A/N : Brief author 's note prior to the chapter. This chapter is from teddy bear 's percentage point of view, as I wanted to write the particular of what happened during the mission to capture Limnodromus griseus. An article in the prophesier just would n't do it justice. Hope you enjoy !


shimmy lupin had been a junior Auror for nearly eight months. In that prison term he had n't done much in price of fighting sorry ace, and well-nigh of the missions 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 More than chasing down Dark wizards and saving citizenry 's lives.

It was for this very reason that Teddy had been surprised when his godfather, Harry Potter, had approached him the premature day and told him of his newest assignment. He, Teddy lupin, brand-new Junior Auror, had been assigned to the mission of capturing escaped werewolf, Fenrir Greyback. Johnny Reb, the like werewolf who had infected his father with lycanthropy decades ago. Greyback, one of Britain 's most wanted fugitives.

The mission, Harry had informed him, was very sensitive in nature and had to be handled with circumspection. There was to be no acknowledgment of it to anyone outside of the masses assigned to it. There were very few people assigned to the delegacy and they included Harry himself, the psyche of the Regulation and Control of Magical animal, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to keep an eye on the baby Greyback attacked the previous month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Greyback mission itself.

Harry had explained the details of the mission, including the fact that the unscathed affair had been Albus 's approximation, along with one of his friends, who happened to be the Head of the regulating and Control of Magical fauna 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took Teddy a few minute of arc to wrap his head word around the entire position. To make matter even more insane, Albus 's lycanthrope friend was the brother of chemise 's booster, Amy.

But when it came down to it, all of this meant that shimmy was going on his first real missionary work as an Auror.

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

Disguising himself was teddy 's main effectiveness. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his side so he looked a few days older and his hair so that it was a generic wine Robert Brown semblance rather than its usual aquamarine. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few Lebanese pound. After donning a tattered old cloak, Teddy turned on the topographic point and reappeared in the alley next to Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes.

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

The pub was practically void. There was an old beldame at one of the board, nursing a drink, and a bloke dormancy at the end of the bar. Ron was already there, sitting at a tabular array 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.

teddy ambled up to the bar, deciding at the finis minute that his fake persona should take the air with a hitch. Aberforth was there and teddy ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the usual drink for the Hog 's drumhead, but he needed to keep his pass exculpated for the mission. He took the drink and began to sip it slowly, as he had no melodic theme how long he 'd need to pretend he was n't an Auror.

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

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

"mulct,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry line,"Harry said."power be here a few hours. Could be the whole nighttime. Do you bear in mind ?"

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

"We 'll lock 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 observe him to the backbone board, where Ron and Walter were now crouched over a man of parchment.

Teddy sat down future to Walter and Harry sat next to him. He passed around the Butterbeers while Ron turned the parchment around so chemise and Harry could see it. Teddy recognized it ; it was Albus 's map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Currently, it was magically magnified to show the screeching hut and the yard outside it. Only one dot was there. It was labeled 'Matthew Eckerton'and was stationary in the Shrieking Shack.

"synodic month just rose,"Walter said quietly."Just a waiting biz now."

No one had told him, but shift knew the real reason why he 'd been assigned to this mission, and it had naught to do with his Auror skill. Sure, that had been a summation, but any of the other junior Aurors were just as qualified. And the full Aurors were even more so. The reason was that he was the only when Auror who was related to a wolfman, and thus would n't care that a werewolf 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 font. Walter Eckerton did n't require any risk of his son 's condition being leaked to the public, and putting Harry, Ron, and Teddy on the case would ensure that it would n't.

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

"Fairly certain,"Walter said."loup-garou are attracted to the call option of their own kind and grayback is set on creating his own pack of young werewolf. He spent the hold out full-of-the-moon Sun Myung Moon lurking around the Shrieking Shack, after he attacked those shaver. He knows Matt 's there. He 'll arrive back."

chemise nodded. The transactions 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 stool. Teddy finished his Butterbeer and set it next to the former empty spectacles on the tabular array, wondering if he should go order another or just remain seated.

At eleven o'clock Aberforth woke up the fellow at the bar and had to help him to the door and then physically jostle him out of the pub. He gave a quick 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 wand at his face. His nose returned to its rule physique.

"wellspring, with the Hog 's Head, you never know,"Harry said.

The group settled into silence again. Outside, there was the sound of faint howling. Teddy glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every meter there was a particularly meretricious howl. Harry and Ron sent him charitable looks that chemise tried to mimic. He did n't have any kids so he really had no idea what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

shimmy glanced down at the map and noticed three new dots 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 Johnny ,'but the others were names Teddy did n't recognize.

"George Meredith Jenner and James Clerk Maxwell Jenner,"shift read."Who are they ?"

"They must be other werewolves,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Walter said as he shook his head."Those are the two fry who got bitten finale month."

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

"Mine either,"Bruno Walter said.

"What about the others ?"Ron asked."Newman and the two from the loup-garou control condition unit of measurement ?"

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

"Yeah, well, they 'd have no chance following three werewolves on foundation,"Bruno Walter said.

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

chemise stood and drew his baton. He followed the three older men out of the pub and shut the threshold behind him.

The Hog 's school principal was not far away from the Shrieking shack. Within three hour they arrived and found Paul Newman and the other two wizards attempting to restrain the three werewolves.

"They 're the kids from last calendar month !"one of the werewolf Control whole employees shouted.

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

"We 're trying !"

The two small lycanthrope were currently attempting to attack the Werewolf Control unit of measurement employees and Cardinal Newman, while Greyback seemed to care far more about getting into the Shrieking Shack. He was a much larger wildcat, Second Earl Grey in color, and had bright yellow eyes. He was on the porch, biting at the door, and not paying any care to the mavin around him. It seemed to slip that he had far more control over himself than a normal wolfman.

Walter and Ron joined the wolfman ascendance unit of measurement employees in trying to trammel James Meredith and James Clerk Maxwell. It was a difficult project because they had to do it without hurting them. Teddy was fairly sure that the law would n't care whether the two tike were hurt in the summons, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to Teddy and they walked slowly up the lawn, their scepter out in front of them. If they could just becharm Johnny by surprise then they 'd be capable to conjure some ropes and restrain him before he even knew what was happening.

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

teddy bear and Harry jumped back, sending spells forward as they did so. grayback lunged, the spells not seeming to affect him at all, and made a swipe at Teddy. shift jumped to the side and sent another beauty at Rebel.

Battling a werewolf was very different from battling a champion, Teddy realized. And battling loup-garou had not been covered in education. for certain, they 'd learned and practiced the patch used against wolfman, but they 'd never performed them on actual werewolves. The primary conflict was that wolfman did n't have wands and thus could not redact tour. But at the same sentence, they had teeth, claws, and were much stronger than the average human. Plus there was the fact that one bite would turn you into one forever.

Teddy and Harry took turns sending Stunners at knot and were able-bodied to confuse him enough that he did n't quite recognize who to lash out. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the screech Shack.

Greyback 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 contact lens. teddy bear jumped forward and sent another peach toward Greyback.

Greyback flew backward and slammed into the face room access, his head making a sickening crush as it collided with the doorknob. He slid down the door and landed on the floor, not moving.

Teddy looked at knot and then at Harry, who was getting up from the ground. Teddy had n't even realized that he 'd fallen over.

"Harry, you okay ?"teddy asked.

"Fine,"Harry said."You ?"

Teddy nodded and began to take a few cautious steps toward Greyback. Harry was soon by his position.

"Is he ..."teddy bear began.

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

Teddy felt slightly disappointed. There was a persona of him, a very small role, that wished he 'd killed grayback. Greyback had been the one who 'd made his dad 's spirit miserable, and he 'd viciously assail Victoire 's dad when he was n't even transformed. Yes, shimmy had to admit, there was a component of him that wanted retaliation. A part of him that wanted to be the one who finally killed Fenrir Greyback.

teddy glanced over to the respite of the group, but they 'd finished, too. Walter was currently tying the two werewolf shaver up with forget me drug 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 make a visit to their theatre in a few Day to talk over precautions for adjacent 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 bust in."

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

"fountainhead, at least no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the other werewolf had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the Shrieking Shack by the Werewolf Control Unit employees. Walter and Newman were following them.

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

Walter glanced a the hutch and then turned to Paul Newman."trace. I 've heard that seat has been haunted for eld, long before I moved to this country."

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

"Loud touch,"Newman muttered."Has the spirit division ever looked into it ?"

"Multiple metre,"Walter said."They 're peaceable ghost, 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 werewolf, so he 'd bring forth used to it.

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

Cardinal Newman and Lee, who was one of the werewolf mastery social unit employees, Disapparated on the post. Harry grabbed hold of Greyback and instructed Walter and parking lot, the former loup-garou Control Unit employee, to each subscribe to one of the children. With an exceptionally loud crack, the stallion grouping Disapparated.
***


Each of the werewolves were set up in an interrogation room to wait the remaining time of day until first light. Teddy, along with Walter, had been assigned to keeping sentry on Greyback, Stunning him when requisite. Harry, Ron, Park, and Lee had been assigned to the nipper. Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a lycanthrope were to feature someone there to Stun them every 60 minutes or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"Teddy asked as Bruno Walter Stunned Greyback for the quaternary time."Why do n't citizenry 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 loup-garou 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 effects on plenty, but others wind up ill or with computer memory loss."

"Ca n't say I 'll be too upset if it has any ill effects on him,"Teddy 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 Father-God that my son is able to go to Hogwarts. I know you probably do n't even recollect 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 delight of meeting Albus Dumbledore. I wish I could say I have."

shimmy and Walter lapsed back into secretiveness. Teddy could hardly believe that he was sitting in an enquiry room with the werewolf who had turned his male parent. If only his dad could see him now.

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

shimmy gulped and he hoped Walter could n't hear his spirit beating. He had n't been nearly as spooky about facing grayback as a wolf, but the thought of facing him as a homo was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the succeeding half hour to shoemaker's last forever, but at the same fourth dimension he did n't. It had been a very prospicient day and he wanted to go home and sleep, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a plenty of paperwork ahead.

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

"He ca n't run away. He 's got no wand and there 's anti-Apparition good luck 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."

slip was shanghai. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. Teddy supposed it came from having a son who was a lycanthrope. If shift 's own father had lived, would he throw similar persuasion ?

There were no silencing charms on the interrogatory room. Soon the corridor was filled with howling and was then replaced by unspeakable shrieks. The scream soon gave way to a long stream of profanity.

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

teddy bear had no idea what to look when he entered the room. He 'd only seen pictures of Johnny from the oracle and black-and-white pic never did a soul justice.

Fenrir Greyback was crouched on top of the board, dressed in the vesture that Walter had provided. His grey hair was stringy and matted with dirt and blood, and his face bore several week 's worth of grey whiskers. His aspect was lined with abstruse seam and chemise realized that he had absolutely no estimation how old the man was.

Greyback took a deep sniff as Walter and chemise entered. He grinned and let out a maniac laugh."point of the Department,"he muttered."Guess I 'm popular."

teddy froze, all his training suddenly out the window. He could hardly believe that this man had attacked his father when he was only a child. Fenrir Johnny Reb was far more sinister in person and Teddy felt a pang of sympathy for his Fatherhood as a five-year-old.

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

"We were waiting for you, Greyback,"Bruno Walter said."We knew you 'd refund to Hogsmeade."

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

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

"We 'll see,"Reb replied.

"enough chat,"Walter said, turning to slip."stop him."

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

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

Greyback 's eyes grew wide-cut."Lupin. Any relation back to Remus lupin ?"

"He was my father,"Teddy said proudly.

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

"Fenrir Greyback, you are under arrest,"Teddy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a duad of handcuff and walked over to Limnodromus griseus."You have the right to remain unsounded. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the lycanthrope."If you choose not to be silent, anything you say can be used in your trial. You will consume a tryout. If you can not obtain theatrical, we will incur it for you."

Teddy grabbed Greyback 's arm and pulled him off the board and into a standing place. As he did so, he met the older man 's eyes. They were chicken, arrant yellow, and completely relentless. He looked like the human face of wickedness, as if Greyback had no human soul left. It was in that import that teddy knew for for certain that this werewolf held no law of similarity to his father. Greyback lived to diffuse evil, while Remus Lupin had lived to stop it.

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

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved greyback into a cubicle and locked the room access behind him.

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

Teddy 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 lovely reviews !

The rights chemise read to Greyback are adapted from the Miranda rightfulness, created by the United States Supreme motor lodge in 1966.


Albus awoke the next morning to the auditory sensation 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 of the alphabet 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 involve to say anything else. His dad probably could n't say anything else in a alphabetic character, anyway. Albus folded up the lambskin and shoved it into his bedside board. He glanced at the clock and realized there was no stage in going back to bed since classes would pop in two hours.

Instead, he got started on that week 's appealingness recital while he waited for John the Evangelist to wake up. This took a safe time of day and when he finally did wake up, it took him 15 proceedings to fully wake up and get dressed. King John was not one for morning time.

Albus waited until they were in the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall for breakfast to tell can about the varsity letter from his dad, so that he could tell Kaden, rose wine, and Amanda, too. Luckily they managed to find a relatively secret part of the table.

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

"Oh thank God !"rose exclaimed.

"Did he tell you about it ?"John asked.

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

The radical decided to eat a very promptly lunch later in rules of order to visit Matt before their afternoon classes. Albus wanted to order him about Limnodromus griseus as soon as possible.

Albus found it incredibly difficult to hold back his lip shut during potions because the rest of his classmates were discussing Johnny Reb and whether he had attacked anyone the late night. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the grounds from her dormitory window terminal 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 older students had received a alphabetic character from his sidekick claiming to have seen Johnny Reb in Diagon alley. It seemed that Albus and his friends were the sole ace in the entire castle who knew Greyback had been captured.

