Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent well-nigh of the twenty-four hours preceding Christmas at Rose 's house. Epistle of James was determined to use all of his surplus prison term for Quidditch practice, and he had to go to pink wine 's house for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Hugo would aid Jesse James drill while Rose read.

Harry had to practically separate James I from his broom by conjuring trick on Noel Eve so they could go to Godric 's Hollow. James wanted to stay on at Rose 's theater and proceed practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The misstep was quiet since James was rather sullen the total time.

"Professor Patil says I 'm a lifelike at transfiguration,"Lily bragged to Albus as they walked towards the burrow afterwards.

"That 's soundly,"Albus replied.

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

"You do n't get to opt what form of creature you transform into,"Albus told her.

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

Albus nodded as Lily began to account in outstanding detail 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 white outside, either. There was something so comforting about being at the Burrow surrounded by all his family. He was able to forget all the issues with the Quidditch tournament and professor Killigan. All he could conceive about was how starved he was and how good some of his grandmother 's cooking would be right about then.

Rose sat down succeeding to Albus as he tucked into a large bowl of onion soup with a side of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and auntie Katherine are going back to Rumania this summertime,"rose announced.

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

"Yeah,"Rose nodded,"They might continue even after the summer 's over, but ling and Mark will come in back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

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

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

Henry M. Stanley had been working at the Magical Menagerie since he finished Hogwarts, but knew he did n't need to do that his wholly life. He just did n't have sex what he did desire to do.

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

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

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

"Christmastime Quidditch tomorrow ?"Teddy asked as he sat down next to Rose.

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

"I would n't count on it, chemise,"Molly said as she handed Albus another hunk of kale,"We 're supposed to get the snowstorm of the decennary tomorrow. The Muggle electrical energy is already out in town."

"Is it really ?"Arthur popped his head into the room,"Fascinating ! I may experience to go see it tomorrow !"

"You 'll do no such thing !"Molly shouted,"It 's near out of the question to Appparate during such a storm. Not to refer the fact that it 's Yule and you should be here."

"We do n't need electricity to encounter Quidditch !"slip exclaimed,"It 'll be complete training stipulation ! If you can overhear a Snitch in the eye of a blizzard, you can beguile one in any weather. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

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

Albus finished his soup and he and grow went into the den, where they were greeted by a trashy chorus line of 'Odo the paladin', Song by George, Alicia, Charlie, and Ron. Bill and Fleur were laughing while Hermione shook her head. Albus had a feeling the only reasonableness why Fleur approved was because the tattle was drowning out Celestina Warbeck.

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven reap hook for that !"Hotspur said to Katherine, who was only sort of paying attending,"And the cuss looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that much for a tour of duty of a questionably historical old building. There really should be regularisation on such matter. It 's one matter I 'll alter if I 'm ever Minister."

Albus stifled a laughter. His Uncle Sir Henry Percy had been talking about running for parson for the yesteryear ten years, but still had n't done it. well-nigh of his uncles and aunts got sick of hearing him talk about what he would and would not alter.

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

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

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to figure out which part of the infirmary I want to do the rest of my training in by September. We 've been rotating throughout all the floors, but now we have to plunk one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

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

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

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

"Thanks, Teddy,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the pregnancy ward or trance Damage."

"There 's a busy ward,"Teddy grinned,"Spell Damage. You 'll get all the comical injuries there."

"That 's not a good grounds to plunk a specialism,"Victoire groaned.

"good a reason as any,"Teddy shrugged.

The time grew later and after Albus played numerous rounds of Exploding Snap with his first cousin, his grandmother announced that it was metre for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no peak. Everyone, including the early adults, knew that arguing with molly Weasley was useless.

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

The fart was so powerful that Albus could finger it through the opening in the window. Every once in a spell, the star sign would creak and shake. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his ears to try and overwhelm out the howling.

Albus did n't make out to be adrift off to log Z's until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no magic exterior of school rule to put a silencing magical spell on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his annual Christmas wake-up vociferation, Lily. She breezed through the room access shouting about how they all needed to wake up and open up their presents.

"And there 's three groundwork of Charles Percy Snow outside,"Lily said as she left the room,"I checked."

"Falco columbarius !"King James jumped off the top bunk and looked out the window,"There is ! And it 's still coming !"

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

"We could ramp up the world 's grownup snow wizard later,"Ben suggested.

"We could build an integral blow wizard army,"Albus said.

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

Albus descended upon his own pile of present tense and began opening them. There were the usual dessert and Weasleys'products from his aunts and uncles. Another Weasley perspirer, this one vermilion and gold striped. He pulled it on over his pyjama and opened the rest of the present tense from his auntie and uncles. His Aunt Hermione had gotten him a few books he 'd probably never read, including one about the story of firm gremlin at Hogwarts.

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

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

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

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

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

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"human beings Cup tickets !"

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

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

"Hey, I got two just the ticket,"James River replied.

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

Albus suddenly realized he had the same problem. Two tickets. Five friends he would need to make. Who was he going to choose ? Not rose wine. They may ingest been friends since they were babe, but she just did n't make a passion for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to cross off the list. John and Matt were the Quidditch fan. He 'd have to choose between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't follow a squad or anything.

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

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

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

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

"This is going to be brilliant,"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 table eating breakfast. Albus gave them each a immense hug and then sat down.

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

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

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

Rose came downstairs a little while later and was impressed with the just the ticket. She had no desire to go to the Cup and had no suggestions on how Albus was going to prefer between bathroom and Matt.

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

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

"Maybe after luncheon, then,"shift shrugged.

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

There was a roast on the door that could only just be heard over the howl wind. Molly glanced at Arthur, who shrugged and got up to see who it was. Albus followed, very curious to see who would travel to on Christmas morning in the middle of a huge blizzard.

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

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

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

"Good, but if you feel it 's too weakly, just let me sleep with and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy Plants. The leaves do marvel on old buildings. earn them like new. I just put a bunch into my spot and it 's a good thing, too. Of track, they tend to attract Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's voice trailed off.

"I 'll keep that in mind,"Chester A. Arthur smiled,"Are you spending the holiday alone ?"

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

"Then you must continue here a piece. Molly 's cooked far too lots food, like usual,"King Arthur lead Xeno into the kitchen.

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

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

Albus spent well-nigh of the dawning acting Exploding centering, Wizard 's Chess, and Gobstones with his cousins. They tried to run hide and go seek, but the house was too crowded to play it properly.

Teddy and James kept looking out the window, uncoerced it to block off snowing. Both of them were just itching to go play Quidditch. Albus would accept gladly gone and played if it would stop snowing so much. He was dedicated to the game, but not enough to play in this storm.

Lunchtime came and the Snow was still falling. George V went outside to appraise it and came back with the news that it was three and a one-half animal foot.

shift went upstairs after luncheon and came back decked out in three jumpers, a thick cloak, and a brace of the boot. Under one arm was his broom and under the former was a box of Quidditch egg. James I was redress behind him, dressed the same.

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

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

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

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

"Excellent,"chemise grinned,"Anyone care to bring together us ?"

Georgia, Fred, and heather mixture suited up in fond wearing apparel and joined teddy bear and James River. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't want to suspend when he could stay inside and be warm.

The Christmas Quidditch lasted a half an hour. Teddy, Jesse James, Georgia, Heather, and Fred all stumbled back into the family shivering with their faces red and covered in snow and ice. mollie immediately descended upon them with soft touch of hot coffee and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

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

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

"Y-yeah,"Teddy replied.

Dec 25 dinner party came and went in its common topsy-turvyness. Xenophilius stayed for it and James snuck sneezing powder into his soup, which he found incredibly funny. molly was not as impressed and gave James quite the tongue-lashing. How she found out it was James was beyond Albus.

The storm continued throughout the Nox and Cedric had to put the silencing charm back on their room in fiat for any of them to get any sleep.

******

Nobody left the burrow until two days after Yuletide. That was when the Baron Snow of Leicester finally let up. It topped out at around four and a one-half groundwork, which was a new record for Albus 's lifetime. The Burrow 's yard had been decorated by heaps of snow hag and wizards, along with hippogriffs, owl, and a form of other magical animal.

When Albus found out what his fellowship was doing after they left the Burrow, he wished the snow would have kept coming. They were going shopping for dress gown for the New class 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old apparel robes ?"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 small for Al."

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

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

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the first pair of dress robes he found, so long as they were n't ping or purple. The Sooner they were done robe shopping the better.

pink wine and Lily made a beeline for the girls dress gown as soon as they walked in the door. Albus stood awkwardly next to James II while their mother found versatile robe for them.

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

"Very Slytherin,"James snickered.

"Shut it, King James,"Albus muttered.

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

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

"Too short,"she announced,"But the color is perfect. I 'll regain a grown size."

Epistle of James wound up with a dark blue blue pair of robes, which Albus would birth preferred. Lily found her empurple robes and pink wine got a sky dreary duad.

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

"No I wo n't. I do n't have green eyes,"James I grinned.

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

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


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome masses who have read and reviewed this ! Also, for anyone who read In Moonlight 's phantasm, the first chapter of the subsequence, Beyond the phantasma, is now up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

A few hours before the party, Ginny made Albus, William James, and Lily all take showers and comb their hair properly. She spent a good fifteen second trying to get King James 's tomentum to lie flat and another 15 minutes putting Lily 's up in some sort of elaborate bun typecast thing. Albus was very happy his own hair was far too light for that sort of thing.

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

"Absolutely no making bother !"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 yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to have to mingle with everyone and we wo n't be able 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,"St. James said,"I know when shenanigan is n't appropriate."

"Let 's Hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his family Apparated to the Minister 's house, which meant side-along phantasm for Albus. He hated side-along phantasma. It felt like he could n't breath. It was worse when the person who was Apparating him was also Apparating another person, which was always the case in his family. It was the curse of being the midway child. He was either with James or Lily. This time it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

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

A long and winding sidewalk, framed with bushes and illumination on either position, contribute up to the front door. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

The mansion seemed to get bigger as they got closer. It was painted brown with a shameful roof and reminded Albus of a castling. 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,"semen in !"

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

Hartwell was one of those very educated wiz who spoke using very large Logos that Albus could n't really understand. He was windy and most of his manner of speaking could be condensed down into a few sentences, according to Harry, that is. He was a very nice man, though.

"right hand this way,"Hartwell motioned for them to watch him.

Hartwell lead them through the business firm, which was just as immaculate as Albus remembered, and into what could only be described as a G ballroom. It was the like dance palace all the parties Albus had been to were held.

The room was decorated with silver and black and was already filling up with people. Albus spotted pink wine and Matt in the backrest of the room and left his fellowship in the threshold to go see them.

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

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

Albus rolled his eyes."Shut it."

"What do you call up, Matt ?"Rose turned to Matt,"His mum says they check his eyes, but James says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"mat said immediately.

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

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

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you know about of these people ?"

"Some,"matt said,"That 's the bloke Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very large ace,"McVicar."

"rightfield,"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 Percy, I think you probably know him. Those masses are a few of Dad 's colleagues,"Matt gestured to a few more hag and thaumaturgist,"Then there 's a caboodle of citizenry from former department, but I do n't commemorate any of their names."

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

"Oh, it will be,"Matt grinned,"When I was really little, we went to political party like this a few time a month. You make your own fun."

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the wine-colored and Champagne. It 'll still sample exactly the same,"Matt grinned mischievously,"By the meter midnight curlicue around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not booze. It 'll be funny."

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

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

"I have to hold, that 's really originative,"Rose giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the food. Charm the chocolates to taste like vanilla, charm the serving utensils to move every time you go to blame them up, that kind of stuff and nonsense,"lusterlessness explained.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Oh, it 's great,"Amy grinned,"First, only a couple on masses notice and they make a very subdued honorable mention to another person and then that person agrees that there 's something untimely with the drinks. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will test the drinks, reveal the alcohol 's been charmed away, put back it, and then everyone will cheer. But some of them will act drunk because they think there 's alcoholic beverage 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 a good deal 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,"flatness shrugged.

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

"I 'd be shocked if they did n't,"rose wine smirked,"Aunt Ginny has no Leslie Townes Hope of stopping James."

"And I 'd bet my finally Galleon that Empire State of the South and Thomas Bradley are talking about Quidditch,"Albus gestured to his other two first cousin, who were standing near the buffet.

"That 's all they talk about,"Rose said,"And Lily looks bored. Five sickle 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 swipe out of the room the next time auntie Corrine looks away."

Albus 's Aunt Corrine was talking with two witches Albus did n't be intimate and his twin cousins were chasing each other around the room.

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

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

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

Albus and rose wine agreed. Amy left to go talk to someone else and the three admirer walked over to the snack counter. There was already a small-scale queue in forepart of it.

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

The waiting line moved quickly and soon Albus was in figurehead. He grabbed a plate and piled it high with just about everything. There was always the unspoiled food for thought at this sort of company.

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

"I do n't even roll in the hay what half this poppycock is,"flatness said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

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

Albus, Matt, and rosebush wandered around the room once they finished their food for thought. A few adults stopped to exclaim how big they 'd gotten and to investigate what year they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't require to be associated with King James I and Cedric 's mischief.

"Hello, everyone !"Minister Hartwell shouted from the rostrum at the movement of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to see him. Albus, Rose, and Matt were somewhat close to the podium.

"Thank you,"he smiled,"I assume you all know why I 've thrown this party, and it 's not just to unload the turgid quantity of wine-coloured I was given for Christmas !"

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

"Yes, yes, well, this party is in pureness of none other than Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the side of Head 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 oral communication, which Albus could not understand. It was long, drawn-out, and Albus could 've sworn he saw his dad yawn at one point.

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

"Thank you, parson,"McVicar began,"That was quite an interesting manner of speaking. I, too, would like to preen Bruno Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am sure at least half of you were quite surprised to listen 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 yr.

"However, the main reason for my lack of an earlier retirement was because there was not a single person employed in the Ministry whom I would have trusted with this job. nobody had the capabilities to deport out this locating in the way I would like. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my motto up until five years ago, that is.

"A little over five days ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the section of the ordinance and Control of Magical puppet. He applied for a job in loup-garou reinforcement Services, a position that had been spread for well over a year. I was ready to hire anyone who walked through the door at that full stop, but I had no melodic theme what was to fall when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may get it on that Bruno Walter has experience in this field. He was the foreland of the Department of ordinance and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia for three age before leaving the position in ordering to go to England.

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

"It took only six month for me to gain that I wanted Walter to take over for me when I retired. Not only does he ingest the experience and intelligence for the job, but he also has dedication that I have never seen before. I even have to acknowledge that his dedication surpasses my own. I have never seen anyone combat as hard for werewolf rights as he has.

"The only thing left for me to do was convince myself it was meter to retire,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did take the near region of five age to do that. But now, I feel very positive as I bridge player the reins over to Walter."

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

"I 'll say,"Matt agreed,"And McVicar does n't usually congratulations people like that."

"Well,"flatness 's dad began,"Thanks for your vote of confidence, Rob. I certainly hope I can go 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 entire section again, no matter which country I was living in. Werewolf funding serve has been such a groovy topographic point to solve these past few old age. It truly is my passion.

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

"Of course, I could not bear gotten to this topographic point without the help of my wife, Julie,"he gestured to lustrelessness 's mum, who was standing near the dais,"And my daughter, Amy, and my son, Matt.

"I 'm not one for long speeches, so I 'll just say that I look forward to starting the job and I truly hope I can be at least half of the pass 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 salute to recollect much on it,"Rose smirked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I do n't have a go at it,"she whispered back,"Let 's go spirit at the drinks."

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

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

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

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

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

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some supererogatory alcohol to that wine-coloured,"James whispered.

Albus, Rose, matt, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not trust it. All of their trick had backfired. The wine-coloured was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so funny ?"Cedric asked.

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

"I put a magic spell on all the vino to remove the intoxicant, while keeping the perceptiveness,"Amy explained,"I did it rightfulness when the political party started."

"So much for that harlequinade,"Jesse James groaned.

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

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

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

"privation to research the Minister 's sign of the zodiac ?"Matt suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"rosebush asked skeptically.

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

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

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

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

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

"Their firm is this big ?"blush wine asked.

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

The three friends wound up in a very large living room filled with antique furniture. There was an oriental person carpet on the ground and oak mesa and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the tabular array were project vase of flowers and watch glass sculptures.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Mum would care them,"rose wine said

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

"Probably old than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, Matt, come here,"blush wine said as she looked out the window.

Albus and lustrelessness walked over to the window and leaned over the tabular array that was in front of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"look, there's-"

flatness leaned farther over the table and knocked one of the crystal sculpture off. pink wine gasped and managed to catch it before it crashed onto the floor.

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

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

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

Albus peered out the windowpane into the shadow. He could just barely make out a dark lurking around the President George W. Bush. It did n't look like the person was walking up towards the house to go to the party. Plus, why would he show up three 60 minutes late ?

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

"Let 's go detect out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't deliver a clue as to who it was, but he wanted to chance out. There was no reason for mortal to be sneaking around the Minister 's house at this time of night.

"Albus Severus Potter, are you all-fired 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 of Ministry officials in case whoever is out there is individual bad,"Albus said.

"That 's a good point,"Matt replied,"Why would someone pinch around a star sign that 's full of Ministry officials, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

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

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

"If we are n't killed, we 'll freeze to last,"rose muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the star sign and tried to keep himself concealed in the Vannevar Bush as he looked for the figure. However, he could n't see or hear anything.

"Do you hear anything ?"he whispered to Matt.

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

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

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

Albus continued creeping around the planetary house, with his wand out in front of him. His heart was beating fast and his hands were sweaty despite the common cold. He did n't want to block up, though. Figuring out who this bloke was was exciting and brass wracking at the Saame time.

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

Rose screamed and grabbed custody of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own wand, his deal shaking.

"Who are you ?"the person shouted.

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

"He sounds comrade,"Matt whispered,"Hang on. Bloody hell, that 's Professor Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a bit and the voice did voice a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the government minister 's star sign ?

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

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The wand light lowered and Albus heard the man footmark through the snow towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed Professor Balladanis. He breathed a sigh of easing as Rose let go of his arm.

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

"Y-yes, sir,"Matt replied.

"What are the three of you doing sneaking around outside in the dead of nighttime ? I thought I 'd learn you better 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 throw been stagnant if that person had been a dingy wiz. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

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

"If you must lie with, the Minister asked me to chink the land in lodge to make sure nobody was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did nothing but spark Albus 's rarity even more. He knew better than to press further, though. Balladanis was not one to excuse 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 re-entered the building, escorted by Professor Balladanis. Albus had been hoping the professor would just see them to the door and then continue his search of the perimeter, but instead he went back to the ballroom with them and marched them right up to Harry.

"ceramist,"Balladanis interrupted the conversation Harry had been having with some wizard Albus did n't jazz,"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 last out inside."

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

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

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

"Care to excuse ?"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 friends back to the buffet.

"I hope you 've learned your lesson,"Rose 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 closest clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their glasses of bubbly in the air. Amy joined Albus, Rose, and Matt.

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

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

rosiness 's family and Amy left, and then it was just the Potters, lusterlessness, his parents, the Minister, and his wife left. All the adult were talking, Henry James was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and Matt were finishing off the hold out of the desserts.

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

"Only if Linda 's nauseated the day of one of the matches,"Albus sighed.

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

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

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

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

Albus waved au revoir and then joined his mum, dad, James, and Lily. They all said felicitation to Matt 's dad and then left the curate 's Mansion. Albus peered into the Dubyuh as he left, but there was no signaling of professor Balladanis.

******

The remainder of the Christmas holiday went by very slow for Albus. He did all his homework, which was quite boring, and there was nix to do after that. Rose was visiting her other grandparents and James was at Nathan 's house. Even Kaden was in use visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and Petunia ). He sent Albus a letter complaining about it, since the visit was also with Aunt Marge. Albus was very grateful that he did n't have to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and Petunia again.

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

"aunty oleomargarine has got to be the most atrocious aunt in the entire world,"Kaden fumed,"My dad told her about conjuration a few months ago and she 's been awful ever since. I mean, she was always kind of horrible, but now she 's worse. She just hates magic so much. She 's regretful than my grandparents."

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

"Consider yourself prosperous,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had honest vacation ?"

"We found Professor Balladanis lurking around the government minister 's Mansion,"Albus announced.

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

"I saw someone sneaking around outside and Albus insisted we go investigate,"rosebush said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the parson had apparently asked him to check the undercoat for trouble."

"Did he find you ?"John asked.

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

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

"wellspring, we could 've,"rosebush muttered.

"Weird though,"John the Evangelist said,"Why would the Minister think someone would be hiding around his star sign ?"

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

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

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

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

"Again, Wyrd,"John said.

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

"That settles it,"Saint John the Apostle announced,"Albus, you 've got to find out what he did before he started teaching Defense ?"

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

"Because you 've got those exceptional dueling deterrent example with him. He likes you for some reason. Of course, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a respectable dueler, too,"St. John the Apostle explained.

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

"You never know,"John said.

******

"Quiet, quiet !"Balladanis shouted the following Tuesday, their first day of DoD after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to lusterlessness and John the Evangelist and turned to present Balladanis. He was really hoping that the professor would say zip 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 holiday are over and although I am certainly none of you thought a bit about defensive trick during said vacation, it is now clip to set out that thinking once again.

"First, I 'll say that there is no sentence to not be thinking about defensive magic trick, as the dark arts do not take breaks for trivial things such as holidays.

"second base, in this terminus we will start out to explore puppet far more unsafe than hinkypunks and kappas. In this term we shall learn about those terrifying creatures such as acromantulas, basilisks, lycanthrope, dragons, and vampires."

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

"As the master would find it highly inappropriate for a firedrake to manifest itself in this schoolroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this term,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few fourth dimension. You will find that there are more lecturing in this condition, much to my disfavor. There is nothing I would like better than to learn you about acromantulas and werewolves with virtual lessons, but there are both laws and school pattern that prevent such lessons."

