Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent most of the days preceding Christmas at rosiness 's home. St. James was determined to use all of his spare time for Quidditch pattern, and he had to go to Rose 's household for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Hugo would avail James practice while Rose read.

Harry had to practically separate James River from his broom by magic on Christmas Eve so they could go to Godric 's holler. William James wanted to stay at pink wine 's business firm and hold practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The stumble was quiet since James IV was rather sullen the entire time.

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

"That 's trade good,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

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

Everyone else was already at the tunnel and Albus felt an immediate warmheartedness come over him as he stepped inside. It had goose egg to do with the fact that it was so cold and snowy outside, either. There was something so comforting about being at the tunnel surrounded by all his house. He was able to forget all the consequence with the Quidditch tournament and professor Killigan. All he could call up about was how sharp-set he was and how good some of his nan 's cooking would be in good order about then.

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

"Uncle Charlie and auntie Katherine are going back to Roumania this summer,"Rose announced.

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

"Yeah,"Rose nodded,"They might stick around even after the summer 's over, but Heather and scrape will come back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

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

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

Stanley had been working at the Magical zoological garden since he finished Hogwarts, but knew he did n't desire to do that his unit living. He just did n't know what he did require to do.

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

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

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

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

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

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

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

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

"We do n't involve electricity to play Quidditch !"shift exclaimed,"It 'll be perfective training atmospheric condition ! If you can get a sneak in the middle of a rash, you can catch up with one in any weather. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

"We 'll see tomorrow, shimmy,"Molly sighed.

Albus finished his soup and he and Rose went into the den, where they were greeted by a loud chorus of 'Odo the torpedo', Song dynasty by George, Alicia, Charlie, and Ron. handbill and Fleur were laughing while Hermione shook her head. Albus had a feeling the merely reason why Fleur approved was because the singing was drowning out Celestina Warbeck.

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

Albus stifled a laugh. His Uncle Percy had been talking about running for diplomatic minister for the past ten years, but still had n't done it. Most of his uncles and aunty got sick of hearing him babble about what he would and would not exchange.

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

"Hi Victoire,"Albus made his way over to her,"How is healer education ?"

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to figure out which region of the hospital I want to do the relief of my training in by Sept. We 've been rotating throughout all the story, but now we have to pick one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until September,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a long prison term to him.

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

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

"Thanks, Teddy,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the Maternity Mrs. Humphrey Ward or while Damage."

"There 's a interfering ward,"slip grinned,"magical spell impairment. You 'll get all the funny injury there."

"That 's not a good grounds to pick a specialization,"Victoire groaned.

"Good a understanding as any,"Teddy shrugged.

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

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

The hint was so powerful that Albus could feel it through the break in the window. Every once in a while, the house would skreak and shake. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his auricle to try and drown out the howl.

Albus did n't oversee to drift off to sleep until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no charming exterior of school linguistic rule to put a silencing charm on the room.

******

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

"And there 's three feet of snow outside,"Lily said as she left the room,"I checked."

"Merlin !"Epistle of James jumped off the top buncombe and looked out the windowpane,"There is ! And it 's still coming !"

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

"We could build up the world 's biggest snow wizard later,"Ben suggested.

"We could build an integral snow star United States Army,"Albus said.

"Presents first,"King James said as he located his big money of presents.

Albus descended upon his own cumulus of presents and began opening them. There were the usual sweets and Weasleys'Cartesian product from his aunts and uncles. Another Weasley sweater, this one vermilion and gold striped. He pulled it on over his pajamas and opened the eternal rest of the presents from his aunt and uncles. His aunt Hermione had gotten him a few books he 'd probably never register, including one about the chronicle of house brownie at Hogwarts.

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

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

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

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

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

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"World Cup tickets !"

"I did n't even have a go at it they were on sale this too soon !"Saint James said.

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

"Hey, I got two tag,"William James replied.

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

Albus suddenly realized he had the Saame problem. Two tickets. Five champion he would want to engage. Who was he going to choose ? Not rosebush. They may get been friends since they were babies, but she just did n't let a passion for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to scotch off the list. Saint John and mat were the Quidditch fans. He 'd let to prefer between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't follow a team or anything.

"Those are set version slate,"Ben said,"They do n't know who 's playing yet, so they do n't trade very many ticket ahead of time."

"They 're for the top box, too,"James II 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 just the ticket ?"

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

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

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

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

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

Albus grinned as he began to eat breakfast. Somehow his parents had come close to topping concluding class 's present. Now not only was he going to get to see the domain Cup, he would get to travel to a dissimilar country.

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

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

"Not under my lookout man !"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 lunch, then,"Teddy shrugged.

Molly shook her head and sighed as she set a few more phonograph recording of eggs and toast onto the table.

There was a roast on the threshold 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 rummy to see who would travel to on Christmas morning in the middle of a Brobdingnagian blizzard.

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

"Yes !"Xenophilius Lovegood shouted back. Chester Alan Arthur stood aside as the man walked in and then shut the room access behind him."Quite the tempest we 're having ! Just thought I 'd hold on by and see if this place was still standing."

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

"Good, but if you feel it 's too rickety, just let me know and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy Plants. The leaves do wonders on old buildings. Makes them like new. I just put a bunch into my lieu and it 's a good thing, too. Of course, they tend to attract Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's voice trailed off.

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

"Yes, yes,"he replied,"Luna and Rollo are with his kinsperson this Christmas."

"Then you must rest here a while. Molly 's cooked far too much food, like common,"Arthur trail Xeno into the kitchen.

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

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

Albus spent most of the first light playing Exploding Snap, star 's chess game, and Gobstones with his cousins. They tried to run hide and go seek, but the theater was too crowded to play it properly.

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

lunch period came and the snow was still falling. George IV went outside to measure it and came back with the news that it was three and a half feet.

teddy went upstairs after lunch and came back decked out in three jumpers, a thickly cloak, and a pair of boots. Under one arm was his broom and under the other was a box of Quidditch balls. James was correct behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus Lupin !"molly shouted,"I suppose I ca n't check you from going out there and catching death of a cold, but I will not let you drag James with you !"

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

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

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

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

Georgia, Fred, and ling suited up in lovesome clothes and joined teddy bear and James IV. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't want to suspend when he could rest inside and be warm.

The Christmas Quidditch lasted a one-half an minute. slip, William James, Georgia, Calluna vulgaris, and Fred all stumbled back into the mansion shivering with their faces red and covered in coke and ice. molly immediately descended upon them with countenance of hot deep brown and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

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

Harry laughed."That does n't surprise me. You 'll get it when the tempest calms down. You put the charm on it to stay in the one thousand, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"Teddy replied.

Christmas dinner party came and went in its common pandemonium. Xenophilius stayed for it and James snuck sneezing pulverization into his soup, which he found incredibly funny. mollie was not as strike and gave James quite the scolding. How she found out it was James was beyond Albus.

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

******

nonentity left the tunnel until two days after Yuletide. That was when the snow finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half animal foot, which was a new record for Albus 's lifetime. The tunnel 's yard had been decorated by dozens of coke witches and whiz, along with hippogriffs, owls, and a variety of early magical creatures.

When Albus found out what his family 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 twelvemonth 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old dress robe ?"Jesse James whined as they walked down Diagon alleyway towards Madam Malkin's.

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

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

"mommy, I want empurple robes,"Lily announced.

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the first couple of garb gown he found, so long as they were n't rap or purple. The sooner they were done robes shopping the better.

rosebush and Lily made a beeline for the missy garb robes as soon as they walked in the room access. Albus stood awkwardly next to James I while their mother found various gown for them.

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

"Very Slytherin,"James snickered.

"Shut it, James,"Albus muttered.

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

Albus reluctantly tried on the Slytherin colored robe and then left the fecundation room for his female parent to see.

"Too short,"she announced,"But the colour is perfect. I 'll find a bountiful size."

James wound up with a navy blueish couplet of robes, which Albus would have preferred. Lily found her royal robe and rosebush got a sky blue pair.

"Next time you 're getting honey oil robes,"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 induce green eyes,"James grinned.

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

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The party was at the minister of religion 's sign of the zodiac, the house where all the diplomatic minister of illusion had lived. Albus had been there a few fourth dimension before, but not in a couple years. Usually all the parties the curate held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few hours before the party, Ginny made Albus, James, and Lily all take showers and disentangle their hair properly. She spent a trade good XV minutes trying to get King James 's whisker to lie flatcar and another 15 minutes putting Lily 's up in some sorting of elaborate bun type matter. Albus was very well-chosen his own haircloth was far too short circuit for that kind of thing.

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

"Absolutely no making difficulty !"Ginny stared at Saint James the Apostle as she said this,"None at all ! This is the Minister 's house ! I will not feature you wreaking havoc in it."

"We 're trusting you to save yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to birth to mingle with everyone and we wo n't be able to determine you every secondly,"Harry added,"You 're all at Hogwarts now. You 're old enough to not be glued to us for the evening."

"Do n't vex,"King James I said,"I know when devilry is n't appropriate."

"Let 's hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his family line Apparated to the government minister 's planetary house, which meant side-along apparition for Albus. He hated side-along apparition. 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 causa in his class. It was the torment of being the midway baby. He was either with James or Lily. This meter it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

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

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

The mansion seemed to get bighearted as they got closer. It was painted brown with a black ceiling and reminded Albus of a palace. 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 threshold and it was answered by the Minister himself."Harry !"he shouted,"Come in !"

government minister Langston Hartwell was the third minister since the Fall of Lord Voldemort. He was a marvelous, rotund man with very footling hairsbreadth left on his principal. He did frisk a rather heavy mustache, which caused Albus to cogitate of him as a much magniloquent version of Professor Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very educated wizards who spoke using very large row that Albus could n't really understand. He was long-winded and nearly of his speeches could be condensed down into a few sentence, according to Harry, that is. He was a very nice man, though.

"right field this way,"Hartwell motioned for them to comply him.

Hartwell lead them through the theater, which was just as immaculate as Albus remembered, and into what could only be described as a rattling ballroom. It was the Saami ballroom all the party Albus had been to were held.

The room was decorated with silver and black and was already filling up with the great unwashed. Albus spotted Rose and Matt in the cover of the room and left his menage in the doorway to go see them.

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

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

Albus rolled his eyes."Shut it."

"What do you think, Matt ?"rosiness turned to matte,"His mum says they match his heart, but William James says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"matt said immediately.

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

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

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you have it off most of these people ?"

"Some,"matt said,"That 's the chap Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very bombastic wizard,"McVicar."

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

"Dad never thought he would either,"Matt laughed,"Then we 've got your Uncle Walker Percy, I think you probably know him. Those people are a few of Dad 's co-worker,"matt gestured to a few Thomas More witches and whizz,"Then there 's a bunch of people from early departments, but I do n't call up 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 party like this a few times a month. You make your own fun."

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the wine and champagne. It 'll still taste exactly the Saami,"Matt grinned mischievously,"By the metre midnight rolling wave around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not drink in. It 'll be funny."

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

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

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

"Mostly stuff with the food. Charm the deep brown to taste like vanilla, charm the serving utensils to locomote every clip you go to pluck them up, that sort of clobber,"Matt explained.

"My parents gave us this speech about how we ca n't run 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 material to me,"Matt laughed,"They never suspect me of anything. The bit they find out the alcohol 's been charmed out of the drinks, they 'll determine Amy."

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

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

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

"What exactly happens when you use this good luck charm ?"Rose asked.

"Oh, it 's with child,"Amy grinned,"outset, only a couple hoi polloi notice and they make a very quiet cite to another mortal and then that person agrees that there 's something wrong with the drinks. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will try out the drinks, discover the alcohol 's been charmed away, supplant it, and then everyone will embolden. But some of them will act drunk because they think there 's alcohol in the drinks."

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

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

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

"You never know,"Matt shrugged.

"I bet James River and Cedric are going to do something,"Albus said as he scanned the crew. Henry James and Cedric were sitting at one of the mesa, heads close together like they were plotting something.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Nope,"Albus shook his read/write head,"None of my former aunty and uncles work for the Ministry."

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

Albus and rosiness agreed. Amy left to go talk to someone else and the three ally walked over to the sideboard. There was already a little queue in forepart of it.

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

The waiting line moved quickly and soon Albus was in front. He grabbed a plate and piled it gamy with just about everything. There was always the honest food at this variety of company.

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

"I do n't even sleep together what half this stuff is,"mat said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

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

Albus, Matt, and Rose wandered around the elbow room once they finished their intellectual nourishment. A few adults stopped to exclaim how big they 'd gotten and to ask what year they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't want to be associated with Epistle of James and Cedric 's mischief.

"Hello, everyone !"minister of religion Hartwell shouted from the pulpit at the front of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to catch him. Albus, blush wine, and lusterlessness were somewhat finis to the podium.

"Thank you,"he smiled,"I assume you all know why I 've thrown this party, and it 's not just to drop the large amount of vino I was given for Christmas !"

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

"Yes, yes, well, this company is in accolade of none other than Bruno Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the position of Head of the department of rule and control condition 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 common speeches, which Albus could not empathise. 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, curate,"McVicar began,"That was quite an interesting speech. I, too, would like to plume Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am sure at least half of you were quite surprised to hear 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 preceding ten years.

"However, the main ground for my lack of an earlier retreat was because there was not a bingle person employed in the Ministry whom I would have trusted with this job. Nobody had the capabilities to carry out this position in the way I would wish. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my slogan up until five year ago, that is.

"A little over five years ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He applied for a job in Werewolf financial backing armed service, a military position that had been overt for well over a year. I was ready to take anyone who walked through the door at that level, but I had no idea what was to come when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may recognize that Walter has experience in this field. He was the Head of the department of rule and Control of Magical animal in Australia for three years before leaving the position in order to move to England.

"Walter revolutionized Werewolf sustenance servicing as soon as he started. The idea he had were 1 that even I had n't thought of. In five myopic old age, he has bettered liveliness for those plagued with lycanthropy Sir Thomas More than anyone else in the section have in their integral careers.

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

"The only affair left for me to do was win over myself it was metre to hit the sack,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did take the better voice of five years to do that. But now, I feel very confident as I deal the reins over to Walter."

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

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

"Well,"flatness 's dad began,"Thanks for your right to vote of assurance, Rob. I certainly hope I can dwell up to your expectations.

"I have to begin by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no aim of becoming the capitulum of the entire section again, no matter which country I was living in. Werewolf Support service has been such a great blank space to act upon these past few years. It truly is my passion.

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

"Of row, I could not have gotten to this station without the help of my wife, Julie,"he gestured to Matt 's mum, who was standing near the dais,"And my daughter, Amy, and my son, lusterlessness.

"I 'm not one for foresightful spoken language, so I 'll just say that I look forward to starting the job and I truly Leslie Townes Hope I can be at least half of the question 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 wassail to call up much on it,"rosiness smirked.

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

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

A good portion of the adults were acting very drunk. In fact, if Albus had n't known about Amy 's appeal, he would say they all really were drunk. The weird matter was that everybody was acting wino. There did n't seem to be anyone who was thinking there was something wrongly 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,"flatness whispered,"Why 's everyone acting normal ?

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

James and Cedric were also standing near the drink table, looking nearly as unconnected as Albus felt about this appeal. That was kind of strange.

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

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

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

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

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some excess alcohol to that wine-colored,"James whispered.

Albus, pink wine, Matt, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not believe it. All of their pranks had backfired. The wine was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so funny ?"Cedric asked.

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

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

"So much for that buffoonery,"St. James the Apostle groaned.

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

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

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

"Want to research the government minister 's Mansion ?"Matt suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"rosiness asked skeptically.

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

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

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

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

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

"Their business firm is this big ?"Rose asked.

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

The three friends wound up in a very tumid living room filled with outmoded furniture. There was an oriental carpet on the land and oak mesa and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the tables were take to vase of bloom and crystal sculptures.

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

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

"Do n't extend to it !"rose wine hissed.

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

"smell at all these books,"Albus gazed up at one of the bookcases,"Madam Pince would love to get her hand on these."

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

"Mum would like them,"Rose said

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

"Probably older than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, lusterlessness, come here,"Rose said as she looked out the window.

Albus and Matt walked over to the window and leaned over the mesa that was in front man of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"Look, there's-"

lusterlessness leaned farther over the board and knocked one of the crystal sculptures off. Rose gasped and managed to arrest it before it crashed onto the floor.

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

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

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

Albus peered out the window into the darkness. He could just barely make out a shadow lurking around the scrub. It did n't expect like the mortal was walking up towards the house to go to the political party. Plus, why would he show up three hours late ?

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

"Let 's go bump out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't throw a clue as to who it was, but he wanted to obtain out. There was no ground for someone to be sneaking around the curate 's mansion at this clock time of night.

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

"expression, 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 whole way wide of Ministry official in lawsuit whoever is out there is mortal bad,"Albus said.

"That 's a good point,"mat replied,"Why would somebody sneak around a house that 's full of Ministry officials, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

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

Rose reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and flatness, muttering under her breath. They found the good room access and went out into the common cold night, drawing their baton as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll freeze out to expiry,"pink wine muttered.

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

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

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

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

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

Albus continued creeping around the house, with his wand out in battlefront of him. His marrow was beating fast and his hands were sweaty despite the coldness. He did n't need to stop, though. Figuring out who this bloke was was exciting and nerve wracking at the Saami time.

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

rose screamed and grabbed clutch of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own wand, his hand shaking.

"Who are you ?"the person shouted.

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

"He sounds familiar,"mat whispered,"Hang on. Bloody infernal region, that 's Professor Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a second and the voice did sound a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the Minister 's mansion ?

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

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The wand twinkle lowered and Albus heard the man footstep through the snow towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed Professor Balladanis. He breathed a sigh of relief as rose wine let go of his arm.

"Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis said and then waved his wand around,"And young woman Weasley, Mr. Eckerton. Oh, I suppose this political party is for your sire, Mr. Eckerton ?"

"Y-yes, sir,"lustrelessness replied.

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

"Told you,"rose whispered to Albus.

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

"And you 're favourable it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could have been dead if that mortal had been a darkness thaumaturgist. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

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

"If you must get laid, the diplomatic minister asked me to retard the evidence in edict to take sure cypher was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did nothing but spark Albus 's curiosity even more. He knew just 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, matt, 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 hunting of the perimeter, but instead he went back to the ballroom with them and marched them right up to Harry.

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

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

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

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

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

"Care to explain ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

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

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

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

Harry went back to his conversation and Albus lead his supporter 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 !"mortal shouted.

Albus looked at the nearest 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 the great unwashed Albus did n't know left, along with his Uncle Percy, Aunt Corrine, and his cousins. Albus 's parents did n't expect like they were in any rush to forget, so he got a collection plate of the leftover desserts and at them with his friends.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus waved adieu and then joined his mum, dad, James, and Lily. They all said felicitation to lustrelessness 's dad and then left the diplomatic minister 's sign. Albus peered into the bushes as he left, but there was no sign of prof Balladanis.

******

The remnant of the Yuletide vacation went by very slow for Albus. He did all his prep, which was quite boring, and there was zilch to do after that. Rose was visiting her early grandparents and James was at Nathan 's family. Even Kaden was busy visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and Petunia ). He sent Albus a letter complaining about it, since the sojourn was also with Aunt Marge. Albus was very grateful that he did n't induce to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and Petunia again.

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

"aunty oleomargarine has got to be the most ugly aunt in the integral worldly concern,"Kaden fumed,"My dad told her about magic a few calendar month ago and she 's been terribly ever since. I mean, she was always kind of ugly, but now she 's speculative. She just hates magic so much. She 's worse than my grandparents."

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

"Consider yourself lucky,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had better vacation ?"

"We found professor Balladanis lurking around the Minister 's Mansion,"Albus announced.

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

"I saw person sneaking around out of doors and Albus insisted we go investigate,"Rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the parson had apparently asked him to chequer the grounds for trouble."

"Did he find you ?"whoremaster asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Again, weird,"King John said.

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

"That settles it,"St. John announced,"Albus, you 've got to find out what he did before he started teaching defense force ?"

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

"Because you 've got those particular dueling lessons with him. He likes you for some reason. Of form, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a good dueler, too,"John explained.

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

"You never know,"John the Divine said.

******

"serenity, quieten !"Balladanis shouted the chase Tuesday, their first day of Defense after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to flatness and John and turned to front Balladanis. He was really hoping that the professor would say zippo about what happened at the political party and so far Balladanis was showing no anamnesis of it.

"I trust you all had superb holidays,"Balladanis said,"But the holiday are over and although I am for certain none of you thought a bit about defensive magic during said holidays, it is now time to set about that thinking once again.

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

"irregular, in this term we will begin to research puppet far more dangerous than hinkypunks and kappas. In this term we shall learn about those terrifying creatures such as acromantulas, basilisks, werewolf, dragons, and vampires."

Albus could n't help but glint at Linda when Balladanis said lamia. Balladanis had glanced at her as well, and he also glanced at Matt when he said loup-garou. Of course, he had looked at Albus when he said basilisks, so it did n't necessarily entail anything, but Albus had a feeling it did.

"As the master would find it highly inappropriate for a dragon to manifest itself in this classroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this condition,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few fourth dimension. You will find out that there are more than lectures in this term, much to my dislike. There is nothing I would like better than to instruct you about acromantulas and werewolves with practical deterrent example, but there are both laws and school prescript that prevent such lessons."

Albus and lusterlessness glanced at each other. It was official. Professor Balladanis was insane. What form of teacher would want to teach about dragons with live dragons ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the Same as Balladanis.

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

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

"prophecy is such a put-on,"John said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and collapsed onto a put,"We started vitreous silica ball gazing today. All I saw was a burden of fog."

"I told you not to take it,"Rose said as she pulled a push-down stack of books out of her own bag.

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

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

"Trelawney could make water Defense bad,"Albus replied.

