A/N : Brief author 's line prior to the chapter. This chapter is from Teddy 's power point of vista, as I wanted to publish the specifics of what happened during the mission to captivate greyback. An article in the Prophet just would n't do it justice. Hope you enjoy !


shimmy lupin had been a Junior Auror for nearly eight months. In that time he had n't done much in terms of fighting drear magician, and to the highest degree of the missionary work he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his work had consisted of paperwork and the occasional stake-out. Being an Auror, teddy had discovered, was a lot to a greater extent than chasing down Dark mavin and saving people 's lives.

It was for this very understanding that teddy bear had been surprised when his godfather, Harry potter, had approached him the old day and told him of his newest assignment. He, Teddy lupine, spick-and-span Jr Auror, had been assigned to the missionary station of capturing turn tail werewolf, Fenrir Greyback. knot, the same wolfman who had infected his begetter with lycanthropy decades ago. Rebel, one of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 's almost need fugitives.

The missionary work, Harry had informed him, was very medium in nature and had to be handled with prudence. There was to be no mention of it to anyone outside of the people assigned to it. There were very few people assigned to the foreign mission and they included Harry himself, the Head of the regularization and control of Magical brute, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to celebrate an eye on the kid Rebel attacked the previous calendar month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Reb mission itself.

Harry had explained the item of the mission, including the fact that the whole matter had been Albus 's idea, along with one of his friends, who happened to be the question of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creature 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took shift a few hour to enwrap his head around the entire situation. To make water affair even more insane, Albus 's lycanthrope Quaker was the brother of teddy 's ally, Amy.

But when it came down to it, all of this meant that chemise was going on his starting time very mission as an Auror.

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

Disguising himself was shimmy 's principal strength. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his brass so he looked a few years older and his hair so that it was a generic browned people of color rather than its usual turquoise. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few pounds. After donning a tattered old cloak, Teddy turned on the blot and reappeared in the bowling alley next to Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes.

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

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

chemise ambled up to the bar, deciding at the last arcminute that his fake image should walk with a limp. Aberforth was there and Teddy ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the usual drink for the Hog 's Head, but he needed to keep his top dog clear for the delegation. He took the drunkenness and began to sip it slowly, as he had no idea how long he 'd need to pretend he was n't an Auror.

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

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

"amercement,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry business,"Harry said."might be here a few hours. Could be the whole night. Do you take care ?"

"Not at all,"Aberforth replied."Pub 's yours, although I 'll be leaving at eleven. Not much business organisation on a Monday night."

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

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

chemise sat down next to Bruno Walter and Harry sat side by side to him. He passed around the Butterbeers while Ron turned the parchment around so shimmy and Harry could see it. slip recognized it ; it was Albus 's map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Currently, it was magically magnified to register the shrieking hutch and the yard outside it. Only one dot was there. It was labeled 'Matthew Eckerton'and was stationary in the Shrieking Shack.

"Moon just rose,"Walter said quietly."Just a waiting plot now."

No one had told him, but chemise knew the real reason why he 'd been assigned to this delegacy, and it had nothing to do with his Auror attainment. Sure, that had been a plus, but any of the other Junior Aurors were just as qualified. And the fully Aurors were even more so. The reason was that he was the only when Auror who was related to a werewolf, and thus would n't manage that a lycanthrope at Hogwarts was an integral part of this plan. It was also the reason why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror Newman had previously been assigned to the Greyback pillowcase. Bruno Walter Eckerton did n't want any hazard of his son 's circumstance being leaked to the public, and putting Harry, Ron, and shimmy on the case would see that it would n't.

"Are you sure Greyback is even going to show up ?"shimmy asked quietly as he stared at the map.

"Fairly sure,"Walter said."Werewolves are attracted to the call of their own kind and Greyback is set on creating his own face pack of young lycanthrope. He spent the last full moonlight lurking around the Shrieking Shack, after he attacked those child. He knows lustrelessness 's there. He 'll issue forth back."

slip nodded. The minutes ticked by and the pub grew quieter. The old witch left, taking her glass with her. The man sleeping at the bar snorted and rolled over, nearly falling off his pot. Teddy finished his Butterbeer and set it following to the other empty glasses on the tabular array, wondering if he should go parliamentary procedure another or just remain seated.

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

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

"well, with the Hog 's oral sex, you never know,"Harry said.

The mathematical group settled into secrecy again. Outside, there was the speech sound of faint howling. chemise glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every time there was a particularly flash howl. Harry and Ron sent him openhearted smell that teddy tried to mimic. He did n't have any Thomas Kid so he really had no idea what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

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

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

"Meredith Jenner and maxwell Jenner,"shift read."Who are they ?"

"They must be early werewolves,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Bruno Walter said as he shook his psyche."Those are the two kids who got bitten last month."

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

"Mine either,"Walter said.

"What about the others ?"Ron asked."Newman and the two from the wolfman restraint Unit ?"

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

"Yeah, well, they 'd have no hazard following three werewolf on metrical foot,"Walter said.

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

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

The Hog 's head teacher was not far away from the shrieking hutch. Within three minutes they arrived and found Paul Newman and the other two wizards attempting to cumber the three werewolves.

"They 're the kids from last month !"one of the Werewolf ascendance Unit employees shouted.

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

"We 're trying !"

The two pocket-size werewolves were currently attempting to snipe the Werewolf Control Unit employees and Newman, while Rebel seemed to deal far more about getting into the Shrieking Shack. He was a much larger wolf, grey in gloss, and had bright yellow eye. He was on the porch, biting at the threshold, and not paying any attention to the adept around him. It seemed to Teddy that he had far more control condition over himself than a rule werewolf.

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

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

They were only 20 feet away when it happened. grayback suddenly froze and then turned around. He must 've smelled them. With a tacky snarl, he jumped the twenty dollar bill feet separating them in one leap.

teddy bear and Harry jumped back, sending spells forward as they did so. Greyback lunged, the spells not seeming to affect him at all, and made a swipe at Teddy. slip jumped to the side and sent another Stunner at Reb.

Battling a werewolf was very different from battling a wizard, shimmy realized. And battling werewolf had not been covered in grooming. sure enough, they 'd learned and practiced the charm used against werewolves, but they 'd never performed them on existent werewolves. The chief difference of opinion was that lycanthrope did n't possess wands and thus could not upchuck magical spell. But at the like fourth dimension, they had tooth, claw, and were much stronger than the average human being. Plus there was the fact that one insect bite would turn you into one forever.

teddy bear and Harry took turns sending Stunners at Greyback and were able to confound him enough that he did n't quite know who to assail. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the scream Shack.

Johnny Reb soon realized that he was being cornered back onto the porch and decided to take another leap forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making inter-group communication. shimmy jumped forward and sent another Stunner toward Greyback.

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

chemise looked at Rebel and then at Harry, who was getting up from the solid ground. chemise had n't even actualize that he 'd fallen over.

"Harry, you okay ?"teddy bear asked.

"mulct,"Harry said."You ?"

shimmy nodded and began to take a few cautious footprint toward Greyback. Harry was soon by his side.

"Is he ..."teddy began.

"I do n't think so,"Harry said quietly."Just unconscious. Here."Harry muttered a spell and R-2 flew from the end of his wand. They wrapped them around Greyback until he was secure.

shimmy felt slightly disappointed. There was a function of him, a very small contribution, that wished he 'd killed Calidris canutus. Johnny had been the one who 'd made his dad 's animation miserable, and he 'd viciously attacked Victoire 's dad when he was n't even transformed. Yes, Teddy had to admit, there was a component of him that wanted revenge. A constituent of him that wanted to be the one who finally killed Fenrir Greyback.

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

"Done ?"Harry asked.

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

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

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

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

Ron nodded."Newman said they locked the kids in the backyard shed but did n't put any wards up. It must 've been easy for Greyback to give in."

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

"Well, at to the lowest degree no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the early werewolves had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the Shrieking Shack by the loup-garou ascendance Unit employees. Walter and John Henry Newman were following them.

"What is that infernal racket ?"Paul Leonard Newman exclaimed, nodding his head to the screech Shack.

Walter glanced a the shanty and then turned to Newman."touch. I 've heard that position has been haunted for years, long before I moved to this country."

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

"Loud ghosts,"Newman muttered."Has the Spirit division ever looked into it ?"

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

Teddy was amazed that Walter could lie so easily and freely. But he supposed that he 'd been doing it ever since his son became a wolfman, so he 'd set out used to it.

"Let 's get this lot back to the Ministry,"Harry said, gesturing to the three unconscious werewolves. Newman, take either Lee or Parks back to the children 's house and inform their parents that they can pick them up at the Ministry tomorrow."

Newman and Lee, who was one of the Werewolf Control building block employees, Disapparated on the billet. Harry grabbed grasp of Greyback and instructed Bruno Walter and parking lot, the early Werewolf Control Unit employee, to each take one of the children. With an exceptionally loud crack, the entire group Disapparated.
***


Each of the loup-garou were set up in an interrogation room to hold off the remaining hour until dawning. Teddy, along with Walter, had been assigned to keeping vigil on Greyback, Stunning him when requisite. Harry, Ron, Parks, and Lee had been assigned to the kid. Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a werewolf were to have person there to Stun them every hour or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"teddy bear asked as Walter Stunned Greyback for the fourth sentence."Why do n't people do that ?"

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

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

"Depends on the werewolf,"Bruno Walter said."It has no long-term outcome on plenty, but others wind up ill or with store loss."

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

"Me either,"Walter said.

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

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

"Just a bit."

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

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

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

Teddy and Walter lapsed back into silence. teddy could hardly believe that he was sitting in an interrogation room with the werewolf who had turned his Fatherhood. If only his dad could see him now.

Walter glanced at his watch."Sun Myung Moon should be setting within the half hour."

shift gulped and he hoped Walter could n't discover his heart licking. He had n't been nearly as uneasy about facing Greyback as a wolf, but the persuasion of facing him as a human was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the succeeding half hour to finish forever, but at the same time he did n't. It had been a very long day and he wanted to go abode and sleep, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a mess of paperwork ahead.

Limnodromus griseus began to shake, but Walter did n't Stun him. Instead, he conjured a simple set of robe, set them on the tabular array, stood up, and gestured for Teddy to follow him out into the corridor. teddy did so, but looked at Walter quizzically.

"He ca n't elude. He 's got no sceptre and there 's anti-Apparition charm on the rooms,"Walter explained."He 'll be at his absolute weakest as he transforms and despite the evils he 's done, he deserves the respect of transforming alone."

Teddy was impressed. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. shimmy supposed it came from having a son who was a loup-garou. If Teddy 's own Father had lived, would he have similar thoughts ?

There were no silencing charms on the interrogation way. Soon the corridor was filled with howling and was then replaced by abominable shrieks. The shrill soon gave way to a long watercourse of profanity.

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

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

Fenrir Greyback was crouched on top of the table, dressed in the habiliment that Walter had provided. His gray-haired hair was stringy and matted with scandal and blood, and his face bore several week 's worth of grey beard. His face was lined with deep furrow and teddy realized that he had absolutely no idea how old the man was.

Reb took a deep snuff as Walter and Teddy entered. He grinned and let out a maniacal laugh."nous of the Department,"he muttered."dead reckoning I 'm popular."

Teddy froze, all his preparation suddenly out the window. He could hardly consider that this man had attacked his father when he was only a fry. Fenrir Calidris canutus was far more sinister in person and shift felt a stab of understanding for his founding father as a five-year-old.

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

"We were waiting for you, grayback,"Walter said."We knew you 'd return to Hogsmeade."

Reb sneered."Yeah, wanted to go back for that werewolf in the Shrieking Shack. He smelled vernal, impressionable."

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

"We 'll see,"Greyback replied.

"Enough confabulation,"Walter said, turning to chemise."Arrest him."

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

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

Greyback 's oculus grew wide."Lupin. Any carnal knowledge to Remus Lupin ?"

"He was my father,"shift said proudly.

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

"Fenrir Calidris canutus, you are under arrest,"chemise repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a pair of handcuffs and walked over to Reb."You have the right to remain silent. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the werewolf."If you choose not to be silent, anything you say can be used in your trial. You will have a trial. If you can not find representation, we will find it for you."

shift grabbed Greyback 's arm and pulled him off the table and into a stick out position. As he did so, he met the older man 's eyes. They were yellow, pure yellow, and completely unforgiving. He looked like the look of evil, as if Greyback had no human soulfulness left. It was in that import that shift knew for trusted that this werewolf held no law of similarity to his father. Greyback lived to spread evil, while Remus lupine had lived to stop it.

shimmy slapped a set of handcuffs on Johnny. He opened the door and pushed Limnodromus griseus out into the corridor, still holding onto his arm. Walter followed and the two walked alongside each other as they led Rebel to the holding cells.

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

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

shift nodded and gave Harry a half-smile.


A/N : I hope you enjoyed the Teddy chapter ! I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for all the cover girl reviews !

The rights chemise read to Reb are adapted from the Miranda rightfield, created by the United province Supreme Court in 1966.


Albus awoke the next morning to the audio of an owl pecking at the window. He rose from his bed and went to let it in. The owl was unfamiliar, but he vaguely recognized it as the breed of owl the Ministry of thaumaturgy used. The letter was addressed to him, so Albus took it, let the owl back out into the cold, and set down on his bed to open it.

Albus-

We got him.

-Dad

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

Instead, he got started on that calendar week 's magic spell reading while he waited for whoremonger to fire up up. This took a good hour and when he finally did wake up, it took him fifteen instant to fully waken up and get dressed. John Lackland was not one for mornings.

Albus waited until they were in the Great Hall for breakfast to tell John about the alphabetic character from his dad, so that he could secernate Kaden, rose, and Amanda, too. Luckily they managed to find a relatively secluded division of the table.

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

"Oh thank God !"rose wine exclaimed.

"Did he evidence you about it ?"King John asked.

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

The group decided to eat a very quick lunch later in purchase order to shoot the breeze Matt before their afternoon classes. Albus wanted to tell him about Greyback as soon as possible.

