurrection Stone.

Albus could not remember being more scared in his living. This was far worse than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two twelvemonth ago, far bad than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the previous class. Lord Voldemort was far shivery than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort expression like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Stone could n't actually bring people back to life. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a specter. But would he be able to do magic, to perform the curses and hexes he did when he was alive ?

Albus held his breathing spell as he watched Jarrett twist the Edward Durell Stone over in his hands. Albus had no idea how it worked, but judging by how quieten all of the grownup were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the rock. He did it for so retentive that Albus had to let out his intimation. The excited glow on Jarrett 's aspect slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it work ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you positive this is the right hand Lucy Stone ?"

"Of course of action I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the Stone,"The spell said it was !"

"well, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a sigh of respite. Either they had the ill-timed stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the Oliver Stone over in his hands. On the third turn, a strange form of mist appeared in front of him. Albus 's heart sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to unmortgaged and a pattern was standing in front man of Lubar. The material body was not Almighty Voldemort, though. Albus had no approximation who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This person was a char, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging funny coup d'oeil. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the figure, his look contorted with something Albus could only assume was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped unaired to the woman.

"You idiot !"Jarrett shouted,"That 's not Voldemort !"

"I know that !"Lubar snapped and the looked back to the woman, who was apparently his mother,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the cleaning lady replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his friends, who were all staring in confusedness at Lubar. matte in peculiar was giving Lubar a very strange expression. Apparently the pit was the resurrection Harlan F. Stone and it did indeed employment, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's female parent agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very proud of you, son."

Albus had to insure his sass to conceal his snort. What kind of mother could be proud of what Lubar had done ?

"I 've tried,"Lubar said,"I swore I would after, after what happened."

"You have,"Lubar 's mum replied,"You 've done me proud."

"Oh for Merlin 's sake !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to have forgotten that there were other people around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's mother began to languish as soon as Jarrett took the gem. Running towards her, Lubar held out his hired hand trying to observe her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's mother completely disappeared, Lubar had his wand out and was holding it up at Jarrett. Jarrett had taken out his own sceptre, but neither man was hurling jonah. Washburn and Quinton had taken a few steps back.

"You arse !"Lubar shouted,"That was my mother !"

"I know !"Jarrett replied,"That 's why I did it ! We 're trying to wreak back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not diss my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his scepter.

Jarrett fell to the earth, completely unable to move. Lubar stood over him with his wand directed at his chest.

"My mother was a adorable person,"Lubar growled,"You 're sick to be speaking ill of the dead like that."

Albus did n't really think Lubar should be talking about who is vomit up and who is n't. Nor did he think his mother was particularly lovely. Never before had Albus thought he 'd agree with Jarrett Willinson on anything, but when it came to Lubar 's mother, he did.

"Better they hex each former than us, right ?"John muttered.

"good dot,"Albus replied.

"Can we delight just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the impression that that 's what we were here for, not to insult each other 's mothers."

Lubar turned his wand on Washburn."Have you anything to say about my mother ? well, do you ?"

Washburn hastily pulled out his own verge."Er, no, she seemed quite lovely."

"goodness,"Lubar said manically,"Keep it that way, or you 'll end up like him."Lubar gestured to Jarrett, who was still laying paralyzed on the ground, his eyes darting about nervously.

******

"Commonwealth of Australia,"Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll need you to retroflex that Portkey,"Harry said to the witch, who nodded and left the way again.

"Bruno Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred pct sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly positivistic that they are with the male child in Australia."

"right hand,"Walter agreed,"The grounds surely points that way."

"There is something about that investigation that hardly anyone in the Ministry knows,"Harry lowered his voice,"Nearly a year ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror Department needed some help with capturing the early two. The Minister hired a Presuler."

Bruno Walter let out a low whistle and then realization dawned on his face."Wait, you do n't mean-"

"genus Tethus Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the dissembling of teaching defensive measure Against the nighttime Arts."

"Bad thought on the pastor 's part,"Walter muttered.

"It was my idea to station him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not know that he would be such an dread teacher."

"I wo n't confine it against you,"Bruno Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a part of this investigation, I have to touch him and he will have to go with us to Australia. I understand that you have had your conflict, but-"

"If he helps to find mat, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Bruno Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. potter, Mr. Eckerton,"the witch returned holding a misshapen plastic container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore assist, let me know."