Scorpius Malfoy left potions early after speaking in rustling with Slughorn. Whatever it was it was a good alibi 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 Greyback. He wanted contingent about the capture, but probably would n't get any until he read the clause in the Prophet.

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

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

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

Albus and his friends ate the fastest lunch they 'd ever deplete and rushed up to the hospital flank. Kaden had Herbology after lunch and would need a good bit of time to get there, so they wanted to pass as much of lunch as possible in the hospital wing.

madam Pomfrey was fussy berating a pupil for trying to charm her hair pink and had charmed it all off instead and did n't remark Albus and the others walk in. Only one bed was occupied and the curtain were drawn around it.

"Guess Malfoy 's not here,"lav said as he led the radical over to flatness 's bed.

John pulled the pall back and Albus saw that matt was sitting up in bed, eating tiffin. This 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,"matte said as he dropped his sandwich."Dammit. I ca n't go another calendar month wrecking my hands."

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

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

"I do n't think you 'll have to worry about that again,"John said."They 'll probably put twice as many guards on Greyback 's cell."

"I think this is the forged cephalalgia I 've ever had in my life,"Matt muttered.

John grinned mischievously."Shall Kaden and I do a repeat of lowest hebdomad 's prank ?"

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

"Just kidding,"John said.

"gentlewoman Pomfrey wants me to eat lunch and then she 's going to grant me enough sleeping draught to sleep until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"fountainhead, I 'm going to have a lovely afternoon of fertilizing magical plants with dragon dung,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a wolf thing and the raging head ache, I 'm sort of jealous."

"I 'd take the dragon muck,"Matt said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to watch the finale disputation today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his straits."They 've actually put it off two Sir Thomas More weeks. It was in the paper this morning. I guess they want it smart in mass 's minds or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Sat and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"matte 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 mean to kick 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,"mat said."Unless this headache does n't go away."

John glanced at the clock."Brilliant. There 's plenty fourth dimension for me to run back to the Great Hall for an eclair before Transfiguration."

"I 'll link up you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The missy decided that a 2nd afters was in order as well, so the hale group hurried back to the Great Hall before their side by side family. On the way there Albus realized just how lots better he felt now that Greyback was once again behind bars.
***


"shift arrested him !"Albus exclaimed at breakfast the next morning. He 'd just finished reading the clause about Greyback.

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

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and Matt 's dad. Plus Newman and a few Werewolf Control Unit employees. And those kids who got attacked hold out calendar week were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any Barbara Ward up on the shed they were in."

"That 's stupid,"Rose said.

"Was anyone scathe ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, expression, they 've quoted Laurentis,"Rose said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's retaking is fantastic word for wizarding United Kingdom. I applaud both the Auror department and the Department for the regulating and Control of Magical tool for their collaboration in this seizure, especially Harry ceramist and Bruno Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four prisoners at large. The work is not done and we must think of this before celebrating .'”

"Did they cite your uncle ?"whoremonger asked.

"No,"pink wine said."It says he has n't made a affirmation about it yet."

"I honestly think that this is only going to make his support of your dad feeling better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a success. I mean, just facial expression at the article. Absolutely null went haywire with that capture. There were three loup-garou on the informal in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was true up. Three wanton werewolves would normally be a nightmare for a quiet village like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the Werewolf Control 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 worry who wins anymore."
***


Hufflepuff somehow managed to mash Slytherin during Saturday 's Quidditch match. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the best team they 'd had in years, and that Slytherin 's Keeper had landed himself in the infirmary wing after blowing up his potion on Friday, earning him a ban from the match by lady Pomfrey. But whatever the grounds actually was, it was certainly good to Gryffindor.

Albus awoke early on Sunday, suddenly riddled with nerves about the dueling tournament. This month 's tourney was the second to last of the year since all the professor had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the seventh yr had expressed that they could n't supervise practices while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two more fortune to secure a win for his squad, something that had n't happened yet this year.

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 minutes before the tournament was scheduled to begin, the only person missing was Malfoy.

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

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

"He was n't in potions the early 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 group of Slytherin mate."Any of you know where Scorpius Malfoy is ?"

"He went domicile,"one of the third gear old age said."No melodic theme why. He has n't been here since Tuesday."

"He went domicile ?"Albus repeated, staring at the third yr."That 's odd."

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

Albus had to allow in that this news gave him as a lot disappointment as muddiness. Scorpius Malfoy was one of the team 's best duellist, 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 atrocious happened to their house,"Albus said.

"aid students !"Neville called out."The tournament is about to begin !"

Albus managed to push all thought of Malfoy out of his mind for the duration of the tourney. virtually of his teammate dueled well, although only Albus and a few former fourth part age won both their duels. In the end they secured third place, which was certainly better than a good fortune of the quietus of the team, but still was n't first. They were still in the running for winning boilers suit at the end of the time of year, but they 'd call for to do really well in the final tournament.

Albus and Amanda met the rest of their friend in the marauder '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 squad probably would 've tick mine if he had showed."

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

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

"You 're not allowed to miss classes unless it 's a good excuse,"rose wine pointed out."I do n't think going on holiday is a good excuse."

"I think something bad is happening to individual in his family,"Amanda said quietly."Remember that letter he was reading during practice ? And how hushed he 's been lately ?"

"I 'll ask Elsie Willinson,"Rose said."I tutor her tomorrow. luck 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 thought or refused to tell Rose, despite the fact that Rose prodded her about it ever ten minute during their tutoring sitting on Monday.

Malfoy returned to classes on Tues, walking into potions XV minutes lately, and Slughorn made no acknowledgment of his tardiness or the course he missed the previous week. Albus attempted to watch his face during grade but he gave no clues 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 reckon wild, nor was he sneering. Instead, he just looked lost."What do you want, Potter ?"

"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 byplay, potter,"Malfoy said as he turned around. He sped up and was soon lost in the sea of students hurrying to the Great Hall for lunch.
***


The keep abreast week passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his cryptic disappearance. The election was now only a week away and everyone in the palace, students, professors, and ghostwriter alike were talking about it. With only one debate remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The oracle published a poll they 'd taken and neither candidate had a significant trail on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, former Head of the Auror section, was the final curate of Magic selected by the Wizengamot,"professor Banks said in class two Clarence Shepard Day Jr. before the final argumentation."His selection was very warm and he stepped into agency the day after Voldemort 's death. While most of the wizarding Earth knew that the Ministry needed an renovation, they also needed mortal to take charge and supervise the overhaul.

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

Albus had met Kingsley Shacklebolt a few times and found him slightly intimidating, but funny at the Sami time. He just had a very commanding presence and Albus was n't surprised he 'd been made Minister of conjuring trick after the war.

"The three long time Shacklebolt held situation were very disruptive. determination had to be made, drastic ones, and they were not loose. The first and most obvious decision was the decision to shift the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly corrupt. retrieve that prior to this redesign every pureblooded family held a seat on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born witches and wizards without agency.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry officials working to reorganise the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle worldly concern for divine guidance. The late Wizengamot bore Sir Thomas More resemblance to the Muggle business firm of Jehovah, the speed firm of fantan. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the house of Commons, the Lower theater of Parliament. In the Muggle world, these representatives are called phallus of Parliament, MPs for short-change, and are elected. In the wizarding universe, they are simply called appendage of the Wizengamot.

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

Amanda raised her handwriting."Yes, Miss Tagger ?"Banks said.

"beldame and champion are n't as uniformly spread out throughout the United Kingdom,"Amanda explained."In the Muggle world the territorial dominion are very much based on towns, but wiz do n't really feature towns."

"Correct,"coin bank said."Because of this the districts, if shown on a map, would look vastly different in terms of size of it. For example, London has three separate territorial dominion because there is a very boastfully wizarding universe in London. It 's far well-off for wizards to merge in in a big urban center than a small townspeople since things generally go unnoticed in big urban center. On the other helping hand, Wales only has two district, and therefore two representative, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

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

"I 've taken the shore leave of printing a map with a leaning of all the illustration and district bit,"Banks said as he began passing out sheets of sheepskin."I 'd hazard a hypothesis than very few of you know what dominion you 're in or who your representative is."

Albus looked at the sheet after he received it. London seemed to be divided into West London, northward John Griffith Chaney, and East/South London. N London, where Albus lived, was District Two, currently represented by a lad 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 next twelvemonth. None of you will be of age to vote in next year 's election, but I suggest you read up on your illustration horizon and beliefs anyway.

"To entice you to read,"depository financial institution continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two weeks. chassis out who your representative is and pen me a foot-long essay detailing your spokesperson 's beliefs and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old transcript of the vaticinator as well as archive recording of Wizengamot merging, both available in the library. You are welcome to use any other sources as you see fit."

There was a full general groan from the class, which made Banks grin. He always seemed to love assigning homework.

"Now onto the more rouse word,"money box said."This Sabbatum is the final exam debate and four of you will be capable to attend to. I apologize in advance for those whose names have not been chosen, but there simply were not sufficiency debates. As common, the eternal rest of you will mind to the disputation in the Transfiguration classroom.

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

"I knew it would be me,"whoremaster 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 sole one of us who wo n't get to go,"Rose pointed out.

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

"Not if you do your research right,"rose said as they left the room.

"Any of you in territorial dominion seven ?"John asked.

The rest of the group shook their heads. They compared district numbers, but none of them were in the same. Rose and Matt were the snug, with their districts bordering on each other.

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

pink wine gave him a satisfied smirk, clearly happy that she would n't have to grapple with John attempting to bum off her research. Albus wished that he and Rose were in the Sami territorial dominion because he, like John, did not bask doing this inquiry. Usually they only had to use their textbooks for enquiry, but not this fourth dimension. This meter, their text would n't help at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! It 's time for the yearbook Dobby awards at HPFF and nominations are now exposed ! Head to the forums to constitute your preferent write up ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a link to the forums on the right incline of the page. Be sure to read the rules before you nominate ! We hate having to disqualify tale for broken regulation.

The information about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the House of the Creator and the Parliament Wikipedia pages. I hope I got everything rightfield, but I 'm not British people, so feel exempt to taper out any errors.


As the week progressed Thomas More and more than of the oracle was dedicated to election coverage. By the time Saturday arrived it became nearly inconceivable to find a single article that was n't about the election. There were column, interviews, statements from the candidates, notion polls, and more. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glance at Sat 's version.

"Place your wager here !"

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

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

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

"No, that 's boring,"Epistle of James said."We 're taking bet on how prospicient it 'll take the disputation moderator to bring up that loony Australian bloke who kidnapped you concluding year. This debate is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

It had n't even crossed Albus 's idea that last twelvemonth 's incident would be brought up in this debate, but James was probably right. It was the self-aggrandising international scandal wizarding Great Britain had seen in years.

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

"Ten minutes,"James said."We 've had a few masses say it 'll find 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 public debate, do n't you ?"rosebush asked, setting down her copy of the oracle.

Epistle of James, Cedric, and Ben exchanged a glance."Er, no, we did n't know that,"James said."How do you sleep with ?"

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

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

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

blush wine shrugged."It 's possible."

"So what would Uncle Percy say if he knew you three were taking stake on the argumentation ?"Albus asked with a grin.

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

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

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

"Any bets, then ?"James I asked.

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

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

"They 're idiots,"rosebush muttered.

Albus agreed.

An hr later Albus, Rose, mat, and whoremonger were back in the Great Hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this debate would be watched by even Thomas More multitude than the past ones, with many people standing in the back due to lack of seating. Personally, Albus thought most mass would 've already made up their thinker since the election was only four days away, but clearly it was still a pop result.

John had to sit with the other student who 'd been picked while Albus, rose, and lustrelessness sat up front, like common. All of Albus 's cousin-german were there, including Peach State, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Sakartvelo,"Albus said.

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

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

Peach State 's fake grin grew unfeigned."Oh, they 're wonderful ! Connor Blythe, the custodian, he put in his poster that he 's only going to do one Thomas More time of year after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to take his spot. Me ! And I 've only been on the squad for a year !"

"That 's wonderful !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll induce to get me tickets to your start match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the kinfolk to be there at my first mate as permanent keeper,"GA said."And I want Dad right field there in the straw man row, cheering me on."

"Well, if he wins, he 'll take in to keep supporting you,"Albus pointed out.

"Yes, well, I want it to be real number,"GA said."We 'll see."

"Could everyone please take their seating ?"Kendrick announced in a magically amplify voice.

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

"Thank you. I 'd like to receive you all to Hogwarts. This is the net debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to take such a big use in it. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity for staff and scholar alike. Remember, Wednesday is election day, so please cast your votes. Now, I would like to premise today 's moderator, a man who needs no insertion, Mr. Harry potter, Head of the Auror Department !"

The room erupted in thunderous clapping. It seemed that no matter how Laurentis tried to disgrace Albus 's dad, no one could take away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

Harry walked forward and took his place behind the moderator 's podium."Thank you, give thanks you,"he said and the crowd grew placidity once more."Now, please receive our candidate, Mr. Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

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

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

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

"The commencement question is very general,"Harry said."In your opinion, how is Great Britain 's relationship with its strange neighbors ? Should the Ministry be making more of an feat to exercise with its neighbour or are things fine as they are ?"

"I think overall our ministry has a good kinship with foreign ministries and administration,"Percy began."We have no current feuds with any extraneous countries and all foreign talks have gone well in the retiring few days. However, I believe there is always room for improvement when speaking of relationship with other countries. There are always chances to reach out to our neighbor, and you never know when such human relationship will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My opponent makes fair full point,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our family relationship with strange ministries is an excellent idea, I wonder if that is really where our push should be focused right now. There are many military issue we need to come up to here at home, and as Mr. Weasley said, our electric current relationships with strange nations are good."