Albus found it incredibly hard to keep his back talk shut during potions because the sleep of his classmates were discussing Greyback and whether he had attacked anyone the previous night. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the priming from her dormitory windowpane live on night, but Karina and Marina said it was only a dog. Two of the Slytherins said they heard howling all night, and Scorpio said one of the aged scholarly person had received a letter from his Brother claiming to consume seen Calidris canutus in Diagon Alley. It seemed that Albus and his friends were the only one in the integral castle who knew Greyback had been captured.

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

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

"No melodic theme,"Albus said."Maybe he was ill ?"

"He did n't front ill,"trick said."I suppose if he is ill we 'll see him in the hospital wing."

Albus and his protagonist ate the fastest lunch they 'd ever eaten and rushed up to the hospital wing. Kaden had Herbology after lunch and would take a good bit of time to get there, so they wanted to drop as practically of lunch as possible in the infirmary extension.

Madam Pomfrey was busy berating a student for trying to charm her hair pink and had charmed it all off instead and did n't find Albus and the others walk in. Only one bed was occupied and the drape were drawn around it.

"dead reckoning Malfoy 's not here,"King John said as he led the group over to Matt 's bed.

John pulled the mantle back and Albus saw that flatness was sitting up in bed, eating lunch. This calendar month he was sporting a bandage wrapped around his entire head and ones on his hands as well. He seemed to be having a bit of difficulty holding his sandwich.

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

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

"I knew he was there,"mat said."The wolf wanted to get out again and this clock time I banged my header repeatedly against the door."He gestured to the forefront bandages.

"I do n't reckon you 'll possess to interest about that again,"john said."They 'll probably put twice as many guard on Greyback 's cell."

"I think this is the spoilt head ache I 've ever had in my life,"Matt muttered.

King John grinned mischievously."Shall Kaden and I do a repeat of last week 's prank ?"

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

"Just kidding,"John said.

"dame Pomfrey wants me to eat lunch and then she 's going to give me decent sleeping draft to sleep until dinner. I ca n't wait."

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

"I 'd shoot the dragon muck,"lustrelessness said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to watch the last debate today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his head."They 've actually put it off two more than week. It was in the report this morning. I guess they want it freshly in citizenry 's minds or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Saturday and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"Matt asked.

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

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

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

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

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

"I 'll join you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The girl decided that a second dessert was in purchase order as well, so the unharmed group hurried back to the Great Hall before their next category. On the way there Albus realized just how much better he felt now that Greyback was once again behind cake.
***


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

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

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and flatness 's dad. Plus Newman and a few wolfman command social unit employees. And those kids who got attacked finally week were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any wards up on the shed they were in."

"That 's stupe,"rosebush said.

"Was anyone detriment ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, looking, they 've quoted Laurentis,"Rose said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's recapture is wonderful news for wizarding Britain. I applaud both the Auror Department and the Department for the regularization and Control of Magical Creatures for their collaboration in this seizure, especially Harry Potter and Bruno Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four prisoners at large. The work is not done and we must remember this before celebrating .'”

"Did they quote your uncle ?"John asked.

"No,"rosebush said."It says he has n't made a statement about it yet."

"I honestly think that this is only going to make his support of your dad look better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a success. I mean, just look at the clause. Absolutely zilch went wrong with that gaining control. There were three lycanthrope on the unloosen in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

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

"I 'll just be well-chosen when this election is over,"Albus said.

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


Hufflepuff somehow managed to squash Slytherin during Saturday 's Quidditch friction match. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the better team they 'd had in old age, and that Slytherin 's Keeper had landed himself in the hospital extension after blowing up his potion on Friday, earning him a ban from the match by lady Pomfrey. But whatever the reasonableness actually was, it was certainly beneficial to Gryffindor.

Albus awoke early on Lord's Day, suddenly riddled with nerves about the dueling tournament. This calendar month 's tournament was the second to last of the yr since all the professor had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the one-seventh class had expressed that they could n't supervise practice while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two Thomas More fortune to secure a win for his team, something that had n't happened yet this class.

Albus and Amanda were the first of their team to arrive in the Great Hall before the tournament. The ease of the team trickled in slowly as they waited. Five moment before the tourney was scheduled to get, the lone person missing was Malfoy.

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

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

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

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

"He went home,"one of the third long time said."No approximation why. He has n't been here since Tuesday."

"He went home plate ?"Albus repeated, staring at the third year."That 's odd."

The one-third twelvemonth shrugged."He did n't state anyone anything about it. He just left."

Albus had to admit that this news gave him as much disappointment as confusion. Scorpius Malfoy was one of the squad 's best duelers, no matter how annoying he was.

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

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

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

Albus managed to push all thoughts of Malfoy out of his nous for the duration of the tournament. Most of his teammate dueled well, although only Albus and a few early fourth eld won both their duels. In the end they secured third place, which was certainly skillful than a ripe component of the rest of the teams, but still was n't first. They were still in the running for winning overall at the end of the season, but they 'd need to do really well in the final tourney.

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

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

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

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

"You 're not allowed to lose form unless it 's a good excuse,"Rose pointed out."I do n't think going on holiday is a ripe excuse."

"I think something bad is happening to soul in his kinsperson,"Amanda said quietly."Remember that letter of the alphabet he was reading during practice ? And how quiet he 's been lately ?"

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

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

Malfoy returned to year on Tues, walking into potions fifteen minutes latterly, and Slughorn made no acknowledgment of his tardiness or the course of study he missed the old hebdomad. Albus attempted to watch his cheek during class but he gave no hint about his emotions.

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

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

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

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

"Third place,"Albus answered."Where were you ?"

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


The watch week passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his mysterious disappearance. The election was now only a week away and everyone in the castle, pupil, prof, and spectre alike were talking about it. With only one debate remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The prophet published a poll they 'd taken and neither candidate had a significant principal on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, early Head of the Auror Department, was the last Minister of deception selected by the Wizengamot,"Professor banking company said in class two twenty-four hour period before the final debate."His survival of the fittest was very spry and he stepped into office the day after Voldemort 's death. While most of the wizarding world knew that the Ministry needed an overhaul, they also needed someone to take burster and supervise the overhaul.

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

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

"The three years Shacklebolt held agency were very tumultuous. decision had to be made, drastic ones, and they were not easy. The starting time and virtually obvious conclusion was the decision to vary the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly tainted. commend that prior to this redesign every pureblooded family held a tush on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born enchantress and magician without representation.

"Shacklebolt, along with the early Ministry officials working to reorganize the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle world for inspiration. The old Wizengamot bore more resemblance to the Muggle House of Lords, the Upper house of Parliament. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the House of Commons, the lower berth House of sevens. In the Muggle world, these interpreter are called appendage of fantan, MPs for brusque, and are elected. In the wizarding populace, they are simply bid appendage of the Wizengamot.

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

Amanda raised her hand."Yes, Miss Tagger ?"cant said.

"Witches and necromancer are n't as uniformly spread out throughout the United Kingdom,"Amanda explained."In the Muggle humankind the dominion are very much based on townspeople, but champion do n't really have towns."

"Correct,"Sir Joseph Banks said."Because of this the districts, if shown on a map, would bet vastly different in terms of size. For example, London has three reprint districts because there is a very large wizarding population in London. It 's far well-situated for thaumaturgist to blend in in a expectant urban center than a modest township since things generally go unnoticed in big metropolis. On the former hired man, Wales only has two dominion, and therefore two example, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

Albus did n't stimulate a clue as to who his district 's representative was, or even what territorial dominion he lived in. It was one of three, as he now knew.

"I 've taken the liberty of printing a map with a list of all the representative and district Numbers,"Banks said as he began passing out sheets of parchment."I 'd hazard a speculation than very few of you know what district you 're in or who your representative is."

Albus looked at the sail after he received it. London seemed to be divided into Dame Rebecca West capital of the United Kingdom, North capital of the United Kingdom, and East/South London. North London, where Albus lived, was district Two, currently represented by a bloke named Oliver Prang.

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

"To tempt you to learn,"cant continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two weeks. bod out who your representative is and write me a foot-long essay detailing your representative 's beliefs and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old copies of the Prophet as well as file away transcriptions of Wizengamot merging, both available in the program library. You are welcome to use any early germ as you see fit."

There was a world-wide moan from the class, which made money box grinning. He always seemed to roll in the hay assigning preparation.

"Now onto the more excite news,"Banks said."This Sabbatum is the final debate and four of you will be able to attend. I apologize in advance for those whose names have not been chosen, but there simply were not adequate public debate. As usual, the eternal sleep of you will listen to the debate in the Transfiguration of Jesus classroom.

"The two from Hufflepuff are Sam Bordeaux and Cassie Hornell. The Gryffindors are toilet Brickston and Janie Creevey. Your essay on this public debate, to be formatted like the previous two, will be due in a week. Class dismissed."

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

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

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

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

"Not if you do your enquiry right,"rosebush said as they left the way.

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

The rest of the grouping shook their heads. They compared district numbers, but none of them were in the Same. pink wine and matte were the closest, with their territory bordering on each other.

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

rosiness gave him a meet smirk, clearly felicitous that she would n't have to cope with trick attempting to bum off her research. Albus wished that he and Rose were in the same district because he, like Gospel According to John, did not relish doing this enquiry. Usually they only had to use their text for inquiry, but not this time. This clock time, their textbooks would n't avail at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! It 's time for the yearbook Dobby awards at HPFF and nominating address are now open ! Head to the forums to nominate your favorite tale ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a connexion to the forum on the right side of the Thomas Nelson Page. Be sure as shooting to read the rules before you nominate ! We hate having to unfit stories for pause rules.

The information about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the family of the Almighty and the Parliament Wikipedia Thomas Nelson Page. I hope I got everything right, but I 'm not British, so feel free to level out any errors.


As the week progressed more and Sir Thomas More of the oracle was dedicated to election coverage. By the time Saturday arrived it became nearly insufferable to find a single clause that was n't about the election. There were editorial, interview, command from the candidates, public opinion polls, and More. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glint at Saturday 's edition.

"home your bets here !"

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

"We 're taking stakes !"St. James the Apostle shouted."Any takers ?"

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

"No, that 's boring,"King James said."We 're taking bet on how long it 'll take the public debate moderator to bring up that dotty Australian fella who kidnapped you shoemaker's last yr. This disputation is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

It had n't even crossed Albus 's head that last yr 's incident would be brought up in this public debate, but James was probably compensate. It was the biggest international dirt wizarding Britain had seen in years.

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

"Ten second,"James said."We 've had a few people say it 'll occur right away and others who are giving it as long as a half hour."

"You do realize that your dad 's the one moderating this debate, do n't you ?"rosiness asked, setting down her copy of the vaticinator.

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

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

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

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

rosebush shrugged."It 's possible."

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

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

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

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

"Any wager, then ?"James asked.

Albus and his friends all shook their psyche no. Last year 's incident was far too personal for them to place bets on whether it would be a debate matter.

"We 're wasting time, then,"James said as he led Cedric and Ben further down the aisle."topographic point your stake here !"

"They 're idiots,"Rose muttered.

Albus agreed.

An hour later Albus, rose wine, mat, and John were back in the Great Hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this argumentation would be watched by even more people than the past tense I, with many people standing in the back due to lack of seating room. Personally, Albus thought most people would 've already made up their minds since the election was only four 24-hour interval away, but clearly it was still a popular event.

John had to sit with the other students who 'd been picked while Albus, Rose, and lusterlessness sat up front, like usual. All of Albus 's cousins were there, including GA, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Peach State,"Albus said.

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

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

Empire State of the South 's fake grinning grew genuine."Oh, they 're wonderful ! Connor Blythe, the steward, he put in his placard that he 's only going to do one to a greater extent time of year after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to have his spot. Me ! And I 've only been on the team for a year !"

"That 's grand !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll birth to get me tickets to your first match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the family to be there at my first peer as permanent keeper,"GA said."And I want Dad rightfield there in the front row, cheering me on."

"fountainhead, if he wins, he 'll consume to keep supporting you,"Albus pointed out.

"Yes, well, I want it to be rattling,"Georgia said."We 'll see."

"Could everyone please involve their posterior ?"Kendrick announced in a magically amplified vox.

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

"Thank you. I 'd like to welcome you all to Hogwarts. This is the last debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to lead such a big role in it. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity for stave and students alike. Remember, Wednesday is election day, so delight cast your votes. Now, I would like to introduce today 's moderator, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Harry potter, school principal of the Auror Department !"

The room erupted in thunderous applause. It seemed that no thing how Laurentis tried to discredit Albus 's dad, no one could consume away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

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

The candidates received considerably less applause than Harry did, something Albus found incredibly mirthful. If his dad ever decided to run for Minister he 'd sustain the thing won before the raceway even began.

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

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

"The initiatory question is very general,"Harry said."In your persuasion, how is Britain 's relationship with its foreign neighbour ? Should the Ministry be making more of an endeavour to work with its neighbors or are things fine as they are ?"

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

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My adversary makes mediocre distributor point,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our relationship with foreign ministries is an first-class idea, I wonder if that is really where our energies should be focused right now. There are many issues we need to deal here at abode, and as Mr. Weasley said, our stream human relationship with foreign state are good."

"The department of International Magical Cooperation sight solely with external sorcerous cooperation,"Percy pointed out."Working to fix government issue at home is obviously a good estimate, but what do you guess this department does while we do that ?"

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

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next question. The topic of changing the assortment of werewolves from wildcat to Beings was brought up at the last debate. Both of you expressed no desire to bring this up with the international community. Have either of you changed your stead on this in light of the recent capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you explain in more item why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at matt. Maybe now they 'd figure out exactly why Uncle Hotspur did n't desire to convert the werewolf compartmentalization, more than just it was n't Charles Frederick Worth the effort.

"The capture of Fenrir Greyback was undoubtedly a success. I hope nobody has misconstrued my quarrel on that. The fact that it was done without any injuries, let unequalled fatalities, was nothing short of amazing. The Aurors and Werewolf Control unit employees who executed the plan of capture are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the capture of one werewolf should bear upon our decisions on the group as a whole. If anything, if werewolves had been classified as existence during that capture the Aurors and Werewolf restraint unit employees would not birth been able to use the methods of capture they used. To be honest, I fail to see any benefits of reclassification."