"That 's it for now,"Harry said as he took the container,"Thanks."

******

Albus stood stock-still as the four men dueled each early. wholly unsure of what to do, yet very happy that they seemed to accept momentarily forgotten about the son, Albus just stood there watching. lusterlessness, bathroom, and Kaden did the Sami, although John looked to a greater extent than a bit apprehensive, most likely due to his deficiency of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to take the gemstone from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not take kindly to this and hexed Washburn. In the mean time, the Stunner had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing jinx at each other while dodging the fire. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would misstep and burn their arms or something. Or even better, maybe one or more of them would drop off their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely worse for wear. All three of them were sporting accidental injury. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's left arm was being held at an odd angle.

Lubar seemed fine and even though it appeared that the other three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to admit that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red lighting at Washburn, who went flying over the fire and landed with a sickening clunk in front of the boys. He did not move. Albus looked down and saw a diminished pit next to Washburn 's head. He bent and picked it up. It was the resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all advanced towards him. Three wands were pointed at his chest, being held by three mass with maniacal gleams in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own verge, his arm trembling slightly. Matt and Kaden had done the Saame. whoremaster tried to blot out behind lusterlessness, but was abortive since he was a good head taller than him.

"paw it over, Potter,"Lubar growled.

With a noncompliant look at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Stone into the pocket of his robe and held his sceptre up in high spirits.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each other. Balladanis had Flooed to the Ministry shortly after receiving Harry 's Patronus. Harry had filled him in on what was going on, but the man had n't taken his optic off of Walter the entire time.

"We have n't got clip for this,"Harry muttered and held out the charge plate container,"Let 's just go."

Bruno Walter agreed immediately and laid his script on the Portkey. Balladanis did so as well, with a little hesitation.

With a conversant dork behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey trip was a bit tenacious than ones Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his pes and held out his wand as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was delivery black and after he lit his wand, Harry knew they were in the midsection of a forest.

The forest was disappointingly quiet. The exclusively speech sound were those of animal and the occasional rustle of trees, brought about by the hint. Not a 1 sound caused Harry to believe that there were people about, let alone his son.

"Spread out and search,"Harry announced. The place may seem deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the virtuoso said a intelligence as they combed the surface area. Harry left no Oliver Stone unturned as he looked for the low trace of evidence of where his son had gone. If only it was n't night. sceptre did n't provide nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a trace of anything that showed anyone had been in that field of the forest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was in effect at this, that was for surely. Harry swore as he returned to the same berth he had started from.

Walter returned a few proceedings later, looking even more anxious than he did before."cipher,"he muttered,"Not a rive piece of music of cloak or a 1 Knut. They did n't rest here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the basis with his shoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to come back.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a little metal instrument in his hand and an unusual kind of excited smirk on his face. He skidded to a halt in front of Harry, holding out the instrument. Harry recognized it as an shadow detector. They were quite rarified. The British people Ministry only owned one, for the entire Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Bruno Walter muttered,"Any idea where ?"

"A general mind, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Bruno Walter 's sarcastic timber,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am cognizant,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his script on the metallic element cat's-paw. It would be capable to guide them to the relation area they needed to go.

Walter put his deal on the instrument as well and with an exceptionally gaudy go, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The earth was moth-eaten and sandy and there was hardly any works life in vision. In the space there were tall passel and cloaked figures floated above them. Harry suppressed a thrill and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a roaring balefire blazed in the distance. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were to a greater extent familiar with the area.

"Only vampire and dementors ever speculation out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to lead the pocket-size grouping towards the flickering lights in the distance.

******

"Hand it over, potter,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to give his baton more truelove. His scepter arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't seem to be able to hold it brace. His heart was thumping hard in his chest. Albus was sure everyone was able to get word it. However, he did not want to throw up the Stone. That was one thing he was sure of. The solely way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put past him.

"Maybe you should just give it to him,"John whispered,"I mean, it did n't work to get Voldemort back."

"No,"Albus seethed, surprised that John had suggested it. He probably would n't stimulate if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to consume to duel me, Potter ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't have a scepter. Not good odds, if you ask me."

"And do you make that those two are ugly duelers ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that Stone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his baton and sent a jet of orange light at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a shield charm, concentrating on making it big enough to shield him and his friends. It worked and the orange light bounced harmlessly off the shield and hit the ground.