"Balladanis told us that he wished he could teach us about dark creature using the anamatek,"pink wine said,"Seriously, he wanted a basilisk to appear in the middle of the classroom."

"That would be stupid,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a drinking chocolate salientian,"Those can kill you with their eyes."

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

"Do you cerebrate that anamatek could twist into a lycanthrope if the lunation was n't entire ?"John asked.

"Probably not,"Matt answered,"It would just be a wolf. I think it would just be a Hugo Wolf any other sentence of the month, too, because there 's no way it could turn someone into a loup-garou by biting them."

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

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

"If you think of it that way, there 's no tip to have it twist into a bogus werewolf either,"Rose pointed out.

"Good point, I guess,"John muttered.

******

The residual of the hebdomad went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch practice Thursday even, and Grant Wood informed the whole team 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 bit situation.

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

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

"Mr. Potter,"Balladanis turned around and recognise Albus,"Is it safe to assume that you did not go wandering about late at Nox alone after New yr '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 elbow room,"Now we may set about. I have decided that your understanding of the Protego charm is acceptable so we are going to move on to something else.

"This particular charm, when performed correctly, manages to disarm and disorient a person at the same time. The sense datum is often described as lightheadedness. Can either of you tell me what why this spell would be more utilitarian than a monetary standard disarmament spell ?"

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

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

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

"Another trade good rationality, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to walk slowly around the room,"whizz who are expecting to have got to duel other thaumaturgist often keep multiple wands on their individual. There are turn that can be performed on these wands to keep them attached to your robes or your real body, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't sweep over easily. However, these spells require incessant concentration.

"If a wizard is hit with the magic spell I am about to learn you, they will turn a loss the concentration necessary to retain their extra verge affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the extra wands."

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

"Perhaps towards the end of the year. It takes immense immersion and charming energy to simultaneously execute that charm while dueling someone,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will teach the good luck charm to disarm and disorient a someone at the same time.

"The conjuration is 'Confundo-Expelliarmus'. A combining of Confundus and Expelliarmus. Mr. Malfoy, you will go first. When I say so, execute the charm against Mr. Potter. Mr. thrower, you may try and stop him using the Protego appeal I taught you earlier."

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

"Now, Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis muttered.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted.

Albus felt the good luck charm hit his shell, but it did n't break through. He gripped his wand harder and stared at Malfoy.

"bread and butter going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The charm hit Albus 's carapace a little harder this time. Albus could finger beads of sweat forming on his frontal bone.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five times to split up through Albus 's shield. When it happened, Albus felt his sceptre leave his bridge player and was overcome by a wave of giddiness at the Lapplander clip. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the previous year, only without the fever.

Albus did n't pay any attention to what Malfoy and Balladanis were doing. He felt like he was going to go 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 vertigo was gone. Albus shook his headway and then looked up and saw Balladanis and Malfoy standing in front of him. Malfoy looked shanghai and Balladanis looked like he always did.

"You did quite well with that carapace,"Balladanis said as Albus stood up,"And I think it 's safe to adopt that you could n't give held concentration for any enchantment 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 pass out,"Balladanis explained,"When you 're ready, you can try the charm."

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

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

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

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

The magical spell hit Malfoy in the pectus and his scepter soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy bent over and fell to the terra firma, 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 unearthly,"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 improve part of an 60 minutes, yesteryear when Albus would have liked to relinquish. It was exhausting to be hit with that spell time after time while trying to sustain up a carapace charm. Malfoy did n't look to be faring much serious and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to stop after a half hour, but Malfoy closed his mouth, obviously thinking better of it.

The practice was n't for nothing, though. Albus managed to hold back Malfoy off longer and longer each time and although Malfoy was getting better at the shield charm 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 have been the tenth prison term that night,"I 'll see you in grade on Tuesday."

Malfoy made a beeline for the door, but Albus turned to Balladanis instead. He might as well just get it over with. There was no good way to ask Balladanis what his 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 strange look he had ever seen. It was a motley of anger, sorrow, and even regret. For a moment, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should have just told whoremaster they would n't be able to encounter out.

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

Albus was taken aback. That was more than he had expected. He had thought Balladanis would own told him to mind his own byplay and get back to Gryffindor Tower before curfew. Albus was going to find out out, he was just going to have to be affected role.

Albus left the way as quickly as he could in his exhausted state, before Balladanis could change his judgement about eventually telling Albus about his old career. The walk back to Gryffindor column seemed longer than common and all Albus wanted to do was collapse into bed when he finally got there.

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

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

Rose opened her mouth to speak and then closed her eyes, unable to do so. Albus turned to bathroom and raised his eyebrows.

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

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

"individual killed him,"lavatory said in barely more than a whisper.

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

"Must 've just happened,"whoremonger said,"They just found him. Madam Rosmerta heard a tumult and Flooed here, to get the Auror on duty. By the time they got back, his workshop was a complete pile inside and he was laying dead on the floor. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the afforest, the grounds, and the school. Nobody 's allowed out of their common room and dormitories."

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

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

mass were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That variety of thing just did n't happen anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. well, Professor Torro had been killed back before his maiden year and then that one witch from the Ministry had been killed over Christmas, but their cause of death had never been found and nothing had happened since.

"Why would anyone toss off him ?"lustrelessness wondered aloud.

"Why would anyone kill anyone ?"Rose replied.

The portraiture hole opened and all the whispering stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was Professor Longbottom, looking worse for the wear. His robe were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the castle and the grounds,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some sopor. The hunting will be long over by morning, so you will be free to leave the common elbow room then."

Albus and his friends looked at each other after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their dormitories, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the s yr'hall. Nobody said anything as he curled up on the floor with one of Albus 's fifth wheel mantle. Albus got into bed and stared at the ceiling. He had been so beat earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get a great deal sopor that night.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


luncheon was very subdued the side by side day. Most people had slept quite belatedly since it was a Sabbatum. Every bookman of Hogwarts had their nose in a transcript of the Prophet, be it their own or a friend 's. The staff table looked the same, with every professor either reading the vaticinator or whispering with another professor, no doubt about what they 'd record.

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

HOGSMEADE SHOPKEEPER MURDERED

A disturbance in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
resident to Hogwarts to find the Auror on
responsibility tip to the find of the demise
of a shopkeeper.

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

An extensive hunting of Hogsmeade, the
forest, Hogwarts, and its soil turned
up nada despite the hours Aurors spent
searching. No fingerprints were found on
the scene.

Aurors will be devoting time to finding
Wisander 's killer and a potential motive.

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

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very strong opinion and did not hesitate
to let others have a go at it his judgment. His most
Recent epoch editorials have explored the subject
of werewolf, vampire, and other so called
'half-breeds'right field. Aurors have declined
input on whether they believe Wisander 's
editorials are a possible motivation for his
execution. Wisander 's obituary can be found
on Sir Frederick Handley Page five.

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

"What variety of editorials did he publish ?"matt asked quietly.

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

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

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

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

cipher had read them. Not even Rose. flatness sighed and collapsed onto one of the couches."I 've got to find out what they were about. I do n't even bang which would be secure, him being for or against werewolf right hand. If he 's for them, that means some bloke is on the unloosen killing mass for wanting wolfman rights."

lustrelessness did n't even stimulate to carry on for Albus to know why that worried him. mat 's dad was possibly the prominent advocator of werewolf rightfield in all of UK and everyone knew it. If someone had been killed just for writing about lycanthrope right wing, what would happen to mortal who was actually passing law of nature for them ?

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

"Why else would soul make killed him ?"Matt asked,"He was just a shop owner in Hogsmeade."

"Why did someone putting to death Professor Torro ?"King John replied,"He was n't even writing any editorials or anything."

"To daunt hoi polloi,"Albus said quietly,"The Defense instructor perspective used to be cursed, back when our parents were in school."

"well, I do n't believe you should vex until you find out what the editorials are about,"rose wine said to Matt.

"The early choice is n't a lot upright,"Matt muttered,"If he did n't compose editorial for werewolf right field, then he wrote them against them."

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

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

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the library. When they arrived, they were surprised to find how crowd it was. Usually Sat were the days everyone put off their prep and then Sunday were spent in the library.

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

"might not be any left,"John muttered.

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

whoremonger was almost right. There was a very small spate of newspaper left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded board towards the binding of the depository library. Albus, mat, and rose wine each took a newsprint while John, Kaden, and Amanda played tic-tac-toe on a fifth wheel bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two age old, until he got to the editorial division. In the very middle, in the handsome font, was an newspaper column by Leroy Wisander.

HEALERS, BREWERS TO rap, NOT MINISTRY OFFICIALS

As I was locking up my shop last Night,
I noticed that it was a replete lunar month. I
could not help but think of the poor
mass plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

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

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

And what variety of chore are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
ones. The jobs where they make hardly
enough money to pay the split and buy
food, let alone buy a potion that
could vary their lives for the better.

I am absolutely appalled that Healers
and potion brewers charge for this
important potion. They must be making
a nice earnings. They can use the profits
to direct extravagant vacation while the
hapless witches and wizards who buy it
struggle to afford it.

There is only so much Ministry functionary
can do. Head of Werewolf Support service,
Walter Eckerton, says he would be intimate to
give away free wolfbane, but there just
is n't room for it in the budget.

What do I offer ? I propose that therapist
and potion brewer give it away for free.
They have the ability to brew it, not
the Ministry. almost therapist claim to enjoy
helping citizenry, 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 power to brew it like
to give birth a little duplicate outgo money.

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

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

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

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

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

Albus nodded and they returned the newspaper and walked as fast as they could back 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 years ago. Imagine what he 's written recently."

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

"He was just trying to stir something up,"blush wine replied,"And look where it got him."

"healer are n't like that. Most of the single I 've met would give away costless Wolfsbane, but it 's more complicated that that. The ingredients are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to mention how unmanageable it is. There are n't many therapist who can brew it and even nearly brewers ca n't brew it,"Matt explained.

"That bloke did n't know the one-half of it,"St. John agreed,"My dad 's a Healer and he 'd love to contribute away free potions. It just does n't work that way."

"My dad 's linked with that blighter,"Matt said quietly,"And now that he 's straits of the full department, he 'll be passing more police force. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really good sorcerer, though,"Albus pointed out to his worried friend,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are wads of Aurors milling about. And your house is more protected than any other house I 've seen, well, except the Minister 's Mansion."

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

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

******

Albus and his supporter 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 point-blank against wolfman and vampire right, but the lookup had proved fruitless.

The articles about Wisander were far more interesting. It seemed that his column about Wolfsbane Potion was one of the tamer 1. Each day niggling piece of music of his various newspaper column were being published. In one, he stated the reasons why loup-garou should n't be locked up on to the full moons. The reasons were quite absurd, but the prophet had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampires should be allowed access to humankind to bite. He suggested using prisoner and allowing vampire to breastfeed them dry. Thus helping lamia and reducing prison costs at the same time.

"I reckon this bloke was off his rock 'n' roll musician,"lav announced at breakfast the following Sunday. He had just finished reading an article about how Wisander spent a year support with a vampire tribe in joker when he was Whitney Moore Young Jr.. They were some of the few multitude actually up at an ahead of time hour, as Albus had Quidditch practice and John had a sunrise detention with Filch for putting dungbombs in the toilets in Moaning myrtle 's bathroom the former day.

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

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

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

"He 's got to let you out for course of instruction,"John grinned.

"What a pity,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Anyway, I 'll probably sustain to do prep, since practice will go until late. How about you ? Any plans for after detention ?"

"Thought I might gain another detention,"John grinned,"But Kaden 's officious with chess game night club this afternoon-"

"time lag,"Albus nearly choked on his succus,"Kaden joined the chess club ? Kaden ? Kaden Dursley ?"

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

"I 'll tell Rose in effect luck with that,"Albus said.

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

"Right,"Albus said, remembering that the entire Sun Myung Moon was that Night,"But you did the dungbombs on your own."

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

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

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

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

There were a few choice words Albus had for praxis that day. Long, grueling, and vivid. Wood was in his finest bod as he ordered the squad to do drills time of day after minute. He seemed to get more and Thomas More stressed as the day wore on.

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

woodwind let them have a short gap for lunch, making sure they knew to come back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the team talking about skipping out of the rest of practice session, but they were back on the sales pitch at the sentence Wood told them to be.

The good afternoon was very similar to the 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 squad walked onto the pitch and demanded they leave, because they had booked the pitch shot for three o'clock that day.

"Remember, praxis Tues eve !"Wood shouted as the whole team rushed to get off the pitch.

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

Rose, Amanda, and Linda were in the uncouth elbow 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 quick hello to the girls.

John and Kaden were in the midsection of a heated game of Exploding shot when Albus walked into the piranha 's Den a few bit later. John 's face was entire of ash, but Kaden 's was quite a clean. There was also a big smiling on his face which contrasted the scowl on John 's fount. mat was laying on the redact facing them, like he had been watching the game, but he was phone asleep.

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

"Grueling. Wood 's ten prison term worsened than Empire State of the South. Five hours we were out there. Five bloody hour in the frigidness !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the other couch.

"Better than scrubbing Moaning Myrtle 's toilet with a toothbrush,"john muttered,"I do n't live what was worse, the scrub or listening to Myrtle."

"All three of you are so cheery 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 bingle person in the chess club,"Kaden shook his head,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"John said as the menu blew up in his cheek again,"Have you done that Defense prove ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

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

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

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

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

"Toad,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could pull out a rosiness and tell you to do your essay,"John replied.

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

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

Albus lifted his drumhead up and glared at Kaden."Mrs. Henry Wood had us doing push-ups and running laps."

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

"To get us into cast 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 well-fixed position on the couch and wrote his essay with his book and parchment perched on his knees. It beat sitting at the table ; at least he was able-bodied to sort of lie down.

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

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

John got up and began to prod Matt 's arm. It took a serious two moment for matt to spread his eyes.

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

"Then I should probably go,"matt 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,"Saint John the Apostle said and Matt did not object. Albus assured him they 'd visit him the following day and then they left, leaving Albus and Kaden alone in the room.

Gospel According to John returned a picayune while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the marauder 's Den afterwards and Saint John the Apostle and Kaden continued working on their preparation while Albus slept on the couch.

******

"Albus, get up !"

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

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

Albus opened his eye 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 dawn. On a Saturday. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch lucifer against New House of York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a reserve player anyway.

"Albus, you 'd ameliorate get up now. woodwind 's in the green room,"teddy bear whispered.

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

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

Now Albus was wide awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the other reserve chaser, a one-seventh yr Slytherin.

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

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

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

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

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

Albus nodded and sat down for what was for certain to be a very hanker voice communication. Wood paused and then launched into an account of tactics, which Albus had already heard during practices 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 throw accomplished the Lapp thing at ten.

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

Part of woods 's speech had been on the weather, which was cold and slightly snowy. Could be worse, Albus thought. At least there was n't a rash. The conditions were very standardized to those they had been practicing in all week.

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

"There you are,"lustrelessness, who was looking significantly better than he had a few days ago, said,"What meter did you get up ?"

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

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

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

"Henry Fielding 's sick and so is the early reserve chaser,"Albus explained,"I 'm just glad we 're playing New York and not Australia."

Albus went to the Great residence hall to eat lunch with his booster, but he was n't really hungry. He did n't cogitate he had ever been more nervous for a Quidditch peer. This was a really important mate, as Wood had pointed out legion time. If they won by a wide enough margin, they 'd be in second place.

Holy Writ had gotten around that Albus was playing in the match and numerous citizenry came over to the Gryffindor table to care Albus chance.

"Al,"Harry sat down next to Albus.

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

"I 'll be watching the completely time. I 'm sure you 're going to do great. Just think of it as a equal against another star sign. Ravenclaw, I guess, since their robes are bluish,"Harry grinned,"trade good luck."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the balance of the Hogwarts team a few minutes later. All his acquaintance wished him good chance as he left the Hall.

cipher talked much as they changed into their robe. Everyone sat down afterwards, ready for Wood 's pre-match speech.

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


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 item of survey, as I wanted to try something different. It 's on my writer page if you want to check it out !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Ten min into the mate, Albus decided there were four types of Quidditch in the public. effortless Quidditch, like what he played with his cousins ; school Quidditch ; professional Quidditch ; and then there was the type of Quidditch he was playing now.

It was a compounding of school Quidditch and professional Quidditch. The bunch was louder, the players more driven, and the stakes were higher than a normal schoolhouse Quidditch lucifer.

Albus dodged one of the New York pursuer 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 heather to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his chest. Then he plunged down to the ground, where nobody else was flying. He was back up high two second later when he had reached the New House of York goal C. W. Post. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the left goal post. The Keeper was too dull and the Quaffle soared through.

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

St. James the Apostle grinned at Albus as he flew preceding. Albus smiled to himself and joined Waverly and Reilly, who were waiting for New York 's Keeper to throw off the Quaffle out. That had been his world-class goal of the match.

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

Albus scored a few more goals and he began to relax a piffling. The match began to feel more like a schooling match and less like a professional person match, even though the stakes were still high.

Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least fifty distributor point when James caught the stoolpigeon, or they would n't be able to catch up with New House of York as far as overall breaker point went.

"New 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'middle goal.

James II noticed as well and flew straight at the hoop. He had been significantly closer than New House of York 's seeker 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 ground and Albus saw the pained aspect on Wood 's face. They had n't won by decent to be in indorsement place overall.

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

Sir Henry Wood nodded in agreement, but he still looked disappointed. Albus chose to ignore this and helped the rest of the squad to run up St. James onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the peak, the Aboriginal Australian School of black magic is in first spot. New York and Hogwarts are currently tied for second gear. The following match will take place at the end of February !"David Smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't fit up with his friends until they were back in the common room. Teddy had gone to Hogsmeade and a party was currently underway in the Gryffindor green room. chemise informed everyone that the three former sign were hosting political party as well. The students from New York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their seeker, were sulking in a corner.

"I think that was your salutary match yet,"Gospel According to John said to Albus as they settled down at their usual table.

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

"Maybe Henry Fielding will still be regorge,"John said.

"Doubt it,"Albus replied,"Plus, I 'm indisputable O'delle will get first dibs on the next match if any of the early pursuer get sick."

"At least you got to trifle in one mates,"Rose pointed out.

"Anyway, the succeeding match you 'll probably be playing Commonwealth of Australia,"Matt said.

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

The party continued until dinner time, when people began to lead as nonentity had snuck down to the kitchens to get food. Harry came in to preen Albus and James shortly before Albus and his friends left for dinner. He was also scheduled to police the school for the rest of the weekend and wanted to let his tiddler know.

******

life sentence at Hogwarts returned to convention shortly after the Quidditch match. The oracle printed fewer and fewer articles about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to forget about his death. Everyone except flatness, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

However, the students at Hogwarts were reminded again of the unsolved execution when the next Hogsmeade trip arrived two days after Valentine 's Day. A serving of the students were too lovesick to notice the boarded up shop class of Dervish and Banges as they made their way to Madam Puddifoot's.

Neither Albus, toilet, or matte were too preoccupied to remark the abandoned edifice, though. The three of them stopped to count at it for a while despite the biting wind. Rose and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

"Who owns it now ?"bathroom asked as they looked at the hollow building.

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

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

Albus did n't consider it was a good time to remind Matt that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the screaming Shack.

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

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

"Albus,"they said again.

Albus turned around, but no one was there. The interpreter sounded familiar, though. Albus slowly reached his bridge player 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 matte and John, who were both looking confused, to espouse him. He assumed Kaden would abide by as well. Albus lead them up heights Street until they reached the Shrieking shanty. nonentity was hanging around it that day.

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do realize how stupid this was."

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

"Bloody inferno !"Gospel According to John shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"matte asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a good clock time, but there was a reason I changed my mind and told you not to sneak in today. to the highest degree of the teachers come to Hogsmeade for the February trip. My full cousin told me. They want to draw sure no one does anything stupid because they 're in love or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"matte asked.

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

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

Kaden 's face turned white and his mouth dropped spread out. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met face to side with Professor Balladanis.

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

Albus groaned inwardly as he followed Balladanis down the street. They had gone all year without Kaden getting them into problem, but Albus should take known better than to recollect they could go the whole year.

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

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

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

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

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

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

Albus, Matt, and John the Divine could not get out of there quick enough. They walked straight back to the common elbow room, talking about how lucky they had been. It must accept looked like all three of them had helped Kaden sneak into Hogsmeade. good thing Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned 15 minutes later, looking quite dysphoric. He collapsed onto a chair and stared mutinously at the table.

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

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

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

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

******

Kaden discovered what his detention was that night. Balladanis decided to possess him alphabetize his secret library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the Marauder 's Den ranting about the amount of Book Balladanis had.

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

"That 's impressive,"matt replied.

"Wish he had less,"Kaden muttered.

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

The next replete moon came and went, as did the next Quidditch peer. Albus was beginning to surmise that the full lunar month were becoming worse for lustrelessness, although he did n't jazz why.

New York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch lucifer. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the stoolie a one-half hr in. Wood insisted that this was a good matter, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to score a good amount of money of destination before Linda caught the snitch in their succeeding match, they would feature more boilers suit points than New York. Wood seemed to have got lost any hope that James II could pose Linda in Seeking, something James I fumed about on a near daily basis.

March arrived and with it a three day rain violent storm that left the grounds completely flooded. Both Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had to take place inside, which resulted in incredibly drill moral. Natalie Wood continued to harbour Quiditch practice and Albus returned to the castle completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

All of the teacher were piling on the homework and professor Patil had even gone so far as to refer the O.W.L.s even though they were a unanimous two eld away. The but instructor who was n't talking about the end of term exams was Professor Balladanis.

Balladanis conducted his object lesson as if end of term exams did not survive. He changed zilch about his lessons except the iniquity creature they were learning about.