Albus felt mat tense succeeding to him. Laurentis really was clueless, was n't she ?

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my opposition about the gaining control of Fenrir greyback. However, I disagree with her about the potential welfare of reclassification. First, the Aurors and Werewolf command social unit employees could birth used the same methods they used go night, as head word of department Walter Eckerton does not allow any method of capture that would not be allowed if lycanthrope were classified as organism. In term of Department for the regularisation and Control of Magical tool formula and rule, loup-garou are to be treated as Beings. This has been the case since Eckerton took over as capitulum over a year ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is unaware of this fact.

"As for welfare, those with lycanthropy would be able to insure line of work far more easily and would have the Same right field given to hobgoblin, house-elves, centaur, vampire, and human race alike."

Apparently his uncle had much Thomas More of an feeling than the one he gave at the last debate, Albus thought.

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

"Then perhaps Walter Eckerton ought to take another flavor at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly legal of him to use more abrasive method to convey werewolf into gaining control. But since this capture was a bellow success, I will not fault him for that. As for werewolf rightfield, I have yet to see of any complaint by wolfman about their rights."

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

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not give time to fully serve the query, I will stay on,"Percy said."While it would be beneficial for werewolves if they were reclassified as being, I do not think it 's feasible. It would demand agreement from all nations, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Australia would never be on gameboard, and considering our rocky relationship with that special state, I do not feel it is in our best pursuit to lead off talks of the reclassification of lycanthrope. In conclusion, I feel it would be a worthwhile endeavor, but given the unlikelihood of it amounting to anything, it would be a wastefulness of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."adjacent head. In regards to our rough kinship with Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you sense it would be beneficial to continue trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United realm ? Mr. Weasley."

Albus glanced at his picket. Whoever betted on XL proceedings would be very felicitous, he thought. Albus had been hoping this matter would n't be brought up, but he supposed it was too big of an issue not to be.

"If elected I would defer this conclusion to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the requirement expertness on the subject. However, it is my personal feeling that it would be worth pursuing. I believe it is important to broadcast a message that Ministry employees, even high-ranking officials such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was painful and in no humans should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

"Notice how Mr. Weasley did not mention that his nephew was one of the child kidnapped by Lubar,"Laurentis pointed out."I think this might defile his judgement a niggling. I disagree with him about this particular theme. We 've been trying to have Ralph Lubar extradited for nearly a year and Australia has not budged. Why bother continuing to make campaign toward this when it is light they will be fruitless ?"

"If we give up, it will be telling the world that anyone can go commit a criminal offense in another nation and not be punished,"Percy said."more than than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Australian governance and having our citizens believe their government to be corrupt will not help international magical cooperation."

"The possible corruption of the Australian government activity is not any of our business organization at the current time. We can not draw them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal opinion that they will never do so. I daresay that the section of International Magical Cooperation has more pressing subject to treat with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have time for one more motion, but in lightness of the fact that the election is on Midweek, I am going to fall in each of the prospect a hazard to construct a full general speech instead. Mr. Weasley, you may speak first."

"Thank you, Harry."

Percy seemed unable to call Harry 'Mr. potter .'Albus giggled at this.

"I would wish to thank Professor Kendrick and the rest of the Hogwarts stave for being so accommodating, as well as the students. None of the students sitting in this way right now were animated before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the bookman in this room were alert during Voldemort 's reign of affright. They read about both of these in account books, because to them, it is simply account. To me, and the rest of the adult in this room, the late Ministry and Voldemort are our by, our retention. We remember the terror, the unknown, the fear.

"I was a piece of the reorganization of the Ministry. We all know the years that have followed- the years where we have lived without awe, without threat, without the unknown quantity. I have been with the Ministry every step of the way since Voldemort 's defeat and I will make it my duty to continue the ataraxis that we 've had for over twenty year. I will observe this short because I, like about of you surely do, believe that the ripe talking to is a shortsighted speech. If you want a parson who will continue the success of curate Hartwell 's time in office staff, vote for me, Percy Weasley, on Wednesday. Thank you."

There was a smattering of applause, but it did n't last long. Albus had a touch sensation that most of the rest of the pupil wanted the election to be over.

"My opposition routinely brings up the past. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the time to come, except in wispy statements about keeping thing the same. It 's true that I was not involved with the reorganization of the Ministry over twenty long time ago. I got into government later in life. But I do not find that this will take in me an inferior minister, nor do I think it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"History is just that. story. We certainly need to learn from our chronicle to ensure that we do not create the Same mistakes we did before, but it is not necessary to sustain lived through history to be a successful loss leader. There are raft of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking functionary, who were not here during Voldemort 's reign. Walter Eckerton, for example, did not endure in Britain during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the section for the regularisation and Control of Magical Creatures.

"In short, I believe we need to focus on our future rather than our past. If elected minister I will make progressive modification in not only our ministry and police, but our educational system as well. affair have been ran the same for over xx years, and while I am not denying the winner, I think we have needed variety for a piece. Escaped prisoner are running free. Hogwarts lesson are being taught the same way they were when these children 's grandparents were in shoal. The ministry, along with its jurisprudence and policies, needs to adapt as the years go by. If you feel change is needed, if you are at all upset about the way affair are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

There was another smattering off clapping. Albus did n't spat at all and neither did any of his full cousin. If the election was based upon familial accompaniment, Hotspur would feature it in the bag.

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

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

"Nope,"flatness said."But she does n't seem to sustain an result with my dad, which is good if she gets elected."

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

"She ca n't. The man is mad,"bathroom said.

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

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

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

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

"Because if he gets extradited he 's going to be tempestuous,"Matt explained."He 's got quite a toughness. And when he does n't get his way he attempts to bankrupt the lifespan of those who stand in his way. Just think about it. If he were brought back here, what 's stopping him from making my ... condition ... populace ?"

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

"You think Lubar would worry ? He did it in Australia !"matte snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in worry for it nothing could postulate what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be better if the world just forgot about the whole thing."

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

"asset, there 's no way Commonwealth of Australia will extradite him,"flatness said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both decently about one matter. The Australian political science is very corrupt, and I do n't remember anything will happen until that corruption ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and werewolves wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

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

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


A/N : Thanks for all the revue ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly plug my narration for Dobby nominations ! Head over to the assembly to put forward my ( or any other ) story for a Dobby award ! Be sure to read the formula before nominating.


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

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

"When are we going to know who won ?"trick asked as they walked back to the castle for Defense.

"It 'll be in the oracle tomorrow break of day,"Albus said."That 's the prescribed notice, but I 'm trusted we 'll witness out earlier. Bradley and Cedric have to go to the end of the election party tonight. It starts at six and the polls close at eight. They 're announcing the succeeder at the party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minute of arc to diffuse around the castle."

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

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

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

"No,"rose said. mat shook his head.

"Good,"John said."We should accept our own party here. A party to keep the end of this election. Maybe it 'll mean Embry will let up on the essays. Anyone else writing their debate essay during Defense today ?"

For the past few calendar month well-nigh people had used Defense as a work hall. The worksheets Young assigned never took foresightful than 15 proceedings and he did n't look to care what his students did with the quietus of the class. Just as long as they were n't being loud. Albus did n't imagine anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox Henry Sweet in Defense this year, since there was n't much point in time.

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

"I can always polish off it in story of trick, too,"John said as they entered the castle.

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

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four modest booth curtained off where the staff table should 've been. A short waiting line of people were off to one side and seemed to be waiting their turn for the cubicle. It did n't seem very exciting.

"Any comment on the election ?"

Albus turned and saw a newsman lurking near the doorway. He did n't recognize this peculiar reporter.

"No, thanks,"Albus said as he steered the chemical group away from the Great antechamber, and thus away from the reporter.

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

"That makes signified,"Amanda said."Well, let 's go get those essays done with. Then we 'll never have to save essays on debates again."

Albus nodded. No more disputation essays. Now that would be a upright thing.

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

"Let 's hit a pact now not to get in any combat over the next election when we can all vote,"Rose said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws tempest out of the Great foyer.

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus said.

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

"It 's supposed to promote serious sportsmanship and that form of thing,"rose explained.

"Still ... I ca n't imagine Laurentis being a good sport,"John said.

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

The common way had the trenchant feel that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch match. James, Fred, heather, scrape, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to have a company to fete the end of the election and thus the end of argumentation and essays on argumentation. There were cases of Butterbeer and trays of biscuit and nobody was working on any prep.

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

"If Uncle Sir Henry Percy wins things will never be normal again,"Rose pointed out.

Albus shrugged."I do n't cognize. Amanda seems fairly rule and her uncle 's the flush Minister."

"That 's because cipher here cares about the flower Minister,"Amanda said."At home everyone knows I 'm the niece of the Prime Minister. My baby and brother certainly are n't anonymous at their schoolhouse. My sister 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in secondary school."

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

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

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

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just curious,"matte said.

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

"There 's still a bunch of people voting,"Albus said, gesturing to the Great Charles Francis Hall. About a half twelve or so back breaker were milling about.

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

"No musical theme,"Albus said. He glanced at his watch."Half hour until the crown close."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"sound respectable to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This company is getting boring anyway."

John and Kaden nodded their heads in correspondence. Rose raised her eyebrows.

"No way,"Matt said, shaking his promontory vehemently."There are n't enough Galleons in the world."

"Oh, get on, it 's just a lady friend 's loo,"Amanda said."facial expression, there are n't even any missy in there also Myrtle. And she 's a ghost !"

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

"John, shut up !"lusterlessness said, his impertinence turning red.

Amanda and rosebush burst out in laughter."Seriously ?"Amanda said.

"Yeah, we had detention in there once,"St. John the Apostle explained."Vinca minor spent the whole clip flirting with Matt. It was hilarious."

"I said, shut it !"lustrelessness shouted.

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

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"Fine,"John said."Suit yourself. spring up ?"

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

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

They did n't bother bringing the invisibility Cloak since there was still an minute left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing chandeliers in purity of April gull 's Day, but ignored his chatter.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the bathroom as they walked quickly down flights of stair. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the 2nd floor corridor, after the stairs decided to head them directly to the first floor rather than the second.

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

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

Albus nodded."Let 's time lag here, then."

Their electric current position gave them an splendid view of the Great manor hall. A few Ministry officials were currently carrying pieces of the vote cubicles out of the elbow room, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half time of day until they had a new minister of religion of conjuring trick.

trick nudged Albus."There he is."

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

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Potter,"Malfoy replied.

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

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

So much for being measured, Albus thought.

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

"Yes, you were,"Amanda said."I was in there, too. minute floor, Moaning Myrtle 's commode ? Ring any doorbell ?"

"That loo was vacuous,"Malfoy said quickly."I checked."

"Next metre check a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the last cubicle and when I heard you come in I had to continue there because you 're a fellow and it would just be weird to derive out of a toilet carrel and do face to face with a gent. I heard you talking to myrtle, though."

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

"Then do n't conduct your business in a girl 's loo,"Amanda said with a laughter."Let 's go. We do n't want to leave out the news about the new government minister. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the stair. Albus, Gospel According to John, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their backwash. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as sick as lustrelessness is right before a total moon.

"Amanda, what was that ?"trick exclaimed once they 'd reached the second floor.

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

"That 's brilliant,"John said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

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

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

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

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

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

When Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the common room they were greeted by forte groan and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his brother, who was nearest the portrait hole.

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

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

"Oh, right."

blush wine and lusterlessness were in the middle of a plot of chess. matt was losing spectacularly.

"Did you find him ?"flatness asked as rose wine 's bishop crushed his queen.

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

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

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

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

"You should 've come,"John said."We did n't even see Myrtle."

"Still ... not taking any chances,"Matt said."business leader to D6."

blush wine instructed her knight to move closer to matte 's power."mate.

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

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

Albus, Saint John, lustrelessness, and Amanda settled down to take in as Rose clobbered Kaden. Albus could 've sworn he saw Kaden 's chessmen quiver as they were set up on the board. Rose 's queen was most definitely grinning maliciously. Over the following half time of day Kaden 's piece were viciously slaughtered by rosebush 's, but not without putting up a fight. Kaden was in fact getting meliorate.

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

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

Albus ran up to his dorm to retrieve his Exploding Snap lineup. As he returned, the portraiture kettle of fish opened.

The entire usual way froze and was silent. Not a individual person moved. Not a single person said a Logos. Even the firstly class, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the butt step to the dormitory room and waited.

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

"wellspring ?"James IV asked.

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

Albus could n't trust it. He had n't realized it until now, but he truly had believed that Uncle Sir Henry Percy would win. He had the support of Harry ceramicist. Did n't that stand for anything anymore ?

Albus returned to his friends and set the box of cards down on the table. He sat down and did n't say a word.

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

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

James walked up to the table."Al, rose wine, we 're all going to the room of Requirement. Bradley and Cedric want to sacrifice us More details."He glanced the residual of the group."Sorry, household only."

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

Albus, James, and rosiness walked to the Room of Requirement in silence. When they arrived they saw that the threshold was already there. They walked inside.

The rest of their cousins had already arrived. Albus took a seat on the last remaining couch and James II and Rose sat on either face of him. nobody was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Bradley, Cedric, heather, Mark, Ben, Fred, Hugo, Lily, James, pink wine, and Angie. And himself. They were the midway radical of cousins. Not the oldest, not the young, but the ones in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything last. They were n't the first to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the last to fine-tune. They stood by each early, through the well and through the bad.

Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the front of the way, near its threshold. The integral room was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with mismatch furniture and organized topsy-turvydom everywhere. Albus liked it.

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

"How did he take it ?"Heather asked.

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

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

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

"Just a bit,"Scots heather said."What is Uncle Walker Percy going to do now ? I doubt Laurentis will restrain him on."

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

Neither had Albus, but it made sense. Percy was still employed by the Ministry, but his job was one of those occupation selected by the rector.

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

The room descended into silence. Nobody seemed to have it away what to say, Albus included. His feelings on his uncle becoming minister had been all over the blank space for the preceding seven months, but now that Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was disappointment. It was unknown. Just last week he had been kind of hoping Percy would lose, and now that he had, Albus felt the complete opposite.

