Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


On Yuletide Eve the Potters went to Godric 's hole, like usual. It was completely drear by the time they Apparated to the burrow, but there was plenty of light streaming out of the improbable sign 's windowpane. As they walked closer to the spot, Albus could see the roar of laughter coming from inside.

`` Harry ! '' the door to the burrow flew open and George stood in the doorway to greet them, a mug of eggnog in his hand. `` How are ya, mate ? ``

`` I 'm great, George. I see you 're already drunk, '' Harry grinned at him.

`` A drunkness only Mum 's eggnog can take, '' George went back into the house and Albus and his sept followed.

Albus smiled to himself as he saw the common Chaos that was Yule Eve at his grandparents'business firm. His sea of redheaded cousins were milling around eating and laughing with each other. This was what Albus loved about Dec 25 at the burrow. He grabbed a couple up biscuits from the nearby table and went to incur rose. She was sitting on the level near the hearth with Victor-Marie Hugo, Victoire, and Teddy.

`` Albus ! '' she shouted over the noise, `` Over here ! ``

Albus pushed his way past Georgia and Gabriella who were laughing at something Fred was saying. `` Hi Rose ! What 's been going on ? ``

`` Not much. Uncle George, Uncle poster, and Uncle Charlie are rummy. My dad 's on his way and so is Aunt Alicia. ``

`` Would n't be Christmas Eve if they were n't, '' Albus laughed.

`` Gran 's been refilling the biscuit platters and talking with my mum and aunty Fleur. I think she 's about to put on Celestina Warbeck, '' rose wine gestured to the nearby radiocommunication that molly, Hermione, and Fleur were looking at. Fleur threw her hired hand up in the air and glared at mollie. `` Yup, here comes Celestina. ``

`` Mum hates her, '' Victoire shook her forefront, `` She 'll be heading for the eggnog now. ``

Sure enough, Fleur poured herself a gravid mug of eggnog as molly settled down to listen to the wireless. She was the only one listening, though. Albus could get word bits and pieces of a heated Quidditch treatment going on between his Uncle Charlie, Uncle Saint George, Aunt Alicia, and Heather. Harry was making his way over to them now. It amazed Albus that his uncles and auntie could carry on a fully graspable Quidditch discussion while drunk.

`` How long are you staying, Victoire ? '' Albus asked.

`` Just until after Xmas. I 've got to get back to St. Mungo 's in a couple days. But I 've been here since yesterday when Amy left for Australia. I did n't want to be alone in the apartment, it would 've gotten awfully boring. ``

`` You would n't have had to be alone, '' teddy bear winked, `` And it would n't have been boring. ``

Victoire playfully slapped him. `` teddy bear ! Do n't let Mum hear you say that. ``

`` Oh, Albus, '' rosiness began, `` Both John and Amanda can come to my theater on the 28th. Well, they can only come over for the day, but that should be enough time. Matt 's still not sure. He said he wo n't know until after he gets back from Australia. ``

`` Ok. Great, we can wager Quidditch ! ``

`` Quidditch ? '' Victor Hugo snapped his mind away from his chocolate frog bill of fare, `` Can I play ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus replied.

`` The 28th ? '' Teddy commented, `` I 'll follow over, too. I do n't have to be back at the Ministry until the 29th. I 'm up for some Quidditch. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` We can get a real secret plan going. I 'll just tell my dad I 'm going home with you. '' Albus looked around the way and saw Harry in the thick of a Quidditch discourse. `` Hey, Dad ! ``

`` What is it, Al ? '' Harry got up and squeezed his way through the crowd over to Albus.

`` It 's all right if I go to rose 's family on the 28th, right ? And abide a couple days ? ``

`` That would be fine, '' Harry said, `` But we 're actually going to Dudley 's business firm for New Year 's Eve, so we 'll come get you on the 31st before we leave. ``

`` We 're going to Dudley 's ? '' Albus stared at his dad.

`` Er, yeah, '' Harry gave Albus a half smile, `` Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon will be there as well .... ''

`` What ? ! ''

`` Dudley thought it would be a thoroughly idea, considering that Kaden is a wizard, '' Harry explained.

`` All right, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't really need to see auntie Petunia and Uncle Vernon, but he did n't really ingest a choice.

`` I 'm certainly they 'll be ... civilized, at least, '' Harry gave Albus a hug before leaving to rejoin his Quidditch discussion.

`` Well, at to the lowest degree I can come up over for a few days, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but you 've got to go see the Dursleys, '' shift screwed up his facial expression in disgust.

`` It 's definitely going to be an interesting day, '' Albus replied.

`` I 'm sure it 'll be hunky-dory, '' rose wine assured him. `` Plus, Kaden will be there. ``

`` That 'll create it even more concern, '' Albus grinned.

`` You know, he 'd fit veracious in with this lot, '' Rose gestured to the loud and knockabout Weasley family around them. `` Except without the red fuzz. ``

`` Hey, I have n't got red hair ! ''

`` Neither do I, '' Victoire agreed.

`` I do, '' shift laughed as he changed his pilus from its common blue devil to red.

`` You 're not technically a Weasley, '' Rose commented.

`` closing sufficiency. And anyway, who knows what 'll bechance in the next few years, '' Teddy winked at Victoire, who giggled. Teddy threw his arms around Victoire and kissed her.

`` better not let Gran see you doing that, '' Rose warned.

`` Always a stickler for the principle, huh Rosie ? '' Teddy laughed and lengthened his hair until it was the perfect reproduction of Rose's.

`` Do n't do that ! '' rose groaned, `` And I do break rules. Just ask Albus. ``

chemise shortened his hair again and turned to Albus. `` Really ? ``

`` She does, '' Albus confirmed, `` Quite a few times, actually. ``

`` This I 've got to hear. ``

`` Maybe another prison term, '' Albus glanced at Rose. Albus had n't really decided whether or not to distinguish teddy about the new map. Most of Rose 's and Albus 's most recent formula break was done in order to decipher it. Albus knew he was n't going to differentiate his cousins about it, but he was n't sure about shimmy and Epistle of James. One role of him thought they deserved to know, considering that their father and gramps were both marauder, but on the other paw he kind of liked keeping it a secret.

`` Aw, amount on, severalise me. ``

`` Another time, '' blush wine said adamantly.

`` Oh, amercement, '' teddy huffed, `` But I will find oneself out. ``

Albus spent the respite of the even talking and playing games with Rose, teddy, and Victoire. He was really enjoying the fourth dimension off from schoolhouse and getting to spend time with his entire household at once. By the sentence he climbed up to the attic bedroom that he shared with James and a few of their cousin-german, he was tired and stuffed from all the cooky.

******

`` James ! Albus ! '' Albus snapped his eyes open at the phone of his name the next morning time. He immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Lily. He heard her footfall bounding into the way. `` Albus, King James ! It 's Xmas ! inflame up ! ``

`` Hi Lily, '' Albus yawned.

`` goodness, you 're up ! Saint James ! Get up ! ``

`` I 'm up, I 'm up ! '' James I mumbled.

`` We 've got present, James River ! '' Lily grinned.

`` Right ! '' James said excitedly and Albus heard him crawling to the end of the top bunkum to his pile of presents.

`` I 'm going to open mine ! '' Lily shouted as she ran out of the room.

After Lily 's early wake-up call, everyone in Albus 's way was up. Albus settled down to open his own spate of present tense with the former boy. The foremost few loge were filled with Sweet and various Weasley 's thaumaturgist Wheezes products. The adjacent was this twelvemonth 's Weasley jump shot. It had a red quaffle stitched onto the front with a USN blue desktop. `` Opened your jumper yet, James ? ``

`` Sure did, '' James II replied, `` Red with a green dragon on it. ``

`` Mine 's blue sky with a red quaffle. ``

`` Excellent. ``

Albus opened the adjacent few present tense, which consisted of numerous books and former clothing detail. He also got a broomstick Servicing Kit, which would be useful since his Firebolt 2000 had a few twigs that needed to be plucked. Albus saved the present from his parents for last and was about to spread it when James II gave an excited shout from the bed above.

`` Whoa ! ``

`` What is it ? '' Cedric asked and jumped off his bed. Ben followed and the two of them ran over to King James 's bed.

Albus crawled out of his bed and joined his cousin-german. `` What ? '' he asked.

James had a huge grinning on his face as he held up a blank small-arm of parchment. `` seem what I got. ``

Albus stared at the parchment. `` You 're kidding ! Dad gave you the piranha 's Map ? ``

`` He sure did ! '' James shouted.

`` This is perfect ! '' Cedric exclaimed.

`` I ca n't consider he gave it to you, '' Ben grinned.

`` That 's corking, Henry James, '' Albus smiled, `` But why you and not me ? '' Albus could n't avail but find a piffling left out, even though he now had his own Marauder 's Map that would potentially be in force than the master copy. But his dad did n't know about that, so why did he devote the Map to James ?

`` Dunno, '' James shrugged. `` What did they get you ? ``

`` Have n't opened it yet, '' Albus picked up the software package from his parents and shoot off the wrapping.

What he saw made his oral cavity evenfall afford in blow. This would explicate why James got the Map ! Sitting in the center of the buck wrapping, was the Invisibility Cloak. `` He, he gave me the Cloak, '' Albus whispered.

`` well, that 's why you did n't get the map, '' James replied, `` This is brilliant ! ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, pulling the cloak out of the wrapping. He laughed to himself as he thought of how he and pink wine went through all that trouble of stealing it earlier in the calendar month and now he got it for Christmas Day. `` Guess this is why Dad wanted the Map back. ``

James laughed, `` We gave it back only for him to open it to me. I think we ought to percentage them. ``

`` That 's a good musical theme, '' Albus agreed, not mentioning that hopefully he would birth his own map working soon.

`` And share them with us, too, '' Cedric gestured to himself and Ben.

`` Of path we will, '' James IV assured them. `` We just have to be sneak about it. We ca n't let all of Hogwarts know we 've got these. ``

`` I 'm going to go Tell Rose, '' Albus wrapped the Cloak around himself and left the room. He had never worn the Cloak at the tunnel before and he thought it was really funny that he passed Eddie on the step and Eddie did n't even mark him. He pushed open the door to the room that Rose shared with Victoire, GA, Gabriella, and Scots heather and waited for the daughter'reactions.

Heather jumped when she heard the room access open and saw that no one was there. Victoire and Gabriella laughed and then shrugged. Rose got up from her bed and walked cautiously over to the door.

`` Boo, '' Albus pulled the Cloak off and grinned.

All five daughter shrieked as they saw Albus emerge from the Cloak, then they all started laughing. `` Where did you get that ? '' blush wine demanded.

`` Dad gave it to me ! ''

`` He did ? '' Victoire stared in amazement. `` Wow, that is really great. ``

`` I just ca n't believe he gave you that, '' rosebush grinned, `` I 'll bet St. James the Apostle is jealous. ``

`` He got the predator 's Map, so he 's finely. ``

`` Wow ! '' rose wine shouted, `` That 's incredible. And you can portion them. ``

`` That 's the plan, '' Albus grinned. `` fountainhead, I 'll see you lot downstairs. '' He wrapped the Cloak around himself once more and left the room. Albus could n't trust that his dad had actually given him the Cloak ! He did n't guess Harry would ever give it up. The best part was that he was now even more like his grandfather had been at Hogwarts. Albus was even more of a piranha now that he had the Cloak.

Albus continued down the steps and into the kitchen of the burrow. A few of his cousin-german, aunts, and uncles were already up and starting to eat breakfast. Harry and Ginny were there as well, along with Lily. His grandmother was tending to multiple cauldrons at once, while simultaneously bringing diverse point to the table. Albus watched them all for a few mo before pulling the Cloak off and shouting, `` Happy Christmas ! ``

Bill choked on his coffee and spat it across the tabular array at George I, who had started laughing. Harry, who had probably been expecting this, grinned and looked at Ginny, who was smiling back. Lily was staring at Albus with her mouth wide spread. Molly dropped the bowlful of burgoo she had been bringing to the table. Everyone else looked at Albus with various facial expression of electric shock and amusement.

`` Albus ! '' Molly shrieked as she cleaned up the spilled oatmeal with a wave of her wand, `` Do n't do that ! ``

`` You gave him the Cloak ? '' George asked.

`` Yep, '' Harry replied, `` I take it you 're enjoying it, Al ? ``

`` Sure am ! '' Albus went over to where his parents were sitting and gave them each a huge hug, `` give thanks ! ``

`` You 're receive, '' Harry smiled, `` I figured you should be able-bodied to enjoy it while you 're at Hogwarts, like I did. Although I expect you to use it more responsibly than I did. ``

`` I 'll try, '' Albus said, thought process of when he snuck down to the Whomping willow tree with it only two week ago. `` James and I are going to share it. Same with the Map. ``

`` Wait, you gave him the predator 's Map, too ? '' George VI stared at Harry.

`` No, James II got that. ``

`` I did n't call back you 'd ever grant that away, '' George laughed.

`` fountainhead, I can thread the palace whenever I want and it wo n't count who 's around, '' Harry explained, `` The male child ca n't. Plus, I did n't want to deny them the fun of it. ``

`` Are you sure that 's safe, Harry ? '' Molly asked anxiously.

`` The castling is perfectly good, even at night. I 'm not saying I approve of you wandering around at night, '' Harry gave Albus a unrelenting gaze, `` But there are more captivation than ever protecting it. ``

`` That wo n't protect them from magician already in the palace ! '' Molly commented, `` recall that Willinson kid end year ? ``

`` How could I block ? Sometimes, you just have to rent danger in ordering to live on a little. I trust the boys enough to eff they wo n't go wandering around late at night very often. And if you see anything funny on the Map, '' Harry turned to Albus, `` Tell me about it right away. ``

Albus nodded. `` Sure. '' He took a seat at the table, with the Cloak on his lap, just as James IV ran into the room holding the Map in his hands.

`` Thanks, Dad ! '' King James shouted, `` This is splendid ! ``

`` I 'll tell you what I told Al. Do n't use that to break off too many rules and if you see anything abnormal on it, recite me right away. ``

`` Hello, Weasleys ! '' shift strolled into the room, his hair's-breadth half green and half red. He sat down side by side to Albus and pulled a phonograph recording of eggs towards him. `` Happy Christmas. ``

`` I know your hair is Christmas color in, but those two semblance just should n't be paired together, '' James shuddered as he noticed Teddy 's hair. `` I mean, Gryffindor and Slytherin at the Same time ? ``

`` It 's gay, '' teddy bear grinned. `` You want me to charm yours to be red and green, too ? Just learned some fantabulous charms for that sort of thing in training. Not that I 'll need them. ``

`` No thanks, '' Jesse James had a facial expression of disgust on his face. `` I 'll keep the knit red. ``

`` Is that ... '' Teddy looked at the sheepskin James was holding, `` The Marauder 's Map ? ``

`` Oh, yeah ! certain is ! '' James handed it to teddy bear, `` Got it for Christmastime ! ``

`` That 's bang-up ! '' Teddy grinned. `` What did you get Albus ? Do n't think Harry could top that. ``

`` I got the Cloak. ``

Teddy turned to Albus, `` Really ? That 's smashing, too ! Wish I had an Invisibility Cloak. ``

`` But you can shake off those disillusion good luck charm, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Not nearly as fun as that Cloak, though, '' Teddy commented.

`` Oh, boys, '' Harry began, `` You 're going to take in to portion those with Lily once she gets to Hogwarts. ``

`` Aw, fall on, '' James groaned.

`` If you do n't I 'll just steal them, '' Lily smirked, `` And hide them in my dormitory, which you two wo n't be able to get into. ``

`` She 's got a point, '' Ginny grinned.

`` We 'll portion, '' Albus assured them. He would n't listen sharing with Lily, just as long as she kept the Cloak secret. The last thing they needed was the stallion palace knowing about it.

`` Good, '' Harry smiled, `` Now who 's up for a little winter Quidditch ? ``

`` Me ! '' Albus, James II, teddy, and mostly everyone else shouted at the same time.

******

Albus spent nigh of the day playing Quidditch outside with his kinsperson. Eventually they all had to come in because they were too cold to play any longer. Plus, it started snowing pretty hard and nonentity wanted to mislay the Snitch. Albus spent the remainder of the day with rosiness and reading a few of his new al-Qur'an. The Cloak was passed around between his cousins, and most of them were amazed Harry had given it to him, and a little jealous as well. Epistle of James passed the Map around and everyone had fun watching the few dots that were left in the castle.

Christmas dinner party came and went in its common chaotic State. It was loud and mirthful and Albus enjoyed every minute of it. He went to bed feeling very full and very content. The future day Albus 's aunts, uncles, and cousins all started to go out. Albus and rosebush 's fellowship stayed for a couple more days, but they soon had to leave so Albus 's grandparents could go on holiday for New Year 's. Albus was actually excited to leave because he would be going to rose 's house and hopefully getting the stag print.

Albus landed in blush wine 's living elbow room after Flooing from the Burrow. His Uncle Ron, Rose, and Victor Hugo had already arrived and his aunty Hermione was right wing behind him. There was an owl waiting next to the windowpane and Hermione ran over to let it in.

`` That 's matte 's owl, '' Albus announced as he and Rose went over to regain the letter. Albus opened the envelope and scanned the letter, `` He can derive, but only for tomorrow. We 're supposed to meet him at the Leaky cauldron at eleven. ``

`` Sure, '' Hermione smiled, `` Tell him that will work. ``

Albus found a quill and quickly scribbled a response on the binding of the letter and sent it off with the owl. He and Rose ran up the stairs and into rosiness 's elbow room to speak about plans for getting the print.

`` I hope you 've got some ideas, '' Albus said as he shut rose 's door.

`` Of course of study I do, '' Rose grinned. `` We 'll tell my parents that we 're going to go exploring in the forest and we 'll front for a hart while we 're in there. Once we find one, we 'll all try and stun it- ''

`` What about the underage magic laws ? '' Albus definitely did n't require someone from the Ministry showing up shortly after they stunned a hart. The last thing he wanted to do was explain why he had done it.

rose laughed, `` Have n't you figured it out yet ? They ca n't tell who 's done the magic, only that magic 's been done. The Ministry has no way to tell if it was us or my parents who performed the magic. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. All last summertime he could have done deception and the Ministry would n't have found out. `` Really ? ``

`` Yes, really. The Ministry just relies on parents to not let their kids use magic exterior school. So I would n't indicate doing it a lot. I 'm sure we 'd get in big fuss with our parents. I would n't even be suggesting we do this if there was another way to get the print. ``

Albus nodded. He did n't really want to break the law either, but what could they do ? There was no way to get a tell on print if the stag was n't stunned. `` I just hope we actually find one tomorrow. ``

`` Me, too. But we do take in a couple mean solar day. You 'll be here until the 31st, so that 's four days to get it. ``

`` Yeah, but John the Divine and matte want to help, too. ``

`` I know and we 'll try. Hey, I 'll bet Amanda 's gotten the dog print by now ! ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus said excitedly, `` So we 're pretty much halfway there. ``

`` Yup, '' Rose grinned.

`` Now we 've just got to find the magical spell to retain Kaden restrained, '' Albus replied.

`` You 're going to severalise him everything after I find that magical spell ? '' Rose asked.

`` I think so. I mean, as long as the spell works he ca n't evidence anyone about it. It 's obvious now that he 's Wormtail, although I 'm sure as shooting he 'll be a better one. But it 's up to Matt whether he wants to tell Kaden he 's a werewolf. ``

`` Is n't it kind of essential for this ? ``

`` Probably, but I ca n't exactly assure Kaden that. ``

`` Yeah, you definitely ca n't, '' rose wine agreed.

`` Let 's just try and get the stag print first, '' Albus suggested, `` Then we 'll figure out the Kaden thing. ``


A/N : J.K. Rowling did country in an interview that Harry was n't going to open the map and the cloak to James & Al, but it fits the patch so I 'm just ignoring that for this series. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Denas, Miguel, Johanne, Luke, Slytherinlover, wolverine83, Moonylupin, XDNLxtlz99, maraudersfan a w, and Jen for the reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramist.


Albus, Rose, and Hermione went to the Leaky Cauldron the following day to see Matt and Amanda, who was also being dropped off there. John had arrived earlier by Floo and went with them as well. When they got there, both mat and Amanda were already there.

`` Hi ! '' Albus greeted them as he stepped out of the Floo.

`` Hi Albus, '' Matt grinned, `` How was your Christmas ? ''

`` It was smart as a whip, '' Albus replied, `` hold cashbox you see what I got. ``

`` What ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Ca n't show you here, '' Albus whispered. `` I 'll picture you when we get back. ``

`` Let 's go now, '' Matt said impatiently.

`` You kids go ahead, '' Hermione told them, `` I 've got a bit of shopping to do. ``

Albus bade goodbye to his aunt and turned back to the Floo. Within seconds he was back in Rose 's dwell room. A few minutes later all his friends were back as well.

Matt and Amanda stared around the room. `` Nice house, '' Amanda smiled.

`` Yeah, '' lusterlessness agreed, `` Kind of looks like mine. ``

`` Thanks, '' rose wine replied.

`` So, Albus, what did you get for Christmas ? '' lusterlessness asked.

`` This, '' Albus pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of his cloak pocket. He had been carrying it around with him ever since Christmas.

Matt let out a gasp. `` Whoa ! You really got the Cloak ? That 's completely amazing ! ``

`` I love that cloak, '' Amanda grinned.

`` And to think we steal it just a few calendar week ago, '' John snorted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus hissed, `` Uncle Ron and Hugo are here. ``

`` Oh, sorry. ``

`` But this is n't all, '' Albus continued, `` James got the Marauder 's Map. ``

`` He did n't ! '' toilet shouted.

`` He did. ``

`` You two are so lucky, '' Matt replied.

`` But we 'll experience our own Map soon anyway, '' Amanda pointed out as she dug around in the bag she brought. She produced a knit opus of sheepskin with a paw print on it that was slightly minor than the werewolf print.

`` You got it ! '' Albus took it from her. `` We 're halfway there now. ``

`` I hope it 'll work. Newton would n't stay still and the parchment is variety of wrinkled. ``

`` I 'm sure it will form, '' Albus said.

`` sound affair we did n't hold the print go directly on the map, '' Matt replied.

`` So today we get the hart print, '' Albus announced. `` Right after lunch. ''

Everyone agreed and headed into the kitchen to scrounge up some food for thought. Ron had already created an enormous sandwich and was eating it when Albus and the others walked in. They all liked the melodic theme of making jumbo sandwiches and were soon eating alongside Ron. Albus thought St. John the Apostle 's sandwich looked disgusting because it was piled high with turkey, mess, and goober pea butter. Rose shuddered as she saw him bite into it, but he thought it tasted delicious.

`` I ca n't believe you ate that total affair, '' rosiness screwed up her grimace in disgust after whoremonger ate the last insect bite of his lunch.

`` It was thoroughly, '' he shrugged.

`` Hey, Uncle Ron, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to go explore the wood. ``

`` All right. Have fun. But try and be back by three. teddy 's coming over and so are James and your dad. We 're all going to play Quidditch. ``

`` Sure, we 'll be back by then, '' Albus was excited about playing Quidditch. It was always better when teddy was there.

Once they were all done with lunch, Rose and Albus led the way outside and over to the timber. The timber was situated next to the big overt study that was next to the sign. Albus and rosiness went exploring in it quite a bit and knew their way around it well. The group crunched across the Snow oppressed field of operations until they came to the forest 's sharpness. Rose found the track they usually took and lead the group down it. `` observe your center pealed for a stag, '' she told everyone.

`` This reminds me of the forest near my old house in Australia, '' matt commented after a few proceedings of walking.

`` How was Commonwealth of Australia this year ? '' Albus asked, remembering that his ally just returned to U.K. the previous day.

`` It was all right. No different than usual. It was boring of course, and my grandma kept telling us how we should visit more often. ``

`` You 're not going to, are you ? '' toilet asked.

`` Do n't think so. Mum and Dad do n't really want to. Plus they want to go visit my Uncle Jack in New York this summer. ``

`` That would be fun, '' Amanda replied.