"The Department of International Magical Cooperation deals solely with international magical cooperation,"Percy pointed out."Working to fix yield at abode is obviously a good idea, but what do you suppose this section does while we do that ?"

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

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next question. The topic of changing the compartmentalization of werewolves from wolf to organism was brought up at the last debate. Both of you expressed no desire to lend this up with the International community. Have either of you changed your position on this in light of the recent capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you explain in Thomas More point why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at Matt. Maybe now they 'd calculate out exactly why Uncle Percy did n't desire to change the werewolf classification, more than than just it was n't deserving the effort.

"The capture of Fenrir Rebel was undoubtedly a success. I hope nobody has misconstrued my Scripture on that. The fact that it was done without any injuries, let unparalleled human death, was nothing unforesightful of amazing. The Aurors and wolfman ascendency unit employees who executed the design of capture are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the capture of one werewolf should affect our decisions on the group as a whole. If anything, if werewolves had been classified as Beings during that gaining control the Aurors and werewolf command building block employees would not consume been able to use the method acting of capture they used. To be dependable, I fail to see any benefits of reclassification."

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

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my opposer about the seizure of Fenrir grayback. However, I disagree with her about the potential benefits of reclassification. get-go, the Aurors and werewolf Control building block employees could give birth used the same methods they used cobbler's last night, as Head of Department Bruno Walter Eckerton does not take into account any method of capture that would not be allowed if werewolves were classified as existence. In terminal figure of department for the regulation and controller of Magical animal dominion and regulations, lycanthrope are to be treated as organism. This has been the case since Eckerton took over as headspring over a twelvemonth ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is unaware of this fact.

"As for benefits, those with lycanthropy would be able to secure Book of Job far more easily and would bear the same right given to hob, house-elves, centaurs, vampires, and humans alike."

Apparently his uncle had much Sir Thomas More of an vox populi than the one he gave at the lowest debate, Albus thought.

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

"Then perhaps Walter Eckerton ought to take another look at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly legal of him to use more harsh methods to bring werewolves into capture. But since this capture was a holler success, I will not blame him for that. As for werewolf rights, I have yet to hear of any complaints by lycanthrope about their rights."

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

"Your rebutter, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not have prison term to fully answer the query, I will bear on,"Percy said."While it would be beneficial for werewolves if they were reclassified as Beings, I do not think it 's workable. It would take agreement from all state, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Australia would never be on display board, and considering our rough kinship with that particular country, I do not feel it is in our undecomposed interest group to set out talks of the reclassification of wolfman. In closing, I feel it would be a worthwhile try, but given the unlikeliness of it amounting to anything, it would be a waste of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."adjacent interrogative. In respect to our jolty relationship with Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you feel it would be beneficial to continue trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United kingdom ? Mr. Weasley."

Albus glanced at his watch. Whoever betted on 40 minutes would be very happy, he thought. Albus had been hoping this subject would n't be brought up, but he supposed it was too big of an consequence not to be.

"If elected I would defer this determination to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the necessary expertise on the topic. However, it is my personal impression that it would be worth pursuing. I believe it is important to station a message that Ministry employees, even high-ranking officials such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was frightening and in no world should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

"observation how Mr. Weasley did not mention that his nephew was one of the children kidnapped by Lubar,"Laurentis pointed out."I think this might mist his judgement a niggling. I disagree with him about this particular matter. We 've been trying to deliver Ralph Lubar extradited for nearly a year and Australia has not budged. Why bother continuing to take a crap efforts toward this when it is clear they will be fruitless ?"

"If we give up, it will be telling the world that anyone can go commit a crime in another country and not be punished,"Percy said."Thomas More than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Aboriginal Australian government and having our citizens believe their governance to be corrupt will not aid international magical cooperation."

"The possible corruption of the Aboriginal Australian government is not any of our business at the flow clip. We can not force them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal opinion that they will never do so. I daresay that the department of International Magical Cooperation has more than pressing matters to contend with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have fourth dimension for one More motion, but in light of the fact that the election is on Wednesday, I am going to give each of the candidates a prospect to make a general speech instead. Mr. Weasley, you may speak first."

"Thank you, Harry."

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

"I would like to thank Professor Kendrick and the rest of the Hogwarts stave for being so accommodating, as well as the bookman. None of the bookman sitting in this elbow room right now were alive before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the student in this way were alive during Voldemort 's sovereignty of terror. They read about both of these in chronicle Word of God, because to them, it is simply history. To me, and the rest of the adults in this room, the previous Ministry and Voldemort are our preceding, our memories. We remember the terror, the unknown, the reverence.

"I was a part of the shakeup of the Ministry. We all know the years that have followed- the twelvemonth where we have lived without fear, without affright, without the unknown. I have been with the Ministry every gradation of the way since Voldemort 's defeat and I will make it my duty to cover the peace that we 've had for over twenty years. I will maintain this brusk because I, like most of you surely do, believe that the honest speech is a short oral communication. If you want a Minister who will continue the success of Minister Hartwell 's time in office, vote for me, Sir Henry Percy Weasley, on Wed. Thank you."

There was a smattering of hand clapping, but it did n't last long. Albus had a flavour that most of the eternal rest of the students wanted the election to be over.

"My opponent routinely brings up the yesteryear. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the future, except in vague assertion about keeping affair the same. It 's true that I was not involved with the shake-up of the Ministry over twenty years ago. I got into politics later in life. But I do not palpate that this will produce me an deficient minister, nor do I think it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"History is just that. History. We certainly need to read from our account to ensure that we do not make the like mistakes we did before, but it is not necessary to stimulate lived through history to be a successful drawing card. There are hatful of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking functionary, who were not here during Voldemort 's reign. Walter Eckerton, for illustration, did not live in Britain during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical wight.

"In short, I believe we need to focus on our hereafter rather than our past times. If elected minister I will produce progressive changes in not only our ministry and laws, but our educational system as well. Things have been ran the Sami for over XX years, and while I am not denying the success, I think we have needed change for a while. elude prisoner are running destitute. Hogwarts lessons are being taught the same way they were when these tiddler 's grandparents were in school. The ministry, along with its natural law and policies, needs to adapt as the long time go by. If you feel modification is needed, if you are at all upset about the way things are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

There was another smattering off applause. Albus did n't acclaim at all and neither did any of his full cousin. If the election was based upon hereditary financial support, Percy would have it in the bag.

"I think your uncle may throw won my parents'sustenance back,"Matt said as they left the Great Hall.

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

"Nope,"matte said."But she does n't seem to take in an subject with my dad, which is unspoiled 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 insane,"John said.

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

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

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

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

"Because if he gets extradited he 's going to be angry,"mat explained."He 's got quite a humor. And when he does n't get his way he attempts to destroy the lives of those who stand in his way. Just think about it. If he were brought back here, what 's stopping him from making my ... shape ... public ?"

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

"You think Lubar would care ? He did it in Australia !"lusterlessness snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in bother for it nil could take what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be meliorate if the humans just forgot about the all thing."

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

"Plus, there 's no way Australia will deliver him,"lustrelessness said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both right about one thing. The Australian government is very corrupt, and I do n't think anything will find until that putridness ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and werewolf wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

"So even though you moved, the Australian government still has some restraint over your life,"bathroom said."That 's messed up."

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


A/N : Thanks for all the revaluation ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly stop up my stories for Dobby nominations ! header over to the forums to nominate my ( or any former ) fib for a Dobby awarding ! Be sure to read the dominion before nominating.


Albus had been hoping classes would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such luck. Kendrick organized it so that the Great Hall would be the polling place and that voting would not affect the world-wide bookman body. Hogwarts was the designated polling place for the district it was in, so there would be other people coming to the school to vote. Albus 's cousins who were of age ( Thomas Bradley, Fred, and Calluna vulgaris ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling post had been set up.

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

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

"It 'll be in the prophesier tomorrow morning,"Albus said."That 's the official notice, but I 'm sure as shooting we 'll find 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 winner at the political party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minutes to spread around the castle."

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

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

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

"No,"rosiness said. Matt shook his head.

"goodness,"Gospel According to John said."We should have our own party here. A party to lionise 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 to the highest degree people had used Defense as a subject hall. The worksheets Young assigned never took farsighted than fifteen moment and he did n't seem to deal what his educatee did with the rest of the social class. Just as long as they were n't being tacky. Albus did n't think anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox sweet in denial this yr, since there was n't often point.

Albus, lustrelessness, and Amanda all still needed to write their essays as well. rose had written hers immediately following the public debate, but the rest of them did n't see the need to do it right away.

"I can always complete it in History of deception, too,"Saint John said as they entered the castle.

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

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four small kiosk curtained off where the staff board should 've been. A little queue of hoi polloi were off to one slope and seemed to be waiting their spell for the cubicles. It did n't seem very exciting.

"Any comment on the election ?"

Albus turned and saw a reporter lurking near the room access. He did n't make out this detail reporter.

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

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

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

Albus nodded. No more debate essays. Now that would be a good affair.

The remainder of the day passed quickly. Albus, lustrelessness, and Amanda managed to finish their essays during Defense, but Saint John the Apostle only got halfway done. ballot was suspended during dejeuner and then again at dinner. Albus overheard a few of the 6th and one-seventh years talking about vote and the election during dinner. A yoke of Ravenclaws even got into an argument about it.

"Let 's stimulate a accord now not to get in any fights over the next election when we can all vote,"Rose said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws violent storm out of the Great Hall.

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus said.

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

"It 's supposed to promote in force sportsmanship and that sort of thing,"Rose explained.

"Still ... I ca n't guess Laurentis being a good athletics,"John said.

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

The vulgar way had the distinct tone that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch match. James, Fred, Heather, Saint Mark, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to have a party to keep the end of the election and thus the end of public debate and essays on debates. There were cases of Butterbeer and trays of cooky and cypher was working on any homework.

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

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

Albus shrugged."I do n't sleep with. Amanda seems fairly convention and her uncle 's the heyday Minister."

"That 's because nobody here cares about the Prime minister,"Amanda said."At home everyone knows I 'm the niece of the bloom minister of religion. My sister and brother certainly are n't anonymous at their shoal. My sister 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in secondary winding 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 true, but sometimes he wished it was n't. Sometimes, he wished he could pull in his own way in the cosmos and not deliver his dad 's name tied to him.

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

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just funny,"mat 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 surely why. After setting it down on the board he revealed it and focused on the piece that showed Hogwarts.

"There 's still a bunch of people voting,"Albus said, gesturing to the Great vestibule. About a one-half dozen or so Lucy in the sky with diamonds were milling about.

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

"No idea,"Albus said. He glanced at his lookout man."Half hour until the polls close."

"How long do you guess Bradley and Cedric will persist ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

Albus peered down at the map. for sure enough, a dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'had just entered the indorse level girl 's washbasin. That did n't fix any sense.

"What the Scheol is he doing in there ?"matt exclaimed."Why would anyone go in there ?"

"myrtle 's there,"St. John the Apostle 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 mistake ?"Kaden suggested.

"Dad says the map never lies,"Albus explained."wellspring, there 's only one way to see out. Let 's conform to him."

"phone beneficial to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This political party is getting boring anyway."

John and Kaden nodded their head word in agreement. pink wine raised her brow.

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

"Oh, come on, it 's just a girl 's loo,"Amanda said."looking at, there are n't even any girls in there besides myrtle. And she 's a touch !"

whoremonger laughed."myrtle 's got a bit of a crush."

"whoremaster, shut up !"Matt said, his cheeks turn red.

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

"Yeah, we had hold in there once,"John explained."myrtle spent the unhurt time flirting with flatness. It was hilarious."

"I said, shut it !"Matt shouted.

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

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"fine,"John the Divine said."Suit yourself. rear ?"

"I 'll stay on here, thanks,"rose said."You 're wasting your clip anyway. It 's not like he 'll severalize you anything."

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

They did n't chafe bringing the Invisibility Cloak since there was still an hour left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing pendent in accolade of Apr Fool 's Day, but ignored his cackle.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the can as they walked quickly go through flights of step. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the minute story corridor, after the stairs decided to lead them directly to the first floor rather than the second.

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

"Maybe we can bewitch him on his way back to the keep,"Amanda suggested.

Albus nodded."Let 's wait here, then."

Their current location gave them an excellent perspective of the Great Hall. A few Ministry official were currently carrying pieces of the ballot cubicles out of the way, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half hour until they had a new rector of Magic.

John nudged Albus."There he is."

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

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Potter,"Malfoy replied.

Albus suddenly had no mind 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 induce to be really careful about it.

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

So much for being careful, Albus thought.

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

"Yes, you were,"Amanda said."I was in there, too. Second floor, Moaning Vinca minor 's toilet ? Ring any bells ?"

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

"Next time check a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the cobbler's last stand and when I heard you come in I had to stay there because you 're a fella and it would just be weird to add up out of a can kiosk and fall face to face with a bloke. 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 fille 's loo,"Amanda said with a joke."Let 's go. We do n't require to drop the news about the new pastor. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the stairs. Albus, John the Divine, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their wake. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as pale as lustrelessness is rightfield before a full Sun Myung Moon.

"Amanda, what was that ?"lavatory exclaimed once they 'd progress to the second floor.

"That felt goodness,"Amanda said."He just really irritates me, and this prison term we had something on him. I could tell apart Al did n't have it off how to ask him without telling him about the map. But I figured it 'd be pretty easy to pretend I 'd been in the loo with him."

"That 's brilliant,"John Lackland said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

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

"Seriously,"John said."The only way you 'd entrance me in a girl 's loo is if you paid me a load of Galleons."