"halt behind me, trick,"Albus muttered,"Matt and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever spells you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his shield up while casting early spells, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling lessons. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to go on the shield up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's cuticle, but he quickly recovered and began sending hex after hex, nonverbally, at Albus and John. Concentrating hard, Albus sent a Stunner at Lubar, but he flicked his sceptre and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone crotch hair, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a glance at matte and Kaden. Matt was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was variety of misfortunate as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus feel better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus charms at each other and missing every time.

The carapace emitting from Albus 's wand faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his compactness, but the shield was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to charge any spells through the shield now.

"Your shield is weakening, Potter,"Lubar smirked as he sent another beauty at Albus, which shook the shield.

"Merlin !"Quinton shouted to the right field of them. He was hopping on one human foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some kind of hex, although Albus was n't certainly what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the ground. Albus gasped and his carapace disappeared.

"Albus !"John shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the buckler back up before Lubar shot a hex at John, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be well-situated just to give me the pit ?"Lubar asked as he sent a Stunner at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and Matt were still dueling. Both were sporting a few accidental injury, but nothing too sober. Neither seemed to have noticed that whoremonger and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a misstep jinx, which gave him a few seconds to catch his breath while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a gash across his left cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the side and the charm hit a nearby John Rock. Lubar resumed his nonverbal go and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any former jinxes.

"You ca n't keep on dodging them forever, Potter !"Lubar grinned manically.

"Watch me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of course knew that Lubar was right. The odds had not really changed. John and Kaden were both out of the fight and while Gospel According to John was easily the best dueler after Albus, his absence did not put Albus greatly behind. Washburn was out as well and both Willinsons were injured. Quinton was currently on his knees panting, not in any shape to continue dueling. flatness was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both amazed and delighted by.

No, Albus was not trying to overcome Lubar. He knew that would n't be possible. Albus was merely biding for time. He tried to figure out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spells. It must have been at least three or four hours, although the dark Aussie sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the Moon had been out so he could have monitored its trip-up across the sky.

How long would it take his dad to find them ? Longer than normal, Albus thought. They were in the midsection of a alien country, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, Potter, and you do n't want to see me when I 'm annoyed !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red ignitor at Albus.

Before Albus even had fourth dimension to register what sort of hex it was, Matt gave a shriek of nuisance to Albus 's right and collapsed to the ground. Jarrett wasted no prison term and pointed his verge at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a 2d to digest the fact that he was now utterly alone, facing two fully grown wizards. The two wizards barb identical honey oil of low light at Albus and he managed to force up a feeble shield.

The military unit hit him like a dozen Bludgers to the stomach. He lost his footing and landed savorless on his back, his head hitting a particularly acuate sway.

"I told you not to defend, Potter,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the Stone,"Albus said, forcing away the dizziness. He reached into his gown and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to take hold of the Stone.

With all the power Albus could muster, he threw the Stone as far as he could to the right. In the dark, it disappeared in a split indorsement and Albus did n't even hear it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"Wands where I can see them !"person shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his head slightly and caught a glimpse of his dad, along with a few other champion. He breathed a sigh of relief. They were saved.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

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

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safety of the George H.W. Bush and shakily stood up. He reached the flak and was able to see who the former two wizards next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with shock all over again.

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

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

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

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

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's choice of Word, but remembering what Matt had told him at the get-go of the year, all surprise left him.

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

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different trance at Lubar at the Lapp clock time, but it was too later. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still conscious but not completely aware of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring difference of opinion between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past tense Quinton and Washburn to contact Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

Harry looked up from Kaden 's unconscious mannikin and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his weapon around his dad and the two of them hugged each former tightly.

"Al, thank Merlin,"Harry said.

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

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

Balladanis had a firm hold on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a split up credit card cup. A few seconds later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with lusterlessness in his coat of arms."Can you take whoremaster, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will arrive with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed postponement of John 's arm before pulling his own discover plastic cup out of his air hole. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly broken, but did not get time to ask his dad anymore doubtfulness before feeling the familiar jerking behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thud in the centre of the infirmary flank. The question of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts ground was the least pressure query on his mind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"But-"

"No buts !"madam Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need take a breather !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his header was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the last thing he needed was rest. He needed to do it what was going on.

"I 'll explicate once you 've gotten some eternal rest,"Harry assured him.