`` Yeah, I hope we get to go. ``

The group continued walking into the forest until rosebush announced that it would be best if they sat completely still and waited for a stag to walk by. She said their drive would scare the creatures away. Albus sat down in the snow behind a bush with his supporter and watched and listened for animate being. After a half hour of waiting, Albus was bored. How long was it going to take for a stag to cross their track ? He would much rather just walk around to obtain one. rose seemed perfectly message to sit still, as did Matt. John had made a orotund hatful of snow lump, along with a hoodwink sorcerer. Amanda was in use creating a snow witch to go along with his wizard.

`` I 'm bored, '' St. John the Apostle sighed as he made yet another snow globe. `` How long is this going to need ? ``

`` I do n't know, '' rosiness shrugged, `` We do n't see hart that often in here, so it might be a spell. ``

Albus glanced at his picket, `` Well it 's just after two, so if we do n't notice one soon, we 'll take to go back. '' He stared into the forest and willed a stag to come. Albus was getting frustrated by this power point. They needed that give away print for the map ! There was no blank space else to discover one. What if they could n't recover a hart before the end of the vacation ? They would have to wait until the summer to search again. Albus could n't hold off that hanker. He wanted the map now.

`` time lag, '' matte stood up and turned around, `` I think I hear something over there. '' He pointed to a clump of George Walker Bush a couple meter away.

`` I do n't hear it, '' John replied.

`` Shush ! '' flatness whispered, `` You know I can hear thing you ca n't. ``

Matt started slowly making his way towards the clustering of Bush. Albus and the others followed behind, cypher saying a word. `` baton ready, '' Matt whispered.

Albus pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the bushes, his mind racing with excitement as he went. This was it ! They were going to get the give away print ! Part of Albus 's mind knew that this was n't necessarily a hart, but he did n't pay attention to that. What else could it be ? about of the creature in the timberland were too small-scale to be rustling the George Herbert Walker Bush this much. As Albus got closer to it, he could distinctly hear the footmark of the animate being, and they were much too garish to be a lapin or a squirrel. There were n't many boastfully brute in the forest, stags being some of the few. It could be a doe, but Albus hoped it wasn't.

The grouping was now only a partner off feet away from the bushes. Everyone had their verge pointed at them, waiting for the animate being to make its appearance. The here and now Albus saw the leaves part, he shouted, `` Stupefy ! ``

`` Stupefy ! '' rosiness, King John, matte, and Amanda all shouted at once.

Whatever was in the bushes jumped to the side and missed all five stunning patch. `` Whoa ! What the bloody hell do you lot think you 're doing ! ''

It was Teddy. The noise lustrelessness had heard in the George H.W. Bush was Teddy. Albus lowered his verge and sighed. So much for finding a stag. Now that Teddy was with them, they would no longer be able to appear. Albus turned to his Friend and saw them all put their wands away.

Teddy fully emerged from the Dubya and walked over to where Albus was with a bewildered look on his face. `` Do I even want to know what you 're up to ? ``

`` Er, '' Albus began, trying to think up an excuse fast.

`` We 're just taking a base on balls in the forest and you scared us ! '' pink wine announced, `` Sneaking up on us like that, what did you think we 'd do ? ``

`` screaming, maybe ? '' Teddy gave them a skew-whiff grin, `` But not attack me. ``

`` So you were trying to scare us ? '' blush wine said exasperatingly

`` A bit, yeah, '' shift laughed. `` Worked, did n't it ? ``

`` I 'll say, '' blush wine muttered. Albus listened to the two of them but did n't add anything. He was forever grateful that his cousin was a comfortably liar than he was.

`` It 's kind of cold to be going for a wage hike, '' Teddy commented, `` But Ron said you were here, so I figured I 'd see if I could bump you. '' He eyed John 's pile of Abronia elliptica and grinned, `` Planning on having a C. P. Snow ballock scrap ? ``

shimmy did n't wait for an answer and picked up a few of John the Divine 's snowball. He threw one at Albus and the former at rosiness.

`` view it ! '' Albus shouted as the snowball made striking with his cheek. He spat out the snow and crouch down to make his own C nut. He aimed it at chemise but shift jumped out of the way and it hit Matt instead.

`` Hey ! '' lusterlessness shouted as he picked up one of whoremonger 's snowball and threw it at Albus. It landed public square on Albus 's chest.

A few instant later, a vast snowball fight broke out. It was every man for himself for a while and Albus was getting pummeled by Teddy 's snowball. He tried to get shift back, but Teddy was too quick for him. Instead, Albus decided to focalise on matte, who was trying to get Albus back for the snowball that had hit him instead of teddy bear. Rose eventually joined Albus in his effort to get lusterlessness, while Amanda evened out the odds by joining Matt 's side. John, who seemed to be the alone one with enough skill to hit Teddy, was having a one-on-one fight with the bluing haired boy and was actually doing well.

The six of them were completely soaked by the clip the fight ended. flatness and Amanda surrendered to blush wine and Albus after the full cousin decided to create about twenty snowballs and lob them constantly at their two friends. St. John surrendered to Teddy a few minutes later, once chemise decided to entrance a pile of snow to turn itself into sweet sand verbena, resulting in a never-ending supplying of ammunition for Teddy. John did n't have intercourse that spell and was stuck hand making his snow balls while Teddy continuously sent snowballs at him.

`` Who 's up for Quidditch ? '' shift asked as they were walking back through the wood to blush wine 's house.

`` M-maybe after I d-dry off, '' Albus shivered. The nose candy had completely penetrated his cloak and was now freezing it into an icicle. His friends nodded in agreement.

`` Sounds good, '' slip replied, `` Harry and Saint James the Apostle should be at the home by now.

A little while later, Albus found himself back at Rose 's household, where everyone was waiting for the Quidditch couple to start. Albus, along with his friends, ran upstairs to dry off and change quickly.

`` Ready ? '' slip jumped up from the chair he was sitting on once Albus and his Friend descended the stairs. `` Who has n't got a broom with them ? ``

`` Me, '' Amanda said. She was the only one. lav and Matt, who both had ling, had brought them knowing they would spiel Quidditch.

`` We 've got fifth wheel, '' Ron announced, holding a couple broom in his hand.

Once everyone had a ling to use, slip started to consume charge of creating teams. `` All right. Let 's see, we 've got Me, Harry, Ron, King James I, Albus, whoremaster, Matt, Amanda, Hugo, and Rose, are you playing ? ``

`` Sure, why not ? '' blush wine shrugged.

`` Good, then we 've got ten instrumentalist. That 's five per team. So each squad will give birth a Seeker, a beater, a steward, and two chasers, that 'll work. I 'll be one of the searcher, '' he turned to Harry and James, `` Which one of you will be the early ? ``

`` You can, James, '' Harry offered, `` I 'll do whatever is needed. ``

After a few moment of organizing, the two teams were created. Albus 's team consisted of Teddy as Seeker, Ron as keeper, Hugo as the only Beater, and lustrelessness and himself as the two Chasers. On the former team, Saint James was Seeker, Amanda was Keeper, Saint John the Apostle was the Beater, and pink wine and Harry as Chasers.

The two teams trooped outside into the cold wintertime day. It was just starting to snow a little, but Albus did n't mind. He would retain warm while he was playing anyway. Harry and Ron conjured destination hoops and everyone flew into the air. Hermione released the nut ( only one Bludger, since there were only two beaters ) and threw the Quaffle into the air, then conjured herself a chair to watch.

The mate was null like the ones at Hogwarts. It was much more intimate, and in a way, Albus enjoyed it more. There was only favorable contest between the two team and no one got wild when someone dropped the Quaffle, which happened a lot. The two team were pretty evenly matched in terms of Chasing acquirement. Albus, who was the only real Chaser on either team, was easily the best. Harry was a decent chaser, but it was light up that Seeking was his genuine skill. Rose was absolutely frightening and was the inaugural to admit it. She was n't a big fan of flying in the first stead and did n't like to take her hands off her broom in order to catch and throw the Quaffle. lusterlessness was better than Rose, but dropped the Quaffle numerous meter. Albus and Matt scored more points than Harry and rosebush did.

Ron, of course, was a very good Keeper and Amanda was as well. Albus was form of surprised at this, because she never really played Quidditch before. Maybe she could try out for the Gryffindor squad once Georgia left. St. John was an dumbfound Beater and Albus already knew that he 'd be trying out for the squad after Bradley and Ryan left. Hugo was also a very salutary Beater and it was obvious he had received all the Quidditch genes in his family. Then, of track, there were the Seekers. Both Teddy and James were amazing quester and by far the two best players on either team.

After about an hour of playing, during which Albus was sure both shift and Saint James the Apostle had seen the Snitch but ignored it in order to drag the game on longer, both Seekers flew directly up into the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. A few sec later, they both came flying back down and James had the sneak clutched in his hand.

`` I got it ! '' he shouted.

`` That puts your squad ahead, '' Hermione announced, `` You won 270 to 210. ``

`` Yes ! '' James exclaimed, landing on the ground. Albus and the rest of the players landed after him and congratulated him and his team for winning. `` Ha ! I beat you at Quidditch, Teddy ! '' James gloated.

`` Yeah, yeah, good job, '' shift sighed, `` Knew I should n't accept trained you that well. ``

`` You 'll be saying otherwise when we win the Cup this year ! '' James II grinned, `` We already beat Slytherin. ``

`` I know, I was there, '' chemise laughed, `` Anyway, I 'm just joking. ``

Despite the fact that his team did n't win, Albus was happy. He loved playing Quidditch with his syndicate, even more than playing on his House team. It was even better with his friends there, too. He walked back into the house with his friends and family, cold but very content. Hermione had made a collection plate of sandwiches for them, which everyone ate enthusiastically once they had dried off.

After all the food had been eaten, privy Flooed back to his house and Albus, Rose, and Hermione went with Matt and Amanda back to the Leaky Cauldron to satisfy their families. It had been a curtly visit, but a fun one nonetheless. Albus only wished that they had managed to get the stag print. He and Rose were planning on trying again the next day, and the following if it was requisite. They had three Thomas More days to do it and Albus was determined to succeed.

******

Albus and blush wine spent as much time as they could in the forest looking for stags the next day. When they were n't in the afforest, they spent their meter in the library in rose wine 's household, looking for a charm to keep Kaden quiet.

`` There 's Holy Scripture in here that are n't in the school subroutine library, '' Rose announced as they walked into the room after a particularly dusty junket in the forest.

`` I 'm still not for sure we should require a geological fault from looking for a stag, '' Albus replied.

`` It 's too moth-eaten out there now. Plus there 's a storm coming and it wo n't do us any estimable if we get lost out there. '' rosebush went over to a script shelf and Albus followed. He had been in this room plenty of fourth dimension before, just never to look for a specific charm.

`` How are we supposed to find one charm hidden in all these Book ? '' Albus sighed, `` We do n't even know what it 's called. ``

`` That 's what this is for, '' Rose slammed a heavy Christian Bible down on the board nearest to the shelf she pulled it off of.

Albus looked at the Word, `` An Encyclopedia of Charms by Filius Flitwick. That 's who Mum and Dad had for charm, is n't it ? ``

`` Yes, '' Rose confirmed as she opened the cover, `` It 's a rather ingenious melodic theme, really. All I 've got to do is drive my scepter, level it at the ledger, and say'I need a charm to continue someone quiet'and it will flip to the right Page. ``

`` That would certainly quicken thing along, '' Albus replied. `` Try it. ``

`` All right hand, '' Rose pointed her wand at the Good Book, `` I need a charm to keep individual quiet. '' The book 's page immediately started turning until they stopped about a fourth part of the way into the volume. Rose peered at it and then shook her head. `` Nope, that 's not it. This one 's just a silencing good luck charm. ``

`` Maybe you 've got to be more particular, '' Albus suggested.

rosebush nodded. `` I need a charm to prevent someone from talking about something. '' The page started turning again and stopped a few seconds later. rebel sighed after she read the description. `` This one charms a person 's rima oris shut. ``

Albus laughed, `` Well that would definitely keep Kaden from talking about the map ! ``

`` People might notice, though, '' Rose smirked, `` Although it does feature it 's advantages. I 'll try something else. ``

`` I think you 'd better tell the book exactly what we need the good luck charm to do. severalise it that Kaden has to not talk about a particular thing. ``

`` trade good idea, '' rose wine poised her wand above the book, `` I need to proceed Kaden Durlsey from revealing arcanum about lustrelessness Eckerton and about a map. He must only be able to talk about these closed book with five other citizenry and not mention them to anyone else. He should be able to converse normally about other topic. ``

`` That ought to be particular enough. '' Albus watched as the Word hesitated for a few moments and then turn its page to one of the final stage ace. Both rosebush and Albus leaned over the book of account while blush wine read aloud.

`` 'The Sileo Altus Charm is the most complex and intricate of the silencing appealingness. This magic spell has the power to keep a person from revealing one specific while of information to others, unlike other silencing charms which prevent a person from speaking at all. The charm also has the ability to affect others, which will result in the person the charm is cast on to be capable to converse about the underground with those specific people. When done correctly, this good luck charm will last forever or until the counter magic spell is performed. The Sileo Altus magical spell keeps a person 's confidential safe much like the Fidelius Charm keeps a individual 's location secret and is said to be just as dependable .'

`` Then there 's a whole bunch of spells that are required, '' Rose scanned the remainder of the incoming. `` There 's a spell that has to be performed on each person who is involved, one on Kaden, one on the secret-keeper- ''

`` There 's a hole-and-corner keeper ? '' Albus asked.

`` Yeah, I guess so. Then there 's the boilers suit charm, '' Rose continued, `` It sounds complicated. But I 'm up for it. This does n't really severalise me how to do it, though. There 's just a tilt of magical spell. ``

Albus glanced at the entry, `` Oh, it says there 's more information in magic spell of Protection by Natalia Journo. ``

`` You 're compensate, I had n't noticed that, '' rose wine leaned over the Word of God again and say the title of the recommended Scripture. `` I think we might actually have that one. '' Rose jumped up from her keister and ran across the elbow room. Albus sat back and watched her. He had no estimation how she could possibly have it away if she had that book or not. The entire room was filled with shelves and shelf of leger. Albus would n't even bed where to seem to find the ledger they needed.

rosiness returned a few minutes later with a book in her arms and a smile on her aspect. `` We do have got it ! This was easier than I thought it would be. ``

`` I think doing the actual charm is going to off-set the easiness of finding it, '' Albus pointed out.

rosiness shrugged, `` I think I can figure it out within a few calendar week. '' She sat back down and opened the book.

Albus watched as his cousin flipped through the page of the Word of God until she found the charm they were looking for. He was very well-chosen that Rose was so eager to take new good luck charm. It certainly helped that she was good at it, too. Albus had made a lot of progress in charms ever since Professor Cedonia arrived, but he was still mediocre. Rose was easily the trump in their socio-economic class. That and her eagerness to get a line would certainly help if she was going to master this charm.

Rose read in silence for a few moment and then turned to Albus. `` All right. This explains it pretty well. First, of course of action, we 've got to secern Kaden the enigma. Then we 've got to break up the arcanum keeper. I 'm thinking that I 'll have to be the mystical keeper since the surreptitious custodian is the one to perform the good luck charm. ``

Albus nodded, `` I 'm fine with that. We 've just got to make sure flatness is. What does the secret keeper do ? ``

`` Just execute the charm. And the secret keeper is the only one who can perform the counter charm on Kaden. Normally the secret keeper would be the exclusively one the somebody could talk about the secret with as well. But we 'll use another charm to ensure that Kaden can talk about the closed book with you, John, Matt, and Amanda as well. ``

`` That sounds estimable, '' Albus replied. `` What else ? ``

`` well, the mystic steward performs a magical spell on themselves, which turns them into the secret steward. Then they perform a charm on Kaden. Then Kaden will narrate the secrets in item. After that, the secret custodian performs another magic spell on Kaden. Then magic spell are performed on the rest of the the great unwashed involved. Then a final sealing charm on everyone, including Kaden and the mystic keeper, and it 's done. ``

The mind of all those different spells made Albus 's brain damage. `` Wow, that 's a lot of magical spell. We 've never done ones that are a combination of multiple magic spell. ``

`` The transfer appealingness is one of those, but it only uses two. This one is five. ``

`` What 's the counter charm involve ? '' Albus asked, thinking that maybe there would be a time when Kaden would mature and they would n't have to swear on legerdemain to keep him from spilling secrets to Malfoy.

`` Erm, it seems pretty much like the literal charm, '' Rose looked back at the book, `` You pretty practically go backwards, using different appeal. ``

`` make sentience. ``

`` I 'll start practicing as soon as we 're back at shoal, '' Rose shut the book and got up. `` I 'll bring the account book. Mum 'll never get laid, she 's got way too many to keep track of. ``

`` All right, '' Albus got up and followed her to the door, `` Now we 've just got to witness that stag. ``

`` It 's going to have to wait until tomorrow, Albus, '' Rose pointed to the window. It was white with swirling snow and the wind was howling. `` Mum and Dad 'll never let us out in that. ``

******

Albus was getting quite fed up with the hart search by the time late afternoon arrived the following day. He and Rose spent the entire morning in the forest, taking a break for dejeuner, and then returning in the afternoon. Albus looked at his spotter and saw that they would induce to be starting to yield to the house soon. `` We 're never going to find a hart ! '' he groaned.

Rose, who had brought the magical spell Koran they had found the premature day, looked up. `` You 've just got to be patient. I told you one wo n't come if we 're noisy. ``

`` We 've been muted for the past tense two hours, '' Albus said flatly.

`` You 're not being quiet now, '' Rose whispered and returned to her book.

Albus sighed and stared out into the woods. So far Albus had seen no less than ten lapin and four owls, but no stag. He was getting very inhuman sitting in the C. P. Snow and his cloak had long since soaked through. Albus was determined, however, and refused to go back to Rose 's house until they found a stag.

It had seemed so uncomplicated at first, to stupefy a stag in the forest and get its step. This was not supposed to be the hardest print to get. Looking back, even the loup-garou one seemed easier. certainly, they got locked out of Hogwarts, but they never got in trouble for it. The dog mark had been the loose, since Amanda had a dog. The rat would be easy, too, once John managed to overhear one.

Albus pulled out his baton and started to horn in at the snow wizard he had constructed earlier. The wand melted holes into the snow whiz until it started to resemble a piece of snow Swiss people cheese. Albus was just beginning to do the same to the blow hippogriff that had been formed after the whizz when Rose poked him and hissed, `` Albus, facial expression ! ``

Albus raised his head and looked in the direction rosiness was pointing. Directly in front of them was a lofty looking doe, standing completely still and staring just to the left of where the two cousins were sitting. `` It 's just a doe, '' Albus whispered back, `` It wo n't work. ``

`` I know, but there 's usually a stag around when there 's a doe. ``

Albus sat completely still with his wand facing towards the doe. uprise did the Same and the two of them did n't move for a good five minutes. The doe inched slowly ahead, walking to the left of Albus and Rose. Then Albus heard a whispering behind the doe and excitement washed over him as he saw a immense stag appear from behind a cluster of tree diagram. `` This is it, '' he whispered to blush wine. She nodded but did n't say anything. The stag walked towards the doe, who had turned around to face at her mate. `` On the count of three. One ... two ... three. Stupefy ! '' Albus shouted.

`` Stupefy ! '' rose wine shouted at the same time.

The doe shot off like a projectile as soon as the cousin-german shouted the turn. The hart started to accompany but was hit by Albus 's mantrap. rosebush 's spell hit a nearby tree and burned a small gob into the bark.

`` Excellent shot, Albus ! '' Rose grinned at him as they ran towards the stag.

`` Thanks. ``

`` Let 's hurry. We wo n't possess lots meter before he wakes up, '' Rose reached into her robe and pulled out a piece of parchment, a nursing bottle of ink, and a paint brush.

The stag was even heavy up close. Its eyes darted around nervously as Rose painted the ink onto its presence hoof. Albus quickly pressed the parchment onto the hoof and pulled it away. A perfect hoof it photographic print appeared on the lambskin. `` This one 's good, '' Albus showed it to Rose.

`` Good, '' she put the stopple on her ink and stowed both it and the brushwood back in her cloak, `` Now let 's go. He wo n't be glad when he wakes up. ``

Albus did n't require telling twice. He blew onto the parchment a few clock time to dry the ink and then put it in his cloak. The two cousins ran through the Tree and back to the house. It only took them a few minutes as they were n't very far. Albus was thrilled that they had actually managed to get the print. The entirely print left was the rat one and then they would be able to try out the map.


A/N : Extra long chapter and an early update ! Just to let everyone know, I 'll be away at a Harry Potter convention from tomorrow ( hence the early update ) until Sunday and although I 'll have my laptop with me, I might not have a prospect to respond to your reviews. I 'll get to them afterwards, though.

Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Denas, XDNLxtlz99, Gospel of Luke, sinwillys822, Slytherinlover, maraudersfan a w, Miguel, Moonylupin, and drownzer for the reveiws !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter, Barbie, or Wii.


Albus 's family came to pick him up from Rose 's house the next afternoon. They were all dressed in Muggle article of clothing, although Harry looked a lilliputian uncomfortable in his Muggle courting. Probably due to the tie, Albus thought. He could never realize why Muggles wore those.

`` Ready, Al ? '' Harry asked after a few arcminute of visiting with Rose 's family.

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied. He had to admit that he was a bit spooky about this dinner, but there was nothing he could do about it now. `` See you at school, Rose. ``

`` Bye, '' Rose smiled.

The rest of the Potters and Weasleys said goodbye to each other and then Albus disapparated with his family. They appeared in a dark back street near a deserted street. Harry motioned for them to follow him and the family started down the street. They made a few More turns until they came upon a neighborhood of average size houses. The theater all looked different, but seemed to be well cared for. It was a very muted neighborhood with few people out and about. There were a duo citizenry outside shoveling the newly fallen snow off their driveways, but none of them seemed to point out Albus and his crime syndicate.

Eventually, Harry led them up a driveway towards a greyness family Albus recognized as Kaden 's. Before they could even reach out the door, it was thrown surface and Kaden came running out. `` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Albus greeted him. `` How are you ? ``

`` Great ! '' Kaden grinned, `` I ca n't tell apart you how much I 've missed school. It seems so irksome here compared to school. ``

`` I have n't missed it. I like being on vacation, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but it 's so boring without, '' Kaden whispered in Albus 's ear, `` Magic. ``

Albus stifled a laugh and followed Kaden into the house. Kaden led them to the living room, where Dudley was fidgeting with his tie. Christina was setting out bowls of grape and crackpot and Bethany was helping.

`` Get anything adept for Christmas ? '' Kaden asked Albus once they sat down on the lounge. `` I got a few new biz for my Wii, a new football game, a skateboard, and a bunch of clothes. ``

`` What 's a Wii ? '' Albus asked.

`` video game organization, '' Kaden explained, `` It 's really fun. I 'll show you sometime. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus nodded, `` I got some clothes, books, a encumbrance of sweets, stuff from my Uncle George I 's shop, and my dad 's invisibleness Cloak. ``

Kaden 's mouth fell give, `` He gave it to you ? ! ``

`` Yup, '' Albus grinned. He had told Kaden about the Cloak a while ago, although Kaden had never seen it. He pulled it out of his bag and handed it to Kaden.

`` Whoa, that 's brilliant ! '' Kaden threw the cloak around himself, `` Look, I 'm unseeable ! ``

All the grownup looked over at him. `` Albus, you 'd ameliorate put that away before Uncle Vernon and aunty genus Petunia get here, '' Harry warned. Albus nodded and took the cloak back from Kaden. He knew Uncle Vernon would be less than enthusiastic about any form of magical object.

`` Er, speaking of my parents, '' Dudley shifted uncomfortably, `` They do n't, well, they are n't aware that you 're, er, here tonight. ``

Albus watched as his parents looked at each other and then back at Dudley. `` What do you mean, Dudley ? '' Harry asked nervously.

`` I knew they would n't come if they knew you were here, so I did n't tell them, '' Dudley confessed.

Harry groaned, `` Dudley ... You know this could go horribly wrong. ``

`` fountainhead, I was kind of hoping you would all establish up, '' Dudley mumbled.

Harry shook his oral sex and looked back at Ginny, who looked worried. Then the doorbell rang and Harry turned to Dudley. Dudley gave him a small grinning and turned to get the door.