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

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

"So,"John said as he flipped through his Defense book the following eve. Albus, Matt, bathroom, and Kaden were in the predator 's Den and John was just finishing the chapter on vampire."Look 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 make you go in for spare help during that unit,"lavatory grinned,"I 'm sure you 'll need loads of extra aid in identifying werewolves."

lusterlessness rolled his eyes."He honorable. It 'll look suspicious if I do n't go in for spear carrier help. oral presentation of surplus help, we 're due to go in for it in fifteen minutes."

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

Albus managed to terminate his Herbology homework while trick and lusterlessness were gone. Then it was clock time for him to go in for his dueling lessons.

The desks were n't pushed to the sides of the classroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a Oliver Stone watershed sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silverish string of something out of his psyche and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the cosmic string were memories, Albus realized. For a moment, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to order him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

"Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis said quietly,"come in."

Albus stood awkwardly next to one of the breast 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 boy for a few mo before speaking.

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

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

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

Albus 's pulse sped up a little bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a stunned estimation ? He did n't even love what he was getting into. But it was just a store. Nothing could hurt him in a memory, right ?

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

It was dusk and very quiet. There was a small house in the distance, atop of a rocky hill. In fact, the entirely expanse was mostly rocky. Albus had landed on the one lone piece of pot in the altogether place. It did n't seem like any station in Britain.

He stood up as Malfoy landed following to him, followed quickly by Balladanis. Balladanis landed on his base 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 give birth to do with dueling ?

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

"Ellas,"Balladanis replied.

This did nothing but increase Albus 's oddity. Why were they in Greece of all places ? But he did n't ask. It did n't appear like Balladanis was in an explaining mood, judgment by his brusque, one word answer to Malfoy.

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

The mansion must have got been their address. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the let out down wooden fence surrounding it. The sign reminded Albus of the screech Shack, only littler. It was kind of let out downwardly and did n't look like a place that would be effective to live in.

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

Balladanis made no motility towards the house. Instead, he seemed focused on the wood that lay just beyond it. Albus decided the woodland was as good a seat as any to watch.

They watched the wood for a half an hour before anything happened. Then five hooded number practically flew out of the afforest. They were at the household before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His face was hardened.

All was tranquillise for two mo. The figures entered the house, but did not change state on any luminance. Then the screams started. Albus jumped at the speech sound of the beginning one.

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

His prof 's face showed nothing. zippo but the Lapplander indurate look he had seen on it so many times. Malfoy on the other hand, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The shriek was coming from two different people. There was a high-pitched one that must have been coming from a adult female, and a lower one that must have been coming from a man.

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

Balladanis, however, made no move to leave. Instead he stared at the sign. Two minutes later, someone fled from it.

They ran from the home, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew closer, Albus could see that the mortal was a boy who looked no older than Albus himself. His look was etched with a gloominess Albus had never seen before. It was too dark to tell, but Albus was sure there were bout running down his face.

The boy obviously did n't detect the three people watching him. He ran right past them, up the rocky hill in the space. It occurred to Albus after he passed that the boy looked somewhat familiar spirit. There was something about his face that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite place it.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


prof Balladanis did n't say anything for a tenacious time after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the Defense schoolroom. Albus landed adjacent to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in front of Balladanis 's desk. Balladanis landed behind his desk, facing the wall, and did n't twist around for a few minutes.

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

Malfoy looked just as confused. They kept looking at each former and it was kind of strange. They were on the same 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 second. Albus looked at his professor and immediately thought back to the face of the boy in the scene. That was why he looked familiar. The boy was Balladanis. Then, Balladanis shifted slightly and the likeness was gone. But Albus knew it. That scene had been from Balladanis 's childhood.

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

Albus and Malfoy sat down quickly at the tabular array 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 conniption was was more crucial than staying away from Malfoy.

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

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

"There is a grounds why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my classes what I did before teaching. The reason is that you two are unbelievable duelist. Both of you have skills beyond your twelvemonth that I have never seen before, and believe me, I have seen plenty of exceptional duelers in my sentence. This may be a thoroughly time to tell you how rare it is to make two such skilled duelers in the same year at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to look at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the start of some form of house single oral communication or something.

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

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

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

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

"I had two blissfully innocuous and fun twelvemonth at the Grecian School of magic. I returned base during summers full of stories about my Friend and all the mischief we 'd gotten into."

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

"Everything changed the summer before my thirdly yr. It changed on the nighttime you just witnessed. A coven of vampire entered my house that nighttime. They attacked my parents and tope them dry. I hid in a closet, too scared to do anything. Then, once the vampires left, I fled. I ran until I could not run anymore. I wound up at the house of one of my friends. His parents took me in, but thing 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 thing that had never crossed Albus 's psyche.

"I returned to school that September hardened. nothing was fun anymore. aught was rummy. It was then that I decided to dedicate my life to ridding the world of such iniquity. Vampires, obscure virtuoso, lycanthrope, anyone and anything that slaying viciously."

Albus could n't help but glower at Balladanis when he mentioned lycanthrope. Balladanis seemed to notice this and gave Albus the svelte of smiles.

"However, I did realize that not all vampire, werewolves, giants, and former existence are inherently evil. Not all of them want to stamp out. It was for this reason that I did not bid to be employed by the Hellenic Ministry. The Hellenic Ministry prefers to deal with witching beast as a whole and not distinguish between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very gravid population of vampires.

"Thus, becoming an Auror was out of the interrogative. Instead, I chose to enter a more secretive professing. One that you will not find tract on when you get vocation advice from your head of house. One that no one except me is going to propose to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

Albus 's philia sped up at this. Balladanis was going to render them career advice ? They were only thirteen. But at the Saami time, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a unspoiled enough dueler for this life history, whatever it was.

"I am a Presuler,"Balladanis said,"I am indisputable neither of you have heard of one. A Presuler is somewhat like an Auror, in that we seek out dark wizards and nighttime conjuration. However, we not only seek out dreary wizards and dark conjuration, we seek out night and dangerous creatures as well.

"The adult difference is that Presulers are not employed by the Ministry. There are very few Presulers in the macrocosm and we are often sought out by various Ministries and hired on an as-needed basis. We travel from area to res publica, whenever we are needed. It is quite secretive. I suppose Presulers are a combination of Aurors and private investigators."

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

"I never caught the lamia 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 social movement 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 matter that is between myself and Professor Kendrick,"Balladanis replied.

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

"As of right now, I have no idea,"Balladanis answered,"It is getting late. I 've kept you here much farseeing than normal. If you think of anymore questions, do not hesitate to see me. I 'll take the air you back to your vernacular rooms."

Albus walked alongside Balladanis in silence on his way back to the Gryffindor Tower. His idea was racing with what he just learned. He did n't sleep with what to make of it. It was just so much entropy at once.

The plebeian elbow room was nearly empty when Albus climbed through the portraiture gob. It must consume been really former, since it was Friday night. Albus really did n't get laid what fourth dimension it was.

"There you are !"Rose shouted,"Merlin, you 've been gone for hr !"

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

"I 'll severalize 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 mindful of his friends sighs of dashing hopes as he went up to his dormitory, but he did n't feel like talking about it right then. He was tired and his mind was racing at the Same time.

Albus tossed and turned the integral Nox. 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 a score against vampires that did n't defeat hoi polloi, but who knew what he really thought.

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

Eventually Albus fell into a restless sleep, but his dream 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 question. After waking up drenched in fret at four in the morning time after a nightmare in which his unit family had been killed by lamia, he had finally drifted off into a somewhat decent rest. One that he wished he was still in.

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

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

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

"Yeah, we want to know what happened hold out night."

somebody pulled the curtains loose and took the pillow off Albus 's head. He looked up and saw Saint John the Apostle and Matt.

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

"No, it 's not that,"Albus muttered,"I 'll state you, but I 'm only explaining it once, so one of you better ascertain rose, Amanda, and Kaden. And I 'll tell you in the piranha 's Den because there is no way Linda can be around to get a line this."

The young woman and Kaden met them in the predator 's Den after Albus, John, and flatness had dejeuner. John kept pestering Albus all through lunch, wanting to jazz why Linda could n't try about it, but Albus said nothing. He was n't even sure if he was allowed to tell apart his friends about this, but Balladanis had n't really veto him.

"Albus, what in the epithet of Falco columbarius happened finis night ?"Rose asked as soon as they were all in the Marauder 's Den.

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

"And you neglected to tell us until now ?"John gaped,"I 've been wanting to know for the total yr !"

"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 last Night,"Albus began.

"Really ?"pink wine looked affect,"What was that like ?"

"Not that great, to be honest,"Albus said,"Probably would stimulate been full if it was a intimately memory.

"Anyway, he took us without any explanation of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down house in Greece. kind of looked like a modest more flea-bitten interpretation of the Shrieking Shack."

"In Greece ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the house for what seemed like hours and then these image broke into it and we heard this amazing screech. Then the anatomy left. Then this feller who was about our age came running out with this horrible scared look on his typeface. Then we left."

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

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

cipher said anything for a foresightful time. Albus looked at his supporter and they all wore equal expression of shock.

"And you watched it ?"Matt asked.

"From a aloofness,"Albus replied.

"pigeon hawk, no curiosity Balladanis is so bloody insane,"can let out a low whistle.

"He decided to pay his spirit to ridding the creation of evil, whether it be vampires, glowering wizards, or other dark creatures,"Albus continued.

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

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

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

"Me, too,"mat agreed,"Instead he just hunts down vampires. And, werewolves."

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

"All werewolf have the capability of killing masses, Albus,"matte said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

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

"hypothesis this is why you did n't want Linda to take heed about this,"John 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 down people. I wonder if it 's Linda."

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

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

"Seriously ?"flatness asked.

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

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

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

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

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

"Because that 's not suspicious or anything,"John rolled his heart,"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 conceive about it."

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be easier said than done, especially since Department of Defense family was soon devoted to learning about vampires. Balladanis seemed to learn that particular unit with much More enthusiasm than usual, a feat that cipher thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than usual, but virtually just attributed it to the fact that he was bloody insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about vampires was stuff Albus already knew due to what matte had told them earlier in the school year. It was still fairly interesting, though. Albus found that the more dangerous the creature they were learning about, the more interesting it was. Not to mention the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every bookman was grateful for.

However, partway through their 2nd hebdomad devoted to vampires, the anamatek 's tree trunk reappeared in the demurrer classroom. There was an audible groan from every student who stepped into the room.

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

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

"That would n't be any better. We 're doing lycanthrope next,"lavatory reminded him,"And flatness said that thing could n't rick into an factual werewolf. oral presentation of flatness, he 's lucky he 's missing this."

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

"Quiet,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our vampire lesson today. Today I wish to render 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 skills necessary to fight a vampire."

"He 's mental,"John muttered.

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

"Vampires are the perfect marauder,"Balladanis announced,"They 're incredibly fast,"he pointed his sceptre at the vampire and it disappeared.

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

"They 're agile,"Balladanis continued,"They 're full looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are dead. The choice is not great, either. From the moment their teeth discontinue your pelt, you begin to transform into a vampire as well. You will go one if they do not draw you dry. There is no way to kibosh it, no potion to antagonize it.

"vampire James Henry Leigh Hunt at night when their imagination is still excellent, but when human imagination is compromised. However, that is not the only reason. Does anyone know the other ?"

rose wine raised her manus. Linda did not.

"Yes, young lady Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"vampire are in inwardness allergic to the sun,"Rose explained,"When the sunlight hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them headaches and makes them feel sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rare smile,"There is no potion to countercheck the effects of the sun on vampire. Therefore they tend to inhabit orbit that see to a lesser extent sun and country of dense forest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United land, parts of Canada, and region of USSR. However there is also a substantial vampire population in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his wand at the vampire again and it retreated back into the trunk. Everyone breathed a collective suspiration of relief. The lesson continued until the Bell rang. Balladanis made no reference of moving onto the succeeding whole, nor had he assigned the usual end of the unit of measurement essay.

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

"You missed an first-class defense deterrent example today,"John said once Madam Pomfrey had gone back into her study after leaving to see who had entered her ward.

"Was it any dissimilar from the usual unity ?"lusterlessness asked tiredly. He looked ready to devolve asleep at any moment.

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

"He what ?"Matt shouted, although since his voice was hoarse it was n't very loud,"We 're still doing lamia, are n't we ?"

"Yeah, he had it bend into a vampire,"John said,"We did n't cause to fight it. He just used it to usher how dissipated vampires were and what they looked like."

"That is eldritch,"matt replied,"He assign the vampire essay yet ?"

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

"Well, the longer we spend on vampire, the more clip we have before we start wolfman,"matte said quietly,"I really hope he does n't pass as much time on them as he has on vampires."

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

"Thank Falco columbarius for that,"Matt yawned.

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

"We 'll be back tomorrow after tiffin,"Albus told him,"upright night."

"'Night,"Matt said.

They left the ward just as Madam Pomfrey was coming out of her cogitation, presumably to distinguish them to impart and give mat more than potions. Albus and his protagonist headed straight for the mutual way, where they got started on all the homework that had been piled on them that day.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome 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 bets on how longsighted Balladanis was going to spend teaching the one-third twelvemonth about vampires. Fred was sure enough he 'd drop the end of condition, but Thomas Bradley was convinced he 'd move onto the side by side whole partway through Apr. None of the third base years were actually participating in these bets because they were all afraid Balladanis would line up out.

The vampire building block was still well underway when the next Quidditch match came along. This one was the indorsement Hogwarts versus Aboriginal Australian School of Sorcery equal, which meant woods was in his prime quantity when it came to practice. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing rooms since he spent more of his time on the Quidditch pitching than in the Gryffindor common room.

Albus awoke the day of the match to John 's loud swearing instead of shimmy, which told him that he did not stimulate to play during that match. He could n't avail but feel slightly disappointed. Figuring there was no power point in going back to sleep, he got up and asked can what happened.

"Tripped over lustrelessness 's bloody caldron,"whoremaster muttered, holding onto his right foot,"Why ca n't he just put that dolt matter away ?"

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

John muttered something indistinguishable and shoved his caldron under his bed. He went into the bath while Albus woke Matt up. The three of them met Kaden in the common room a piffling while later and then went down to the Great Hall to get something to eat.

A few minute later the male child were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the mate to begin. blush wine and Amanda were with them.

"Wonder how long it 'll take Linda to find the Snitch this meter,"Albus mused.

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

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Was n't Linda supposed to bulge flying boring after that ?"

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

"She probably wo n't this fourth dimension, either,"Matt put in,"I mean, think about it, if James could fly that fasting, would he really retard down to a normal speed ?"

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

Matt 's prediction proved redress. Linda did not slacken down in the slightest. She flew at her common abnormally fast speed, beating James to the snitcher by a few thou. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Australia at that point and only wound up losing by forty degree.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New York as far as Quidditch points went. Australia was still in the tip, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tournaments. As of the most Recent epoch tournament, Hogwarts was winning. Australia was in last billet and New House of York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty for sure that if the Quidditch and dueling tourney points were added up, Hogwarts and Australia would be neck in neck. Whatever the result of the remaining qualifying tournaments and matches, the final examination for both were going to determine the victor of the competition. The points were just too close.

Although there was obviously no celebration in the Gryffindor usual way after the match, nobody was particularly depressed either. Albus figured this was because nobody had really expected Hogwarts to win anyway.

******

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

Balladanis had assigned the long anticipated essay on lamia on Thursday, officially making the vampire unit the recollective building block they had done. They had spent an total calendar month and a half on it. The essay seemed to couple this distance, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a half feet.

Albus, Matt, and John saved their essays for the hold out possible minute of arc, settling down to act on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly strong essay because Balladanis had given them so a great deal data on the subject. It was just a very long essay to save. Rose and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't help but be slightly covetous of them because doing the essay with an factual vampire would make it the prosperous essay ever.

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

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

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

"tierce feet,"rose answered.

Gospel According to John groaned."Do you think Balladanis will notice if mine 's three in short ?"

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

"Maybe if we do n't eat up it we can just skip class tomorrow,"Matt muttered,"After all, I would n't want to show up in class without the essay done."

"But it 'll be worse when you finally do go to division,"blush wine pointed out.

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

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

"Finished,"Albus announced.

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

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

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

"Look on the brightly incline,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the werewolf essay, you 're sure to get a 100."

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

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

Albus, Matt, and St. John the Apostle got a previous scratch line since john had misplaced his vampire essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was trusted how it go there ), the three male child rushed down to the Great dormitory to snap up composition of pledge before running to Defense.

They walked into the room right hand on clip and barely had a fortune to hitch their breathing space before Balladanis asked for everyone to hand in their lamia essays. Albus passed his essay up and pulled out parchment and a quill.

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

Balladanis began his usual pacing in forepart of the schoolroom. He stopped in figurehead of Rose and Linda 's board and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would begin with werewolf history,"he announced,"nonentity is sure when the kickoff werewolf came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding polish. Not only that, but even ancient Muggle cultures have lycanthropy in their histories.

"Hundreds of old age ago, before the Muggle field of psychological science came about and tenacious before Muggles had any reason of the human mind, they tried to make sense of people whom they deemed 'insane'.

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

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

"Muggles of line know naught about real werewolf,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created werewolf have little in common with the real thing.

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

rose wine was the only one who raised her hired man. Balladanis nodded to her."It comes from the Hellene speech 'lykos'and 'anthropos',"Rose explained,"Lykos means wolf and anthropos means man."

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

"Lycanthropes have been shunned by wizarding bon ton for as long as chronicle has told us about them. In Holocene epoch yr, there has been much supposition about whether this is necessary or even a good estimate. However, it is difficult to change the nous of the absolute majority when we have been taught to avoid werewolf and shun them from wizarding fellowship for so long.

"It has not been for no understanding that this general prejudice has came about. When in wolf soma, werewolf can not control their natural action and thus attack lost mass. This has long been construed as lycanthropes wanting to round people, wanting to infect them with the horrible disease.

"This can not be farther from the case when it comes to most lycanthrope. Most do not wish to snipe others. Within the preceding hundred years, loup-garou have begun locking themselves up on the full moonshine in decree to forfend attacking others. However, there is one significant drawback to this for the werewolf. Does anyone know this ?"Balladanis 's optic rested on mat, but he continued staring down at his empty parchment.

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

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

"We 'll pick up next social class with what happens before, during, and after full moons for a mortal with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the chime rang,"If you have not read the werewolf chapter, please do so for next time. Mr. Eckerton, if you could delight get along see me."

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

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

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

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

"Oh, nix. Just a very informative lesson. I 've learned so a lot,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"Merlin,"trick muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll have it off after next moral. He 's onto it, that 's for indisputable,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"John replied,"That 's a nice way of putting it. The whole schooling 's going to live in two days, after the side by side 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 object lesson ?"

"Yeah,"John nodded,"We ca n't secern him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether matte knows about it or not."

"I agree,"Albus nodded,"We wo n't tell."

"What are you two talking about ?"Matt appeared behind them, looking no better than he had before.

"zippo,"toilet said,"What did Balladanis want ?"

"Told me I did n't give to go to the supernumerary helper during this social unit unless I wanted to,"mat told them.

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

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

Albus saw no detail in denying that. Matt did n't own a cue as to how awful it would be. They said goose egg more about it the whole way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so glad about having ridiculously long Quidditch practices as he was Tuesday and Midweek eve. He was perfectly glad to expend all his free time on the Quidditch lurch and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so hard for him to keep what Malfoy said away from lustrelessness. He wanted nothing more than to warn his friend about it, even though he knew that would accomplish nothing. All it would do was gain matt worry even more and then act even more nervous during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's nous off of what would happen 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 vantage. Albus was nearly one hundred per centum certain Malfoy would declare it to all of Slytherin. Then, word would circularize and the entire school would recover out. Merlin only knew what would happen when students'parents found out.

Albus knew that werewolf rightfulness had come a long way since teddy 's dad was in school day, but he also knew that most people would not be happy if their tike were going to school with a lycanthrope, especially one that did not select wolfbane. Not to mention the theatre of operations day the press would feature with it. Matt 's dad had just become foreland of the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical wight for Merlin 's saki. It would be a repeat of what had happened when Matt and his mob had lived in Australia.

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

It did not help that the full moon was that Friday. matte barely spoke during the brief times that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch shot. He sat in the vulture 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, Wood 's long Quidditch practices took Albus 's mind off of all of that, but they did not quit Thursday from arriving and sooner than Albus would have liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and Saint John exchanged nervous glimpse as Malfoy walked in with a very smug look on his expression. Albus was so focused on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's proboscis was back in front of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked Saint John the Apostle in the side.

"What ?"John seethed. Albus gestured to the trunk."Merlin 's beard,"whoremaster exclaimed,"I do n't even want to know what he 's going to do with that."

"Quiet down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll carry on our werewolf discussion today by talking about what happens to a werewolf when the moon waxes.

"Werewolves, in a interchangeable way to vampire, are somewhat hypersensitized to the moonlight when the moon waxes. For the few nights before the factual good Sun Myung Moon, when exposed to moonlight lycanthropes will feel ill. The moonshine gives them headache and when exposed long enough, causes them to lose consciousness."

Albus did n't disoblige writing any of this down, as he knew first hand what happened when a lycanthrope was exposed to too often moonlight shortly before the full-of-the-moon moon. Instead he stole quick glimpse at Malfoy and Matt. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing agile glances at matte himself. Matt was staring down at his parchment and Albus was sure enough 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 deterrent example or because the full Moon was the following day.

"wolfman are often too ill to go about their daily bodily function the day of the full phase of the moon moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the literal transformation, I wish to show you what a individual with lycanthropy looks like the day of the replete moon."

For a brief second, Albus thought Balladanis was going to call flatness to the front man of the way, but then realized that as a prof, Balladanis must own promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the trunk and a diminished 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 calibre scars and had a seedy flavour to them.