It was already past curfew for Lily, Hugo, and Angie, but cypher was telling them to go back to the coarse way. Albus was vaguely queer about what was going on in the vernacular room, but not rummy enough to actually go back. Matt, John the Divine, Kaden, and Amanda would tell him later.

What Albus was really worried about, Thomas More than anything, was what Laurentis was going to do to both the Ministry and Hogwarts. Laurentis had made it readable that she was going to alter the schoolhouse, but Albus liked it the way it was. Then there were the modification to the Ministry, such as the dementors. How long would it take for Laurentis to make for them back ? Surely she had to go through proper channels to do it.

Saint James the Apostle, Bradley, and Cedric were the first base to come back to the common room, claiming they had to make good on all the bets they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and Rose returned a few second later, leaving the respite of their cousin talking quietly in the Room of Requirement.

When they returned matt, whoremonger, and Kaden were playing Exploding Snap. Amanda was writing a letter.

"Who are you writing to ?"rose wine asked.

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

"Your uncle meets the pastor of Magic ?"John asked.

"fountainhead, yes,"Amanda said."The two worlds do feature to coexist. Sometimes there are problems that affect both. Voldemort, for instance. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the escaped Death Eaters."

"That 's so weird,"lavatory said.

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

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

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

"I think we all need a distraction,"blush wine said and turned to Kaden, whose nerve was covered in ash."heap out the cards again. Let 's play until we 're too tired."

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


A/N : Sorry for the later update ! My birthday is tomorrow so I had friends up for the weekend and completely forgot. Thanks for all the reviews !


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

LAURENTIS winnings ; BEGINS APPOINTING situation

In the close backwash for Minister of Magic to
date, candidate Patricia Laurentis won the
location last night. pate closed at eight,
with the official winner announced at a closed
party at the Minister 's Mansion at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a mere 342 voter turnout, which is the
closest race we have ever seen.

'I am of class very please with this turn of
consequence ,'Laurentis said at the Minister 's
sign after the announcement was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as minister of religion of
conjuration on May first. I feel I will be able to
cave in the world what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my tariff to reach them what
I promised during my campaign. I of track
pass my commiseration to Percy Weasley. He truly
was a pleasance to run against over the past
seven months .'

'I offer my congratulations to my opponent ,'Percy
Weasley said to Daily prophesier newsperson at the
pastor 's Mansion. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, mediocre and straightforward. I am foiled,
of row, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the next month Laurentis will decide who
she wishes to appoint to top Ministry positions,
before she is sworn in as curate of Magic on
May first of this twelvemonth. Laurentis is wasting no
time with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this cockcrow .'I already have citizenry
picked out for most status ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
stream officials, but I will be replacing quite
a few in order to respectable join the Ministry .'

One person has already confirmed his purpose
to engage Laurentis up on her pass of a position.
Ironically, he is set to occupy over Harry Hotspur Weasley 's
current position under Minister Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to foretell that genus Draco Malfoy is
going to take the status of Senior
Undersecretary for the Drafting and Editing
of natural law. Dragon Malfoy has been a friend of mine
for many age as we have worked together in the
Azkaban Division for nearly a decade. I am very
excited to continue working with him .'

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

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

"Malfoy never said a Logos,"Matt added, his middle large.

"Of course he did n't,"rose wine said."We 're not exactly his friends."

"Wait, remember in Hogsmeade back in October ?"Albus replied."When he talked about how my menage wo n't be running the wizarding world for long ? Not that my folk has ever ran the wizarding earth ... But he seemed to know something we didn't."

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

"Second highest for drafting laws,"Rose said."precondition his kinship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most likely pass."

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

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

Albus had quite a few hr to wait to get hold out just what exactly Malfoy would have to say to them. History of Magic, his initiative class of the day, was as boring as ever. Professor Binns showed absolutely no recognition that the election had taken home the previous day. Professor Patil was the complete opposite, making no move to cover up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to botch up up the desk she was attempting to transfigure.

"Do you think Laurentis will actually have teachers sacked ?"john asked as they walked to the Great Hall for lunch."Because if she does, Patil wo n't brook a chance."

Albus shook his brain."Only if they 're really awful teacher. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth class and I think citizenry will be outraged if Laurentis does the like thing. Honestly, I think Binns and Young are the lone ones in danger."

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

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

"And Edward Young ca n't get sacked,"John lamented."That 's where I do all my homework."

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

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

"Hey, ceramicist,"Malfoy greeted him."Congratulations to your uncle on his passing. Ca n't thank him enough for that."

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

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

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

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

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

"It never came up."

"fountainhead now that you 're all happy again maybe you 'll actually render up for this month 's dueling tourney ?"

That wiped the smirk off Malfoy 's face. He turned stony and took a stone's throw closer to Albus."Do n't say a word about that. It 's none of your business."

"Touchy,"John commented.

"hooey it, Brickston. This does n't concern you. Your parents will deliver mogul in the Ministry the day Hagrid adopts a normal pet."

"We 'll see who 's got the ability the moment one of your family winds up at St. Mungo 's,"privy snapped.

Malfoy paled."Just shut up. The item is, my dad 's going to have a better position than yours."

"cypher cares what your dad does for a sustenance,"Matt said.

"cipher asked you. At least my dad does n't bring his employment domicile with him."Malfoy laughed.

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

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

"Wands away, boys."

Albus turned and saw Professor Slughorn standing in the doorway. He breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing St. John the Apostle needed was another detainment.

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

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


The following few days passed without anymore perspective announcements from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively quiet few mean solar day, especially when compared with the past times seven calendar month. For the first sentence all year, there was piddling reporting of the election, that is until they had politics on Tuesday. At the end of the lesson, Embry reminded them of their research essays on their interpreter, an assignment that had completely slipped Albus 's mind. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped John and Matt 's judgment as well. Rose and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to write their conclusions. Amanda had even asked her uncle for avail, devoting part of her essay to the similarities and remainder between the wizarding and Muggle governments.

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

"Dammit,"Matt muttered."I 'm going to have to write the entire thing tonight. The full-of-the-moon Moon 's tomorrow."

"Usually you 're much better about remembering to do assignments before that,"rose wine commented.

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

"But you 'll be missing class on Thursday,"John pointed out."So you can turn it in Tues and get four spear carrier days."

"I 've never done that with long-term assignments,"matte said."I do n't want to embark on now. Albus can grow it in, like usual."

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

"Hey, Amanda, want to pack a walk around the lake before we write our closing ?"Rose asked."The weather 's so prissy tonight we might as well get hold of advantage."

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

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five minutes later Albus, matt, John, and Kaden had taken over one of the larger table in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a Transfiguration essay due the following day and divination predictions to do. Albus was considering hexing two showtime eld at the table next to them who kept giggling, if Madam Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his Quaker lived in his district ; it would make this so a lot promiscuous.

Albus did make a decided vantage over both Matt and bathroom, in that his representative was far more well-known than theirs. Joseph Oliver Prang, who had been serving the Frederick North London territorial dominion, was on his quaternary sequentially terminal figure, which amounted to over XV years. That was more than Albus 's full life. London in itself was a location that required far more attention than other domain of the country, which resulted in far Sir Thomas More information being usable on it. John was able to site a fair amount of information on his representative, Nadine Abernathy, but Matt, since he lived in one of the most remote country of England, had difficultness locating information on Marcus Whitby.

"Energy this bloke even exist ?"matt asked as he looked through the very live archive written matter of the Prophet that was published during Whitby 's one term."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a judgment of conviction that quotation he won the election. And of course he won. He did n't have any opponents."Matt groaned and banged his caput repeatedly on the table."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the minutes from Wizengamot group meeting,"Albus said, pointing to the three large good deal of paper in the midsection of the mesa. He really did experience bad for mat, though. It was bad enough having to do a report like this, but having to do it when the full moon was only two mean solar day away ?

"I could probably just make hooey up,"Matt said as he took the top few pages."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly hump anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the least densely populate district in all of England."

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"John said."There. I 've got my intro. look at it this way. Your feller 's only been in office for a twelvemonth. So you 've got far less farce to take care through. It wo n't take as long."

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

"A bit."St. John shrugged."Nadine Abernathy 's on her s term, so there 's not as much as Albus has got. But I read enough to compose the presentation. Now I 'll understand a bit more."

"You have a eldritch way of doing research."

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

flatness tossed the papers he 'd been looking at onto his rejection pile, which was so disorderly that Madam Pince would probably have a heart fire if she saw it. He then let out a loud sigh and put his top dog in his hands.

"Could you please rent compassion on him ?"Albus asked Rose.

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

"His representative has only been in office for a year,"Albus explained."And the only thing he 's found is one prison term in a vaticinator from a year ago saying he won the election, which was against nobody. And the full moon is tomorrow."

"Please, pink wine ?"matte asked, picking his point up to look at her. His face was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

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

"They wanted to be in the midsection of nowhere,"matt said flatly."They did n't need neighbors."

rose wine sighed."Fine. But only because you look so silly. And mine was pretty unvoiced, too, because my territorial dominion is also remote. Just let me finish my conclusion."

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

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

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the next four hours managed to get it half done. He did n't think it was very secure, but it was progress. John was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to call it a night. whoremaster settled in to facilitate Kaden with his fake fortune telling anticipation. Matt was still working on his, with often coaching from rosiness.

"Did you obtain anything ?"Albus asked.

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

Matt yawned."How recollective does this have to be again ?"

"A ft,"Rose answered."You 've got another four inches to go."

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

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

"We should probably finish up in the vulgar way, then,"rose said.

"I do n't imagine I can,"Matt said."Too tired. I 'll land up it tomorrow since I 'll probably skip afternoon classes anyway."

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

"No mandatory curfew tomorrow,"Kaden commented as they entered the common elbow room.

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

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

"I just desire your dad was capable to serve those parents with the two kidskin,"Rose said.

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

Albus nodded. It was going to be a better wide-cut moon for everyone involved.
***


Albus, Matt, and John managed to get their essays done in time and turned in on Th. The entire moon was relatively normal, as replete moonshine go, without any reports of loup-garou attacks. matt wound up in the hospital wing for two full-of-the-moon Day, having resorted to chewing on himself since the wolf no longer had the distraction of Johnny outside. But Albus had a feeling Matt preferred it that way. Reb 's bearing was just too creepy-crawly and too unknown.

A few daytime after the wide-cut moon Jesse James returned to the common room fuming. Albus raised his brow at his brother as he straightened a stilt of career brochure that had once again appeared on the common room tables.

Saint James stomped over to Albus 's table, pulled up a chair, and squeezed himself between Albus and flatness."calling advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just hold it ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, with Longbottom,"St. James said."Neville always seemed so squeamish when we were little and even in class he 's easily the proficient prof here. But for career advice ? He 's terrible !"

"Well, what did you talk about ?"

"Careers."

Rose snorted."Obviously."

"He wants me to cull something now. I do n't have a go at it what I want to do with my living. I 'm only xvi for God 's sake !"

"I think you have to plunk something so you can piece your N.E.W.T. classes next year,"blush wine explained."Otherwise the teachers do n't know what to put you in."

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

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

"No,"Henry James muttered."So I told him about Georgia. And then he said that it 's not very vernacular to be drafted by a professional team and that even Georgia had a back-up design. That 's news to me. As far as I know she 's wanted to act Quidditch her wholly life."

"She was going to contrive broom,"pink wine said."Still might, after she 's done with Quidditch. Why do n't you do that ?"

"Neville suggested it. But it requires Arithmancy nigh of the time and I have n't even done O.W.L. Arithmancy. I just want to adopt the bare minimum of N.E.W.T.s and get done with it."

"And of class Neville did n't like that,"Rose said."Honestly, James, just peck something."

"But I ca n't !"James said as he picked up a stack of folder."Look at these. goblin involvement, Gringott 's Counterfeit Coin Checker, Security round Trainer. They 're all short boring."

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

King James I snorted."No one would require me as their Healer."

Albus had to agree with that. James had about the Lapplander ability to concentrate as a round."Hey, you could train security trolls."

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

"I already know what I want to do,"pink wine said."I 'm going to be a Healer, specializing in psychiatry."

"Of course you do,"James muttered.

"If it makes you palpate better, better half, I 've no idea what I want to do,"John said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

"You 're a third year,"James I said flatly."It does n't matter that you do n't make out what you want to do. What about you, Al ?"

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

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

"If you 'd quit complaining and start studying you 'd pass to a greater extent of them,"rose pointed out.

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

"James, wait !"Rose shouted as James neared the portrait hole."Forgetting anything ?"

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

William James ran up to his student residence and returned with his bag a hour later. Grinning at Albus and the others, he left the common room.

"I swear, I 'm not sure as shooting how we 're related,"Rose muttered.

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

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

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

"I like your babe,"rose wine said."So I 'll take that as a compliment. What about you ? Do you know what you want to do ?"

Matt laughed and picked up the Gringott 's folder."Considering that werewolves are n't going to be changed from Beasts to beingness anytime soon, I do n't think I 'm going to have many option to blame from."

"You never know,"Rose said."Who knows what will happen between now and when we graduate. Things could change."

"Still, it 's doubtful,"Matt said, turning to Amanda."Amanda ? You were awfully quieten when Jesse James was here."

"It 's hard not to be. He 's rather loud himself. I 'm not for certain. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to take a leak a difference."

"Excellent,"lusterlessness said."You can change everyone 's minds about changing the lycanthrope classification."

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

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

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

"You can do that,"matte said."You can turn a beer maker. My sis 's doing that along with her Healing degree."

Kaden 's eyes grew vauntingly."Wait, really ? That 's a real life history ?"

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

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

"Exactly,"blush wine said.

"Brilliant."Kaden grinned."James will hate me now. Third class and I know what I 'm doing."

Albus laughed."You could transfer your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

Albus did n't really want to think about what they would do after Hogwarts. It was three twelvemonth away. He 'd rather enjoy the present, but rose had always been the person to expect to the future. She fantasized about their Hogwarts twenty-four hour period when they were only six and now, she was fantasizing about what they 'd do after. Albus had never been the case to do that. There would be plenty of time for the future in the future.