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

"That does n't count,"whoremaster said.

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

When Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the common room they were greeted by loud groans and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his blood 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 to the lowest degree a half hour."

"Oh, right."

rosebush and Matt were in the center of a game of cheat. lusterlessness was losing spectacularly.

"Did you find him ?"Matt asked as Rose 's bishop crushed his queen.

"Yeah, but not in the loo,"Albus said."Caught him on his way back to his common way. He would n't tell 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 tell off Malfoy."

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

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

Rose instructed her knight to displace snug to Matt 's mogul."Checkmate.

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

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

Albus, John, mat, and Amanda settled down to look out as blush wine clobbered Kaden. Albus could 've sworn he saw Kaden 's chess piece quiver as they were set up on the board. pink wine 's queen was most definitely grinning maliciously. Over the next half hour Kaden 's musical composition were viciously slaughtered by rosebush 's, but not without putting up a competitiveness. Kaden was in fact getting better.

"Exploding snap ?"Matt asked after rose and Kaden repaired their chessmen.

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

Albus ran up to his dorm room to recall his Exploding Snap cards. As he returned, the portraiture hole opened.

The entire common room froze and was silent. Not a single somebody moved. Not a undivided person said a discussion. Even the first geezerhood, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the stern footstep to the dormitories and waited.

Bradley walked inside, followed by Cedric. Neither seemed overly excited, but that did n't intend that Sir Henry Percy had n't won. After all, they, like Albus, did n't really desire Percy to be rector, but they did n't want Laurentis as minister of religion either.

"wellspring ?"St. James asked.

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

Albus could n't think it. He had n't realized it until now, but he truly had believed that Uncle Percy would win. He had the sustenance of Harry thrower. Did n't that entail anything anymore ?

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

"What does this mean ?"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, we 're all going to the elbow room of Requirement. Bradley and Cedric want to give us Thomas More details."He glanced the residuum of the radical."Sorry, menage only."

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

Albus, James, and Rose walked to the elbow room of Requirement in silence. When they arrived they saw that the door 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 and Rose sat on either side of him. nonentity was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Thomas Bradley, Cedric, heather mixture, chump, Ben, Fred, Victor Hugo, Lily, James, Rose, and Angie. And himself. They were the mediate group of cousin. Not the older, not the untested, but the ones in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything last. They were n't the first base to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the last to fine-tune. They stood by each other, through the good and through the bad.

Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the front of the room, near its threshold. The entire elbow room was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with mismatched furniture and organized pandemonium everywhere. Albus liked it.

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

"How did he submit it ?"Heather asked.

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

Albus was n't surprised. Uncle Percy had and always would be the paradigm of a polite politician. But maybe that was n't enough to get elected.

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

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

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

Neither had Albus, but it made sensory faculty. Percy was still employed by the Ministry, but his job was one of those jobs selected by the diplomatic minister.

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

The room descended into silence. nonentity seemed to have sex what to say, Albus included. His opinion on his uncle becoming diplomatic minister had been all over the place for the past seven month, but now that Walker Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was disappointment. It was unusual. Just hold up week he had been variety of hoping Percy would drop off, and now that he had, Albus felt the accomplished opposite.

It was already retiring curfew for Lily, Hugo, and Angie, but nobody was telling them to go back to the vulgar way. Albus was vaguely curious about what was going on in the common room, but not queer enough to actually go back. lusterlessness, John, Kaden, and Amanda would recount him later.

What Albus was really concern about, More than anything, was what Laurentis was going to do to both the Ministry and Hogwarts. Laurentis had made it clear that she was going to change the schooltime, but Albus liked it the way it was. Then there were the changes to the Ministry, such as the dementors. How long would it occupy for Laurentis to bring them back ? Surely she had to go through proper canal to do it.

St. James, Thomas Bradley, and Cedric were the firstly to return to the common elbow room, claiming they had to make full on all the bets they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and rosiness returned a few second later, leaving the rest of their full cousin talking quietly in the way of Requirement.

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

"Who are you writing to ?"Rose 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 minister arrives to cope with him."

"Your uncle meets the Minister of trick ?"trick asked.

"Well, yes,"Amanda said."The two earthly concern do birth to coexist. Sometimes there are problem that affect both. Voldemort, for case. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the escaped Death Eaters."

"That 's so Weird,"John 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 death bit and happened to mention 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 golden I was n't one of them."

"I think we all need a beguilement,"rose wine said and turned to Kaden, whose face was covered in ash."batch out the poster again. Let 's play until we 're too tired."

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


A/N : Sorry for the belated update ! My natal day is tomorrow so I had friends up for the weekend and completely forgot. Thanks for all the revaluation !


The adjacent day 's variant of the prophesier was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The achiever did not surprise anyone in Hogwarts since Thomas Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the entire front page article at breakfast and he was glad he did, because the clause still held surprises.

LAURENTIS win ; BEGINS APPOINTING situation

In the secretive wash for Minister of Magic to
date, campaigner Patricia Laurentis won the
position last night. crown closed at eight,
with the official winner announced at a shut down
company at the government minister 's Mansion at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a mere 342 voter turnout, which is the
closest wash we have ever seen.

'I am of trend very please with this turn of
outcome ,'Laurentis said at the minister of religion 's
mansion house after the proclamation was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as pastor of
magic trick on May first. I feel I will be able to
hold the world what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my duty to give them what
I promised during my campaign. I of course
go my condolences to Harry Hotspur Weasley. He truly
was a delight to run against over the past
seven month .'

'I offer my congratulations to my opposite ,'Percy
Weasley said to Daily Prophet newsperson at the
Minister 's mansion house. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, carnival and second power. I am disappointed,
of grade, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the next month Laurentis will decide who
she wishes to constitute to top Ministry positions,
before she is sworn in as Minister of conjuring trick on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
time with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this morning .'I already have people
picked out for most military position ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
current officials, but I will be replacing quite
a few in purchase order to unspoilt link the Ministry .'

One person has already confirmed his aim
to take Laurentis up on her offer of a position.
Ironically, he is set to take over Percy Weasley 's
current position under Minister Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to announce that Draco Malfoy is
going to take on the post of Senior
Undersecretary for the Drafting and editing
of Laws. Draco Malfoy has been a booster of mine
for many twelvemonth as we have worked together in the
Azkaban Division for nearly a X. I am very
excited to continue working with him .'

Laurentis plans to harbinger the names of her
officials as they confirm throughout the month.

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

"Malfoy never said a word,"Matt added, his centre large.

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

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

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

"bit eminent for drafting constabulary,"rosebush said."Given his relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most in all likelihood pass."

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

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

Albus had quite a few hours to wait to see out just what exactly Malfoy would let to say to them. History of conjuration, his first gear class of the day, was as boring as ever. Professor Binns showed absolutely no recognition that the election had taken place the previous day. Professor Patil was the complete opposite word, making no move to overlay up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to shoot a line up the desk she was attempting to transfigure.

"Do you recollect Laurentis will actually give birth teacher sacked ?"John asked as they walked to the Great Hall for tiffin."Because if she does, Patil wo n't remain firm a chance."

Albus shook his headland."Only if they 're really abominable instructor. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth part year and I think people will be outraged if Laurentis does the same affair. Honestly, I think Binns and young are the lone unity in danger."

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

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

"And 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 wine snorted in disgust.

Malfoy was waiting outside the potions dungeon when Albus and his friends arrived after tiffin. Gone from his case was the unsettle and partially sad look, replaced by Malfoy 's usual haughty smug. Clearly his dad getting a top Ministry position had changed something.

"Hey, potter,"Malfoy greeted him."congratulations to your uncle on his exit. Ca n't thank him enough for that."

"I 'll be for sure to tell him,"Albus replied."He 'll be thrilled that he made a Malfoy happy. must be nice that your dad 's got some actual great power now."

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

"Nothing 's set for for certain about the Auror section,"Albus countered.

Malfoy laughed."I think I might have sex a bit more than you on that. Laurentis was over at my theater for dinner finish week."

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

"It never came up."

"well now that you 're all happy again maybe you 'll actually indicate up for this month 's dueling tournament ?"

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

"Touchy,"John commented.

"stuff it, Brickston. This does n't concern you. Your parents will have major power in the Ministry the day Hagrid adopts a normal pet."

"We 'll see who 's got the powerfulness the moment one of your phratry winds up at St. Mungo 's,"whoremonger snapped.

Malfoy paled."Just shut up. The compass point is, my dad 's going to own a estimable military position than yours."

"Nobody cares what your dad does for a livelihood,"mat said.

"Nobody asked you. At to the lowest degree my dad does n't take his employment habitation with him."Malfoy laughed.

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

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

"Wands away, boys."

Albus turned and saw prof Slughorn standing in the doorway. He breathed a sigh of moderation. The last thing toilet needed was another detention.

"Get inside. course of study is starting in one minute."

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


The play along few days passed without anymore position announcements from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively quiet few days, especially when compared with the past seven calendar month. For the first time all year, there was fiddling coverage of the election, that is until they had politics on Tuesday. At the end of the example, Embry reminded them of their research essays on their representatives, an duty assignment that had completely slipped Albus 's intellect. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped John and Matt 's minds as well. pink wine and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to drop a line their termination. Amanda had even asked her uncle for avail, devoting part of her essay to the law of similarity and departure between the wizarding and Muggle regime.

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

"Dammit,"Matt muttered."I 'm going to have to drop a line the entire thing tonight. The full moon 's tomorrow."

"Usually you 're a great deal better about remembering to do assignments before that,"rosebush commented.

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

"But you 'll be missing stratum on Thursday,"trick pointed out."So you can turn it in Tuesday and get four supererogatory days."

"I 've never done that with long-term assignment,"flatness said."I do n't desire to start now. Albus can work it in, like usual."

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

"Hey, Amanda, want to take a walk around the lake before we write our conclusions ?"Rose asked."The weather 's so dainty tonight we might as well require advantage."

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

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five instant later Albus, Matt, lavatory, and Kaden had taken over one of the larger tabular array in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a transfiguration essay due the adjacent day and divination predictions to do. Albus was considering hexing two first geezerhood at the tabular array next to them who kept giggling, if Madam Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his friends lived in his territorial dominion ; it would make this so very much easygoing.

Albus did cause a distinct advantage over both matte and John, in that his instance was far more well-known than theirs. King Oliver Prang, who had been serving the compass north Greater London district, was on his fourth sequential terminus, which amounted to over fifteen years. That was more than Albus 's intact spirit. London in itself was a locating that required far more attending than other areas of the country, which resulted in far More data being useable on it. John was able to locate a middling amount of money of data on his representative, Nadine Abernathy, but Matt, since he lived in one of the most remote areas of England, had difficulty locating information on Marcus Whitby.

"Does this bloke even survive ?"Matt asked as he looked through the very lastly archived transcript of the Prophet that was published during Whitby 's one full term."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a judgment of conviction that reference he won the election. And of grade he won. He did n't throw any opponents."Matt groaned and banged his head repeatedly on the table."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the moment from Wizengamot meeting,"Albus said, pointing to the three large quite a little of newspaper publisher in the midriff of the table. He really did feel bad for matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a paper like this, but having to do it when the broad moon was only two daylight away ?

"I could probably just make stuff up,"matt said as he took the top few pages."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly bang anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the to the lowest degree densely dwell dominion in all of England."

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"John said."There. I 've got my introduction. expect at it this way. Your bloke 's only been in post for a year. So you 've got far less engorge to look through. It wo n't take as long."

"But if there is n't anything, then that does n't facilitate,"matt muttered."Have you even read anything ?"

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

"You have a weird way of doing research."

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

Matt tossed the papers he 'd been looking at onto his rejection pile, which was so higgledy-piggledy that Madam Pince would probably have a heart attack if she saw it. He then let out a loud sigh and put his head in his hands.

"Could you please charter pathos on him ?"Albus asked Rose.

blush wine 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 sentence in a Prophet from a year ago saying he won the election, which was against nobody. And the full moon is tomorrow."

"Please, Rose ?"Matt asked, picking his head up to look at her. His face was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

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

"They wanted to be in the middle of nowhere,"Matt said flatly."They did n't want neighbors."

Rose sighed."fine. But only because you look so hapless. And mine was pretty hard, too, because my district is also distant. Just let me finish my conclusion."

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

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

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the succeeding four hours managed to get it half done. He did n't imagine it was very skillful, but it was progress. St. John was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to name it a dark. King John settled in to help Kaden with his fake divination predictions. mat was still working on his, with a good deal coaching from pink wine.

"Did you find out anything ?"Albus asked.

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

matte yawned."How foresighted does this suffer to be again ?"

"A foot,"rose wine answered."You 've got another four in to go."

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

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

"We should probably wind up in the rough-cut way, then,"Rose said.

"I do n't think I can,"Matt said."Too weary. I 'll finish it tomorrow since I 'll probably hop afternoon classes anyway."

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

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

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

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

"I just hope your dad was able to serve those parents with the two Kid,"Rose said.

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

Albus nodded. It was going to be a good good moon for everyone involved.
***


Albus, Matt, and John managed to get their essays done in time and turned in on Thursday. The full lunation was relatively normal, as good moons go, without any reports of werewolf attacks. matt wound up in the hospital wing for two full days, having resorted to chewing on himself since the wolf no longer had the distraction of Greyback exterior. But Albus had a feeling Matt preferred it that way. knot 's presence was just too creepy and too unknown.

A few day after the full phase of the moon moon James returned to the common room fuming. Albus raised his brow at his brother as he straightened a atomic reactor of career tract that had once again appeared on the plebeian way tables.

James stomped over to Albus 's table, pulled up a hot seat, and squeezed himself between Albus and matt."Career advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just experience it ?"Albus asked.