Balladanis began to verbalize about what the anamatek looked like, but Albus paid no attention. Instead he looked to Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the anamatek for a second or so with jar and then he glanced at flatness. Finally, he met Albus 's regard and Albus saw the bountiful smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's face. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The residue of the lesson passed by in a kind of fog for Albus. He and john had exchanged glance and the look on St. John the Apostle 's face told him he had noticed Malfoy 's realization as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's lecture, but he did n't process it.

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

"Next example will centre on wolfbane Potion and the consequence it has had on loup-garou rightfield,"Balladanis announced at the end of the example,"Class dismissed."

Albus and bathroom 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 unhurt thing.

They silently decided just to leave the classroom and decide what to do after. Rose and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no idea what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the elbow room and Albus was not sure enough if this was a in effect or a bad affair. He had the sudden urge just to hex Malfoy ripe then and there.

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

"None of your business,"flatness muttered. Albus and John both stepped a bit closer to him and Albus clenched his script around his wand.

"Bet you 'll be feeling even regretful tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that metre of the month, is n't it ? Tomorrow night ?"

That got Matt 's attending. His head snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to John with the most panicked feel on his face Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun good Moon, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just loud enough for matte, Albus and John to hear.

mat did n't say anything. He shook his head and then ran. He pushed through the crowd, much to the dislike of the pupil who were trying to get to course of study, and disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Albus suddenly felt more hatred for Malfoy than ever. Not only had he worked out Matt 's secret, but he had used it to scare him. In essence, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the worst things he could get done.

Ignoring all the former pupil who were going to grade, Albus pulled out his scepter and had it against Malfoy 's bureau in two seconds.

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

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

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

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the Lapplander time.

"Expelliarmus !"John shouted.

The crew moved away so that there was a circle of onlookers surrounding the duel. Albus ignored them. It was just him, John, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected John 's disarmament magical spell and shot another magic spell at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's buckler and hit a nearby portrait. The portrait 's occupant shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbor 's frame.

Albus concentrated on his buckler magic spell and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling object lesson, Albus watched as his shield held up while the hex shot at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a tickle jinx at John.

This one hit lav and he collapsed onto the floor in a fit of giggles. Albus dig another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his face. Malfoy 's nose started haemorrhage and he rounded on Albus.

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

Albus did n't let down his baton and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't arouse off anymore whammy either. Albus let his shield down and noticed that the crowd had dispersed. John was still rolling around on the ground.

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

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three boys followed Balladanis into his study. Albus looked nervously at John. Of all the professors to catch them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of grade, the one unspoilt thing about this was that Malfoy could n't announce lustrelessness 's lycanthropy to the entire schooltime while Balladanis was lecturing them.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

"I can not set about to separate you how disappointed I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. ceramicist and Mr. Malfoy. I am indisputable I taught you better than this. The two of you especially should know how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling accomplishment and what form of responsibility lies with them. I have half a mind to stop our breeding school term. However, I am willing to learn all sides of this tale before laying out any kind of penalisation. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

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

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

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

Albus took a abstruse breathing space. He was going to tell the story. The unhurt narrative."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 lustrelessness, after listening to your speech on werewolves."

Balladanis 's oculus widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that true, 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 schoolhouse with a werewolf."

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

"Mr. Eckerton has the right hand to continue his medical examination outcome to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His health is none of your business whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

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

"Just scent 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,"bathroom replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

"Very well,"Balladanis replied,"I see this matter goes much further than a duel. All three of you will receive four nights'detainment starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten points from your several houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the schoolmaster. There are things more of import to talk about than detentions,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew full phase of the moon well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and John Lackland said nothing as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's sketch. Malfoy walked a few feet behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's study since his first yr, when he went to talk to Dumbledore 's portrait. The blank space had n't changed in the slim. Everything seemed to be in the take same lieu. Both Dumbledore and Snape were wake up and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, John, and Malfoy stood near the threshold while Balladanis strode forward.

"We have a problem,"Balladanis said,"These three have been dueling."

"I trust you to script out custody, genus Tethus,"Kendrick replied,"I am meddlesome 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 lycanthrope,"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 bring this from here. I believe you have a lesson to teach."

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

Kendrick conjured a few chairs and gestured for the three son to link up him at his desk. Albus sat down in the middle professorship and waited for Kendrick to begin. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying ecstatic attention.

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

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. Potter, perhaps you can tell me if anyone else knows about Matt 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"blush wine 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 flatness 's in class."

"You may be right hand,"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 study. Albus went straight to the vulture 's Den while Gospel According to John went to the dungeon as rose 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 vocalisation was hollow.

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

"He 'll secern everyone soon,"Matt replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to finish school. That 's not even the tough part. It 's going to be all over the oracle. My dad 's going to turn a loss his job again. We 'll probably have to actuate to New York."

He finally turned around and looked at Albus. He no longer looked anxious. He looked absolutely terrified, yet sad at the Saame time.

"Why did Balladanis have to be such a sound teacher ?"lusterlessness groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sort of awing instructor then maybe Malfoy would n't have found out. He 's just so thorough ! He left nothing out ! Even the way he described the transmutation. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that stupid anamatek !"lustrelessness sat up and looked at Albus,"That thing 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 acknowledge ?"Matt shouted,"How do you really know ? I know Teddy 's dad got to stay after Snape found out, but this is dissimilar. That was when Dumbledore was here ! Everyone says Dumbledore was barking mad. Kendrick is n't. Kendrick 's perfectly reasonable and he 's not going to require to deal with this."

Albus did n't really know what to say to that. Everything Matt said was avowedly. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. nobody could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his study. He wants to babble to all of us. Me, John, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't need to go up there,"Matt said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to stay here. merlin, my chief 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 carnival. I hate it. I hate this whole thing. I do n't want to be a damn werewolf anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how miserable matt was at that moment. Albus had never once heard him kvetch about being a werewolf. Not when he was too banal to do anything because of the full moon or when he was laid up in the hospital wing for days afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's study. Albus muttered the countersign, 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 matte when they walked in. lustrelessness froze in plaza and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"Take a derriere,"Kendrick gestured to the two empty-bellied chairs, one of which was next to Malfoy's.

Albus took the seat succeeding to Malfoy 's, but did n't look at him. Matt took the early one.

"low gear, I want to secure you that you do not hold to leave Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to Matt,"nobody else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

mat did n't search reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My father wo n't agree with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your father has no say whatsoever in which students I admit to this school,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I point out that his position is not very high."

"Matt,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"DOE anyone else make love ?"flatness shook his head."And did you tell the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. Matt nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

lusterlessness seemed unable to speak. After a few mo of silence, Kendrick turned to Albus."How long have you known, Mr. ceramicist ?"

"Two years,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this interrogative sentence with rose wine, John, and Amanda, who all gave the same solution as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus charm. He shared one horrified glance with blush wine and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His mouth was agape and he looked a little panicked.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"amercement,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"Professor, Sir,"Rose began,"We sort of put this appealingness on Kaden, so he would n't tell anyone. He can only let the cat out of the bag about it with us. He wo n't be able to say a affair about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's response, but before the headmaster could say a Word, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus appealingness,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"rose wine answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an unbelievable witch, girl Weasley."

"Too bright for her own dependable, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the gravel effort, Miss Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you tell me how recollective Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a year,"Rose said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some matter to talk over with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in private. The quietus of you may go to the Great manor hall. I believe there is still a half hour or so left of lunch."

Albus did n't really want to give without finding out what was going to fall out to Malfoy, but he knew Matt would tell him.

Matt never showed up in the Great Hall for tiffin, nor did he go to Ancient Runes or magic spell. Albus could not concentrate on either of those classes and was very felicitous when good luck charm was over and he was able to leave.

Wood was not very happy that Albus had acquired four detentions. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty arcminute telling Albus how he should n't be picking competitiveness with other bookman so close to the next Quidditch match, especially in presence of teacher'classroom. The lecture had only ended when Albus told him he was late for charm. Albus had run into wood in in between Ancient Runes and Charms.

"What do you opine Balladanis is going to make us do ?"John asked as they walked towards the piranha 's Den.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"John agreed.

Rose, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go regain matte before they went to dinner. They had to hold off a while for the corridor to clear out before they were actually able to get into the elbow room, though.

mat was fast benumbed on the couch when they entered."unspoiled matter he does n't cause detention tonight,"privy pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

whoremonger gently shook Matt 's shoulder joint until he cracked his eyes open."Wake up,"John said,"Or you 'll pretermit dinner."

"I 'm not hungry,"Matt muttered.

"What 's Kendrick doing about Malfoy ?"Albus asked as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

"He should put that magic spell on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"mat sighed,"All he did was enjoin Malfoy how important it was not to note anything. He said telling his sire would do nothing. Then he told him that if he ever did evidence anyone, he would face ejection for revealing another student 's medical exam information. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did promise he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? Sure, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't film it back. I 'd still stimulate to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't think he 's going to tell anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy mob, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified wizard. Malfoy wo n't desire that."

"I guess you 're right,"Matt sighed,"It 's just so unknown, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you want to go eat dinner ?"

"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. trick and I have got detention tonight."

"Oh, right. right fortune with that,"matt replied.

******

Balladanis 's hold was a bit anticlimactic. Albus had been expecting him to think up some really creative and taxing detention, but instead he assigned them lines. Lines were possibly the most boring hold ever thought up, but they were preferable to cleaning the bath or something.

"ceramicist, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten minutes,"Your dueling lesson is canceled for tomorrow dark due to your detention. Detention will be at nine, after my supererogatory help sitting, something I 'll expect you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said nil more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three son, which Albus did n't really mind. He just wanted to get his transmission line done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on full moon, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a loup-garou 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 just defense teacher any of our parents ever had."

"lull !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was grateful for Balladanis 's scolding. Malfoy stopped asking doubt 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 mystery ?

A half time of day into their line writing, when Albus was contemplating switching hired hand despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his compensate hand, there was a rap on the door. 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 John. John had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last thing they needed was for Balladanis to remember they were there and tell them to get out so he could cause whatever conversation he was about to cause in private.

"genus Aplysia,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to St. 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 talk to you about what happened to begin with today,"mat '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 scholar what they 'll involve to know in order to defend themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"Merlin, showing them exactly what a loup-garou looks like before a translation with an anamatek ? Do you pull in how dangerous those are ?"

"Of course of instruction,"Balladanis said, raising his representative a bit,"You 're not the just expert on sorcerous creatures. I have perfect control over my anamatek."

"nonentity has utter 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 3rd geezerhood about werewolf. The details about their translation, how to pick one out of the general population, what happens before, during, and after shift. Your lesson was far more detailed than a third year school text book."

"You 'd find that all my lessons are like that,"Balladanis replied,"school text books do not give enough details."

"I think giving enough item about identifying a wolfman so that a tertiary class would be capable to work out that person not even in their same house is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should own been a bit more cautious with your lesson."

"Withholding information from an entire class because of one student is not a sound method of education,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be serious for that one pupil,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the groovy good for the greatest number, are we ?"

"There are prison term when that is a good philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll agree to dissent, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your lessons are putting my son in risk anymore, you may notice that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll teach however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three boys, none of whom were writing lines any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the table Albus, John, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded hi to Albus and John Lackland before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the schoolmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the want to repeat that there will be consequences if you make world 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 rook tomorrow to look for your study and classroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his breath as Matt 's dad left the room with Professor Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with can. He wanted nothing more than to allow for, so he could sing 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 elbow room as fast as he could with John following. Malfoy made no motion to try and talk to them again, so they headed straight to the piranha 's Den.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John the Divine burst into the piranha 's Den a little while later to find that mat and Kaden were the only ones there. Matt 's face was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the eye of a secret plan of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four wins for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the cards,"Oh, Albus, John ! How was your detention ? Want to represent ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down future to lusterlessness,"Matt, did you recognize your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"lusterlessness nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talk to Kendrick. I went with him."

"wellspring, do you know where he went after ?"John asked.

"rest home, I guess,"lusterlessness shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our custody,"John said.

"He what ?"lusterlessness 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,"Matt shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really angry,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too a great deal about how to reckon out if mortal '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,"Matt said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the reasons he came here, to tell Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to scrutinize Balladanis 's way tomorrow to make up sure he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's instruction puts you in danger again, the Ministry 's going to investigate him."

"It 's really not a good theme to get on my dad 's bad position,"matte 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 wait 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 narrate you if you asked ?"John wondered.

"Probably,"Matt said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd better not assure anyone you 're a werewolf,"John said,"He looked pretty scary, too. I do n't think Malfoy 's going to tell anyone."

******

It did not contract very long for give-and-take to disseminate that Balladanis had gotten in trouble for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the following sunup at breakfast, as a few older students had bet on how retentive he would induce it. Somehow everyone knew that Matt 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the previous night and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had defence mechanism that morn and reported to Albus at lunch that Balladanis was even hard-and-fast than usual and seemed incredibly angry. That did not bode well for Albus 's detention that evening.

"He 's sheer scary,"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 weeping. But I 'd hate to be in your course of instruction, Albus, he 's going to be roughshod. I mean, it 's pretty much because of Matt that he got in trouble."

Matt had gone up to the Marauder 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in tiffin. Albus knew that Kaden was right. Balladanis was going to study this out on Matt, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't have it away why he cares so a great deal,"John shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could deliver just taken that thing away. He 's lucky he just had to drive it back to his household or whatever."

"I do n't guess he likes the government,"Albus said,"That 's the touch sensation I got after listening to him talk about what he did before commandment here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"Well, I think it 's a good idea for the Ministry to piss him take that affair dwelling house,"John 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 King John went up to the Marauder 's Den with rosebush and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"John asked as he gestured to Matt, who was asleep in his bed.

"Doubt it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"Falco columbarius, I just want to sleep together what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"John the Evangelist groaned.

"You 're so impatient,"rose commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to wake him up,"John muttered.

The remainder of the afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his custody later and toilet complained loudly about how he had to go to the supernumerary assistance sitting about werewolves when he already knew so much about them.

Albus woke Matt up shortly before dinner and he looked much worse than he usually did the day of full moonlight. They all escorted him to the hospital backstage, where brothel keeper Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to give the hospital wing, the door opened and in take the air Matt 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to check if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

Gospel According to John nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"John whispered.

"He 's not going to tell us now,"Albus muttered back,"Look at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to mat 's bed and talking to Madam Pomfrey in quiesce whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detention for nothing. He entered the room before Malfoy and John was already doing his crease. Balladanis said absolutely zilch to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a picayune while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not mouth either. He did not ask anything about Matt and did n't even comment that the full Sun Myung Moon 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 mavin 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to own this class with the Slytherins ?"John groaned as they made their way to the astronomy Tower,"If Malfoy does n't take a crap a single commentary about the entire moon, I 'll eat an entire cauldron."

"I 'm going to hold you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't think you 'll have to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his scope up next to Albus 's. professor Polo spent ten minutes telling them that they were to plot the position of defect, genus Venus, the Moon, and a handful of stars before turning them lose to actually do so.

"The synodic month is so bright,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... wide ...."

Albus looked at lav."Looks like I wo n't be eating my cauldron tonight,"John muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the headland of the Department for the Regulation 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 kibosh talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, add up on, Potter. Even you have to revalue the irony,"Malfoy said.

"Will you just exclude up,"Albus seethed.

"Quiet over there,"Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more time before going back to his telescope. The balance of the lesson passed without anymore commentary from Malfoy and Albus was quite happy when he was able to return to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in first yr,"Albus sighed,"Remember when madam Pomfrey locked the hospital wing ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"Rose said.

"Well, she did n't lock us out this fourth dimension,"John pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his Friend had slept late on Saturday dayspring and after grabbing a quick bite to eat, had gone to visit Matt in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the predator 's Den, trying to figure out why.

"She always lets us in,"Gospel According to John groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad night,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"rose wine wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the full-of-the-moon Sun Myung Moon have been sorry the past few months ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us become Animagi,"St. John the Apostle muttered.

"John, I honestly do n't think you could become an Animagus,"rose wine replied,"You 'd wind up with a permanent tail assembly affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"John grinned,"Always thought it would be sang-froid 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,"John shrugged,"Until Madam Pomfrey lets us in."

Their efforts proved fruitless, though. They went to the hospital backstage twice that afternoon and then ripe before Albus and John Lackland had to go to detention. Madam Pomfrey told them 'no'each clip.

William Ashley Sunday, the last day of Albus and John 's detention, was the Lapp. brothel keeper Pomfrey was quite livid when they showed up for the third time that day.

"Nothing '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 door."Can she even give hold ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and John broke away from the radical to complete their concluding detention. Balladanis gave them line of merchandise, just like he had the past three Nox. Albus sat quietly completing them, very thankful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two words to him since Astronomy.

"You may stop,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an 60 minutes and a half.

Albus threw his quill feather 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 event will be much more stern than detention and lost points.

"Mr. ceramist and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should continue giving you supernumerary lessons. I have decided to give you one Sir Thomas More chance. Lessons will continue this Friday at their pattern sentence. However, if either of you disregard my rules again, I will no longer obligate them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in class on Tuesday."

"Falco columbarius, I 'm glad that 's over,"John muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be awful in form, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't concentrate at all in his classes the succeeding day. All he wanted to do was go to the hospital offstage and notice out how flatness was, but dame Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

rosiness and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, lavatory, and Kaden near the infirmary wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very hasten dinner due to Albus 's Quidditch practice at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the door to the infirmary wing, half expecting gentlewoman 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 lonesome occupy bed, which had the curtains pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the curtain back. Matt looked exhausted and there was a rather large bandage wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd number sojourn 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."

"Well, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't brothel keeper Pomfrey let us come sojourn ?"

"Because I did n't wake up until yesterday good afternoon,"Matt answered.

"But that was-"John began.

"Nearly two days later ?"lustrelessness cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"Rose asked.

"A gang of affair, really,"mat sighed,"start, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always tough when I 'm worried about something. endorsement, I hit my straits really hard at some point that Night. It still hurts. Third, the transmutation in world-wide are getting worsened, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's judgement. Albus and all his friends were obviously getting older and that brought plenty of alteration, but he had n't even thought about how the wolf would change when matt got older.

"So, are all of the full moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"lusterlessness shook his head and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really love what 'll bump in the future, but this one was just a combination of bad things."

"That 's good, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to leave ?"

"Tomorrow Nox at the earliest,"lustrelessness sighed,"Although that means I 'll pretermit Defense."

"Wish I could drop Defense,"St. John muttered,"Speaking of defence force, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"John, he just woke up yesterday,"rosebush pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"lusterlessness said,"But he came to see me earlier and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"John grinned,"And ?"

"And,"flatness said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really surprised that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed heading of the Department for the Regulation and mastery of Magical animate being in Australia, he hired Balladanis to catch a band of lamia who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too sluttish on them."

"What did he do to them ?"John asked.

"Sent them to prison house. I think they got 20 years. Balladanis thought they should have gotten life sentences. Dad and Balladanis got into this huge contention at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Australian Ministry did n't charter him after that,"Matt explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would agree on punishment. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"flatness replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issue. Oh, and he wanted me to discourage you not to hear to everything Balladanis says during those dueling lessons you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a dissimilar side of Balladanis during the preceding week."

******

Tuesday morning dawned quickly and Albus trudged to Defense with John. Neither of them really knew what grade would be like, but judging from what he heard about Holocene defence reaction classes in the common room, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug self now that detainment was over. He sat future to Goyle wearing a smirk on his look. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the elbow room a few hour later. He waved his wand at the door and it slammed shut with a fringe loud enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell Gemini, who had been sitting closest to it, to jump.

"Pass your preparation questions forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the tabular array in battlefront of him and waited for Balladanis to roll up it. He paused in straw man of the table in nominal head of Albus's.

"Potter,"he began,"You can tell Eckerton that his prep is late and therefore I will not accept it. If he wished to get credit for it, he could have graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him glares from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the homework unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"Aconitum lycoctonum potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the name of Joseph Oliver Belby. He finished the creation in 1991. For most wolfman, the potion was a lifesaver. Who can explain what it does ?"

Nobody, not even blush wine and Linda, raised their bridge player. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't ring on him.

"nonentity ?"he said,"ruth. wolfsbane potion renders a werewolf harmless during replete lunar month. The werewolf turns into a wolf, but a harmless one. One that will just kip until the moon sets and will not get the urge to prick and kill.

"The potion is a lifesaver to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to read you what a werewolf would await like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the castle,"Balladanis said with malice,"Therefore you will deliver to go without the optical. It seems that certain parents, Ministry functionary, and the master do not approve of my method of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't call off it suffering,"Saint John the Apostle muttered.

"repose, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to conduce to the class."

"No, sir,"John replied.

"Good,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore appearances in this classroom and your pedagogy is going to hurt for it. nothing, and I repeat nix can interchange workforce on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the line at having what was in nitty-gritty a live manticore in front of him. There were some times when reading sufficed.

The deterrent example continued with Balladanis talking about Wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't mold for all werewolves and Albus found his mind drifting. All in all, the lesson had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his legal brief rant about his anamatek being banned from the castle, he had been pretty normal. Normal for Balladanis, that is.

"Next deterrent example will be the last on werewolves,"Balladanis announced at the end of social class,"We will see about lycanthropy 's effect on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. Matt would be out of the hospital wing by then. Why could n't Balladanis just finish the werewolf building block already ?

"He wo n't be back future yr,"John muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just wonder who we 're going to get instead."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"Place your bets here !"Fred shouted the side by side day as he walked around the common room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrait yap with Peach State and James after a particularly difficult Quidditch practice. Wood was getting them prepared for the friction match against New House of York, which was to take place in a piffling over a week.

"Sakartvelo, James IV, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"Care to place a bet ?"

"What are you taking wager about ?"Georgia asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on poppycock, your mum is bound to find out."