Albus gulped and looked at James. Albus could only ever recall seeing his Uncle Vernon once. Albus was only five or six at the sentence and the simply thing he remembered was Vernon asking Harry if Albus was'a freak like you are'. Albus had no desire to ever see the man again, and now he had to spend the evening with him.

The voice of Dudley greeting his parents started to become louder as they came into the living room. Albus got up from the sofa and stood side by side to James IV, who was hiding behind Harry. Vernon and Petunia followed Dudley into the elbow room and their faces visibly paled as they saw the Potters.

`` Wha-wha, Dudley ? '' Vernon gaped at Harry and then looked at his son.

Albus watched as topsy-turvyness broke out amongst the adults. Vernon 's face turned various sunglasses of red and purple as he tried to grasp what was happening. petunia clung to her hubby with a blend flavour of disapproval and fear on her look.

`` Vernon, Vernon ! Did you know they would be here ? '' Petunia asked shrilly.

Once Vernon regained his power to mouth coherently, he started yelling at Harry, who yelled back.

`` You ! '' Vernon pointed at Harry, `` Why are you here, boy ? ``

Christina stood near the ingress to the kitchen, looking uncomfortable. Bethany clung to her leg and hid her face, clearly afraid of her grandfather 's shouting. Albus, James, Lily, and Kaden glanced around at the adult, paying rapt attending to the unfolding logical argument, but not saying a intelligence. Ginny pursed her backtalk and watched her husband with a disapproving flavour. Albus had to accommodate that his Uncle Vernon was a bit scary right now and Albus had no desire to spoil course with him. Dudley looked nervous as he tried to bring in peace between his relation. His vocalism was drowned out amongst Vernon and Harry 's yelling, and petunia 's screeching.

`` Mum, Dad, '' Dudley stood in front end of his parents, `` I invited them here, so we could all get reacquainted. ``

`` Why would you do that ? '' Vernon demanded.

`` Kaden 's a wizard, Dad, so Harry 's a part of his life now. You know he 's one of Kaden 's teachers. ``

Vernon 's face turned from ghostly white to a rich shadowiness of purple. `` What could he possibly teach ? Abnormalness ? ``

`` Magic, Dad, it 's called conjuration, '' Dudley sighed.

Vernon 's eyes narrowed and he glared at Harry. `` You 're filling his psyche with all that junk you learned as a child ! Do n't stand for it, Dudley ! He 's got you tricked or something ! Send him to Smeltings ! ``

`` Dad, Harry did n't trick me. Kaden 's a wizard and you 're just going to have to hold out with it, '' Dudley replied.

`` nothing goodness will come of this, Dudley ! I assure you of that ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` Vernon, '' Petunia put her hand on her married man 's arm, `` Let it go. ``

`` You do realize that this kind of abnormality is what got your sister killed ! ``

`` I 'm fully aware of what happened to my baby, '' Petunia snapped. `` This does n't get anything to do with that. It 's about accepting your grandson for who he is. '' Vernon continued glaring at Harry, but he did n't say anything.

`` Let 's all sit down, '' Dudley suggested.

`` And I 'll get us some drinks ! '' Christina announced eagerly. She rushed into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of brandy, a nursing bottle of wine, and a some spectacles, along with fizzy drink for the kids.

Vernon and Petunia regained their equanimity and genus Petunia gave Dudley a bone crunching hug and smothered him with kisses. She then moved on and did the Same with both her grandchildren, making trusted to completely neglect Albus, King James, and Lily. Albus sat down on the sofa and to his disfavour, Vernon chose to sit next to him. After a few minute of bunglesome quiet, Vernon turned to Albus. `` So, '' he began, causing Albus to jump, `` You go to this, school, too ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied quickly, not looking at Vernon.

`` Look at me when I 'm talking to you, '' Vernon fuss, `` I see manners are n't high on their antecedency inclination. What classes do you take there ? ``

Albus forced himself to look at Vernon. `` I 'm taking transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, history of magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts, '' he mumbled quietly.

Vernon seemed to cringe at the sound of those names. `` I see. And are you any goodness at them ? ``

`` Um, I guess so, '' Albus replied. He was wishing to a greater extent and more that he could receive just stayed at blush wine 's mansion instead of coming here. Why was Vernon questioning him ? Why not King James I or Kaden ?

`` What depicted object does your father Thatch ? '' Vernon barked.

`` defense team Against the nighttime arts, '' Albus muttered.

`` And what is that, exactly ? ``

`` defensive piece, dueling, clobber you use to defeat Dark wizards like Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, and Professor ceramist defeated Voldemort ! '' Kaden interrupted and for once Albus was grateful for his cousin 's big mouth.

`` So I 've heard, '' Vernon replied.

`` He 's a with child teacher, Grandpa ! I love my new school. It 's much upright than Muggle schooling, '' Kaden grinned. `` I 'll be right back. '' He ran up the stairs and came back a few seconds later with his sceptre. `` Look at this ! ``

Vernon narrowed his eyes and gazed at his grandson. `` You 've got one, too. ``

`` Of course I do ! '' Kaden laughed, `` I wish I could express you some thaumaturgy, though. I ca n't do it external school day. Hey, Professor potter can read you ! ``

`` No ! I ruddy hell think not ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` No thanks ! '' Petunia shouted at the same time.

Kaden looked defeated. `` Sorry, Kaden, '' Harry with an apologetic look, `` Maybe another day. ``

`` Or never, '' Vernon muttered.

Nobody said much after that. Albus preferred it that way. He was very happy that Uncle Vernon appeared to own given up his question and response session. Christina announced that dinner was gear up a few minutes later, and everyone eagerly went into the dining elbow room. Albus made sure that he was n't sitting next to Vernon and relaxed a little as he began to eat.

The Dursleys dominated nearly of the dinner conversation, with Vernon and genus Petunia asking Dudley and Christina about what was new in their biography. They wanted to lie with every last contingent, down to what grade Bethany had gotten on her tardy record reputation in schooling. Eventually they had exhausted this topic and the table descended into an awkward secrecy before Vernon started drilling Harry about his life.

`` So, boy, what exactly do you do for a living ? '' Vernon barked.

`` I 'm the Head of the Auror Department at the Ministry of Magic, '' Harry smiled.

`` Auror ? '' Vernon repeated, `` What would that be ? ``

`` A darkness wizard catcher, '' Harry explained.

`` Oh, like a police officer. Would n't have got guessed you 'd be in law enforcement, what with all the bother you caused as a kid. ``

Harry sighed, `` You know most of that was n't my geological fault. ``

`` Like nether region it was n't. It was all due to your abnormality, '' Vernon replied.

`` Dad, ca n't you just degenerate it ? '' Dudley asked.

`` No, Duddy, I wo n't ! Vernon slammed his fist on the table, `` He 's obviously done something to Kaden to stimulate him abnormal ! ``

That had to be the most ridiculous affair Albus had ever heard. A maven could not flex a Muggle into a thaumaturge. If they could, there would n't be any Squibs in the world, and there would certainly be Thomas More wizards.

`` Oh come off it, Dad ! '' Dudley shouted. `` Harry did n't do this ! Kaden was born a superstar ! ``

`` No he was n't ! '' Vernon yelled, his aspect turning purple again. `` And I want the boy to commute him back ! ``

`` Uncle Vernon, listen to me, '' Harry announced, `` You ca n't turn someone into a wizard, it just does n't go. Kaden was born a wizard, which does n't surprise me at all. There is magic in his blood, the Sami legerdemain that was in my female parent 's and is in mine. ``

`` Wonderful, '' Vernon bicker, `` And I suppose you 're going to recount me that Bethany will be abnormal, too ? ``

`` There 's a chance she 'll be a beldam, yes, '' Harry told him.

`` I am not going to stick out for anymore abonormalness in this fellowship ! '' Vernon roared.

`` Vernon, there 's aught we can do ! '' genus Petunia shrieked, `` I do n't wish it either, but the boy did not do this ! ``

`` How do you have it off ? ``

`` Because my freak of a sister told me it 's not possible, that 's how ! ``

`` Do n't foretell her a freak ! '' Harry glared at both of them.

Petunia ignored him. `` I asked her, when I was an arrogant child. I asked her if someone could turn me into a witch before I knew any just. She said no. There is not one thing we can do to exchange Kaden. We just have to hope that he 's going to be smarter than my sister was and not get killed just out of school. ``

`` amercement, '' Vernon snapped, `` But I do n't care it. I do n't like it one bit. ``

`` Neither do I, neither do I, '' Petunia agree.

Albus glanced nervously from one adult to the side by side, hoping that the conflict was over. He realized now how often Uncle Vernon and Aunt genus Petunia hated magic now. The two of them were still going on about how Albus 's granny had been killed, thirty-some years later. Albus was still amazed that Vernon had actually blamed Harry for Kaden being a whizz. Albus knew Vernon disliked Harry, but he did n't think Vernon would still blame Harry for thing he did n't wish, this many years later.

`` You 'd be improve off just keeping him out of that schooltime, '' Vernon announced after a few minutes of quiet. `` There 's no law requiring him to go, is there ? ``

`` No, '' Dudley replied. `` But he likes it there, so he 's staying. ``

`` This is utterly preposterous, '' Vernon muttered, `` Wait boulder clay oleo hears about it. ``

`` I hate Aunt margarine, '' Kaden said loudly, causing Albus to snort into his juice. `` All she talks about is breeding dogs. ``

`` Do n't say that about your aunt, '' Vernon scolded.

`` What ? '' Kaden shrugged, `` Professor ceramicist must not like her either. ``

Harry, who had been laughing behind his crank, immediately stopped and looked at Kaden. `` Really, Kaden, it 's not nice to say you hate mass. '' He turned to Vernon, `` You have n't told her ? ``

`` Of course of instruction I have n't ! '' Vernon raised his vox, `` Can you imagine what she is going to think ? That mortal, like, like you is actually associate to her ? She takes comfort in the fact that you are n't actually related to her ! But to suffer Kaden be one of your lot, she 'll be horrified ! And I should think so after you blew her up years ago ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden and Bethany shouted at the Lapplander time. Kaden spat his juice out and started choking. Albus slapped him on the back, trying to hold his own laughter. Harry told them this story a long time ago and just thinking about it made Albus laugh.

`` That was n't his fault ! '' Ginny came to Harry 's defense team, `` He could n't check it ! What your baby said about his parents was absolutely rotten and you know it ! ``

`` It was the truth ! '' Vernon shouted, rising to his feet.

`` No it was n't ! '' Ginny stood up as well.

`` What do you entail, blew her up ? '' Kaden asked.

`` His parents were idiots and that 's why they were killed ! '' Vernon continued.

`` No they were n't ! '' Harry stood and stared at his uncle. Albus had rarely ever seen his father so furious before. `` They were working against Voldemort. ``

`` Another one of your lot who went on a kill rampage ! '' Vernon yelled.

`` They should make just ignored him and minded their own line, '' Petunia announced. Albus did n't really think she should be telling someone to mind their own business, when she thrived off of gossip.

`` You could n't push aside Voldemort ! '' Harry and Ginny said at the Lapplander time.

`` Can someone please tell me how Aunt Marge got blown up ? ! '' Kaden shouted again.

`` Dad, just draw a blank about it, all right ? Harry 's parents were n't lazy, '' Dudley pleaded.

`` Leave this to me, Dudley. You 're obviously under a bad influence right now. ``

Dudley heaved a huge sigh, `` Dad ... You 're forgetting that Harry saved my life once ! ``

`` Oh, from those dementy things ? They would n't induce even been around if it were n't for the boy ! ``

`` The pointedness is that they were ! And Harry saved me from them ! He also kept us all rubber while he was hunting down that Voldemort bloke. He did n't have got to do that, you know. ``

`` What 's a dementy thing ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Dementors, '' Albus corrected, `` They 're these draped creatures that suck out your mortal. ``

Kaden stared at Albus, `` They what ? ``

`` suck out your somebody, '' Albus repeated, `` They feed on well-chosen intellection, until you 're only leave with the sad single. ``

Kaden shuddered, `` They sound fucking frightful. prof Potter saved Dad from one ? ``

`` Yeah, when they were 15. There 's a appealingness, the Patronus magic spell, that drives them away. It 's really encourage magic not taught until seventh year, but Dad learned in his third twelvemonth. ``

`` Wow, your dad 's brilliant, '' Kaden grinned. `` But I do n't fancy running into one of those dementors. Have you ever seen one ? ``

`` No and I hope never to, '' Albus replied.

`` We would have been o.k. without those loony 'protecting'us ! '' Vernon raged.

`` No we would n't ! We 'd all be dead ! '' Dudley insisted.

`` What would that Voldemort bloke have wanted with us anyway ? '' Vernon bellowed, `` It 's not like we 're loony like him. ``

`` Do n't you get it ? '' Harry sighed, `` He did n't care about anyone ! He would 've killed anyone to get to me, including you. ``

`` Everybody, just shut it ! '' The five grownup who were arguing turned to the source of the new voice that rang out flashy than theirs. It was Christina. Everyone stopped arguing and stared at her. `` Thank you. Now I only understand parts of this row, but everything you 're rowing about has happened in the past. Ca n't you just put it behind you and try to get along ? Look at you, you 're standing there arguing about stuff you ca n't change, in front of your tiddler. What kind of example are you setting ? Put aside your differences, if not for yourselves, do it for the minor. ``

The adults said nix for a few present moment while Christina glared at every one of them. Eventually, Harry spoke, `` She 's right wing. We should just try and get along. '' Ginny nodded in agreement.

`` That 's what I was trying to tell you, '' Dudley commented.

`` amercement, '' Vernon pettifoggery, `` I 'll suffer the boy. But you are making a sculpt error with Kaden, Dudley. ``

`` commodity, '' Christina replied and stood up. `` I 'll go get the pudding. ``

The rest of the dinner party was much more gratifying. Harry quickly told the story of when he blew up Marge to soak Kaden and Bethany 's rarity, but there was no more than citation of conjuring trick throughout the quietus of the repast. The conversation centered on topics that could be equally relative to Muggles and wizards, such as the weather. Albus did n't say anything, choosing instead to quietly eat his pudding while listening to the adults'deform conversations. He was just happy that they were no longer arguing with each other.

After dinner, Albus, James, and Kaden escaped to Kaden 's bedroom, which he was eagre to show off. The stallion thing was decorated with various football paraphernalia, with a lot of emphasis on Manchester United. James I found this highly entertaining and spent quite a few minute of arc laughing at the posters, in which the actor remained completely still. Kaden spent a while showing off his Christmas presents to Albus and Jesse James and soon wanted to express them how to bring his Wii.

Kaden led Albus and James back downstairs, where the grownup were discussing cars over java. Albus was very glad that he did not have to sit through that discussion. Albus followed as Kaden went down another flying of stairs and they descended into the basement. The basement was clearly the playroom of the house, as it was cluttered with all sorting of Muggle toy. Lily and Bethany were playing with Bethany 's Barbies in one corner and neither of them paid much attention as the boys entered the room.

The Wii was set up in the middle of the elbow room and attached to a idiot box that was against the wall. Albus had never played a Wii before and was variety of curious about it. James was as well, although he got sidetracked by a remote control car. He drove it all over the room, completely amazed at how the car seemed to move by magic.

`` The things Muggles come up with, '' James grinned as he joined Albus and Kaden in front of the television.

Kaden spent the next hr teaching James IV and Albus how to play the Wii. They started with Kaden 's new racing secret plan, which was actually pretty complicated. It took Albus the expert part of an hour to visualise out how to toy it. James caught on a bit faster, but neither of them could top Kaden in science. Albus found that the game was incredibly fun and almost wished he had one at his house. Once they successfully learned the racing game, Kaden went on to learn them how to play a couple More secret plan. Lily eventually wandered over and wanted to see, too. By the sentence midnight came around, all five of them were taking turns playing secret plan and Albus was having a great time.

Albus was kind of disappointed when his dad called them back on a higher floor to count down to the new year and hoped that everyone was still acting civilly. They were, as Albus found when he entered the living room. It did n't really front like the grownup were enjoying themselves, but they were at least acting polite, which was good enough for Albus.

Shortly after they rang in the new year, Albus 's parents decided it was time to get out. Albus had no arguments against this because he was tired and did n't really want to drop anymore sentence in the same house as Uncle Vernon. Harry politely shook hands with Vernon, said adieu to Petunia, and told Dudley he would owl him soon. Vernon sort of flinched at the honorable mention of the discussion 'owl .'Albus completely ignored Vernon and Petunia, and told Kaden he would see him on the caravan drive back to schooling. Once the obligatory good day were said, Albus and his family left the house, only to Apparate back to Grimmauld blank space a few streets away.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, Miguel, Moonylupin, Denas, Ginny, Luke, and drownzer for their reviews !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to admit that he was felicitous to be going back to Hogwarts. After the nearly disastrous dinner with the Dursleys, Albus spent his metre working on homework or goofing off with James and Lily. By the end of the holiday he was actually form of bore and happy to be seeing his protagonist again. Plus, the sooner he got back to schooling, the Sooner he could try out the new map.

The Potters met the Weasleys and the Dursleys at male monarch 's hybridizing and entered Platform 9 3/4 together. Both fellowship were running late again and Albus, Rose, James, and Kaden only just made it onto the railroad train before it left. James II immediately left to find his friends while Albus, Rose, and Kaden wandered around trying to retrieve their friends.

John and Amanda were sitting in one of the compartments in the eye of the train. Albus opened the door and walked in, followed by Rose and Kaden.

`` Hey ! '' King John greeted them.

`` There you are, '' Amanda smirked, `` Almost miss the geartrain again ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus laughed and sat down next to her. He wished more than anything that Kaden would leave so he could order Saint John and Amanda that he and mount managed to get the stag photographic print. All the print were currently residing in Albus 's bag, just waiting to be transferred onto the map.

`` So how was your family dinner party ? '' Gospel According to John grinned and looked from Albus to Kaden.

Albus and Kaden exchanged glances. Rose stifled a laugh. She had already heard about the dinner shortly after it happened.

`` It was ... eventful, '' Albus said. `` Not something I want to do again. ``

`` What happened ? '' trick asked eagerly.

`` My granddad went mad, '' Kaden shook his pass. `` And my nanna variety of did. ``

`` What did they do ? '' Amanda asked.

`` well, they kind of did n't know we were coming, '' Albus began, `` So they started off by yelling about that. ``

`` Then they started shouting about how my dad should n't let me go to school here, '' Kaden continued.

`` And Uncle Vernon wound up claiming that Dad had somehow used a charm to plough Kaden into a sensation, '' Albus explained.

lavatory and Amanda burst out laughing. `` You 're kidding ! '' John exclaimed. `` He actually thought that ? ! ``

`` Sure did, '' Albus grinned. Now that the dinner was behind him, he was able to laugh about it. Looking back, his Uncle Vernon did seem mad, and not nearly as scary as Albus first thought.

`` And my grandma of all citizenry told him it was n't potential, '' Kaden laughed. `` Apparently she wanted to be a witch when she was a kid. But the unspoiled constituent was when granddaddy brought up aunty oleomargarine. ``

`` Who 's that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` My gramps 's sister, '' Kaden explained, `` I ca n't stand up her. But apparently Professor ceramist blew her up when he was 13 ! ``

King John and Amanda started howling with laugh. `` That is absolutely brilliant ! '' John shouted.

`` This I 've got to hear ! '' Amanda grinned.

Albus smiled at them and told the tale of his aunty Marge. John the Divine and Amanda laughed even harder when they had heard the entirely thing.

`` What happened next ? '' Gospel According to John asked once he had calmed down.

`` fountainhead, we went down to the cellar and played with Kaden 's Muggle telecasting games, which was a lot of fun. ``

`` And the adult stayed upstairs, '' Kaden added. `` Which was probably bloody awkward. ``

`` Then we left shortly after midnight, '' Albus told them. `` Hey, Kaden, what happened after we left ? ``

`` Oh, yeah. Grandpa tried to convince Dad to not let me go back to Hogwarts. He thought Dad would be more probable to fit in without you lot there. Dad told him to quit and eventually he gave up and left. ``

`` You going to do that again anytime soon ? '' John asked.

`` Hopefully not, '' Albus replied.

`` Let 's do it at your theater next, '' Kaden grinned, `` I want to see a wizard home. ``

`` I doubt Dad will let Uncle Vernon and aunty Petunia in the household, '' Albus told him, `` But you 're welcome to come. ``

`` Over the summer, then, '' Kaden said.

`` We 'll do, too, '' pink wine announced. John and Amanda nodded. `` And mat. ``

Kaden looked around the compartment and then back at Albus. `` Where is he, anyway ? ``

`` Er, he had some, er, Healer engagement, '' Albus said quickly. Hopefully that would fulfil Kaden 's curiosity.

`` Oh, for that disease he 's got ? ``

`` Yeah, the one you ca n't say a matter about to anybody, '' Albus glared at him, `` And that includes this. Do n't tell anyone where he is. ``

Kaden nodded. `` I wo n't. I 'll restrain away from Malfoy and Willinson. ``

`` commodity, '' Albus said.

******

Over the next few daylight, Albus kept trying to feel some time to tell lavatory and Amanda about the stag mark, but it was hard to shake Kaden off. It seemed the exclusively times they were away from him was when they were in class or in their dorm room at night. Neither were honest opportunity to speak about the map.

In the meantime, Malfoy was trying to figure out why mat was n't in schooling. The full moonshine was n't until the travel along week, so Albus was going to ingest to endure Malfoy 's questioning for a while longer. Nothing seemed to satisfy him. Albus was also preoccupied with what was going to take place this full Moon. He was kind of concern about Matt taking the new Aconitum lycoctonum potion.

All the bookman and instructor seemed to be falling into their usual routines. Dueling and Quidditch praxis started up again. Both Kate and Georgia were working their squad hard and Albus was feeling the essence. Between that and the increased amount of homework the teachers were intent on assignment, he had hardly any time for anything else.

A couple days into the terminus, Kaden finally had one of his tutoring sitting. Albus and his champion seized the opportunity and ran to the elbow room of Requirement as soon as Kaden left the common room.

`` Finally ! '' John exclaimed as he threw himself onto one of the couches in the way. `` I thought I was going to die of curiosity ! ``

`` I never thought we 'd get away from him ! '' Amanda said as she sat down following to him.

`` It 'll be well-off once rose wine figures out the charm to keep him quiet, '' Albus replied.

`` You found one ! '' trick sat up and stared at Rose.

`` Sure did, '' Rose grinned and pulled the book of appealingness from her house out of her bag. She opened it to the right page and handed it to toilet and Amanda.

The two of them read it for a few transactions. `` This is incredible, '' Amanda smiled, `` You think you can do it ? ``

`` Given a bit of pattern, sure, '' pink wine replied. `` We just have to make trusted flatness agrees to it. ``

`` I 'm sure he will, '' whoremonger said, `` I mean, this good luck charm will definitely keep Kaden from telling anyone. ``

`` I 'll start working on it now, '' rosebush took the book back, `` I have n't started yet because I do n't want anyone to ask why I 'm trying to learn it. ``

`` So, did you get the stag print ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` Sure did ! '' Albus reached into his bag and pulled out the three print. `` We just need the rat now. ``

John picked them up and looked at him. `` Excellent ! I 'll try and get the rat soon. Then we can transfer them. ``

`` We should await for Matt, '' Albus told him, `` He 's a office of this as often as we are. ``

`` Oh, yeah, that 's a estimable thought, '' Saint John the Apostle set the prints down on a nearby tabular array. `` You know, I think this is the low time we 've been in here without him. ``

`` I think you 're right, '' Albus commented. It was variety of strange, really. All the other metre they had been in the elbow room, lustrelessness had been the one to ask for it. Nobody said anything for a few minutes. Albus could tell that everyone was thinking the same thing he was, what would happen with Matt 's new potion.

`` Well, he 'll be back soon, '' whoremaster said after a while.

`` As long as naught goes wrongfulness, '' Albus said quietly.

`` Yeah, but just think if this potion works. That would be great, would n't it ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus agreed, but he could n't help oneself but suppose the new potion would n't work any ameliorate than the old one. Why should it ? If Matt was resistant to wolfsbane potion, why should a dissimilar miscellany of it work ?