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

"Well, what did you verbalise about ?"

"Careers."

rose wine snorted."Obviously."

"He wants me to pick something now. I do n't know what I want to do with my animation. I 'm only sixteen for God 's interest !"

"I think you have to blame something so you can piece your N.E.W.T. division next yr,"rose explained."Otherwise the teachers do n't know what to put you in."

"I know that,"King James I snapped."But I do n't want to do anything that 's going to postulate cargo of N.E.W.T.s. I want to dally Quidditch."

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

"No,"James muttered."So I told him about Georgia. And then he said that it 's not very common 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 run Quidditch her whole life."

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

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

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

"But I ca n't !"James said as he picked up a pot of booklet."expression at these. Goblin affaire, Gringott 's Counterfeit Coin Checker, Security Troll trainer. They 're all dead boring."

"There 's warhead of line of work in the Ministry and St. Mungo 's,"Rose said.

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

Albus had to consort with that. James had about the same ability to centre as a round."Hey, you could train security measures 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 wait. You 'll cause to go through this next year."

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

"Of class you do,"William James muttered.

"If it makes you finger better, partner, I 've no mind what I want to do,"John said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

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

Albus shrugged. He had n't thought much about calling since the premature twelvemonth when Balladanis told him he could be a Presuler. The idea was very tempting, but he did n't want to severalize anyone else about it.

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

"If you 'd relinquish complaining and bulge studying you 'd snuff it more of them,"rosiness pointed out.

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

"James, wait !"blush wine shouted as James neared the portrait fix."Forgetting anything ?"

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

James ran up to his hall and returned with his bag a minute later. Grinning at Albus and the others, he left the mutual room.

"I swear, I 'm not sure how we 're related,"pink wine muttered.

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

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

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

"I like your sister,"Rose said."So I 'll take that as a compliment. What about you ? Do you sleep with what you want to do ?"

Matt laughed and picked up the Gringott 's tract."Considering that werewolves are n't going to be changed from Beasts to organism anytime soon, I do n't remember I 'm going to have many choices to nibble 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 quiesce when James was here."

"It 's backbreaking not to be. He 's rather loud himself. I 'm not sure. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to make a difference."

"Excellent,"mat said."You can exchange everyone 's minds about changing the werewolf 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 tract.

"You 're insane,"lav said."You seem so normal, otherwise. But seriously, cypher enjoys potions."

"You can do that,"lustrelessness said."You can suit a Brewer. My sister 's doing that along with her Healing degree."

Kaden 's oculus grew large."Wait, really ? That 's a substantial calling ?"

mat nodded."Not everyone can brew potions, so they need people to brew them for them. You can influence at St. Mungo 's and brew healing potions or you could mould for a ship's company and brewage potions to sell."

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

"Exactly,"rosebush said.

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

Albus laughed."You could change 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 age away. He 'd rather enjoy the present, but Rose had always been the person to look to the future. She fantasized about their Hogwarts Clarence Shepard Day Jr. when they were only six and now, she was fantasizing about what they 'd do after. Albus had never been the character to do that. There would be plenty of clock time for the time to come in the future.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! For those of you who read Beyond the Shadow, it made it through to the voting circle of the Dobbys ! Head over to the forums to vote for it. It was nominated in the Best OC category.


April went by quickly, as it usually did. The conditions turned from chilly and windy to warm and rainy, resulting in More than one muddy Quidditch recitation. Albus did n't mind the mud as much as he minded the length of the practices. Both Fred and Heather seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their one-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 pitch, well-nigh of Albus 's time was spent at dueling practice. The final exam peer of the yr was on the close Sat in April and Albus 's squad was still in the running for a win of the total tourney. They had n't won a single match, but they were routinely in second place by only a few points. The teams that had gotten firstly place never did that well in early tournaments, resulting in their overall percentage point total being quite low.

When the go Sabbatum in Apr arrived, far sooner than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly flighty. He was n't nervous at all about his affaire d'honneur, but he was nervous for the squad. This was it. It was his last tournament in the junior Dueling tournament. His last probability to rise himself as captain and earn a spot on Gryffindor 's dueling squad next year.

All four police captain of the sign dueling teams were introduce at this tournament because they would be hand selecting participant for their teams next twelvemonth. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tournament.

"hold up tournament being on Malfoy 's squad,"Amanda commented as Malfoy dueled a missy from Ravenclaw.

"Thank God,"Albus muttered. He could n't expect until he no longer had Malfoy on his team."At least he 's acting normally today."

"At least he showed up,"Amanda pointed out.

"stop to Malfoy !"Neville shouted."Albus thrower and Matt Eckerton."

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt awful when he had to duel flatness because their skill levels were so drastically different. At the same time he did n't want to go easy on his friend because the Gryffindor team headwaiter was watching.

Albus and Matt bowed to each other and raised their wands. Albus thought a silent apology as he shot a Stunner at his effective acquaintance. Matt dodged it and sent one back. Albus threw up a shield and then sent three back-to-back ravisher. The one-third one made contact and Matt collapsed onto the trading floor, frozen.

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

"Sorry, mate,"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 instant duel as well. His team continued to win to the highest degree of their affaire d'honneur, with some of his mate winning their first off duels ever. Amanda had begun a tally of all the compass point on a surplus bit of parchment and their team was winning, with only a few duels left to go.

Kaden wound up dueling one of the Ravenclaws from Albus 's team during the last affaire d'honneur of the day. Kaden lost spectacularly, which Albus was both well-chosen and worried about.

A few arcminute later Neville stepped into the pith of one of the dueling rings."I am pleased to announce that we have a winner of both today 's tourney and the year 's tournament overall. felicitation to Team seven for winning both today and the tournament overall ! Captain Albus Potter, please issue forth forward to consent the trophy."

Albus was momentarily stunned, until Amanda nudged him. The entire Great entrance 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 ikon. The prize was a bit smaller than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not small by any means. After a few more pictures were taken, including one shot of the entire team, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the vernacular room.

"When will you observe 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 blot, 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 vernacular room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulations and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading extraneous for Quidditch pattern.

Later that night, between his happiness about the win and exhaustion from Quidditch practice, Albus slept better than he had in month.
***


In Apr 's last remain days the Daily oracle published at least one article a day on Laurentis and her forthcoming swearing-in ceremony, as well as her picks for top officials. Albus had n't recognized any name calling of the functionary, or the names of their problem. Mostly they were Book of Job such as the one his Uncle Hotspur held under minister Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became parson to reveal the big side, such as Albus 's dad 's spot.

The Gryffindor table was unusually quiet the sunup of May first. Albus, along with all his first cousin, were n't saying a discussion. Albus was thinking of his uncle Percy and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was sure his cousin-german were thinking the same.

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

"I heard they 're listening to it on the wireless in politics today,"lav said."Wish we had it today. That would be much skilful than having actual class."

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

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

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

"Sami here,"flatness agreed."Amy said that Dad 's really neural about it."

"What time is it happening ?"Rose asked.

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

"Right after chronicle of Magic,"rose wine mused."So you lot will have aid of Magical tool and I 'll feature Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should break out out Uncle George I 's best-selling production this break of the day ?"

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

"Wait, rosiness,"St. John said."Are you saying we should skive off class ?"

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

"I 'm in,"Albus said immediately. lav, matte, Amanda, and Kaden agreed.

"We 've got to plan it carefully, though,"Rose said."We ca n't all get ill at the like time or it 'll face suspicious."

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

rosebush nodded."That leaves five of us. lustrelessness, do you induce an issue with skipping all of chronicle of Magic ?"

matt laughed."Of form not."

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

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

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be easier for Matt 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 grade. Al, privy, Amanda, two of you can use something in History of magic trick and then the other one can use something right at the offset of caution of Magical animate being. We meet in the piranha 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the programme decided upon, they set off for their morning form. John begged to be the one who used a puking 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 Giant state of war, a topic he seemed to enjoy for some reason. He taught it each and every year without fail. Albus doodled aimlessly on his notes while taking clandestine glances at bathroom every so often.

"Um, Professor ?"John announced ten minutes into the class.

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

"I do n't experience well-"John Lackland was cut off by his own vomit. His table was now covered with a pile of puke.

"Yes, yes, off to the infirmary,"Binns said as he returned his attention to the blackboard.

John hastily shoved the other end of the sweet into his back talk and vanished the vomit before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the way.

Amanda was next. She, like Albus, went the safe route and had decided upon the fever fudge. Professor Binns hardly seemed to notice that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the class. He just waved her out and continued his lecture. Albus could 've probably used his own fever fudge right then and there, but he did n't think it was worth the pocket-size risk.

Albus decided to eat the fever fudge on his way to forethought of Magical creature so he could leave immediately after arriving. The marauder 's Den was quite a walking from Hagrid 's hut and he did n't want to escape any of the ceremony.

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

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

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

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

Hagrid 's nerve fell."Yeh don'looking so well. punter go see Madam Pomfrey."

Albus nodded and turned around, walking quickly up the itinerary. Once he was out of lot of Hagrid, he shoved the former half of the febrility fudge into his lip and felt immediately better. He 'd done it !

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

"Albus !"Rose exclaimed."Nearly thought you would n't create it !"

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

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

"good break of day, auditor. We are broadcasting live from courtroom Ten in the Ministry of Magic, where just minutes 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 vocalisation. It died down a few minutes later.

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the courtroom. She is making her way down the aisle, greeting the great unwashed on her way.

"pastor Hartwell, along with penis of the Wizengamot are seated on the dais. Three senior penis of the Wizengamot will bank Laurentis in."

More applause. Then a new vocalism. Albus recognized it as pastor Hartwell.

"Welcome to the Ministry of magic. It has been my pleasance to serve you over the past ten geezerhood. I 'd wish to remove a import to thank my political party, Merlinus, for their support over the past times decade, as well as all of my top functionary and the rest of the Ministry employees. I 'll keep this short and just say that I am going to omit serving you, but I have to let in that both my married woman and I are looking forward to taking a dainty, long holiday."

laugh, followed by applause.

"Thank you, Minister Hartwell,"someone else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot fellow member."Ms. Laurentis, if you would please maltreat forward."There was a intermission."Please repeat after me. I do hereby affirm to serve the United Kingdom-"

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

"-to the best of my ability-"

"-to the best of my ability-"

"-and preserve to the ideals of the Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim party-"

"-and save to the nonsuch of the Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus party-"

"I swear to listen to the citizenry and do what is best for them-"

"I swear to listen to the the great unwashed 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 third minister of conjuring trick post-War as of the first of May, 2020, at eleven o'clock in the morning. Ms. Laurentis, congratulations. Please welcome your new minister of magic, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a smattering of cultured applause, much restrained than the old hand clapping for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a life-threatening occasion and no one wanted to look too rhapsodic.

"That was agile,"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 laurels to be standing before you as your diplomatic minister of Magic. I would like to begin by thanking the Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim party for nominating me as candidate and supporting me throughout my successful campaign-"

"Does she really require to say it was a successful campaign ?"john asked."I mean, it 's obvious that it was successful."

"Shut up !"rosiness said.

"-without your support I would never bear made it this far. I hope I am able-bodied to subsist up to the richly anticipation set by you and Minister Hartwell. I am certain you are all nervous to get a line who I am appointing to nous of Department billet in the Ministry, so I wo n't ravage any sentence getting to that."

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

"First, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am please to announce that Tethys Balladanis will be taking over for one-time brain, Reena Barnes."

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

"Balladanis ?"rose shouted at the Lapplander clock 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."

lusterlessness 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,"privy said.

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

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

"-Robert Johnson will be replacing Harry potter as promontory of the Auror Department-"

There was an audible gasp from the audience. Albus sat stunned, processing the entropy. Part 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 pretend a wonderful Head of Department."

Albus tuned the radio out once Laurentis went on to the Department of Magical Transportation. He could pick up his heart throbbing 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 have sex,"Albus said."She 's insane, right ?"

"Honestly, Albus, I 'm not surprised,"Rose 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 give-and-take what he felt."First Uncle Walker Percy lost and now this."

"-Walter Eckerton will remain Head of the section for the Regulation and dominance of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"Matt exclaimed.

"goodness,"Albus said."At least there 's someone sane still in a Head position."

Albus only paid vague aid to the rest of the annunciation. He did n't recognize anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that appointment. One thing was clear by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's fellowship was in any of the question positions.

blush wine switched the radio off at the end of Laurentis 's lecture. The wizard doing the broadcast was interviewing a few people, but they were n't anyone of slap-up importance.

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

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

It was unclutter that Son had spread when Albus and his friends reached the Great Hall. Whichever class had had government during the speech must 've shared the news with the entire rook, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't arrive at eye link with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor mesa, where he sat down adjacent to James.

"So you heard,"Jesse James said quietly.

"I skived off course of instruction to listen alive,"Albus explained."She wants a unify ministry. What a payload of dragon dung."

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

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

"I still have no idea why she kept my dad,"lusterlessness replied."I mean, I 'm glad she did, but it does n't shit any sense."

"Nothing she 's doing makes a bit of good sense,"Albus muttered."But I guess people must care her. She got elected."

"But now that she 's elected she can constitute who she wants,"Amanda said."I do n't opine anyone actually thought she 'd replace your dad. I 've only been in the wizarding cosmos 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 board."I do n't think the instructor expected it, either."

Albus glanced up. Every single professor was deep in conversation, some even ignoring their food. Neville in picky looked stunned and upset. None of them looked happy.

Albus 's own collection plate was still vacuous and he had no desire to satiate it. For as long as he could remember his dad had been Head 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 days after his dad had defeated Voldemort. Albus thought it was slightly ironic that this had happened almost to the day, 23 days later.