"She wo n't manage,"Fred shrugged. He was probably right. Albus 's aunty Alicia was the least strict out of all of his aunt. She 'd probably place a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just better hope Grandma does n't find out,"Georgia smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't blame him. mollie Weasley would probably send him a howler if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And Calluna vulgaris and I are taking bets on how much longer Balladanis is going to utmost. Care to take a speculation ?"

"I suppose,"Georgia said as she pulled out some gold,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a workweek. I heard he had three first years in tears today."

"He nearly had one-half of my class in tears,"Fred said as he took Georgia 's gold,"James IV, Al ?"

"Three Galleons says he 's gone in two weeks,"Saint James said as he tossed Fred some gold and then left to go find his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his straits.

"Suit yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his base on balls around the mutual room,"Bets here, place your bets !"

Albus found his friends crowded around their common mesa in the coarse room. Linda was with them. All three girls were working on homework. John and Kaden were trading Chocolate salientian cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in difficulty,"pink 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 last the year,"John said.

"You should know exactly when he 'll exit, what with your taking Divination,"rose smirked.

"soothsaying 's a antic,"St. John muttered,"I ca n't await to leave out it after fifth year."

"Told you so,"rosiness grinned,"Sick of making up stuff ?"

"It 's just so unpointed,"toilet groaned,"We 're still doing crystal balls. I just secern her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking Divination,"Kaden announced,"Bloody dissipation of a class."

Kaden had chosen his classes for next year a few Clarence Day prior. He decided on concern of Magical Creatures, ancient Runes, and Arithmancy.

"Easy preparation, though,"John sighed,"I just keep reminding myself about that."

"What 's got prosperous homework ?"mat asked as he sat down in the chair next to John 's. He looked a bit better than he had the premature day, but still wear thin out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"John asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in time for defense mechanism tomorrow,"matte groaned,"I 'm charm to use a Fainting partiality to get out of it."

"I think half the 1st years are going to do that on Friday,"Kaden said,"I overheard them talking. Apparently Balladanis completely flipped out on one of them today, all over one uncompleted 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."

******

lavatory filled his pockets with puking Pastilles before he set off to Defense the following morning. Albus did n't incommode. His curiosity always trumped his dislike for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and do it exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"Werewolves,"Balladanis said as soon as the toll rang,"When the term is used, most hoi polloi conjure up paradigm of lonely adults, condemned to a miserable life that revolves around the Moon.

"However, there is a whole radical of werewolf that are mostly overlooked. shaver. Ah, yes, nestling do get attacked by werewolves. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too lately. Even few survive the initial transformation. Werewolf transformations, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few shaver are stiff enough to make it through."

Balladanis paused and began to pace the room."Parents are faced with a determination after their youngster is bitten. They have three choices. numeral one, they can distribute with it. make do with the monthly transformations and try and hold life as normal as possible for the kid. numeral two, they can empty their shaver. Force them to last with a wild coterie of werewolves, to mature up to pop. However, there is a thirdly option. Does anyone care to approximate as to what it is ?"

nobody raised their hand. Balladanis looked at his division until his heart rested on matt. A very creepy smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, aid to assure us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to look at mat throughout the lesson, stole a prompt glance at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in hand, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"Matt stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The tierce option is to put the tike down. Not a pleasant choice, but one that a few parents select anyway. This option used to be readily suggested by Healers, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the first option, to continue to raise their child, are in for a very baffling aliveness. wolfman kid are difficult to raise. It is a Brobdingnagian adjustment for parents and sib if there are any. The sting affects the whole home. It changes lives, it can rip families apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects children and Albus looked again at Matt. His hired hand 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 pouch. He slid a Puking pastille across the tabular array towards Albus and then slid one to Matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to shove it into his mouth. lav and flatness did the like. Albus clutched his venter as the sweet began to need affect.

"Lycanthropic children rarely, if ever, get to go to schooltime,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"John Lackland shouted,"I do n't palpate so well. May I go to the Hospital Wing ?"

"I do n't feel too well either,"Albus added.

"Shut it, you two,"Balladanis shouted,"And no you may not go to the-"

Balladanis was cut off by the sound of all three boys vomiting at the like time. Albus leaned over his table and vomited right onto the storey. The social class erupted into call and Balladanis tried to keep order.

"amercement !"he seethed,"Get to the Hospital annexe, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the urge to honk again as he ran for the door. lusterlessness and John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the sweets into their mouths as soon as they shut the door behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's malevolent !"John shouted,"How could he learn that ?"

"Not here,"flatness muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the piranha 's Den."As I was saying,"John began,"What is improper with that bloke ?"

"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 matt as he paced around the room,"None of what he said today is actually in the Word of God. I mean, did you read the rule book ? There 's not much in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his stupid anamatek,"lusterlessness muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to make you pitiable because of what your dad did with those lamia old age ago."

"It 's just not honest,"flatness groaned,"I mean, did you hear to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it unfeigned ?"

"Yes,"mat said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the therapist did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more sick than he had when he ate the disgorgement Pastille. How could a Healer, someone whose job it was to take in people healthy, actually suggest that to a fry 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"Gospel According to John asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle Jack hexed him at the Saame time,"flatness gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own infirmary bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really like to meet your Uncle Jack,"John grinned,"He sounds like a great bloke."

"He is,"Matt smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a while 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 receive to do anything."

"tierce days,"trick said after lustrelessness left,"I give Balladanis three more days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't waste any metre,"Rose said to Matt as she unfolded her copy of the Prophet the next morning at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and scan the paper over Rose 's articulatio humeri.

HOGWARTS PROFESSOR TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The department of Magical Education received an question
late yesterday afternoon, requesting an investigation
of Hogwarts defence force Against the Dark Arts professor,
Tethys Balladanis. The inquiry was submitted by none
other than the newly appointed forefront of the department
for the Regulation and Control of Magical brute,
Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

Professor genus Tethus Balladanis has been teaching Defense at
the shoal since September, when he replaced Head Auror
Harry potter. ceramist had taught the matter for two
years and wished to focus solely on his Auror career,
resulting in his resignation at the end of finis school day
year.

The impend investigation comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this workweek 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 hit it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's possession, so all he had to
do was get rid of it from school premises. Eckerton told
newsman that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the professor
repeatedly put students in danger and humiliated them
in front of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told reporters,
'I 'm filing this question as a parent, not as a Ministry
official. First and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigating will get today and be carried out
by functionary from the Department of Magical training,
a department that was set up for this purpose after
the downfall of Creator Voldemort. official will gossip
the school and audience both scholar and faculty as
a function of their investigation.

Tethys Balladanis will keep on to teach defense lawyers Against
the nighttime Arts during this time.

"He 's still going to teach ?"Saint John the Apostle said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to Defense anymore,"matt said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't stop him from teaching until they do the investigating,"Rose explained,"Only Kendrick can halt him from teaching at the moment."

"Then why does n't Kendrick do that ?"Albus asked as he looked up at the stave table.

Kendrick was talking with Neville and there was a transcript of the Prophet laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't know,"rosiness said quietly,"But refutation is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"flatness said adamantly.

For once, Rose did not chastise him about skipping class. Albus could n't pick him. He himself was half tempted to hop, but he knew his curiosity would get the unspoilt of him.

"Somehow, I do n't think you 'll feature the fortune to hop-skip,"Rose muttered,"We do n't suffer defending team until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"lav grinned,"Now I wo n't cause to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"blush wine replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"Look, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the staff table.

"May I have your attention !"Kendrick shouted and the yak in the Radclyffe Hall immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or heard about the article on the front line page of the Prophet.

"Ministry functionary will be visiting the school today and tomorrow to conduct their investigation. They will be selecting students to consultation. If you are selected, I advise you to resolve their questions truthfully.

"As of right now, prof Balladanis is still your teacher, therefore you need to treat him with esteem and attend his course of instruction. This is, at the instant, an investigation and zip more. Now, you 'd best be off to class."

"Albus,"pink wine whispered as they made their way out of the Great lobby to history of magic,"You 're not going to that dueling example tonight, are you ?"

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged. He had n't really thought about it until then.

"I do n't call back you should,"rosiness told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't want to go, but he also did n't want to find out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't render up that evening.

cipher fell asleep during History of Magic. It must consume been a new book, one that was previously set back when Binns was still awake. However, the lack of fatigue duty was not due to Binns 's lecture. No, that was just as tedious as usual. The scholarly person remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The schoolroom was filled with the quieten whispers of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw 3rd year and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six students in the castle who knew the specific understanding why Matt 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, Rose, John, Amanda, Kaden, and lustrelessness himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not eff that it had been Balladanis 's lecture on lycanthropic children that pushed Mr. Eckerton to accede the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the school put the blame on the anamatek, even though matt 's dad had come out and said that was n't the existent reason. The Prophet had only glazed over the grounds, not getting into specifics. The Hogwarts student wanted specifics. They wanted to bed what had pushed matt 's dad to submit an inquiry when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The reasons the educatee fabricated ranged from plausible to outrageous. A few seventh long time, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his superfluous help sessions and perhaps used Matt as an deterrent example of someone who did not possess the skills to shoot down dark whiz. combine that with an overprotective parent ( what the seventh years claimed lusterlessness 's dad to be, which was not actually an overstatement ), and the investigation was born. They believed that the investigation would bodge over and within two weeks everything would be back to normal, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited first years were the on the polar face of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a chimaera loose in his classroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin third class. Apparently they overlooked the fact that nonentity had turned up wound after social class and the fact that Balladanis would possess been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

matte had become somewhat of a celebrity inside the Hogwarts bulwark. There was n't a single person, keep, ghost, or portrait, who did n't know it was his dad who launched the research. He was stopped no less than six meter on the way from story of deception to Herbology by people wanting to hump the details of the enquiry. It was something Albus could tell Matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"Merlin, when will they get a line that I do n't want to talk about it !"flatness groaned as they made their way back to the castle after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second years had just run up to Matt, demanding to get laid why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just stand up on the Gryffindor board and make an announcement during dejeuner,"whoremonger suggested.

"Definitely not,"flatness said,"I 'm just glad we do n't consume class this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, look, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking hoi polloi striding up towards the castle. There were two witches and a wizard.

"Probably,"John said,"I wonder who they 're going to interview ?"

"Ten Galleons says they interview me,"Matt replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those private lessons."

"Let 's just hope they do n't interview those two Ravenclaws,"John said.

Albus, Matt, and John continued their trek to the Great Hall, where they ate a very fast lunch. None of them wanted to stay very long since everyone was still asking matte about the inquiry. After they finished, the boys went to Gryffindor column to deposit their bags before going to the vulture 's Den to put off their homework.

The vernacular room was mostly vacuous when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the tables.

"Do n't you three have class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got demurrer and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's cipher you can do to get to me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your year where Balladanis made someone cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't like if we get detention either. Oh, and John the Divine, you 'd better not narrate Mum."

"I wo n't,"John said,"The three of us used Puking Pastilles to get out of defence force yesterday."

"You should let just skipped from the beginning,"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 base in their student residence and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portrayal 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, cling on."Gabriella consulted the piece of parchment she was holding."He wants to see flatness, too."

"spirit like you two are getting interviewed,"John said as Gabriella went into the uncouth room.

"dead reckoning 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 things that happened when your father was the most famous whizz in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"John replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Loads."

Albus and lustrelessness left for Kendrick 's report while John continued towards the Marauder 's Den. Albus had no idea what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that John would be bored within fifteen minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April Fool 's Day Prank ! The staff really outdid themselves this year. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this story !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing next to the gargoyle that concealed the entering to Kendrick 's study. It was apparently his job to mutter the parole to the gargoyle to give up all the educatee being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and matte ascended into the report and found three other educatee waiting in front of Kendrick 's closed door. A very tire looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in one-sixth or seventh year, Scorpius Malfoy, and much to Albus 's discouragement, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the grounds 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 dismiss Malfoy 's front and leaned against the wall to begin the long wait.

What had been the point in sending them all to Kendrick 's field of study at the Saami meter ? They were obviously only interviewing one individual at a sentence. Why could n't they let just summoned Albus later, when there were to a lesser extent multitude waiting ?

Kendrick 's threshold opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor first-class honours degree year walked out. She hurried out of the report 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 Sir Thomas More time, but finally came out and left without so much as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the mean time, two more students had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the Chasers from the Slytherin Quidditch team. The early was a Danton True Young Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must take been at least an hour, Albus was finally called into the elbow room.

Kendrick was not in his study. Only the three tec were. Albus was now able-bodied to see them up close. The one who had called him into the elbow room was quite tall and wore a menacing glare. Her robes were perfectly pressed, without a undivided wrinkle, and her pilus was pulled into a tight bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The early beldam was the gross opponent. She was short and quite a bit adiposis. Her frizzly brownness fuzz stuck up at all form of odd Angle and she had a humble pair of glass perched on her nose.

The remaining investigator was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a quill in hand. He looked a bit bored by the total thing. He was gazing about the way and had the smell of mortal who was n't quite paying attention.

Two hoi polloi who were paying ecstatic attention, or should he say portraits, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The tall beldame 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 witch gestured to the short witch,"And that is Herb Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No wonder he was so bored, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please state your full epithet, age, twelvemonth, and menage for the record,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his eyebrows. Would n't they already know all of that info ?

"It 's protocol, dear,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus potter, thirteen, third year, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can tell us what goes on in an average lesson with Professor Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"Well, he comes in and Tell us all to stop talking. Then he 'll collect the homework. Oh, and you have to get the homework in on time, no matter what. He does n't take belatedly work, even if you 've got a undecomposed apology. You could be sick in the hospital backstage and he would n't take belated homework.

"Then he 'll teach us a new spell or about some new brute. Then we 'll sustain to perform the spell."

"What happens if you do n't do 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 students in your class ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my year, but I 've heard of other scholar crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"rich person you attended any extra assistance session ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"professor Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling lesson by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you recite us a bit about them ? What do they consist of ?"

"almost times he just teaches me new charm, tour that are hard than the 1 we learn in year. 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 chairperson,"One meter he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by vampires,"Albus said after a legal brief wavering. He doubted Balladanis would be happy 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 font had seemed to harden.

"We did n't actually see it,"Albus said quickly,"We stood outside the house as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the 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 secernate you ahead of clock 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 testify us why he became a Presuler,"Albus said.

"He told you he 's a Presuler ?"Torenzo raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, he thinks me and Malfoy should become Presulers,"Albus explained.

"Very well,"Torenzo said as she walked towards Albus,"I have one final question. Would you feel comfortable if Professor Balladanis continued to instruct here ?"

Albus thought about it for a moment. Balladanis was certainly a motivated instructor and one Albus could read a lot from. But on the former hand, he was n't the sort of ace Albus felt comfortable around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please return to your plebeian room. You are not to speak of this interview to anyone until after the probe is completed."

Albus got up from the hot seat and Torenzo followed him out of the room. She called Matt in as Albus left. Albus muttered a quiet 'good luck'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just severalize us ?"Saint John the Apostle lamented as the boy sat around the Marauder 's Den after dinner. blush wine and Amanda were currently in the girls'dormitory with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry witches said we could n't talk about the interview."

"But how would they know ?"John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the whole 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 imagine it 's going to take yearn for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"lusterlessness said adamantly and then turned to John,"You 're not going to his extra aid academic session tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid twenty Galleons,"John replied,"well, ok, maybe if I was paid twenty Galleons, but not for to a lesser extent than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling lesson ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to know was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz down to the donjon, barge into the Slytherin common room, and ask.

"No estimate,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"Matt said,"If you go, I 'm going to start worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you want to go ?"John gave Albus a strange look.

"I might find out something about how the investigation is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

lav opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the room access. A meretricious squawking randomness 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 stochasticity was repeated.

One thing Albus loved about the predator 's Den was that it was always very quiet down. No noises could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard noises from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the door and instead of the gonzo shuttle he had expected to see, rosebush was standing there with her wand out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never come up to the door."

"Rose ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"rosebush said hurriedly,"I had to get you to come out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the common elbow room. I told him I 'd recover you."

Albus turned around and told matt, John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the room, that he would be back soon. He had no idea what his dad wanted, but it must consume been important for him to go to the castle on a day he did n't have to police it.

Harry was sitting in one of the muddy armchairs in presence of the fervour when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, most likely about Quidditch judgement by their extravagant use of paw motion, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portrait hole.

"Let 's talk outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrayal fix and down the corridor a little ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"cypher,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"Well, I 'm no longer a teacher here, so I wo n't say a word about you causing hassle, 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 interrogation of the eventide, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the decision is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would rede you not to go. prof Balladanis is under a considerable amount of stress, of which you do n't sleep with the one-half of. I 'd say the luck are high that he may claim out this tension on you and Scorpius."

"Do you hump if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no idea,"Harry answered,"But I tend to believe he won't."

"I do n't think I will either,"Albus said.

"A wise decision,"Harry smiled.

Harry said honest nighttime to Albus and then Albus went back to the Marauder 's Den. Kaden was in the eye of showing flatness and Gospel According to John how to make a proper paper airplane.

"What did your dad desire ?"John Lackland asked without looking up from the parchment he was folding.

"To tell me it was n't a safe idea to go to Balladanis 's moral tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the empty couch.

"And ?"Matt 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 focus, most of which I do n't know about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Weird,"Kaden shook his head,"I 'll be happy when he 's sacked."

"We do n't lie with for trusted that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to engagement a beautiful adult female,"privy smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't believe I did n't put that together sooner. It was n't a beautiful woman ; it was a lamia. 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 zip,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"King John began,"This is the first Friday we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're justly,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And spend the night here,"Matt added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The boys snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many Henry Sweet and puddings as they could dribble by the firm elves. Then they stayed up previous eating all of it and playing various game. Albus was even capable to forget about Balladanis for a spell, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry official remained a perm mending at Hogwarts throughout the end of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of students mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including John 's cousin Isabelle, one of the pursuer on the Ravenclaw Quidditch squad, and Gabriella.

prof Balladanis did not show up at a single meal. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. cipher saw him, which raised the inquiry of whether he was even still in the rook.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a luck to relieve oneself their decision. Albus was more than than a little nervous about going to Defense on Tuesday and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence seizure from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday morning that all the Hogwarts educatee knew a verdict had been reached. Professor Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something important happened. He was flanked by the two witch from the Ministry. The wizard was no recollective there.

The dorm 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 quotation 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 Lackland muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"Good percentage point,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the scholarly person with a neutral flavor on her brass."Upon extensive investigation of Professor Balladanis 's teaching method and thorough consultation of choose students, the Ministry has seen it fit to remove him from his teaching position here at Hogwarts school day of Witchcraft and genius. Professor Balladanis packed his things late shoemaker's last Night and no prospicient resides in the castle. prof Kendrick will inform you about what will happen with Defense classes for the remainder of the year. I would wish to thank all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and continued eating her breakfast like nothing had happened. The Great Charles Martin Hall immediately erupted into whispers, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"Defense Against the dark graphics classes will not take situation until further bill. I will try and procure a suitable replacement for Professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, please use the clip to study for your upcoming exams,"Kendrick said and then resumed his seat. He began to talk with Torenzo and the scholar vocalisation rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"lusterlessness exclaimed,"topper intelligence I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Peach State shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Merlin !"James groaned,"Why 'd they have to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to exchange paw throughout the Gryffindor table as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you imagine Kendrick 'll happen a replacement ?"John asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to begin with."

"Glad I did n't do that loup-garou essay,"John grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't recover a refilling,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd make one to a lesser extent exam."

"That would be smart as a whip,"can replied.

The atmospheric state in the palace for the quietus of the day was incredibly upbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few students asked mat to give thanks his dad for them. It seemed that the sole student upset by it were those who had lost wager because of it.

argus pheasant Filch was another who was unhappy. The world-wide excitement of the castle caused him more oeuvre. Peeves destroyed the defense force classroom in celebration ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), Henry James and his friends set off a few Weasley pyrotechnic, and then there was the general mess that was associated with student celebrating by playing out of doors in the sloppy Gunter Wilhelm Grass. Plus, Moaning Myrtle flooded her bathroom when a few pupil told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not match. For some odd rationality it reminded her of her death.

One person who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the castle with a big smile on her grimace. Albus could only assign this to the fact that Balladanis had taught so extensively about vampires. But he never taunted her the way he 'd taunted matte. Perhaps that was because his biggest fear was vampires.

There was even a party in the Gryffindor uncouth way that Night. rose thought it was a niggling derisory, to celebrate the sacking of a teacher, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an excellent matter to celebrate.

"Just think,"King John said,"We do n't ever have to listen to him go on and on about how bad the dark artwork are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"matte added,"I could 've gone my whole lifespan without seeing one of those."

"What do you think he 's doing now ?"pink wine mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some place far, like Malagasy Republic or somewhere."

"Yeah,"mat agreed,"I bet he 's not even in Britain anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd bother to stay around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the night to void anyone seeing him."

"indirect request we could 've seen him leave,"St. John the Apostle grinned mischievously,"Would 've been decent to present him a proper send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"Rose muttered,"Maybe now you lot can concentrate on test. And maybe the castle will get back to normal."

"Normal ?"Albus raised his eyebrows,"This place will never be normal. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Saturday. It 's the last equal before the final."

"When 's the final ?"Rose asked.

"Beginning of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, privy, lusterlessness, and Kaden all sent scathing feeling at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New York in this match,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Wood is in wide-cut shape this hebdomad. I 'm practicing every dark starting tomorrow."