The four of them spent the remainder of the evening in the elbow room. blush wine worked steadily on figuring out the good luck charm, but did n't really get anywhere. It was an extremely difficult charm, after all. Albus, John, and Amanda worked on their prep and talked about what they thought the new map would have on it.

******

Albus became more and more anxious as the wax synodic month approached. His friends seemed to as well, and whoremaster especially developed a very short fuse. Kaden seemed to get the brunt of this but he took it in stride. The Nox of the real full Moon, Albus had Quidditch practice. He became so distracted during it that Georgia called for a break during practice and demanded to know why Albus was dropping so many Quaffles. He lied and told her he was worried about a Transfiguration exam the next day. Luckily she seemed to accept this and wished him luck on his exam. Albus tried superfluous hard during the endorse half of drill but still missed a lot of prosperous passes.

Albus entered the common room after recitation belief incredibly sore but not at all pall. He had been hit with legion bludgers due to his lack of tightness. Normally Albus would have been exhausted after such a practice but he was too anxious to be tired tonight.

His Quaker were sitting at their usual mesa which was covered in homework. Not that much of it was being done. Kaden was the simply one feverishly working away at an essay. John, Amanda, and even rose wine were staring off into aught with their untasted homework in front line of them. Albus quickly stowed his broom in his dormitory and joined his friends at the table.

`` Hey, '' Albus said as he sat down next to Rose.

`` Hi, '' Rose mumbled. John and Amanda gave equally unenthusiastic greetings.

`` Hi Albus ! '' Kaden looked up, `` I 'm gladiolus you 're back. This lot has been incredibly dull. ``

Even at a fourth dimension like this, Albus could n't help but laughter at Kaden 's cluelessness. `` Hi, Kaden. ``

`` How was drill ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not that great. I got hit with a couplet bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' Kaden winced.

`` Yeah, my arm hurts pretty bad, '' Albus commented.

`` Just go see madam Pomfrey, '' rose wine suggested, `` Your arm looks smutty. ``

Albus glanced at his arm. It had turned a lovely violet blue angel color in the time since he had received the blow. `` All right wing, '' he stood up. `` I 'll see you in a bit. ``

Kaden stood up as well. `` I 'll come with you. ``

Albus did n't feel like telling Kaden not to bother, so he nodded and Kaden followed him out of the common room. Albus did n't talk much on the way to the hospital annex, but Kaden kept up a streaming comment about what went on in his grade that day. Kaden must have felt the need to share it even though nothing particularly sex had happened that day. The corridors were utterly deserted and Kaden 's voice seemed awfully loud. Albus glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost curfew. He wished he had brought his invisibleness Cloak. Of form, none of the instructor could kick in him detention for being out of his common way in order to go see Madam Pomfrey, could they ?

Albus pushed the door to the infirmary wing spread out slowly and saw that dame Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, writing something, and glancing out the window every few seconds. The moonlight was streaming through and illuminating one of the bed. There were n't any patients in the ward, which Albus thought was kind of strange. Albus rarely ever saw the place empty. He walked quietly up to gentlewoman Pomfrey and Kaden followed. The nurse did n't even seem to have noticed them come in.

`` Er, excuse me, madam Pomfrey ? '' Albus said once he was a duet substructure in front of the desk.

The nurse jumped and looked up, clutching her heart. `` Oh, Albus ! You scared me. What are you doing here ? ``

It suddenly occurred to Albus that Madam Pomfrey was probably thinking about mat as well, since she usually took care of him after the full moon. `` I got hit with a couple bludgers at practice tonight. I was, er, sort of distracted. ``

gentlewoman Pomfrey stood up and gave him a kindly look. `` I understand. Let me see. ``

Albus held out his arm and Madam Pomfrey clucked her natural language as she inspected it. She pulled out her wand and touched it to his arm, muttering a go as she did so. Albus 's arm felt tender and tingly, and then normal again. The pain in the neck was gone.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` No problem. Anywhere else ? ``

`` I got hit on my binding too and it kind of hurts. I 've got no mind if it 's bruised or not. ``

Madam Pomfrey looked at Albus 's back and performed the Sami healing charm. It felt immensely better.

`` I think that 's it, '' Albus said once she was done.

`` You 'd better be off to bed, then, '' she said. `` I 'm sure I 'll be seeing you soon. ``

Albus nodded and turned to go away. He and Kaden were soon back in the empty corridor.

`` Why were you distracted during practice ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Shush, '' Albus hissed, `` metamorphosis test tomorrow. ``

`` Oh, that 's probably why John, Rose, and Amanda were so quiet. ``

`` Yeah, that was it. ``

The two of them continued their trek to the mutual way until they practically bumped into two early the great unwashed as they turned a corner.

`` Watch it ! '' a cold voice shouted and shoved Albus aside.

Albus pulled out his sceptre and lit it, shoving the brightness level in the faces of the two unknown. They were Malfoy and Willinson. `` You watch it, '' Albus muttered.

`` Get your scepter out of my face, '' Malfoy seethed. `` What are you doing here anyway ? ``

`` What are you doing here ? '' Albus asked.

`` None of your business enterprise. ``

`` You just answered your own motion, then. ``

Malfoy turned to Kaden. `` Ah, it 's the Mudblood cousin. ``

`` Do n't phone him that ! '' Albus shouted.

Malfoy ignored him and continued to glare at Kaden. `` Maybe you know where Eckerton is these days ? ``

Kaden glanced nervously at Albus before answering. `` Uh, no, I do n't. ``

`` Fine, '' Malfoy snapped. `` I know you wo n't say anything with ceramicist around anyway. I 'll just await until you 're alone. C'mon, Willinson, we 're leaving. ``

`` You 'll do no such affair, Mr. Malfoy, '' someone said from behind Albus.

Albus jumped in fright and turned around to see Professor Patil. Great, he thought, now they were going to wind up in custody. Why did they always wind up in detention with Malfoy ?

`` What are you four doing out of bed ? '' Patil asked briskly, `` You know you 're not allowed to be wandering around after hours. ``

`` Uh, '' Malfoy stammered, `` We were, er, uh, well we just wanted to, um- ''

`` Do n't put out, Mr. Maloy, '' Patil cut him off. `` Whatever lie you come up with is not going to convert me. '' She turned to Albus and Kaden, `` I 'm assuming you were not out for a perambulation with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Willinson ? ``

`` No, '' Albus confirmed, `` I was actually just in the hospital wing. I got hurt at Quidditch practice. Kaden was with me. ``

Patil looked at Kaden. `` Is that true, Mr. Dursley ? ``

`` Yes, lady, '' Kaden replied quietly.

`` We were there, too, professor ! '' Malfoy shouted out, `` Willinson stabbed himself with his pinion while we were doing homework. ``

Patil glanced at him skeptically. `` Well, we 'll just go see brothel keeper Pomfrey and confirm all your stories. ``

Any color that had been in Malfoy 's cheek drained. The four male child quietly followed Professor Patil to the hospital annex. Albus was very relieved. lady Pomfrey would assure Patil that he and Kaden had been there, and then she would n't kick in them detention.

Patil opened the doorway to the hospital flank, but dame Pomfrey was no longer there. Patil motioned for the boys to stay there and she strode over to the nurse 's government agency. She knocked lightly and waited for brothel keeper Pomfrey to appear.

`` I hope I 'm not bothering you, '' Patil said once madam Pomfrey came out.

`` Not at all, Padma, '' dame Pomfrey smiled, `` I was n't at peace. Is there something you need ? ``

`` I was wondering if any of these four boys, '' she gestured to Albus, Kaden, and the two Slytherins, `` Were here recently ? I caught them all out of bed and all of them insist they were here. ``

gentlewoman Pomfrey gazed at the boys. `` fountainhead, Albus and Kaden were here about fifteen minutes ago, but I have n't seen the early two in quite a patch. ``

`` That 's what I thought, '' Patil nodded, `` Thank you. ``

`` Not a problem, '' the lactate replied.

`` I 'll take you two back to your common room, '' Patil said to Albus and Kaden. `` As for you, '' she glared at Malfoy and Willinson, `` You will derive back to my office and we shall arrange for custody. ``

Malfoy and Willinson sulked and muttered under their breathing place as the five of them exited the ward. Albus laughed to himself on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Malfoy and Willinson were glaring daggers at Albus and Kaden the whole way back, but Albus just smirked at them. They could n't do anything now anyway, not with Patil around. But surely they would blame Albus and Kaden for their detainment and Albus would have to ascertain out the following few days.

******

Albus did n't sleep very well that night, despite his tiredness from Quidditch practice. He fell asleep in the wee hours of the dayspring and woke up only a few hr later. John was just as exhausted and the two of them stumbled down into the common room, only to rule Rose slumped over a book at their common table.

`` Rose ! '' Albus shook his cousin-german 's shoulder, `` Wake up ! ``

blush wine slowly lifted her head and then jumped at the sight of Albus and John. `` Wha-what are you two doing ? ``

`` Uh, it 's morning, rosiness, '' Albus explained, `` We 've got to get to Transfiguration in an hour. ``

`` Oh ! '' Rose jumped up and pushed her bushy hair out of her boldness.

`` What were you doing down here ? Did you ever go to bed ? '' Albus asked.

`` No, could n't sleep, '' blush wine shrugged, `` So I came back down and worked on the Sileo Altus Charm. I just ca n't figure it out. It 's driving me mad ! ``

`` That 's a really high point charm, rose wine. You know it 's going to take you a while, '' Albus reminded her.

`` I know, I know. I 'll get it eventually, '' rosebush sighed, `` I guess I 'll go change and witness Amanda. Then we can go down to breakfast. ``

A few minutes later, Albus and his friend walked to the Great Hall. Albus noticed Malfoy and Willinson at the Slytherin table as they walked by and both of the Slytherins were shooting sticker at Albus.

Kaden was already at the Gryffindor table and immediately hailed Albus and the others to sit near him.

`` Did you see Malfoy this morning ? '' Kaden asked once Albus had sat down.

`` Yeah, he 's not too well-chosen. ``

`` Wonder when his detention is ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Who knows, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't particularly manage when Malfoy and Willinson were going to serve detention.

Kaden began to talk about some potion he was going to be brewing that day, but Albus tuned him out. All Albus seemed to be able-bodied to think about at the here and now was whether the new potion Matt had taken worked.

As if on cue, a vauntingly chocolate-brown owl flew down and landed neatly next to Albus 's plate.

`` You 've got a letter ! '' Kaden shouted eagerly.

`` I know, '' Albus rolled his eyes and pulled the letter off the owl 's leg. He gave the owl a few flake of toast and the large bird flew off.

Rose, who was on Albus 's early side, looked over his shoulder as he looked at the envelope. John and Amanda were leaning over the table and Kaden was leaning over Albus 's early shoulder.

`` Wonder who it 's from, '' Kaden said.

`` It 's from Matt, '' Albus told him. `` That was his owl. ``

`` Maybe he 's telling you when he 's coming back ! '' Kaden shouted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus, King John, Rose, and Amanda said at once.

`` fountainhead, we 'd better be off to transfiguration, '' Albus said and gave rosiness a meaning glance.

`` Yes, we 'd better, '' pink wine stood up.

`` Are n't you going to open it ? '' Kaden asked.

`` On the way, '' Albus told him.

`` I 'll come, too ! ``

Albus sighed and got up from the board. He could n't open that letter of the alphabet in front of Kaden. rose wine, John, and Amanda got up as well and followed Albus out of the Great Hall. Kaden was rectify behind him, but Albus did n't presume spread out it yet. Kaden stalled in the Entrance Asaph Hall, but eventually gave up and headed down to the dungeon for Potions.

`` Well, now we have n't got prison term to read it, '' Albus groaned and glanced at his watch. `` Why could n't he have left sooner ? ``

`` 'Cause he 's Kaden, '' Gospel According to John shook his head.

`` We 'll just translate it after History of Magic, '' rosebush said as they climbed the stairs, `` We 've got the unhurt afternoon off. ``

The morning time dragged by at an extremely slow down tread, in Albus 's legal opinion. Transfiguration was n't too bad, since it was a practical lesson. Malfoy descended upon Albus and the others after the class was over, wanting to eff where Matt was. Albus lied and told him flatness was having a later holiday with his grandparents and then took off for History of Magic, ignoring Malfoy 's charge about custody that followed.

History of Magic was as boring as usual. Albus thought he saw the clock 's manpower go backwards at one full point. He passed notes with John and Amanda while rosiness took notes. She seemed to have inherited her mother 's power to rest awake during that course of instruction. John the Divine nodded off at one point and Albus had to nudge him awake with his quill. prof Binns did n't even seem to notice.

After account of Magic finally ended, Albus and his acquaintance went to the Great Hall to grab a quickly tiffin. Kaden was there when they arrived and immediately launched into an explanation of the potion he had just brewed. Apparently it was so telling that Slughorn gave him a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate and an invitation to the next poke Club meeting.

`` What ? ! '' Albus choked on his pumpkin juice.

`` Yup, '' Kaden grinned. `` The side by side meeting is this Saturday. He told me that a lot of your cousins go. ``

`` Er, yeah, they do, '' Albus coughed. He had not been expecting Kaden to get invited to any lick ball club confluence. Albus had n't even gone to any since the previous year. He just told Slughorn he had Quidditch practice or too much homework to go. Slughorn had n't even had his Dec 25 party this year. Albus was n't for sure why, but he was guessing it was because he had n't been able-bodied to find anyone renowned to attend.

`` But he said you 're always too busy to go, '' Kaden said, `` Will you go to this one ? ``

Albus groaned inwardly, `` Oh, I do n't have it away .... ''

`` Please ? '' Kaden pleaded.

`` Fine, '' Albus sighed. It could n't be that bad now that Quinton Willinson was gone. And it was just one group meeting. `` But just this once. And if Empire State of the South calls for Quidditch practice, I wo n't go to the meeting. ``

`` Yay ! '' Kaden shouted.

Once Kaden left for his next class, Albus and his friends went straight for the elbow room of Requirement. Albus and Rose sat on one of the couches while John and Amanda sat on the contrary one. Albus reached into his bag and found the letter.

`` Here it goes, '' Albus whispered.

`` That potion better have worked, '' St. John the Apostle said.

Albus tore spread the gasbag and unfolded the letter. He read it aloud.

dearest Albus, rosiness, John, and Amanda,

in conclusion night Matt told me to compose you
and severalise you what happened if he couldn't.
Since he ca n't, you have probably guessed
that the potion did not work.

`` Damn ! '' John shouted.

lusterlessness will explain more when he gets back to
Hogwarts. I 'll just say that it 's not worse
than usual. He 's at St. Mungo 's rightfulness now so
the Healers can watch the after affects of
the potion and the transformation.

He only has to stay in St. Mungo 's overnight
and then tomorrow he 'll be back at dwelling house. I 'm
pretty sure he 'll be back at Hogwarts on
Sunday, but we 're not exactly sure.

Hope you are all doing well. I 'll see you
soon, maybe at the next Gryffindor
Quidditch match.

From,
Amy

Albus folded up the letter and looked at his friends. `` fountainhead, I guess that 's it, then. ``

`` At least it was n't any speculative, '' Amanda said quietly.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed.

cypher said anything for a few minutes. Albus felt very disappointed that the potion had n't worked, but he was sure it did n't even number close to what flatness was feeling.

`` Maybe he 'll let us become Animagi now, '' John suggested.

Rose glared at him, `` He wo n't. He 's still in that study, which means he 's still got to get hold of that potion for the next two years or so. Then there 'll probably be another one for him to test. And maybe that one will run. ``

`` Well, it would still be aplomb to become an Animagus. ``

`` Then you can do it when you 're honest-to-goodness, '' blush wine said, `` You could n't do it now anyway, it 's too get ahead. ``

`` Albus 's granddad did it. ``

`` When he was in 5th year, '' rose wine reminded him.

`` amercement, three more years then, '' John shrugged.

Rose sighed, `` Matt wo n't let you join him on the full-of-the-moon moon, though. And I would n't advise doing it behind his back. ``

`` I wo n't, '' John assured her, `` I just think it would be a fun thing to do, be an Animagus. ``

`` Definitely, '' rose agreed.

Albus and his champion spent the better part of the adjacent hour talking about what they would do if they could transform into animals. They all agreed that listening in on people 's conversations and sneaking up on people like Malfoy would be top on the list of stuff to do. Eventually, Rose insisted that they all start their homework, which took them well-nigh of the eve to complete.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, XDNLxtlz99, St. Luke, Denas, Moonylupin, phoenixy friend, drownzer, and potterfan296 for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that Quinton Willinson was no longer at Hogwarts, Albus still dreaded the bullet Club meeting on Saturday. His rational side told him that it would n't be nearly as bad with Willinson gone, but Albus still was n't looking forward to it.

Kaden, on the former deal, spent the mean solar day leading up to Sabbatum talking non-stop about the Slug Club group meeting. Albus had already explained in particular what they involved, but that did n't lay off Kaden from constantly wondering aloud about what the coming together would be like.

Saturday arrived quickly and Albus was still without an alibi to not hang the merging. Georgia had not called for Quidditch practice that day, mainly due to the fact that the Ravenclaws booked the tar all morning and the Slytherins had it all afternoon. The two theater were scheduled to roleplay each early the watch Saturday.

`` It 's time for the Slug gild meeting, Albus ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly a few minutes before eleven.

Albus sighed and got up out of his hot seat in the common room. `` See you lot in a minuscule piece, '' he said to St. John the Apostle and Amanda.

`` have loads of fun ! '' trick laughed.

`` See you later, '' Amanda grinned.

Albus, Kaden, and rosiness, who had also decided to go, set off for the keep. Albus hoped he would only have to appease for a trivial piece, maybe an minute at most. Just long enough for Kaden to see what the meetings were like.

The meeting was held in the Potions classroom and a few educatee were milling about when Albus, pink wine, and Kaden walked into the room. Albus recognized most of them from shoemaker's last year 's meetings. A few of his cousins were there as well, but not all of them. St. James was n't there, but Albus knew he had dueling practice that day. Albus was also well-chosen to note that Felix Willinson was not there. Of course, after what happened with Quinton and his Fatherhood, Albus guessed he should n't be surprised that Quinton 's cousin would n't be invited to the Slug Club.

There was a table wide-cut of nutrient along one of the side of meat walls and nearly everyone was crowding around it trying to get some luncheon. Slughorn had a home plate of food in movement of him and was sitting at a large table in the front of the room.

Albus led pink wine and Kaden over to the table and picked up a plate.

`` What is this stuff ? '' Kaden pointed to a platter of some variety of meat.

`` Pheasant, '' Albus replied. Slughorn always served pheasant at his meetings. Albus tried it last year and hated it.

Kaden shrugged and piled the pheasant onto his plate. Once Albus and his Quaker had gotten enough food, they sat down at the table across from Slughorn. Shortly after, everyone else had sat down at the board as well.

`` commodity to see you all again ! '' Slughorn greeted them and then turned to Albus. `` And Albus and Rose ! I 'm very happy that you two decided to add up ! How have classes been going ? ``

`` goodness, '' Albus replied.

`` Excellent, excellent, '' Slughorn nodded, `` We also have individual new here today. This is Kaden Dursley, '' Slughorn gestured to Kaden. `` He 's Albus 's first cousin and is turning out to be quite the Potions brewer ! Lily 's factor must be coming out in you ! ``

Kaden grinned, `` Potions is fun. burden better than August 6. ``

Slughorn laughed, `` Do n't let prof Patil hear you say that. But I daresay I agree with you. ``

Kaden laughed as well and then took a large sharpness of pheasant. Albus watched him as he did so, wondering if he 'd care it. Kaden chewed for a few moments before a big smile appeared on his face.

`` This stuff is excellent ! ``

`` I 'm glad you like it ! '' Slughorn said.

Albus chuckled to himself. Of line Kaden liked the pheasant. If there was one matter Albus had learned about his cousin over the past six month, it was that he 'd eat pretty practically anything. This was obviously something he had inherited from his father.

Slughorn soon launched into a lengthy explanation of what he did over his vacation and who he had spent clip with. ( `` Barry Ryan used to play for Eire, you know. '' ) Albus found the whole thing rather tire but he noticed that Kaden seemed to hang on Slughorn 's every word. rose seemed to be paying attention as well, but probably only out of courtesy.

Albus let his idea wander as Slughorn continued talking about his dinner with Barry Ryan. Matt was supposed to return to Hogwarts the following day, which meant that in as piffling as XXIV 60 minutes, they could be having the map working. Well, if they could creep away to the way of Requirement, that is. Albus hoped Rose would have that charm working soon. Then they could just do all of this with Kaden. It would make it a whole lot easy. Of course, Matt still had n't said that he agreed to tell Kaden even with the good luck charm. Albus kept forgetting about that function. But why would n't he agree ? The charm seemed like it would work well.

Albus, Kaden, and rose wound up staying until the end of the meeting. Kaden was enthralled by the entire thing and Albus knew he would refuse to leave betimes. Albus was incredibly bored by the sentence the matter was over and rosebush looked as bored as Albus felt. Once the coming together was finally over, the three of them said goodbye to Slughorn and left the dungeons.

`` That was so cool, '' Kaden grinned.

`` drilling 's to a greater extent like it, '' Albus replied.

`` How can you think it was boring ? '' Kaden stared at Albus, `` Slughorn knows so many famous citizenry. ``

`` trustingness me, it gets old after a while, '' Albus said.

`` Well, are you two going to the following one ? ''

Albus looked at rosebush. She did n't look like she wanted to go to the next one either. `` Er, well, I might take in Quidditch recitation. ``

`` And I 'll probably deliver too much prep, '' rosebush explained.

`` I 'd go even if I did take in too a great deal homework, '' Kaden told them.

`` That really is n't a good approximation, '' Rose warned him. `` You 'll get behind. ``

Albus laughed as Rose launched into a discussion about how significant metre management is and how homework should always come first. The three of them were nearly to the plebeian room by the time Rose finished and Kaden was wearing a dummy look on his face, much like the one Albus had worn during the biff Club meeting.

******

`` Got any musical theme what prison term he 's coming back ? '' John asked shortly after tiffin the next day in the common room.

`` No idea, '' Albus shrugged.

Albus, John, Kaden, blush wine, and Amanda were all sitting around their usual table in the common room. rose and Kaden were playing Bromus secalinus and it was apparent that Rose was going easy on Kaden. The two of them had been playing the Saame game for fifteen minutes. If rose wine wanted to, she probably could feature beat Kaden in five minutes. john and Amanda were both working on the metamorphosis essay that was due the future day. Albus had already finished that specific essay and was watching Rose and Kaden 's chess game match.

`` Queen to D3, '' Kaden said. The queen gave Kaden a menacing glare and then reluctantly moved to the square.

`` Bishop to D3. '' Rose 's bishop smashed Kaden 's queen to pieces. `` checkmate, '' Rose grinned.

`` Crap, '' Kaden muttered as his baron dropped its sword in defeat.

`` You 're getting a bit better, '' Rose said as she repaired all the pieces with a waving of her wand.

`` Do you have Quidditch practice today, Albus ? '' St. John asked.

`` Yeah. Empire State of the South managed to reserve the pitch shot for an hour after dinner. The Hufflepuffs were n't too well-chosen, but Georgia got it first. ``

`` I hope matte gets back before you leave, '' Amanda said.

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed. `` But Amy did n't say when he 'd be coming back. ``

`` He 's going to cause a payload of homework to make up, '' Kaden announced.

`` That sounds like something you 'd say, Rose, '' St. John the Apostle laughed.

`` How 's your essay coming, toilet ? '' Rose smirked.

`` Yeah, yeah. I 've got the start paragraph done, '' John grumbled.

`` I 've only got one to a greater extent to go, '' Amanda said.

`` neediness to meet again, Rose ? '' Kaden asked.

Rose shrugged. `` sure enough, why not. ``

Rose and Kaden set up their pieces and started to take on again. Albus watched them. It was pretty curious to look on the two of them dally chess. Kaden would sit there forever figuring out what move to make and once he made it, Rose would smile and move one of her own firearm within seconds. Rose 's moves usually involved killing one of Kaden 's pieces.