Albus looked around at his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that Sir Thomas More than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most likely supported her decision to replace his dad as Head of the Auror section. Not everyone was talking in whispers, with worry expression. A few groups were laughing, like they did n't accept a precaution in the macrocosm. Either they just did n't care about Laurentis 's decision, or they supported it. The intellection 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 Minister of Magic. He did n't like it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the pin-up reviews !


The following week brought a mint of clause stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that first words. A list of the new Ministry functionary was printed multiple times. Albus found the editorials more interesting than the factual clause, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how stupid it was of Laurentis to give notice Harry Potter. However, it was n't until nearly a workweek after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an clause completely captured Albus 's aid was published.

DEMENTORS TO income tax return TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE CHANGES

Newly elected Minister of conjuring trick
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will bring Azkaban back
under the dominance of the dementors
late utmost night. Laurentis hopes
to have the dementors back by late
future calendar week. 'This has been a goal
of mine for geezerhood and I am very
felicitous that it is finally happening.
The wizarding world will be far
safer now that our criminals will
be guarded once more by dementors .'

Bringing the dementors back to Azkaban
is the get-go of many changes the new
minister will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's next
plan is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the future few week I will be
sending illustration from the
section of Magical breeding to
observe each prof. Each
prof will be required to submit
their curricula to the representatives
as well .'prof planning on
retiring at the end of this year
will be relieve from this requirement,
as no changes will take aim situation before
the end of term.

"Well, she 's done it,"Albus said as he set the article down."A week from now Azkaban will have dementors."

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

"And she 's sending people to follow the instructor,"Albus said.

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

"I did n't think 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. about of you, I am sure, have read the Prophet. Over the next few week every professor will be observed during one of his or her classes. I ask you all to cut the representative and go about form as if they were n't there. That is how the Ministry will best get an agreement of how matter work at Hogwarts. Now, Professor Slughorn has an announcement to make."

Professor Slughorn stood, although he was so brusque that it hardly made a conflict. He looked a bit nervous and Albus got the flavor that he rarely ever addressed the entire student body 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 condition. I 've enjoyed my meter at Hogwarts, but it 's gamey time I retire for good."

"Ten Galleons says he decided to retire after finding out he had to submit his syllabus to the Ministry,"Rose whispered after Slughorn sat back down.

"I 'm sure you 're justly,"Albus agreed."Dad said he did n't even want to come 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,"John said.

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

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

rose raised her brow."What Son ?"

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

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

"Shut up,"Saint James the Apostle muttered.

James I was n't the only if one to have forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election news. There seemed to be more frantic studying than common, and not just from the fifth and seventh years. The total rook had neglected to canvas for their end-of-term exams. Later that night Albus, John, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden joined the throngs of people vying for tables in the library in lodge to cram in as much studying as potential. Matt could n't get together them, as it was the to the full moon.

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

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

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

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

"That was Weird,"rose said once the two male child left.

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

rosebush groaned."They 're in good order. I do n't want to know."

Albus had assumed that this would be a japery that would gain itself known right away, as almost of whoremonger and Kaden 's harlequinade worked that way. But by the succeeding morning affair seemed perfectly ticket at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'hair was still normal colors and everything seemed still and quiet. John the Divine and Kaden kept grinning at each other, so Albus was for certain they 'd done something.

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

Albus raised his brow questioningly at John and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"privy 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 impression wo n't all follow at once. It all depends on when they send their washables out."

"That 's genius,"Albus said. trick and Kaden 's pranks were most definitely improving over the days.

"What 's flair ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see Matt nudging a number 1 year over so that he could sit down in next to John.

"ma'am Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

lusterlessness nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to stay longer, but I told her I needed to study. Why are these two virtuoso ?"

"We did our frivolity on the Slytherins,"bathroom explained and then lowered his voice."Itching powder in their laundry. The house-elves helped."

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

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

"Study."

Albus looked up once more and saw that this metre Rose and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with books and slews of sheepskin. They wore very aspect of determination.

"You 're all studying. All day,"Rose continued."Exams are in a month and none of us are prepared. The election happened, it sucked, but it 's over. nothing can be done. Albus, you 've been moping about your dad 's job for a week. John, Kaden, I 'm set that you do well this year. Matt, the full synodic month is over. All four of you are studying from now until exams."

"Aw, rosiness, c'mon-"

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

Rose and Amanda left in a flourish of lambskin and books, leaving Albus and the other boys to gaze at each other open-mouthed. Albus knew his cousin was very academic and placed a mellow value on her own Education, but never before had she staged an intercession for his studying.

"She 's lost her nous,"John said."If she 's like this now, what will happen next class for O.W.L.s ?"

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

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

That was truthful, Albus thought. He and his booster quickly finished their breakfast and hurried up to the depository library, realizing once they arrived that they did n't experience any of their books. They ran up to their dormitory to recollect them and made it to the library five minutes later than Rose insisted they be there.

Rose and Amanda had shoved two tabular array 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 time someone had frequented the library that early. The rest of the mesa were deserted.

"What 's with the extra chair ?"Albus asked as he dumped his record book onto the table."There 's only six of us."

"Oh, that 's for Elsie,"rosebush said as she set parchment down at each seat.

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the only Elsie we know,"Rose said."She needs avail studying and I 'm her tutor."

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

"And she needs help, toilet,"Rose said with a sigh."I 've been tutoring her all yr and I 'm not going to turn back now."

Matt nudged lav."It 's not a bad affair. Maybe she 'll tell us what her brother and Malfoy have been up to all year."

Albus had n't thought of that. Of class, rosebush had n't had any luck getting Elsie to sing all year, so fortune were slim down that he and the other son would birth success.

"Honestly, you lot are far too focused on Malfoy,"Rose said."You 've hardly studied all twelvemonth. Just sit down and start reviewing metamorphosis. I 've made work guide for every subject field. You should have them at your spots."

Albus picked a tooshie and sat down. Rose was organized to the stop of insanity. There were in fact subject area guides for every subject, organized chronologically, from Sep until May. Albus was suddenly very grateful for his first cousin, despite her obvious insanity. This was going to make studying so a great deal easier.

"Wow, thanks Rose,"Albus said. The respite of the chemical group muttered their arrangement.

Rose smiled."See ? It was a commodity idea. Now, we 'll study until lunch and then feature a break."

Lunch was about two hours away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his Transfiguration book and settled in with that and the bailiwick guide. It took him about a one-half hour to process through misdirection, but soon his mind was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the subroutine library quickly filled up. Fifth and seventh class seemed the most unrestrained about finding tables and searching the slew, but student from every class and every house were present. lady Pince spent the morning weaving throughout the tables and looking over everyone 's shoulders to realise sure they were working on school work. With exams so near, the subroutine 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 table, clearly unsure of studying with so many people. Albus was struck again by how similar she looked to Felix. It always sort of amused Albus when sibling 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 Rose noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the first of all twelvemonth over. Elsie seemed less nervous now that rosebush knew she was there, but she still avoided eye physical contact as she sat down and pulled her volume out of her bag. Rose whispered something in her ear and she began reading her spell book.

Albus sighed and returned to his own work. Getting Elsie Willinson to tattle was going to be much more difficult than he thought.
***


Rose 's revision sessions continued throughout the month of May. Albus did n't like to admit it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't sure he would overstep his examination if it were n't for Rose. As the month progressed, the sessions grew both in length and the number of participants. By the end of the first gear week their study mathematical group had grown to include James, Ben, Cedric, and their friend Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and St. James the Apostle missed a few sessions for Quidditch practice, but as the Quidditch final drew closer, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as of import as studying. Tom Bradley and broom were becoming Thomas More and more nervous about the final, since it would determine whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few head behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the last, they would most in all likelihood win the cup as well.

The match took position a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more nervous than he had been for a Quidditch mate in long time. The equal itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the live on time he played with Heather and Fred as the other pursuer on Gryffindor 's team. Next yr he 'd have two new pursuer and that was going to be incredibly strange.

Albus headed down to breakfast before his friends and encountered a few particularly itchy Slytherins on his way. Giggling to himself and enjoying the fact that John and Kaden 's clowning was still going on, workweek later, he entered the Great hallway. 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.

Deciding that breakfast could waitress, Albus crept over to the Slytherin board and attempted to hunker down behind a few seventh years. Unfortunately the Great anteroom was too aloud for proper eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always experience an extendible Ear on his person from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to reckon at his face. He looked terrible. His center were red and it looked like he had n't slept in Day. Very strange, Albus thought, as he rose to follow Malfoy out of the room.

Once in the incoming Hall, Malfoy immediately ran up the staircase, going far too fast for Albus to follow. Albus stood succeeding to the door to the Great Hall thinking about what Malfoy 's actions meant.

He was clearly upset about something, but what was it ? The all-night 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 months ago was connected as well.

Albus did n't mention Malfoy to his friends when they came down to breakfast a few minute of arc later. As a lot as Albus wanted to discuss it with them, he knew that he needed to put it out of his nous for the length of the match. If there was ever a match for Albus not to be distracted, this was it.

The nerves on the team were palpable as they stood waiting to take the air onto the tar. Fred did n't even give a manner of speaking, since everyone knew how important the couple was, both to Fred and heather.

Ravenclaw had a good Quidditch team. They were easily the best team in the school, although most Gryffindors would differ. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this match, causing them to play 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 match it almost seemed like they were one entity, sharing one genius. Albus 's entire mind was focused on Quidditch and Quidditch only. Gone were the opinion of his dad 's job, Laurentis, and Malfoy.

The match only lasted an minute. Albus had n't even realized that James IV caught the Snitch until the whistling was blown. Gryffindor won 420-260, their in effect win yet that year.

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

Albus could n't even find out the comment over the thunderous applause of the witness. Professor Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup high over his head and was making his way through the crowd to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to heather mixture. Each held one face and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the delivery and Albus was sept up in the bunch, making it unmanageable to reach his team. Once he did, somebody snapped their picture.

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

Calluna vulgaris had tears streaming down her brass and Fred was grinning wider than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a career in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their life-time for the past six days. Winning the Cup in their seventh year seemed more touching than it would have winning it any other year. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's team was still as thoroughly as it was now when he got to seventh year. Winning again in his last yr would be the dependable touch in the globe.
***


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

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

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she know ?"

"I 've no idea,"Amanda said as she grabbed a few fade of pledge."I did n't ask."

"well, I just found out why he left,"rosiness said as she set down the seer."His grandad passed away."

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

"One in the same,"pink wine said."His obituary is in there."

"Why were you reading the necrology ?"Matt 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 months 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 feel sorry for him. Albus could n't imagine what it would be like to turn a loss his grandfather, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious faults, he was still Scorpius 's gramps.

"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 obsessed with the fact that Moaning Myrtle knew about him leaving the castle ?"matt asked."She never leaves her loo. We saw Malfoy going into her loo a few weeks ago. Does n't that seem a bit too coincidental ?"

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

Matt shrugged."It looks like he has. Why else would she make love about it ?"

"But why would he go into a young lady 's loo ?"toilet asked, wrinkling his nose."That 's just blinking insane."

"Sounds like we need to pay a visit to Vinca minor,"Albus said.

blush wine groaned."Really, Al ? He just lost his grandfather for God 's sake."

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

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

"But you 're a girl,"Albus pointed out."You could get in there so much well-fixed. Amanda ?"

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

"We 'll go at night, then,"Albus decided."John, Kaden, mat ? Which of you is going with me ?"

"Not me,"Matt said immediately.

"I 'll go,"John the Evangelist said.

"You 're both mad,"blush wine said quietly."Mad."

Albus may have been mad, but he could n't let this mystery go. His gut was telling him that Malfoy was up to something, despite his grandpa 's passing play, and Albus was determined to get out what it was.


A/N : Sorry that the update is a day late ! I was really in use yesterday and did n't accept a chance to update. Thanks for all the lovely reassessment ! I am very behind on answering them, but I 'll complete eventually !


The design to talk to myrtle in the dead of night may have been a programme that belonged solely to Albus and Gospel According to John, but blush wine still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. Exams were now only a week away and Rose was only giving them one Nox off, for repose and clearing stress from the judgement. Neither Albus or John dared cross Rose and skip out on revision, which took place in the library until curfew and then in the rough-cut elbow room until they all went to bed.

Their one night off occurred the night before their outset exam. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a full week, but none of the fifth or seventh yr were taking any nights off, including James. Despite blush wine 's insistence that he study a nighttime off, James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and John spent the evening playacting chess with Kaden. Matt had turned in early, still tired from the full moonshine, which had taken place two days earlier. rose and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory, clearly set upon having some time away from the boys.

The common room emptied as the night progressed, and eventually John and Albus were the only unity left. It had n't taken long since most people went to bed early because of exams. It was probably fairly stupid of Albus and privy to stay up so previous, but neither of them cared.

They waited an additional 15 minutes in instance somebody decided to return to the mutual room, but no one did. Albus glanced at King John and then pulled the invisibleness Cloak and the marauder 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the table. The seacoast was clear.

Albus and whoremonger stumbled out of the portrait gob and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat Lady 's stark gaze.

"Do n't have a bun in the oven me to let you in when you return,"she said."I 'm quite an exhausted."

The Fat Lady was always threatening this but she never seemed to make good on any of her threats. Ignoring her, Albus and John set off along the corridor. whoremonger led the way while Albus kept his oculus glued to the Map, but the corridors remained discharge. It seemed everyone, both students and professors, were getting a good night 's rest before test. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning Myrtle was the only occupier of the second floor miss 's lavatory. John quietly pushed the door exposed 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 sound came from the live on stall and then Vinca minor 's ghostly course floated through the closed cubicle threshold."son ? Why do n't you go use your own-"Myrtle cut herself off with a giggle. She floated toward Albus and John and rested on the sinks."Oh, it 's you. Albus ceramist. And his friend John. Where 's Matt ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that matte 's absence would n't put Myrtle off from talking to them.