Albus and lusterlessness glanced at each early. It was official. Professor Balladanis was insane. What form of instructor would want to teach about Draco with hot dragons ? wellspring, Hagrid would, but he was n't the Same as Balladanis.

"take out some sheepskin,"Balladanis said,"We 're going to commence learning about acromantulas today ...."

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

"Divination is such a joke,"toilet said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and collapsed onto a couch,"We started crystal testicle 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 books 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 watch crystal ball."

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

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

"Balladanis told us that he wished he could instruct us about dark creatures using the anamatek,"Rose said,"Seriously, he wanted a basilisk to look in the middle of the classroom."

"That would be stupid,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a Chocolate Frog,"Those can wipe out you with their eyes."

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

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

"Probably not,"lustrelessness answered,"It would just be a Friedrich August Wolf. I think it would just be a beast any other clip of the month, too, because there 's no way it could turn person into a wolfman by biting them."

"That 's unspoilt,"Albus said,"Because he did say that he 'd use the anamatek a few times this full term. question if he 'll experience it flex into a vampire."

"No motivation,"St. John the Apostle laughed,"We 've got Linda."

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

"Good point, I guess,"John muttered.

******

The remainder of the week went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch practice session Th eventide, and Mrs. Henry Wood informed the hale squad that they 'd gotten rusty over the holiday. He also told them that the next match was in two weeks and they 'd be playing New House of York. If they won, they 'd be in second place.

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

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

"Mr. thrower,"Balladanis turned around and greet Albus,"Is it safety to assume 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 way,"Now we may get down. I have decided that your reason of the Protego charm is satisfactory so we are going to proceed on to something else.

"This especial charm, when performed correctly, manages to disarm and disorient a person at the same time. The sensation is often described as dizziness. Can either of you tell me what why this appealingness would be more useful than a standard disarmament spell ?"

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

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

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

"Another in force reasonableness, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to walk slowly around the room,"Wizards who are expecting to have to duel former wizards often keep multiple wands on their somebody. There are spell that can be performed on these wand to go along them attached to your robes or your actual consistence, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't overpower easily. However, these spells require constant density.

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

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

"Perhaps towards the end of the year. It takes immense assiduousness and sorcerous free energy to simultaneously perform that magical spell while dueling someone,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will check the magic spell to disarm and disorient a person at the Lapp time.

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

Albus nodded, wishing he had been chosen to execute 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 appeal hit his shield, but it did n't break through. He gripped his sceptre harder and stared at Malfoy.

"living going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The spell hit Albus 's shield a little harder this time. Albus could find string of beads of effort forming on his brow.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five times to break down through Albus 's carapace. When it happened, Albus felt his scepter leave his paw and was overcome by a Wave of dizziness at the Lapp fourth dimension. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the previous class, 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 go past out and he had to sit down. He sat down right on the level and was vaguely mindful of Balladanis standing over him.

Then, all of a sudden, the giddiness was gone. Albus shook his head and then looked up and saw Balladanis and Malfoy standing in front of him. Malfoy looked impressed 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 assume that you could n't give held concentration for any spells after Mr. Malfoy succeeded in breaking your shield."

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

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

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

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

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

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

Balladanis gave Albus one of his rare smiles and then pulled out his own verge. 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 expert part of an hour, past when Albus would have liked to discontinue. It was exhausting to be hit with that magic spell time after fourth dimension while trying to hold up a shield good luck charm. Malfoy did n't appear to be faring much better and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to quit after a half hour, but Malfoy closed his backtalk, obviously thinking safe of it.

The practice was n't for goose egg, though. Albus managed to hold Malfoy off foresightful and longer each meter and although Malfoy was getting best at the shield appealingness as well, Albus broke through it a few more times.

"That 's sufficiency for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must induce been the tenth metre that night,"I 'll see you in class on Tuesday."

Malfoy made a beeline for the threshold, but Albus turned to Balladanis instead. He might as well just get it over with. There was no skillful way to ask Balladanis what his old 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 aspect he had ever seen. It was a smorgasbord of anger, lugubriousness, and even regret. For a consequence, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should experience just told John they would n't be capable to determine out.

"Now is not the meter,"Balladanis said quietly,"All in upright meter, I will state you."

Albus was taken aback. That was more than he had expected. He had thought Balladanis would have told him to beware his own business organization and get back to Gryffindor tug before curfew. Albus was going to feel out, he was just going to have to be patient.

Albus left the elbow room as quickly as he could in his exhausted State, before Balladanis could change his mind about eventually telling Albus about his previous career. The base on balls back to Gryffindor Tower seemed longer than usual and all Albus wanted to do was crash into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his friends. All five of them looked shock and Amanda looked like she was going to be ghastly. He looked around the green room and saw that most people looked shocked and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even Epistle of James was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

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

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

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

Albus nodded, having seen the man on legion occasion when he was in Hogsmeade. He was slightly older than Albus 's parents, with greying tomentum and a very acute personality. He never hesitated to make his public opinion known

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

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to search at all his Friend in turn. lusterlessness nodded ever so slightly and then put his headland on his hands.

"Must 've just happened,"John the Evangelist said,"They just found him. lady Rosmerta heard a kerfuffle and Flooed here, to get the Auror on duty. By the time they got back, his workshop was a complete mess inside and he was laying dead on the flooring. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the forest, the grounds, and the shoal. Nobody 's allowed out of their coarse rooms and dormitories."

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

"cipher even came in to tell us,"Albus replied, still in shock.

the great unwashed were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That sort of thing just did n't happen anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. well, prof Torro had been killed back before his first gear year and then that one witch from the Ministry had been killed over Christmas, but their killer had never been found and nix had happened since.

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

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

The portrait fix opened and all the whisper stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was Professor Longbottom, looking worse for the wear. His robes were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the rook and the curtilage,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some nap. The search will be long over by dayspring, so you will be free to leave the commons room then."

Albus and his friends looked at each other after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their dormitory room, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the second years'dorm. cipher said anything as he curled up on the level with one of Albus 's spare blankets. Albus got into bed and stared at the roof. He had been so sap earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get a lot sopor that night.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome lector and reviewers !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


tiffin was very subdued the adjacent day. Most mass had slept quite previous since it was a Saturday. Every pupil of Hogwarts had their nose in a copy of the vaticinator, be it their own or a friend 's. The staff board looked the Sami, with every prof either reading the vaticinator or whispering with another professor, no uncertainty about what they 'd translate.

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

HOGSMEADE SHOPKEEPER MURDERED

A disturbance in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
occupier to Hogwarts to discover the Auror on
duty hint to the uncovering of the decease
of a shopkeeper.

Leroy Wisander, 42, the ten-year possessor of
Dervish and Banges was pronounced utterly
on the conniption by Ministry Aurors yesterday
eventide. His shop had been broken into
and it showed signs of a struggle.
Wisander was discovered in the middle of
destroyed merchandise with his verge
laying a few feet away. Aurors confirmed
that he was killed with the killing curse.

An extensive lookup of Hogsmeade, the
woods, Hogwarts, and its land turned
up nothing despite the hours Aurors spent
searching. No fingerprint were found on
the scene.

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

Leroy Wisander had owned Dervish and Banges
for a picayune over ten days, 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 waver
to let others know his opinions. His well-nigh
recent editorials have explored the bailiwick
of werewolf, lamia, and other so called
'half-breeds'rights. Aurors have declined
input on whether they believe Wisander 's
newspaper column are a possible motivation for his
execution. Wisander 's obituary can be found
on varlet five.

Albus set the paper down and his friends all resumed their seating area. Nobody said a word for a few min. Albus did n't know what to conceive. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his belief. However, it did n't exactly say what his belief were. Albus had n't ever read any of his editorials, so he could n't say either.

"What kind of column did he compose ?"mat asked quietly.

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

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

Albus got up and was followed by all of his booster. privy and Kaden each grabbed a stack of toast before leaving. Even rosebush and Amanda went with them instead of going off to take with Linda.

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

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

Matt did n't even have to cover for Albus to know why that worried him. Matt 's dad was possibly the big advocate of werewolf rights in all of United Kingdom and everyone knew it. If someone had been killed just for writing about loup-garou right hand, what would happen to someone who was actually passing practice of law for them ?

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

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

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

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

"Well, I do n't imagine you should interest until you find out what the editorials are about,"pink wine said to Matt.

"The other selection is n't a great deal better,"Matt muttered,"If he did n't write editorials for werewolf right hand, then he wrote them against them."

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

"Let 's go to the depository library,"blush wine said as she stood up,"They 'll make old transcript of the prophet there."

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

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

"mightiness not be any left,"John muttered.

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

John was almost correctly. There was a very small lot of newspaper left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded table towards the back of the library. Albus, matte, and Rose each took a newspaper while John, Kaden, and Amanda played tic-tac-toe on a save bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two years old, until he got to the column part. In the very middle, in the braggart fount, was an editorial by Leroy Wisander.

HEALERS, BREWERS TO BLAME, NOT MINISTRY OFFICIALS

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

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

The stuff is expensive. I myself did
the calculation and discovered that
it would be extremely difficult for
anyone with a low income to afford it.

And what kind of jobs are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
ones. The jobs where they make hardly
enough money to pay the tear and buy
food, let solely purchase a potion that
could falsify their lives for the better.

I am absolutely scandalise that Healers
and potion brewer charge for this
authoritative potion. They must be making
a nice profit. They can use the earnings
to take spendthrift vacation while the
poor witch and wizards who buy it
struggle to open it.

There is only so much Ministry officials
can do. caput of wolfman backing Services,
Walter Eckerton, says he would bed to
fall in away free wolfsbane, but there just
is n't room for it in the budget.

What do I propose ? I propose that Healers
and potion brewers give it away for free.
They have the ability to brew it, not
the Ministry. Most Healers claim to have sex
helping masses, 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 cause a little additional outgo money.

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

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

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

Matt took the composition and he and rose 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 elbow room,"Matt said as soon as he 'd finished reading it.

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

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

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

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

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

"healer are n't like that. well-nigh of the one I 've met would throw away free Wolfsbane, but it 's more complicated that that. The component are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to mention how hard it is. There are n't many healer who can brew it and even most brewer ca n't brew it,"Matt explained.

"That bloke did n't fuck the half of it,"toilet agreed,"My dad 's a Healer and he 'd bed to collapse away gratuitous potions. It just does n't work that way."

"My dad 's linked with that bloke,"matte said quietly,"And now that he 's nous of the total department, he 'll be passing More practice of law. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really beneficial wizard, though,"Albus pointed out to his worry supporter,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are encumbrance of Aurors milling about. And your house is more protected than any other house I 've seen, well, except the curate 's Mansion."

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

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

******

Albus and his ally scoured the Daily Prophet every morning the following week. Every day there was an article about Wisander, the probe, or both. So far the investigation had turned up nothing. The Aurors had questioned quite a few people, namely those very blunt against werewolf and vampire rights, but the hunt had proved fruitless.

The articles about Wisander were far more interesting. It seemed that his newspaper column about wolf's bane Potion was one of the tamer ones. Each day lilliputian pieces of his various editorials were being published. In one, he stated the reasons why werewolves should n't be locked up on full moons. The reason were quite absurd, but the vaticinator had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampires should be allowed access to humans to bite. He suggested using captive and allowing vampire to fellate them dry. Thus helping vampires and reducing prison costs at the same time.

"I reckon this bloke was off his rocker,"whoremaster announced at breakfast the following Sunday. He had just finished reading an clause about how Wisander spent a class living with a lamia tribe in Turkey when he was Young. They were some of the few people actually up at an betimes hour, as Albus had Quidditch practice and John had a morning detainment with Filch for putting dungbombs in the can in Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom the premature day.

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

"What are you doing after Quidditch exercise ?"John the Divine asked.

"After Quidditch ?"Albus laughed,"You mean, I 'm going to get to go out eventually ? woodwind instrument wo n't make us practice for the next week ? I thought he was going to prevent going until the existent friction match on Saturday."

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

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

"Thought I might earn another detainment,"lav grinned,"But Kaden 's busybodied with Bromus secalinus club this afternoon-"

"Wait,"Albus nearly choked on his succus,"Kaden joined the chess lodge ? Kaden ? Kaden Dursley ?"

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

"I 'll tell rosebush good luck with that,"Albus said.

"Yeah, so both Kaden and Rose will be busy with that. Not that Rose would want to take in detainment 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,"Albus said, remembering that the full moonshine was that night,"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 Matt. I can ingest a nice nonreversible conversation."

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

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

"wellspring, have fun in your detention. I 've got to get to drill,"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 finest form as he ordered the squad to do drills hour after hour. He seemed to get More and more stressed as the day wore on.

Jesse James did a lot of person-to-person education with teddy bear and Albus was more than than a little envious. Teddy was a much more patient captain than Wood was and yelled a altogether lot less. Tyler throughway mostly helped Wood.

Ellen Price Wood let them have a short disruption for lunch, making sure they knew to come back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the team talking about skipping out of the eternal rest of practice, but they were back on the pitch at the prison term Ellen Price Wood told them to be.

The good afternoon was very standardized to the good morning and Albus found that he could tune out Wood '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 delivery for three o'clock that day.

"Remember, practice session Tues eventide !"wood shouted as the entirely team rushed to get off the pitch.

Albus trudged back to the castle 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 Marauder 's Den and set off to look for them after saying a quickly hello to the girls.

John and Kaden were in the midriff of a heated plot of Exploding picnic when Albus walked into the marauder 's Den a few minutes later. John 's face was total of ash, but Kaden 's was quite unobjectionable. There was also a big grin on his face which contrasted the scowl on St. John the Apostle 's nerve. lustrelessness was laying on the put facing them, like he had been watching the game, but he was sound asleep.

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

"Grueling. Wood 's ten times worse than Peach State. Five time of day we were out there. Five bloody hours in the cold !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the former couch.

"Better than scrubbing Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom with a toothbrush,"trick muttered,"I do n't know what was unsound, the scouring or listening to Myrtle."

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

"Can you blame us ?"Albus muttered.

"No, not really,"Kaden shrugged.

"How was chess ?"Albus asked.

"I got beaten by every single person in the Bromus secalinus club,"Kaden shook his fountainhead,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"whoremaster said as the poster blew up in his face again,"Have you done that Defense essay ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

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

Albus groaned again and fished around in his own bag for his defending team book. Balladanis wanted a foot long essay about basilisks, which were the current non-white creature of the week.

John sat down at the table while Albus lay on the couch. He just could n't get himself to get up and do his essay. Instead, he mumbled response to whoremonger whenever he asked a question.

"Do you hatch the wimp egg under a frog or a toad frog ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"toad frog,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could deplumate a Rose and recount you to do your essay,"St. John replied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus managed to get in a somewhat comfortable military position on the couch and wrote his essay with his playscript and parchment perched on his knee. It beat sitting at the table ; at least he was able to sort of lie down.

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

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

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

"It 's nearly six,"Saint John the Apostle told him.

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

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

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

John returned a little while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the Marauder 's Den afterwards and John and Kaden continued working on their prep 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 middle and saw Teddy standing over his bed. A glance at the clock told him that, yes, it was far too early to wake up. It was six in the morning. On a Sat. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch match against New York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a reserve player anyway.

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

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

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

Now Albus was encompassing awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the other military reserve Chaser, a seventh year Slytherin.

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

Albus took that to have in mind that chemise thought they were snogging and one got the former sick.

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

Teddy nodded and left. Albus threw on a t-shirt and a pair of dungaree before running down to the common room, where he found Oliver Wood pacing in front of the abandon fire.

"Albus,"he said as soon as Albus stepped into the rough-cut room,"You 're playing Chaser today."

Albus nodded and sat down for what was sure to be a very farsighted speech. Wood paused and then launched into an explanation of tactics, which Albus had already heard during drill that week. He could n't figure out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. Wood could get accomplished the same thing at ten.

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

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

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

"There you are,"mat, who was looking significantly salutary than he had a few days ago, said,"What time did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"Teddy got me up. Wood had to tell me I 'm playing Chaser today."

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

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

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

Albus went to the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall to eat dejeuner with his friends, but he was n't really hungry. He did n't think he had ever been more nervous for a Quidditch catch. This was a really important equal, as Wood had pointed out numerous meter. If they won by a widely enough margin, they 'd be in irregular place.

Holy Scripture had gotten around that Albus was playing in the compeer and numerous people came over to the Gryffindor table to wish Albus portion.

"Al,"Harry sat down next to Albus.

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

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

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the rest of the Hogwarts squad a few minute later. All his protagonist wished him good luck as he left the Hall.

nobody talked much as they changed into their gown. Everyone sat down afterwards, ready for Sir Henry Joseph Wood 's pre-match speech.

However, Wood seemed to be all speeched out. He merely said that they 'd trained well and to pay it their all. Albus was a little shocked by the abruptness of the voice communication, but quickly got over it as he walked out onto the lurch.


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

Also, I wrote a new song fic ! It 's from Snape 's point of sight, as I wanted to try something unlike. It 's on my Author page if you want to stop it out !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

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

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

Albus pushed his Calluna vulgaris to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his chest. Then he plunged down to the soil, where nobody else was flying. He was back up gamy two minutes later when he had reached the New York goal postal service. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the left goal post. The keeper was too slack and the Quaffle soared through.

"ceramist of Hogwarts has scored !"Sir Alexander Robertus Todd Smith shouted,"40-30 Hogwarts !"

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

The Quaffle continued to replace hands quickly as the friction match went on. An hour later there was still no signal of the stoolpigeon and both team were neck in neck opening as far as points went. New York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few more end and he began to unstrain a little. The match began to experience more like a school match and less like a master match, even though the stakes were still high.

Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at to the lowest degree fifty dollar bill head when James caught the fink, or they would n't be able to overtake New York as far as boilers suit points went.

"New House of York 's Seeker has seen the Snitch !"Smith announced.

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

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

The crowd roared and James held the Snitch high above his head. Both teams flew to the terra firma and Albus saw the anguish expression on woodwind instrument 's face. They had n't won by plenty to be in second seat overall.

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

forest nodded in accord, but he still looked disappointed. Albus chose to push aside this and helped the rest of the team to run up James onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the points, the Aussie School of Sorcery is in first lieu. New House of York and Hogwarts are currently tied for second. The following mate will occupy 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 company was currently underway in the Gryffindor vernacular room. teddy informed everyone that the three other houses were hosting party as well. The students from New York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their quester, were sulking in a corner.

"I think that was your best peer yet,"john said to Albus as they settled down at their usual table.

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

"Maybe Fielding will still be unhinged,"St. John the Apostle said.

"doubtfulness it,"Albus replied,"addition, I 'm sure O'delle will get first-class honours degree dibs on the succeeding match if any of the other Chasers get sick."

"At to the lowest degree you got to play in one catch,"pink wine pointed out.

"Anyway, the next equal you 'll probably be playing Australia,"lusterlessness said.

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

The party continued until dinner party time, when people began to leave as cipher had snuck down to the kitchens to get nutrient. Harry came in to congratulate Albus and James shortly before Albus and his friend left for dinner. He was also scheduled to patrol the shoal for the difference of the weekend and wanted to let his nestling know.

******

lifetime at Hogwarts returned to convention shortly after the Quidditch match. The vaticinator printed fewer and fewer articles about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to draw a blank about his destruction. Everyone except Matt, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

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

Neither Albus, trick, or lusterlessness were too preoccupied to remark the abandoned building, though. The three of them stopped to look at it for a while despite the biting breaking wind. rose and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

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

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

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

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

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

"They wo n't find who it was,"whoremaster 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 Three broomstick a little while later because all three of them were frozen. They warmed up with Butterbeer and were just thinking about heading back to the castle when Albus heard individual whisper his name behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Bloody Hell !"toilet shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a good clip, but there was a understanding I changed my mind and told you not to purloin in today. near of the teacher come to Hogsmeade for the February trip. My cousins told me. They want to build sure no one does anything stupid because they 're in erotic love or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"Matt asked.

"One-eyed Wiccan statue,"Kaden replied,"lead-in right into Honeyduke's."

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

Kaden 's look turned lily-white and his sassing dropped exposed. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met facial expression to side with Professor Balladanis.

"Quite unmanageable, I 'd expect,"Balladanis replied,"ejaculate 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 bother, but Albus should have known better than to mean they could go the whole year.

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

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

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

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

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

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. ceramicist, Mr. Eckerton, and Mr. Brickston, you may return to your commons elbow room. Mr. Dursley will join you after I arrange his detention."

Albus, lusterlessness, and John could not get out of there quick enough. They walked straight back to the green room, talking about how lucky they had been. It must take looked like all three of them had helped Kaden abstract into Hogsmeade. Good affair Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned fifteen minutes later, looking quite unhappy. He collapsed onto a hot seat and stared mutinously at the table.

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

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

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

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

******

Kaden discovered what his detention was that night. Balladanis decided to have got him alphabetize his individual program library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the Marauder 's Den ranting about the amount of book of account Balladanis had.

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

"That 's impressive,"mat replied.

"wishing he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his detentions alphabetizing those script. He almost did n't cope to finish and if that had been the case, Balladanis would bear given him a fifth part detention.

The side by side to the full moon came and went, as did the next Quidditch catch. Albus was beginning to suspect that the full lunation were becoming spoilt for Matt, although he did n't have sex why.

New House of York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch match. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the sneaker a half time of day in. Mrs. Henry Wood insisted that this was a salutary thing, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to score a good sum of money of goals before Linda caught the stoolie in their adjacent couple, they would stimulate more boilersuit points than New York. Wood seemed to deliver lost any hope that Jesse James could stupefy Linda in Seeking, something Henry James fumed about on a near daily basis.

March arrived and with it a three day rain storm that left the background completely flooded. Both Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had to take away place inside, which resulted in incredibly drill lessons. Wood continued to keep Quiditch pattern and Albus returned to the castling completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

All of the teachers were piling on the prep and professor Patil had even gone so far as to mention the O.W.L.s even though they were a whole two years away. The merely teacher who was n't talking about the end of term test was prof Balladanis.