The portrayal maw to the commons way opened a few bit later and Albus looked up. mat was just climbing through and headed straight for Albus 's table once he noticed them.

`` Hey, Matt ! '' Albus grinned, `` Welcome back ! ``

`` Hi Albus, '' lustrelessness grinned back. He looked exhaust, but felicitous. There was still a xanthous bruise on his os frontale, but other than that he looked fine.

John, rose wine, Amanda, and Kaden all looked up from what they were doing and greeted lustrelessness as well. matt grabbed a chairperson from a nearby table and sat down next to Albus.

`` How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` All right, '' lusterlessness shrugged.

`` Er, Kaden, '' Albus began, `` You know how you said matt 's got a lot of preparation to realise up ? ``

`` Uh-huh, '' Kaden nodded as Rose declared checkmate once again, `` Crap ! ``

`` Well, it would probably be a good idea for him to go see all the teacher now about it. So, we 'll all go with him to do that, since we 're in his classes. We 'll facilitate. You can stay here since you 'd probably be bored. ``

`` Ok, I 've got my own homework to take up on anyway. ``

`` Good, '' Albus replied, `` can ? Amanda, blush wine ? You can add up with us. ``

`` Sure, anything to put off finishing this essay, '' John closed his book and stood up.

Once they were out of the mutual room and into the corridor, Matt turned around and looked at Albus. `` You 're not really making me go collect all my homework are you ? ``

Albus laughed, `` No. Just had to think of an exculpation for Kaden to persist there while we went to the room. ``

`` goodness, '' John said, `` I do n't really require to go call for your homework with you. ``

`` You wo n't have to. I 've already gotten it. They owled it to me over the holiday. I 've already finished it all, '' lustrelessness explained.

`` You 're farther along than King John, then, '' rosiness laughed.

`` Shut it, Rose, '' John said.

The five friends continued their walk to the Room of essential, which manifested itself in its usual anatomy for them. They walked into the way and settled onto the usual scarlet and gold furniture.

`` So, '' Albus began, `` What happened with this new potion ? ``

`` Well, it did n't exploit the way it was supposed to, but Amy already told you that, '' Matt said.

`` Did it help at all ? '' pink wine asked.

`` Nope. ``

`` And you 'll still accept to keep on taking it ? '' John asked.

`` Yeah, that 's what stinks, '' lusterlessness sighed. `` It did n't exercise the way it was supposed to, but it did other stuff. ``

`` I thought it was n't going to have any bad effects, '' Albus said.

`` They were n't really dangerous side result. It just made me really tired. ``

`` But you 're always tired before the fully moon, '' lavatory pointed out.

`` I know, but the potion made it worse. Usually I can at to the lowest degree go to morning classes on the day of the full moon but with the new potion I 'll just sleep right through them. It makes me tired as soon as I start taking it, which is a workweek before the full moonshine, just like the fixture wolfbane was. ``

`` So you 'll be tired for an entire calendar week ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' lustrelessness shrugged, `` The therapist are trying to bump a potion to counteract the fatigue, but I doubt they 'll have one in sentence for next month. ``

`` I do n't get why you have to preserve taking it if it does n't even work, '' whoremaster shook his head.

`` Because they have to make sure enough it was n't just a good fortune or something. That 's the matter about these bailiwick, they have to do multiple visitation to analyze the effects and stuff. ``

`` There 's a prospect it might work next month ? '' Amanda asked confusedly.

`` I suppose, but I doubt it. ``

`` You do n't seem that overthrow or anything, '' rose wine commented.

`` I honestly did n't conceive it was going to shape. My parents told me not to get my hopes up about any of these observational potions. Plus, this was only the first-class honours degree one I 've tried. They 'll get up with others. ``

`` I just hope one of them actually works, '' John replied.

`` Me, too, '' flatness agreed, `` You 've got no mind how much I wish that.

`` Let 's not talk about it anymore now, though. You 've got to enjoin me if you got the sleuth photographic print ! It 's been driving me mad for calendar week now. ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus grinned. He had almost forgotten about that. Almost being the key Christian Bible. The new map was always on Albus 's thinker now. `` We got it. Rose and I did. ``

`` Brilliant ! '' flatness exclaimed.

`` And I 've got the transference magical spell all worked out, '' Rose told him.

`` John 's just got to get the rat photographic print, '' Albus said.

`` I 'm working on it ! '' John replied, `` It 's knockout than you 'd imagine to spy a rat during Potions. ``

`` fountainhead, we 've got image Potions tomorrow, so try then. Slughorn 'll be having us brew the whole socio-economic class probably, so just keep your eye out, '' Albus told him.

`` I will. I 'll pay more than attention to potentiality scab than to my potion, '' John grinned.

`` I would n't propose that, '' Rose smirked. `` It 'll explode or something, since you 've got Goyle as a collaborator. ``

`` Eh, I 'll take one failing grade if I can get the rat print, '' John shrugged.

`` Well, try to get the rat without destroying your potion, '' Rose sighed.

`` Just think, this time tomorrow, we may ingest the map working, '' Matt commented, `` That would be amazing. ``

`` We 'll birth to get away from Kaden first, '' Amanda pointed out.

`` And I 'm not entirely trusted the map will exploit after we do this, '' Albus said, `` It almost seems too mere. ``

Albus had been thinking this for a few mean solar day now. They had had an incredibly easy time getting the photographic print. Almost too easy a time. cad, hart, and squealer were quite common and anyone who could cast a simple Petrificus Totalus charm could get those prints. The only one that would be difficult for the average wizard to get was the wolfman photographic print. Even so, Albus did n't think the Marauders would create it this well-heeled to access the map.

`` I 've been thinking the same matter, '' rose agreed.

John groaned, `` That would suck in. ``

`` We 'll get it eventually, '' Albus assured him. `` Plus, the map said we had to be like the vulture. We have n't done anything that only the Marauders could have done so far. We got a cluster of paw prints. Anyone can do that. ``

`` Not anyone could get a werewolf print, '' lavatory pointed out.

`` I know. But it 's not something only the Marauders could suffer done, '' Albus told him.

`` Speaking of the vulture, '' bathroom turned to Rose, `` How 's the Sileo Altus charm coming ? ``

`` The what ? '' Matt asked.

`` Oh, yeah, we 've got to tell you about that, '' John Lackland said. `` Want to explain it, rose ? ``

`` Sure, '' Rose shrugged, `` It 's a charm I found in a book at my house. It 's a way to make water sure somebody keeps something a secret. sort of like the Fidelius Charm, only it 's for verbal secrets, not places. Whomever performs the charm is the closed book steward and only that person can undo the charm. After the appeal is performed, the mortal ca n't verbalise about the secret with anyone except the Secret Keeper and anyone else who was involved in the good luck charm acting. It 's a way to keep on Kaden from telling anyone that you 're a lycanthrope. ``

Albus held his breath as Rose explained and hoped that Matt would think it was a trade good theme. Albus watched as Matt thought about what Rose had said. Albus could n't really separate what he thought. Matt looked a bit surprised, almost like he did n't think pink wine would give ever found a magic spell to do that.

`` wellspring, what do you conceive ? '' Albus asked after a few second silence.

`` I 'm not for certain, '' lusterlessness said quietly, `` Will it really process ? ``

`` I 'm pretty certainly it will, '' pink wine said, `` The only affair that will overcome it is Veritaserum. ``

`` And what if Kaden drinks Veritaserum ? '' mat asked.

`` When would he drink that ? '' bathroom raised his eyebrows.

`` I do n't know, '' Matt sighed, `` But he could. ``

`` I really do n't think he would. ``

`` What if he did ? What if he spewed all about me in the midriff of the Great Hall or something ? ``

`` I doubt he 's ever going to tope any Veritaserum, '' pink wine said,"And even if he did, soul would let to ask him if you were a werewolf. He would n't just randomly start telling people."

`` Is there even any of that in the castle ? '' Amanda asked.

`` There 's some in Slughorn 's private Potions cupboard, but that 's it, '' Albus answered, `` But that 's locked anyway. ``

`` See ? Hardly any chance of Kaden drinking any, '' John said.

`` Yeah, but still ... I do n't know ... '' Matt groaned, `` I just do n't really want to narrate him. ``

`` I know. Just think about it, ok ? '' Albus gave Matt a half smile.

`` All right, '' Matt sighed, `` We do n't want Kaden yet, do we ? ``

`` No, '' Albus replied, `` I 'm not sure enough when we 'll take him. The map just said we had to be like the Marauders, which means we 'll take someone to be Wormtail at some point. ``

`` And I want to try that appeal out before we use it on Kaden, '' Matt said.

`` We will, '' rose wine assured him, `` I 've got to practice it anyway. ``

`` So, anyone got any enigma we can practice with ? '' John grinned mischievously.

******

`` Settle down, go under down, '' Slughorn barked at his class.

Albus turned around in his seat. He had been talking to John, who was sitting behind him next to Goyle. Albus was sitting future to Limbert and matte was looking thoroughly miserable adjacent to Maloy in the next row over at the front. Slughorn was still plowing forward with his inter-house partner in class, but Albus did n't consider it was helping to decrease the enmity between Gryffindor and Slytherin. So far, the practiced that had happened was silent loathing during practical moral and jinxing and hexing at worst. Based on the little duel between Ethan and Garth Octavius the previous week, it was only a matter of time before affair really got out of hand.

`` Thank you, '' Slughorn said once everyone was paying attention, `` Today you 'll be brewing the Confusion Potion I taught you about on Friday. He waved his baton at the blackboard, `` guidance are on the display panel. You have the integral class. ``

`` Light the flack, '' Limbert grunted as he got up from his chair.

Albus nodded and pulled out his wand. Albus and Limbert had come to an unvoiced accord with brewing potions. Limbert would collect ingredients while Albus lit the fire and unpacked all the versatile plate and knife. Then, Albus would organise the ingredients while Limbert added them and stirred the cauldron. Albus was very well with this since Limbert was a ameliorate Potions brewer than he was.

Limbert returned with the element and Albus started chopping them. He never said anything to Limbert while they worked and Limbert never said anything to Albus besides the episodic 'pass the asphodel'or something of the like.

Albus listened to everyone else in the grade as he chopped up ingredients. He thought it was especially amusing to listen to John and Goyle.

`` No, that 's not clockwise, '' John groaned, `` You 're stirring counter-clockwise. ``

`` Oh. ``

`` splash it the other way ! '' John shouted.

Albus stifled a joke and glanced to his left, where Rose and Leigh Montague were having a interchangeable conversation.

`` They 've got to be chopped finer than that. It says minced, not diced, '' Rose instructed.

`` They look fine to me, '' Leigh snapped.

`` No, they wo n't work like that. Let me do it, '' pink wine grabbed a knife and started mincing the shrivelfig.

`` Fine. You do the unit matter if you 're so smart, '' Leigh huffed.

`` You can stir the cauldron. Clockwise, '' Rose replied.

Albus was n't close enough to either Amanda or flatness to hear what was going on at their tables. It looked like Amanda and Dalila Avish were working much the Saame way Albus and Limbert were, since neither of their mouths were moving. Malfoy appeared to be yelling at Matt for something, but Albus could n't quite relieve oneself out what it was. lustrelessness got up from the table with a bowl fully of something and then emptied it in the bin. When he returned to his table, he started carefully chopping something up. Albus was guessing it was to a greater extent of whatever he had thrown away.

Albus continued mincing his shrivelfig and listened mostly to John and Goyle. Limbert kept smirking every so often, which gave Albus the feeling he was listening to Saint John and Goyle, too.

`` Keep stirring CLOCKWISE for another minute, '' John said slowly and clearly, `` Then flip-flop to COUNTERCLOCKWISE. I 've got to go get something. Do n't do anything besides the stirring. ``

Goyle grunted and Albus heard John get up. Albus felt a prod in his incline and looked up to see John standing next to him. `` What ? '' Albus whispered.

John pointed to a niche of the room, near the cupboard of element. There was a large rat sitting there. Albus shuddered and looked back at John.

`` I 'll be back, '' John winked at him.

Albus tried to boil down on his shrivelfig, but he could n't contain glancing up at lav. He was almost to the closet now, and the rat still had n't moved. Albus watched as John pointed his wand at the rat, but he could n't hear what spell John was using due to the noise in the room. Luckily everyone was concentrating on their potions and not paying an ounce of attention to John. Albus grimaced as John picked up the rat and shoved it inside his robes. Albus was incredibly happy that Saint John was willing to do the rat print. The intellection of putting a rat in his robes creeped Albus out.

John the Divine went into the cupboard for a few moments and came back out carrying a jar of something. Probably a masking story, Albus thought.

`` Got it, '' John whispered to Albus on his way back to his desk.

`` Excellent, '' Albus said.

Suddenly there was a cheap explosion from somewhere behind Albus and he felt a hot liquid land on his head and drip down the rear of his robes.

`` Ouch ! '' he and Limbert shouted at the same time.

`` Boody Hell ! '' lav exclaimed as the orange potion landed on the front of his robes.

Pandemonium erupted in the schoolroom. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to gaze at the exploded potion. Albus turned around and saw that the explosion had come from John and Goyle 's caldron. Goyle was wearing a stupefied look on his face and was staring into space while holding his ladle in the air. His face was covered with potion as well as his robe. His hair was singed and there was a minor fervor on his table.

Albus could feel the potion burning down his spine and it hurt like infernal region. It felt like his hide was on blast. He got up from his chair and felt his back. His robe were burned straight through. John 's and Limbert 's were as well.

`` What did you do ? '' Slughorn asked as he strode to Gospel According to John and Goyle 's table.

`` Uh ..., '' Goyle stared up at the ceiling.

`` You must 've gotten potion in your mouth, '' Slughorn shook his head. `` Hospital Wing. Who else got hit ? ``

`` I did, '' Albus, John the Divine, Limbert, as well as Karina and Celeste Yeardly ( who had been sitting behind John and Goyle ) said at the Saame time.

`` hospital Wing, all of you, '' Slughorn replied, `` If one of you could delight nominate sure Mr. Goyle arrives there, that would be appreciated. ``

Limbert immediately dragged Goyle out of the way with Celeste following. Albus and John walked a little ways behind them and Karina behind them.

`` Idiot, '' King John muttered as they climbed the stairs out of the dungeons.

`` What did he do ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not a clue, '' Saint John the Apostle shrugged, `` Not what I told him to do. ``

`` I heard you talking to him. It seemed pretty straightforward. ``

`` Well, he 's dumb than a troll, '' John groaned, `` Merlin this poppycock burns. ``

`` At least we did n't eat any of it, '' Albus pointed to Goyle, who was stumbling down the corridor like he was drunk.

`` True, '' Saint John the Apostle laughed and then lowered his vocalization, `` Hey, it was worth it since I got the rat. ``

`` That thing 's not still in your robes, is it ? '' Albus glanced warily at John.

`` Er, yeah, have n't had a chance to take it out. ``

`` I just hope it stays stunned. ``

`` It should, '' John said as they followed Goyle and Limbert into the infirmary Wing.

Madam Pomfrey was already busy taking tutelage of a girl who had gotten bitten by something in Care of Magical Creatures and told them they would bear to wait. Once she had finished healing the miss, she moved on to Goyle, since he was n't able-bodied to sit still and was wandering around the way tripping over things. She took tending of Limbert, Celeste, and Karina, and then moved on to the bed Albus and privy were sitting on.

`` You lot again ? '' she sighed, `` I 'm surprised it 's only the two of you. ``

`` wellspring, lustrelessness, rosiness, and Amanda were all too far away to be hit by the potion, '' Albus explained.

`` I swear the lot of you are exactly like your grandfather and his friends, '' lady Pomfrey shook her head as she handed Albus a potion.

whoremonger, who had just started drinking his own potion, choked and coughed the potion up onto the bed. He turned and grinned at Albus, who grinned back. well, Albus thought, that was the full general idea of the map.

brothel keeper Pomfrey sighed and with a wave of her wand the potion was cleaned up. `` drink the rest of it, '' she instructed them.

ma'am Pomfrey applied some sort of salve to their burns and a few arcminute later they were allowed to leave. The nurse told them to go directly to their dormitory to get new robe and that she did n't need to see them in the hospital annexe for the next few weeks.

`` Fat fortune that 'll befall, '' bathroom smirked as they started back to Gryffindor Tower.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed. It seemed like one of them was always winding up in the infirmary offstage. Albus himself had already been there twice since returning to school after the Christmas Day holiday.

`` Next Quidditch peer is what, in three weeks ? '' John asked.

`` Just about, '' Albus said.

`` Then you might be back there soon, '' John the Evangelist joked.

`` Shut it, '' Albus replied, `` I did n't land myself there finish match. ``


A/N : Extra long chapter ! Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, Miguel, invisiblecloak, potterfan296, St. Luke, and drownzer for the review article !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or hotdog Sinatra.


Albus and lav were immediately bombarded by Kaden when they entered the coarse room. rose, Amanda, and Matt were standing just behind Kaden with smirks on their faces.

`` Did your cauldron really explode ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` The potion did, '' John replied, `` And it was completely Goyle 's fault, really. I gave him directions as to what to do and he screwed it up. ``

`` You know, '' rosebush said, `` You 're not exactly the skilful potion brewer either, Saint John. ``

`` Are you two all right ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Oh, yeah. madam Pomfrey sorted everything out, '' Albus assured her.

`` So what are you doing tonight, Albus ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he followed Albus and John to the dormitory door.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had been planning on grabbing a quick dinner with his supporter after he changed gown, and then head to the Room to try out the new map. They had all the paw photographic print ( can had gone up to the hall ahead of Albus with the rat and got the print from it. Albus did n't want to know what happened to the rat afterwards ) now, so Albus was impatient to try it out. But they would n't be able to if Kaden was around.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged.

Kaden spent the full even with Albus and his friends. Normally, this really would n't have bothered Albus, but that Night his cousin-german was driving him mad. All Albus wanted to do was try out the map, but he could n't think up a good exculpation for them to go somewhere and not let Kaden postdate. So they spent the eventide in the common way, working on homework.

Albus and his friends were far too in use the next few days to try out the new map. Albus had Quidditch practice on Tuesday and Thursday and dueling practice session on Wednesday. pink wine had dueling practice session on Friday. John normally had his practice on Saturday, but due to the Quidditch match, it had been rescheduled for Sunday. Any bit of time where neither Albus or his friends had any practices, Kaden was around. It was n't until Sabbatum, following Slytherin 's striking passing to Ravenclaw, that they were finally able to try out the map. Kaden had been recruited to tutor a lad first year in Potions and was going to be spending a few hours in the dungeons after the Quidditch match.

`` seminal fluid on, let 's go try it now, '' Albus whispered to his friends after Kaden left the common room.

`` Got the prints ? '' matte asked.

Albus nodded and grabbed his bag. They quickly left the common room and ran for the Room of requisite. They almost bumped into a Ravenclaw prefect, but luckily he was feeling generous ( most likely due to the Quidditch win ) and did n't have words them for running in the corridors.

flatness paced three times in movement of the empty rampart and as soon as the door appeared, the five friends ran inside. Albus set his bag down on the board and everyone crowded around it. Albus pulled out all four prints and the map.

`` All right, '' Albus unfolded the map, `` Rose, you 're unspoiled with the charm, right ? ``

Rose nodded, `` I 've practiced it and it works every sentence. ``

`` Good, '' Albus stared at the map, unsure of how to start, `` Er, maybe I should do what I did last time to get it to order us we 've got to turn out we know the piranha ? ``

`` Probably, '' Rose agreed.

`` waiting ! '' John shouted, `` Can I do it this clock time ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus shrugged and handed lavatory the map.

`` Excellent, '' John grinned and pointed his wand at the map, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Padfoot. ``

Ink appeared on the map, but not nearly as much as when Albus had done it earlier in the year.

'No, you 're not .'

The ink disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

`` What ? '' bathroom shouted, `` But it worked final stage time ! ``

Albus 's hopes plummeted. Why was n't it working now ? Was it on some kind of a timekeeper ? Like it could only mold on a certain day of the month ? He had been so charge up about getting the new map to make, and now it would n't even tell them to leaven they knew the Marauders.

`` Let me try, '' lusterlessness grabbed the sheepskin and pointed his wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Moony. ``

'No, you 're not .'The map said once again.

`` This suck, '' bathroom muttered, `` It worked last metre. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to be Albus, '' rose wine suggested.

Albus wordlessly grabbed the map and pointed his own wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

The ink he had been expecting to appear rose to the Earth's surface of the lambskin and formed the familiar words.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the Marauder 's Map, Second Edition .'

`` Ha ! '' Albus grinned in excitement, `` There it is ! ``

`` But why did n't it work for us ? '' trick asked dejectedly. `` Does that mean we ca n't be Padfoot and Moony ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus sighed. He really hoped his friends would be able to be Padfoot and Moony. Who else could be Padfoot and Moony ? The map would n't even play without individual to be Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail. Albus could n't do it alone.

'Mr. Prongs disagrees with you and insists that you are not Prongs. However, you could be the second Prongs .'

`` See ? Why did n't it say 'However, you could be the second Padfoot'when I did it ? ``

'When four male child, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendship and mischief, they may present themselves as the adjacent generation of Marauders. These four booster must each symbolize one of the Marauders, for if even one is missing, this map will not work. Before this goes any further, you must examine that you know the secrets of the Marauders. Prove that you know, and you may continue along the path of discovery .'

'The path of discovery ? I never knew you were so poetic, Mr. Prongs .'

'Oh, consider me, Mr. Padfoot, I am not. Mr. Moony came up with that whole affair .'

'Then I pay my compliment on the wording to Mr. Moony .'

'Mr. Moony advises that whomever is reading this ignore Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot and start proving that they know the Marauders .'

'Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and also advises that if whomever is reading this has no idea who the Marauders are, that they quit while they 're ahead .'

'The marauder wishing you good portion .'

`` well, now what ? '' lav asked.

`` I guess we 've just got to transfer the paw prints, '' Albus said tentatively.

Rose picked up the paw prints and the map, setting them down in front of her. She pulled out her wand and muttered an incantation at the werewolf photographic print. Then she muttered another incantation at the map. The werewolf photographic print appeared on the map, just as it had been on the other slice of parchment.

`` That, was bloody pose, '' John said in awe.

Albus agreed. He was forever thankful that his cousin was so vivid. Albus did n't call back he 'd ever be able-bodied to pluck off something like that. At least not until he was at least in fifth year.

Rose repeated the procedure with the dog, stag, and rat photographic print, positioning them in the exact Same way that the little mug that the Marauders had put on the map.

`` There, '' she said once she was done.

The five champion stared at the map for a few minute, waiting for something to pass off. The paw prints were n't doing anything and neither was the map. No new ink had appeared and the paw prints were n't disappearing or anything.

`` Er, '' Albus began, `` Maybe I 've got to severalize the map that we know the vulture ? ``

`` Worth a gibe, '' whoremonger shrugged.

Albus pulled the map over to him and tapped his wand to it, `` I, Albus Severus potter, the second Prongs, know the predator. ``

The paw print quickly faded until there was null left but a blank parchment. Albus glanced up and looked at his friends before returning his gaze to the new map.

'Prongs agrees that you do recognise the predator, and is especially instill that you managed to get a werewolf paw print .'

`` It worked ! '' Albus shouted happily.

'Due to your obvious knowledge of the Marauders'arcanum, we shall now state you to a greater extent about this map. When the vulture were seventh class, they realized that within a few unretentive months, they would be gone from Hogwarts, and the schooling would be left without their boss mischief makers.

'Prongs suggested-'

'Do you always talk about yourself in the tierce person, Prongs ?'

'Only when I have a accident of brilliance, Padfoot .'

'Not too often then, right ?'

'Oh, get on with the account, Prongs .'

'Calm yourself, Moony. You 're letting your furry self show .'

'Shut it, Prongs .'

'All right wing. Anyway, I ( glad now, Padfoot ? ) had a stroke of blaze that the Marauders could find a way to ensure that they would never be gone from Hogwarts .'

`` I knew it ! '' blush wine shouted in hilarity, `` I knew that was what this was about ! ``

'The Marauders decided to create another map. The first map was only the origin. The piranha wanted to notice a way to put themselves into a map, in order to help the following genesis of roguishness maker. That is what this map is about.