On the contrary, Myrtle 's face lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awful today myself. It 's a slope effect of dying, you know."

Albus did n't call back dying had any side event early than dying and had always assumed being a wraith would n't be atrocious, but Myrtle was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"myrtle asked."You never visit me unless you 're in detainment. It 's rather disappointing. No one ever thinks to visit misfortunate Vinca minor. Oh, Myrtle 's dead, they think, so she does n't need any visitors. Myrtle does n't need any friends ! All because she 's dead !"

"No, myrtle, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a girl 's loo. We can only visit you now, in the middle of the night."

Vinca minor let out a loud sigh."I suppose. You are n't the simply boys 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 whoremaster. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought. Myrtle probably did n't have any loyalties to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a step closer to Vinca minor.

"I only know one of their names,"Vinca minor said with a giggle."I know his epithet because his founding father used to add up and talk to me when he was in schoolhouse. But his son is n't quite as talky and he did n't seem to care at all about me or my decease. He only wanted to fuck about the bedroom of Secrets-"

"The Chamber of Secrets ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpius Malfoy wanted to bang about the Chamber of Secrets ?"

Myrtle brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to love exactly where the entrance was. He 'd already done quite a bit of enquiry on it in the depository library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so often sentence in the depository library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the bedroom and I told him about my death and he did n't quite empathise the connection at first. So I showed him the entering and told him that he had to speak like a snake to get in but he could n't visualise it out."

"He tried to utter Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

myrtle nodded."Sounded painful. Your dad was much right at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the Battle of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly awful at it. That 's when I met the former boy. Scorpius left and came back a few 24-hour interval later with this former boy. He showed him the entrance and then they started talking about this girl named Elsie and the other boy thought that she would be able to open the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The former boy must have been Felix Willinson.

"Two workweek ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the Chamber of enigma ? He refused to tell me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his head."We want to eff, too."

"fountainhead,"Myrtle began as she floated up to the roof."Please severalise me when you find out. And following time, piddle sure that Matt comes to visit, too."

"Er, trusted,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"myrtle said."You 're going to get out now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."Exams tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and toilet and they left. On the way back Albus explained the sleeping room of Secrets to John, who only knew the plaza by name. By the time they returned to the unwashed way bathroom was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to require to get into the Chamber of Secrets.

"Do you call back Elsie Willinson can utter Parseltongue ?"St. John the Apostle asked as they climbed through the portrayal hole ( 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 sleep with that, in the centre of examination,"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 break in between exams. Albus had just finished explaining what Vinca minor had told them last night, as well as explaining the Chamber of Secrets for lustrelessness, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you surely she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"Positive ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your judgement. It 's exam week. It 's not the time to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't affect you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a thing for his curiosity. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything salutary.

"They 're up to something, rosebush,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

rose groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"Saint James the Apostle shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's bum."Did you see the prophet this daybreak ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, flatness, and john had both slept too late to have breakfast before their starting time exam.

James River slapped a copy down on the mesa in front of Albus."That bloke, Robert Lyndon Baines Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's place ? He 's revamped the stallion department, claiming that they 're going to take a 99 % capture rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the paper."That 's crazy."

Andrew Johnson REVAMPS AUROR DEPARTMENT

Newly appointed mind Auror, Robert
Johnson, has spent the past times month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
Department. Johnson has rewritten
rules and regularisation for the section
as well as reorganized how Aurors
work together. All Aurors have
attended workshops over the past month
to acquaint themselves with the
new prescript and policies.

'The hope is that we will be able to
gaining control criminals faster and easier ,'
Dr. Johnson said. 'The department has
been disorganized for eld and this
has resulted in many criminals going
free for far foresighted than they should.
Between the new Auror Department insurance
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be able to capture
more criminals and keep them where they
belong- behind bars .'

While Dr. Johnson did not go into specifics
of the policies and dominion, stating that
these are sealed documents, he assured
the wizarding world that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new insurance I do n't see why
we should n't sustain a 99 % capture rate
within a year .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % capture rate ?"Albus asked after setting the newspaper publisher down.

"No idea,"James said."But I thought you 'd need to see it. I 've got to go. metamorphosis practical this good afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the change actually were,"Albus said as his brother left.

"They ca n't,"Rose said."The paper is right about that."

"It 's not like the department was dreaded when Dad was in charge,"Albus continued."He captured Greyback, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting lustrelessness 's dad with that,"Rose commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not fair,"matte said.

"No, it 's not,"Rose said as she glanced at her watch."We 'd better get going. History of conjuration exam."

Albus found it incredibly unmanageable to center 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 a good deal to focus on. Between Malfoy and the Auror section, the last things Albus wanted to retrieve about were hob insurrection and giant wars.

Later that night rosebush held another study session in the library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent more metre staring at the Marauder 's Map and figuring out the best way to make for up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any actual studying, but rosiness did n't look to notice.

The observe two days were nearly identical to the first day of examination, with the exception of the depicted object they were tested on. exam in the morning, tiffin, examination in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The sameness was starting to get on Albus 's nerve, but they were only halfway through exam week.

Elsie Willinson did n't show up to the study session Wednesday even. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to bring up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with her, no matter how effectual 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 ?"Rose asked.

Albus did n't really want to say because he knew pink wine would just swan her middle, 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 young lady 's loo, and when he does, I want to follow him."

"That would be dazed,"Rose said."Look at the past three years. You 've gotten yourself involved with something stupid at the end of every year. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

rosiness had a power point, Albus knew, but he did n't handle."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to kidnap me."

"Famous hold up words,"Rose muttered."He 's probably just in his usual room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the common elbow room. Albus 's philia sped up as he checked the remainder of the Map. It took him a spell, 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 barricade me."

rose wine groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the residual 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 wine asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a break from studying and I 'm just as curious as Albus is."

"Count me out,"matte muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you death time,"trick said with a grin.

Matt turned even redder."I 'd rather not know that."

"We 're in,"St. John the Apostle 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 promote convince Rose of this, he left his books sitting on the table. John, Kaden, and Amanda did the Same.

Albus did n't trouble with the invisibility Cloak since it was n't preceding curfew. They 'd just have to scupper near the loo until the coast was clean-cut and sneak in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually hollow and Albus attributed it to the fact that most of his blighter students were doing some last minute of arc revision before the next day 's test. It certainly made it easier to cabbage into a girl 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'dots entered Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom. They remained there for only a few minutes, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of closed book,"Albus explained."I bet the piranha did n't know about it so they could n't cause put it on the Map."

It took another five minutes for Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the door spread out and ran inside. He stopped short-circuit in front of the sinks.

One of the sinks was gone, having sunk into the floor. In its place was a large, pitch black golf hole. Myrtle was floating above it, her eyes bright.

"They did it,"Myrtle said excitedly."Are you going to comply them ?"

"I guess this answers the dubiousness of whether Elsie Willinson can mouth snake,"John said.

"Is lusterlessness ill again ?"myrtle asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an awful lot of the clock time,"myrtle said."William Tell him to get along see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the mess."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 fancy out what was going on.

"Is it a far free fall ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's more of a sliding board,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"privy 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 reckon he likes me."

Albus ignored Vinca minor and stepped aside so Kaden could skip into the hole. Kaden did so without a indorse glance.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm hunky-dory !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither John or Amanda seemed tend to go next, so Albus stepped to the very boundary of the cakehole and looked down. He could n't see a thing. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not think too hard, he took a deep hint and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being more than of a slide than a drop down. The kettle of fish was Thomas More of a sloping organ pipe and it was n't a bad sloping trough at all. Soon, Albus landed at the bottom and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own wand and took a flavour around. The place was very wet and it smelled frightfully. The rampart were dripping with turbid water and the floor was covered in rock music, mud, and what looked comparable old ophidian pelt.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the dripping water.

There was a whooshing interference behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a scream and turned to see it was only bathroom, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"John muttered as he lit his own wand. There was now adequate sceptre light to see clearly. The place was creepy. That was the simply word for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her wand. Albus and Kaden waited for John Lackland and Amanda to look at a look around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Does anyone hear anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed dead silent to Albus.

John the Divine shook his read/write head."Matt should 've come. We need his werewolf hearing."

Albus nodded in agreement."I guess we just follow the pipe. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his wand pointed in front of him, and they set off. No one rung. No one made any disturbance whatsoever. Albus had his ears poised to hear even the quietest dissonance, hoping to pick up some cue as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt like international nautical mile before they heard even the faintest of dissonance. Albus noticed numerous Hydra skin and the clappers from decades-old fauna. Then, just when Albus had a feeling they were reaching the end of the passage, he heard a spokesperson, clearly, as if it was right on succeeding to him.

"Albus thrower. wellspring, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the vocalisation. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm iniquity. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews ! I will answer to them, but I 've been quite interfering lately.

And now I 'll consider a few moments to bluster. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's event for The Casual emptiness. I got to meet her and get a signed transcript of the Holy Scripture ! It was absolutely pose. I blogged about it on the forums, so please check it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that vocalization in over a year and part 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 vox. He pointed his lit wand in its counselling and saw that there was a very small opening to his left. It appeared to be another pipe, but one much small-scale than the one he and his champion had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to get any racket.

He turned to John Lackland, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you call back ?"

"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,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the pipe. She stuck her header in, making her voice echoey."Why would he fall 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 part wavering. All his bravery from being the for the first time to infix the Chamber was gone.

"I do n't make out,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think Rose might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's shrieking. There was a aloud splash, a clunk, and then more shrieking. Albus turned quickly back to the pipage. Amanda was gone, a pocket-size pile of debris in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."assistance !"

"What 's happening ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"Well, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipe."C'mon !"

Albus had to crouch as he walked in lodge to fit through the tobacco pipe. whoremaster and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over careen as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his wand lighting the few feet in nominal head of him. They followed Amanda 's shrieks until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the pipe emerged into a low bedchamber, not unlike a low version of the chamber they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the rest of the sleeping accommodation of closed book and the far wall contained a alloy grate that appeared to let out into the lake. But the water was n't going through it.

Albus 's attention, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake water. Instead, his centre drew to the ingathering of multitude scattered throughout the sleeping accommodation. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Amanda, in the clutches of Jarrett Willinson, who had his wand pointed at her pass. Albus was just happy they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit worse for wearable. Azkaban did n't seem to have agreed with him and he now looked far older than his early twenties.

Scorpio, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a death clutches on her chum 's hired hand. Scorpius stood next to them and he seemed very upset. The only one who seemed at all okey with the situation was Felix, whose grimace seemed to be coming from his sis 's grip on his deal, not on the situation.

Albus did n't recognize the early three adults at first. Then he remembered their pictures from the Prophet. The shorter womanhood was Dolores Umbridge, her greyish hair's-breadth greatly resembling a beehive around her head teacher. Her pelt was deeply wrinkled and she did n't much resemble the mortal in the exposure, but her eyes and outlandish smiling were the same. The other adult female was about a pes taller and just as ugly. Her hair was stringy and mostly brownness, with stripe of grey. Her nose was long, crooked, and boasted a turgid verruca, giving her the look of a authoritative Muggle 's interlingual rendition of a hag. All that was missing was the unripe peel. 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 ?"Scorpio asked, clearly trying to sound more confident than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the motion. And I can only assumed they followed you three. Whether it was intentional on your persona, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpio demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your beginner wanted and then you did component of what we wanted. And in that lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His eyes went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to visualize out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's Fatherhood 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 sceptre 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 point his sceptre at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is pathetic. I do n't care taking advantage of flimsy small fry, 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, and he 's light to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that stop Elsie started crying. It started out as small snuffle but within ten second blew up into meretricious prick. Everyone in the room turned to stare 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 birth a pick, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just explain what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even expert, 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 give up to result. I really do n't care what the infernal region you do."

Albus exchanged glance with John and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to leave, of course of study, but Albus was utterly confused. For the past tense four days Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to snatch 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 Potter ? I thought you were smarter than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the Prime Minister 's niece, who happens to be a hag. She 's currently the secure bargaining cow chip I could possibly have. I only wish I 'd known about her earlier, but thanks to your uncle the stallion wizarding humankind knows she 's the flush parson 's niece. I must thank that newsman.

"ceramist, do you realize how bad Laurentis would count if anything happened to the Muggle flush Minister 's niece a little over a calendar month after she took authority ? And just daylight after her appointed school principal Auror revolutionized the department ? Oh, it would look awful, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit mean until the Aurors get here and then I 'll seduce my requirement and the Aurors will give in because if they do n't, I 'll pour down the prime minister of religion 's niece."

Albus 's sassing fell unresolved. He stared at Jarrett, whose smiling resembled that of a person who just won the lottery. Amanda looked terrified, her eyes darting everywhere and a few stray tears running down her cheeks.

"Of track you can lead, Potter,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the other Aurors. It 'll only make for 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, Potter. 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 depend like someone capable of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an unstable mental patient than a grievous beldame. But the Carrows, they looked capable of execution. As for Quinton, he was n't practically of a threat. Still, Albus, toilet, 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 to the lowest degree me ?"

"Because I might take 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 bring us the girl. She came with ceramicist, following you."

"Why does it matter ?"Malfoy asked."The point is she 's here now."

"I do n't believe you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're right hand, I would n't ! And do you want to make love why ? I never wanted to avail you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all imbecile, 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 facilitate my dad !"Malfoy said, his verge still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't make love you cretin were going to ingest a patch of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the idiot. You think we 'd make agreed to his secret plan 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 as shooting Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said lots 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 eyes and then whipped around. In a thing of seconds, he sent five back-to-back hexes at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their wands, but were too dull. Malfoy sent two more than beauty and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the early.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."looking like the odds are a little unlike now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to wrap his brain 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 free of his sister 's grip."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do things 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 know 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 get laid the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't weigh now,"Malfoy said as he sent a Stunner at Jarrett.