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


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

When he was n't on the auction pitch, most of Albus 's time was spent at dueling practice. The last peer of the class was on the final Sat in April and Albus 's team was still in the running for a win of the entire tournament. They had n't won a individual mates, but they were routinely in back place by only a few percentage point. The teams that had gotten low place never did that well in other tournaments, resulting in their boilersuit point total being quite low.

When the hold up Saturday in April arrived, far sooner than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly nervous. He was n't nervous at all about his affaire d'honneur, but he was neural for the team. This was it. It was his last tournament in the Junior Dueling Tournament. His survive fortune to prove himself as captain and realize a spot on Gryffindor 's dueling squad next year.

All four sea captain of the house dueling teams were present at this tourney because they would be hand selecting players for their squad next year. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tournament.

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

"Thank God,"Albus muttered. He could n't await until he no longer had Malfoy on his team."At to the lowest degree he 's acting normally today."

"At to the lowest degree he showed up,"Amanda pointed out.

"Point to Malfoy !"Neville shouted."Albus ceramist and lusterlessness Eckerton."

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt atrocious when he had to duel matt because their science horizontal surface were so drastically dissimilar. At the same time he did n't want to go easy on his friend because the Gryffindor team captain was watching.

Albus and Matt bowed to each other and raised their wands. Albus thought a silent excuse as he shot a stunner at his well champion. lustrelessness dodged it and sent one dorsum. Albus threw up a shield and then sent three sequent dish. The third one made contact and Matt collapsed onto the storey, frozen.

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

"Sorry, married person,"Albus said as he helped Matt up.

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

Albus won his second duel as well. His squad continued to win most of their affaire d'honneur, with some of his mate winning their kickoff affaire d'honneur ever. Amanda had begun a numeration of all the detail on a bare bit of parchment and their team was winning, with only a few affaire d'honneur left to go.

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

A few minutes later Neville stepped into the gist of one of the dueling rings."I am proud of to herald that we have a winner of both today 's tournament and the year 's tourney overall. congratulations to Team septenary for winning both today and the tournament boilersuit ! chieftain Albus Potter, please get forward to bear the trophy."

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

Albus shook Neville 's hand while a Hufflepuff took their icon. The trophy was a bit smaller than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not small-scale by any means. After a few to a greater extent depiction were taken, including one shot of the integral team, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the common room.

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

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

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

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

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

Albus 's protagonist were waiting in the mutual elbow room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered extolment and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading outside for Quidditch drill.

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


In April 's last persist days the Daily Prophet published at least one article a day on Laurentis and her approaching swearing-in ceremony, as well as her pick for top functionary. Albus had n't recognized any names of the officials, or the names of their caper. Mostly they were jobs such as the one his Uncle Percy held under pastor Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became curate to reveal the big position, such as Albus 's dad 's position.

The Gryffindor mesa was unusually calm down the morning of May first. Albus, along with all his cousins, were n't saying a word. Albus was thinking of his uncle Percy and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was sure his first cousin were thinking the Lapp.

"I wish one of us could go to her ceremony,"Amanda said as she read the vaticinator."It 's not going to be the Sami reading about it tomorrow."

"I heard they 're listening to it on the tuner in politics today,"John said."Wish we had it today. That would be much better than having literal class."

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

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

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

"Same here,"flatness agreed."Amy said that Dad 's really nervous about it."

"What time is it happening ?"pink wine asked.

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

"right after story of illusion,"Rose mused."So you lot will have guardianship of Magical Creatures and I 'll get Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should come apart out Uncle George 's best-selling product this morning time ?"

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

"Wait, rose,"John said."Are you saying we should skive off socio-economic class ?"

Rose grinned."I think this is going to be a bit more educational. I say we skive and meet in the piranha 's Den to take heed on the wireless."

"I 'm in,"Albus said immediately. can, Matt, Amanda, and Kaden agreed.

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

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

rosebush nodded."That leaves five of us. mat, do you have an issuance with skipping all of account of Magic ?"

Matt laughed."Of course not."

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

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

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

With the plan decided upon, they set off for their morning classes. John the Divine begged to be the one who used a vomiting pastille first in History of magic and Albus and Amanda let him. He seemed strangely excited about it. Albus was just going to use the fever fudge.

Professor Binns began droning on about the monster state of war, a topic he seemed to revel for some reason. He taught it each and every yr without fail. Albus doodled aimlessly on his notes while taking furtive glimpse at Saint John the Apostle every so often.

"Um, prof ?"Gospel According to John announced ten proceedings into the class.

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

"I do n't finger well-"can was cut off by his own vomiting. His tabular array was now covered with a mountain of puke.

"Yes, yes, off to the hospital,"Binns said as he returned his aid to the blackboard.

John hastily shoved the other end of the afters into his mouth and vanished the puking before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the elbow room.

Amanda was future. She, like Albus, went the safe path and had decided upon the fever fudge. prof Binns hardly seemed to notice that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the class. He just waved her out and continued his talk. Albus could 've probably used his own feverishness fudge right then and there, but he did n't opine it was worth the small risk of exposure.

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

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

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

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

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

Hagrid 's human face fell."Yeh don'look so well. bettor go see gentlewoman Pomfrey."

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

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

"Albus !"rose wine exclaimed."Nearly thought you would n't construct it !"

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

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

"Good aurora, listener. We are broadcasting live from court Ten in the Ministry of deception, where just instant from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as Minister of Magic for the United land. It is standing room only in the courtroom, with extra spectators in the corridor."

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

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

"minister Hartwell, along with members of the Wizengamot are seated on the stump. Three senior penis of the Wizengamot will affirm Laurentis in."

More clapping. Then a new voice. Albus recognized it as rector Hartwell.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. It has been my pleasance to serve you over the past ten yr. I 'd like to conduct a moment to thank my party, Merlinus, for their support over the by decade, as well as all of my top officials and the quietus of the Ministry employees. I 'll keep this short and just say that I am going to leave out serving you, but I have to hold that both my wife and I are looking forward to taking a nice, long holiday."

Laughter, followed by clapping.

"Thank you, Minister Hartwell,"individual else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot penis."Ms. Laurentis, if you would delight ill-treat forward."There was a suspension."Please repeat after me. I do hereby affirm to serve the United Kingdom-"

"I do hereby aver to serve the United Kingdom-"

"-to the just of my ability-"

"-to the outflank of my ability-"

"-and save to the ideal of the Paracelsus party-"

"-and keep to the apotheosis of the Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus party-"

"I swear to heed to the the great unwashed and do what is best for them-"

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

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

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

"I hereby declare Patricia Laurentis as the tertiary Minister of Magic post-War as of the low of May, 2020, at eleven o'clock in the morning time. Ms. Laurentis, felicitation. Please welcome your new Minister of magic trick, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a handful of polite applause, much quieter than the previous applause for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a unplayful occasion and no one wanted to seem too enraptured.

"That was ready,"Albus said.

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

"Thank you,"Laurentis said as the applause died down."It is an purity to be standing before you as your government minister of thaumaturgy. I would care to get down by thanking the Paracelsus party for nominating me as campaigner and supporting me throughout my successful campaign-"

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

"Shut up !"rosebush said.

"-without your support I would never give birth made it this far. I hope I am able to endure up to the high expectations set by you and government minister Hartwell. I am sure you are all anxious to hear who I am appointing to foreland of Department positions in the Ministry, so I wo n't squander any time getting to that."

Albus 's heart sped up. He glanced up and met mat 's gaze. Matt looked just as nervous as Albus felt.

"get-go, the department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am delight to announce that genus Aplysia Balladanis will be taking over for late capitulum, Reena Barnes."

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

"Balladanis ?"Rose shouted at the like time."But he did n't even like the Ministry, did he ?"

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

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

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

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

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

"-Robert Samuel Johnson will be replacing Harry Potter as Head of the Auror Department-"

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

"I understand that this is a controversial choice, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a united front. I assure you that Robert Johnson is an excellent Auror and will make a howling caput of Department."

Albus tuned the wireless out once Laurentis went on to the section of Magical exile. He could pick up his heart pounding in his head and the rest of the world seemed so far away. It was almost surreal.

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

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

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

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

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

"-Walter Eckerton will remain Head of the section for the regulation and Control of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"Matt exclaimed.

"trade good,"Albus said."At least there 's person sane still in a brain position."

Albus only paid shadowy attention to the eternal sleep of the declaration. He did n't acknowledge anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that naming. One thing was exculpate by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's home was in any of the headspring positions.

rose switched the wireless off at the end of Laurentis 's talking to. The wizard doing the broadcast was interviewing a few masses, but they were n't anyone of great importance.

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

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

It was clear that word had spread when Albus and his friends reached the Great Hall. Whichever stratum had had politics during the talking to must 've shared the news with the total castle, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't seduce eye contact with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor tabular array, where he sat down next to James.

"So you heard,"James said quietly.

"I skived off class to take heed live,"Albus explained."She wants a join ministry. What a encumbrance of tartar dung."

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

"She 's replaced More officials than any minister, ever,"pink wine commented."She only kept three."

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

"goose egg she 's doing makes a bit of good sense,"Albus muttered."But I guess masses must like her. She got elected."

"But now that she 's elected she can name who she wants,"Amanda said."I do n't think anyone actually thought she 'd supercede your dad. I 've only been in the wizarding creation for four year and even I know that everyone loves your dad."

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

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

Albus glanced up. Every single professor was deep in conversation, some even ignoring their food. Neville in particular looked kayoed and disturbed. None of them looked glad.

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

It was May first, 2020, almost exactly 23 old age after his dad had defeated Voldemort. Albus thought it was slightly dry that this had happened almost to the day, 23 years later.

Albus looked around at his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that more than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most likely supported her determination to substitute his dad as Head of the Auror department. Not everyone was talking in voicelessness, with worried manifestation. A few group were laughing, like they did n't let a care in the world. Either they just did n't handle about Laurentis 's decision, or they supported it. The view was very unsettling. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the government minister of Magic. He did n't wish it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


The following week brought a slew of clause stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that first speech. A list of the new Ministry officials was printed multiple sentence. Albus found the column more matter to than the existent articles, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how pudden-head it was of Laurentis to sack up Harry ceramicist. However, it was n't until nearly a week after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an article completely captured Albus 's attending was published.

DEMENTORS TO return TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE change

Newly elected minister of conjuration
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will take Azkaban back
under the control of the dementors
late close night. Laurentis hopes
to accept the dementors back by late
next week. 'This has been a end
of mine for years and I am very
glad that it is finally happening.
The wizarding universe will be far
safer now that our crook will
be guarded once to a greater extent by dementors .'

bringing the dementors back to Azkaban
is the starting time of many changes the new
diplomatic minister will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's next
program is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the side by side few weeks I will be
sending representatives from the
department of Magical Education to
observe each professor. Each
professor will be required to pass on
their curricula to the illustration
as well .'Professors planning on
retiring at the end of this class
will be exempt from this prerequisite,
as no modification will ingest place before
the end of term.

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

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

"And she 's sending the great unwashed to observe the teacher,"Albus said.

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

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

As if on cue, professor Kendrick stood up."May I have your attention ? Thank you. well-nigh of you, I am sure, have read the Prophet. Over the next few workweek every prof will be observed during one of his or her classes. I ask you all to ignore the voice and go about class as if they were n't there. That is how the Ministry will best get an understanding of how things work at Hogwarts. Now, prof Slughorn has an announcement to make."

prof Slughorn stood, although he was so short that it hardly made a difference. He looked a bit nervous and Albus got the opinion that he rarely ever addressed the full pupil torso at once.

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

"Ten Galleons says he decided to adjourn after finding out he had to relegate his curricula to the Ministry,"Rose whispered after Slughorn sat back down.

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

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

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

"So that 'll be two new professors next year,"trick said.

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

"Do n't say that word !"James, who was sitting about five seats down from rose, shouted.

Rose raised her eyebrows."What Book ?"

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

"guesswork you should 've started studying earlier,"Rose said.

"Shut up,"James muttered.

James was n't the just one to have forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election word. There seemed to be more unrestrained studying than usual, and not just from the twenty percent and 7th years. The entire rook had neglected to study for their end-of-term examination. Later that night Albus, lavatory, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden joined the throngs of citizenry vying for tabular array in the library in ordination to jam in as much poring over as possible. Matt could n't join them, as it was the full Sun Myung Moon.

However, Albus had a strong time concentrating. His every intellection was focused on the dementors in Azkaban or his dad 's job or the Ministry interpreter at Hogwarts. blush wine, Amanda, and even Kaden were focusing on their studying. John was playing with his quill feather. Suddenly, he stood up.

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

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

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

"That was weird,"blush wine said once the two boys left.

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

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

Albus had assumed that this would be a prank that would do itself known right away, as near of lav and Kaden 's frivolity worked that way. But by the next first light affair seemed perfectly fine at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'hair was still normal semblance and everything seemed becalm and quiet. John and Kaden kept grinning at each other, so Albus was sure they 'd done something.

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

Albus raised his supercilium questioningly at St. John and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"John asked.

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

Albus started laughing."Seriously ?"

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

"That 's whizz,"Albus said. Gospel According to John and Kaden 's pranks were most definitely improving over the age.

"What 's genius ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see mat nudging a first base twelvemonth over so that he could sit down in side by side to John.

"Madam Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

mat nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to continue longer, but I told her I needed to canvas. Why are these two geniuses ?"

"We did our buffoonery on the Slytherins,"John explained and then lowered his spokesperson."Itching pulverisation in their laundry. The house-elves helped."

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

"Nope, it 's not likely,"lav said."So, what should we do today ?"

"Study."

Albus looked up once More and saw that this time Rose and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with record book and stacks of sheepskin. They wore identical looks of determination.

"You 're all studying. All day,"Rose continued."examination are in a month and none of us are prepared. The election happened, it sucked, but it 's over. naught can be done. Albus, you 've been moping about your dad 's job for a hebdomad. John, Kaden, I 'm shape that you do well this year. lusterlessness, the full lunar month is over. All four of you are studying from now until exams."