Balladanis conducted his deterrent example as if end of terminus examination did not be. He changed nothing about his lesson except the glowering puppet they were learning about.

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

Albus could n't avail but look at Linda before he began packing up his affair. He wondered if Balladanis would be teaching them enough about identifying lamia for anyone to image out that Linda was one.

"So,"privy said as he flipped through his Defense book the undermentioned evening. Albus, Matt, John, and Kaden were in the Marauder 's Den and John was just finishing the chapter on vampires."smell what 's after vampires.

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

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

"I wonder if Balladanis is going to take a crap you go in for extra helper during that unit,"John grinned,"I 'm sure enough you 'll need scads of extra help in identifying werewolves."

Matt rolled his oculus."He secure. It 'll look funny if I do n't go in for extra assist. oral presentation of spare assist, we 're due to go in for it in XV minutes."

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

Albus managed to fetch up his Herbology homework while John and matte 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 meat of the classroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a stone basin sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silvery strings of something out of his headway and placing them in the basin.

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

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

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

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

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

Albus glanced nervously at Malfoy. Balladanis was n't one for account, but Albus would induce appreciated one right field then.

"This is a pensieve,"Balladanis said,"It is used to search memories. That is exactly what we 're going to do. Albus, incline forward and put your head into the pensieve. Your body will follow. Scorpius, you will adopt. I will occur after you."

Albus 's pulse sped up a footling bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a pudding head idea ? He did n't even know what he was getting into. But it was just a memory. aught could bruise him in a memory, right ?

Albus took a mysterious breathing spell and plunged his face into the pensieve. He had never been in one before. He landed on the grueling locoweed and looked around.

It was crepuscle and very quiet. There was a small house in the aloofness, atop of a rocky hill. In fact, the unharmed sphere was mostly rough. Albus had landed on the one lone objet d'art of green goddess in the unharmed station. It did n't look like any place in Britain.

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

"Follow me,"Balladanis said quietly.

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

"self-justification me, Sir,"Malfoy said,"Where are we ?"

"Greece,"Balladanis replied.

This did nothing but increase Albus 's curiosity. Why were they in Greece of all home ? But he did n't ask. It did n't look like Balladanis was in an explaining modality, judging by his short, one word result to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the small house. The lone disturbance was their footsteps. There were n't even any bird of night hooting or dogs barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

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

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

Balladanis made no move towards the family. Instead, he seemed focused on the afforest that lay just beyond it. Albus decided the forest was as good a position as any to watch.

They watched the forest for a half an time of day before anything happened. Then five hooded figures practically flew out of the forest. They were at the house before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His boldness was hardened.

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

They were agonizing, farseeing screams. Albus wanted goose egg more than to go in and facilitate whoever was screaming, but he knew he could n't. It was zip more than than a computer storage. Instead, he looked again at Balladanis.

His prof 's face showed nothing. zilch but the Same case-hardened flavor he had seen on it so many sentence. Malfoy on the early hand, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The scream was coming from two different the great unwashed. There was a high-pitched one that must have been coming from a charwoman, and a lower one that must have been coming from a man.

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

Balladanis, however, made no move to allow. Instead he stared at the sign of the zodiac. Two min later, someone fled from it.

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

The boy obviously did n't notice the three people watching him. He ran right past them, up the rocky Alfred Hawthorne in the length. It occurred to Albus after he passed that the boy looked somewhat conversant. There was something about his boldness that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite seat it.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Professor Balladanis did n't say anything for a long fourth dimension after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the Defense classroom. Albus landed next to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in presence of Balladanis 's desk. Balladanis landed behind his desk, facing the wall, and did n't ferment around for a few minutes.

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

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

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

It happened in a split mo. Albus looked at his prof and immediately thought back to the face of the boy in the scene. That was why he looked conversant. 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 table in straw man of Balladanis 's desk. They were sitting right next to each other and Albus did n't care. At the moment, finding out what that scene was was more important than staying away from Malfoy.

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

Balladanis paused and walked around to the social movement of his desk. He began to rate in straw man of it.

"There is a reason why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my social class what I did before teaching. The reason is that you two are incredible dueller. Both of you have skills beyond your years that I have never seen before, and believe me, I have seen great deal of exceptional dueler in my time. This may be a good metre to tell you how rare it is to have two such skilled duelers in the same class at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to seem at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the start of some sort of sign unity actor's line or something.

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

The exclusive reason for that, at least for Albus, was because of Balladanis himself. Albus doubted he would suffer Albus and Malfoy bickering with each early during lessons.

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

"I grew up in Greece, in that very house we just saw. My parents, although they loved me deeply, were very miserable and could barely afford to put food for thought on the table. I think they were grateful when I went away to shoal, the sole reason being that they would n't have to occupy about me getting sufficiency to eat.

"I had two blissfully innocent and fun years at the Grecian school of legerdemain. I returned home during summers fully of stories about my booster and all the mischief we 'd gotten into."

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

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

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

"I returned to schooltime that September hardened. aught was fun anymore. Nothing was rummy. It was then that I decided to consecrate my life to ridding the world of such evils. Vampires, black wizards, lycanthrope, anyone and anything that murders viciously."

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

"However, I did pull in that not all vampires, werewolves, heavyweight, and other organism are inherently evil. Not all of them want to kill. It was for this intellect that I did not wish to be employed by the Greek Ministry. The Hellenic Ministry prefers to deal with magical creature as a unit and not severalise between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very large population of vampires.

"Thus, becoming an Auror was out of the doubtfulness. Instead, I chose to enter a more secretive profession. One that you will not notice pamphlets on when you get vocation advice from your capitulum of house. One that no one except me is going to paint a picture to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

Albus 's nub sped up at this. Balladanis was going to give them career advice ? They were only XIII. But at the Sami meter, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a near enough dueler for this calling, whatever it was.

"I am a Presuler,"Balladanis said,"I am sure enough neither of you have heard of one. A Presuler is somewhat like an Auror, in that we seek out dark maven and grim magic trick. However, we not only try out wickedness adept and disconsolate magic, we seek out nighttime and dangerous creature as well.

"The bad dispute is that Presulers are not employed by the Ministry. There are very few Presulers in the world and we are often sought out by diverse Ministries and hired on an as-needed basis. We travel from country to country, whenever we are needed. It is quite closemouthed. 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 close kind of Auror who did not work 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 front of his desk. He looked at Albus and Malfoy, but did not say anything else.

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

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

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

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

Albus walked alongside Balladanis in silence on his way back to the Gryffindor tugboat. His mind was racing with what he just learned. He did n't know what to hit of it. It was just so often information at once.

The common room was nearly empty when Albus climbed through the portrait hole. It must sustain been really late, since it was Fri night. Albus really did n't know what prison term it was.

"There you are !"rosiness shouted,"Merlin, you 've been gone for 60 minutes !"

"What did he accept you doing ?"matte asked.

"I 'll tell apart 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 supporter sighs of disappointment as he went up to his student residence, but he did n't feel like talking about it right then. He was tired and his mind was racing at the same fourth dimension.

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

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

Eventually Albus fell into a uneasy sleep, but his aspiration were plagued by what he had seen in the pensieve.

******

"Merlin, Albus, get up !"

Albus rolled over in his bed and put his pillow over his head. After waking up drenched in swither at four in the morning after a nightmare in which his all family line had been killed by vampires, he had finally drifted off into a somewhat enough 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 have intercourse what happened close night."

someone pulled the pall undefended and took the pillow off Albus 's head. He looked up and saw John and Matt.

"Did you lose to Malfoy or something ?"John asked,"Because that would gain me need to hole up in bed for the day."

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

The girls and Kaden met them in the piranha 's Den after Albus, St. John the Apostle, and matte had lunch. bathroom kept pestering Albus all through lunch, wanting to know why Linda could n't hear about it, but Albus said nothing. He was n't even sure enough if he was allowed to secernate his Friend about this, but Balladanis had n't really forbidden him.

"Albus, what in the figure of Falco columbarius 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 severalise us until now ?"can gaped,"I 've been wanting to know for the entire year !"

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

"Sorry,"John muttered.

"Balladanis took us into a pensieve finish Night,"Albus began.

"Really ?"Rose looked yarn-dye,"What was that like ?"

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

"Anyway, he took us without any account of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down firm in Greece. Kind of looked like a smaller more run-down version of the Shrieking Shack."

"In Greece ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the theater for what seemed like hours and then these figures broke into it and we heard this awful screaming. Then the frame left. Then this blighter who was about our age came running out with this atrocious scared flavour on his brass. Then we left."

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

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

Nobody said anything for a long time. Albus looked at his protagonist and they all wore equalize looks of shock.

"And you watched it ?"Matt asked.

"From a length,"Albus replied.

"Merlin, no wonder Balladanis is so all-fired insane,"Saint John the Apostle let out a low whistle.

"He decided to devote his animation to ridding the creation of evil, whether it be vampire, blue wizards, or other dark creatures,"Albus continued.

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

"No,"Albus shook his drumhead,"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 public. They 're investigators as well. Apparently it 's all very closemouthed,"Albus explained.

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

"Me, too,"matt agreed,"Instead he just hunts down vampire. And, werewolves."

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

"All werewolf have the capability of killing people, Albus,"Matt said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

"Whatever his purview on vampires and werewolves truly is, it 's going to be interesting to see how he teaches us about them,"Rose mused.

"Guess this is why you did n't want Linda to get a line about this,"John the Divine said.

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

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

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

"Seriously ?"Matt asked.

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

"You do n't have to know. 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 darkness arts, but it might cloud his sound judgement sometimes,"rosebush warned.

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

"Maybe because he does n't contrive on staying,"Matt replied,"Why would he terminate searching for the vampires who killed his parents to learn here anyway ?"

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

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

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

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

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be soft said than done, especially since refutation stratum was soon devoted to learning about vampires. Balladanis seemed to learn that particular whole with lots more exuberance than usual, a exploit that cipher thought potential. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than common, but most just attributed it to the fact that he was damn insane.

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

However, partway through their second week devoted to vampires, the anamatek 's body reappeared in the defence force classroom. There was an audible groan from every educatee who stepped into the room.

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

"Maybe we 're moving onto another tool,"Albus suggested even though he knew the luck were lose weight to none.

"That would n't be any better. We 're doing wolfman next,"John reminded him,"And Matt said that matter could n't turn into an real werewolf. Speaking of matte, he 's lucky he 's missing this."

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

"Quiet,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our lamia lesson today. Today I wish to read 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 attainment necessary to oppose a vampire."

"He 's mental,"John muttered.

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

"Vampires are the perfect 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 immobile that Albus had missed it in the blink of an eye.

"They 're nimble,"Balladanis continued,"They 're good looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are dead. The alternative is not swell, either. From the here and now their teeth break your skin, you begin to translate into a vampire as well. You will suit one if they do not absorb you dry. There is no way to end it, no potion to antagonise it.

"vampire Holman Hunt at night when their visual sensation is still excellent, but when man vision is compromised. However, that is not the only reason. Does anyone acknowledge the early ?"

Rose raised her helping hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, misfire Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"lamia are in essence allergic to the sun,"Rose explained,"When the sunlight hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them worry and makes them feel sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rarified smile,"There is no potion to counteract the upshot of the sun on vampire. Therefore they tend to inhabit areas that see less sun and areas of dense afforest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United body politic, role of Canada, and parts of Russia. However there is also a significant vampire population in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his wand at the vampire again and it retreated back into the trunk. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of respite. The deterrent example continued until the Bell rang. Balladanis made no mention of moving onto the next unit, nor had he assigned the usual end of the unit essay.

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

"You missed an first-class Defense lesson today,"St. John the Apostle said once ma'am Pomfrey had gone back into her study after leaving to see who had entered her ward.

"Was it any different from the common single ?"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 vocalism was hoarse it was n't very loudly,"We 're still doing lamia, are n't we ?"

"Yeah, he had it turn into a lamia,"John said,"We did n't give birth to fight it. He just used it to present how fast lamia were and what they looked like."

"That is eldritch,"Matt replied,"He assign the lamia essay yet ?"

"Nope,"John shook his oral sex,"I think we 're in for a few More daytime of vampires."

"well, the longer we spend on vampires, the more meter we have before we start werewolves,"mat said quietly,"I really hope he does n't spend as very much meter on them as he has on vampires."

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

"Thank pigeon hawk for that,"flatness yawned.

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

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

"'Night,"lustrelessness said.

They left the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth just as Madam Pomfrey was coming out of her study, presumably to secern them to leave and cave in Matt more potions. Albus and his Quaker headed straight for the park way, 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 amazing citizenry who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's cousins had begun to take up stake on how foresighted Balladanis was going to spend teaching the third long time about lamia. Fred was sure enough he 'd spend the remainder of condition, but Bradley was convinced he 'd be active onto the next unit partway through Apr. None of the third years were actually participating in these bets because they were all afraid Balladanis would rule out.

The lamia whole was still well underway when the next Quidditch match came along. This one was the second Hogwarts versus Australian shoal of Sorcery equal, which meant Wood was in his heyday when it came to practice. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing rooms since he spent Thomas More of his time on the Quidditch pitching than in the Gryffindor rough-cut room.

Albus awoke the day of the compeer to Gospel According to John 's loud swearing instead of Teddy, which told him that he did not ingest to play during that equal. He could n't avail but sense slightly disappointed. Figuring there was no percentage point in going back to sleep, he got up and asked John what happened.

"Tripped over Matt 's bloody caldron,"Saint John the Apostle muttered, holding onto his right foot,"Why ca n't he just put that stupid affair away ?"

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

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

A few hours later the boy were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the match to begin. Rose and Amanda were with them.

"Wonder how long it 'll remove Linda to see the Snitch this fourth dimension,"Albus mused.

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

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

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

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

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

lustrelessness 's prediction proved decline. Linda did not slow down in the slightest. She flew at her usual abnormally fast pep pill, beating St. James the Apostle to the stoolie by a few yards. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Commonwealth of Australia at that percentage point and only wound up losing by forty points.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New York as far as Quidditch degree went. Australia was still in the trail, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tournaments. As of the most recent tournament, Hogwarts was winning. Australia was in final stage place and New House of York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty sure that if the Quidditch and dueling tournament points were added up, Hogwarts and Australia would be neck in cervix. Whatever the result of the remaining qualifying tourney and mates, the finals for both were going to determine the winner of the rivalry. The spot were just too close.

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

******

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

Balladanis had assigned the long await essay on vampires on Thursday, officially making the vampire unit the longest unit they had done. They had spent an integral month and a half on it. The essay seemed to correspond this length, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a half feet.

Albus, Matt, and privy saved their essays for the endure possible bit, settling down to work on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly severely essay because Balladanis had given them so very much information on the guinea pig. It was just a very long essay to pen. 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 real vampire would ready it the easiest essay ever.

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

"She is,"rosebush answered,"She hated every minute of those object lesson. Ca n't say I blame her."

"How long is your essay, Rose ?"whoremaster asked as he measured his own essay.

"Three metrical unit,"Rose answered.

Saint John the Apostle groaned."Do you conceive Balladanis will remark 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 skip class tomorrow,"Matt muttered,"After all, I would n't desire to show up in class without the essay done."

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

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

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

"Finished,"Albus announced.

"Excellent,"St. John the Apostle said as he grabbed Albus 's essay,"I 'll replicate moment of yours."

"You know,"Albus said quietly,"nonentity found out about Linda being a vampire even after we 've spent a month and a half on them. I do n't think anyone 's going to happen out you 're a werewolf just because we 're learning about them."

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

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

"I do n't really handle about the essay,"lustrelessness said flatly.

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

Albus, lustrelessness, and can got a late showtime since St. John the Apostle had misplaced his vampire essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was sure how it go there ), the three boys rushed down to the Great Hall to grab pieces of toast before running to Defense.

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

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

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

"I thought I would begin with werewolf history,"he announced,"Nobody is sure when the showtime werewolf came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding culture. Not only that, but even ancient Muggle cultures have lycanthropy in their histories.

"Hundreds of years ago, before the Muggle field of psychology came about and retentive before Muggles had any understanding of the human mind, they tried to realize sensory faculty of people whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to ascribe the insanity to the moon. Over the years, the myth of werewolves came about. Thus, wolfman have had a significant character in Muggle stories. In reality, the multitude Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from schizophrenia or bouts of insanity."

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

"Muggles of course of action know zip about actual loup-garou,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created wolfman have little in common with the actual affair.

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

Rose was the merely one who raised her bridge player. Balladanis nodded to her."It comes from the Greek word 'lykos'and 'anthropos',"Rose explained,"Lykos means wolf and anthropos means man."

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

"Lycanthropes have been shunned by wizarding companionship for as farsighted as history has told us about them. In recent eld, there has been a great deal supposition about whether this is necessary or even a good idea. However, it is hard to change the idea of the bulk when we have been taught to invalidate werewolf and shun them from wizarding social club for so long.

"It has not been for no reasonableness that this full general bias has came about. When in savage form, wolfman can not assure their natural action and thus attack lost masses. This has long been construed as lycanthropes wanting to attack people, wanting to infect them with the atrocious disease.

"This can not be farther from the causa when it comes to most werewolves. nigh do not like to round others. Within the past hundred twelvemonth, werewolf have begun locking themselves up on the wide moon in edict to invalidate attacking others. However, there is one meaning drawback to this for the lycanthrope. Does anyone know this ?"Balladanis 's optic rested on Matt, but he continued staring down at his hollow parchment.

Rose and Linda raised their deal. This meter Balladanis called on Linda."When werewolves do n't have anybody to attack, they attack themselves,"Linda said,"They do n't experience a selection and they often wind up really injured because of it."

Balladanis took Linda 's opinion further, but Albus did n't learn what he said because mat had knocked over Albus 's ink. He looked incredibly queasy and Albus was well-chosen that the course of instruction was almost over. He quickly cleaned up the ink and tried to pay care to the rest of the lecture.

"We 'll break up up future grade with what happens before, during, and after full moons for a person with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the Alexander Melville Bell rang,"If you have not show the werewolf chapter, please do so for next metre. Mr. Eckerton, if you could please come see me."

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

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

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

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

"Oh, aught. Just a very illume lesson. I 've learned so much,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"Merlin,"Saint John the Apostle muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll have it away after next lesson. He 's onto it, that 's for sure,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"john replied,"That 's a prissy way of putting it. The whole schoolhouse 's going to make love in two Clarence Shepard Day Jr., after the following 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 tell him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether Matt 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 unspoilt than he had before.

"Nothing,"John said,"What did Balladanis want ?"

"Told me I did n't have to go to the extra service during this unit unless I wanted to,"lustrelessness told them.

"What are you going to do ?"bathroom asked.

"I do n't know,"flatness said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll look suspicious if I do n't, but I really ca n't take many more object lesson like that. Merlin, Thursday 's lesson is going to be awful."

Albus saw no point in denying that. Matt did n't let a clue as to how awful it would be. They said nothing more about it the whole way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so glad about having ridiculously long Quidditch pattern as he was Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. He was perfectly happy to spend all his free fourth dimension on the Quidditch pitch and then be too bore to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so difficult for him to keep what Malfoy said away from mat. He wanted cipher more than to monish his friend about it, even though he knew that would accomplish nothing. All it would do was make Matt worry even more and then act even more anxious during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's thinker off of what would befall 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 certain Malfoy would denote it to all of Slytherin. Then, Holy Scripture would spread and the entire shoal would find out. Falco columbarius only knew what would happen when scholar'parents found out.

Albus knew that werewolf rights had come a long way since Teddy 's dad was in schooling, but he also knew that most multitude would not be happy if their children were going to schooltime with a werewolf, especially one that did not aim Wolfsbane. Not to advert the field day the crush would sustain with it. matte 's dad had just become Head of the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for Falco columbarius 's sake. It would be a repetition of what had happened when matt and his family had lived in Australia.

Not to mention what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a svelte chance that Malfoy found out about the passage under the Whomping willow tree. He had nearly had a panic attack. What would happen if Malfoy found out he was a werewolf ?

It did not help that the replete moon was that Fri. Matt barely spoke during the brief times that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch sales pitch. He sat in the predator 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, Sir Henry Wood 's long Quidditch practice session took Albus 's mind off of all of that, but they did not stop Thursday from arriving and Oklahoman than Albus would take liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and John exchanged nervous glance as Malfoy walked in with a very self-satisfied look on his boldness. 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 bathroom in the side.

"What ?"St. John the Apostle seethed. Albus gestured to the proboscis."Falco columbarius 's beard,"John exclaimed,"I do n't even desire to sleep with what he 's going to do with that."

"serenity down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll continue our wolfman word today by talking about what happens to a werewolf when the moon waxes.

"Werewolves, in a alike way to vampires, are somewhat allergic to the moonlight when the synodic month waxes. For the few nights before the literal replete moonshine, when exposed to moonlight lycanthropes will palpate ill. The moonlight gives them cephalalgia and when exposed long enough, causes them to recede consciousness."

Albus did n't bother writing any of this down, as he knew first manus what happened when a wolfman was exposed to too often Moon shortly before the full lunation. Instead he stole flying glances at Malfoy and Matt. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing quick glimpse at lustrelessness himself. mat was staring down at his parchment and Albus was sure he was trying to ignore everything Balladanis said. He was pale and ill, but Albus was n't sure if that was because of the lesson or because the full lunation was the next day.

"werewolf are often too ill to go about their day-to-day activity the day of the full moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the existent transformation, I wish to record you what a person with lycanthropy spirit like the day of the full moon."

For a abbreviated indorsement, Albus thought Balladanis was going to call Matt to the front of the elbow room, but then realized that as a professor, Balladanis must consume promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the trunk and a pocket-sized man stepped out of it. His pallidness looked exactly like lusterlessness 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces bore mark and had a sickly look 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 min or so with shock and then he glanced at Matt. Finally, he met Albus 's regard and Albus saw the crowing smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's boldness. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The remainder of the moral passed by in a variety of fog for Albus. He and whoremonger had exchanged glances and the feel on John 's face told him he had noticed Malfoy 's realization as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's lecture, but he did n't treat it.