'However, not just anyone would be able to have memory access to the map .'

'Yeah, we would n't want any old dunderheads stumbling upon it .'

'Right, Padfoot. Or even worse, having Slytherins get their slimy manus on it .'

'I shudder at that idea, Moony. Anyway, the Marauders had to figure out a way to assure that only those worthy would be able to approach this map. The Marauder 's Map is actually quite simple to figure out, compared to this one. All you have to do to spread that is say a certain set phrase. For this map, you have to be a sure soul to open it.

'You may or may not let figured out that in ordering to get the first gear bit of information out of this map, you have to be a blood congenator of one of the piranha. However, not everyone representing the Marauders must be related. Because, you know, we might not all have tike .'

'Yeah, you would n't need to be passing along any genes, Prongs .'

'Better mine than yours, Padfoot .'

`` That 's why only Albus could do it ! '' Gospel According to John shouted.

Albus felt huge easing from this. bathroom and Matt would be capable to represent Padfoot and Moony.

`` So really, only James, Lily, shimmy, my dad, and I could get it open, '' Albus said.

'The sleep of you must be Gryffindor son, because we want you to be like us .'

'Lily wo n't like that, Prongs .'

'I know, Moony, but Lily does n't know about this. I do n't contrive on telling her, either .'

`` shot that counts out my baby, '' Albus commented.

'So, now you 've proven that you know the Marauders. Your next footprint is to test that you are the succeeding marauder .'

The ink slowly faded once again until the parchment was as space as before.

Albus stared at it for a few import, thinking about what he had just found out. The map was n't going to work out yet. He had been so sure that all they 'd have to do was try they knew the vulture. But now they had yet another thing to do. They had to leaven that they were the next Marauders. How were they going to do that ?

`` That was weird, '' St. John the Apostle said.

`` I 'll say, '' flatness agreed, `` They did n't even really say us what it was a map of. ``

`` Yeah, they just said they wanted to take sure as shooting they 'd never will Hogwarts. Like the map is a section of them, '' privy replied.

`` To be honorable, it sounds a bit like a Horcrux, '' Rose commented.

`` Yeah, but it 's not like they put their mortal in there, Rose, '' Albus pointed out. `` It 's like the Marauder 's Map. It 's just enchanted. ``

`` I still wish we knew what it was a map of, '' John muttered, `` I mean, this is n't fair ! We spend weeks getting those paw prints and we still have n't figured the map out. ``

`` I knew you 'd have to do something like this, '' blush wine said, `` Otherwise it would n't matter if there were four of you to correspond the Marauders. If it was just this, Albus could have done the unhurt thing himself. ``

She made a good full stop. Albus had n't really thought about that, but it was rightful. They had to do something that required each of them to represent one of the Marauders.

`` I guess we 've got to test we are the vulture, then, '' Albus said, `` Wonder what that involves. ``

`` Maybe we 've got to do something the piranha would have done, '' Matt suggested.

`` Like go illegal Animagi ? '' John grinned mischievously.

`` No ! '' Matt sighed, `` I told you, you 're not doing that ! ``

`` I do n't think that 's it, '' rose began, `` How would you go about proving to a piece of paper that you 're illegal Animagi ? ``

`` Maybe we 've got to pull out a huge japery or something, '' Albus said.

`` Again, how would you prove that to the map ? '' Rose asked.

`` Well, does anyone have any other ideas ? '' Albus asked.

`` We 'll call up of something, '' Amanda said, `` I mean, there 's got to be a way. ``

`` Of course of action their is ! '' Rose said, `` We 've just got to go to the program library and see if we can find anything there. ``

`` We ca n't do anything anyway until you 've got that Sileo Altus charm down, blush wine, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Right, '' rose wine replied, `` It 's coming along well. I just necessitate to get some practice. Anyone want to be my quizzer ? ``

`` I will ! '' privy shouted and jumped up out of his chair.

`` Ok, come here, '' rose got up and went to the other English of the room.

Albus watched as the two of them worked. beginning, they had to think up a secret, which took a proficient bit of prison term. john finally suggested that the secret be 'Filch the like to dance in the moonlight with a tenacious handle mop with Frank Sinatra music playing in the setting .'

Albus burst out laughing at that. `` Filch ? saltation ? ``

`` Yes, '' John said in a severe look, `` I saw him once. He was rubbing the mop head to his face and had on a look of pure joy. ``

`` And soon you wo n't be able to tell anyone about it, '' Amanda grinned. `` What a ignominy. ``

`` Yes, it is, is n't it ? '' John laughed. `` You lot can still spread it around, though. ``

`` Ok, John, let 's try it, '' Rose said.

blush wine pointed her wand at herself and recited the good luck charm that would make her the secret steward. Then, she pointed her wand at John the Divine and said a slightly different charm.

`` Now you say the secret, John. ``

`` Filch likes to trip the light fantastic in the moonlight with a longsighted handgrip mop with Frank Sinatra music playing in the background, '' can smirked.

`` good, '' Rose replied and then performed another magical spell on bathroom. `` I 'm not ready to try including other people yet, so John the Evangelist will only be able to talk about Filch 's little use to me. ``

Rose waved her wand around in an intricate form and then said one endure conjuration. She lowered her wand and stared at John. Then she turned to face Albus.

`` There. Now you can try asking him about it, Albus. ``

Albus grinned, `` All right. So, John, heard anything interesting about Filch lately ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' John shouted, `` Actually, just the other Nox I saw him and he was- '' John 's mouth continued moving but no phone was coming out of it.

Albus and Amanda burst out laughing. John the Evangelist looked like a fish out of water. `` I think it worked ! '' Albus shouted.

Rose was staring at John with a slight look of disappointment. `` Not quite. He was n't even supposed to be able-bodied to move his mouth. You know, in shell people can read rim. I guess it 's a start, though. ``

`` Definitely. I mean, this is a really elevate charm. You ca n't have expected to get it on the first try, '' Albus pointed out. Although, he did kind of think blush wine expected to get it on the kickoff try.

`` I suppose, '' Rose sighed, `` I 'll just undo it. ``

rose wine waved her wand around and muttered some more incantation. `` Ok, he should be able to blab about it now. ``

`` Heard anything amusing about Filch recently ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, he likes to dance with a long grip mop by moonlight while Frank Sinatra plays in the background, '' bathroom told her.

`` tone like the countercharm worked, '' Albus said.

`` But that 's not even what we 'll involve, '' rose pointed out, `` We 're not going to perform the countercharm on Kaden. Not for another few years at least. ``

`` Yeah, but it 's lucky for King John that it worked, '' Albus grinned, `` Otherwise he would n't be able to part Filch 's orphic pleasure of life. ``

******

Over the side by side few sidereal day, toilet actually did share that Filch liked to dance with a recollective handle mop by the moonlight with frank Francis Albert Sinatra playing in the scope. All he had to do was note it to a few early Gryffindors at meal prison term and the bit of rumormonger was soon spreading throughout the school. The reactions from students ranged from hysterical laughter to raised brow to ecphonesis of 'Who the snake pit is hot dog Francis Albert Sinatra ?'Albus could n't help oneself but smirk every prison term he heard his boyfriend scholarly person mentioning the story.

Filch, on the early manus, was actively trying to obtain the culprit. There was n't really any full point, since he would n't be capable to happen who started it, but he tried. He spent the Day prowling the dorm and listening in on pupil'conversations, trying to find out any sorting of information regarding the off-key story. Whenever the students noticed him, they would burst out laughing, which would cause Filch to embark on muttering about 'rotten scholarly person'and 'ought to whip them all'.

Filch 's main suspect was Kaden, which Albus found kind of funny. Kaden of course had laughed the brassy when he heard the story. Since Filch had developed an intense dislike for Kaden since their detention calendar month ago, he gave Kaden threatening stares every metre Kaden passed him in the corridors. Kaden just found this good story, since he knew John had invented the story.

The floor about Filch provided a skillful break from the vivid studying that all the students were occupied with. Like usual, the instructor had increased the prep after the vacation. Albus was happy it was n't yet his O.W.L. class and he could n't imagine how he would grapple to cope with that in three short years. Along with preparation, Albus also had Quidditch and dueling pattern. Both Georgia and Kate had increased exercise times in order to prepare for the upcoming match and tournament. The third dueling tournament was to accept place the first weekend of February and Quidditch on the following weekend. Albus now had Quidditch drill on Monday, Tuesdays, Th, and Sabbatum. Dueling drill were as usual, not required, but were now not only on Wednesdays, but on Friday as well. The only day Albus had off was Billy Sunday, which did n't chip in much time for him to try and figure out how to shew he was like the marauder to the new map.

The good morning of the Dueling Tournament was cold, snowy, and blustery. Albus was very happy the Quidditch match was n't that day. He got up a few 60 minutes before the tournament started and went down to breakfast with his friends.

`` I ca n't wait until I can duel next twelvemonth, '' Kaden said in between bites of egg.

`` It 's not really as assuredness as it 's made out to be, '' John commented, `` A lot of waiting around time during tourney. ``

`` That 's because there 's so many of us, '' rose wine explained, `` In the regular Dueling Club, the one that you can only be in if you 're fifth yr or above, not everyone gets on the teams. It 's like Quidditch and you have to try out. ``

`` That sounds better, '' trick said, `` But I do n't eff if I 'd clear the team. ``

`` I know I would n't, '' Amanda replied.

`` You 're getting break, '' Albus assured her, `` You might make it by the time you 're a 5th year. ``

`` Yeah, that 's the point of the Jr 's golf-club, '' Rose said, `` So you can get honest. They do n't expect us all to be expert duelers. ``

`` Albus is, '' Amanda grinned, `` He 's smart as a whip. ``

Albus felt his font number red, `` Well, I 'm not that bang-up ... I mean, there are loads of the great unwashed who are sound than me. ``

`` Not on our squad, '' Amanda continued, `` He 's beat almost everyone on the squad. ``

`` Yeah, everyone except Malfoy, '' Albus muttered. He still had n't managed to bewilder Malfoy during their practice duels.

`` That 's beneficial, though ! '' Rose sighed, `` You 're both excellent duelers, so you 've got a good squad ! ``

Albus shrugged. He kind of would rather just be capable to beat Malfoy than beat the early team, but he did n't bring up anything about it.

Albus and his ally continued their talk about dueling throughout breakfast and as they sat around the park room afterwards. Soon, it was time for them to go down to the dueling chamber for the tournament.

They passed Filch on their way down the stairs, and he was muttering to himself as usual.

`` red cent kids ... better when Umbridge was around ... wonder if she 'll fall back ... she 'd let me pip them ... ''

`` I swear he 's gotten Thomas More mad over the year, '' whoremonger muttered to Albus as they passed him.

`` Dad says he 's getting senile, '' Albus whispered back.

The dueling bedchamber was packed with student, just like the past times two tournament. Albus and Amanda squeezed their way through the crowd to their usual table, where their team was sitting.

`` Hi Albus, Amanda, '' Kate greeted them. `` quick to win ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus grinned.

The tournament got under way a few minute later. It was much like the past two tournaments, with a lot of sitting around time. Albus was happy that he and Amanda were on the same team so they were able to peach to each early in between duels.

Albus won both of his affaire d'honneur, just like the last two tournament. So did Malfoy and once again, Albus found that he was kind of happy and kind of angry about that. Amanda won one of her duels, which Albus was very happy about. He knew half her dueling government issue were from nerve and the fact that she thought she would n't do well.

Rose, St. John, and Matt each won one of their duels as well. Albus clapped for them even though they were on former team, which earned him glare from Malfoy. Albus did n't care, though. Malfoy could sulk as long as he wanted, it was n't going to stop Albus from cheering for his friends.

The points were tallied after the last affaire d'honneur and John 's team was declared the victor. Albus was slightly disappointed, but there were still three more tournament before the final exam. Harry announced the point aggregate for the entire twelvemonth and rosiness 's team was in offset station so far. In second was the squad led by Hufflepuff Saul of Tarsus Galivant and in tierce was St. John 's team, led by Albus 's first cousin Bradley.

Albus did n't believe that the inter-house dueling was decreasing the competition between household. Albus was n't anymore fond of the Slytherins than he had been in the beginning of the twelvemonth. None of the Slytherins really got along with the Gryffindors on his team, and vice versa. He was n't exactly trusted how it was working with the regular dueling club, but he had overheard Stanley complaining about how disobliging the Slytherins on his team were. But that was months ago and he did n't know what had been going on with it recently.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan296, Miguel, Gospel According to Luke, and mischiefmaker09 for their reassessment !

I wrote my kickoff marauder Era story, Side core May Include Gratitude and Feelings of Well Being, which is a one-shot from ma'am Pomfrey 's point of prospect. It 's on my generator page, if you 're concern. I 'd screw it if you read and reviewed it !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Matt 's natal day was a few days after the Dueling tourney. Albus and his friends did n't throw him a political party like they had last class. That had mostly been done to urge on him up since he had been in the Hospital Wing at the time. This year they went down to the kitchens and got a cake, and then ate it in their dormitory. Kaden went with him and was amazed by the kitchens, with all the house-elves around. His reaction was peculiar to keep an eye on than Amanda 's the previous yr. He stood there with his rima oris half open and then ran around grabbing as much solid food as possible.

By the prison term the Quidditch mates arrived the next Saturday, Albus was utterly exhausted. Between Quidditch practice and preparation, he hardly had anytime to sleep. Throw in a trip down to the kitchens for Matt 's birthday after Quidditch practice the former night, and Albus was ready to sleep through an entire day.

Albus yawned, got out of bed, and looked out the window. He had been hoping that the raging snowstorm would feature let up, but it had n't. terrific, he thought, James would n't be catching the stool pigeon quickly in this weather.

A few hours later, Albus bade his admirer goodbye and headed down to the changing way at the Quidditch delivery. His friends had bundled themselves up in as very much scarlet and Au wear as they owned and were ready to huddle against the howling wind for a few hr of Quidditch. bathroom, matte, and Amanda did n't appear to listen the conditions at all and were excited about the friction match. Rose, on the other hand, clearly would have rather spent the afternoon in the rook studying. Kaden still liked football better than Quidditch and Albus had a feeling he would n't birth minded the storm if he was watching a football game.

`` Ok ! '' Sakartvelo shouted a few minutes after Albus entered the changing rooms, `` Everyone seed over here ! ``

`` I know the weather condition is n't idealistic, '' Georgia began once everyone was gathered around her, `` But we 've played in worse than this ! ``

`` Yeah, if you count that flood we played in during third year, '' Fred muttered, `` But other than that .... ''

Sakartvelo glared at Fred, `` Anyway, we 're playing Hufflepuff, so we 'll win. Harper 's still captain, but it 's her last year, so she 'll be abruptly set on getting the Cup. That means she 'll receive trained her team even harder. They 've got a new Keeper, though. individual named Tanner Royce. He 's a fifth year. other than him, the team 's the same as last year. So, with that, get out there and sound off some badger ass ! ``

Albus grinned to himself as he picked up his Scots heather and started to walk to the room access. Peach State was a great captain, but was n't much for long wind up speeches.

`` Albus, '' Georgia whispered and put her hand on his shoulder.

`` Yeah ? ``

`` You 're, er, less nervous this match, right ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' Albus smiled, remembering how he had told her he was extremely anxious the last match. In reality, he 'd been too preoccupied with the new map. trusted, he 'd been a small nervous, but not as much as Georgia thought he had been. This couple, however, he was n't nearly as distracted, although he still was a bit nervous. `` I 'm a bit uneasy, but not as much. ``

`` Good, '' Peach State grinned and walked out the door and onto the pitch.

Albus followed his cousin onto the lurch and was immediately hit by the emphatic winds that were prevailing.

`` Welcome to the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff match ! '' Todd Smith 's voice sounded over the sales pitch. It sounded faint and kind of far away in the wind instrument. `` It 's bloody cold out here so let 's make it quick !

`` Here are the Gryffindors ! Captain Georgia Weasley, followed by Ryan O'Malley, Albus ceramist, King James Potter, Thomas Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Heather Weasley !

`` And the Hufflepuffs ! Captain Jessica Harper, followed by Shawn Ames, Lisa Galivant, Andy Kaper, Stacey Manson, Anna Reilly, and tanner Royce ! ``

Professor Oteski motioned for Georgia and harpist to shake hired hand and as soon as they did so, Albus and the rest of the players rose into the air. Oteski released the Ball and Heather immediately took possession of the Quaffle.

`` And heather mixture 's got the Quaffle ! She passes to Fred, then back to heather, and to Albus. ``

Albus caught the Quaffle and started flying towards the Hufflepuff goals. He was amazed that he had actually caught it since the weather was so dreaded. He could hardly see two feet in battlefront of him. His robes were already soaked with Snow and ice and he was frigidly cold. Nevertheless, he kept flying towards the finish until he had to stop myopic and toss the Quaffle back to Heather, since he almost flew uncoiled into an oncoming Hufflepuff chaser.

Heather caught the Quaffle and flew it the rest of the way to the end. She threw it in and it easily went past Hufflepuff 's new Keeper.

`` destination ! Ten-zero Gryffindor ! Now hurry up and catch that stool pigeon, St. James ! I 'm freezing my bloody- ''

`` Smith ! '' Patil shouted, `` look out your language ! ``

`` Sorry, Professor. ``

The Quaffle was now back in frolic and was in Hufflepuff possession. Albus was n't even sure which Chaser had it, but he knew it was a Hufflepuff. Whichever Hufflepuff had the Quaffle managed to take it to the Gryffindor goals, but Georgia saved it.

Fred took the Quaffle and flew it back to the early end of the pitch, scoring another goal for Gryffindor.

The game continued this way for the next one-half time of day. Hufflepuff managed to grade two goals, but Gryffindor scored about eight. Albus currently had the Quaffle and was flying straight at the Hufflepuff goals.

He narrowly avoided a bludger and both Hufflepuff beaters, but soon he was within throwing distance of the finish. He faked to the right and then threw the Quaffle at the left hand ring. Royce tried to save it, but he was n't speedy enough.

`` destination ! Albus Potter has scored against Hufflepuff ! The mark is now 90-20 Gryffindor ! ``

Albus was ecstatic. That was the foremost end he had ever scored in a Quidditch match. Up until now, all he 'd done were assists. Albus took a triumph lap around the pitch and then caught the Quaffle from heather.

Albus managed to grade another goal and heather mixture scored two more in the next half hour of the match. Hufflepuff scored a few more goals, but were still far behind. By now, Albus was for sure he had turned into an icicle and was getting a bit sick of flying around in the cold. He was even getting a bit of a headache from it. Albus was n't even sure if he 'd know if Henry James or Galivant caught the stoolpigeon, due to the increasingly bad profile and snowfall. The blizzard seemed to be getting worse by the hour. If Hogwarts actually called off Quidditch, they would have called it off a while ago.

A few hour later, cheers broke out in the sales booth and Albus was sure mortal must have caught the Snitch. He was very felicitous to land his broom and knew he 'd be even happy when he finally got into the warm common room.

The ease of his squad was shouting in glee and were surrounding James. He must have caught the snitcher, Albus thought. The ease of the Gryffindors were swarming the pitch and soon James was lifted onto a few people 's shoulders. Albus joined the concourse of his house and started his way back to the castle.

On his way back to the park room, legion multitude stopped him in gild to felicitate him on the win. Albus was thrilled that they had won, but all he really wanted to do was find his friends and get into some warm gown. James loved the attention he got after winning a Quidditch match, but Albus could subscribe it or leave it. Right now, he could leave it since his vexation was getting worse.

The company in the common room was just getting started when Albus entered a few minute of arc later. Someone must induce snuck down to the kitchens because there was an integral table filled with intellectual nourishment. Someone else had obviously gotten into Hogsmeade because just about everyone had a butterbeer in their hand.

person shoved a butterbeer into Albus 's deal as he made his way through the gang. Saint James was in the thick of it as usual and was rehashing how he caught the Snitch.

`` And I saw it lurking near one of the goal mail. Galivant was on the other end of the pitch, so I knew she had no hope ... '' James was saying to a duad of giggling girls.

The rest of the squad was nearby and were digging into the solid food that was on one of the tables.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Georgia shouted as he passed, `` I knew you could get over those nerves ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled as he went up the stairs to his dormitory.

Albus quickly changed out of his coldness, wet robes and felt a bit better afterwards. He went back down to the mutual room and it was even Fuller than before. It looked like all the Gryffindors had returned from the pitching and the party was in fully swing.

Albus found his friends sitting at their common mesa and they all seemed to be enjoying the party.

`` Albus ! '' John shouted as Albus sat down, `` vivid playing ! ``

`` Definitely, '' Matt agreed.

`` You 're quite a dependable Chaser, Albus, '' rosebush said, `` Although I honestly do n't know why they did n't cancel the match with this blizzard ... ''

`` Cancel the match ? '' John stared at her, `` Never ! ``

`` If it was football game, it would 've been canceled, '' Kaden commented.

`` Yeah, because you would n't be able to run around in two foundation of blow, '' Saint John laughed, `` But Quidditch is in the air, so it does n't matter. ``

`` Will you two just drop out arguing about football ? '' Rose sighed.

`` Just trying to flex Kaden into a proper maven, '' John shrugged.

`` Quidditch is hardly the definition of a proper wizard, '' rose wine said, `` I believe potion brewing is a bit more important and I 'm sure Kaden could instruct you a affair about it, Mr. Exploding Potions. ``

`` That was Goyle 's fault, '' John muttered.

`` Why do n't all three of you just resign arguing ? '' Albus snapped. His head was pounding and listening to his acquaintance'disceptation was not helping.

`` What 's with you ? '' john asked, `` We 're not fighting anymore than normal. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to do that he 's been flying around in a blizzard for the past two hours ? '' rosebush suggested, `` If they 'd just have canceled the match- ''

`` They do n't cancel Quidditch ! '' John shouted and then turned to Matt, `` You understand this, do n't you ? ``

`` It 's true, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` Quidditch is n't ever canceled for trivial things like blizzards. ``

`` I think the weather condition just makes it more worry, '' Amanda commented.

`` Not you too ! '' pink wine groaned.

`` Football 's only played in the warm months anyway, '' Kaden said, `` They would n't even schedule an outdoor football match in the winter. ``

`` wellspring that 's tedious, '' John replied.

Albus leaned his head on his helping hand and closed his eye while trying to submerge out his friends conversation. John, rosebush, and Kaden continued to indicate about the deservingness of Quidditch and football game. lustrelessness and Amanda stayed out of it for the most part and seemed kind of amused with the total affair. Albus was n't, though. He wished they 'd just exclude up. Albus 's head was steadily feeling high-risk, like he was being hit with a bludger over and over again. Besides that, he still had n't completely warmed up from the mate and was shivering, despite his dry robes.

`` I think football game would be a adequate summercater if it were played on brooms, '' lavatory said.

`` Oh seminal fluid on, John ! '' Rose sighed, `` Be unplayful ! You ca n't play football on ling. How would you recoil the formal ? ``

`` Not to mention that Muggles diddle football ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Muggles ca n't fly ! ``

`` I 'm not saying that Muggles should play football on heather. I meant if football were ever played by magician, it should be done on Calluna vulgaris. ``

football game on brooms, Albus thought, what an insane mind. His friends were now trying to flux football and Quidditch.

`` Albus, are you all right ? '' Matt asked.

Albus opened his middle and lifted his head off his paw. `` I dunno. ``

`` You do n't look that great, '' matte said concernedly.

John, Rose, and Kaden stopped arguing and looked at Albus.

`` Yeah, you look unsound than lustrelessness does when he gets sick, '' Kaden said loudly.

`` Thanks, '' Matt muttered.

`` flatness 's right, '' pink wine said, `` You do search awful, Albus. ``

`` I 've got a headache, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You should go see lady Pomfrey, '' Kaden told him.

`` I think I 'll just go to bed, '' Albus got up from his chair, `` I have n't really slumber much the preceding few nights. I 'm probably just tired. ``

Albus stumbled over to the dorm room door, feeling worse than he had a few minutes ago. He collapsed into his bed and fell asleep minute later.

******

Albus awoke with a starting and he was n't certain how often time had passed since he went to kip. He still felt extremely tired and his question still hurt. He groaned and closed his heart again, wanting only to kip for a few sidereal day straight.