"Oliver Wood is harebrained,"Rose muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch pitch,"Saint John grinned,"I would love to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can subscribe to my place."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not have defending team Against the iniquity artistry the next break of the day, Albus was down in the Great Hall bright and early because he wanted to read Rose 's Daily Prophet. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's sacking was one thing, reading it in the prophesier was entirely different.

blush wine was already there when Albus, Matt, and John sat down at the Gryffindor board. Amanda and Linda were on either side of her and all three girls were reading the clause. Albus drummed his fingers impatiently on the tabular array while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, Rose handed him the paper without saying a watchword and Albus read it, with Matt and John looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS TEACHER REMOVED FROM POSITION BY MINISTRY

In an effect that causes much of the wizarding humanity to think
back to Voldemort 's sovereignty, Hogwarts DoD Against the Dark
Arts teacher, genus Tethus Balladanis, has been removed from his
stead by the Ministry of Magic 's Department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's reign, vindication teacher rarely lasted more
than a year at the schooltime, a enigma that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two eld
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense teacher since that
fateful May day.

prof Torro taught at Hogwarts for days until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three class ago. He was
replaced by brain Auror, Harry Potter, who is rumored to
have only taken the office after nobody else agreed to
fill it.

Harry thrower left the position this retiring fall and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two daylight ago, when he was removed
from his placement. Approximately a workweek and a half ago, a
complaint was lodged by straits of the Department for the
Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The complaint included rough teaching methods, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching instrument, singling students out for deficiency of
acquisition, and embarrassing students in strawman of their peer.

An probe by Ministry functionary ensued and included
the interviewing of quality students and staff. The department
concluded their investigation late Dominicus evening and informed
both Balladanis and Headmaster Fabius Kendrick of their decision.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
decision. When asked for a statement on the progeny, 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 way. I am not happy that it came to this, but I
feel that nothing should be put ahead of children 's condom .'

Hogwarts scholar will not wait on denial classes until a successor
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd dumbfound your dad in there somehow,"John 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 see out what happened when he left the castle."

"Maybe he really did go quietly,"mat shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"doubtfulness it,"Rose answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

lifetime soon returned to formula for the Hogwarts students, as it often does after something exciting happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the clause was published, but soon there was nothing left to say and the educatee focused on the upcoming Quidditch match, which was mere daytime away.

Albus had an easy time forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch practice. He was out on the rake every evening and was soon hearing forest 's commands in his head as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed rule. Albus was almost sword lily that the year was drawing to an end because once the tournament was over, he would n't have to get by with Grant Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus realise that Gryffindor would have a new captain the next year since Empire State of the South was graduating. Albus was indisputable it would be either Fred or Heather, but he was n't sure which.

Albus trudged into the Great Hall on Th dayspring sorely wishing that Saint John had n't woken him up. They did n't let a class first thing, so why 'd he bother doing that ? Albus was already running on little sleep.

"I 'm going to inflame you up at five in the morning this Saturday,"Albus muttered to John as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"lavatory grinned,"I need you to help me finish that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the understanding for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't Rose help you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"John the Evangelist muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not have accidentally set firing to her Potions notes last dark,"John said.

"And I should make to suffer because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you manage that anyway ?"

"It was n't an fortuity,"matte put in,"John and Kaden were tinkering with those super posture muck bombs last nighttime in the Marauder 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the table right where blush wine 's notes were. The dung bombs exploded and Rose 's notes caught fire."

"See, an accident !"John exclaimed.

"No, folly,"matte said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't evoke going in the Marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't bear time to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch practice session again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this week ?"James asked.

"I do n't know, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"James pointed to the faculty table.

Albus looked up and saw that his dad was talking with Neville. Except he was n't wearing his Auror robes, he was just wearing normal robes. Albus glanced back at James who shrugged.

"May I have your care ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just bid to inform you all that Harry ceramicist has kindly agreed to film over defensive structure form for the remainder of term. Because of this, Defense family will resume today."

"Good thing I woke you up,"lavatory grinned.

"shot you wo n't be capable to finish that essay,"Albus shot back.

"Merlin,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he manage that much. He 'd already had his dad teach for two years and it had n't been bad at all. Plus, his dad was a far better teacher than Balladanis.

Albus walked with mat and bathroom to Defense. Rose was still not speaking to John and she walked with Amanda and Linda a trivial ways ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't turn into what happened earlier in the year.

The entire class erupted in applause as soon as Harry entered the room and Albus noticed that this caused him to redden. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"Well, I did not remember I 'd be back here. I do have to stay on 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 collective groan from the integral class."Great,"John muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that punishing,"flatness rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be time consuming,"John the Divine replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a month and a half of terminus left and I ca n't just let you take in this metre to mess around."

The course was the most enjoyable vindication stratum the thirdly twelvemonth had had in quite a piece. Harry lectured for the entirety of the division, but it was n't wearisome. Albus did not mind in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the clip Sabbatum arrived, virtually no one in the castle was talking about professor Balladanis. Quidditch was on the vanguard of everybody 's minds and the tensions ran higher than they had all twelvemonth. The effect of this match would determine who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly worried. Hogwarts had already beaten New York once and they could easily do it again. The full team was in good wellness and none of the alternates were needed. Albus was perfectly content to sit in the rack with his friends and just watch out the match, rather than ingest to run in it.

It was a strong natural spring day with a slight wind and cloud cover, perfect playacting precondition. Grant Wood had spoke of the conditions during the late night 's practice, telling the team that a expectant storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The match commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the crowd. Hogwarts scored five goals within the first off fifteen minute of the friction match and New York scored two. The teams remained neck opening in neck for the remainder of the friction match, until Henry James pulled out of a dive clutching the golden stoolpigeon in his unexpended hand.

The crew erupted into cheerfulness and James was soon hoisted onto the shoulders of some of the elder students.

"I have an announcement to make !"professor Kendrick shouted over the crowd,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the final Quidditch match, scheduled to take place on the inaugural of June !"

The common after Quidditch party ensued in the vernacular way and everyone rehashed their deary percentage of the match. No one talked about the final match, although Albus was certainly it was in the backs of everyone 's minds. Australia seemed unacceptable to beat.

Once the excitement from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts students seemed to realise that exam were quite approximate. The library soon became a democratic place to be and fifth and seventh long time in item could be seen there all hours of the day.

As the middle of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a quiet green room in the evening, much like her sister had two twelvemonth prior. Albus and his protagonist spent more prison term in the marauder 's Den after that, usually without rose wine, Amanda, and Linda. The three girls seemed to like the quietness of the green room.

Rose did forgive John the Evangelist for messing up her notes, but she became more tense and snappy as exams drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a kind of end of term custom with Rose.

demurrer lessons took a drastic bend for the better. Albus and all of his Quaker got double-dyed marks on their werewolf essays, to the surprise of no one. After that, the course of study bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, Merlin !"John shouted at breakfast one Fri in the middle 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 cook it into the World Cup final,"Saint John sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did constitute it ?"Albus grabbed the composition from whoremaster, suddenly remembering the just the ticket he 'd come for Christmas. He had n't picked who he was going to bid to go with him. Actually, he had n't even assure his admirer about the tickets.

"Portugal and Russia,"John Lackland groaned,"Russia ! They 've got a wish-wash Quidditch squad !"

"Obviously not,"rose wine smirked,"Albus, did you blame who you 're going to consider when you go to the Cup ?"

"postponement, what ?"John gaped at Albus,"You got tickets ?"

"Er, yeah, for Christmas,"Albus said.

"And you did n't tell me !"King John exclaimed.

"Well, I only got one extra and I did n't have a go at it how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and mat. intellect you, if you hate Russia, I 'll just pick lustrelessness,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Russia,"John said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to pluck then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't give birth to,"Matt said as he sat down next to Albus.

"Nice to see you wake up,"privy grinned. Albus and John had attempted to wake mat up before they went down to the Great Hall and had no luck. The full moon moon was the succeeding 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,"flatness shook his head,"It 's just that my dad got tag, so you can just founder your redundant 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 ?"St. John asked,"Are we going to rent a Muggle plane ?"John looked excited at that prospect.

"No estimation,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's boring,"St. John the Apostle said.

"regard I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"John Lackland asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're Wyrd, Kaden,"john laughed.

"So are you. Airplanes are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"matte said,"I 'd deal a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for exams and Quidditch practice, Albus had no meter for anything else. He managed to tweet in metre to visit 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 terminal match of the Junior 's Dueling guild, something Albus had been forced to neglect due to Quidditch practice. After begging wood and a bit of help from Teddy, Albus was able to attend the final. Albus 's team won, practically to the delight of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with Professor Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a watchword to Albus, or any of his admirer. Malfoy remained mysteriously quiet around the wide-cut lunation, not saying anything about it to either Albus or Matt. It was unknown, but not something any of the male child were going to kvetch about it.

troika sidereal day before the Quidditch final, the Great entrance 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 and quite a few students looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked Rose as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"Rose whispered, her boldness completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the nearest written matter of the prophet. lusterlessness and whoremaster crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN gaolbreak

official have reported that three prisoners
broke out of Azkaban late last night. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban guards
have refused to speak with reporters, and the
Ministry does not wish to divulge information
at this time.

The epithet of the run away captive have been
released and anyone with data reguarding
any of them are asked to contact the Ministry.

The prophet then gave detailed information about all three of the escaped prisoner. Albus only recognized Willinson. The other two had been imprisoned for more petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an cretin !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"Rose said.

Any hope Albus had of getting homework done that hebdomad was gone. He was lucky he was able to concentrate 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 come back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the night before the Quidditch final exam arrived and forest called the team into the changing room after ending practice.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to manage this team,"Wood said as he began to footstep in front 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 grouping of students from all four houses can do together and make for together on the same team. I am not certain this could have been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a tenacious way over the year. You 've all made vast improvements in your skill. Quite a few of you are one-seventh years and I am very glad to enjoin you that there will be scouts from a couple Quidditch team watching tomorrow 's match. I have gamey hopes for the lot of you, when it comes to Quidditch.

"I can not say whether we will win tomorrow. Australia is beneficial, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and generate it your best. Now, I think you should all turn in former and eat a right breakfast tomorrow before the friction match. Teddy, Tyler, anything to add ?"Wood turned to the boys.

shift and Tyler both shook their mind and Wood turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. Good night."

Sir Henry Joseph Wood, teddy bear, and Tyler stayed behind to discuss manoeuvre while the team left. Albus and James II were the shoemaker's last two to leave. Sakartvelo had left with the former 7th years, excitedly discussing the outlook of scouts.

"You think Georgia 's going to bless with one of the professional team ?"Albus asked James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"Epistle of James said,"I just hope it does n't suffer her chances when we lose."

"We might not lose,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to lose,"James muttered,"Linda 's too beneficial of a Seeker."

Albus said nothing. He wished he could just recite James that Linda was a vampire. It would be so a great deal easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own intellection. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a loud wisecrack in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a branch break,"King James I answered.

"It was too gimcrack,"Albus said as he looked into the timberland,"It sounded like person Apparating in there."

"I do n't recall you can Apparate in the forest,"William James pointed out,"And it did n't sound 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 someone Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too lots, Al,"James II 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 stunned enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"Jesse James laughed,"If he 's stupid enough to do that, he 's going to get catch and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be unintelligent, but he did contend to kidnap Kaden the previous spring, 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 genus 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 atmosphere in the Great Hall the next morning was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts team was sitting together at the Ravenclaw table, surrounded by bookman from all four family. teddy and Tyler seemed to be in the thick of it and were loudly discussing tactics.

The Australian team was sitting together at the Hufflepuff table, with a bombastic distance between them and the Hufflepuffs. A diminished crowd of Australians had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to conjoin the eternal rest of the Hogwarts team at the Ravenclaw mesa. cipher was unable to play that day, so Albus 's Clarence Day on the team were pretty much over. To be honest, he was kind of relieved. There was just so lots pressure.

"I think this tourney has been respectable for Hogwarts,"Rose mused,"feeling at everyone. cypher seems to care who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to normal once the match is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"Rose shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't make out, pink wine,"Matt said,"I do n't believe one year 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 reckon this has helped outside charming cooperation,"whoremaster gestured to the Australian squad. 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.

rose shot him a dirty look and then looked up at the staff table. Albus 's regard followed. The stave table was quite overcrowded that aurora. There were scout from Quidditch squad, Ministry official including Albus 's Uncle Percy, and a salmagundi of mass from Australia and New House of York.

"Look at that enchantress,"John pointed to a very tall, beautiful witch with pale Edward D. White hide and farseeing wickedness hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"rosiness told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"rosebush whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"lavatory said without taking his center off the witch.

There was a gaudy cheerfulness from the Ravenclaw table and the Hogwarts team began to leave the Hall. Their entourage followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at various tables.

The Aboriginal Australian team followed shortly. The upheaval only seemed to increase now that the teams had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few minutes later people began to leave for the pitch. The crowd at the stave table left first and the students followed.

"Albus,"lavatory said as they got up from the table,"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.

pink wine rolled her oculus."sports meeting us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the room access as the son ran up the grand staircase.

"Why did n't you just bring them to breakfast ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Forgot,"John said.

The castle was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor tugboat. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

john had to abandon out his intact torso in lodge to determine the omnioculars. He had four couplet and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to miss the beginning of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running in the corridors dominion as he made his way through the castling. There was n't anyone to scold him anyway. The footsteps behind him told him his champion were n't far behind.

Albus turned a corner and ran slap into something. He fell down onto his back and looked up, only to see that it was someone. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with flatness 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would stimulate manifested itself into what Albus was nigh afraid of. At that present moment, it probably would have been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to see at his friends.

mat had turned white and looked far to a greater extent 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 Matt to the man, an obvious horror on his face. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his ally, pulling them into the nearest schoolroom. He slammed the door and pulled out his wand, putting every locking charm he knew onto the knob.

Matt collapsed onto the nearest hot seat and put his head in his hand."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the hell is he doing here ?"John ranted,"He 's got no commercial enterprise here !"

"Why 's he in the castle anyway ?"Albus began to pace around the room,"If he 's here to watch over the Quidditch match, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to see the Quidditch ?"bathroom said darkly.

"Who the bloody hell is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at Matt before looking at Kaden. Matt did n't seem to have heard Kaden 's question.

"His name 's Lubar. He 's the nous of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the cause why Matt had to move here, amongst early things."

"He 's a vomit up and wriggle evil git,"King John muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the door and peered out the small window at the top. Lubar was no longer in sight.

"I 've g-got to go to the Ministry,"matte said,"I 've got to t-tell my dad. L-Lubar, he ca n't be here."

Albus paced back and forth in strawman of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? Brooms ? No, that would take too long. They 'd accept to use the Floo Network, but none of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to take to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll swipe into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

lustrelessness nodded."You guy do n't have to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you genial ?"King John exclaimed,"That bloke out there is probably worse than Willinson. We 're not letting you do this alone."

Albus nodded in understanding 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 embossment, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd left them. He shoved them into his robes and ran back to the classroom. Matt, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden were all talking quietly. matt did n't appear any less scared, but at least he did n't seem to be in seismic disturbance anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"Saint John the Apostle said immediately,"I 'm grandiloquent so I 'll postulate 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 Matt were atrocious prevaricator 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 3rd floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, matt, and Kaden, and the three of them followed John out of the room. The corridor was still empty, much to Albus 's ministration.

John set a very fast tempo and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would turn over away his bearing. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the least measure of noise possible.

The male child made it down the two flights of steps requirement to get to the third floor and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and stuffed it into his pocket. With a quick tap of his wand, he statue 's hump opened and the boys climbed inside.

Albus lit his wand and took off down the diminished passageway. Matt, John the Evangelist, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"John the Evangelist asked as they ran,"Does n't he have it off what he did ?"

"Yes,"mat answered,"I do n't suppose Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't think he came here to see you ?"Albus asked lustrelessness,"I mean, think when Killigan saw us that one time and he seemed so interest in finding you ?"

"Of course of action I do,"Matt 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 compeer ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"matte replied,"I do n't know for sure, but it seems too coincident for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he want to see you ?"

matte stopped running and wheeled around to look at Kaden."It 's a long story. Lubar 's got a grudge against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Australia for six years,"Matt paused,"He passed a bunch of Laws against lycanthrope and I wound up having to transubstantiate with a bunch of other loup-garou. It was bad."

lustrelessness resumed walking and did n't elaborate on the subject. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"lusterlessness shrugged,"Maybe talk to Kendrick or something."

There was no doubt in Albus 's brain that Matt 's dad would be capable to get Lubar to provide Hogwarts, possibly even leave the country. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this twelvemonth, but now he knew that you did not want to be on his bad side. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The passageway finally began to arise until it came to an sharp arrest at a knotty wooden door. Albus pressed his ear to the door, but heard cypher. He carefully pushed it undefendable, wincing as it creaked.

seeing cypher in the storage room beyond, Albus beckoned his booster forward. The room was dimly lit, enough for Albus to see a huge amount of boxwood littering the floor. On the far wall he could see a fireplace.

The male child climbed over the various boxes and stood in front line of the fireplace. Albus located a small sackful of Floo gunpowder and then lit a fire. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into someone 's study at the Ministry. We 're going to bear to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a fistful of powder and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the powder into the fervidness and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of Magic !"

Albus stumbled out of a different open fireplace seconds later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, preserve for a few maven striding towards the aerodynamic lift, clearly too interfering to notice Albus.

flatness landed rather ungracefully on the floor. He picked himself up, brushing stray ash off his robes.

"piazza is deserted,"lustrelessness said as he looked around.

"It 's a Saturday,"Albus pointed out,"Energy Department your dad work Saturdays ?"

"Yeah,"matte nodded,"At least mornings."

St. John was adjacent to step out of the fire, doing so more elegantly than Matt had. He stood in front of the fire, staring around at the Atrium. His eye rested on the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is Sir Thomas More illusion than I imagined,"John said.

"Bloody hell !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"flatness said quickly,"But we have n't got time to explore. Let 's go."

Albus followed matte towards the desk in the front of the Atrium. There was an old adept leafing through a copy of the Quibbler, forgetful to his environment. 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 retrieve you 're going ?"he asked and then his eyes rested on Albus,"Albus Severus ceramicist. Why are n't you in school ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a trivial unnerved that the man knew who he was.

matte stepped in strawman of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the psyche of the section for the ordinance and Control of Magical animate being. It 's kind of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your wands up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed suit. They waited impatiently as the old wizard 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 sceptre did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the nip and tuck arrived, the boys piled in and matt pushed the identification number four. Nobody said anything as the lift creaked its way to the fourth floor.

Matt took off at a run down the corridor after they left the lift. Albus had never been to this finical base. It looked rather standardized to the Magical Law Enforcement 's floor, with nondescript Seth of double doors on one side.

flatness skidded to a stay in front of the only room access that was single and banged his hand loudly on it. When there was no reply after a few arcsecond, he banged again.

"custody 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 raft of his son and the early three male child. He gaped at them for a second before shaking his head.

"flatness ?"he asked and rubbed his eyes, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in schoolhouse ? 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 incorrectly ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the son into his study. He shut the door quietly behind them.

The cogitation reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were large windowpane on the side opposite the door, although the panorama outside was not very, nor was the blue rain that was pattering onto it.

There was a magnanimous leather covered hot seat behind the huge oak desk and a few smaller chairs in front of it. Along the early two rampart were shelves with loading of books. nigh of them were about various witching creatures.

Albus, Matt, and john took the seats that were in strawman of the desk while Kaden wandered around the study looking at things. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the strawman of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"matt said in barely more than a rustling,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch final,"matte said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody pit !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his fist loudly against his desk,"Did professor Kendrick allow this ?"

"I do n't know,"lustrelessness replied,"B-but everyone else was at the mates and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's font hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with professor Balladanis earlier in the full term."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to have a Bible with prof Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his subject field and down towards the lifts. King John 's walking speed was nothing compared to matte 's dad 's. The boy had to run to keep up.

"Where did you Floo from ?"Mr. Eckerton asked once they were in the lift.

"Honeyduke 's,"Albus answered.

"We 'll Floo there now,"Mr. Eckerton replied.

The wizard at the receive desk looked at them curiously as they rushed towards the fireplaces, 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 fire and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to whirl faster and faster. He saw glance of citizenry 's houses, store in Diagon alleyway, and a assortment of other places he did not realise. Then, out of one of the fireplaces, came a hand. Everything seemed to decelerate down, but Albus was n't sure if it actually did or not.

The hand grabbed him. Albus fought against it, but it was too strong. All of a sudden he was laying on a dusty wooden flooring, 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 mitt was that ?

Albus grappled for his wand and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, ceramicist,"a cold voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching future to the open fireplace with his hand inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank way than he did in Hogwarts.

The fireplace glowed greenness and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. John the Evangelist came tumbling out of the fervidness and scrambled too his understructure, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breath and stuck his hand in the fire again.

"What the ?"bathroom whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody Hell !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the room. It looked vaguely familiar, but Albus could n't put his finger on it. The windowpane were boarded up, but it was definitely not the shriek hut. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo mesh anyway.

The hearth glowed greens yet again, this clip sending Kaden onto the flooring. This earned another shout from Lubar, who stuck his hand in the fire again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his fundament and stood next to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid eyes on Lubar.

Albus wanted naught more than to run from the room, but he did not make out where the building was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stun him or something.

honey oil illumination filled the elbow room as the hearth glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that Matt would be the one to next fall out of the fire. Mere seconds later, that suspicion was confirmed.

lusterlessness coughed and scrambled to his fundament. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the fire and lit his wand, which illuminated his sinister aspect. He began to pace slowly in front of them.

"fountainhead, well, you went crying to pappa just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do love when things work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could palpate Matt shaking next to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and disarm Lubar.

"Any idea where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. Lovely shop, shame about the owner. Yes, a existent shame."

Lubar did n't look at all upset about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"well, let 's not waste our clip here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few people who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his finger three clock time and Albus heard footsteps on the stairs.