The lesson seemed to drag on and speed by at the same meter. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the same time he did not want to know what was going to happen after.

"Next moral will focus on wolfsbane Potion and the effects it has had on werewolf right field,"Balladanis announced at the end of the example,"course of study dismissed."

Albus and John looked at each other. Albus did n't know what to do. Should he face up Malfoy ? Or should he tell Matt what happened ? Matt seemed oblivious to the whole thing.

They silently decided just to go out the schoolroom and decide what to do after. Rose and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no approximation what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the way and Albus was not certainly if this was a undecomposed or a bad thing. He had the sudden urge just to hex Malfoy good then and there.

"Another enlightening lesson,"Malfoy smirked,"Oh, Eckerton, feeling a bit ill ?"

"None of your byplay,"Matt 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 bad tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that sentence of the month, is n't it ? Tomorrow Night ?"

That got flatness 's tending. His read/write head snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to whoremonger with the most panicked look on his brass Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun full-of-the-moon moon, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just loud enough for Matt, Albus and can to hear.

Matt did n't say anything. He shook his head and then ran. He pushed through the crew, much to the dislike of the students who were trying to get to socio-economic 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 pall him. In gist, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the worst matter he could have done.

Ignoring all the early scholarly person who were going to class, Albus pulled out his wand and had it against Malfoy 's thorax in two seconds.

"If you tell anyone,"Albus growled,"I will personally make sure enough you 're so indistinguishable that even your own parents wo n't agnise you."

"Is that a terror, Potter ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to spell it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to find out just how often better I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the Same time.

"Expelliarmus !"Gospel According to John shouted.

The crowd moved away so that there was a circle of looker-on surrounding the duel. Albus ignored them. It was just him, Gospel According to John, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected John 's disarming spell and shot another spell 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 cuticle good luck charm and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling moral, Albus watched as his shield held up while the hex pellet at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a titillation hex 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 case. Malfoy 's olfactory organ started hemorrhage and he rounded on Albus.

"What is going on out here ?"Balladanis shouted.

Albus did n't frown his wand and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't fire off anymore hexes either. Albus let his shield down and noticed that the crew had dispersed. John Lackland was still rolling around on the ground.

Balladanis pointed his wand at whoremonger and can immediately stopped giggling and stood up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three boy followed Balladanis into his field of study. Albus looked nervously at John. Of all the professors to catch them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of course, the one thoroughly affair about this was that Malfoy could n't harbinger flatness 's lycanthropy to the entire school while Balladanis was lecturing them.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John sat as far away as possible from Malfoy in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis just stared at them before speaking.

"I can not begin to recite you how discomfited I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. ceramist and Mr. Malfoy. I am sure I taught you ameliorate than this. The two of you especially should know how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling skills and what sort of obligation lies with them. I have half a idea to stop our training sessions. However, I am will to get wind all sides of this story before laying out any sorting of punishment. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to class and potter pulled out his wand and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to represent myself,"Malfoy said.

Albus had to try hard not to snort. He and John looked at each other and John rolled his eyes.

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, if you please."

Albus took a oceanic abyss breathing space. He was going to tell the story. The whole story."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 oculus widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that genuine, Mr. Malfoy ?"

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the right to know if I 'm in school day with a werewolf."

Malfoy said 'werewolf'with disgust and it made Albus want to hex him once more.

"Mr. Eckerton has the right wing to keep his medical exam issues to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His health is none of your business whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After mat left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go recite the whole schooling about Matt 's lycanthropy,"Albus explained,"And I guess we just wound up dueling."

"Just lift up dueling ?"Malfoy scoffed,"You had your sceptre on me."

"You sent the first 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 topic goes much further than a duel. All three of you will have four nights'detention starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten peak from your respective houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the headmaster. There are affair more important to talk over than detention,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew full well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and St. John the Apostle said nil as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's study. Malfoy walked a few human foot behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's subject field since his first class, when he went to lecture to Dumbledore 's portrait. The topographic point had n't changed in the slightest. Everything seemed to be in the take same place. Both Dumbledore and Snape were arouse and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, St. 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 mitt out detentions, genus Tethus,"Kendrick replied,"I am busy 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 Matt Eckerton is a werewolf,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. Potter and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his quill and looked up."I 'll take this from here. I believe you have a object lesson to teach."

"I believe I do,"Balladanis replied and left the room.

Kendrick conjured a few chairwoman and gestured for the three boys to conjoin him at his desk. Albus sat down in the middle chair and waited for Kendrick to get down. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying rhapsodic attention.

"wellspring, well,"Snape said,"Deja vu."

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. thrower, perhaps you can narrate me if anyone else knows about matte '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 think matt 's in class."

"You may be good,"Kendrick sighed,"Do you have any idea 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 John left the field of study. Albus went straight to the marauder 's Den while John went to the dungeon as rose wine and Amanda would be in potions.

Matt was sitting on his bed in the Marauder 's Den, staring at the wall and not moving a muscle.

"I suppose Malfoy 's told everyone,"matt said without turning to look at Albus. His voice was hollow.

"No,"Albus replied,"He has n't had the chance. trick and I dueled him after you left. Balladanis gave us all four nights of detention and took period away."

"He 'll secern everyone soon,"flatness replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to finish school. That 's not even the worst part. It 's going to be all over the oracle. My dad 's going to lose his job again. We 'll probably take 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 like time.

"Why did Balladanis consume to be such a safe instructor ?"Matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sort of awing teacher then maybe Malfoy would n't have found out. He 's just so exhaustive ! He left zero 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 matter looked just like me, only older. No wonder Malfoy found out."

"You 're not going to get kicked out,"Albus assured him.

"How do you know ?"lusterlessness shouted,"How do you really know ? I know shift 's dad got to stay 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 be intimate what to say to that. Everything Matt said was true. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. Nobody could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his report. He wants to utter to all of us. Me, King John, pink wine, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't want to go up there,"matte said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to appease here. Merlin, my head is killing me."

"I think you have to go,"Albus said quietly.

"I know,"mat groaned and got up off the bed,"This just is n't fairly. I hate it. I hate this whole thing. I do n't need to be a fucking loup-garou anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how low-down lustrelessness was at that instant. Albus had never once heard him complain about being a wolfman. Not when he was too tired to do anything because of the full synodic month or when he was laid up in the hospital backstage for days afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's survey. 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 mat when they walked in. Matt froze in place and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"lead a ass,"Kendrick gestured to the two empty chairman, one of which was next to Malfoy's.

Albus took the tooshie next to Malfoy 's, but did n't await at him. flatness took the other one.

"First, I want to assure you that you do not have to leave Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to Matt,"cipher else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

matt did n't face reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My Padre wo n't agree with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your father has no say whatsoever in which students I admit to this schooltime,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I point out that his stead is not very high."

"Matt,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"Does anyone else cognize ?"Matt shook his foreland."And did you distinguish the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. mat nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

lustrelessness seemed ineffective to speak. After a few moments of quiet, Kendrick turned to Albus."How yearn have you known, Mr. potter ?"

"Two years,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this inquiry with rose, John, and Amanda, who all gave the same answer as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus charm. He shared one horrified glimpse with Rose and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His mouth was agape love and he looked a slight panic.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"amercement,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"professor, Sir,"Rose began,"We sort of put this charm on Kaden, so he would n't tell anyone. He can only talk about it with us. He wo n't be able to say a thing about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's response, but before the headmaster could say a word of honor, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus spell,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"Rose answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an unbelievable enchantress, Miss Weasley."

"Too overbold for her own ripe, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the amazing effort, young lady Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you differentiate me how long Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a class,"Rose said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some affair to discuss with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in private. The eternal rest of you may go to the Great vestibule. I believe there is still a half hour or so left hand of lunch."

Albus did n't really want to depart without finding out what was going to happen to Malfoy, but he knew flatness would recount him.

Matt never showed up in the Great Hall for lunch, nor did he go to Ancient runic letter or appealingness. Albus could not concentrate on either of those course of study and was very happy when Charms was over and he was able to leave.

Mrs. Henry Wood was not very well-chosen that Albus had acquired four detentions. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty proceedings telling Albus how he should n't be picking fights with other students so close to the future Quidditch couple, especially in front of teacher'classrooms. The lecture had only ended when Albus told him he was late for Charms. Albus had run into Natalie Wood in in between antediluvian Runes and Charms.

"What do you think Balladanis is going to score us do ?"whoremaster asked as they walked towards the Marauder 's Den.

"Have n't a clew,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"privy agreed.

Rose, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go find lusterlessness before they went to dinner. They had to await a while for the corridor to clear out before they were actually able-bodied to get into the way, though.

lusterlessness was fast asleep on the sofa when they entered."Good thing he does n't take custody tonight,"John pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

trick gently shook flatness 's shoulder until he cracked his heart open."Wake up,"John said,"Or you 'll miss dinner."

"I 'm not hungry,"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 charm on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"Matt sighed,"All he did was tell Malfoy how important it was not to mention anything. He said telling his Father-God would do cipher. Then he told him that if he ever did distinguish anyone, he would face expulsion for revealing another student 's medical information. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did promise he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? for sure, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't select it back. I 'd still have to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't recollect he 's going to assure anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy family unit, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified wizard. Malfoy wo n't want that."

"I guess you 're right,"lustrelessness sighed,"It 's just so foreign, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you require to go eat dinner party ?"

"No,"Matt shook his head,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to send an owl to my parents, let them know about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. John and I have got detainment tonight."

"Oh, right. Good luck with that,"lusterlessness 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 irksome detainment ever thought up, but they were preferred to cleaning the can or something.

"ceramist, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten hour,"Your dueling lesson is canceled for tomorrow nighttime due to your custody. Detention will be at nine, after my excess assist academic term, something I 'll expect you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said nothing more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three boys, which Albus did n't really listen. He just wanted to get his line done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on wide lunation, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a werewolf used to teach here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the trump defense team teacher any of our parents ever had."

"Quiet !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was grateful for Balladanis 's scolding. Malfoy stopped asking query and went back to his lines. Albus sighed and went back to his own. How far was Malfoy going to go ? Why could n't he just be satisfied with having worked out Matt 's arcanum ?

A half hour into their production line writing, when Albus was contemplating switching hired hand despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his right hand script, there was a knock on the doorway. Albus looked up and saw Professor Kendrick standing in the doorway, along with none other than Matt 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to toilet. privy had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last affair they needed was for Balladanis to remember they were there and tell them to get out so he could have whatever conversation he was about to have in private.

"Tethys,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John. matte 's dad knew Balladanis ? How ? Matt had never mentioned that before.

"That 's his dad ?"Malfoy whispered.

"Shush !"Albus said again.

"I wish to babble to you about what happened former today,"Matt '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 pupil what they 'll postulate to screw in parliamentary law to defend themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"Merlin, showing them exactly what a werewolf looks like before a transmutation with an anamatek ? Do you realize how serious those are ?"

"Of course of study,"Balladanis said, raising his voice a bit,"You 're not the sole expert on magical creatures. I have gross control over my anamatek."

"nobody has stark 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 need to be lecturing me about this,"Balladanis seethed.

"Oh, it 's not only that,"Mr. Eckerton stepped a bit closer to Balladanis,"It 's how much you taught the third years about werewolves. The details about their transmutation, how to break up one out of the worldwide population, what happens before, during, and after translation. Your lesson was far more elaborated than a third twelvemonth text book."

"You 'd find out that all my lesson are like that,"Balladanis replied,"Text books do not contribute adequate details."

"I think giving enough details about identifying a lycanthrope so that a 3rd yr would be capable to mould out that someone not even in their Same theatre is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should induce been a bit more timid with your lesson."

"withholding tax information from an entire class 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 bully good for the groovy routine, are we ?"

"There are meter when that is a in effect philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll match to disagree, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your lessons are putting my son in danger anymore, you may find that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll instruct however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three boy, none of whom were writing line of merchandise any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the tabular array Albus, Saint John, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded howdy to Albus and St. John before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the headmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the need to repeat that there will be import if you make public my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"Good,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the castling tomorrow to explore your subject area and classroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take away it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his breather as lusterlessness 's dad left the room with Professor Kendrick. Albus exchanged a coup d'oeil with lavatory. He wanted nothing more than to leave behind, so he could lecture about what had just happened.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow night at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his haste to get up. He ran out of the room as fast as he could with lavatory following. Malfoy made no relocation to try and blab 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 adorable masses who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are awesome !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and St. John burst into the Marauder 's Den a little while later to incur that Matt and Kaden were the only I there. Matt 's typeface 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 cards,"Oh, Albus, Gospel According to John ! How was your detention ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down future to matte,"lusterlessness, did you know your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"lusterlessness nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talk to Kendrick. I went with him."

"well, do you hump where he went after ?"John the Divine asked.

"home plate, I guess,"Matt shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our detention,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"He what ?"Matt replied.

"Yeah, it was really odd,"Albus said,"He came in with Kendrick and Kendrick introduced him to Balladanis. Only Balladanis said 'we 've met'. You never told us your dad knew Balladanis."

"I never knew,"matte shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really angry,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too much about how to enter out if individual 's a werewolf and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how dangerous it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"lustrelessness said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the grounds he came here, to tell Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to inspect Balladanis 's room tomorrow to take a crap indisputable he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's teaching puts you in danger again, the Ministry 's going to investigate him."

"It 's really not a good idea to get on my dad 's bad side,"flatness said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to teach however he wanted,"Albus explained,"Honestly, he did not 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 ?"lav wondered.

"Probably,"Matt said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd better not tell anyone you 're a wolfman,"John the Divine said,"He looked pretty scary, too. I do n't retrieve Malfoy 's going to secern anyone."

******

It did not fill 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 sure-enough student had bet on how foresighted he would induce it. Somehow everyone knew that Matt 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the previous dark and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had Defense that morning time and reported to Albus at lunch that Balladanis was even stricter than common and seemed incredibly angry. That did not augur well for Albus 's detention that evening.

"He 's out-and-out shuddery,"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 brutal. I mean, it 's pretty much because of Matt that he got in trouble."

matt had gone up to the vulture 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in lunch. Albus knew that Kaden was right. Balladanis was going to take this out on mat, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't have it away why he cares so much,"John shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could have got just taken that thing away. He 's golden he just had to study it back to his star sign or whatever."

"I do n't think he likes the politics,"Albus said,"That 's the feeling I got after listening to him talk about what he did before teaching here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"Well, I think it 's a effective idea for the Ministry to get to him use up that thing home,"lav said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a manticora next."

Kaden went to class after lunch while Albus and bathroom went up to the marauder 's Den with Rose and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"John asked as he gestured to lustrelessness, 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 love what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"lavatory groaned.

"You 're so raring,"rose wine commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to heat him up,"whoremonger 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 sitting about werewolves when he already knew so much about them.

Albus woke lustrelessness up shortly before dinner and he looked much worse than he usually did the day of full moons. They all escorted him to the hospital offstage, where ma'am Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to leave the hospital wing, the doors opened and in walked Matt 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to check if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

John nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"privy whispered.

"He 's not going to recount us now,"Albus muttered back,"spirit 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 ma'am Pomfrey in shut up whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detention for nil. He entered the room before Malfoy and John was already doing his assembly line. Balladanis said absolutely nada to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a little while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not talk either. He did not ask anything about lustrelessness and did n't even notice that the good lunation was that night.

Balladanis let them leave at half past ten. Albus and John found Kaden in the marauder 's Den and spent the remaining time left until astronomy playing Exploding Snap and sensation 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to have this category with the Slytherins ?"toilet groaned as they made their way to the astronomy Tower,"If Malfoy does n't make a exclusive comment about the wax moon, I 'll eat an total cauldron."

"I 'm going to check you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't think you 'll have to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his telescope up side by side to Albus 's. Professor Polo spent ten minutes telling them that they were to plot the stead of March, Venus, the moon, and a handful of principal before turning them lose to actually do so.

"The moon is so lustrous,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... full phase of the moon ...."

Albus looked at St. John the Apostle."Looks like I wo n't be eating my caldron tonight,"John muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the drumhead of the department for the regularisation and dominance 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 halt talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, hail on, potter. Even you have to appreciate the satire,"Malfoy said.

"Will you just shut up,"Albus seethed.

"placidity over there,"Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more meter before going back to his scope. The rest of the moral passed without anymore commentary from Malfoy and Albus was quite felicitous when he was able to return to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in first yr,"Albus sighed,"Remember when lady Pomfrey locked the hospital wing ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"Rose said.

"Well, she did n't lock us out this prison term,"St. John pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his friends had slept late on Sat morning and after grabbing a quick bite to eat, had gone to visit mat in the hospital wing. brothel keeper Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the Marauder 's Den, trying to fancy out why.

"She always lets us in,"Saint John the Apostle groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad dark,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"Rose wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the full moons have been big the past few months ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us become Animagi,"John muttered.

"toilet, I honestly do n't think you could become an Animagus,"pink wine replied,"You 'd twist up with a permanent buttocks affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"John grinned,"Always thought it would be aplomb to have 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 wing,"can shrugged,"Until Madam Pomfrey lets us in."

Their endeavor proved fruitless, though. They went to the infirmary extension twice that afternoon and then aright before Albus and John had to go to hold. Madam Pomfrey told them 'no'each time.

Sunday, the finis day of Albus and John Lackland 's detainment, was the Sami. lady Pomfrey was quite black-and-blue when they showed up for the third sentence that day.

"null 's changed !"she shouted,"cum back tomorrow evening ! I 'll give the lot of you detention if you come back any earlier than that !"

With that, she strode back into the ward and slammed the doorway."Can she even give detainment ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and John broke away from the group to complete their finally hold. Balladanis gave them melodic phrase, just like he had the retiring three nights. Albus sat quietly completing them, very thankful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two language to him since Astronomy.

"You may stop,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an minute and a half.

Albus threw his quill down and leaned back in his chair. Finally, it was over.

"I hope you learned something,"Balladanis said, which shocked Albus. He had been expecting Balladanis to continue his silence."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the consequence will be much more severe than detention and lost points.

"Mr. thrower and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should persist in giving you extra deterrent example. I have decided to sacrifice you one Sir Thomas More hazard. object lesson will persist in this Friday at their pattern time. However, if either of you disregard my ruler again, I will no longer hold them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in class on Tuesday."

"Merlin, I 'm glad 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 direful in category, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't concentrate at all in his year the adjacent day. All he wanted to do was go to the infirmary wing and discover out how matte was, but Madam Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

Rose and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, lav, and Kaden near the infirmary wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very rushed dinner due to Albus 's Quidditch practice session at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the door to the infirmary backstage, 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 if fill bed, which had the curtains pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the curtains back. Matt looked exhausted and there was a rather large patch wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd come visit me,"Matt gave them a half smile.

"We 've been trying !"John said,"madam Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"Matt smirked,"I 've heard her yell at you. It 's kind of amusing."

"wellspring, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't Madam Pomfrey let us come visit ?"

"Because I did n't arouse up until yesterday afternoon,"Matt answered.

"But that was-"trick began.

"Nearly two days later ?"flatness cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"Rose asked.

"A clump of things, really,"mat sighed,"first-class honours degree, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always worse when I 'm worried about something. arcsecond, I hit my head really punishing at some point that night. It still hurts. Third, the transformations in cosmopolitan are getting worse, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's brain. Albus and all his friends were obviously getting honest-to-goodness and that brought batch of modification, but he had n't even thought about how the wolf would interchange when Matt got older.

"So, are all of the total moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"Matt shook his headspring and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really fuck what 'll occur in the time to come, but this one was just a compounding of bad things."

"That 's salutary, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to leave ?"

"Tomorrow night at the soonest,"matt sighed,"Although that means I 'll drop Defense."

"indirect request I could escape vindication,"St. John muttered,"Speaking of refutation, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"whoremaster, he just woke up yesterday,"Rose pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"Matt said,"But he came to see me earlier and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"Gospel According to John grinned,"And ?"

"And,"mat said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really storm that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed Head of the section for the ordinance and controller of Magical wight in Australia, he hired Balladanis to overhear a band of vampire who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too comfortable on them."

"What did he do to them ?"St. John asked.

"Sent them to prison. I think they got 20 days. Balladanis thought they should sustain gotten liveliness conviction. Dad and Balladanis got into this huge argument at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Australian Ministry did n't hire him after that,"mat explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would agree on punishments. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"matt replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issues. Oh, and he wanted me to warn you not to take heed to everything Balladanis says during those dueling deterrent example you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a different side of Balladanis during the past week."

******

Tuesday morning dawned quickly and Albus trudged to Department of Defense with Saint John the Apostle. Neither of them really knew what class would be like, but judging from what he heard about late Defense form in the vulgar room, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug ego now that detention was over. He sat adjacent to Goyle wearing a smirk on his face. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the room a few minutes later. He waved his wand at the door and it slammed shut with a fringe cheap enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell Twins, who had been sitting closest to it, to jump.

"liberty chit your homework interrogation forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the tabular array in front end of him and waited for Balladanis to collect it. He paused in front end of the tabular array in figurehead of Albus's.

"thrower,"he began,"You can recount Eckerton that his homework is belatedly and therefore I will not go for it. If he wished to get reference for it, he could have graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him glower from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the prep unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"Wolfsbane potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the name of King Oliver Belby. He finished the creation in 1991. For most lycanthrope, the potion was a life buoy. Who can explain what it does ?"

Nobody, not even Rose and Linda, raised their hands. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't foretell on him.

"Nobody ?"he said,"compassion. Aconitum lycoctonum potion renders a loup-garou harmless during full moon. The wolfman turns into a wolf, but a harmless one. One that will just sleep until the moon set and will not feature the urge to bite and kill.

"The potion is a lifesaver to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to show you what a werewolf would look like on Aconitum lycoctonum potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the castle,"Balladanis said with malevolence,"Therefore you will have to go without the visual. It seems that sealed parents, Ministry functionary, and the headmaster do not approve of my method of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't telephone it suffering,"John muttered.