Right when he was about to swan off again, someone threw the curtains back and Albus 's bed was flooded in light.

`` Ugh, '' Albus groaned and covered his eyes with his handwriting. `` What was that for ? ``

`` You 've slept almost an intact day, '' someone said.

Albus moved his hands and slowly opened his oculus. John was standing over his bed with a look of concern on his face.

`` And I 'd like to kip a bit More if you do n't mind, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You slept through dinner last night, and breakfast and lunch today. Are n't you hungry ? ``

`` Not really. ``

`` Are you sure you 're ok ? '' John asked, `` Rose sent me up here to break on you. ``

Honestly, Albus was n't sure he was ok. He could n't call up the last fourth dimension he had slept an entire day. But right now all he wanted was for toilet to go away so he could slumber some more.

`` I 'll be fine once I sleep some more, '' Albus replied and rolled over away from Gospel According to John.

`` If you 're for sure, '' bathroom said quietly and closed the curtains.

It did n't take Albus long to accrue back asleep. He had some foreign dreams that involved teddy telling him his broom broke and he 'd possess to play Quidditch without it by running around on the undercoat. Then, instead of a Quaffle, the match was played with a football.

Albus woke up briefly after one of these aspiration, only to find that the dormitory was dark. He could hear Ethan 's muffled snoring and an owl hooting outside. Unfortunately, he did n't finger any better than he had when whoremaster woke him up. In fact, he now felt worse. Every one of his muscles were aching, like he had fallen from his heather during the friction match. But Albus could n't call in falling from his broom. When had the match been anyway ? Yesterday or the day before ? Albus could n't even recall and he did n't even make out what day it was currently.

`` Albus ! '' Someone shouted. Albus was dreaming about Quidditch again and someone was hitting him with their beater 's bat.

`` Quit it, '' Albus mumbled.

`` Albus, are you all right ? ``

`` Go away, '' Albus said, `` And hold on smacking me with that beater 's bat. ``

`` Beater 's bat ? '' they repeated, `` That 's it, I 'm getting Professor ceramicist. ``

`` I 'll go, '' someone else said, `` You stay here with him. ``

Whoever had been hitting Albus with the bat had stopped, and he was grateful. GA had taken the bat away and was now yelling at its owner. Then she announced that they would be playing football instead of Quidditch. James complained loudly, since there were n't any searcher in football.

`` Albus, wake up ! ``

`` I think Kaden said you 'll deliver to play defense, St. James the Apostle, '' Albus mumbled in his nap. `` There is n't a Snitch in football. ``

`` hang on, Albus, John 's getting your dad. ``

`` My dad ? He 'll have to play defense, too. ``

`` What 's faulty ? '' someone new shouted.

`` He 's been sleeping since after the friction match, Professor ceramist. I think he 's throw up. ``

`` Since after the mates ? ``

`` Er, yeah. We thought he was just tired, but he 's been sleeping for two years. ``

`` The match ? '' Albus muttered, `` Did we beat Slytherpuff yet ? ``

Albus felt himself being lifted out of his bed and into someone 's arms. He rested his head on their shoulder and shivered as his blanket fell back onto the bed. Albus fell back into a deep sleep and next woke up as he was being laid down on another bed.

Albus heard hoi polloi talking all around him, but he could n't make out what they were saying. Someone poured a few disgusting potions down his throat and forced him to swallow them. There was more grumble around him, but Albus soon drifted off to kip again.

The elbow room was quieter when Albus next woke up. He opened his optic and looked around. Where was he ? Albus was sure he had fallen asleep in his dormitory, but now it looked as if he was in the infirmary Wing. The place was nearly deserted, keep for madam Pomfrey sitting at her desk. Albus yawned and tried to sit up, but he was still lightheaded. The good matter was that his mind felt much secure. However, his consistence still ached.

Madam Pomfrey looked up from her desk and got up once she saw that Albus was awake. She grabbed a few bottles and put them on a tray, which she then carried over to Albus 's bed and set it on the bedside table.

`` commodity, you 're up, '' Madam Pomfrey said as she poured one of the potions into a cup, `` You gave us all quite a fear. ``

`` What time is it ? '' Albus asked, still confused about what he was doing there.

`` Just after six o'clock. ``

`` Er, and what day ? ``

`` Monday, '' the nurse said as she thrust the cup under Albus 's nose, `` Drink that. ``

Albus downed the potion quickly, `` Yuck. It 's really Mon ? I 've missed stratum ? ``

`` I 'd say so. ``

`` Er, what exactly happened ? I mean, I went to bed in my residence hall and now I 'm here ... ''

`` You 're ill, '' lady Pomfrey said, `` You 've caught the flu. Your champion told me you slept for almost two Clarence Day and then they went to get your begetter since you were n't getting any salutary and had started becoming delirious. You 've been here since around lunch time. ``

`` Oh. Well, how long do I have to stay ? ``

`` Another two Day, probably, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey told him. `` Now I want you to drink in these early two potions and eat that bowl of soup. ``

Albus nodded and Madam Pomfrey strode back over to her desk. Albus thought back and could vaguely recollect being taken out of his student residence, but it was only a groggy computer storage. The terminal thing he could really remember well was the Quidditch friction match. He was very happy he had n't fallen ill before the match.

No sooner had Albus drank the first potion that the doors to the Hospital Wing swung open and john, matt, Rose, and Amanda came bursting through. Madam Pomfrey got up quickly from her desk and met them halfway.

`` Is Albus awake ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yes, he 's only just woken up. I suppose you can claver him for a few moment. But calmly ! He needs to remain ! ``

`` Albus ! '' blush wine shrieked when she ran over to his bed, `` Thank Merlin you 're all right ! ``

`` How are you ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Doing better ? '' whoremaster asked.

`` well, '' Matt said with a half smile on his pale face, `` This is a switch. ``

Albus grinned at him, `` Yeah, ca n't really remember a sentence where it was you visiting me here. ``

`` What exactly have you got anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Flu, '' Albus answered, `` But I 'm getting better. Not nearly as threadbare as before. ``

`` I would hope so, '' John smirked, `` You slept two Day. ``

`` I 'll probably catch some Z's another two, '' Albus said, `` Pomfrey said I 've got to delay another two days. ``

`` We 'll be here together, then, '' Matt replied.

Albus looked at his friend, who was looking a bit exhausted himself. `` When 's the full phase of the moon synodic month again ? ``

`` Tomorrow, '' Matt sighed.

`` Did you take that new potion ? '' Albus asked.

Matt nodded, `` Yeah, and I 'm more knackered than usual. ``

`` He fell asleep in chronicle of magic and almost fell asleep in Potions, '' can said.

`` fountainhead, you did n't sleep through two whole daytime like I did, '' Albus pointed out.

`` I 've done it before. I 've slept through more than two Day actually. I think four is my record. ``

`` All right ! '' Madam Pomfrey announced, `` time for you lot to be off to bed, especially you, lusterlessness. And Albus needs to rest. ``

`` See you tomorrow, '' Albus said as his friends left the room.

`` Sure will, '' matt replied.

Albus slept on and off throughout the night and the next morning. He was still tired, but felt much better when he woke up late the next morning. His dad had stopped by early before class, but Albus fell back asleep after he left.

brothel keeper Pomfrey was fussing over him and giving him numerous potions to drink. Albus was the but affected role in the entire ward, so the nanny 's fussing was all focused on him.

The nurse had been giving Albus what must consume been his tenth glassful of water that morning when the doorway to the Barbara Ward opened. Matt stumbled inside and walked shakily over to the bed next to Albus 's. He collapsed onto it and winced in pain.

madam Pomfrey immediately put down the water pitcher and descended upon Matt.

`` You 're here in the first place than usual, '' she said as she felt his head, `` And you 're burning up. ``

`` Why are you here earlier ? '' Albus asked once brothel keeper Pomfrey had gone to get another potion.

`` Tired, '' mat mumbled, `` hide asleep in vindication and your dad told me to come here. ``

`` Is it the new potion ? ``

`` Yeah, it does n't exactly help much, does it ? ``

`` I thought you said they were going to find something to antagonise the portion of it that makes you tire out, '' Albus said.

`` They are, they just have n't found it yet. ``

`` Oh. ``

Madam Pomfrey returned a moment later and gave Matt a few potions. He drank them and was asleep hour later. Albus was n't really tired, but he fell asleep anyway out of lack of anything else to do.

John, pink wine, and Amanda stopped by after dinner to see Albus and Matt, but Madam Pomfrey did n't let them stay long. Matt had been asleep anyway. Shortly after their Friend left, Madam Pomfrey woke matt up and took him down to the Whomping Wilow.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Moonylupin, potterfan296, Miguel, Saint Luke, and Denas for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


When Albus awoke the next morning, he felt much easily. In fact, he felt mostly normal. He was n't aching anymore and his head teacher felt better as well. He hungrily ate all the breakfast madam Pomfrey provided.

The Lapplander could n't be said for lusterlessness, who was looking a good deal worse than the previous day. He was either deceased or unconscious, Albus was betting on the latter, and he had legion baseball swing and abrasion on his face. His right arm and forehead were covered in a large bandages.

`` So when can I get out ? '' Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey performed some kind of while on Matt.

`` Later today, most likely, '' she said after she 'd finished her incantation.

Albus sighed. He had been hoping he 'd be able to provide that aurora. He was starting to feel incredibly bored with the infirmary annexe, although not bored enough to embark on the preparation rosebush had brought the old evening.

Albus spent the remainder of the morning drifting in and out of sleep out of lack of anything else to do. dame Pomfrey gave him a few more than nasty tasting potions and lunch, which Albus ate ravenously. After going two days without solid food, he was starving.

The doorway to the Hospital Wing opened just as Albus was finishing his lunch. John, Rose, and Amanda walked inside and immediately headed for Albus 's bed. Madam Pomfrey was in her office and did n't seem to find the visitors.

`` Hey, how are you ? '' Rose asked.

`` Bored, '' Albus replied.

`` That 's good, '' Rose grinned.

`` Are you better now ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Pretty much. Madam Pomfrey wo n't let me get out until later, though. wish she 'd let me leave now. ``

`` She just wants to make sure you 're completely better, '' pink wine said, `` And it 's not like you 're missing class since this is our afternoon off. ``

`` Exactly ! '' bathroom sighed, `` He could be doing much better stuff on his good afternoon off if he was n't here. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Like figuring out the new map. ``

`` How are we going to do that anyway ? '' whoremonger asked.

`` Go to the depository library, '' Albus replied, `` We 've got to reckon for ways of proving who we are. ``

St. John the Apostle groaned, `` And I doubt there will just be a leger titled Prove Who You Are to a art object of sheepskin. ``

`` Probably not, '' pink wine laughed. `` But we 'll chance out somehow. ``

`` qualification anymore forward motion on the magical spell for Kaden ? '' Albus asked.

`` A bit, yeah. I tried it again finis night on trick and this time he could n't even affect his mouth like last time. Now I 've just got to figure out how to involve early people in the closed book. ``

`` And then all we 've got to do is convince matt that the charm is foolproof, '' toilet said.

Everyone glanced over at lustrelessness 's bed, where he was still sleeping.

`` He been at peace all day ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said, `` Ever since I 've been awake. ``

lustrelessness groaned and opened his eyes, `` You lot here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John replied, `` How are you ? ``

`` Horrible, '' lustrelessness said flatly, `` My drumhead is killing me. Were you talking about me ? ``

`` A bit, '' Gospel According to John said, `` Just about that charm for Kaden. We 're going to get working on the map once you two are out of here. Got to find some way to raise to it that we 're like the Marauders. ``

`` auditory sensation good, '' flatness yawned.

`` When do you get to leave alone ? '' Amanda asked, `` Albus is leaving later today. ``

`` No theme, '' lusterlessness said, `` Not until at least tomorrow nighttime. Might be out in time for Astronomy. ``

`` Ca n't you not be outside when the moon is close to full ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Only when it 's waxing. When it 's waning I 'm exquisitely. ``

`` So, we 'll design on working on the map this weekend, then, '' Albus said. `` Unless any of you catch what I had. ``

`` Hope not, '' St. John said. `` Maybe Malfoy will catch it, '' he added gleefully.

`` John, that 's not funny story, '' Rose scolded, `` He 'd be really sick. ``

`` He 'd get sound. Albus is fine now. ``

Albus heard a room access open and Madam Pomfrey came strolling out of her office. She looked up and saw the crowd around Albus and Matt 's beds and made a beeline for them.

`` What are you lot doing here ? '' she demanded.

`` Visiting Albus and flatness, '' Rose answered.

`` Oh, you 're wake ! '' the nurse exclaimed and went over to Matt 's bed, apparently forgetting that Rose, John, and Amanda had burst in without her permission. `` How do you find ? ``

`` Awful, '' Matt replied. `` My header hurts and so does pretty practically everything else. ``

`` You must hold hit your headland much worse than usual conclusion nighttime, '' lady Pomfrey sighed, `` You had quite the concussion earlier. I 'll go get some pain sensation potions. ``

She returned a bit later with a potion for Matt, who drank it in one gulp.

`` Now, you three have to entrust, '' Madam Pomfrey said to blush wine, John, and Matt, `` Albus will be out later and you can see him then. ``

boredom set in for Albus shortly after his friends left. Matt had fallen back asleep quickly after he took his annoyance potion. Albus could n't even log Z's anymore because he had already slept so much that day.

******

`` What are we supposed to be looking for anyway ? '' toilet sighed as he slammed a book of account shut.

Albus, John, Matt, Rose, and Amanda were all crowded around a seclude table in the library. It was covered in books that covered all sorts of topics. The five of them had spent the last minute searching for shipway to prove to the new map that they were like the vulture. So far, nobody had found anything utilitarian.

`` I do n't know, '' Albus replied, `` Anything that might prove that we 're like the piranha. ``

`` That 's not very particular, '' whoremaster muttered, `` I really do n't want to pass an entire Saturday here. ``

`` It 'll do you some good, '' rose said.

`` Wish we could just use that book that you used to find the other charm, '' Albus said to Rose, thinking of Flitwick 's book.

`` Me too, but it 's in the Restricted department, '' rose wine said.

`` Why ca n't we just get prof Potter to give us a government note ? Bet he would, '' trick said.

`` Bet he would n't, '' Albus disagreed, `` He 'd jazz we 're up to something. ``

`` Besides, '' rose wine interjected, `` It might not be a Charm we 're looking for. ``

`` We 're just going to ingest to maintain looking, '' Albus said as he opened another script. `` But I 've got Quidditch practice session in a one-half hour. ``

`` We 'll just look every time we can get away from Kaden, '' matte suggested.

`` Where is he anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. Come to think of it, he had n't seen Kaden since breakfast. It was form of unusual since Kaden spent every waking moment of his day ( when he was n't in course of instruction ) no less than four foot away from Albus.

`` There he is, '' lustrelessness pointed to somewhere behind Albus.

Albus turned around and saw his cousin-german running through the library with a clipboard in his hand.

`` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Quiet ! '' madam Pince shouted even louder, `` Or I 'll throw you all out ! ``

`` Albus, '' Kaden said more quietly as he sat down in an empty professorship at their table.

Albus eyed Kaden 's clipboard but he could n't read what it said. `` Hi Kaden. ``

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied, `` testament you sign my petition ? ``

`` Petition ? '' Albus asked, `` What in the name of Merlin are you petitioning for ? ``

`` TVs in the usual rooms, '' Kaden grinned.

`` What ? ! '' John and lustrelessness shouted.

`` quiet down ! '' brothel keeper Pince screeched.

rose wine laughed, `` What on earth for ? ``

`` I would n't listen having a TV in the park room, '' Amanda commented.

`` Exactly, '' Kaden said, `` It 's firmly enough for us Muggle-borns to line up to Hogwarts and if we had TVs, it would fix it well-situated. ``

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' John laughed.

`` Nope, not kidding, '' Kaden said, `` I 've got loads of signature already. I 'm not really certain how many I 'll need, though. I figure I 'll try and get as many as I can in a few solar day and then chip in it to Professor Longbottom. ``

Albus tried to curb his grin, but he could n't. The idea of Kaden trying to get televisions put into the common rooms was just too funny. There would be no way any of the teacher would hold to it even if everyone in Hogwarts signed the petition.

`` So will you signalize it ? '' Kaden asked, `` If this goes through, I 'll try for computing device next. ``

`` Computers, '' mat laughed, `` You 're mad. ``

`` I 'll sign on, '' Amanda grabbed the clipboard and quill.

`` Sure, why not ? '' Albus shrugged. It could n't hurt to sign the thing, and he was surely Kaden would n't block bugging them unless they did.

trick and Matt signed as well, although they were laughing the whole time. rose signed a bit reluctantly, but she eventually gave in.

`` So what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked after rosiness finished signing.

`` Homework, '' Albus replied automatically.

Kaden stared at the large pile of rule book, `` endorse year must be bloody insane. ``

`` Oh, it is, '' John said, `` You wo n't have any time to watch any TV. ``

`` I 'll bring in metre, '' Kaden said as he stood up, `` Well, I 'm going to get to a greater extent signature. ``

Albus watched as his full cousin went from tabular array to tabularize trying to get people to bless. Some of them liked the approximation and signed willingly. Others laughed until Kaden gave up and others looked at him like he was disturbed. Eventually, lady Pince found out what he was doing and threw him out of the library.

`` Your cousin is the weird bloke I 've ever met, '' John said after Kaden was kicked out.

`` Yeah, he is a bit strange, '' Albus agreed and closed the book he was reading, `` Well, I 'm off to praxis. I 'll see you lot later. ``

After practice, Albus went to the mutual room and found his friends sitting around their usual table doing preparation. Unfortunately, none of them had found anything that would help oneself them to prove that they were like the Marauders. Albus was beginning to wonder if they 'd ever get that map working. Even if they did find out a way to prove they were like the Marauders, what would they have to do next ? How many thing would they have to do before they would actually be able to see the map ? Albus had no idea, but he knew the Marauders were n't going to nominate this easy.

******

The rest of February passed quickly. Albus and his friends continued to scrub the depository library for any form of charm, tour, or potion that would help them in their call for to reveal the map. None of them found anything. Kaden thought they were all doing homework as they searched the Word every weekend. Rose was making progress with the Sileo Altus charm, but it was n't quite perfected enough to use yet. Rose was sure she 'd stimulate it learned by the end of the calendar month. Matt never said a good deal when the charm was brought up and Albus was hoping he would still agree to tell Kaden once Rose perfected the magical spell.

Kaden 's petition to have television set put into the common room was rejected shortly after he gave it to Neville. Kaden did n't seem in the least bit dissuade by this. He insisted it was rejected due to lack of convincing evidence as to how the television receiver would benefit the educatee. He was planning on resubmitting it along with a elaborate essay on the subject later on in the term.

`` You know, Kaden, '' Rose said at dinner party one night, `` Even if the teacher accepted your petition, the televisions would n't even work here. There 's too much magic. ``

`` Oh, I 'm sure there 's a charm that would counteract that, '' Kaden said.

`` It wo n't work, '' Matt said, `` Magic just does n't concur with electronics. This one time when we were visiting my Uncle Jack in the United States, Amy accidentally broke one of the metal demodulator at the airport. It was n't her shift or anything, the deception just interrupted it or something. The thing started beeping and would n't finish until they turned it off. ``

Saint John the Apostle laughed, `` That would 've been hilarious to see. ``

`` Amy did n't think so. She was mortified, '' Matt said, `` It was a while ago, before we even moved here. I think she was 14. ``

`` fountainhead, I still say they could find a way, '' Kaden said.

`` Hey, look, '' Albus pointed to the Head table. professor Kendrick was standing up.

`` Wonder what he 's got to say ? '' John asked.

`` Hope it 's nothing bad, '' pink wine said.

`` He looks happy enough, '' Amanda commented.

`` May I have your attention ! '' Kendrick announced. The room fell silent. `` Thank you. Do n't worry, I 'm not giving out bad news. In fact, I think you 'll find this promulgation most charge up. ``

There was a ecumenical grumbling of excitement throughout the Great Hall at this. Kendrick waited for everyone to stop talking before he continued.

`` If you 'll remember at the beginning of the year, when I announced the changes for the Dueling golf club, that that would only be one part of the House I cause. I am announcing today that the former professor and I have organized another unity event. It will be a scavenger Hunt, with inter-house squad, of course. ``

Albus groaned. A scavenger hunt would be fun, but not if he had to do it with Slytherins. Everyone else seemed to be in agreement, because there was a general groaning throughout.

`` I know you do n't wish it, but the school needs to be unified. Now, I will excuse the consequence. It will not be like a regular scavenger hunt. It will remove place on the next three Saturdays. This Saturday will be for the low gear and second geezerhood. The following will be for third and fourth twelvemonth. The last will be for 5th, one-sixth, and one-seventh years.

`` The other professor and I will be organizing the team, which will consist of extremity of former yr and other houses. Each squad will experience about ten phallus. You will have one hour to complete the tasks given.

`` You will receive a listing of particular to find before this minute is up. There are rules, of course of action. Some of these items will be required to obtain without magic. We will be performing charms on these item and if we find that any of them were spelled, transfigured, conjured, charmed, etc. within the hour they will be disqualified.

`` However, the scavenger hunt will not only include a tilt of token to rule. You will also receive multiple small beer sheet of paper. These will include both wizard and Muggle trivium.

`` Finally, each squad will obtain a riddle, which if they deceiver correctly, will top them on a quest throughout the castle and grounds. When you reach the end, there will be a bit of selective information that must be returned to me. If you are successful, you 'll get a 100 point incentive. However, there is also a treasonably trail that will lead you to worthless selective information. If that is brought back, you 'll receive no bonus.

`` I will give you a more elaborate list of regulation on the day of the case. Until then, sustain your mind sharp and do n't get rid of anything you would otherwise deem useless, '' Kendrick smiled and returned to his seat.

Albus turned to his friends, `` This sounds, er, interesting. ``

`` It 's really an excellent idea, '' rosebush grinned, `` I mean, there 's no way a 1 person would be able to achieve all of it alone. It 's a outstanding idea for menage unity. ``

`` It 'd be better if we did n't cause to team up with Slytherins, '' privy muttered.

`` But what if there 's something on that list that 's in the Slytherin common room or something ? '' Rose pointed out.

lavatory groaned, `` I guess you 're aright. ``

`` auditory sensation fun, though, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah. Wonder what we get if we win ? '' matt asked.

`` Hopefully some coupon to get out of homework or something, '' John the Divine said.

`` Since when have they given away those ? '' Albus laughed.

`` Now 's the perfect clip for them to start, '' John replied.

`` I hope I 'm on your team, Albus, '' Kaden piped up.

`` That would be swell, '' Albus smiled, and he actually meant it. It sounded like there was going to be a lot of random stuff on that list and if there was anyone in the school that had dozens of random hooey, it was Kaden.

******

The succeeding few days seemed to cart on forever for Albus and the rest of the beginning and 2nd eld. Everyone was getting excited about the magpie hunt and the teachers were getting a bit annoyed that nobody was paying attention in class.

Soon enough, Saturday arrived and Kendrick announced at lunch for all the first of all and second years to remain seated after they were done eating. Once all the sometime educatee left, Kendrick got to his feet once more.

`` Now, the second you 've all been waiting for, '' Kendrick said, `` The Scavenger Leigh Hunt will lead off shortly. First, I have a few more rules to go over.

`` As I said earlier in the week, there are detail on this list that are not allowed to be created using deception. You may not conjure, transfigure, spell, or charm any of those point. Asking an sometime educatee to do so is also against the rules. We have tour that will detect if any item was magicked during the hour of the scavenger hunt.

`` The items must be found within the school and curtilage. Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow, and Hagrid 's hut are all out of saltation and you may not look for for items in or around them. You may not ask onetime scholarly person or teachers for help, nor may you owl family appendage or early people. However, you may ask older pupil if they have any of the items on the lean. It is up to them if they let you adopt them or not. Do not steal anything from anyone or there will be penalisation. You are permitted to use the library for help with the trivia. ``

rose 's facial expression lit up at that and Albus knew she would be the official library researcher for her team.