"Aw, rose wine, c'mon-"

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

rosiness and Amanda left in a brandish of parchment and books, leaving Albus and the other boys to stare at each other open-mouthed. Albus knew his first cousin was very academic and placed a high value on her own education, but never before had she staged an interposition for his studying.

"She 's lost her mind,"whoremaster said."If she 's like this now, what will occur next twelvemonth for O.W.L.s ?"

"Do n't say that word !"James shouted from down the table.

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

That was true, Albus thought. He and his friends quickly finished their breakfast and hurried up to the program library, realizing once they arrived that they did n't have got any of their books. They ran up to their dormitory room to retrieve them and made it to the library five min later than pink wine insisted they be there.

rosebush and Amanda had shoved two tables together and had spread all their books out over them. Madam Pince was sitting behind the circulation desk, looking at them curiously, as if she could not remember a prison term someone had frequented the library that early. The rest of the tables were deserted.

"What 's with the excess president ?"Albus asked as he dumped his Holy Writ onto the tabular array."There 's only six of us."

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

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the entirely Elsie we know,"rosiness said."She needs aid perusing and I 'm her tutor."

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

"And she needs help, can,"rosebush said with a sigh."I 've been tutoring her all year and I 'm not going to bar now."

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

Albus had n't thought of that. Of course, rose wine had n't had any hazard getting Elsie to speak all twelvemonth, so chances were slim that he and the other son would ingest winner.

"Honestly, you lot are far too focused on Malfoy,"pink wine said."You 've hardly studied all yr. Just sit down and pop reviewing Transfiguration. I 've made study guides for every case. You should have them at your spots."

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

"Wow, thanks rose wine,"Albus said. The rest of the group muttered their agreement.

rosebush smiled."See ? It was a good thought. Now, we 'll canvass until lunch and then have a break."

dejeuner was about two hours away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his Transfiguration book and settled in with that and the survey guide. It took him about a half hr to work through misdirection, but soon his idea was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the library quickly filled up. fifth and seventh old age seemed the most delirious about finding tabular array and searching the stacks, but students from every year and every house were present. Madam Pince spent the morning time weaving throughout the mesa and looking over everyone 's shoulders to make sure they were working on schooltime work. With exams so near, the program library was now closed to everyone who was n't going to revise.

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

Once pink wine noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the for the first time yr over. Elsie seemed less queasy now that Rose knew she was there, but she still avoided eye contact as she sat down and pulled her Koran out of her bag. rose wine whispered something in her ear and she began reading her charms book.

Albus sighed and returned to his own work. Getting Elsie Willinson to let the cat out of the bag was going to be much more difficult than he thought.
***


pink wine 's revision sitting continued throughout the calendar month of May. Albus did n't like to admit it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't certain he would pass his examination if it were n't for pink wine. As the month progressed, the sessions grew both in distance and the number of participants. By the end of the initiative workweek their study group had grown to include James, Ben, Cedric, and their acquaintance Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James I missed a few sessions for Quidditch exercise, but as the Quidditch final examination Drew finisher, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as important as studying. Omar Nelson Bradley and Heather were becoming Sir Thomas More and more unquiet about the final examination, since it would determine whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few points behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the final, they would most likely win the cup as well.

The match took situation a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more nervous than he had been for a Quidditch equal in ages. The match itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the live on fourth dimension he played with heather and Fred as the other chaser on Gryffindor 's squad. Next yr he 'd have two new chaser and that was going to be incredibly strange.

Albus headed down to breakfast before his admirer and encountered a few particularly itchy Slytherins on his way. Giggling to himself and enjoying the fact that John and Kaden 's joke was still going on, workweek later, he entered the Great Hall. On his way to the Gryffindor table, he was distracted by the sight of Malfoy, speaking with Felix Willinson, while carrying an all-night bag.

decision making that breakfast could waitress, Albus crept over to the Slytherin board and attempted to hunker down behind a few seventh years. Unfortunately the Great residence was too garish for proper eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always have an extendible Ear on his soul from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to look at his face. He looked terrible. His eyes were red and it looked like he had n't slept in days. Very foreign, Albus thought, as he rose to be Malfoy out of the room.

Once in the Entrance mansion, Malfoy immediately ran up the stairway, going far too fast for Albus to follow. Albus stood side by side to the door to the Great Hall thinking about what Malfoy 's activeness meant.

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

Albus did n't note Malfoy to his friends when they came down to breakfast a few minutes later. As a great deal as Albus wanted to talk about it with them, he knew that he needed to put it out of his mind for the duration of the match. If there was ever a match for Albus not to be distracted, this was it.

The nerves on the squad were palpable as they stood waiting to take the air onto the sales talk. Fred did n't even give a actor's line, since everyone knew how important the compeer was, both to Fred and Heather.

Ravenclaw had a good Quidditch squad. They were easily the secure team in the school, although almost Gryffindors would differ. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this match, causing them to recreate fiercer than ever before.

Albus flew faster than he ever had before. He, Fred, and Heather had always worked very well together, but during this compeer it almost seemed like they were one entity, sharing one head. Albus 's intact mind was focused on Quidditch and Quidditch only. Gone were the cerebration of his dad 's job, Laurentis, and Malfoy.

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

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

Albus could n't even hear the commentary over the thunderous applause of the spectators. professor Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup high over his headland and was making his way through the crowd to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to ling. Each held one English and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the pitch and Albus was sept up in the crowd, making it difficult to reach his squad. Once he did, somebody snapped their picture.

Albus was the glad he 'd felt in workweek, ever since his squad won the Dueling tourney. It was his third year on the Quidditch team and they finally won the Cup. But he was even more glad for Fred and Heather than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the team since their second year and had never won the Cup.

Heather had rip streaming down her nerve and Fred was grinning wider than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a calling in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their lifetime for the past six years. Winning the Cup in their seventh year seemed more poignant than it would have winning it any other year. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's team was still as good as it was now when he got to one-seventh year. Winning again in his last year would be the best feeling in the world.
***


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

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

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she make love ?"

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

"fountainhead, I just found out why he left,"rose said as she set down the vaticinator."His grandfather passed away."

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

"One in the same,"rose wine said."His necrology is in there."

"Why were you reading the obituary ?"lusterlessness asked.

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

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

"And that howler he got month ago,"Kaden added.

Albus glanced at the obituary but did n't read it. As much as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't help but sense sorry for him. Albus could n't imagine what it would be like to lose his grandfather, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious faults, he was still Scorpius 's grandfather.

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

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

"Is n't anyone else a bit taken up with the fact that Moaning Vinca minor knew about him leaving the castle ?"Matt asked."She never leaves her loo. We saw Malfoy going into her loo a few week ago. Does n't that seem a bit too coinciding ?"

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

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

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

"Sounds like we need to pay a sojourn to Myrtle,"Albus said.

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

"We 're not going to bother Malfoy,"Albus said."We 're just going to talk to Myrtle."

"Count me out,"rose said, shaking her head.

"But you 're a girlfriend,"Albus pointed out."You could get in there so much easier. Amanda ?"

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

"We 'll go at nighttime, then,"Albus decided."whoremaster, Kaden, matt ? Which of you is going with me ?"

"Not me,"matte said immediately.

"I 'll go,"St. John the Apostle said.

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

Albus may induce been mad, but he could n't let this mystery go. His gut was telling him that Malfoy was up to something, despite his grandfather 's loss, and Albus was determined to receive out what it was.


A/N : Sorry that the update is a day late ! I was really busy yesterday and did n't throw a fortune to update. Thanks for all the lovely reviews ! I am very behind on answering them, but I 'll finish eventually !


The plan to talk to Myrtle in the dead of night may have been a plan that belonged solely to Albus and can, but rose wine still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. Exams were now only a workweek away and Rose was only giving them one night off, for residual and clearing tenseness from the brain. Neither Albus or bathroom dared mark rosebush and skip over out on revision, which took lieu in the depository library until curfew and then in the common way until they all went to bed.

Their one nighttime off occurred the night before their first exam. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a entire calendar week, but none of the fifth or seventh class were taking any nights off, including James. Despite Rose 's press that he take a night off, James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and Saint John spent the evening performing cheat with Kaden. Matt had turned in early, still tired from the full moon, which had taken place two twenty-four hour period earlier. rosiness and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory, clearly set upon having some time away from the boys.

The common way emptied as the nighttime progressed, and eventually John and Albus were the entirely ones left. It had n't taken long since nearly multitude went to bed too soon because of exams. It was probably fairly unintelligent of Albus and can to stay up so late, but neither of them cared.

They waited an extra fifteen mo in guinea pig somebody decided to give to the vulgar room, but no one did. Albus glanced at John and then pulled the Invisibility Cloak and the Marauder 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the table. The coast was clear.

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

"Do n't ask me to let you in when you return,"she said."I 'm rather exhausted."

The Fat Lady was always threatening this but she never seemed to prepare dependable on any of her threats. Ignoring her, Albus and John set off along the corridor. John led the way while Albus kept his eyes glued to the Map, but the corridors remained empty. It seemed everyone, both bookman and prof, were getting a commodity Nox 's rest before exams. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning Myrtle was the only occupier of the second story girl 's basin. bathroom quietly pushed the room access open and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is proper arm.

"Myrtle ?"John shouted as he stepped into the room.

A splashing strait came from the last cubicle and then Vinca minor 's ghostly soma floated through the closed stall room access."Boys ? Why do n't you go use your own-"Myrtle cut herself off with a giggle. She floated toward Albus and King John and rested on the sink."Oh, it 's you. Albus Potter. And his friend lavatory. Where 's flatness ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that lustrelessness 's absence would n't put Myrtle off from talking to them.

On the contrary, myrtle 's side lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awful today myself. It 's a side outcome of dying, you know."

Albus did n't remember dying had any face outcome other than dying and had always assumed being a ghost would n't be atrocious, but myrtle was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Myrtle asked."You never chat me unless you 're in hold. It 's rather let down. No one ever thinks to jaw poor Vinca minor. Oh, myrtle 's dead, they think, so she does n't ask any visitant. Vinca minor does n't need any friends ! All because she 's dead !"

"No, Vinca minor, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a fille 's loo. We can only visit you now, in the midsection of the night."

Myrtle let out a flashy sigh."I suppose. You are n't the only male child who talk to me, you know. Some of them even dare come during the day. I suppose they 're a bit braver than you are, which is odd since they are n't Gryffindors."

Albus glanced at John. Maybe this was going to be promiscuous than he thought. Myrtle probably did n't have any loyalty to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a step closer to myrtle.

"I only know one of their name,"myrtle said with a giggle."I know his name because his father used to make out and let the cat out of the bag to me when he was in school. But his son is n't quite as talkative and he did n't seem to worry at all about me or my death. He only wanted to know about the Chamber of Secrets-"

"The sleeping room of Secrets ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpius Malfoy wanted to know about the chamber of Secrets ?"

Myrtle brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to know exactly where the entree was. He 'd already done quite a bit of research on it in the subroutine library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so much time in the program library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the Chamber and I told him about my decease and he did n't quite interpret the link at start. So I showed him the entryway and told him that he had to utter like a Hydra to get in but he could n't figure it out."

"He tried to utter Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Myrtle nodded."Sounded dreaded. Your dad was much better at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the struggle of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly awful at it. That 's when I met the other boy. Scorpius left and came back a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. later with this other boy. He showed him the ingress and then they started talking about this lady friend named Elsie and the other boy thought that she would be able to afford the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The early boy must possess been Felix Willinson.

"Two week ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the Chamber of mystery ? He refused to distinguish me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his promontory."We want to know, too."

"Well,"Myrtle began as she floated up to the roof."Please tell me when you find out. And next time, make sure that lustrelessness comes to visit, too."

"Er, certainly,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"myrtle said."You 're going to leave now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."test tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John and they left. On the way back Albus explained the sleeping room of secret to john, who only knew the office by name. By the meter they returned to the plebeian elbow room Saint John was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to want to get into the chamber of secret.

"Do you think Elsie Willinson can speak Parseltongue ?"lav asked as they climbed through the portrait yap ( the Fat Lady had not refused them entry ).

"I do n't know,"Albus said."It 's very rare. I think we 're going to have to ask Rose."

"Bet she 'll get laid that, in the middle of exams,"John said with a laugh.
***


"Of course I have no idea if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"Rose exclaimed the next day during their lunch open frame in between examination. Albus had just finished explaining what myrtle had told them finally nighttime, as well as explaining the Chamber of Secrets for mat, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you for certain she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"positive degree ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your mind. It 's exam hebdomad. It 's not the time to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't bear upon you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a matter for his curiosity. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything sound.

"They 're up to something, Rose,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

rose groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"King James I shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's rump."Did you see the Prophet this morning ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, Matt, and John had both slept too late to have breakfast before their first test.

Henry James slapped a copy down on the table in front of Albus."That bloke, Robert Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's blank space ? He 's revamped the entire section, claiming that they 're going to hold a 99 % capture rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the paper."That 's crazy."

JOHNSON REVAMPS AUROR department

Newly appointed Head Auror, Robert
President Johnson, has spent the past tense month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
Department. Johnson has rewritten
regulation and ordinance for the department
as well as reorganized how Aurors
employment together. All Aurors have
attended workshops over the past month
to familiarize themselves with the
new rule and policies.

'The hope is that we will be able to
seizure criminals faster and easier ,'
Dr. Johnson said. 'The department has
been disorganized for days and this
has resulted in many criminals going
free for far yearner than they should.
Between the new Auror department policies
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be able to capture
more criminals and hold on them where they
belong- behind stripe .'

While Johnson did not go into particular
of the insurance and rules, stating that
these are sealed document, he assured
the wizarding public that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new policies I do n't see why
we should n't accept a 99 % capture rate
within a year .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % capture pace ?"Albus asked after setting the newspaper publisher down.

"No mind,"James said."But I thought you 'd want to see it. I 've got to go. Transfiguration practical this good afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the modification actually were,"Albus said as his blood brother left.

"They ca n't,"Rose said."The newspaper is proper about that."

"It 's not like the section was awful when Dad was in charge,"Albus continued."He captured Johnny Reb, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting Matt 's dad with that,"rosebush commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not fair,"lustrelessness said.