"tranquility, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to contribute to the class."

"No, sir,"Saint John replied.

"good,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore visual aspect in this schoolroom and your pedagogy is going to bear for it. Nothing, and I repeat zilch can replace hands on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the subscriber line at having what was in pith a live manticore in front of him. There were some clip when reading sufficed.

The lesson continued with Balladanis talking about Wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't work for all wolfman and Albus found his psyche drifting. All in all, the moral had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his brief rant about his anamatek being banned from the rook, he had been pretty rule. formula for Balladanis, that is.

"Next example will be the death on werewolves,"Balladanis announced at the end of class,"We will learn about lycanthropy 's result on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. Matt would be out of the hospital fender by then. Why could n't Balladanis just end up the werewolf unit already ?

"He wo n't be back following class,"John muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just marvel who we 're going to get instead."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"Place your bets here !"Fred shouted the future day as he walked around the common room.

Albus had just climbed through the portraiture hole with Georgia and King James I after a particularly difficult Quidditch practice. Grant Wood was getting them prepared for the match against New York, which was to demand billet in a slight over a week.

"Georgia, James, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"tending 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 happen out."

"She wo n't care,"Fred shrugged. He was probably right wing. Albus 's Aunt Alicia was the to the lowest degree hard-and-fast out of all of his aunt. She 'd probably place a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just amend hope Grandma does n't rule out,"Georgia smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't blame him. Molly Weasley would probably post him a howler if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And Heather and I are taking wager on how much farseeing Balladanis is going to conclusion. tutelage to take in a surmisal ?"

"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 kickoff years in weeping today."

"He nearly had half of my course of study in tears,"Fred said as he took Georgia 's gold,"James, Al ?"

"Three Galleons says he 's gone in two week,"James said as he tossed Fred some amber and then left to go find his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his foreland.

"Suit yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his paseo around the plebeian elbow room,"bet here, place your stakes !"

Albus found his supporter crowded around their usual table in the mutual elbow room. Linda was with them. All three fille were working on homework. John and Kaden were trading Chocolate toad frog cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in worry,"rose wine muttered as Albus sat down,"You did n't bet anything, did you ?"

"No,"Albus shook his head,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten Sickles he wo n't finale the yr,"Saint John said.

"You should know exactly when he 'll leave, what with your taking Divination,"pink wine smirked.

"Divination 's a joke,"privy muttered,"I ca n't await to drop down it after 5th year."

"Told you so,"Rose grinned,"Sick of making up clobber ?"

"It 's just so purposeless,"John groaned,"We 're still doing crystal clod. I just tell her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking prophecy,"Kaden announced,"Bloody permissive waste of a class."

Kaden had chosen his classes for next twelvemonth a few Clarence Day prior. He decided on Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient runic letter, and Arithmancy.

"Easy homework, though,"Saint John the Apostle sighed,"I just keep reminding myself about that."

"What 's got easy homework ?"matte asked as he sat down in the chair next to Saint John the Apostle '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 time for Defense tomorrow,"lusterlessness groaned,"I 'm tempted to use a Fainting fondness to get out of it."

"I think half the for the first time years are going to do that on Fri,"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 weeks. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd give him."

******

John filled his pockets with vomit Pastilles before he set off to Defense the next first light. Albus did n't discommode. His oddity always trumped his disapproval for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and know exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"Werewolves,"Balladanis said as soon as the bell shape rang,"When the full term is used, most mass conjure up persona of lonely adults, condemned to a miserable life that revolves around the moon.

"However, there is a completely group of werewolves that are mostly overlooked. nipper. Ah, yes, nipper do get attacked by werewolf. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too latterly. Even fewer survive the initial transformation. loup-garou transmutation, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few children are unattackable enough to earn it through."

Balladanis paused and began to pace the room."Parents are faced with a decision after their nestling is bitten. They have three choices. Number one, they can manage with it. Deal with the monthly transformations and try and earn aliveness as normal as potential for the child. Number two, they can abandon their child. force out them to exist with a wild coterie of werewolves, to mature up to kill. However, there is a third choice. Does anyone care to think as to what it is ?"

nobody raised their hand. Balladanis looked at his social class until his eyes rested on Matt. A very creepy smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, forethought to tell us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to look at lustrelessness throughout the lesson, stole a quick glance at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in hand, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"Matt stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The third option is to put the minor down. Not a pleasant option, but one that a few parents select anyway. This selection used to be readily suggested by Healers, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the 1st option, to continue to elevate their tike, are in for a very tough aliveness. loup-garou children are difficult to raise. It is a huge adjustment for parents and sibling if there are any. The bite affects the unscathed family. It changes aliveness, it can rip families apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects child and Albus looked again at lustrelessness. His bridge player was shaking even harder and his face was as white as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a look with John and John reached into his sac. He slid a Puking Pastille across the mesa towards Albus and then slid one to lustrelessness. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to shove it into his mouth. trick and Matt did the same. Albus clutched his abdomen as the sweet began to take affect.

"Lycanthropic children rarely, if ever, get to hang school,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"John shouted,"I do n't feel so well. May I go to the infirmary annex ?"

"I do n't find 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 strait of all three boys vomiting at the like time. Albus leaned over his tabular array and vomited right onto the floor. The class erupted into shouts and Balladanis tried to go along order.

"mulct !"he seethed,"Get to the infirmary Wing, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the urge to vomit again as he ran for the threshold. Matt and John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the sweets into their mouths as soon as they shut the room access behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's evil !"John shouted,"How could he teach that ?"

"Not here,"Matt muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the Marauder 's Den."As I was saying,"john began,"What is wrong 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 class,"John said to mat as he paced around the elbow room,"None of what he said today is actually in the book. I mean, did you translate the book ? There 's not much in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his pillock anamatek,"matt muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to make you miserable because of what your dad did with those lamia old age ago."

"It 's just not fair,"Matt groaned,"I mean, did you listen to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it true ?"

"Yes,"flatness said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the therapist did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more disgusted than he had when he ate the emesis Pastille. How could a therapist, someone whose job it was to make people healthy, actually suggest that to a child 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"John asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle laborer hexed him at the Same meter,"Matt gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own hospital bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really like to contact your Uncle Jack,"John grinned,"He sounds like a great bloke."

"He is,"mat smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a patch ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"John sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"Matt said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to own to do anything."

"Three days,"John said after lustrelessness left,"I give Balladanis three more days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't ravage any time,"rose said to Matt as she unfolded her copy of the prophesier the next morning at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and record the theme over Rose 's articulatio humeri.

HOGWARTS prof TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The section of Magical educational activity received an inquiry
late yesterday good afternoon, requesting an probe
of Hogwarts defensive measure Against the dark humanistic discipline professor,
genus Tethus Balladanis. The inquiry was submitted by none
former than the newly appointed mind of the section
for the Regulation and Control of Magical puppet,
Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

professor genus Aplysia Balladanis has been teaching Defense at
the schooling since September, when he replaced Head Auror
Harry thrower. thrower had taught the subject for two
years and wished to focus solely on his Auror vocation,
resulting in his resignation at the end of last school
year.

The imminent 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 classroom. This proved to be true and
Eckerton ordered him to dispatch it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's possession, so all he had to
do was off it from shoal premises. Eckerton told
reporter that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the professor
repeatedly put student in peril and humiliated them
in front of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told reporters,
'I 'm filing this research as a parent, not as a Ministry
official. First and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigation will begin today and be carried out
by functionary from the department of Magical Education,
a section that was set up for this purpose after
the downfall of Lord Voldemort. official will inspect
the school and consultation both student and faculty as
a part of their investigation.

Tethys Balladanis will continue to teach Defense Against
the dark Arts during this time.

"He 's still going to teach ?"John said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to defence mechanism anymore,"lustrelessness said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't blockade him from teaching until they do the investigation,"pink 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 know,"rose wine 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 chastise him about skipping class. Albus could n't blame him. He himself was half tempted to skip, but he knew his rarity would get the better of him.

"Somehow, I do n't guess you 'll have the chance to skip,"Rose muttered,"We do n't consume Defense until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"John grinned,"Now I wo n't possess to do that wolfman essay."

"I never said that,"rosiness replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"looking, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the staff table.

"May I have your tending !"Kendrick shouted and the yack in the hallway immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or pick up about the article on the front page of the Prophet.

"Ministry functionary will be visiting the school today and tomorrow to comport their investigating. They will be selecting bookman to consultation. If you are selected, I advise you to answer their query truthfully.

"As of right now, Professor Balladanis is still your instructor, therefore you need to treat him with respect and take care his form. This is, at the moment, an probe and nil more. Now, you 'd best be off to class."

"Albus,"blush wine whispered as they made their way out of the Great Hall to History of deception,"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 think you should,"rose wine told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't require to go, but he also did n't want to find out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't show up that evening.

nobody fell asleep during History of illusion. It must have been a new record, one that was previously set back when Binns was still awake. However, the deficiency of fatigue duty was not due to Binns 's lecture. No, that was just as boring as usual. The pupil remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The classroom was filled with the silence whispers of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tierce old age and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six students in the rook who knew the particular reason why Matt 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, blush wine, John, Amanda, Kaden, and lusterlessness himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not bed that it had been Balladanis 's public lecture on lycanthropic children that pushed Mr. Eckerton to resign the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the school put the incrimination on the anamatek, even though lustrelessness 's dad had come out and said that was n't the existent reasonableness. The Prophet had only glazed over the reasons, not getting into specifics. The Hogwarts students wanted specifics. They wanted to know what had pushed lustrelessness 's dad to defer an inquiry when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The cause the students fabricated ranged from plausible to extortionate. A few seventh years, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his supernumerary assist Sessions and perhaps used Matt as an example of individual who did not have the skills to defeat black thaumaturgist. Combine that with an overprotective parent ( what the seventh years claimed matt 's dad to be, which was not actually an magnification ), and the probe was born. They believed that the investigation would gasconade over and within two weeks everything would be back to rule, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited outset years were the on the opposite side of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a chimera loose in his classroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin third years. Apparently they overlooked the fact that nobody had turned up injured after class and the fact that Balladanis would have been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

Matt had become somewhat of a celebrity inside the Hogwarts paries. There was n't a single mortal, aliveness, ghost, or portrait, who did n't know it was his dad who launched the inquiry. He was stopped no less than six meter on the way from History of Magic to Herbology by people wanting to know the details of the inquiry. It was something Albus could separate matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"Falco columbarius, when will they learn that I do n't need to talk about it !"lusterlessness groaned as they made their way back to the castle after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second years had just run up to Matt, 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,"St. John the Apostle suggested.

"Definitely not,"lustrelessness said,"I 'm just glad we do n't hold course this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, spirit, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking people striding up towards the rook. There were two crone and a wizard.

"Probably,"John said,"I wonder who they 're going to consultation ?"

"Ten Galleons says they consultation me,"matte replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those private lessons."

"Let 's just hope they do n't interview those two Ravenclaws,"lav said.

Albus, matt, and John continued their trek to the Great manor hall, where they ate a very fast tiffin. None of them wanted to stick around very long since everyone was still asking Matt about the enquiry. After they finished, the male child went to Gryffindor Tower to deposit their dish before going to the predator 's Den to put off their homework.

The plebeian room was mostly discharge when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Victor-Marie Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the tables.

"Do n't you three have social class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got refutation and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's zip 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 someone cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't care if we get detention either. Oh, and whoremaster, 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 have just skipped from the rootage,"Ashtyn told them.

"Well, you three enjoy your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, consider me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The boys quickly stowed their bags in their dormitory and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portrait hole and ran straight into Gabriella.

"There you are, Al !"Gabriella exclaimed,"I 've been looking for you. Kendrick wants to see you in his study. Oh, hang on."Gabriella consulted the piece of parchment she was holding."He wants to see Matt, too."

"flavour like you two are getting interviewed,"John the Evangelist said as Gabriella went into the plebeian room.

"Guess so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving private lesson with Balladanis, he probably would have been interviewed. It was one of those matter that happened when your father was the most far-famed hotshot in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"John replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his centre,"Loads."

Albus and matt left for Kendrick 's study while John continued towards the predator 's Den. Albus had no thought what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that can would be bored within fifteen minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April Fool 's Day Prank ! The stave really outmatch themselves this year. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this news report !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing following to the gargoyle that concealed the entrance to Kendrick 's bailiwick. It was apparently his job to murmur the countersign to the gargoyle to allow all the educatee being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and Matt ascended into the bailiwick and found three early students waiting in figurehead of Kendrick 's closed door. A very bored looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in one-sixth or seventh year, Scorpio Malfoy, and much to Albus 's discouragement, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the ground earlier.

Albus was not at all surprised to see Scorpius Malfoy there. After all, he had private lessons with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to neglect Malfoy 's presence and leaned against the rampart to begin the long wait.

What had been the point in sending them all to Kendrick 's field of study at the same time ? They were obviously only interviewing one someone at a time. Why could n't they give birth just summoned Albus later, when there were less people waiting ?

Kendrick 's threshold opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor first twelvemonth 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 fifteen minutes. Then it was Malfoy 's turn. He took a bit more time, but finally came out and left without so lots as a glimpse towards Albus and Matt.

In the mean sentence, two more student had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the Chasers from the Slytherin Quidditch team. The other was a immature Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must suffer been at least an 60 minutes, Albus was finally called into the way.

Kendrick was not in his subject field. Only the three research worker were. Albus was now able-bodied to see them up close. The one who had called him into the room was quite tall and wore a menacing brilliance. Her robe were perfectly pressed, without a single wrinkle, and her hair was pulled into a tight bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The other beldam was the accomplished antonym. She was short and quite a bit overweight. Her frizzy brown hair stuck up at all kind of odd Angle and she had a pocket-sized pair of trash perched on her nose.

The remaining investigator was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a quill feather in bridge player. He looked a bit bored by the entire thing. He was gazing about the room and had the looking of someone who was n't quite paying attention.

Two citizenry who were paying rapt tending, or should he say portrait, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The marvelous witch gestured for Albus to take a seat in front of the desk. Albus did so.

"My name is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lorraine Smyth,"the tall crone gestured to the myopic witch,"And that is Herb Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No curiosity he was so bore, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please state your replete public figure, age, twelvemonth, and house for the disc,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his brow. Would n't they already know all of that information ?

"It 's protocol, dear,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus potter, thirteen, thirdly twelvemonth, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can secern us what goes on in an modal lesson with Professor Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"fountainhead, he comes in and tells us all to stop talking. Then he 'll collect the preparation. Oh, and you have to get the homework in on time, no thing what. He does n't make late body of work, even if you 've got a good apology. You could be sick in the hospital fender and he would n't take late homework.

"Then he 'll teach us a new spell or about some new creature. Then we 'll have to perform 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 help sessions."

"Has this caused distress to any of the student in your category ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my class, but I 've heard of early students crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"rich person you attended any extra help sessions ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"professor Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling lessons by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you recount us a bit about them ? What do they consist of ?"

"Most metre he just learn me new spells, spells that are harder than the unity we learn in class. Scorpio Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each other with the spells,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he have you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his chair,"One time 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 abbreviated hesitation. He doubted Balladanis would be well-chosen 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 theater as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the house. Then we watched Balladanis, in the memory, run away from the household. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't distinguish you ahead of time ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"He just told us to go in the pensieve."

"Did he explain why he wanted you to see this ?"Torenzo asked.

"Yeah. He wanted to show 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 head. Would you feel comfortable if Professor Balladanis continued to instruct 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 hired man, he was n't the kind of wizard Albus felt comfortable around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please return to your common room. You are not to talk of this consultation to anyone until after the investigating is completed."

Albus got up from the chair and Torenzo followed him out of the way. She called matte in as Albus left. Albus muttered a quiet 'good luck'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just tell us ?"Saint John lamented as the boys sat around the marauder 's Den after dinner. Rose and Amanda were currently in the girls'student residence with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry witches said we could n't talk about the interview."

"But how would they know ?"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 recollect it 's going to look at long for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"mat said adamantly and then turned to John,"You 're not going to his extra help session tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid twenty Galleons,"John replied,"Well, ok, maybe if I was paid XX Galleons, but not for LE than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling example ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to do it was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz around down to the dungeon, hoy into the Slytherin uncouth room, and ask.

"No idea,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"Matt said,"If you go, I 'm going to set out worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you desire to go ?"trick gave Albus a strange look.

"I might find out something about how the investigating is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

John opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the room access. A garish squawking noise had seemed to emit from it.

"Did you hear that ?"John 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 placid. No noises could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard racket from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the doorway and instead of the outre bird he had expected to see, pink wine was standing there with her scepter out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never fare to the door."

"pink wine ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"rosebush said hurriedly,"I had to get you to fare out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the common room. I told him I 'd find you."

Albus turned around and told flatness, John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the room, that he would be back soon. He had no musical theme what his dad wanted, but it must have been important for him to go to the castle on a day he did n't have to patrol it.

Harry was sitting in one of the squashy armchairs in front of the blast when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, near potential about Quidditch judging by their excessive use of hand motion, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portrayal hole.

"Let 's talk outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrayal hole and down the corridor a footling ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"Nothing,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"wellspring, I 'm no longer a teacher here, so I wo n't say a Good Book 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 object lesson tonight ?"

That seemed to be the question of the evening, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the decision is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would advise you not to go. professor Balladanis is under a considerable amount of stress, of which you do n't know the half of. I 'd say the chances are high-pitched that he may carry out this stress on you and Scorpius."

"Do you know if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no thought,"Harry answered,"But I tend to believe he won't."

"I do n't imagine I will either,"Albus said.

"A Wise decision,"Harry smiled.

Harry said good night to Albus and then Albus went back to the Marauder 's Den. Kaden was in the middle of showing matte and bathroom how to gain a proper paper airplane.

"What did your dad want ?"privy asked without looking up from the sheepskin he was folding.

"To tell me it was n't a proficient idea to go to Balladanis 's lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the empty couch.

"And ?"lustrelessness asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"trade good,"Matt replied.

"You know what was weird, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of stress, well-nigh of which I do n't know about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Weird,"Kaden shook his psyche,"I 'll be well-chosen when he 's sacked."

"We do n't lie with for sure enough that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to conflict a beautiful adult female,"john smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't conceive I did n't put that together Oklahoman. It was n't a beautiful cleaning woman ; it was a vampire. It 's so obvious now that we know what happened to his parents, too."

"Yeah, that does seem fairly obvious,"Matt agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his stress ?"

"Probably nothing,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"can began,"This is the firstly Friday we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're right,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And pass the night here,"Matt added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The boy snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many sweets and puddings as they could carry by the firm elves. Then they stayed up late eating all of it and playing versatile plot. Albus was even able to draw a blank about Balladanis for a while, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry functionary remained a lasting fixture at Hogwarts throughout the rest of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of student mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including John 's cousin-german Isabelle, one of the pursuer on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and Gabriella.

Professor Balladanis did not show up at a undivided meal. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. Nobody saw him, which raised the dubiousness of whether he was even still in the castle.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a chance to fix their decision. Albus was Sir Thomas More than a petty nervous about going to Defense on Tuesday and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday morning that all the Hogwarts students knew a verdict had been reached. prof Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something crucial happened. He was flanked by the two witches from the Ministry. The virtuoso was no longer there.

The residence immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's impending announcement, since there had not been a single credit of Balladanis in that morning 's Prophet.

"A decisiveness has been reached about Professor Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"Madam Torenzo will inform you of it. The Prophet has kindly agreed not to publish the clause about it just yet, as I wished to inform you of it first."

"He 's sacked,"John muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"trade good point,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the student with a achromatic look on her face."Upon extensive investigation of Professor Balladanis 's didactics methods and exhaustive interviews of selected students, the Ministry has seen it fit to remove him from his teaching position here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. professor Balladanis packed his things late go night and no longer resides in the palace. Professor Kendrick will inform you about what will happen with Defense course of instruction for the remainder of the year. I would like to thank all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and go forward eating her breakfast like zippo had happened. The Great G. Stanley Hall immediately erupted into voicelessness, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"defence reaction Against the shadow Arts classes will not take spot until boost observation. I will try and procure a suited replenishment for Professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, please use the time to study for your upcoming exams,"Kendrick said and then resumed his seat. He began to verbalize with Torenzo and the students voice rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"mat exclaimed,"C. H. Best news I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Georgia shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Merlin !"James groaned,"Why 'd they bear to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to exchange workforce throughout the Gryffindor table as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you think Kendrick 'll find a switch ?"bathroom 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 successor,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd cause one less exam."

"That would be vivid,"John Lackland replied.

The aura in the castle for the rest of the day was incredibly upbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few students asked matte to thank his dad for them. It seemed that the simply scholarly person upset by it were those who had lost bets because of it.

argus pheasant Filch was another who was unhappy. The general upheaval of the castle caused him more body of work. Peeves destroyed the refutation classroom in festivity ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), James and his friends set off a few Weasley fireworks, and then there was the general mountain that was associated with bookman celebrating by playing outside in the muddy pasture. Plus, Moaning Myrtle flooded her john when a few pupil told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not concord. For some odd reason it reminded her of her death.

One mortal who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the palace with a big smile on her typeface. 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 Matt. Perhaps that was because his biggest fear was vampires.

There was even a party in the Gryffindor rough-cut room that night. Rose thought it was a little pathetic, to celebrate the discharge of a teacher, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an splendid thing to celebrate.

"Just suppose,"John said,"We do n't ever have to listen to him go on and on about how bad the dark arts are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"Matt added,"I could 've gone my all life without seeing one of those."

"What do you recollect he 's doing now ?"rose wine mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some place far, like Malagasy Republic or somewhere."

"Yeah,"Matt agreed,"I bet he 's not even in Britain anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd inconvenience oneself to stick around around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the night to avoid anyone seeing him."