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

******

The ward was quiet when Albus woke up. It was completely dark outside, although Albus did n't have the slightest clue as to what day it was. John, matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious mind or strait asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since Madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

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

Albus sat up and put his deal to his head. There was a patch on the backrest of it. Another bandage was wrapped around his ripe arm, although he could n't recall when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt exhausted.

The door to the ward opened, letting in a small flood of light from the corridor. A public figure stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

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

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

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

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

Without saying a watchword, Albus got out of bed and guide his dad out the threshold and up to the fifth level corridor. Harry did not ask a exclusive question as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate knight and turned to front the antonym wall.

Albus located the paw mark and touched his handwriting to them, turning it into a doorknob. He opened the threshold and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a pant as he did.

"Remember that map from lastly year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a loss for words.

"There was more to it. Instructions on how to get into this elbow room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their secret common room,"Albus said quietly.

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

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

"About a yr,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend time here ?"Harry asked.

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

"Then it is the sodding place to talk,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down next to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll tell you that,"Harry said,"But first I want you to explain to me what happened."

Albus took a deep breath and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the castling and ending with throwing the Resurrection Isidor Feinstein Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a wood in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to pee, the duel, the fact that the Resurrection Harlan Fiske Stone did n't act to bring Voldemort back.

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

Harry thought for a few minute of arc and then looked at Albus."There are a few reasons that might explicate it. The Resurrection Stone brings back people we love, but it does not bring them back completely. It 's almost as if their soul is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's possible that since Voldemort split his person so many clock time, he ca n't be brought back with the Harlan Stone. The Harlan F. Stone may need the soulfulness to be intact to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved ones can be brought back with the Stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not love Voldemort ; they did not know him. They wanted to bring him back for their own agendum,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to line up out which it is ?"Albus asked.

"No, I do n't think so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the Harlan Fiske Stone is once again gone. Which is something I 'm very grateful that you did."

"Well, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden forest for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it best if cypher had that Stone."

Albus nodded."Yeah, that makes sense. But what was Balladanis doing there ?"

Harry laughed."You 're not going to let that go, are you ?"

"Nope, you said you 'd tell me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you fuck what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling lesson he gave me,"Albus explained.

"Well, that makes my explanation easier,"Harry said,"A petty over a year ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to hire a Presuler to help recover Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

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

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

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

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

"The curate, Professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be honest scheme to have him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would return to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of line, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to handle teaching.

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

"What about Rose and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

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

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

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be tricky situation. Lubar is n't a British citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial or feed him to us to put on visitation. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not certainly they 'll do either."

"But that 's not honest !"Albus stood up angrily,"face what he did ! Look what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like null more than to generate him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the laws do n't form that way."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Being a Presuler is a surd job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can make it difficult to have a family. It 's not an easy course to go down. Not one I 'd pick out for myself."

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

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

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

"fountainhead, you should probably get back to the hospital Wing before Madam Pomfrey placard you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

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

******

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

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

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to talk to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

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

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

"I do n't manage if you 're the Minister of thaumaturgy !"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing degree !"

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

"Fifteen minutes or so,"lustrelessness answered.

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

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

"Very amusing,"gentlewoman Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to kip a lilliputian while later and when he next woke up it was light out and Madam Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

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

"It 's Sunday, dear, but it 's afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to consume breakfast."

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

"Time geographical zone changes are hard to adjust to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"Australia 's quite a few hr ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was ravenous. When he thought about it, it must have been at to the lowest degree a day since he 'd eaten anything.

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

Albus choked on his ballock. He 'd leave about the match !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

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

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

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

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

"Who won the Quidditch equal ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"Rose groaned,"I 'm not saying a word about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the figure of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"Miss Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't lower your voice, you 'll accept to pull up stakes !"

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

Albus launched into the total fib, which took the serious part of a half time of day to tell. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the totally thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the time Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"rose wine asked.

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

"Merlin, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How much worry can you get into ?"

"It 's not my break,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you tell us about the equal ?"

blush wine exchanged glances with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me tell apart you,"Amanda said.

"Nobody won, Al,"Rose said.

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

"About forty-five minute into the couple, Fred and Heather ran onto the pitch-"

"The mate lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"rosebush said,"I do n't sleep with why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo traveling salesman and started talking to him. cipher could try what they were saying. Then bagman blew his tin whistle and they went into a time-out.