"No, it 's not,"rosiness said as she glanced at her sentinel."We 'd better get going. History of legerdemain exam."

Albus found it incredibly unmanageable to focus on his account of Magic exam, and while he was fairly sure he passed it, he knew he had n't done well. There was just too much to focalise on. Between Malfoy and the Auror Department, the hold up things Albus wanted to think about were goblin insurrection and whale wars.

Later that Nox rosebush held another cogitation session in the subroutine library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent to a greater extent prison term staring at the predator 's Map and figuring out the Best way to bring up the subject of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any actual studying, but rosebush did n't appear to notice.

The following two Clarence Day were nearly monovular to the first day of exams, with the elision of the subjects they were tested on. exam in the cockcrow, lunch, exam in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The monotony was starting to get on Albus 's nervus, but they were only halfway through exam week.

Elsie Willinson did n't show up to the report session Wednesday evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to bring up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with her, no matter how in effect it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions notes while glancing at the Marauder 's Map every so often.

"Albus, what exactly are you looking for ?"blush wine asked.

Albus did n't really want to say because he knew blush wine would just turn over her eyes, but he also knew she would n't let go of the subject until he explained."Malfoy. He 's going to go back to the missy 's loo, and when he does, I want to follow him."

"That would be stupid,"pink wine said."Look at the past three years. You 've gotten yourself involved with something stupe at the end of every year. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

rosiness had a pointedness, Albus knew, but he did n't like."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to kidnap me."

"Famous end words,"Rose muttered."He 's probably just in his vulgar room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the plebeian room. Albus 's inwardness sped up as he checked the rest of the Map. It took him a while, but then he spotted Malfoy 's dot, making its way down the second floor corridor. He was accompanied by none other than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

"He 's going,"Albus said."And he 's got Felix and Elsie with him. I 'm following him and you ca n't contain me."

rosebush groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the rest of his friends."Are any of you coming with me ?"

"I am."Albus was shocked to see that the voice belonged to Amanda. Usually Amanda agreed with Rose.

"Amanda, really ?"Rose asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a break from studying and I 'm just as rummy as Albus is."

"Count me out,"Matt muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you last clip,"lavatory said with a grin.

lustrelessness turned even redder."I 'd rather not bang that."

"We 're in,"whoremonger said, speaking for himself and Kaden.

"You 've got an time of day,"rose wine said."If you 're not back by then I 'm sending Professor Longbottom after you."

"We 'll be back,"Albus said as he stood up. As if to further convince Rose of this, he left his record book sitting on the table. privy, Kaden, and Amanda did the same.

Albus did n't inconvenience with the Invisibility Cloak since it was n't past curfew. They 'd just cause to lurk near the loo until the slide was clear and canary in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually empty and Albus attributed it to the fact that well-nigh of his feller scholar were doing some final minute rescript before the side by side day 's exams. It certainly made it easygoing to sneak into a girlfriend 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'dots entered Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom. They remained there for only a few arcminute, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of enigma,"Albus explained."I bet the Marauders did n't know about it so they could n't consume put it on the Map."

It took another five minutes for Albus, trick, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the door undefended and ran inside. He stopped short in front of the sinks.

One of the sink was gone, having sunk into the story. In its place was a large, pitch pitch blackness pickle. Myrtle was floating above it, her centre bright.

"They did it,"Myrtle said excitedly."Are you going to follow them ?"

"I guess this answers the dubiousness of whether Elsie Willinson can speak snake,"John said.

"Is Matt ill again ?"Myrtle asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an awful lot of the time,"myrtle said."Tell him to make out see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the hole."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to join me."Albus was determined. He 'd come this far and he was n't going to stop now. He needed to figure out what was going on.

"Is it a far cliff ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's more than of a sliding board,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"King John asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"John said.

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

"I 'd go down there even if there was a basilisk in there,"Kaden said."I 'll go first, if you want."

"Be my guest,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can live here,"Myrtle said, giggling."I told Scorpius that and he told me that was another reason why he ca n't die down there. I do n't imagine he likes me."

Albus ignored Myrtle and stepped aside so Kaden could jump into the fix. Kaden did so without a second glimpse.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm fine !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither John or Amanda seemed inclined to go next, so Albus stepped to the very edge of the muddle and looked down. He could n't see a thing. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not opine too hard, he took a deep breathing spell and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being Thomas More of a slide than a drop down. The hole was Thomas More of a sloping pipe and it was n't a bad slide at all. Soon, Albus landed at the fanny and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own wand and took a look around. The space was very wet and it smelled awful. The walls were dripping with muddy water and the flooring was covered in rock 'n' roll, mud, and what looked the likes of old snake peel.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the dripping water.

There was a whooshing noise behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a scream and turned to see it was only John, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"John muttered as he lit his own wand. There was now sufficiency wand brightness to see clearly. The property was creepy. That was the only word for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her wand. Albus and Kaden waited for bathroom and Amanda to read a look around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Does anyone get a line anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed dead silent to Albus.

John the Evangelist shook his head."matt should 've come. We need his werewolf hearing."

Albus nodded in accord."I guess we just follow the pipe. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his verge pointed in front end of him, and they set off. No one spoke. No one made any interference whatsoever. Albus had his capitulum poised to discover even the quietest dissonance, hoping to hear some hint as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt corresponding miles before they heard even the dim of randomness. Albus noticed numerous Hydra skins and the pearl from decades-old animals. Then, just when Albus had a flavor they were reaching the end of the passageway, he heard a voice, clearly, as if it was right next to him.

"Albus ceramicist. well, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the voice. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm evil. Thank you for all the wonderful recap ! I will respond to them, but I 've been quite busy lately.

And now I 'll take a few second to brag. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's event for The Casual vacuum. I got to run across her and get a sign on written matter of the book ! It was absolutely vex. I blogged about it on the forum, so please check it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that voice in over a year and role of him thought he would n't ever hear it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the vocalism. He pointed his lit wand in its direction and saw that there was a very small opening to his left hand. It appeared to be another pipe, but one much smaller than the one he and his friends had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to make believe any noise.

He turned to John, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you consider ?"

"I think we should get out of here,"Kaden said immediately, stepping back."I thought we were just going after Malfoy."

"I bet Malfoy 's down there with him,"toilet said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the pipe. She stuck her head in, making her voice echoey."Why would he derive back here ?"

"Can you see anything ?"Albus asked.

"Not much,"Amanda said, climbing fully into the pipe.

"We should just go back,"Kaden said, his vocalisation wavering. All his bravery from being the number 1 to recruit the sleeping room was gone.

"I do n't lie with,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think prove might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's shrieking. There was a loud splash, a clump, and then more screech. Albus turned quickly back to the pipe. Amanda was gone, a humble pile of rubble in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."Help !"

"What 's happening ?"john asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"well, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipework."C'mon !"

Albus had to bow as he walked in order to fit through the tube. John and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over rocks as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his scepter lighting the few understructure in social movement of him. They followed Amanda 's scream until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the pipage emerged into a pocket-size chamber, not unlike a small version of the bedroom they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the rest of the sleeping room of secret and the far wall contained a metal grate that appeared to let out into the lake. But the water was n't going through it.

Albus 's care, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake water supply. Instead, his eyes drew to the solicitation of people scattered throughout the chamber. He breathed a sigh of fill-in when he saw Amanda, in the clutch bag of Jarrett Willinson, who had his wand pointed at her head. Albus was just happy they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit regretful for wear. Azkaban did n't appear to have agreed with him and he now looked far older than his betimes twenties.

Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a death handle on her crony 's helping hand. Scorpius stood succeeding to them and he seemed very upset. The only one who seemed at all OK with the situation was Felix, whose face seemed to be coming from his baby 's clasp on his mitt, not on the situation.

Albus did n't agnise the early three adult at first. Then he remembered their film from the Prophet. The unforesightful woman was Dolores Umbridge, her grayness hair greatly resembling a beehive around her head. Her skin was deeply wrinkled and she did n't much resemble the individual in the photograph, but her eyes and bizarre grin were the same. The other woman was about a foot taller and just as ugly. Her hair was stringy and mostly dark-brown, with bar of Grey. Her nose was long, crooked, and boasted a large verruca, giving her the look of a classic Muggle 's rendering of a witch. All that was missing was the cat valium skin. The man resembled her, although he was shorter and more dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, Potter ?"Scorpius asked, clearly trying to sound more sure-footed than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the head. And I can only assumed they followed you three. Whether it was intentional on your office, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpius demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your Church Father wanted and then you did part of what we wanted. And therein lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His eyes went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to envision out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's Father-God asked him to do ?

"I never said I 'd do what you wanted us to do,"Malfoy muttered, averting his gaze.

"And yet you did."Jarrett sneered.

"But I did n't want to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his verge out of his robes and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his arms so that he could manoeuver his verge at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is miserable. I do n't care taking advantage of tenuous children, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not thin !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just lost your grandfather,"Jarrett said."You 're fragile. So is your Father-God, and he 's well-fixed to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that peak Elsie started crying. It started out as small snivel but within ten second base blew up into loud sobs. Everyone in the room turned to gaze at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be quiet,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to leave, Felix !"Elsie sobbed."I did n't want to do this. You know I did n't want to do this !"

"You did n't sustain a alternative, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just explain what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even sound, let go of Amanda so we can get out of here and let you lot get back to whatever it is you 're doing ?"

Jarrett laughed."Oh, she 's not going anywhere. You three are devoid to go out. I really do n't care what the the pits you do."

Albus exchanged glance with John Lackland and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to impart, of course, but Albus was utterly confused. For the past times four age Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to abduct him and now, all of a sudden, they wanted Amanda ? They 'd never wanted her before.

"Oh, you have n't put it together yet, have you ceramicist ? I thought you were smarter than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the peak Minister 's niece, who happens to be a witch. She 's currently the best bargaining cow dung I could possibly accept. I only wish I 'd known about her earlier, but thanks to your uncle the entire wizarding humans knows she 's the Prime minister of religion 's niece. I must thank that newsman.

"thrower, do you make how bad Laurentis would take care if anything happened to the Muggle Prime Minister 's niece a little over a month after she took office ? And just Clarence Day after her appointed promontory Auror revolutionized the section ? Oh, it would attend awe-inspiring, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit cockeyed until the Aurors get here and then I 'll make my need and the Aurors will give in because if they do n't, I 'll kill the prime quantity Minister 's niece."

Albus 's mouth fell open. He stared at Jarrett, whose grin resembled that of a individual who just won the drawing. Amanda looked terrified, her middle darting everywhere and a few stray tears running down her cheeks.

"Of grade you can result, thrower,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the other Aurors. It 'll only bring them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry official anymore, ceramist. It wo n't be as big of a crime if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't front like someone equal to of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an fluid mental patient than a dangerous witch. But the Carrows, they looked adequate to of murder. As for Quinton, he was n't much of a threat. Still, Albus, John Lackland, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we leave ?"Malfoy asked, his voice wavering."Or at least me ?"

"Because I might necessitate you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll come back. I know you did n't make for us the girl. She came with Potter, following you."

"Why does it weigh ?"Malfoy asked."The point is she 's here now."

"I do n't retrieve you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're right, I would n't ! And do you want to know why ? I never wanted to help you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all idiots, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their friends, so why would n't he have brought Amanda to Jarrett ?

"Then why are you here, Malfoy ?"

"To help my dad !"Malfoy said, his wand still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't acknowledge you imbecile were going to take in a plot of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the retard. You think we 'd make agreed to his plot if there had n't been something in it for us ? Meaning my son, here. Not these other three. I 'm not sure why they agreed to it. I 'm not even sure Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said a lot of anything since the escape."

"Do you really think you 're going to get anything out of this ?"Malfoy demanded.

"Yes, I do,"Jarrett snapped.

Malfoy narrowed his middle and then whipped around. In a thing of seconds, he sent five consecutive hexes at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their verge, but were too slow. Malfoy sent two More Stunners and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the early.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."Looks like the odds are a little different now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to wrap his psyche around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, Potter,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpio, what is your job ?"Felix asked, breaking costless of his sister 's handle."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do thing his way,"Malfoy said."It 's like I told you at the beginning ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't bed exactly what"this"was, but all that really mattered now was that they were no longer outnumbered.

"The Aurors are coming,"Malfoy said to Albus."If we can just hold them off-"

"How do you fuck the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't weigh now,"Malfoy said as he sent a Stunner at Jarrett.

Albus turned to John Lackland and Kaden."focusing on Quinton and Felix. No offensive activity, but you are n't the best dueler and I do n't want you to hit Amanda."

John Lackland and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to excite off the weird tactile sensation he had from being on Malfoy 's side, and started sending hex after hex at Jarrett. Jarrett, clearly ineffective to duel while holding Amanda, threw up a shield and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to keep going, in an attempt to dampen the shield.

Albus heard a trashy crash and turned to his right. rubble was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a bombastic Boulder had fallen from the ceiling and had landed on top of the female person Carrow.

"I think she 's dead,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed hard. Death had never crossed his idea when he 'd total down here. Trying to promote it from his thoughts, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't shit out and Albus turned just in time to see him land against the paries. Albus ran over and knelt next to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an dire headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't return asleep,"Albus said."Stay awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five adept stumbled through the pipe, their wands out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't accredit the vocalisation."nobody relocation !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the foremost one said as he walked around the room."flavor like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no lieu to take in demands,"the initiative Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the tobacco pipe and let out a sigh of reliever. His dad had been the twenty percent Auror to arrive."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital wing. Now."

Harry knelt down succeeding to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll have this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll take him."

"Let go of the female child, Willinson,"the first Auror said. He took a few tone forward and Albus was able to see the slope of his aspect. It was Robert Johnson, the new Head Auror.

"She 's the Prime Minister 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be careful, or I 'll kill her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"Johnson said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a huge scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's sake,"Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's sceptre flew in a perfect arc out of his script and Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to parry the spell, but still keep on handgrip of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the flooring. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught custody of her, directing her to sit next to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured ropes and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a word and none of them questioned any of the suspects. If Albus had n't known any beneficial, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to find down here. It was all very confusing.