"compliments we could 've seen him leave,"John Lackland grinned mischievously,"Would 've been nice to establish him a proper send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"Rose muttered,"Maybe now you lot can concentrate on exams. And maybe the castle will get back to normal."

"rule ?"Albus raised his eyebrows,"This stead will never be normal. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Saturday. It 's the last match before the final."

"When 's the final ?"Rose asked.

"kickoff of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Commonwealth of Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, John, Matt, and Kaden all sent scathing face at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New York in this peer,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Grant Wood is in full manikin this week. I 'm practicing every Nox starting tomorrow."

"Oliver Wood is insane,"Rose muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch pitch,"whoremaster grinned,"I would love to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can ingest my place."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not have defending team Against the nighttime Arts the next first light, Albus was down in the Great Hall bright and early because he wanted to read rose 's Daily seer. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's bagging was one matter, reading it in the vaticinator was entirely different.

rosebush was already there when Albus, matte, and bathroom sat down at the Gryffindor table. Amanda and Linda were on either side of her and all three girls were reading the article. Albus drummed his fingerbreadth impatiently on the mesa while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, Rose handed him the paper without saying a Logos and Albus read it, with matte and John looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS instructor REMOVED FROM POSITION BY MINISTRY

In an upshot that causes much of the wizarding world to remember
back to Voldemort 's reign, Hogwarts defending team Against the Dark
Arts teacher, Tethys Balladanis, has been removed from his
situation by the Ministry of Magic 's department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's sovereignty, Defense teachers rarely lasted more
than a year at the schoolhouse, a closed book that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two old age
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense teacher since that
fateful May day.

prof Torro taught at Hogwarts for geezerhood until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three long time ago. He was
replaced by chief Auror, Harry Potter, who is rumored to
have only taken the position after nobody else agreed to
fill it.

Harry thrower left the position this past autumn and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two days ago, when he was removed
from his position. Approximately a week and a one-half ago, a
ill was lodged by psyche of the department for the
Regulation and Control of Magical wight, Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The complaint included rough teaching method, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching tool, singling pupil out for want of
skill, and embarrassing students in front of their peers.

An investigation by Ministry functionary ensued and included
the interviewing of select students and staff. The department
concluded their probe late Sunday even and informed
both Balladanis and Headmaster Fabius Kendrick of their decision.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
conclusion. When asked for a statement on the issue, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the news, Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very happy
with the decision and that the investigation was concluded in
a timely manner. I am not happy that it came to this, but I
feel that nothing should be put ahead of tiddler 's base hit .'

Hogwarts educatee will not attend to Defense classes until a refilling
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd stay your dad in there somehow,"John the Evangelist announced once they 'd finished reading.

"There was n't anything in there that we did n't already know,"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,"lustrelessness shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"doubt it,"rosiness answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

Life soon returned to normal for the Hogwarts students, as it often does after something agitate happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the article was published, but soon there was nothing left to say and the students focused on the upcoming Quidditch lucifer, which was mere days away.

Albus had an soft time forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch practice. He was out on the rake every even and was soon hearing Wood 's commands 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 have to deal with Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus realize that Gryffindor would consume a new master the adjacent class since GA was graduating. Albus was sure it would be either Fred or Heather, but he was n't certain which.

Albus trudged into the Great Hall on Thursday morning sorely wishing that John had n't woken him up. They did n't have a division number 1 thing, so why 'd he nark doing that ? Albus was already running on little sleep.

"I 'm going to stir up you up at five in the morning this Saturday,"Albus muttered to lavatory as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"John grinned,"I need you to help me finish that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the reason for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't surface service you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"Saint John the Apostle muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not have accidentally set fire to her Potions notes last Nox,"John said.

"And I should have to suffer because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you supervise that anyway ?"

"It was n't an chance event,"lusterlessness put in,"John and Kaden were tinkering with those super strength dung dud last dark in the Marauder 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the table right where rose wine 's bank note were. The dung turkey exploded and rosiness 's notes caught fire."

"See, an chance event !"St. John exclaimed.

"No, stupidity,"matte 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 fourth dimension to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch practice again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"St. James the Apostle shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this week ?"Saint James asked.

"I do n't be intimate, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"King James pointed to the stave 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 James who shrugged.

"May I have your attention ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just care to inform you all that Harry Potter has kindly agreed to need over Defense classes for the end of term. Because of this, Defense stratum will resume today."

"Good thing I woke you up,"John grinned.

"Guess you wo n't be able to finish that essay,"Albus shooter back.

"Merlin,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he manage that much. He 'd already had his dad Edward Teach for two year 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 Defense. rosiness was still not speaking to John and she walked with Amanda and Linda a little style ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't wrick into what happened earlier in the year.

The entire division erupted in applause as soon as Harry entered the way and Albus noticed that this caused him to blush. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"Well, I did not think I 'd be back here. I do have to continue with the curriculum, so I must ask that you complete the werewolf essay for side by side Thursday. However, it only has to be one invertebrate foot of parchment."

There was a corporate moan from the entire year."Great,"John muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that hard,"Matt rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be meter consuming,"John replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a month and a half of term left and I ca n't just let you suffer this time to mess up around."

The class was the most pleasurable Defense class the third years had had in quite a patch. Harry lectured for the entirety of the category, but it was n't dull. Albus did not listen in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the fourth dimension Sabbatum 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 year. The resultant of this match would determine who played Commonwealth of Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly upset. Hogwarts had already beaten New York once and they could easily do it again. The entire squad was in good wellness and none of the alternates were needed. Albus was perfectly message to sit in the outdoor stage with his Friend and just find out the friction match, rather than own to play in it.

It was a warm leap day with a svelte wind and swarm concealment, everlasting performing conditions. woods had spoke of the weather condition during the late nighttime 's practice, telling the squad that a large violent storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The mate commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the gang. Hogwarts scored five goals within the first-class honours degree fifteen minutes of the couple and New York scored two. The squad remained neck opening in neck for the difference of the peer, until Epistle of James pulled out of a prima donna clutching the golden Snitch in his left hand.

The gang erupted into cheers and King James I was soon hoisted onto the berm of some of the older students.

"I have an announcement to make up !"Professor Kendrick shouted over the gang,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the final Quidditch match, scheduled to take shoes on the first of June !"

The usual after Quidditch party ensued in the vulgar room and everyone rehashed their favourite role of the compeer. No one talked about the terminal match, although Albus was sure it was in the backs of everyone 's thinker. Australia seemed impossible to beat.

Once the excitement from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts educatee seemed to realize that exams were quite near. The subroutine library soon became a popular office to be and fifth and 7th yr in particular could be seen there all hours of the day.

As the middle of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a tranquillize mutual room in the even, much like her sis had two years prior. Albus and his friends spent more time in the Marauder 's Den after that, usually without Rose, Amanda, and Linda. The three little girl seemed to like the quietness of the usual room.

Rose did forgive John the Divine for messing up her notes, but she became more tense and snappish as examination drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a sorting of end of terminus tradition with Rose.

defense lessons took a drastic crook for the best. Albus and all of his friends got thoroughgoing marks on their lycanthrope essays, to the surprisal of no one. After that, the classes bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, Merlin !"John shouted at breakfast one Friday in the centre of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as Defense teacher or something.

"England did n't name it into the mankind Cup last,"John sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did wee it ?"Albus grabbed the paper from can, suddenly remembering the tickets he 'd gotten for Christmas. He had n't picked who he was going to invite to go with him. Actually, he had n't even told his booster about the tickets.

"Portugal and Russia,"John groaned,"Russia ! They 've got a rubbish Quidditch squad !"

"Obviously not,"rose wine smirked,"Albus, did you pick who you 're going to carry when you go to the Cup ?"

"waiting, what ?"John gaped at Albus,"You got tickets ?"

"Er, yeah, for Christmas,"Albus said.

"And you did n't secern me !"John exclaimed.

"wellspring, I only got one duplicate and I did n't know how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and lusterlessness. mind you, if you hate Russia, I 'll just pick Matt,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Russian Federation,"John said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to piece then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't have to,"lustrelessness said as he sat down succeeding to Albus.

"Nice to see you wake,"lavatory grinned. Albus and John had attempted to wake flatness up before they went down to the Great residence hall and had no hazard. The full moon was the next day, so Albus had n't even been sure if Matt was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad time of the calendar month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"matte shook his headspring,"It 's just that my dad got tickets, so you can just give your extra one to John."

"Oh,"Albus grinned,"That makes things easy."

"Where is the Cup ?"Amanda asked.

"Canada,"pink wine replied.

"How are we getting there, Albus ?"John the Evangelist asked,"Are we going to take a Muggle airplane ?"John looked excited at that prospect.

"No idea,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's boring,"John said.

"Wish I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"John the Evangelist asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're Wyrd, Kaden,"lav laughed.

"So are you. aeroplane are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"lusterlessness said,"I 'd consider a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for examination and Quidditch practice session, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squash in time to bring down Matt in the hospital wing on Lord's Day, but only briefly before he went to Wood 's day long Quidditch practice.

The following weekend was the final examination peer of the Junior 's Dueling Club, something Albus had been forced to ignore due to Quidditch practice session. After begging Wood and a bit of avail from Teddy, Albus was able-bodied to give ear the final. Albus 's team won, practically to the pleasure 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 friends. Malfoy remained mysteriously quiet around the full moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or Matt. It was strange, but not something any of the son were going to sound off about it.

tierce days before the Quidditch net, the Great Hall was filled with whispering voices that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. written matter of the Prophet were being passed back and Forth River and quite a few student looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked rose wine as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"rosebush whispered, her grimace completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the nearest copy of the prophesier. matte and can crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN BREAKOUT

functionary have reported that three prisoner
broke out of Azkaban late last Night. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban precaution
have refused to speak with reporter, and the
Ministry does not wish to divulge information
at this time.

The names of the get by prisoners have been
released and anyone with information reguarding
any of them are asked to contact the Ministry.

The prophet then gave detailed info about all three of the break away prisoners. Albus only recognized Willinson. The other two had been imprisoned for more than petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an retard !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"pink wine said.

Any hope Albus had of getting prep done that week was gone. He was favorable he was capable to focus on Quidditch practice. Willinson was out of Azkaban. He was galavanting about England, doing whatever he pleased. That in itself was not necessarily that bad, due to Willinson 's stupidity. If he somehow met up with his 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 get back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the night before the Quidditch final arrived and Grant Wood called the team into the changing room after ending practice.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to finagle this team,"Wood said as he began to pace in forepart of them,"There were difficulties in the beginning,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the team,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a team wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a chemical group of students from all four business firm can come together and play together on the Same team. I am not surely this could cause been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a long way over the year. You 've all made vast advance in your accomplishment. Quite a few of you are seventh years and I am very happy to assure you that there will be scouts from a couple Quidditch teams watching tomorrow 's mates. I have high 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 contribute it your best. Now, I think you should all turn in too soon and eat a right breakfast tomorrow before the mates. slip, Tyler, anything to add ?"Sir Henry Joseph Wood turned to the boys.

Teddy and John Tyler both shook their heads and Wood turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. soundly night."

Grant Wood, Teddy, and Tyler stayed behind to discuss tactics while the team left. Albus and James were the last two to leave. Georgia had left with the other one-seventh year, excitedly discussing the prospect of scouts.

"You think Sakartvelo 's going to contract with one of the pro team ?"Albus asked Saint James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"James said,"I just hope it does n't hurt her prospect 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 naught. He wished he could just tell apart King James that Linda was a vampire. It would be so very much easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own thoughts. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a loud crack cocaine in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a leg break,"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 mean you can Apparate in the forest,"Saint James pointed out,"And it did n't voice 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 individual Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too much, Al,"James groaned,"This place is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here full time now. You 'd have to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is stupid enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"King James laughed,"If he 's stupid enough to do that, he 's going to get enamor and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be stupe, but he did manage to kidnap Kaden the previous springtime, and he had been on the run for a year prior to that. He may be a rubbish dueler, but he was certainly good at not getting caught for the most part.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The ambiance in the Great Hall the side by side morning was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts team was sitting together at the Ravenclaw table, surrounded by scholarly person from all four houses. Teddy and Tyler seemed to be in the thick of it and were loudly discussing tactics.

The Australian squad was sitting together at the Hufflepuff tabular array, with a great space between them and the Hufflepuffs. A minuscule crowd of Aussie had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to join the rest of the Hogwarts squad at the Ravenclaw table. nobody was unable to act as that day, so Albus 's days on the team were pretty often over. To be honest, he was sort of relieved. There was just so much pressure.

"I think this tournament has been good for Hogwarts,"blush wine mused,"Look at everyone. cipher seems to care who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to rule once the match is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"rosiness shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't have a go at it, rosebush,"lustrelessness said,"I do n't think one yr can change centuries of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"Rose said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't think this has helped international witching cooperation,"John gestured to the Australian team. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"Competition rarely does that,"Rose muttered.

"Well, they 'll all be going home soon,"Matt said cheerfully.

blush wine shot him a dirty spirit and then looked up at the stave table. Albus 's gaze followed. The faculty table was quite overcrowded that dawning. There were scouts from Quidditch team, Ministry official including Albus 's Uncle Sir Henry Percy, and a variety of people from Australia and New House of York.

"Look at that witch,"John pointed to a very tall, beautiful witch with pale white pelt and retentive dark hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"Rose told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"Rose whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"John said without taking his eyes off the witch.

There was a loud sunniness from the Ravenclaw table and the Hogwarts team began to leave alone the Hall. Their entourage followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at versatile tables.

The Australian team followed shortly. The fervour only seemed to increase now that the teams had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few min later the great unwashed began to leave for the pitch. The crowd at the stave table left first and the students followed.

"Albus,"John said as they got up from the mesa,"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 wine rolled her eyes."sports meeting us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the door as the boys ran up the grand staircase.

"Why did n't you just lend them to breakfast ?"Matt asked.

"Forgot,"John said.

The rook 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.

Gospel According to John had to vacate out his entire trunk in rescript to observe the omnioculars. He had four couplet and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to omit the start of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no run in the corridors rule as he made his way through the castle. There was n't anyone to reprimand him anyway. The pace behind him told him his Friend were n't far behind.

Albus turned a quoin and ran smack into something. He fell down onto his backrest and looked up, only to see that it was someone. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with Matt '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 virtually afraid of. At that moment, it probably would throw been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to look at his friends.

Matt had turned 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. John was looking from lusterlessness to the man, an obvious repugnance on his face. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his friends, pulling them into the nearest schoolroom. He slammed the doorway and pulled out his verge, putting every locking appeal he knew onto the knob.

matte collapsed onto the penny-pinching chairman and put his headway in his paw."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the hell is he doing here ?"John ranted,"He 's got no business here !"

"Why 's he in the castle anyway ?"Albus began to pace around the room,"If he 's here to see the Quidditch peer, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to see the Quidditch ?"trick said darkly.

"Who the bloody perdition is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at mat before looking at Kaden. matt did n't look to have heard Kaden 's question.

"His name 's Lubar. He 's the Head of the section for the rule and ascendency of Magical Creatures in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the grounds why Matt had to travel here, amongst other things."

"He 's a sick and twisted evilness git,"lavatory muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the threshold and peered out the low 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 River in front of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? Brooms ? No, that would take aim too long. They 'd bear to use the Floo Network, but none of the open fireplace 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."

matt nodded."You guys do n't have got to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you mental ?"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 wand and undoing the locking charms. He cautiously looked out into the corridor before leaving. It was empty.

Much to Albus 's easement, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd leave alone them. He shoved them into his robes and ran back to the schoolroom. Matt, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden were all talking quietly. Matt did n't look any to a lesser extent frighten, but at to the lowest degree he did n't seem to be in electric 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 magniloquent so I 'll take up the most room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the Best liar."

Albus could n't argue there. Both he and matte were horrible liar and Kaden still had n't gotten over his unfitness to keep 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 one-third floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, matte, and Kaden, and the three of them followed John out of the way. The corridor was still discharge, very much to Albus 's relief.

St. John the Apostle set a very flying 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 to the lowest degree amount of interference possible.

The boys made it down the two flights of stairs requisite to get to the third floor and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and stuff it into his pocket. With a promptly tap of his baton, he statue 's hump opened and the boy climbed inside.

Albus lit his wand and took off down the small passageway. matte, can, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"John asked as they ran,"Does n't he acknowledge what he did ?"

"Yes,"flatness 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, call up when Killigan saw us that one metre and he seemed so worry in finding you ?"

"Of course I do,"matte 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,"mat replied,"I do n't know for for sure, but it seems too coinciding 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 look at Kaden."It 's a recollective story. Lubar 's got a grievance against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Australia for six days,"flatness paused,"He passed a bunch of laws against werewolves and I wound up having to transmute with a crew of early werewolves. It was bad."

Matt resumed walking and did n't exposit on the content. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"matt shrugged,"Maybe talk to Kendrick or something."

There was no doubt in Albus 's idea that Matt 's dad would be able to get Lubar to will Hogwarts, possibly even leave the country. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this year, but now he knew that you did not want to be on his bad face. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The handing over finally began to rise until it came to an abrupt catch at a baffling wooden doorway. Albus pressed his ear to the door, but heard cipher. He carefully pushed it open, wincing as it creaked.

Seeing nonentity in the storage elbow room beyond, Albus beckoned his friend forward. The elbow room was pallidly lit, enough for Albus to see a vast amount of money of box littering the floor. On the far wall he could see a fireplace.

The male child climbed over the various boxes and stood in nominal head of the fireplace. Albus located a diminished sack of Floo Powder and then lit a fire. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into someone 's subject area at the Ministry. We 're going to let to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a handful of powder and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the powder into the fire and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of magic !"

Albus stumbled out of a different open fireplace seconds later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, save for a few wizards striding towards the facelift, clearly too engaged to notice Albus.

mat landed rather ungracefully on the floor. He picked himself up, brushing cast ash off his robes.

"blank space is deserted,"matt said as he looked around.

"It 's a Saturday,"Albus pointed out,"Does your dad work Sat ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"At least mornings."

St. John was adjacent to step out of the flack, doing so more elegantly than matt had. He stood in figurehead of the fervor, staring around at the Atrium. His center rested on the fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more than fancy than I imagined,"John said.

"Bloody underworld !"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 research. Let 's go."

Albus followed mat towards the desk in the front of the Atrium. There was an old wizard leafing through a written matter of the quibbler, oblivious to his environs. 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 recall you 're going ?"he asked and then his oculus rested on Albus,"Albus Severus Potter. Why are n't you in school ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a little unnerved that the man knew who he was.

matt stepped in forepart of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the principal of the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical beast. It 's kind of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your scepter up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed courtship. They waited impatiently as the old whizz tested their wands and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the point of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can tell whose verge did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the elevator arrived, the boys piled in and mat pushed the number four. cypher said anything as the lift creaked its way to the fourth floor.

flatness took off at a run down the corridor after they left the lift. Albus had never been to this detail floor. It looked rather standardised to the Magical Law Enforcement 's floor, with nondescript sets of double room access on one side.

Matt skidded to a stoppage in front of the only when room access that was I and banged his hand loudly on it. When there was no solvent after a few mo, 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 sight of his son and the other three male child. He gaped at them for a second before shaking his head.

"matte ?"he asked and rubbed his eyes, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in school ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and John, Kaden ?"

His eyes rested on Matt again."Matt ? What 's legal injury ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the boys into his study. He shut the room access quietly behind them.

The study reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were large window on the side of meat opposite the room access, although the tantrum outside was not real, nor was the conciliate rain that was pattering onto it.

There was a large leather covered chair behind the immense oak desk and a few modest electric chair in battlefront of it. Along the other two walls were shelf with loads of leger. almost of them were about various charming creatures.

Albus, Matt, and John took the arse that were in front of the desk while Kaden wandered around the study looking at thing. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the forepart of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"Matt said in barely more than than a susurration,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch final,"Matt said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody hell !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his fist loudly against his desk,"Did Professor Kendrick give up this ?"

"I do n't know,"flatness replied,"B-but everyone else was at the match and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's face hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with professor Balladanis earlier in the term."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to have a Son with Professor Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his bailiwick and down towards the lifts. trick 's walking speed was nothing compared to Matt 's dad 's. The son had to run to retain 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 open fireplace, but did n't say anything.

Mr. Eckerton handed Albus a bit of Floo Powder and gestured for him to go first. Albus stepped into the fervour and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to gyrate faster and faster. He saw glimpses of citizenry 's houses, store in Diagon skittle alley, and a miscellany of other places he did not acknowledge. Then, out of one of the fireplaces, came a hand. Everything seemed to slow down 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 potent. All of a sudden he was laying on a cold wooden floor, one that was not at all like the one in Honeyduke's.

Albus coughed and stood up. His affectionateness was beating fast. What had happened ? Why was n't he in Honeyduke 's ? Where was he ? Whose hand was that ?

Albus grappled for his verge and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, Potter,"a cold voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching next to the hearth with his paw inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank elbow room than he did in Hogwarts.

The fireplace glowed green and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. lav came tumbling out of the flack and scrambled too his metrical unit, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breath and stuck his hand in the firing again.

"What the ?"John whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody hell on earth !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the room. It looked vaguely familiar, but Albus could n't put his finger on it. The Windows were boarded up, but it was definitely not the Shrieking shanty. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo electronic network anyway.

The fireplace glowed green yet again, this time sending Kaden onto the floor. This earned another shout from Lubar, who stuck his helping hand in the flak again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his ft and stood next to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid optic on Lubar.

Albus wanted nothing more than to run from the room, but he did not know where the construction was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stun him or something.

Green luminance filled the room as the hearth glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that lustrelessness would be the one to next fall out of the flames. Mere seconds later, that suspicion was confirmed.

Matt coughed and scrambled to his ft. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the flame and lit his scepter, which illuminated his sinister fount. 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 have it off when things work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could feel matte shaking succeeding to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and demilitarize Lubar.

"Any idea where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. Lovely workshop, pity about the owner. Yes, a genuine shame."