Albus turned to bathroom and Kaden."Focus on Quinton and Felix. No crime, but you are n't the skillful duelers and I do n't require you to hit Amanda."

John and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to shake 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 carapace and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to keep going, in an attempt to weaken the shield.

Albus heard a flash clangour and turned to his right. Dust was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a large boulder had fallen from the cap and had landed on top of the distaff Carrow.

"I think she 's dead,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed voiceless. Death had never crossed his thinker when he 'd come down here. Trying to push it from his thoughts, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't realize out and Albus turned just in fourth dimension to see him shoot down against the paries. Albus ran over and knelt following to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an awing headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't come down asleep,"Albus said."Stay awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five whizz stumbled through the pipe, their wands out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't recognize the articulation."Nobody move !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the world-class one said as he walked around the way."flavor like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no position to make demands,"the first-class honours degree Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the pipe and let out a suspiration of relief. His dad had been the one-fifth Auror to get in."Dad. Kaden needs to go the infirmary wing. Now."

Harry knelt down following 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 steps forward and Albus was able to see the face of his face. It was Robert Johnson, the new Head Auror.

"She 's the Prime Minister 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be heedful, or I 'll bolt down her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"Johnson said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a vast scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's sake,"Lyndon Baines Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's verge flew in a perfect arc out of his hired hand and President Lyndon Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to dodge the spell, but still keep cargo area of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the floor. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught delay of her, directing her to sit next to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured rope and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a Good Book and none of them questioned any of the suspects. If Albus had n't known any well, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to find down here. It was all very confusing.

Johnson and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed hold of the criminals and took them out of the bedchamber. Harry was left with Albus and the residual of the bookman.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my suspicions, but unfortunately I do n't cause 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 bedroom and back to the piping that led to Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom. Once there, he pointed his scepter at the pipage 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 perfectly ?"Myrtle gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Myrtle seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."Hospital wing."
***


Albus had no literal intellect to quell in the hospital wing. After muttering about how Albus and his friends were always getting into problem, Madam Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfect health. John, Amanda, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were also okay. Kaden, on the other hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to sleep. Albus, John, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. rosebush and matte joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well past times curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to Madam Pomfrey, but promised to return in a few hours. That had been three hours ago and Albus was still waiting for him to number back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the entire ordeal to Matt and rose wine, who both agreed that Malfoy 's behavior was very strange.

The doors to the hospital wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. brothel keeper Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her field of study.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like someone ran my head over with a hand 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 record is that they received an anon. tip, but none of the prisoners are explaining why they were in the Chamber of arcanum 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 corroborate my hypothesis,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpio Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by genus Draco Malfoy to ascertain a suited positioning to planetary house the prisoners for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to capture them. This, of course, had to be done after the Auror department was reorganized by Henry Martyn Robert Johnson, in order to make both him and Laurentis look right. If Laurentis looks dear, Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Draco Malfoy knew where the captive were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"Rose began."You do n't think that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my intellect,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no proof. Nor do I have proof of my theory about Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is perfectly, Dolores Umbridge is clinically insane, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow doubtfulness Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his father. So, for now at least, this will persist 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. bedevilment will do zero. In my experience, mass who are corrupt like this are never able to keep it a underground long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpio ?"Amanda asked."Why did he switch sides like that ?"

"Scorpius Malfoy has had a rough class. His grandfather has been quite ill for a long sentence, which has put stress on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his male parent and then when it came time for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get hold of Amanda, he realized he did n't desire to be involved, not would his founding father have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in bother ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the record book is concerned, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the prisoner just as you lot did."

"That does n't appear sightly,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other bridge player, I think Scorpius Malfoy deserves a break this year. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past tense few month. You might find that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll believe that when I see it,"matt muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the Shrieking 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 newspaper publisher tomorrow, although I have no idea what type of story they 're going to spin around or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't conduct it too hard. delight do not mention my theory to anyone. The last thing we need is an clause in the Prophet claiming that Harry Potter is a confederacy theorist."

Albus laughed and said serious night to his dad. Madam Pomfrey let them catch some Z's in the hospital wing that night, considering how late it was. Kaden, of course of action, had to stay on alive. Albus was surprised by how easy eternal sleep came, considering what he 'd been through that nighttime, but it was nearly two in the cockcrow. He realized with a sinking feeling that he still had exams the next day. Herbology and ancient Runes. 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 adjacent chapter will the survive in this novel. I 'm not sure when the fifth part novel will be up since I have yet to come up with a concrete plot for it. I 'm going to contain a break to drop a line other 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 Friday. But you wo n't see very much else from me until December, as I 'll be busy writing an original fic.


Albus, John, and Matt overslept the next morning. Albus awoke ten hour before their Herbology examination and had to wake up John and lusterlessness, which is never a modest effort. It took a total five minutes to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing full well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his idea was on Herbology. He could n't blockade thinking about what happened finish night.

The boys ran into greenhouse three five minutes late and as soon as they shut the door the integral category looked up from their test and stared at them. Albus got the distinct feeling that they all knew about conclusion Night, whether from rumors or from the seer. prof Longbottom got up from his stool and walked over to them.

"son,"he said quietly.

"I 'm good-for-naught we 're late, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's okay. I know what happened conclusion night. Just go claim your tail. Your exams are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very thankful that Herbology had been the exam he was late for. Longbottom was the most sympathy professor in the intact school day. Albus settled down and managed to take the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few question that he was n't sure about, he was quite confident that he at least passed.

By the time the exam period ended Albus was starving, as were bathroom and matte. They, along with rose wine and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Hall for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the distinct feeling 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 questions. There were a caboodle of people crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the oracle ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"rosebush said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the paper and set it down on his plate. St. John the Apostle and lustrelessness sat on either side of him and read over his shoulder.

CONVICTS CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed Head Auror, Robert
Samuel Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late cobbler's last Night that led him and four
former Aurors to Hogwarts shoal of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. The tip
told Aurors that escaped convicts
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the Chamber
of closed book mysterious under Hogwarts School.

The Chamber of Secrets, long since
regarded as a rumored obscure chamber
beneath the school was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The chamber has
remained empty-bellied since then.

All four escaped convicts, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a twelvemonth
by the Auror Department, were found in
the chamber of secret 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 house without bail bond. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced absolutely by healer
late death night, after the ceiling in
the sleeping room collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts students were found in the
Chamber as well. Johnson has released
very slight information on this aspect
of the nighttime, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one scholar with the
design of killing her if need were
not met. The names of the bookman have
not been released.

It is nameless how the inmate got into
the school. impuissance in the protective
wards are currently being addressed. 'We
wish to ascertain the populace that Hogwarts
shoal remains as safe as ever. The problem
will be addressed quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"unknown quantity how the inmate got into the schooling ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the whole affair up !"

"What did you expect, Albus ?"Rose asked, shaking her head."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new Head Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is earn up stories to cover up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably right,"rose said.

"Who 's rightfulness ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"rosebush said.

"have you seen this scrap ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't wish right now. I just want a sandwich. The soothsaying test was brutal. I had to assure Trelawney 's future in tea leaves."

John laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to gather an premature death at the hands of a wander Quaffle,"Kaden said.

rosebush groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her immense optic lit up and everything."

"She likes death, Trelawney,"John said."Or at least the concept of it."

"Wyrd,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining exams took stead with short tucket. Despite his mind not being on the textile, he thought he did fairly well, and when the sign were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His August 6 mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts bookman, with their short memory brace, soon forgot about the slaughter in the chamber of secret and moved on to other topics of word such as the summertime holiday and the flow Quidditch season. Albus certainly did n't mind this because it meant he was no longer the centre of attention. Despite the fact that the prophet never released the names of the scholarly person in the Chamber, everyone knew it was Albus, toilet, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"face, Laurentis has released a statement about capturing the prisoner,"blush wine said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be well. Let 's hear it."

“'I wish to applaud the Auror Department for their oeuvre in recapturing the remaining hightail it criminal. The seasonably recapture after the reorganization of the Department only reinforces how important a conclusion it was to reorganize. With the new ordinance and policy in the Auror section, organized by Robert Johnson, the Aurors were able-bodied to capture the felon immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to more winner from the Auror Department .'”

"What a loading of crap,"Albus said."Of course they were able to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the convicts to be in the Chamber in the first place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"flatness began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an well-situated enigma to observe, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to make a spoken language,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the staff table.

Professor Embry stood up and raised his manpower for silence. This did null, of class."calm !"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 joy it has been to teach you all this yr. I never expected to teach and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my class as much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a swell appreciation and understanding of our government. Today is my last day at Hogwarts, as the political science course will not continue following class, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't hesitate to owl me if you wish to receive a tour of duty of the Ministry for academic function. I daresay that a few of you might cause calling in politics yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire room burst into applause. Albus was n't sure if the hand clapping was for Embry or for the fact that politics would no longer be a class. Albus had n't minded the class, but one fewer class was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about politics this class, all rightfulness,"privy muttered as the applause settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"sunniness to that !"James I shouted from a few seats down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all surprised to hear Amanda say that. If any of his friends were to get politicians, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts gradation ceremonial. He and rose had attended every exclusive commencement ceremony ceremony since starting Hogwarts, and one the year before, too. It had gotten to the period where he did n't pay much attending to the speeches because they all sounded very similar to the ones he 'd heard before. During this ceremony, the only if component part Albus paid attention to was the parting where Fred and Heather accepted their diplomas, which took all of two mo.

"Well, we survived,"Albus said to GA after the ceremony ended and everyone was milling around.

GA grinned."That we did. It 's kind of surreal, to be honest. Dad did n't win, so things are no different than they were this time endure twelvemonth, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Harry Hotspur doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not sure. He does n't talk about it much. Actually, the weird affair is that whenever I go over there for dinner he spends a lot of fourth dimension asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to keep on me from asking about his lack of employment, but I 'm not going to sound off. Maybe he 'll even learn to like it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the deficiency 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 literal politician, since Laurentis would n't take him. I do n't think he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George with the shop class, but I do n't reckon Uncle George VI really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessional. But he 's too courteous to tell Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"Rose shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to Rose and then turned back to Georgia."I 'd better go. Let me recognize when your next compeer is. I want to go."

GA grinned."certain thing. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, Peach State,"Albus said as he turned to follow Rose back to the castling, where they would catch the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to John 's house this class,"Matt said as the Hogwarts Express hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"John asked, unwrapping a drinking chocolate Frog."I mean, really, are you ? You want to get to my business firm, where I have three screwball little sisters running about ?"

lustrelessness shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the unseasoned in his family,"John said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's right,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one little sister. Wait a moment, lustrelessness 's the only one of us who does n't have younger sibling, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All right,"John said."Let 's devote matte a real number sentiency of what having mickle of sib is like. I 'll owl you and let you know when."

"Exploding Snap ?"Kaden asked, holding up a deck of cards.

"Sure,"matt said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to deal the cards, but before he finished, the compartment door slid heart-to-heart. Albus, expecting one of his first cousin, turned to the door. It slid open the rest 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 need ?"John asked.

"Er, can I just babble out to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping inside and sliding the doorway 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 early side .'”

"What about Elsie ?"rose wine asked, clearly concerned about the girl.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said very much around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"John asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the Chamber ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really proficient with linguistic communication so she was capable to fake it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few instant of cumbersome secrecy. Malfoy shifted his free 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 need 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 matte and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not 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 slight too quickly.

"And we know you put the caprine animal 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 handle that you 're a loup-garou. Really. Sure, it 's eldritch and I have no idea why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't hesitate to hex you, you know,"John said, reaching into his gown for his wand.

Malfoy held up his hands."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should prognosticate a truce."

"A cease-fire ?"Albus asked, raising his brow.

"Yeah, a cease-fire,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this twelvemonth. It makes all this combat we do look really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be friends, are you ?"Saint John asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his face."God no. I 'm saying you lot discontinue only pranking the Slytherins, do n't evidence anyone that I dueled on your side in the bedroom, and I wo n't tell anyone Eckerton is a lycanthrope. I 'll really promise that, without any scourge of expulsion."

Albus was disbelieving. Could the death of Lucius Malfoy really prompt this variety in Scorpius ?

"C'mon, armistice ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his mitt 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 pudding head feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"Fine, truce,"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 affect for a full minute."That was the strangest affair I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't mean any of us will ever fully understand what happened there,"rosebush said."But I think it 's a skillful thing."

"Wyrd, though,"mat said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder matter was, was that Albus did actually believe him. There had been something in Malfoy 's center that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed elder somehow. He was no longer a kid, whose giving worry was arguing with Albus over stupid things. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all grow up that year. They were going to be 5th years now, and Kaden would be a fourth year, and that meant they were the older students in the school. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"Makes me wonder what next twelvemonth will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this class has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"rose reminded them."I think it 'll be plenty strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't want Hogwarts to convert. Despite all that was going on in the outside human race, Hogwarts had always remained the same. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his seat and stared out the window, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't know what changes Hogwarts would see in the observe year, but he did n't want to guess about it just yet. There was still a wholly summer before that would happen, and Albus intended to enjoy it.


A/N : Thank you so much for all the support and reassessment for this story ! You guy cable are amazing. I will be taking a break before continuing with this serial as I have former stories floating around in my head, but I 'll eventually come back to Albus. I 've no theme how long it 'll be, though.

In the meantime, please check out my Marauders Era level, Between Here and Somewhere ! And keep checking back for my recap responses, because I will get to them.