"Bagman left the pitch and had a really farseeing talk of the town with all the headmasters and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the couple was called off and told everyone to reelect to their commons rooms.

"Everyone was really furious of class. Amanda and I were already worried because you lot had n't shown up yet. We thought something bad had happened and that was why they called it off."

"Why did they call it off ?"John asked.

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

"We pushed our way to the front end of the crew and listen what Fred and Calluna vulgaris were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"Well, they were,"Matt muttered.

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

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

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

"But what about the match ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to offset the tournament, Albus,"Rose said quietly.

"Cancel the tourney ?"Albus gasped,"Cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the solid year on that tournament ! Do you fuck how much time I 've spent on the Quidditch tar this yr ? Sir Thomas More time than I 've spent in social class, probably ! And now they 're going to set off the bloody tournament ?"

"I do n't be intimate, Al,"pink wine said shortly,"And if they do it 's not my fault."

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

"I know,"Rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"lusterlessness asked.

"Gone,"rose sighed,"Without a word. I have n't seen her or any of the Australians since the lucifer. Killigan 's gone, too."

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

"I guess,"Rose said,"Anyway, they 'll probably make an declaration about the tourney at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awe-inspiring people who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one More chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to enjoin everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. Madam Pomfrey categoric out refused to let any of them leave the Hospital flank, so she agreed to lock away the door and go to her study while Harry explained. Matt 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the persona about why it was not all that advisable to go a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to con that Balladanis had been hired to help capture Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. news that was not all that welcome.

"As of right now, he 's completely free and in the unclutter,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to extradite him, and they wo n't prosecute him in Australia either. To them, it 's like nothing 's happened."

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

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

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous Nox, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first base year, when Matt had told them about his dad 's young adult ambition of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside table, where ma'am Pomfrey had placed the invisibleness Cloak the previous Night. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

"merlin 's beard,"he muttered,"It 's the Cloak."

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

"Unbelievable,"Mr. Eckerton whispered as he fingered it.

He spent a few minutes trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the guinea pig of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is astonishing. I would love to plowshare the narrative with my brother. Perhaps I could introduce you to him at the World Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be fine. Perhaps I will eventually tell him as well."

******

Albus wanted goose egg more than to be allowed out of the hospital extension in time to go to dinner that night. He was trusted Professor Kendrick would make some sort of announcement about the tourney and he did not desire to omit it.

After a full moon ten hour of begging on his part ( helped out by Matt, whoremonger, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state to leave the ward. Albus thought this was nonsensical because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a slingshot ? That should n't halt him from eating dinner with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a restrained meal in the hospital Wing and wait anxiously for rose wine and Amanda to tell him what Kendrick said.

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

"Tournament 's canceled,"Rose sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The kids from New York are staying to finish up out the twelvemonth, but the tournament 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the seer tomorrow."

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

"No,"Rose shook her head,"To do that Hogwarts would have to meet New York in another final."

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

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

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you feel better, I 'm jolly sure Hogwarts would 've won if Commonwealth of Australia had n't birth been here,"Rose pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred house points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

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

"fountainhead,"rosiness grinned,"I know one matter that 'll recreate you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was zero that could urge him up.

"There were Quidditch scout at that match,"rosiness told him,"And even though the equal was disastrous, they did notice someone they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"Rose exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to recreate for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

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

"Yup, she 's their new stockpile custodian,"rosiness said,"She says Uncle Sir Henry Percy 's not impressed. He wanted her to solve at the Ministry. She does n't manage what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Percy 's got plenty of other fry to work at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"John said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"flatness grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the Cannons,"St. John the Apostle groaned.

"She 's just happy to be on a team,"Rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any squad, she 'll be able to mould her way up to a bettor one."

"Merlin, I hope so,"bathroom shrugged.

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

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

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

******

gentlewoman Pomfrey reluctantly let the son leave the next day after breakfast. She did n't really have got a choice since exam began that day. Albus felt perfectly exquisitely and was quite happy to provide the place.

pink wine handed him a copy of the Prophet as soon as he and the other boys reached the common room. Albus took it, happy that he had a few minutes before his first of all test to read the article that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN schoolhouse CHEATS- tourney CANCELED

After a startle uncovering made by two Hogwarts
students, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack academy of
Magic, and the Aussie school day of black art
has been canceled.