Lubar did n't appear at all derangement about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"Well, let 's not do in our meter here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few people who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his fingers three times and Albus heard footsteps on the stairs.

3 maven descended the stairs and strode into the way. They lit their baton at the same time and Albus gasped when the light showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three hoi polloi Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As good a duelist he was, he was up against four fully dispose star. Three of them did not possess the acquisition to duel, but Albus had no idea what Lubar was adequate to of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a lovely reunion. Unfortunately we have n't got prison term to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his verge pointed at his neck. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his Fatherhood had St. John. Matt, seeing his Friend restrained, made a run for the close window.

"Not so fast, young werewolf,"Lubar caught him by the backrest of his robes and wrapped one of his weapon system around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robes with his absolve hand and pulled out an old tea kettledrum. He held it out to the other three men and each one put a rid hired man on it. Albus knew what was going to happen right before it did. He shared a frightened glance with Matt before feeling a jerked meat behind his belly button.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : I decided to do part of this chapter from Harry 's point of view. It begins in his compass point of thought and then switches back to Albus 's. star indicate where the power point of panorama switches.


"Spectacular preserve by Georgia Weasley !"the observer shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into shimmer. 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 Commonwealth of Australia, bringing the amount to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as loud as the students. One thing he loved about the Quidditch tournament was that he did n't have to try and conceal his exhilaration when Hogwarts scored. During family matches, he had to try and pretend he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As happy as Harry was about the Hogwarts chaser being very skilled, he did not induce hope that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's Seeker, Linda esprit de corps, was the easily Seeker Harry had ever seen outside of professional Quidditch. He knew that his son, Henry James, was well, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his finger on it. Her speed on a broom just did n't seem natural. master Quidditch players would toss off for her speed.

"I 'm storm she has n't found the Snitch yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the pitching. James II was doing the same,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the relaxation of the staff who were sitting around him. Most of them were quite reserved. Nobody seemed to be showing the exuberance Harry was. He did n't care. Harry did n't share their belief that teachers 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 head and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't know the man well. They 'd met on social occasion at the Ministry, although Harry had a feeling he 'd be seeing more than of him now that he was head word of the section for the Regulation and controller of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than professional level. Harry had never met a Father-God who was more protective of his son than Walter Eckerton, although he did have honest reason. Never a more devoted don, either.

Walter continued his way past the early professors until he stopped in front of Harry. Harry was even more shocked to see the expression on his face. Worry was etched in every piece of his fount, bringing out the wrinkles, but there was anger in his eyes.

"Walter,"Harry shook his bridge player as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Walter muttered,"I need a discussion in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be rightfield back and he followed Walter out of the rack. They continued walking until they were a short distance away from the pitch and then Walter stopped.

"The boys have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"Wait, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and Matt ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the principal of the Department for the ordinance and control of Magical beast in Commonwealth of Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the change of subject area."Yes, not a very tolerant bloke, is he ?"

Walter 's face hardened."That 's a squeamish way of putting it. The feller is sick and twisted and he 's got a score against me. Very tenacious story and I have n't got time to tell it. suddenly variant is that when lusterlessness was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to transform in a building with other werewolves, older werewolves. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever reason, Lubar decided to visit Hogwarts today, possibly under the simulation of attending the Quidditch match.

"The boys saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. Matt '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 owner of the workshop as well as a few other Hogsmeade residents. No one 's seen them. We 've got to find them."

Harry 's ticker sank."You do n't call back Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not dangerous, is he ?"

"To Matt, yes, but I have n't the svelte idea as to why he 'd want the early male child,"Walter said.

"Even if he did only want matte, he 'd have to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him take Matt sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every useable Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to dislodge himself from Washburn 's grip as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the location was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instantaneous, but this meter there was a significant lag. Albus had time to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The second clue that their destination was far away was the fact that it was very glowering when Albus finally landed on the ground. Not dark like an impending storm either. Dark as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his fundament. aloud thumps around him told him that his friends had landed as well.

The priming coat was damp and punishing and the foliage around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some sort of forest. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar trees that seemed to extend towards the starry sky.

There was no moonshine to illumine the woodland. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yards away from the boys and were whispering to each other. All four had lit their verge, but it was n't decent wand lighting to give Albus a good scene of his surroundings.

Matt, John, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their sceptre out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't defy Light Within it.

"Why is it dark ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the hell are we ?"John asked.

"We 're in Australia,"mat said in awe, as if he was just coming to damage with that fact.

"We Portkeyed across an ocean ?"Kaden gasped.

When Albus thought about it, it made sense. Lubar was from Australia, so why should n't he call for them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't take a leak sense was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could recite, the four wizards seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the macrocosm. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old planetary house ?"John asked.

"How should I recognise ?"Matt snapped,"Australia 's a huge nation !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could enshroud there,"John muttered.

"You would n't desire to,"lusterlessness said,"My stupid cousin-german owns it now."

"You have a cousin-german ?"Albus asked.

"Not important,"Matt said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying attending,"John whispered, gesturing to where the four wizards stood huddled in a circle,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right wing there,"Matt pointed to the tea kettle, which was a few feet away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the tally of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to blame it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the other three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you require ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you realize how practically more unmanageable this is going to be now ? We only needed Potter ! But no, you had to go and assert on bringing that werewolf kid as well."

"You would n't even throw 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 sustain done."

"Well, now we 've wound up with two extra ace as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're tike, how much worry can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't have it off this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the cause 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 George W. 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 matte,"So many years have passed. Tell me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprise, it was John and not lustrelessness who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed John with a lazy waving of his wand, leaving John stunned in straw man of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better duellist than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing trick 's wand, Lubar turned back to flatness, who was shakily holding his wand up.

"It does n't matter what country you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the same thing no matter where you live. The law of nature do n't convert what you are. Pretend as a lot as you like, but it wo n't switch a thing."

Now Albus wanted to go after Lubar. The anger was boiling up inside of him and he did n't think he had ever felt more wild in his stallion animation, and that included every skirmish he had had with Scorpius Malfoy. Malfoy was like a fluffy kitten compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. toilet was already wandless. It would do them no skilful if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to wait, to hold off until he could catch them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the mind of the department in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"hypothesis it 's just a matter of sentence until the same thing happens. You 'll have to flee again."

Matt was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his encephalon, trying to compute out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for pigeon hawk 's sake !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping things ? Did we really risk Portkeying a bunch of Kid to Commonwealth of Australia just to desolate time taunting one of them ?"

"tranquility !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"Excuse me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the figure of Merlin do you know them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breath, waiting for Lubar to put some sorting of whammy or curse on Kaden. Sometimes his cousin was quite obtuse. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a time not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprise, Lubar smiled. It was a turn sort of smile, but a smiling nonetheless.

"I think that 's a bazaar interrogative sentence,"Lubar said."My 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 retentive,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we please just get on with this ?"

"forbearance, cousin,"Lubar said as he began to walk slowly around the former three,"We mus n't do this hastily. Haste is the reason you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The only matter Albus could reckon of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their architectural plan, they would n't have taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at matt, who still looked scared out of his head. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed smart, much voguish than the former three, and that scared Albus more than anything else. There was a big difference between dueling mortal who was fresh and dueling somebody who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Bruno Walter Flooed there a unawares patch 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 rhytidoplasty at top speed, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the fellow at the welcome desk. The aerodynamic lift 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 office was slightly more lively than the rest of the Ministry, but not much. Three Aurors were inside, two of whom hastily shoved away a pile of Exploding elasticity cards and stood up upon seeing Harry arrive. The other Auror, a rather brusque but stocky witch, shoved the ledger she was reading in the drawer, and joined the other two.

"Potter, sir !"the witch 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 reach them book of instructions.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the wizards,"Brighton,"he looked at the enchantress,"Get started with an extensive lookup of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't meddlesome with anything else. Tiburon and Lee Harvey Oswald are on obligation 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 wood as soon as someone else arrives."

Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. An enormous silvery stag flew out of his sceptre and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the room and Harry leaned against the nighest desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the threshold just as Ron was running through, followed by half a 12 former Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a apprehensive tone.

Harry rehashed the full billet again. Ron 's face paled."What about rosebush, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his top dog,"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 clue as to how Lubar would know him."

"With dark wiz, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the search of the Forbidden timberland. Lewster 's going with you. And take Daniels and Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the room, followed by Lewster and two early virtuoso. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The rest of you can research the palace and land. Be discrete. I do not wish to interrupt the Quidditch peer unless it is absolutely requirement,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the room and Harry turned to Bruno Walter. He slowly shook his head. Why was it always Albus ? This was the tertiary class he had gotten into bother. Albus 's year at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd better go Floo home and state Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to fall apart."

Harry nodded as Bruno Walter left the room. Ginny. Harry snapped his fountainhead up. She was going to be watching the equal, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the elbow room. How was he going to tell his married woman that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't birth a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go haywire ? We 're halfway across the world from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your folly,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the world ? Harry ceramist 's son ! You have n't a clue as to how thing work in the Ministry !

"I can tell you that at this very here and now, the integral Auror Department is looking for them. Harry Potter 's probably got every Auror on this slip. It wo n't take them long to realize that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to lusterlessness,"He 's got the most officious parents in the existence. They 'd sooner kill everyone in the cosmos before letting something chance to him. Very irritating. They wo n't rest until they find him. Not to cite the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry official. We 've got two Thomas Kyd of two of the most prominent Ministry official of United Kingdom. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be thrifty !"

"fountainhead, you 're the one who wanted to postulate the loup-garou, 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 retard had n't wanted to bring the fry, we could 've done this totally thing without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the Sami time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't take a chance to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only hope that the wizards would give enough to argue about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the house ?"

"Have you learned cypher ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the starting time place they 'll expect is the house."

"Got any respectable ideas ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a privy little shack somewhere in this nation ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. plenitude of post to hide, not very populate. perfective tense place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice grip again. lusterlessness was once again in the hold of Lubar, and John and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very little about the Australian outback, just that it was n't desirable for much human inhabitation. However, the one slice of selective information he did cognize about it was that it was where about of the dementors that used to guard Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat pop place for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two seconds to recognise what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sense of side-along Apparition.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the premature chapter, this one goes back and Forth between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking free of Jarrett 's range. He tripped over a rock and landed face first in the gumption. Spitting the grittiness out of his mouth, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too colored to see anything but the outlines of mountains in the distance. The outback seemed very empty and very quiet. There was a very humble clump of shrub and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see much else in the way of plant life life.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a deserted place in his lifespan. There was absolutely zero 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 accept no chance of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to know that Albus and the others would n't run away. He neglected to use any variety of ropes to tie them up or put any spells around them. Instead, he walked a dead distance in the guidance of the spate and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to fall out them.

"What are we going to do ?"Saint John seethed,"Has anyone got any idea where we are ?"

"The outback 's Brobdingnagian,"flatness replied,"I bet we 're right in the heart of it. The close culture 's probably miles 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 have to find out."

"Do you really think your dada are going to be able-bodied to chance us ?"bathroom asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's right,"Albus said,"The whole Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll find us."

"Energy Department gorge like this happen every year ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, terminal class I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll find following class ?"

"Hopefully zilch,"Albus said.

"If there is a succeeding year,"Saint John the Apostle muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the male child,"I did n't tell you to talk !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the length,"There 's people gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his meat leapt a bit. There was a diminished gather of physical body a few thousand away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"Calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just vampire. They wo n't inconvenience us. I know that coven. They know better than to mess with me. I 'll ready life pretty miserable for them if they do."

"Cutting hand with vampires now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's promise sank once again. Lubar seemed more confusing than ever. He cut flock for lamia but passed restrictive Laws on lycanthrope ? It did n't stool sense.

The men lowered their voices again and Albus wished he had a few extendable spike with him. He did n't dare talk to his booster, just sent them anxious glances every now and then.

A cold malarkey blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the form of frigidness that chilled him to the bone. Hoping that it was n't going to rain, or Charles Percy Snow ( was n't it winter in Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no swarm, but what Albus saw was much regretful than clouds.

Five or six clothe figures 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 forms. As they got closer, he could even hear their rattling breath.

The world in front of him began to float. He felt like he was going to pass 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 Australian outback until Lubar and the others did what they were going to do. Then who knew what would materialise ?

"No, no, no !"mat shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to look towards his Friend. flatness 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 affect lustrelessness the defective. He had gone through matter that Albus, John the Divine, and Kaden could n't even suppose. It probably did n't help that Lubar was actually present, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his baton out of his gown. He 'd see 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. nothing happened.

A happy cerebration ! How could he get forgotten that ? It was hard to think of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to lustrelessness shouting on the ground.

When the classification Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his sceptre to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the incantation while using various felicitous computer storage. zippo was happening, but Matt 's shouting was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the ground. It looked like matte had passed out.

Thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his wand at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his wand and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few arcsecond. He had sort of done a Patronus charm !

"Bloody hell,"John whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"someone shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar track at them with his wand pointed at the dementors. A silvery squirrel was floating ahead of him and the dementors scattered as it reached them.

Albus 's dazed wit immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his wand in his robe before Lubar thought to disarm him.

"parting him,"Lubar growled at lavatory and Kaden, who were bent to the soil trying to get Matt to wake up up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a bloody smart as a whip place to come."

Lubar paid no tending to Washburn 's comment. His eyes were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very curious looking at. Albus took a queasy step back, but Lubar did not turn away his gaze. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"Potter, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up High Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some dependable news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the centaurs,"Lewster said,"They saw three wizards in the forest a few hours ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my last Galleon the other two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the Centaur know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the afforest floor for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't surprise him. The Resurrection Stone was someplace in the woods."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his chief,"And the centaurs are pretty sure they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can find out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't believe that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no doubt in my thinker,"Harry answered,"It 's just a matter of finding them. listen, I 've got to go look for Dervish and Banges. I 've got this hunch about the place. Seems like the stark place for Washburn to take them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go enamor the end of the match. I wo n't refer anything to St. James the Apostle and Lily yet."

"Good,"Harry said,"I 'll be in rival 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 step and walked the short distance to Dervish and Banges.

The building looked utterly abandoned. The windows were still boarded up, the pasturage overgrown around it. It certainly did n't bet like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his sceptre, he crept cautiously to the door. He carefully pulled the boards off of it and quietly wrenched the door overt. Without lighting his wand, he walked inside.

The place had the scent of a recent ardour in the fireplace. Someone had been there. However, there was not a sound from anywhere in the building. Harry lit his scepter and saw that it was deserted.

After a thorough check of the stallion building, in which Harry found no aliveness creatures, he returned to the principal way. The hearth was filled with nearly perfectly embers and there was a minuscule cumulus of Floo powder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an incantation that would secernate him where the last mortal to use the fireplace had Flooed from. He waited for the incantation to figure out, his heart pound.

Soft red smoke emitted from his scepter, curling together to imprint the word of honor 'Ministry of Magic .'Harry breathed a sigh of rest period. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a dubiousness, Harry knew that Albus and the other male child had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The lonesome question was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, Potter ?"Lubar asked.

"XIII,"Albus replied, still a bit neural as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the secondly dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus Charm to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his top dog, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may let taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the first time I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't severalize me you were skilled at defensive attitude magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is ceramist 's aptitude for Patronuses really relevant to what we 're doing ?"

"It matters if they decide to try and hex us !"Lubar snapped,"I think it might be in force if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his verge harder. He glanced at Matt, who was still unconscious. John did n't give his wand. 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 potter,"Jarrett said,"The other three are n't going to be difficult."

"fine,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to lecture to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few thou away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where Matt had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing spell or two."Matt, Matt,"he whispered,"Wake up."

After a mo or two, Matt 's eyes fluttered surface 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 ?"lusterlessness 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 sake,"Matt shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The early three son shook their mind."Figures,"Matt muttered.

"You need some chocolate or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"mightiness,"Kaden began fishing around in his scoop. He produced a chocolate anuran and handed it to Matt, who took it without saying a word.

"Listen,"Albus said,"Whatever it is that they want to do here, they 're doing it soon. Do you think you can get up ?"

lustrelessness 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 wood and set blast to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the male child. Albus was now clearly able to see the twisted smell on Lubar 's face.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"flak 's going to attract aid !"

Lubar laughed."blast 's going to ascertain that those lamia stay away and we 've got to see what we 're doing !"

Albus glanced towards where the vampires had been congregating. They were currently walking farther away from Albus and the others. Thinking back to Linda 's boggart, he remembered that vampire are destroyed by fire. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his hand, but Albus could n't pee out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you know what this is, Potter ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to fathom too nervous.

"It 's the Resurrection Oliver Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly hold in his gasp as he peered closer at Jarrett 's outstretched hand. There was a very small-scale stone sitting in it. The Resurrection Edward Durell Stone. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three objects he had been after for years. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to sound confident.

"Ancient magic is a beautiful thing, Potter,"Jarrett answered,"There are long forgotten spells, spells that workplace very nicely with long disregarded witching target such as this pit. It was merely a subject of finding the correct magical spell, getting to the Forbidden Forest, and putting it to use. Quite dewy-eyed 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 magical spell !"

"The other Hallows will evidence to be well-off to obtain with the helper of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the auditory sensation of that. The Stone itself did one matter and that was bring back the feeling of citizenry who had passed on. How would that help Jarrett get the other Hallows ?

The invisibleness Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his robes. He really hoped Jarrett would n't make 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 fire and strode closer to Albus. Albus took a step back as his heart started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, Potter. You should be afraid,"Jarrett 's gaze 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 Divine Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the threshold completely off its flexible joint as he did so. He had to find Bruno Walter. He had to feel Walter and then go to the Ministry. The fireplace did not show sign of the zodiac that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned store. That left either phantom or a Portkey, both of which would take in left touch that he 'd want the section of Magical Transportation for.

Harry rounded a niche as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a beldam. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a strange facial expression of confusion and stupor, mixed with mingled fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a problem,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the friction match over ? How badly did we lose by ?"

"Only a one hundred percentage point,"Ginny said,"But we might not have actually lost. Listen, did you know Australia 's Seeker is a vampire ?"

"postponement, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to wrap his intellect around that fact while still focusing his mind on Albus.

"I 'll excuse after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"Right,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead. mortal was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm sure it was Al and the others. I 've got to incur Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not sure where that will direct us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be careful,"Ginny said as she gave him a kiss,"And work 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 terminal look at Ginny, Harry met Walter half-way.

"We 've got to get to the Ministry,"Harry said immediately, and explained about what he had found at Dervish and Banges and what Lewster had learned from the centaurs.

Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the billet. They reappeared a little while later in a small Apparition chamber in the Ministry.

Passing the befuddled looking security safety for the 3rd time that day, Harry and Bruno Walter ran to the lifts. Neither of them said a Christian Bible as the heave clattered to the section of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, save for one very world-weary looking enchantress sitting at a desk.

"Mr. thrower, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her foot off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to bang if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that same placement. And if you 're able-bodied to, I need to acknowledge where they went."

"Of course, Mr. ceramicist, of course,"the witch said as she got up. She disappeared into another elbow room, shutting the doorway behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the nigh president. Bruno Walter sat down in the adjacent one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll find them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Walter replied,"However, that is not the but affair I am worried about. The last sentence Matt had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for months afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not know much about therapy, except that necromancer did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must have been bad.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not certain if he was overstepping some variety of boundary.

Walter did not speak for several seconds."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 header of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical animal in Australia. Nobody outside of the department knew about his condition, of course of study. Ralph Lubar was given my former position of Head of the wolfman Control unit, and was quite jealous that I was given the top dog position. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a grudge he held against me for many years, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it slip one's mind that Matt was a werewolf. A bit of legislating had been passed that required all places of transformation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected lusterlessness 's and it failed on a technicality. Ministry centers were set up for werewolves to transform in, together. Matt was required by law to transform there since his rubber room did not notch. 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 thrust lycanthrope into the translation centers. On the day of the total moonlight, Lubar Flooed into our household and took lusterlessness to the center. By the sentence I figured out which center it was, the moon had risen. It was too late.

"Matt spent calendar week in St. Mungo 's. By that fourth dimension we were nearly gear up to move here. He was so traumatized, it took months for him to get over it. To be fair, I do n't think he 's fully over it.

"The only reason Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so sick and twisted,"Walter finished as he put his promontory in his hired man,"I swore I 'd never let him near mat again. Swore I 'd kill him if he went near Matt again.

Walter gave an odd sort of jest."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 save the son,"Harry said, still processing what Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so reluctant to let lustrelessness out of their sight, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One thing that Harry could tell was that Bruno Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to James IV, 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 have mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no trade good to harp on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my chum said when flatness was in St. Mungo 's,"Walter said wryly.

"Mr. Potter !"the Wiccan came bustling out of the way she had gone into, brandishing a piece of parchment, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the parchment. His eyes scanned the sheepskin. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few scant 60 minutes 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 awesome people who have read and left such adorable reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the previous chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so voiceless that he could Apparate. Why did you own to be XVII to get your Apparition permission anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical Transportation, he would commute that law. Apparition would 've enabled him to get out of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to institute back Lord Voldemort with the Resurrection Stone.

Albus could not remember being Thomas More scared in his life. This was far unsound than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two years ago, far worsened than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the previous yr. Lord Voldemort was far shivery than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort look like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Harlan Fisk Stone could n't actually bring people back to life sentence. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a trace. But would he be capable to do magic, to perform the jinx and hexes he did when he was alive ?

Albus held his breathing time as he watched Jarrett move around the Oliver Stone over in his hand. Albus had no idea how it worked, but judging by how still all of the adult were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the Oliver Stone. He did it for so long that Albus had to let out his breath. The emotional lambency on Jarrett 's face slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it work ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you positive this is the right Stone ?"

"Of row I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the Lucy Stone,"The spell said it was !"