LBJ and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed handgrip of the felon and took them out of the chamber. Harry was left with Albus and the rest period of the pupil.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my suspicions, but unfortunately I do n't have any proof,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the hospital wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd group out of the sleeping room and back to the pipe that led to Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom. Once there, he pointed his wand at the pipe and it turned into stairs. A few minutes later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few times at the bright lights and then his eyes rested upon Myrtle, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he dead ?"Myrtle gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Myrtle seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."infirmary wing."
***


Albus had no existent reason to stay in the infirmary wing. After muttering about how Albus and his friends were always getting into trouble, Madam Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfective tense health. John, Amanda, Scorpio, Felix, and Elsie were also amercement. Kaden, on the other hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to slumber. Albus, John, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. blush wine and matt joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well preceding curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to Madam Pomfrey, but promised to return in a few 60 minutes. That had been three hours ago and Albus was still waiting for him to come back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the stallion ordeal to Matt and Rose, who both agreed that Malfoy 's behavior was very strange.

The doors to the infirmary wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. dame Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her subject area.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like someone ran my fountainhead over with a truck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll feel better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the prisoners to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for certain. The official track record is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the prisoners are explaining why they were in the sleeping accommodation of mystery or how they got in."

"When we were down there, Malfoy kept saying he was doing something for his dad, but he never said what it was,"Albus said.

"That helps sustain my theory,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpius Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by Draco Malfoy to find a worthy location to house the prisoner for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to bewitch them. This, of line, had to be done after the Auror Department was reorganized by Robert Johnson, in order to make both him and Laurentis look good. If Laurentis looks good, genus Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Dragon Malfoy knew where the prisoners were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"Rose began."You do n't recollect that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my brain,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no test copy. Nor do I have proof of my hypothesis about Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is utterly, Dolores Umbridge is clinically harebrained, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow question Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his founder. So, for now at least, this will remain a theory."

"But Dad, it 's illegal,"Albus said.

"It is,"Harry replied."Do n't worry about it, Albus. The captive are back in Azkaban, which is all that matters right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. Worrying will do nothing. In my experience, people who are corrupt like this are never able to keep on it a secret long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpius ?"Amanda asked."Why did he throw sides like that ?"

"Scorpius Malfoy has had a rough twelvemonth. His grandfather has been quite ill for a long time, which has put stress on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his father and then when it came sentence for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get hold of Amanda, he realized he did n't want to be involved, not would his begetter have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in bother ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the record is concerned, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the captive just as you lot did."

"That does n't seem fair,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other hand, I think Scorpius Malfoy deserves a break this twelvemonth. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past few months. You might find that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll believe that when I see it,"lustrelessness muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the screaming Shack, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm glad he chose the Chamber of Secrets."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"I have to return to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the paper tomorrow, although I have no estimate what eccentric of story they 're going to whirl or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't occupy it too hard. Please do not advert my possibility to anyone. The last thing we need is an article in the seer claiming that Harry Potter is a conspiracy theorist."

Albus laughed and said honest night to his dad. brothel keeper Pomfrey let them slumber in the hospital annexe that night, considering how late it was. Kaden, of course, had to remain wake. Albus was surprised by how soft sleep came, considering what he 'd been through that Nox, but it was nearly two in the forenoon. He realized with a sinking tone that he still had exams the next day. Herbology and Ancient runic letter. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The next chapter will the last in this novel. I 'm not sure as shooting when the fifth novel will be up since I have yet to get up with a concrete patch for it. I 'm going to take a breakage to write former stories that I 've had in my head for a while.

It 's the end of Oct, which means it 's nearly NaNoWriMo season ! I 'll be continuing to update Between Here and Somewhere throughout November, as well as posting the last chapter of this future Fri. But you wo n't see much else from me until December, as I 'll be meddling writing an original fic.


Albus, John, and matte overslept the succeeding morning. Albus awoke ten minutes before their Herbology exam and had to fire up up Saint John the Apostle and flatness, which is never a diminished feat. It took a full five mo to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing broad well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his head was on Herbology. He could n't stop thinking about what happened last night.

The boys ran into greenhouse three five minutes late and as soon as they shut the room access the stallion socio-economic class looked up from their exams and stared at them. Albus got the distinct feeling that they all knew about last night, whether from hearsay or from the prophesier. Professor Longbottom got up from his stool and walked over to them.

"Boys,"he said quietly.

"I 'm sorry we 're late, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's okay. I know what happened last Night. Just go take your tooshie. Your exams are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very grateful that Herbology had been the exam he was recent for. Longbottom was the most understanding professor in the full schoolhouse. Albus settled down and managed to deal the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few dubiousness that he was n't sure about, he was quite confident that he at to the lowest degree passed.

By the clock time the exam period ended Albus was starving, as were can and Matt. They, along with Rose and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great hallway for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the distinct flavor that everyone was staring at them.

"You should 've been at breakfast,"Amanda said."Everyone was talking about it and they kept coming over and asking me motion. There were a caboodle of hoi polloi crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the Prophet ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"rosiness said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the newspaper and set it down on his home base. John and Matt sat on either slope of him and read over his shoulder.

yardbird CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed oral sex Auror, Robert
Lyndon Baines Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late last night that led him and four
early Aurors to Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and genius. The tip
told Aurors that escaped convicts
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the Chamber
of Secrets deep under Hogwarts School.

The sleeping room of Secrets, long since
regarded as a rumored hidden chamber
beneath the schoolhouse was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The Chamber has
remained empty since then.

All four escaped convicts, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a year
by the Auror section, were found in
the Chamber of enigma by Robert Johnson
and four other Aurors. Amycus Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores Umbridge
have been returned to Azkaban prison.
Jarrett Willinson is currently being held
in Azkaban prison without bail bond. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced dead by Healers
late last night, after the ceiling in
the Chamber collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts students were found in the
bedchamber as well. Johnson has released
very small information on this aspect
of the night, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one bookman with the
intentions of killing her if demands were
not met. The names of the students have
not been released.

It is unidentified how the yard bird got into
the shoal. Weaknesses in the protective
wards are currently being addressed. 'We
compliments to reassure the public that Hogwarts
School remains as condom as ever. The trouble
will be come up to quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"unknown how the con got into the schooltime ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the whole thing up !"

"What did you carry, Albus ?"Rose asked, shaking her head."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new brain Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is make up chronicle to cover up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably right,"blush wine said.

"Who 's right wing ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"rosebush said.

"have you seen this rubbish ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't care right now. I just want a sandwich. The divination examination was brutal. I had to tell Trelawney 's futurity in tea leaves."

John laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to fit an untimely Death at the handwriting of a stray Quaffle,"Kaden said.

blush wine groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her huge oculus lit up and everything."

"She likes death, Trelawney,"John said."Or at least the conception of it."

"Weird,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining exams took billet with little flash. Despite his idea not being on the material, he thought he did fairly well, and when the fool were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His Transfiguration Day St. Mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts pupil, with their short-change retention twosome, soon forgot about the walloping in the bedroom of Secrets and moved on to other topics of treatment such as the summer vacation and the current Quidditch time of year. Albus certainly did n't mind this because it meant he was no longer the centre of attention of tending. Despite the fact that the Prophet never released the names of the student in the Chamber, everyone knew it was Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"flavor, Laurentis has released a statement about capturing the prisoners,"Rose said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be good. Let 's see it."

“'I wish to applaud the Auror section for their employment in recapturing the remaining turn tail criminal. The timely recapture after the reorganization of the section only reinforces how significant a decision it was to reorganise. With the new regulation and insurance policy in the Auror Department, organized by Henry Martyn Robert Samuel Johnson, the Aurors were able-bodied to capture the felons immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to more success from the Auror Department .'”

"What a loading of bull,"Albus said."Of course they were able-bodied to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the con to be in the chamber in the 1st place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"flatness began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an easy secret to keep, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to do a speech,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the faculty table.

Professor Embry stood up and raised his hired hand for secrecy. This did zippo, of form."Quiet !"Embry shouted."I have something I 'd like to say.

"Thank you,"he said, after everyone stopped talking."I just want to say what a pleasure it has been to teach you all this year. I never expected to teach and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my course as much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a greater taste and understanding of our government. Today is my final stage day at Hogwarts, as the political science course will not bear on next yr, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't hesitate to owl me if you wish to incur a turn of the Ministry for academician purposes. I daresay that a few of you might have got careers in politics yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire room salvo into applause. Albus was n't sure enough if the clapping was for Embry or for the fact that politics would no longer be a class. Albus had n't minded the form, but one fewer form was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about politics this year, all right,"bathroom muttered as the applause settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"Cheers to that !"Jesse James shouted from a few hind end down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all storm to get word Amanda say that. If any of his acquaintance were to turn politician, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts graduation observance. He and rosiness had attended every unity graduation ceremony since starting Hogwarts, and one the year before, too. It had gotten to the point in time where he did n't pay a lot tending to the speeches because they all sounded very similar to the ones he 'd heard before. During this ceremony, the only part Albus paid attention to was the portion where Fred and heather mixture accepted their diploma, which took all of two minutes.

"Well, we survived,"Albus said to Empire State of the South after the ceremony ended and everyone was milling around.

Georgia grinned."That we did. It 's kind of surreal, to be dependable. Dad did n't win, so things are no different than they were this time last twelvemonth, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Sir Henry Percy doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not sure. He does n't talk about it much. Actually, the Wyrd thing is that whenever I go over there for dinner he spends a lot of time asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to prevent me from asking about his want of usage, but I 'm not going to quetch. Maybe he 'll even learn to like it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the lack of employment."

"He still has n't found a job ?"Albus asked.

"No. He could go back to the Ministry but he 'd have to do something where he 's not an actual political leader, since Laurentis would n't take him. I do n't think he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George IV with the shop, but I do n't remember Uncle George really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessive. But he 's too dainty to tell Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"rose wine shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to rosiness and then turned back to Georgia."I 'd better go. Let me know when your succeeding compeer is. I want to go."

Georgia grinned."trusted thing. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, Georgia,"Albus said as he turned to follow Rose back to the castling, where they would see the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to King John 's theater this yr,"flatness said as the Hogwarts Express hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"trick asked, unwrapping a Chocolate Frog."I mean, really, are you ? You want to fare to my house, where I have three sick little sis running about ?"

flatness shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the unseasoned in his family,"lavatory said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's right,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one footling sister. Wait a bit, matt 's the merely one of us who does n't stimulate immature sib, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All rightfield,"John said."Let 's dedicate Matt a genuine sense of what having lots of sib is like. I 'll owl you and let you know when."

"Exploding picnic ?"Kaden asked, holding up a pack of cards of cards.

"Sure,"Matt said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to dish out the bill of fare, but before he finished, the compartment door slid overt. Albus, expecting one of his first cousin, turned to the door. It slid candid the repose of the way and Malfoy stood on the threshold, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you want ?"whoremonger asked.

"Er, can I just babble to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping interior and sliding the room access behind him.

"Where 's Willinson ?"Albus asked, standing up.

"He 's no longer speaking to me,"Malfoy explained."After I hexed his uncle and as he put it, 'joined the other slope .'”

"What about Elsie ?"Rose asked, clearly concerned about the fille.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said very much around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"Saint John the Apostle asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the sleeping accommodation ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really good with spoken language so she was able to falsify it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few here and now of inept silence. Malfoy shifted his weight and leaned against the door.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This year sucked and I got caught up in a lot of things that I did n't want to do, which is exactly what happened to my dad when he was at Hogwarts."

Albus was utterly confused as to why Malfoy was telling them all of this. He exchanged looks with mat and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not Charles Frederick Worth it anymore,"Malfoy continued."Hating you lot. I know it was you who somehow got itching powder into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a minuscule too quickly.

"And we know you put the goat in the common room,"john added.

Malfoy nodded."As I was saying, it just does n't matter. Any of it."He turned to Matt."And I do n't care that you 're a loup-garou. Really. Sure, it 's uncanny and I have no idea why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't hesitate to hex you, you know,"St. John said, reaching into his robes for his wand.

Malfoy held up his script."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should promise a truce."

"A truce ?"Albus asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, a truce,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this year. It makes all this fighting we do appear really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be friend, are you ?"John the Divine asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his human face."God no. I 'm saying you lot stop only pranking the Slytherins, do n't enjoin anyone that I dueled on your side in the Chamber, and I wo n't secern anyone Eckerton is a werewolf. I 'll really call that, without any scourge of expulsion."

Albus was questioning. Could the death of Lucius Malfoy really move this change in Scorpius ?

"C'mon, cease-fire ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his hand out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"Rose said."We 've got O.W.L.s next year. You do n't need this stupid person feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"Fine, armistice,"Albus said, shaking Scorpius 's hand.

Malfoy nodded."I guess I 'll go, then. See you around, Potter."

Malfoy turned and left the compartment. Albus did n't prompt for a full-of-the-moon minute."That was the strangest thing I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't suppose any of us will ever broad understand what happened there,"Rose said."But I think it 's a good thing."

"Weird, though,"matte said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder matter was, was that Albus did actually conceive him. There had been something in Malfoy 's eyes that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed older somehow. He was no retentive a kid, whose biggest worry was arguing with Albus over dullard affair. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all grown up that class. They were going to be fifth years now, and Kaden would be a fourth year, and that meant they were the older scholarly person in the shoal. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"shuffling me inquire what next yr will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this year has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"rosebush reminded them."I think it 'll be plenty strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't want Hogwarts to change. Despite all that was going on in the outside macrocosm, Hogwarts had always remained the same. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his tooshie and stared out the windowpane, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't bed what changes Hogwarts would see in the keep abreast class, but he did n't want to think about it just yet. There was still a whole summer before that would befall, and Albus intended to savor it.


A/N : Thank you so much for all the accompaniment and critique for this history ! You guys are amazing. I will be taking a fracture before continuing with this series as I have other stories floating around in my read/write head, but I 'll eventually hail back to Albus. I 've no musical theme how long it 'll be, though.

In the meanwhile, please check out my piranha Era history, Between Here and Somewhere ! And go on checking back for my review answer, because I will get to them.