The tourney 's final Quidditch match was
interrupted this past tense Sat by two Hogwarts
6th geezerhood, Fred Weasley and heather mixture Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the total
tournament.

A few months ago, allegation were brought upon
the Australian team after their Seeker, Linda
esprit de corps, 14, flew at an exceptionally quick speed.
An investigation found cipher. The tourney
continued.

Fred and Heather Weasley accused Linda morale
of being a lamia. lamia are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch team due
to the unfair advantage they have.

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

schoolmaster Addiar Killigan of the Australian
schoolhouse of black art admitted to allowing team spirit
to be the Seeker of his squad in fiat to win the
tournament. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, Morales, and the rest of the Australian
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts late
on Saturday, declining to speak with any of our
reporters.

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

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

"Killigan is an moron,"Albus said.

"Look at the next article,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON back IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final exam Quidditch mates was ending in cataclysm
at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry
Potter 's middle tiddler, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus potter, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends St. Matthew the Apostle Eckerton and John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three yardbird were helped by
Ralph Lubar, Head of the Department of the rule
and Control of Magical creature in Australia.

The four Hogwarts students were taken to Commonwealth of Australia
where Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is unreadable what the yard bird were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four boys have recovered from the ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the twelvemonth testing
at Hogwarts. Harry Potter has declined comment.

"wellspring, that 's not a very informative article,"Albus said as he tossed the composition onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can account much,"Rose said,"The Aboriginal Australian Ministry may be asking them to keep on quiet about Lubar in return for giving him some sort of punishment.

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

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

There were short article in the oracle about Lubar everyday, but they all said the Same thing. Australia refused to extradite him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The week after examination was a foreign one for Albus. There was goose egg left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. Rose and Amanda went back to spending all their meter with the son, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

thing were different, though. Both rosiness and Amanda were a lot hushed than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no estimation whether she had said good-by to them, or even if she 'd had the fortune.

matte was lost in his own sentiment virtually of the fourth dimension, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went entire evenings without saying two Son to anyone, something that usually only happened around full moons. However, the next full moonlight was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was sure this was because of what had happened in Australia. He never talked about it, but Albus knew that getting kidnapped by Lubar again had scared the daylight out of him.

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

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

******

The train drive back to capital of the United Kingdom was subdued, the only noise being privy and Kaden 's Exploding Snap cards. Albus and mat both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a letter concluding night,"blush wine said, breaking the silence.

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

"She told us she was meritless, and wanted me to tell apart you that she was sorry about the tournament,"Rose told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a different country."

"To go to schooltime ?"Albus asked.

"No,"rose wine shook her head,"She 's been through schooltime a mates times already. She was n't even a student at the Aussie schooltime. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing searcher for them. He 's a really smutty bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

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

"No idea,"pink wine shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

"This whole class has been so messed up,"Saint John the Apostle sighed,"I hope next year 's better."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

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

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

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

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

"Well, I 'd prefer Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! Nothing can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"Good point,"John agreed.

"Let me make love when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

"Why ? So you can convince your parents to direct you ?"King John smirked.

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can have sex when to invite you lot to my house. My dad said he 'd take us camping."

"Excellent !"toilet grinned,"tenting like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"life in collapsible shelter, no electricity, no deception either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"Matt said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"Matt answered,"That was the clip I got bitten."

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

"It 's ok,"Matt shrugged,"Just do n't go during a full moon. I do n't desire any of you having to link me in the shrieking hutch next year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did feel bad that Matt would n't get to go, but he kind of view matte would n't desire to go anyway.

The remainder of the slip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sort of returning to normal. It was almost Nice to listen john and Matt arguing about the Cannons again and Kaden arguing about football.

The gear arrived in Jack London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying goodbye to his champion, Albus left the post with his family feeling that just maybe biography would be convention from then on. Well, maybe the summertime would be at least be formula. Albus could n't get his hopes up too high.


A/N : Hard to conceive it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awful citizenry who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the fourth taradiddle but it 'll be a patch before the get-go chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every other week at first, flip weeks with Beyond the vestige. In the entail time, if you want something new to learn, I suggest checking out Remember the Cannons, which is a collab I worked on cobbler's last year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley Cannons and their downfall. It 's under the username The Golden sneak and is also in my favorite stories so you can line up it that way.