Three wizards descended the stairs and strode into the way. They lit their wands at the same time and Albus gasped when the Inner Light showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three people Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As undecomposed a dueler he was, he was up against four fully qualified magician. Three of them did not possess the acquirement to duel, but Albus had no idea what Lubar was capable of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a pin-up reunion. Unfortunately we have n't got time to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his wand pointed at his neck. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his forefather had John the Divine. lustrelessness, seeing his ally restrained, made a run for the nearest window.

"Not so fast, young loup-garou,"Lubar caught him by the back of his robe and wrapped one of his munition around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robes with his give up hand and pulled out an old tea kettle. He held it out to the early three men and each one put a free handwriting on it. Albus knew what was going to encounter right before it did. He shared a frightened glance with lusterlessness before feeling a jerk behind his belly button.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : I decided to do region of this chapter from Harry 's spot of view. It begins in his tip of opinion and then switches back to Albus 's. Asterisks indicate where the point of scene switches.


"Spectacular save by Georgia Weasley !"the commentator shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into play. It was immediately taken into self-possession by Hogwarts, and all three pursuer threw it back and Forth as they flew to the Aboriginal Australian end of the pitch.

"Score ! Hogwarts has scored against Australia, bringing the add up to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as forte as the students. One affair he loved about the Quidditch tourney was that he did n't have to try and conceal his excitement when Hogwarts scored. During house mates, he had to try and pretend he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As happy as Harry was about the Hogwarts pursuer being very skilled, he did not have promise that Hogwarts would actually win. Commonwealth of Australia 's Seeker, Linda esprit de corps, was the right seeker Harry had ever seen outside of professional Quidditch. He knew that his son, James, was good, 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 Calluna vulgaris just did n't seem lifelike. Professional Quidditch actor would drink down for her speed.

"I 'm surprised she has n't found the canary yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the pitch. James was doing the Lapp,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his regard to the residual of the stave 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 ploughshare their impression that teachers could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few professor 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 have it off the man well. They 'd met on occasion at the Ministry, although Harry had a feeling he 'd be seeing Thomas More of him now that he was headspring of the Department for the regularisation and control condition of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Bruno Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than professional level. Harry had never met a father who was more protective of his son than Walter Eckerton, although he did receive expert intellect. Never a more devoted father, either.

Walter continued his way past the other prof until he stopped in front of Harry. Harry was even Sir Thomas More appal to see the grammatical construction on his face. trouble was etched in every role of his grimace, bringing out the line, but there was ira in his eyes.

"Walter,"Harry shook his hand as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Walter muttered,"I need a word in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be right back and he followed Bruno Walter out of the stands. They continued walking until they were a short distance away from the rake and then Walter stopped.

"The boy have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Bruno 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 promontory of the Department for the rule and ascendence of Magical Creatures in Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the change of subject."Yes, not a very patient of cuss, is he ?"

Walter 's face hardened."That 's a Nice way of putting it. The bloke is crazy and twisted and he 's got a grudge against me. Very foresightful narrative and I have n't got sentence to tell it. Short version is that when Matt was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to transform in a building with early werewolves, elderly werewolf. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever understanding, Lubar decided to call Hogwarts today, possibly under the pretension 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 proprietor of the shop as well as a few other Hogsmeade residents. No one 's seen them. We 've got to find them."

Harry 's heart sank."You do n't think Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not dangerous, is he ?"

"To matt, yes, but I have n't the tenuous idea as to why he 'd want the early boy,"Walter said.

"Even if he did only want mat, he 'd ingest to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him accept lustrelessness sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every available Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to dislodge himself from Washburn 's grasp 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 instant, but this time there was a important lag. Albus had time to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The minute clue that their destination was far away was the fact that it was very dark when Albus finally landed on the earth. 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 feet. Loud clump around him told him that his friends had landed as well.

The terra firma was damp and operose 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 stretch towards the starry sky.

There was no moonshine to illumine the afforest. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yard away from the boys and were whispering to each former. All four had lit their wand, but it was n't enough sceptre illumination to render Albus a ripe sight of his surroundings.

matt, whoremonger, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their wands out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't make bold abstemious it.

"Why is it night ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the hell are we ?"John asked.

"We 're in Commonwealth of Australia,"Matt said in awe, as if he was just coming to terminal figure 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 take away them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't piss sense was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could tell, the four maven seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the world. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old firm ?"lav asked.

"How should I make love ?"lustrelessness snapped,"Commonwealth of Australia 's a huge land !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could blot out there,"John muttered.

"You would n't require to,"Matt said,"My stupid cousin-german owns it now."

"You have a cousin ?"Albus asked.

"Not of import,"lusterlessness said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying attention,"bathroom whispered, gesturing to where the four champion stood huddled in a R-2,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right there,"flatness pointed to the tea tympanum, which was a few foot away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the counting of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to peck it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the other three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you expect ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you realize how often more difficult 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 have managed this if it were n't for me !"Lubar growled,"So do n't go telling me what I should and should n't have done."

"wellspring, now we 've wound up with two supernumerary ones as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're tiddler, how much trouble can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't know this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the ground we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your incredible imbecility,"Lubar said.

Albus was very intrigue. Lubar was arguing with them as if he knew them well. Had Lubar really been working with them all along ?

What did they need him for anyway ? What had Willinson meant when he said 'we only needed Potter'?

"Shut it, Lubar,"Jarrett said.

"I 'll say what I like,"Lubar replied,"This is my bush, not yours."

"You own the forest now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a topic of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to Matt,"So many years have passed. separate me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprisal, it was Saint John the Apostle and not matte who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed whoremaster with a work-shy Wave of his sceptre, leaving bathroom stunned in front of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better duellist than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing King John 's baton, Lubar turned back to Matt, who was shakily holding his wand up.

"It does n't count what country you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the Lapp thing no matter where you live. The legal philosophy do n't change what you are. hazard as much as you like, but it wo n't change 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 angry in his full liveliness, and that included every encounter he had had with Scorpius Malfoy. Malfoy was like a flossy kitty compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. John was already wandless. It would do them no good if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to wait, to wait until he could becharm them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the fountainhead of the section in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"Guess it 's just a matter of time until the same thing happens. You 'll have to flee again."

Matt was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his brain, trying to figure out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for Merlin 's sake !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping things ? Did we really risk Portkeying a clump of Thomas Kid to Australia just to waste time taunting one of them ?"

"Quiet !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"Excuse me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the public figure of Merlin do you know them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breath, waiting for Lubar to put some kind of whammy or curse on Kaden. Sometimes his cousin was quite dense. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a time not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprise, Lubar smiled. It was a worm sort of smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"I think that 's a fairly question,"Lubar said."My cousin-german married this cretin,"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 longer,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we delight just get on with this ?"

"Patience, cousin-german,"Lubar said as he began to take the air slowly around the other three,"We mus n't do this hastily. Haste is the reasonableness you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The only thing Albus could imagine of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their program, they would n't throw taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at Matt, who still looked scared out of his mind. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed sassy, much impertinent than the early three, and that scared Albus Sir Thomas More than anything else. There was a big difference between dueling someone who was smart and dueling soul who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a short while later. Harry had briefly questioned the possessor of Honeyduke 's, but they had not seen any of the boys.

Harry and Walter ran towards the lifts at top speed, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the bloke at the welcome desk. The airlift could not go fast enough for the two men. Harry nearly pulled the threshold open when they finally arrived at Magical Law Enforcement 's floor.

The Auror role 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 Snap card and stood up upon seeing Harry make it. The former Auror, a rather short but heavyset witch, shoved the rule book she was reading in the draftsman, and joined the former 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 ghastly as they waited for Harry to give them instructions.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the wizards,"Brighton,"he looked at the Wiccan,"Get started with an extensive search of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't engaged with anything else. Tiburon and Oswald are on duty in Hogsmeade today, inform them of the situation."

Dabney and Brighton nodded before dashing out of the way. Harry turned to the remaining Auror."Lewster, you will be searching the Forbidden forest as soon as someone else arrives."

Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a enchantment. An tremendous silvery stag flew out of his verge and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the room and Harry leaned against the approximate desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the doorway just as Ron was running through, followed by half a 12 former Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a worried tone.

Harry rehashed the entire situation again. Ron 's face paled."What about Rose, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his head,"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 bonk him."

"With moody wizards, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the lookup of the Forbidden Forest. Lewster 's going with you. And take Daniels and Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the elbow room, followed by Lewster and two other wizards. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The rest of you can search the castle and grounds. Be discrete. I do not wish to interrupt the Quidditch match unless it is absolutely necessary,"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 year he had gotten into trouble. Albus 's years at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd ameliorate go Floo menage and tell Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to come apart."

Harry nodded as Walter left the room. Ginny. Harry snapped his straits up. She was going to be watching the match, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the room. How was he going to narrate his wife that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't have a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go improper ? We 're halfway across the humanity from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your imbecility,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the Earth ? Harry ceramicist 's son ! You have n't a clew as to how affair work in the Ministry !

"I can ensure you that at this very bit, the integral Auror department is looking for them. Harry potter 's probably got every Auror on this fount. It wo n't fill them long to realize that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to Matt,"He 's got the most tampering parents in the world. They 'd sooner kill everyone in the earth before letting something happen to him. Very irritating. They wo n't roost until they find him. Not to cite the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry functionary. We 've got two shaver of two of the most outstanding Ministry functionary of Britain. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be careful !"

"Well, you 're the one who wanted to get hold of the werewolf, too,"Jarrett growled.

"And you 're the one who insisted we take ceramist 's son !"Lubar shouted,"Why do we even need him ?"

"We just do !"Jarrett shouted back.

"If both of you idiots had n't wanted to make for the kidskin, we could 've done this whole thing without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the same time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't bear a chance to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only trust that the magician would stimulate enough to argue about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the home ?"

"Have you learned nothing ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the first billet they 'll look is the house."

"Got any sound approximation ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a secret footling shack somewhere in this nation ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. mass of stead to enshroud, not very inhabited. Perfect place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice grip again. Matt was once again in the clutches of Lubar, and bathroom and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very footling about the Australian outback, just that it was n't worthy for practically human inhabitation. However, the one piece of information he did know about it was that it was where most of the dementors that used to hold Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat popular place for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two bit to realize what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sense experience 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 late chapter, this one goes back and forth between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking loose of Jarrett 's grasp. He tripped over a rock and landed expression first in the moxie. Spitting the grittiness out of his mouth, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too saturnine to see anything but the precis of stack in the distance. The outback seemed very empty and very quiet. There was a very minor thump of bushes and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see much else in the way of plant life.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a defect place in his life. There was absolutely nothing around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't receive gotten very far. As dangerous as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would have 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 sorting of ropes to tie them up or put any spells around them. Instead, he walked a short distance in the commission of the mountains and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to follow them.

"What are we going to do ?"whoremaster seethed,"Has anyone got any mind where we are ?"

"The outback 's huge,"Matt replied,"I bet we 're right wing in the heart of it. The nearest civilization 's probably sea mile away."

"So we 're done for,"John groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No idea,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not have to obtain out."

"Do you really think your pa are going to be able-bodied to find us ?"whoremaster asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's rightfield,"Albus said,"The whole Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll find us."

"Does overeat like this happen every yr ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, finis year I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll happen adjacent year ?"

"Hopefully nada,"Albus said.

"If there is a next year,"lav muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the boys,"I did n't separate you to talk !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the distance,"There 's the great unwashed gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his heart leapt a bit. There was a low gathering of pattern a few yards away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"Calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just vampires. They wo n't bother us. I know that coven. They know better than to mess with me. I 'll bring in life pretty hapless for them if they do."

"Cutting mickle with vampires now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's hopes sank once again. Lubar seemed more confusing than ever. He cut deals for vampires but passed restrictive Pentateuch on werewolf ? It did n't make sense.

The men lowered their voices again and Albus wished he had a few Extendable Ears with him. He did n't make bold talk to his Friend, just sent them queasy glances every now and then.

A frigid fart blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the kind of cold that chilled him to the bone. Hoping that it was n't going to rain down, or nose candy ( was n't it winter in Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no clouds, but what Albus saw was much worse than clouds.

Five or six cloak 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 discover their rattling breath.

The reality in front of him began to float. He felt like he was going to evanesce out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the happiness out of him. Albus was left with all his infelicitous thoughts.

His dad was n't going to chance 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 occur ?

"No, no, no !"mat shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to look towards his friend. matte was kneeling on the ground, shaking violently. Both St. John the Apostle and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of course the dementors would involve matte the worst. He had gone through things that Albus, John the Evangelist, and Kaden could n't even think. It probably did n't help that Lubar was actually deliver, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his verge out of his robe. He 'd heard the incantation for the Patronus charm before and figured it was Charles Frederick Worth a shot. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his scepter at the sky. Nothing happened.

A happy cerebration ! How could he sustain forgotten that ? It was hard to think of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to Matt shouting on the ground.

When the classification Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his wand to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the incantation while using various happy retention. zip was happening, but Matt 's cheering was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the ground. It looked like mat had passed out.

Thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his baton 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 indorsement. 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 running 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 foggy wit immediately cleared and the felicity returned. He quickly stowed his wand in his robes before Lubar thought to disarm him.

"Leave him,"Lubar growled at John and Kaden, who were bent to the undercoat trying to get flatness to wake up up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a bloody brilliant place to come."

Lubar paid no attention to Washburn 's comment. His eyes were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very curious look. Albus took a nervous gradation back, but Lubar did not debar his gaze. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"ceramist, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up highschool Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some good news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the Centaurus,"Lewster said,"They saw three whiz 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 timber flooring for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't surprise him. The Resurrection Stone was someplace in the forest."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his headway,"And the centaurs are pretty certain 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 think that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no doubt in my mind,"Harry answered,"It 's just a issue of finding them. Listen, I 've got to go search Dervish and Banges. I 've got this hunch about the place. Seems like the perfect place for Washburn to drive them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go catch the end of the mate. I wo n't mention anything to James and Lily yet."

"Good,"Harry said,"I 'll be in touch soon."He kissed her lightly on the forehead."We 're going to find him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"hitch safe."

Ginny turned around to take the air back to the Hogwarts evidence while Harry picked up the pace and walked the suddenly distance to Dervish and Banges.

The building looked utterly abandoned. The windows were still boarded up, the grass overgrown around it. It certainly did n't depend 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 doorway open. Without lighting his sceptre, he walked inside.

The shoes had the smell of a late fervency in the hearth. someone had been there. However, there was not a sound from anywhere in the building. Harry lit his wand and saw that it was deserted.

After a thoroughgoing check mark of the entire building, in which Harry found no living creatures, he returned to the independent room. The fireplace was filled with nearly dead ember and there was a pocket-sized atomic pile of Floo pulverisation spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an incantation that would secern him where the close individual to use the hearth had Flooed from. He waited for the conjuration to act upon, his heart hammering.

Soft red roll of tobacco emitted from his verge, curling together to take shape the words 'Ministry of Magic .'Harry breathed a suspiration of relief. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a doubt, Harry knew that Albus and the other boys had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The only interrogative was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, Potter ?"Lubar asked.

"Thirteen,"Albus replied, still a bit aflutter as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the second dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus appealingness to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his head, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may stimulate taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the world-class time I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't narrate me you were skilled at defensive attitude magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is thrower '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 secure if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his wand harder. He glanced at Matt, who was still unconscious. John did n't take his wand. Kaden was n't very respectable 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 talk to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few yard 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."lustrelessness, Matt,"he whispered,"Wake up."

After a minute or two, matt 's center fluttered afford 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 ?"matt gaped at him.

"It was just silvery mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his sake,"lusterlessness shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The other three boy shook their pass."Figures,"mat muttered.

"You need some chocolate or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"Might,"Kaden began fishing around in his pockets. He produced a cocoa frog 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 believe you can get up ?"

mat 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 robe and held it to his side, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a pile of woodwind and set flack to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the boys. Albus was now clearly able to see the twisted flavor on Lubar 's brass.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"attack 's going to draw in attention !"

Lubar laughed."fervour 's going to ensure 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 lamia are destroyed by fire. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his mitt, but Albus could n't make out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you do it what this is, Potter ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to vocalise too nervous.

"It 's the Resurrection Harlan Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly hold in his gasp as he peered near at Jarrett 's outstretched hand. There was a very little Harlan Fisk Stone sitting in it. The Resurrection Harlan F. 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 tour, spells that work very nicely with farsighted forgotten magical object such as this Stone. It was merely a issue of finding the correct spell, getting to the Forbidden wood, and putting it to use. Quite wide-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 spell !"

"The former Hallows will demonstrate to be easy to obtain with the assist of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the sound of that. The stone itself did one affair and that was bring back the John Barleycorn of multitude who had passed on. How would that help Jarrett get the other Hallows ?

The Invisibility Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his robes. He really hoped Jarrett would n't bring in that.

"Another thing that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot caution who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the fire and strode cheeseparing to Albus. Albus took a step back as his sum 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 boys,"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 bring back Lord Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the doorway completely off its hinge as he did so. He had to find Bruno Walter. He had to discover Walter and then go to the Ministry. The fireplace did not express signs that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop. That left either apparition or a Portkey, both of which would have left shadow that he 'd need the Department of Magical Transportation for.

Harry rounded a corner as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a witch. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a foreign look of confusion and shock, mixed with mingled fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a trouble,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the compeer over ? How badly did we drop off by ?"

"Only a one C points,"Ginny said,"But we might not have actually lost. Listen, did you know Australia 's Seeker is a vampire ?"

"wait, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to wrap his brain around that fact while still focusing his mind on Albus.

"I 'll explain after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"Right,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead. Someone was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm sure enough it was Al and the others. I 've got to find Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not sure where that will lead us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be careful,"Ginny said as she gave him a kiss,"And play 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 hold out flavor 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 smudge. They reappeared a niggling patch later in a small Apparition chamber in the Ministry.

Passing the bewildered looking security guard for the third sentence that day, Harry and Walter ran to the face lift. Neither of them said a word as the facelift clattered to the department of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, save up for one very bored looking hag sitting at a desk.

"Mr. thrower, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her fundament off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to roll in the hay if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that same location. And if you 're able to, I need to acknowledge where they went."

"Of course, Mr. ceramicist, of course of study,"the witch said as she got up. She disappeared into another elbow room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the nigh chairwoman. Walter sat down in the adjacent one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll ascertain them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Walter replied,"However, that is not the solely matter I am worried about. The last time Matt had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for month afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not know much about therapy, except that wizards 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 sort of boundary.

Bruno Walter did not speak for several seconds."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't consume to explain."

"I will,"Walter said quietly,"Shortly after Matt was bitten, I became the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical puppet in Australia. Nobody outside of the department knew about his condition, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my other spot of Head of the Werewolf Control unit, and was quite jealous that I was given the point position. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a score he held against me for many class, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it slip that matte was a werewolf. A bit of legislation had been passed that required all places of transformation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected Matt 's and it failed on a triviality. Ministry sum were set up for werewolves to transform in, together. lusterlessness was required by law to transmute there since his safe way did not bye. 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 legislating was passed. A law that stated that Ministry officials could physically force werewolves into the transformation snapper. On the day of the full Moon, Lubar Flooed into our house and took Matt to the nerve center. By the metre I figured out which center it was, the moon had risen. It was too late.

"lustrelessness spent workweek in St. Mungo 's. By that time we were nearly ready to move here. He was so traumatized, it took month for him to get over it. To be true, I do n't think he 's fully over it.

"The alone reason Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so tired of and twisted,"Bruno Walter finished as he put his head in his hand,"I swore I 'd never let him near mat again. Swore I 'd kill him if he went near mat again.

Walter gave an odd sort of laugh."Listen to me, I 'm telling the forefront of the Auror Department that I 'd pull murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go salve the son,"Harry said, still processing what Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so loth to let Matt out of their slew, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One matter that Harry could tell was that Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to James, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your fault,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't have mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no good to dwell on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my brother said when lusterlessness was in St. Mungo 's,"Bruno Walter said wryly.

"Mr. ceramicist !"the hag came bustling out of the way she had gone into, brandishing a composition of lambskin, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the parchment. His eyes scanned the parchment. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few shortly hours ago. That in itself did not shock Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Walter, who had visibly paled at the word,"They 're in Australia."


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the amazing people who have read and left such pin-up reexamination !


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 hard that he could Apparate. Why did you induce to be seventeen to get your Apparition license anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical exile, he would deepen that law. apparition would 've enabled him to get out of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to bring back Lord Voldemort with the Resurrection Stone.

Albus could not remember being more scared in his life. This was far worse than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two years ago, far risky than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the previous year. Lord Voldemort was far scarey than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort tone like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Stone could n't actually make for mass back to life sentence. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a shade. But would he be able to do magic, to perform the curses and hexes he did when he was alive ?

Albus held his breath as he watched Jarrett turn the stone over in his hand. Albus had no idea how it worked, but judging by how quiet all of the adult were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the stone. He did it for so longsighted that Albus had to let out his breather. The excited glow on Jarrett 's cheek slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it cultivate ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you incontrovertible this is the rightfulness pit ?"

"Of course I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the gem,"The spell said it was !"

"well, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a suspiration of relief. Either they had the wrong Edward Durell Stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the I. F. Stone over in his bridge player. On the third act, a strange form of mist appeared in front of him. Albus 's gist sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to shed light on and a bod was standing in front of Lubar. The figure was not Lord Voldemort, though. Albus had no thought who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This person was a woman, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging curious glances. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the physique, his nerve contorted with something Albus could only feign was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped closer to the woman.

"You idiot !"Jarrett shouted,"That 's not Voldemort !"

"I know that !"Lubar snapped and the looked back to the woman, who was apparently his mother,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the cleaning woman replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his friends, who were all staring in mental confusion at Lubar. lustrelessness in particular proposition was giving Lubar a very unusual facial expression. Apparently the stone was the resurrection Stone and it did indeed work, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's mother agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very gallant of you, son."