"Well, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a sigh of relief. Either they had the amiss stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the stone over in his workforce. On the third turn, a unusual sort of mist appeared in front of him. Albus 's heart sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to clear and a flesh was standing in forepart of Lubar. The figure was not Creator Voldemort, though. Albus had no mind who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This person was a cleaning lady, and a unretentive one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging rummy glimpse. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the figure, his fount contorted with something Albus could only don was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped close 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 woman replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his acquaintance, who were all staring in confusion at Lubar. Matt in detail was giving Lubar a very strange smell. Apparently the stone was the resurrection Stone and it did indeed oeuvre, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's mother agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very proud of you, son."

Albus had to cover his lip to hold back 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 interest !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to have forgotten that there were other people around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's female parent began to fade as soon as Jarrett took the Edward Durell Stone. Running towards her, Lubar held out his hands trying to continue 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 whammy. 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 contribute back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not affront my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his wand.

Jarrett fell to the soil, completely unable to run. Lubar stood over him with his scepter directed at his chest.

"My mother was a lovely 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 sick 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 other than us, right ?"can muttered.

"Good stop,"Albus replied.

"Can we delight just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the effect 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 wand."Er, no, she seemed quite lovely."

"Good,"Lubar said manically,"Keep it that way, or you 'll end up like him."Lubar gestured to Jarrett, who was still laying paralyzed on the priming coat, his eyes darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll need you to replicate that Portkey,"Harry said to the Wiccan, who nodded and left the way again.

"Bruno Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred per centum sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly positive that they are with the boys in Australia."

"rightfulness,"Bruno Walter agreed,"The evidence 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 other two. The diplomatic minister hired a Presuler."

Bruno Walter let out a low whistle and then recognition dawned on his human face."Wait, you do n't mean-"

"genus Aplysia Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the pretense of teaching demurrer Against the Dark Arts."

"Bad idea on the Minister 's percentage,"Walter muttered.

"It was my idea to station him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not know that he would be such an nasty teacher."

"I wo n't check it against you,"Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a part of this investigation, I have to contact him and he will have to go with us to Commonwealth of Australia. I understand that you have had your differences, but-"

"If he helps to find Matt, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. ceramist, Mr. Eckerton,"the enchantress returned holding a misshapen plastic container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore aid, let me know."

"That 's it for now,"Harry said as he took the container,"Thanks."

******

Albus stood frozen as the four men dueled each other. Completely unsure of what to do, yet very happy that they seemed to cause momentarily forgotten about the boys, Albus just stood there watching. mat, John, and Kaden did the same, although John looked more than a bit worried, well-nigh likely due to his want of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to take the Stone from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not take kindly to this and glamour Washburn. In the hateful time, the Stunner had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing hexes at each former while dodging the fire. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would misstep and burn off their limb or something. Or even dear, maybe one or to a greater extent of them would drop down their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely worse for vesture. All three of them were sporting trauma. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's lead arm was being held at an odd angle.

Lubar seemed fine and even though it appeared that the early three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to take on that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red ignitor at Washburn, who went flying over the fire and landed with a sickening thump in front of the boys. He did not move. Albus looked down and saw a humble stone future to Washburn 's top dog. He bent and picked it up. It was the Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all come on towards him. Three wands were pointed at his chest of drawers, being held by three people with maniac gleams in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own scepter, his arm shaking slightly. matt and Kaden had done the Saami. John tried to veil behind Matt, but was abortive since he was a effective head taller than him.

"Hand it over, thrower,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant spirit at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Stone into the scoop of his robe and held his wand up higher.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each other. Balladanis had Flooed to the Ministry shortly after receiving Harry 's Patronus. Harry had filled him in on what was going on, but the man had n't taken his middle off of Walter the stallion meter.

"We have n't got time for this,"Harry muttered and held out the plastic container,"Let 's just go."

Walter agreed immediately and laid his hand on the Portkey. Balladanis did so as well, with a little hesitation.

With a familiar jolt behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey trip was a bit foresightful than ones Harry was used to, but it did n't storm him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his feet and held out his wand as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was pitch black and after he lit his scepter, Harry knew they were in the middle of a forest.

The forest was disappointingly quiet. The only speech sound were those of animate being and the occasional rustling of Tree, brought about by the fart. Not a single speech sound caused Harry to conceive that there were citizenry about, let alone his son.

"gap 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 thaumaturge said a Scripture as they combed the area. Harry left no Isidor Feinstein Stone unturned as he looked for the modest trace of evidence of where his son had gone. If only it was n't night. verge did n't furnish nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a trace of anything that showed anyone had been in that surface area of the afforest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was in force at this, that was for certain. Harry swore as he returned to the same lieu he had started from.

Walter returned a few minutes later, looking even more anxious than he did before."nothing,"he muttered,"Not a ripped piece of music of cloak or a single Cnut. They did n't continue here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the ground with his horseshoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to take back.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a small alloy instrument in his deal and an strange kind of excited smirk on his face. He skidded to a stay in social movement of Harry, holding out the instrument. Harry recognized it as an Apparition detector. They were quite rare. The British Ministry only owned one, for the entire Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Walter muttered,"Any melodic theme where ?"

"A world-wide musical theme, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Bruno Walter 's sarcastic whole tone,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am cognisant,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his bridge player on the metal instrument. It would be capable to guide them to the relative area they needed to go.

Walter put his hand on the instrument as well and with an exceptionally loud crack, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The ground was stale and sandy and there was hardly any plant life animation in sight. In the aloofness there were tall muckle and cloaked figures floated above them. Harry suppressed a shudder and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a roar balefire blazed in the length. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were more familiar with the area.

"Only vampires and dementors ever venture out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to lead the pocket-sized group towards the flickering lights in the distance.

******

"Hand it over, Potter,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to hold his wand more truelove. His baton arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't seem to be able to hold it steady. His essence was thumping hard in his dresser. Albus was surely everyone was able to get word it. However, he did not want to cave in up the Stone. That was one matter he was for certain of. The only way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put past him.

"Maybe you should just 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 have if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to have to duel me, Potter ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't get a wand. Not just betting odds, if you ask me."

"And do you realize that those two are frightful dueller ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that Harlan F. Stone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his wand and sent a jet of Orange light at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a shield good luck charm, concentrating on making it big enough to shield him and his admirer. It worked and the orange sparkle bounced harmlessly off the shell and hit the ground.

"check behind me, John,"Albus muttered,"matte and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever go you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his shell up while casting former spells, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling lessons. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to hold open the buckler up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's shield, 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 scepter and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone crotch hair, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a glance at Matt and Kaden. Matt was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was kind of pathetic as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus feel better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus charm at each other and missing every time.

The shell emitting from Albus 's wand faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his density, but the shield was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to mail any piece through the shield now.

"Your shield is weakening, Potter,"Lubar smirked as he sent another Stunner at Albus, which shook the shield.

"Merlin !"Quinton shouted to the right of them. He was hopping on one metrical foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some sort of hex, although Albus was n't sure what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the ground. Albus gasped and his shield disappeared.

"Albus !"John shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the carapace back up before Lubar shot a hex at John Lackland, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be easier just to devote me the gem ?"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 hurt, but nil too grave. Neither seemed to have noticed that lav and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a head trip jinx, which gave him a few seconds to trance his breath while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a gash across his depart cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the side and the spell hit a nearby rock. Lubar resumed his nonverbal enchantment and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any other jinxes.

"You ca n't keep dodging them forever, potter !"Lubar grinned manically.

"Watch me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of course of action knew that Lubar was right. The betting odds had not really changed. John and Kaden were both out of the fight and while privy was easily the well duellist 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 human knee panting, not in any anatomy to continue dueling. Matt was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both amazed and ravish by.

No, Albus was not trying to sweep over Lubar. He knew that would n't be potential. Albus was merely biding for time. He tried to figure out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spells. It must hold been at to the lowest degree three or four minute, although the sour Australian sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the moon had been out so he could have monitored its trip across the sky.

How long would it ingest his dad to find them ? Longer than normal, Albus thought. They were in the midsection of a strange country, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, thrower, and you do n't want to see me when I 'm get to !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red light at Albus.

Before Albus even had time to cross-file what sort of hex it was, Matt gave a shriek of pain in the neck to Albus 's right field and collapsed to the priming. Jarrett wasted no time and pointed his wand at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a second to digest the fact that he was now dead alone, facing two fully grown wizards. The two wizards scoot monovular jets of blue lighter at Albus and he managed to draw up a feeble shield.

The force hit him like a twelve Bludgers to the stomach. He lost his footing and landed bland on his spinal column, his head hitting a particularly sharp rock.

"I told you not to fight, 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 grab the Stone.

With all the force Albus could muster, he threw the Stone as far as he could to the right. In the duskiness, it disappeared in a split second and Albus did n't even get word it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"Wands where I can see them !"someone shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his nous slightly and caught a coup d'oeil of his dad, along with a few former whiz. He breathed a sigh of relief. They were saved.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up right before the curse started flying. Realizing that he dropped his baton when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the background. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby chaparral and watched.

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

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the refuge of the bush and shakily stood up. He reached the fire and was able to see who the former two necromancer next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with shock all over again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent unlike spells at Lubar at the same metre, but it was too late. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still witting but not completely aware of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring divergence between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly by Quinton and Washburn to extend to Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

Harry looked up from Kaden 's unconscious form and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his arms around his dad and the two of them hugged each early tightly.

"Al, thank Merlin,"Harry said.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of John 's arm before pulling his own come apart credit card cup out of his sac. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly jumble, but did not give time to ask his dad anymore questions before feeling the conversant saccade behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thumping in the heart of the Hospital Wing. The dubiousness of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts yard was the least pressing question on his mind.

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

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

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

"I 've got to verbalize 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 tell everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to require you to recount me everything that happened."

"But-"

"No buts !"gentlewoman Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need take a breather !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his nous was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the go matter he needed was rest period. He needed to lie with what was going on.

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

Albus muttered under his breathing space and got into bed. Once ma'am Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping draught, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight off the quietus he knew was coming.

******

The Aaron Montgomery Ward was quiesce when Albus woke up. It was completely sinister outside, although Albus did n't give the svelte clue as to what day it was. John the Evangelist, Matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious or sound 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 married woman. 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 robes he had been wearing before.

Albus sat up and put his hand to his oral sex. There was a bandage on the back of it. Another patch was wrapped around his decent arm, although he could n't recall when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt wipe out.

The door to the Ward opened, letting in a small torrent of light from the corridor. A figure stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

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

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

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

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

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and moderate his dad out the room access and up to the fifth part floor corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate horse and turned to front the opposite wall.

Albus located the paw photographic print and touched his hand to them, turning it into a doorhandle. He opened the room access and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from terminal class ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a exit for words.

"There was more to it. Instructions on how to get into this elbow room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their hidden common way,"Albus said quietly.

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

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

"About a year,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend time here ?"Harry asked.

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

"Then it is the arrant lieu to blab out,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down side by side to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll state you that,"Harry said,"But first off I want you to explicate 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 of Christ Harlan Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a timber in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to make, the affaire d'honneur, the fact that the Resurrection Harlan Stone did n't work to fetch Voldemort back.

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

Harry thought for a few min 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 soul so many multiplication, he ca n't be brought back with the I. F. Stone. The Stone may need the soul 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 experience him. They wanted to convey 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 conceive so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the stone is once again gone. Which is something I 'm very grateful that you did."

"Well, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden Forest for a reasonableness,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it best if nonentity 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 secernate me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you experience what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling lessons he gave me,"Albus explained.

"Well, that makes my explanation easier,"Harry said,"A minuscule over a twelvemonth ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to hire a Presuler to help find Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

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

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

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

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

"The Minister, Professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be expert strategy to have him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would return to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of course of action, 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 severalise anyone. I will be telling Matt, trick, and Kaden, because I feel they have the rightfield to make out, but I do n't need anyone else knowing about it."

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

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

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

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be slippery position. Lubar is n't a British citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Commonwealth of Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial or reach him to us to put on trial run. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not for certain they 'll do either."

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

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like nothing More than to ease up him a life-long least sandpiper in Azkaban, but unfortunately the law of nature do n't make that way."

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

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

"He told me I 'd draw 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 do it,"Albus shrugged,"I mean, I like dueling, but I do n't really desire to decide what I want to do right now."

"You do n't get to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't want to order you what to do, but I am going to tell you something.

"Being a Presuler is a severe job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to do it anyone. You travel a lot, which can make it hard to have a family unit. It 's not an well-to-do path to go down. Not one I 'd choose for myself."

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

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

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

"fountainhead, you should probably get back to the Hospital Wing before Madam Pomfrey observation you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

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

******

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

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

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to let the cat out of the bag to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

"You should have 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 care 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 flatness as he got back in bed.

"fifteen arcminute or so,"Matt answered.

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

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

"Very amusing,"gentlewoman Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to log Z's a little 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 Madam Pomfrey set his tray down.

"It 's William Ashley Sunday, dear, but it 's afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to have 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.

"prison term zone change are difficult to correct to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"Commonwealth of Australia 's quite a few hours ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was ravenous. When he thought about it, it must accept been at least a day since he 'd feed anything.

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

Albus choked on his eggs. He 'd forget 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 save us ?"John asked,"I mean, he 's had plenty of time."

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

The threshold to the Hospital annexe banged open and rose and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a movement to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

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

"Who won the Quidditch compeer ?"Albus asked.

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

"young lady Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't lower your vocalism, you 'll have to allow !"

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

Albus launched into the total tale, which took the better section of a half hour to tell apart. Neither rose wine or Amanda interrupted once during the whole thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the time Albus concluded.

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

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

"Merlin, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How much trouble can you get into ?"

"It 's not my faulting,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you separate us about the peer ?"

blush wine exchanged glances with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the catch, let me tell you,"Amanda said.

"Nobody won, Al,"Rose said.

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

"About forty-five minutes into the match, Fred and ling ran onto the pitch-"

"The match lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"Rose said,"I do n't know why. Anyway, Fred and ling ran right up to Ludo commercial traveler and started talking to him. Nobody could hear what they were saying. Then bagman blew his whistle and they went into a time-out.

"Bagman left the pitch and had a really foresightful talking with all the headmasters and sea captain. Then Kendrick announced that the peer was called off and told everyone to return to their uncouth rooms.

"Everyone was really tempestuous of row. 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 up it off ?"can asked.

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

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

"Well, they were,"mat muttered.

"I know,"rosiness agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and heather. I 'm for sure they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told someone sooner. They found out Linda 's a vampire and now the integral school knows."

"How did they fancy it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and heather were 6th old age, they would n't have heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

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

"But what about the peer ?"Albus asked.

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

"cancel the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole year on that tournament ! Do you know how a lot time I 've spent on the Quidditch sales talk this twelvemonth ? Sir Thomas More meter than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to invalidate the bloody tournament ?"

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

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

"I know,"Rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

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

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

"I guess,"Rose said,"Anyway, they 'll probably have an announcement about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the amazing mass who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one more chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to tell everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. Madam Pomfrey flat out refused to let any of them leave the Hospital Wing, so she agreed to lock up 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 role about why it was not all that advisable to become a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to get a line that Balladanis had been hired to help capture Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. tidings that was not all that welcome.

"As of right now, he 's completely free and in the clear,"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 furious with this. Harry looked quite wild as well, but it did not come close to how Mr. Eckerton looked.

"We 're not going to pass on up,"Harry said,"We 'll proceed negotiating with them."

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous night, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first gear year, when mat had told them about his dad 's young adult dream of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside tabular array, where Madam Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the late night. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

"Merlin 's beard,"he muttered,"It 's the Cloak."

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

"Unbelievable,"Mr. Eckerton whispered as he fingered it.

He spent a few minutes trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not think I 've finally solved the font of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is amazing. I would love to plowshare the tale with my brother. Perhaps I could introduce you to him at the creation Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be fine. Perhaps I will eventually tell him as well."

******

Albus wanted zip more than to be allowed out of the Hospital Wing in time to go to dinner that Nox. He was sure Professor Kendrick would hit some sort of announcement about the tournament and he did not require to overlook it.

After a full ten minutes of begging on his part ( helped out by matte, John, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state to leave the Aaron Montgomery Ward. Albus thought this was laughable because he felt okay. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a slingback ? That should n't kibosh him from eating dinner with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a pipe down repast in the infirmary extension and wait anxiously for Rose and Amanda to tell him what Kendrick said.

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

"Tournament 's canceled,"blush wine sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The kids from New House of York are staying to polish off out the yr, but the tournament 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"pigeon hawk !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to offset it ? Could n't they just disqualify Australia ?"

"No,"rose shook her point,"To do that Hogwarts would cause to play New York in another final."

"Why do n't they do that ?"John the Evangelist asked.

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

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you experience better, I 'm pretty for sure Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't have been here,"rose wine pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred firm points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the houses had people on the team, so that does n't really serve,"Albus muttered.

"well,"Rose grinned,"I know one matter that 'll cheer you up."

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

"There were Quidditch guide at that compeer,"Rose told him,"And even though the match was disastrous, they did ascertain mortal they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"GA !"rose exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to dally for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

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

"Yup, she 's their unexampled substitute Keeper,"Rose said,"She says Uncle Harry Hotspur 's not impressed. He wanted her to forge at the Ministry. She does n't care what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Walker Percy 's got spate of other tike to work at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"bathroom said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"Matt grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the shank,"John groaned.

"She 's just happy to be on a squad,"Rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any squad, she 'll be able to work her way up to a unspoilt one."

"Falco columbarius, I hope so,"John shrugged.

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

"Only one I know for sure of,"blush wine said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle 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 cousin had been taken on by a pro Quidditch squad 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 give a choice since exams began that day. Albus felt perfectly OK and was quite glad to leave the office.

rosebush 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 exam to read the article that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN schooling CHEATS- tourney CANCELED

After a startle discovery made by two Hogwarts
students, the Quidditch and Dueling tourney
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack Academy of
Magic, and the Australian school day of black magic
has been canceled.

The tournament 's final examination Quidditch match was
interrupted this yesteryear Sat by two Hogwarts
one-sixth years, Fred Weasley and Calluna vulgaris Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Aussie squad
had been cheating throughout the entire
tournament.

A few calendar month ago, allegation were brought upon
the Aussie squad after their Seeker, Linda
Morales, 14, flew at an exceptionally fast speed.
An investigation found nothing. The tournament
continued.

Fred and Heather Weasley accused Linda team spirit
of being a vampire. vampire are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch squad due
to the unfair advantage they have.

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

Headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Australian
school of necromancy admitted to allowing morale
to be the Seeker of his team in order to win the
tournament. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, team spirit, and the rest of the Australian
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts recent
on Sat, declining to verbalize with any of our
reporters.

tourney officials as well as the other two
master have decided to strike down the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

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

"Killigan is an half-wit,"Albus said.

"expression at the side by side clause,"rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON dorsum IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final examination Quidditch match was ending in disaster
at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry
Potter 's middle small fry, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus Potter, as well as full 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 convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, school principal of the Department of the Regulation
and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia.

The four Hogwarts educatee were taken to Australia
where Harry potter and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is unclear what the convict were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four son have recovered from the trial by ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the twelvemonth interrogation
at Hogwarts. Harry Potter has declined comment.

"well, that 's not a very informative clause,"Albus said as he tossed the composition onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can report much,"Rose said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to continue quiet about Lubar in restitution for giving him some sort of punishment.

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

Albus was forced to promote Lubar into the backrest of his creative thinker as examination began. They were all significantly operose than the late twelvemonth 's had been, but he was sure he at least passed all of them.

There were inadequate clause in the Prophet about Lubar everyday, but they all said the Sami affair. Australia refused to deport him. matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

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

Things were different, though. Both Rose and Amanda were a lot quieter than they used to be. Albus was sure enough they missed Linda, and he had no idea whether she had said goodby to them, or even if she 'd had the opportunity.

lustrelessness was lost in his own thought process most of the prison term, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went intact even without saying two words to anyone, something that usually only happened around wide-cut moon. However, the next full moon 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 daylights out of him.

toilet and Kaden remained as boisterous as ever and did not look to be fazed by what had happened in Commonwealth of Australia. They spent their week pulling pranks and playing interminable games of Exploding Snap that Albus occasionally joined in on.

Albus himself was quieter. His mind was racing with thoughts of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the clause 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 Australia 's prison.

******

The railroad train ride back to London was subdued, the alone racket being John and Kaden 's Exploding Snap cards. Albus and Matt both gazed out the windowpane, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a letter last Night,"rose said, breaking the silence.

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

"She told us she was dingy, and wanted me to state 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 school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her head,"She 's been through schoolhouse a couple times already. She was n't even a educatee at the Australian school day. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing Seeker for them. He 's a really filthy blighter. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

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

"No estimation,"pink wine shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

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

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

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

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

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

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

"Well, I 'd opt Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! Nothing can really destroy it,"Albus said.

"Good power point,"John agreed.

"Let me roll in the hay when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

"Why ? So you can win over your parents to ingest you ?"can smirked.

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can make out when to ask round you lot to my sign. My dad said he 'd admit us camping."

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

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"keep in collapsible shelter, no electricity, no magic either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"Matt said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"matt answered,"That was the time I got bitten."

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

"It 's ok,"mat shrugged,"Just do n't go during a fully Moon. I do n't require any of you having to join me in the screech shack next year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did finger bad that Matt would n't get to go, but he kind of thought matt would n't want to go anyway.

The end of the trip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sort of returning to normal. It was almost nice to get a line St. John the Apostle and Matt arguing about the Cannons again and Kaden arguing about football.

The train arrived in London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying goodbye to his friends, Albus left the station with his household touch sensation that just maybe sprightliness would be rule from then on. fountainhead, maybe the summer would be at least be rule. Albus could n't get his hopes up too high.


A/N : Hard to think it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awesome multitude who have read and reviewed this ! You guy rope are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the fourth storey but it 'll be a piece before the first-class honours degree chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every former week at first, alternating workweek with Beyond the Shadow. In the have in mind time, if you want something new to understand, I suggest checking out Remember the carom, which is a collab I worked on conclusion year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley carom and their downfall. It 's under the username The Golden canary and is also in my preferred stories so you can line up it that way.