Albus had to cut across his mouth to conceal his snort. What kind of female parent 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 pigeon hawk 's sake !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to suffer forgotten that there were former mass around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Oliver Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's mother began to blow over as soon as Jarrett took the stone. Running towards her, Lubar held out his hands trying to keep her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's mother completely disappeared, Lubar had his sceptre out and was holding it up at Jarrett. Jarrett had taken out his own wand, 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 fetch back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not insult my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his scepter.

Jarrett fell to the primer, completely unable to move. Lubar stood over him with his baton directed at his chest.

"My mother was a endearing somebody,"Lubar growled,"You 're sick to be speaking ill of the drained 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.

"punter they hex each former than us, right ?"John Lackland muttered.

"goodness point,"Albus replied.

"Can we please just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the impression that that 's what we were here for, not to insult each early '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 soil, his eyes darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Bruno Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll postulate you to replicate that Portkey,"Harry said to the witch, who nodded and left the room again.

"Bruno Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred percentage sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly positive that they are with the male child in Australia."

"Right,"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 yr ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror department needed some aid with capturing the other two. The parson hired a Presuler."

Walter let out a low pennywhistle and then fruition dawned on his cheek."Wait, you do n't mean-"

"Tethys Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the pretending of teaching Defense Against the nighttime Arts."

"Bad idea on the minister of religion 's part,"Walter muttered.

"It was my idea to station him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not know that he would be such an fearsome teacher."

"I wo n't hold it against you,"Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a portion of this investigation, I have to touch him and he will induce to go with us to Australia. I understand that you have had your differences, but-"

"If he helps to find mat, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. potter, Mr. Eckerton,"the witch returned holding a distorted plastic container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore assistance, 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 well-chosen that they seemed to receive momentarily forgotten about the male child, Albus just stood there watching. matt, Gospel According to John, and Kaden did the same, although John looked more than a bit apprehensive, most likely due to his lack of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to take on the pit from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not subscribe kindly to this and hexed Washburn. In the mean fourth dimension, the stunner had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing hexes at each other while dodging the fervor. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would trip-up and sting their arms or something. Or even proficient, maybe one or Sir Thomas More of them would cast their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely worse for wear. All three of them were sporting injuries. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's lead arm was being held at an odd slant.

Lubar seemed fine and even though it appeared that the former three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to admit that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red lightness at Washburn, who went flying over the flame and landed with a sickening thud in presence of the male child. He did not move. Albus looked down and saw a pocket-size stone adjacent to Washburn 's headspring. He bent and picked it up. It was the Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all advanced towards him. Three wands were pointed at his chest, being held by three multitude with maniacal gleaming in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own wand, his arm shaking slightly. Matt and Kaden had done the Lapp. lav tried to shroud behind Matt, but was unsuccessful since he was a good chief taller than him.

"Hand it over, thrower,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant feeling at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Stone into the air hole of his robes and held his wand up higher.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each former. 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 heart off of Walter the entire metre.

"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 conversant jerked meat behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey misstep was a bit longer than ones Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his feet and held out his wand as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was pitch black and after he lit his sceptre, Harry knew they were in the middle of a forest.

The forest was disappointingly tranquillise. The but sounds were those of animals and the occasional whisper of tree, brought about by the farting. Not a individual sound caused Harry to consider that there were people about, let alone his son.

"spreadhead out and hunting,"Harry announced. The place may seem deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some distributor point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the wizards said a word as they combed the area. Harry left no Lucy Stone unturned as he looked for the smallest shadow of grounds of where his son had gone. If only it was n't nighttime. Wands did n't render nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a trace of anything that showed anyone had been in that area of the forest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was good at this, that was for sure. Harry swore as he returned to the like place he had started from.

Walter returned a few minutes later, looking even more dying than he did before."nada,"he muttered,"Not a rend piece of cloak or a undivided Cnut. They did n't appease here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the priming coat with his brake shoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to refund.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a minuscule metallic element instrument in his paw and an unusual kind of turn on smirk on his face. He skidded to a halt in battlefront of Harry, holding out the instrumental role. Harry recognized it as an phantom detector. They were quite rare. The British Ministry only owned one, for the entire Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Bruno Walter muttered,"Any estimation where ?"

"A universal idea, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Walter 's sarcastic tone,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am aware,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his mitt on the metal instrument. It would be able to point them to the relative area they needed to go.

Walter put his hired man on the tool as well and with an exceptionally loud cleft, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The ground was dusty and flaxen and there was hardly any plant life in visual modality. In the distance there were tall sight and clothed soma floated above them. Harry suppressed a shudder and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a bellow bonfire blazed in the distance. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were more comrade with the area.

"Only vampire 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 minor group towards the flickering lights in the distance.

******

"deal it over, Potter,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to hold up his wand more steady. His wand arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't seem to be able to withstand it steadfast. His heart was thumping hard in his chest. Albus was sure everyone was able to hear it. However, he did not want to commit up the pit. That was one matter he was for certain of. The solely way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put yesteryear him.

"Maybe you should just give it to him,"St. John whispered,"I mean, it did n't bring to get Voldemort back."

"No,"Albus seethed, surprised that John had suggested it. He probably would n't own if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to possess to duel me, Potter ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't have a sceptre. Not ripe odds, if you ask me."

"And do you realize that those two are horrible duelers ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that Stone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his wand and sent a jet of orange light at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a carapace charm, concentrating on making it big enough to shield him and his friends. It worked and the orange illumination bounced harmlessly off the shield and hit the ground.

"Stay behind me, whoremonger,"Albus muttered,"Matt and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever spells you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his shield up while casting other spell, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling lessons. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to keep the shield 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 lulu at Lubar, but he flicked his wand and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone scrub, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a coup d'oeil at Matt and Kaden. lustrelessness 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 charms at each former and missing every time.

The shell emitting from Albus 's wand faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his concentration, but the shield was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to send any while through the cuticle now.

"Your shield is weakening, ceramicist,"Lubar smirked as he sent another dish at Albus, which shook the carapace.

"merlin !"Quinton shouted to the right of them. He was hopping on one foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some variety of hex, although Albus was n't certainly what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the ground. Albus gasped and his shield disappeared.

"Albus !"whoremonger shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the shield back up before Lubar shot a hex at John, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be easier just to give me the Stone ?"Lubar asked as he sent a Stunner at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and mat were still dueling. Both were sporting a few harm, but nothing too serious. Neither seemed to sustain noticed that John and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a tripper whammy, which gave him a few bit to becharm his breath while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a gash across his left cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the position and the magical spell hit a nearby rock and roll. Lubar resumed his gestural spells and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any other jinxes.

"You ca n't maintain dodging them forever, Potter !"Lubar grinned manically.

"watch me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of course knew that Lubar was right. The odds had not really changed. John and Kaden were both out of the fight and while John was easily the best duelist after Albus, his absence did not put Albus greatly behind. Washburn was out as well and both Willinsons were injured. Quinton was currently on his knees panting, not in any shape to cover dueling. mat was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both amazed and delighted by.

No, Albus was not trying to overcome Lubar. He knew that would n't be possible. Albus was merely biding for time. He tried to work out out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spells. It must have been at least three or four hours, although the sorry Aussie 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 carry his dad to find them ? Longer than rule, Albus thought. They were in the midsection of a strange rural area, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, Potter, and you do n't require to see me when I 'm nettle !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red brightness level at Albus.

Before Albus even had clip to register what sort of hex it was, lustrelessness gave a shriek of pain to Albus 's right field and collapsed to the ground. Jarrett wasted no fourth dimension and pointed his wand at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a second to stand the fact that he was now perfectly alone, facing two fully grown wizards. The two wizards scene very special K of blue light at Albus and he managed to root for up a weak shield.

The force hit him like a dozen Bludgers to the breadbasket. He lost his ground and landed flat on his back, his forefront hitting a particularly acutely rock-and-roll.

"I told you not to fight, ceramist,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the Stone,"Albus said, forcing away the lightheadedness. He reached into his robe and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to snaffle the Stone.

With all the force Albus could come up, he threw the pit as far as he could to the right. In the wickedness, it disappeared in a separate second and Albus did n't even find out 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 head slightly and caught a glimpse of his dad, along with a few other 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 pin-up mass who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

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

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

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

It was the other wizard that nearly caused Albus to drop dead out in shock. He was none former than professor Balladanis. What in the epithet of pigeon hawk was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and matte 's dad. But why ? Did n't Matt 's dad hate Balladanis ?

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

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

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

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

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different magic spell at Lubar at the same sentence, but it was too late. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still conscious but not completely aware of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring deviation between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past tense 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 blazonry around his dad and the two of them hugged each other tightly.

"Al, thank Falco columbarius,"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 firm clench on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a ruin plastic cup. A few bit later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with flatness in his branch."Can you deal John, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will come with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed detention of John 's arm before pulling his own collapse charge plate cup out of his pocket. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly disconcert, but did not have time to ask his dad anymore doubtfulness before feeling the companion jerk behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thud in the middle of the infirmary Wing. The question of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts land was the to the lowest degree squeeze dubiousness on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both Matt and John on the approximate layer 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 sheepish as he set Kaden down on the bed next to Matt 's and then turned to Albus.

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

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

"I promise I 'll tell you all of that and more than,"Harry replied,"But I need to tell everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to necessitate you to tell me everything that happened."

"But-"

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

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his head was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the last thing he needed was balance. He needed to do it what was going on.

"I 'll explicate once you 've gotten some sleep,"Harry assured him.

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

******

The Aaron Montgomery Ward was tranquilize when Albus woke up. It was completely shadow outside, although Albus did n't have the little clue as to what day it was. whoremaster, Matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious mind or vocalize asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since Madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in chairs next to lusterlessness 's bed. It did n't take care 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 school principal. There was a bandage on the vertebral column of it. Another patch was wrapped around his right arm, although he could n't come back when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt exhausted.

The door to the ward opened, letting in a pocket-size photoflood of luminance from the corridor. A pattern stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

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

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

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

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

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and extend his dad out the threshold and up to the 5th floor corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the allow knight and turned to confront the opposite wall.

Albus located the paw prints and touched his hand to them, turning it into a doorknob. He opened the door and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from go year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a loss for words.

"There was more to it. instructions on how to get into this room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their secret mutual elbow room,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't respond. Instead he walked slowly around the elbow room. Albus stood near the threshold and waited. He was n't sure enough how long he stood there, watching as his dad investigated the 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 perfect blank space to sing,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down next to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll severalise you that,"Harry said,"But first I want you to explain to me what happened."

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

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

Harry thought for a few second and then looked at Albus."There are a few reason that might explain it. The resurrection Stone brings back citizenry we love, but it does not bring them back completely. It 's almost as if their individual is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's possible that since Voldemort split his soul so many times, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The Harlan Fiske Stone may need the psyche 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 have a go at it Voldemort ; they did not know him. They wanted to bring him back for their own agenda,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to find out which it is ?"Albus asked.

"No, I do n't recollect 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 reason,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it trump if cypher had that Stone."

Albus nodded."Yeah, that makes signified. But what was Balladanis doing there ?"

Harry laughed."You 're not going to let that go, are you ?"

"Nope, you said you 'd severalize me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you screw what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling lesson he gave me,"Albus explained.

"well, that makes my account easier,"Harry said,"A little over a class ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to hire a Presuler to facilitate encounter 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 contempt in his dad 's voice.

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

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

"The minister of religion, professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be good scheme to take in him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would render to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of course of instruction, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to cover teaching.

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

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

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

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

"No,"Harry shook his drumhead,"That 's going to be tricky billet. Lubar is n't a British people citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial or make him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not sure 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 give him a life-long Erolia minutilla in Azkaban, but unfortunately the laws do n't work that way."

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

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

"He told me I 'd make 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 make love,"Albus shrugged,"I mean, I like dueling, but I do n't really desire to adjudicate what I want to do right now."

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

"Being a Presuler is a backbreaking job and often a alone one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can make it difficult to possess a class. It 's not an prosperous path to go down. Not one I 'd take for myself."

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

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

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

"Well, you should probably get back to the Hospital Wing before lady 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 room and walked back to the Hospital annex, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, madam Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the infirmary fender with his dad, she was running about the ward shouting at the top of her lungs. flatness, John, and Kaden were all awake, staring at her.

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

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to mouth to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

"You should have asked me first !"ma'am Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs residual !"

"I 'm his Father of the Church,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't care if you 're the parson of illusion !"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing degree !"

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

"Fifteen second or so,"Matt answered.

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

"Could I have a Holy Scripture in secret ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to Madam Pomfrey."Do I involve your license for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"brothel keeper Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to sleep a petty while later and when he next woke up it was light out and brothel keeper Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

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

"It 's Sunday, dear, but it 's good afternoon,"lady Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to have breakfast."

"Only Billy Sunday ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than XXIV hours since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

"Time zone changes are hard to align to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"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 own been at least a day since he 'd rust anything.

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

Albus choked on his bollock. He 'd draw a blank about the match !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

"Is your dad going to recite us why Balladanis was with him when he came to save us ?"John asked,"I mean, he 's had mint of time."

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

The doors to the Hospital Wing banged open and rosebush and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a motility 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 mates ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"blush wine groaned,"I 'm not saying a word about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the epithet of pigeon hawk 's saggy left-"

"Miss Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't lower your representative, you 'll give birth to leave !"

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

Albus launched into the entire tale, which took the better part of a half hour to tell. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the unharmed affair. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the clock time Albus concluded.

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

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

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

"It 's not my shift,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you tell us about the equal ?"

Rose exchanged glance with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me tell you,"Amanda said.

"nonentity won, Al,"Rose said.

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

"About 45 min into the compeer, Fred and Scots heather ran onto the pitch-"

"The equal lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"Rose said,"I do n't bang why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo Bagman and started talking to him. Nobody could hear what they were saying. Then Bagman blew his tin whistle and they went into a time-out.

"Bagman left the pitch and had a really long talking with all the headmaster and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the match was called off and told everyone to return to their common rooms.

"Everyone was really angry of course. 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 foretell it off ?"John asked.

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

"We pushed our way to the front of the crew and discover what Fred and Heather were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"Well, they were,"lusterlessness muttered.

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

"How did they enter it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and broom were 6th years, they would n't make heard Balladanis 's lamia lecture."

"They 've been trying to fancy it out all year,"rose explained,"And since they 're ache, they figured it out."

"But what about the catch ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to cancel the tournament, Albus,"Rose said quietly.

"cancel the tourney ?"Albus gasped,"cancel the tourney ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole year on that tournament ! Do you do it how often time I 've spent on the Quidditch pitch this year ? Thomas More time than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to set off the bloody tournament ?"

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

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

"I know,"rosebush replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"matt asked.

"Gone,"Rose sighed,"Without a word. I have n't seen her or any of the Aussie 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 make an announcement about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awing 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 infirmary Wing, so she agreed to lock the door and go to her report while Harry explained. Matt 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the part about why it was not all that advisable to become a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to learn that Balladanis had been hired to help seize Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. newsworthiness that was not all that welcome.

"As of right now, he 's completely complimentary and in the clear,"Harry sighed,"The Aboriginal Australian Ministry refuses to deliver him, and they wo n't engage him in Australia either. To them, it 's like null 's happened."

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

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

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous Nox, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first gear class, when Matt had told them about his dad 's young adult aspiration of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside tabular array, where madam Pomfrey had placed the invisibleness Cloak the previous dark. 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 min trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the typesetter's case of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is amazing. I would love to part the taradiddle with my buddy. Perhaps I could introduce you to him at the human beings Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be okay. Perhaps I will eventually tell him as well."

******

Albus wanted nothing more than to be allowed out of the hospital wing in time to go to dinner that night. He was indisputable Professor Kendrick would make some kind of announcement about the tournament and he did not want to neglect it.

After a full ten minutes of begging on his part ( helped out by Matt, whoremonger, and Kaden ), dame Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state to leave the ward. Albus thought this was preposterous because he felt exquisitely. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a slingback ? That should n't hold on him from eating dinner with the remainder of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a placidity repast in the Hospital Wing and wait anxiously for rose wine and Amanda to tell him what Kendrick said.

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

"tournament 's canceled,"pink wine sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The kids from New York are staying to finish out the year, but the tournament 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the prophet tomorrow."

"Merlin !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to scratch it ? Could n't they just unfit Australia ?"

"No,"Rose shook her head,"To do that Hogwarts would birth to playact New York in another final."

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

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

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you feel better, I 'm reasonably sure Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't possess been here,"Rose pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred house points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the theater had people on the squad, so that does n't really help oneself,"Albus muttered.

"fountainhead,"rosiness grinned,"I know one affair that 'll barrack you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was cypher that could cheer him up.

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

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Peach State !"Rose exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to spiel for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

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

"Yup, she 's their New backlog Keeper,"rosebush said,"She says Uncle Percy 's not ingrain. He wanted her to go at the Ministry. She does n't deal what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Percy 's got plenty of former Thomas Kyd to work at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"King John said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"Matt grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the Cannons,"John the Divine groaned.

"She 's just happy to be on a team,"Rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be capable to do work her way up to a salutary one."

"Merlin, I hope so,"John shrugged.

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

"Only one I know for sure of,"Rose said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle Bats, but I do n't have it away for sure."

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

******

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

blush wine handed him a copy of the vaticinator as soon as he and the former male child reached the common room. Albus took it, happy that he had a few minutes before his first exam to scan the article that was inevitably there.

Aboriginal Australian SCHOOL CHEATS- TOURNAMENT CANCELED

After a startling discovery made by two Hogwarts
scholarly person, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack Academy of
thaumaturgy, and the Aboriginal Australian school of sorcery
has been canceled.

The tournament 's concluding Quidditch match was
interrupted this past times Saturday by two Hogwarts
sixth years, Fred Weasley and Heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the stallion
tournament.

A few calendar month ago, allegation were brought upon
the Australian team after their quester, Linda
Morales, 14, flew at an exceptionally fasting speed.
An investigation found goose egg. The tournament
continued.

Fred and Heather Weasley accused Linda Morales
of being a lamia. Vampires are outlawed
from playing on pro Quidditch squad due
to the unfair advantage they have.

The mate was immediately stopped while all three
headmaster questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

master Addiar Killigan of the Aussie
School of Sorcery admitted to allowing team spirit
to be the seeker of his team in parliamentary law to win the
tourney. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, esprit de corps, and the eternal rest of the Australians
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts late
on Sat, declining to speak with any of our
reporters.

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

'It is too bad that the tournament turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told reporters, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few long time .'

"Killigan is an cretin,"Albus said.

"Look at the adjacent article,"rose wine replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON backrest IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

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

Albus Potter, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Saint Matthew Eckerton and John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, Head of the Department of the ordinance
and ascendence of Magical tool in Australia.

The four Hogwarts bookman were taken to Australia
where Harry ceramist and Bruno Walter Eckerton found them.
It is unclear what the yard bird were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four boys have recovered from the ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the year testing
at Hogwarts. Harry thrower has declined comment.

"Well, that 's not a very enlightening article,"Albus said as he tossed the paper onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can cover much,"rosebush said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to keep quiet about Lubar in income tax return for giving him some form of punishment.

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

Albus was forced to press Lubar into the back of his mind as exams began. They were all significantly harder than the previous class 's had been, but he was sure he at least passed all of them.

There were short articles in the seer about Lubar everyday, but they all said the Sami thing. Australia refused to deport him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The week after exam was a strange one for Albus. There was nada left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. rose wine and Amanda went back to spending all their clip with the boys, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

matter were unlike, though. Both Rose and Amanda were a lot quieter than they used to be. Albus was trusted they missed Linda, and he had no idea whether she had said good-bye to them, or even if she 'd had the chance.

matt was lost in his own view most of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went entire eve without saying two countersign to anyone, something that usually only happened around full lunar month. 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.

John and Kaden remained as robustious as ever and did not appear to be fazed by what had happened in Commonwealth of Australia. They spent their workweek pulling pranks and playing eternal game of Exploding Snap that Albus occasionally joined in on.

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

******

The power train drive back to British capital was subdued, the simply dissonance being John and Kaden 's Exploding cracking cards. Albus and lustrelessness both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the departure landscape.

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

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

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to tell apart you that she was sorry about the tournament,"Rose told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a different country."

"To go to shoal ?"Albus asked.

"No,"pink wine shook her chief,"She 's been through school day a duo times already. She was n't even a scholarly person at the Aboriginal Australian school. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing Seeker for them. He 's a really nasty bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

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

"No thought,"pink wine shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

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

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

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

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

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

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

"wellspring, I 'd favour Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! Nothing can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"goodness point,"Gospel According to John agreed.

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

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

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can do it when to invite you lot to my household. My dad said he 'd take us camping."

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

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"Living in tents, no electricity, no thaumaturgy either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"flatness said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"Matt answered,"That was the time I got bitten."

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

"It 's ok,"lusterlessness shrugged,"Just do n't go during a full moon. I do n't require any of you having to join me in the screeching hovel succeeding year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did experience bad that lusterlessness would n't get to go, but he sort of thought matt would n't want to go anyway.

The remainder of the trip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sort of returning to pattern. It was almost squeamish to take heed Saint John and Matt arguing about the carom again and Kaden arguing about football.

The geartrain arrived in London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the political platform. After saying goodbye to his ally, Albus left the place with his kinsfolk feeling that just maybe life would be normal from then on. Well, maybe the summer would be at to the lowest degree be formula. Albus could n't get his hopes up too high.


A/N : Hard to consider it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awesome masses who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the fourth narration but it 'll be a while before the low gear chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every early week at offset, alternating calendar week with Beyond the Shadow. In the mean sentence, if you want something new to show, I suggest checking out Remember the Cannons, which is a collab I worked on shoemaker's last year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley Cannons and their downfall. It 's under the username The Golden fink and is also in my dearie stories so you can find it that way.