`` There are going to be eight teams of approximately ten students each. Your House prefects have your team assigning. squad one and two are to gather at the Hufflepuff table, one at each end. Teams three and four at the Gryffindor table, five and six at Ravenclaw, and seven and eight at Slytherin. You will be given a few minutes to get organized in your teams and then the early prof will hand out the appropriate material. Each squad is given one set of material, no more. If you lose it, tough fate. Now please see your prefects. ``

Albus got up from the tabular array and looked around until he spotted Georgia. He and his friends wound their way through the crowd until they managed to get to her.

`` Hey, Albus ! '' Peach State grinned and looked at her clipboard, `` Ready ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm on a undecomposed team, right ? ``

`` Well, there are Slytherins on all the teams, if that 's what you mean, '' Georgia laughed, `` Anyway, you 're on squad Two. ``

Albus nodded and waited for his supporter to get their team assignments.

Georgia scanned her clipboard again, `` Let 's see, rosiness is on Team One, John is on Team four, flatness 's on team Two ... ''

Albus grinned at Matt. He was relieved that one of his friends was on his team. Now all he had to do was hope Malfoy was n't on his team.

`` Amanda 's on team quaternary, and Kaden 's on squad Six, '' Georgia looked up at them, `` Have fun. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus said and then turned to his booster, `` Guess we 'll see you after. Good circumstances. ``

Albus and matte worked their way through the crowds to the Hufflepuff table along with Rose. Albus was a bit let down that Kaden was n't on his team, but there was n't anything he could do about that. The prospect were n't great that he would have two of his Friend on his same team. He was just favorable he had one of his friends on the same team.

The Hufflepuff mesa was already filling with mass from teams one and two. squad Two was gathering at the half closest to the staff tabular array, so Albus and Matt made their way there.

There seemed to be a fairly tied number of each planetary house at the table. Besides Albus and flatness, there was one other Gryffindor, a first year girl Albus had seen but did n't love her name. There were also two Ravenclaws Albus did n't have it away, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. Albus groaned when he saw who the Slytherins were, Felix Willinson and Leigh Montague. Leigh was rose wine 's potions partner and not the acuate quill in the box.

Felix Willinson narrowed his center when he saw Albus and Matt coming over. Albus found rump far away from him and sat down, waiting for the scavenger Leigh Hunt to begin.

One of the Ravenclaws stood up a few seconds later, `` Hi, I 'm Rachel underbrush and I 've been assigned as team police chief. ``

Everyone muttered how-do-you-do to her and Rachel had everyone introduce themselves. So far, Willinson and Montague did n't seem enthused about their team, but Rachel did n't pay any attention to their animosity.

professor Patil came over a little while later with a handful of parchment. Albus assumed they were the lists of stuff to look for and the trivia.

`` The Leigh Hunt will take off in one arcminute ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will give you your lists as soon as I say go. You 'll sustain one hour to be back here with as much stuff you can possibly get. ``

A bit later, Kendrick shot out a shower of spicy sparks from his sceptre and Patil handed the stack of lambskin to Rachel.

`` All rightfulness ! '' Rachel shouted as she leafed through the parchment, `` We need somebody to decode the riddle and run around to get the incentive points. ``

`` I 'll do it, '' the other Ravenclaw volunteered. Rachel nodded and handed him the parchment. He ran out of the Great Hall while reading the riddle.

`` Ok, here 's the trivia, '' Rachel continued, `` We 've got Famous crone and hotshot, Famous Muggles, What Not To Do While Interacting With Muggles, What Do You Know About Quidditch, and What Do You Know About Football. ``

Albus turned to Matt and laughed. Kaden would surely screw the football one.

Rachel handed out the trivia to the hoi polloi who thought they 'd be able to do it. Willinson had n't taken any of the trivia sheets, but Montague took the Quidditch one. Albus hoped she actually knew something about Quidditch.

`` Now we 've just got the list of item to chance, '' Rachel announced to the remaining team members, which were Albus, Matt, Willinson, and one of the Hufflepuffs. `` You four get started while I work on the trivia. Oh, but I 'll take forethought of the costumes. You 'll just have to wear them. ``

Albus nodded and took the parchment from her. Costumes ? He hoped he would n't possess to jade anything too humiliating. He set it down on the mesa and began to read it, with everyone else looking over his shoulder.

Items Are To Be Gathered Without conjuring trick

-holly wand
-five vomit flavored Bertie Botts Beans
-Slytherin wearing Gryffindor robes
-Gryffindor wearing Slytherin robes
-light cavalry sword
-Dumbledore Chocolate frog bill
-twenty shoelaces tied together
-Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood
-Shooting adept broomstick
-Muggle pen
-copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein
-a Nintendo DS
-girl dressed up as Godric Gryffindor
-boy dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff
-color changing ink
-beater bat
-drum pin
-silver goblet
-Chudley Cannons jersey
-six Extendable auricle
-Muggle performing cards
-receipt from Madam Malkins
-Argus Filch 's autograph
-the epithet of five Hogwarts family Elves
-rubber duck's egg
-copy of Hogwarts, A History
-sneakoscope
-foe field glass
-tea cozy
-Hogwarts commencement picture show
-band attention
-green discharge potions bottle
-Beatles CD
-purple gloves
-Hershey 's burnt umber bar
-My Little Hippogriff
-pet toad
-purple parchment
-two barrage fire
-tortilla chips

Albus looked up from the listing and waited for everyone else to land up reading.

`` What the bloody Inferno is a CD ? '' Willinson asked.

`` Muggle way of listening to music, '' Albus explained, `` One of my cousins might take in one. ``

`` I 've got one, '' the Hufflepuff, who Albus now knew to be Nelson Rodner, said.

`` goodness, '' Albus replied, `` Anyone else know they 've got some of this clobber ? ``

Everyone nodded.

`` Let 's go get the clobber we know we 've got and then meet back here, '' Albus said as he got up. `` Then we can act upon on the poppycock we do n't. ``

The other three male child agreed and Albus ran out of the Great Hall with Matt. The two of them ran as fast as they could up to Gryffindor Tower.


A/N : I ca n't take reference for the scavenger hunt idea. There is a resort in Pennsylvania called Woodloch true pine that I go to every summer and they have scavenger Hunt like the one in this chapter. double-dyed with costumes, trivia, and the brain-teaser. It 's a lot of fun.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Luke, Moonylupin, EvilChaos, potterfan296, XDNLxtlz99, drownzer, Miguel, Denas, and phoenixy friend for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or the idea for the scavenger hunt.


`` Willinson is acting polite, '' Albus commented as they were running up a flight of stairs.

`` Yeah, '' Matt agreed, `` Kind of surprising. Either he really wants to win or he 's not as confident without Malfoy. ``

`` Probably both, '' Albus said, `` Whatever the reason, we lucked out. ``

Everyone stared as Albus and mat ran into the common room completely out of breath. `` Scavenger hunt club, '' Albus muttered to his cousins Ben and Cedric as he ran by.

`` Excellent, '' Ben grinned, `` Ca n't wait until our turn next Saturday. ``

Bilius was also in their dormitory collecting particular when Albus and lustrelessness entered. They nodded to each other, but did n't say anything.

Albus wrenched open his luggage compartment and started rifling through it. He found a bag of Bertie Botts attic, a Dumbledore cocoa salientian batting order, his transcript of Hogwarts, A account, one extendible Ear, and the picture record album he found in the garret of his home. The graduation exercise word-painting in the back would work for the Hogwarts graduation exercise picture.

`` What have you got ? '' he asked mat once he emerged from his trunk.

`` My verge 's holly, a muggle pen, circle acquired immune deficiency syndrome, Chudley Cannons jersey, and a Nintendo DS, although I 'm not sure why I still bother to add it since it does n't work here. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Let 's get back to the Great vestibule. ``

When Albus and matte got back to the Hufflepuff table, Willinson and Rodner had already returned. There was a mint of material on the table between them. Albus looked through it and saw that they now had a written matter of The Hobbit, coloring changing ink, a beater 's bat, Muggle playing cards, and a sneakoscope.

`` All right, we 've got a good starting time, '' Albus said as he added his and lusterlessness 's stuff and nonsense to the flock. `` I guess we 'll give to ask the honest-to-god students to take up the respite.

`` Rodner, '' Albus began, `` You see if you can get a light saber, a Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood, a Shooting mavin broomstick, barrel sticks, a reception from Madam Malkin 's, foe glass, and a Beatles CD. ``

`` Sure, '' Rodner said and took off out of the room.

`` Willinson, '' Albus turned to the Slytherin, `` Go down to the kitchens and see if you can get a silver goblet, tortilla bit, a tea cozy, the name of five house Elves, and a Hershey bar. ``

`` Why should I ? '' Willinson grumbled, `` Who put you in charge ? ``

`` somebody 's got to do it, '' Albus told him.

`` shuffle Eckerton do it. ``

`` Him and I are getting the rest, '' Albus replied, `` If you want to win, you 'll get the stuff. ``

`` mulct, '' Willinson muttered and left the Great Hall.

`` Ok, that leaves the shoe laces, empty greenish potions bottle, regal glove, a My Little Hippogriff, a frog, purple parchment, a gumshoe duck's egg, two batteries, and five more than Extendable Ears. Oh, and Filch 's autograph. ``

`` We 'll do that one conclusion, '' matte shuddered. `` We can probably just go back to the park room and ask if anyone 's got this poppycock. ``

`` good mind, '' Albus agreed.

The two son set off at a run back to their common room. Luckily it was still packed with bookman and some of them grinned as Albus and matte entered.

`` How 's it going ? '' Ben asked.

`` good, '' Albus grinned back, `` But we 've got a clump of hooey to come up. Listen up everyone ! '' he shouted.

The integral park way quieted and turned to Albus. Albus was momentarily shocked that everyone actually stopped what they were doing to pay care to him.

`` Er, we 're doing the magpie hunt and need some stuff. Has anyone got a My Little Hippogriff, imperial baseball mitt, a toad, purple lambskin, a caoutchouc duck, batteries, or Extandable Ears ? Also, we need twenty shoe lacing. I promise we 'll retort it all once we 're done. ``

About half the student got up and went up to their dormitories. A few minutes later they came back down with various item for Albus. He managed to borrow a rubber duck, purple parchment, and a few Extendable Ears. Plus he got at least twenty shoe laces.

`` That worked well, '' Albus said as he and matt left the room.

`` I 'd say so, '' Matt agreed, `` Now Filch 's autograph. This ought to be fun. ``

Albus smacked his hand to his os frontale, `` I should have got grabbed the map ! ``

Albus groaned and ran back to the common elbow room. Everyone laughed as he ran up to his dormitory and back down to the common room. Albus ignored them and pointed his wand to the map. A few seconds later he saw that Filch was lurking near the library.

Albus and lustrelessness took off for the library and spotted Filch a few yards away from the room access.

`` How are we supposed to ask him ? '' Albus whispered.

`` No idea, '' Matt said back.

Albus 's essence sped up as he got closer to the old caretaker. `` Er, Mr. Filch ? '' he asked.

Filch startled and turned around. He saw Albus and smirked. `` ceramicist. Up to no good again ? In need of another detention, perhaps ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, `` Actually, I was just, er, well, we 're doing this pack rat William Holman Hunt. Maybe Kendrick told you about it. It 's to promote Inter House I and we have to find all this stuff and nonsense throughout the castle and- ''

`` We need your autograph, '' Matt interrupted, holding a piece of parchment and the Muggle pen in his outstretched hand.

Filch stared at them and then started muttering to himself. `` Do n't see why I should chafe ... educatee never do anything for me ... ''

Nevertheless, Filch took the pen and scribbled his name onto the regal parchment. He thrust it wordlessly back into Matt 's mitt and shuffled off down the corridor.

`` That went better than expected, '' Matt said.

`` Yeah, thanks. I could n't really work out out how to ask him. ``

`` I figured, '' Matt grinned, `` Anyway, we still need a few things. Hey, Kendrick never mentioned anything about the Room. Do you think we could just ask it for the ease of this ? ``

Albus wondered why he had n't thought of that. It almost seemed like cheat, but Kendrick never said anything. `` That 's splendid ! ``

The two of them set off for the Room, but when they got there, there was a Hufflepuff prefect milling around right in straw man of the Room. Albus slowly walked back and forth in front of it, keeping an eye on the prefect.

He was about to make his third base pass, when the prefect stopped him. `` Sorry, '' he said, `` You ca n't go in there if you 're in the scavenger hunt club. Kendrick 's rule. ``

Albus sighed, `` All right hand. ``

`` Of course, '' Matt muttered as they left, `` Kendrick could n't foretell that rule because then everyone would notice out about the elbow room. Oh, well. What have we got left ? ``

Albus handed Matt the tilt and he looked it over for a few mo. `` Hey, I know madam Pomfrey 's got viridity potions feeding bottle. ``

`` Let 's go, '' Albus said, `` We 'd better rush, there 's only fifteen proceedings left. ``

They made it to the Hospital Wing in record clock time. Albus pushed the door unresolved and walked in, followed by Matt.

`` I 've got patient to tend to ! '' lady Pomfrey was shouting at a Ravenclaw first year, `` I have n't got time for this scavenger Holman Hunt nonsense ! You 're the fifth person I 've had come in here looking for potions bottles and band economic aid ! I have n't got any ! ``

The girlfriend nodded and ran quickly out of the elbow room, completely ignoring Albus and mat as she went.

`` Er, she says she has n't got any, '' Albus whispered.

`` I know she does, '' matt whispered back, `` Let me just ask her. ``

Albus shrugged and followed lusterlessness over to the nanny, who was bent over one of the beds.

`` Hello, Madam Pomfrey, '' mat greeted her.

Madam Pomfrey turned around and her irritated face softened immediately when she saw Matt.

`` Hello, Matt, honey. Are you all right ? You look a bit flushed, '' gentlewoman Pomfrey said and put her hand to his forehead.

`` I 'm ticket, '' matt assured her, `` I 've just been running around working on the pack rat Leigh Hunt. ``

`` Not you, too, '' Madam Pomfrey sighed and then noticed Albus, `` Oh and Albus as well. ``

`` Yeah, '' Matt said, `` We were just wondering if you might let an empty park potions bottle. ``

The nanny sighed and walked over to her potions cabinet. `` I suppose. Just be sure to return it. ``

Albus watched in shock as she returned with the accurate detail they were looking for. mat grinned at Albus and took the bottle.

`` Thanks, '' Matt smiled.

Madam Pomfrey shook her head, `` No problem. Have fun, boys. ``

`` We will, '' Matt said as he turned to leave the room.

Albus followed him out the door, still in shock that the nursemaid had actually given them the nursing bottle when she had yelled at that first year only minutes ago.

`` You 're certainly on her skilful side, '' Albus muttered after they left the room.

`` One of the few perks of being there once a calendar month, '' Matt said dryly.

`` We 'd better get back to the Great Hall, '' Albus said as he looked at his watch.

Albus and flatness ran as fast as they could bet on to where their squad was. The eternal rest of the squad was working hard to eat up the remaining trifle. Rachel herself was dressed up as Godric Gryffindor, utter with a fake beard. Rodner was dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff.

However, neither was as queer as what Willinson was wearing. He was decked out in Gryffindor finest, with robes, a scarf, and a 'Loyal Gryffindor'hat. Albus could hardly repress his laughter.

`` Do n't say a word, thrower, '' Willinson growled.

`` Albus ! '' Rachel shouted, `` You 've got to dress up as a Slytherin ! The robe I 've got are too big for lustrelessness and Abby. '' Rachel pointed to the other Gryffindor on the team.

Albus groaned and Willinson burst out laughing. Albus reluctantly put on the Slytherin robe, scarf, and 'Slytherins Are Best'hat. It would only be for a few minutes and if it helped them win ....

Albus did experience a bit unknown in the Slytherin robes. He could n't help but opine back to his sorting and how the hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin at first. If it had, he would be wearing these robes all the clip. He might have even been more favorable with Malfoy at first. He probably would n't have really befriended John, Matt, or Amanda if he 'd been in Slytherin. Albus shook the thought from his point and concentrated on the fact that he was just wearing the robes to serve his team win.

Rachel took stock of the item on the inclination as lustrelessness tied all the shoelace together. It turns out that the lonesome things they were missing were the light saber, Quaffle signed by King Oliver woods, Shooting hotshot broom handle, foe chalk, Hershey 's bar, salientian, and one battery. Rachel thought that was pretty good.

The former Ravenclaw returned a minute later and told everyone that he had finished the riddle quest and had managed to get the bonus gunpoint.

`` fourth dimension is up ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The prof will be around soon to look into your tilt. They will also collect your trivia tabloid which will be marked later today. The winner will be announced at dinner tonight. ``

Patil came over to Albus 's team a few import later and looked over their listing. She took a picture of the four multitude who were dressed up, much to Albus 's consternation. Now there would be lasting evidence of his Slytherin moment. As soon as the picture was taken, Albus took off the robes and he noticed Willinson doing the same.

`` Ok, '' Patil announced as she gathered up the objet d'art of parchment, `` You can depart. Please repay anything you borrowed. ``

Albus and Matt gathered up their hooey as well as everything they 'd borrowed from various Gryffindors. They stopped by the Hospital flank to refund the nursing bottle and then headed back to their common room.

The two of them passed out everyone 's stuff and then went to sit down at their common mesa. Rose, whoremaster, Amanda, and Kaden joined them shortly.

`` That was fun, '' rosiness said as she sat down.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Even though we were with Slytherins. Willinson was n't too bad. ``

`` That 's good, '' Saint John the Apostle said, `` I caught a glimpse of him in the Gryffindor robes. Priceless. ``

`` Yeah, I thought so. Until I had to put on the Slytherin ace, '' Albus replied.

John burst out laughing, `` I wish I 'd seen that ! ``

`` You 'll be able-bodied to, '' Albus told him, `` Patil took a picture. ``

`` Excellent. ``

`` Did n't any of you lot have to dress up ? '' Albus asked.

`` I was Helga Hufflepuff, '' John said.

`` And I was Godric Gryffindor, '' Amanda added.

`` How did everyone do on the list of hooey to find ? '' Matt asked.

`` I 'm pretty certain my team was the only one with a light saber ! '' Kaden said excitedly, `` I 'm so beaming I decided to bring it. ``

`` We did all right, '' rosebush shrugged, `` Missed a lot of stuff, but I think we did well in the trivia. ``

`` Of course you did, '' John grinned. `` Hey, did anyone manage to find the potions bottle ? Slughorn did n't have any green unity and Madam Pomfrey looked set up to hex me when I asked her. It 's not really fair that Kendrick put something on there that was unimaginable to get. ``

Albus grinned at Matt, who grinned back.

`` What ? '' John asked.

`` We got it, '' Matt told him.

`` How ? '' Kaden asked, `` Madam Pomfrey was downright scary when I asked her. May have been because she was engaged fixing someone 's broken arm, but still .... ''

`` mat asked her and she gave him one, '' Albus explained.

matte shrugged, `` simple, really. ``

John sighed, `` Well, you 're probably the only if one in the school who could get it. She 'd probably give you whatever you asked for. ``

`` Why ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

`` Sorry, not telling, '' John replied.

Kaden sighed, `` Oh, role of that wholly secret I ca n't have it off about ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John said and then changed the subject, `` Hey, did any of you do the riddle thing ? ``

`` I did, '' blush wine said, `` Want to pick up it ? ``

`` Of course, '' John the Evangelist said.

`` Ok, I 'll see if you can get it. I thought it was a bit simple, really, '' Rose said. She pulled a piece of parchment out of her robes and read off of it.

'' 'In an event known by champion worldwide
Where near and evil are forced to collide
A abominable force play can now no longer rest.
A place where just one part of Voldemort died .'''

Albus looked at John, Matt, and Amanda and shrugged. He did n't think it was uncomplicated, but Rose was dear at those form of things.

`` No thought, '' Gospel According to John announced.

`` Dunno, '' lusterlessness shrugged.

`` Hmm, '' Amanda muttered.

`` Do n't look at me, '' Kaden said.

`` The Great Hall ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the place where Voldemort died.

`` Nope, '' rose wine grinned, `` That was the trick part. It 's actually that monument outside, where professor Longbottom killed Voldemort 's snake. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus groaned, `` Of course of instruction ! Did n't even think of that. ``

`` How long did it take aim you to figure it out ? '' Matt asked.

`` Not long, '' blush wine smiled, `` But then I had to trace the clues to find the bit of information to give prof Kendrick. ``

`` And where was that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Library, '' Rose grinned, `` Herbology division. ``

`` marvel how many team got it, '' Albus thought aloud.

`` well, my team did, obviously, '' rose wine said, `` And you said your team did, Albus. What about you two ? ``

`` We did n't, '' whoremonger sighed and Amanda shook her head.

`` We did, '' Kaden put in.

`` Guess we 'll find out this evening how everyone did, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` But I 'm not going to think about it now. mightiness as well get some homework done. ``

Albus managed to get half an essay done before dinner. Rose wrote an integral essay and did a set of preparation interrogative. matte helped Amanda with her uranology and still got his Herbology done. privy and Kaden on the early hired hand, spent he rest of the afternoon goofing off and playing chess.

The excitement was running high in the Great Charles Martin Hall during dinner that evening. Everyone was comparing what they managed to come up during the Scavenger William Holman Hunt. Albus kept glancing up to the staff table to see when Kendrick would take a shit the announcement, but he seemed to be waiting until the shoemaker's last second to do so.

After what seemed ilk forever, Kendrick got to his substructure. `` beneficial eventide, everyone. I hope all the first and second base class enjoyed the Scavenger hunt. It was certainly a success and I 'm sure the older students will look forward to their turns.

`` And, without any boost wait, I shall announce the results. The first, second, and third gear office teams will all be awarded medals.

`` In tierce situation, with 572 percentage point, Team Two ! '' Kendrick announced, `` Will the appendage of Team Two please come in up here. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus shouted and jumped up, `` Third place, that 's not bad ! ``

`` Yeah, I 'd say that 's pretty trade good, '' Matt grinned and followed Albus up to the staff table.

Albus and Matt joined the rest of their squad in front line of the staff tabular array. Kendrick put a bronze medallion over each of their necks and pulled out a camera. He took a few icon and then told them to return to their seats.

rosebush, Amanda, John, and Kaden congratulated Albus and Matt as they sat back down. A few of Albus 's full cousin patted him on the book binding and told him commodity job.

`` Excellent, Albus, '' Saint James grinned, `` But my team will get kickoff post side by side hebdomad. ``

`` I 'll believe it when I see it, '' Albus rolled his eyes.

`` And in second place, with 580 points, is Team Seven ! '' Kendrick announced.

The members of squad Seven ran up to the faculty tabular array to get their Ag palm and have their icon taken.

`` And in showtime situation, with 673 points, is squad Six ! '' Kendrick shouted. `` Congratulations to the winning squad ! ``

`` Woohoo ! '' Kaden stood up and started jumping up and down as he ran up to the stave table, `` Yes ! ``

`` Wow, who would 've thought that, '' rosebush grinned, `` Kaden 's team won. ``

`` Well, he does throw a very big amount of random poppycock in his residence hall, '' Albus commented.

`` I 'll bet it was the unclouded saber that put his squad over the border, '' lav shook his fountainhead, `` I mean, I think his team was the only one to get it. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus shrugged.

`` I ca n't believe I won ! '' Kaden shouted as he sat back down with his big Au palm a few transactions later.

`` Congratulations, '' Albus grinned, `` At least one of us got first place. ``

`` We were so closing curtain to second, '' Matt groaned, `` Eight measly points ! ``

`` Well, third 's good, '' John muttered, `` honorable than not getting a medal at all. ``

`` Oh, John, it 's just a game, '' Amanda said, `` The point is that we all had fun. ``

`` Congratulations to our winning squad and everyone else that participated, '' Kendrick said, `` I will be looking forward to the next round, third and fourth years, a hebdomad from today ! ``

Albus hung his bronze medal from his bed post before he went to bed that dark. He crawled beneath the masking feeling very depicted object with third topographic point. He had n't really been expecting to win at all. The scavenger Hunt had been a lot of fun, and Albus hoped Kendrick would guard it again sometime. It had been so much fun, that Albus had n't even thought about the new map the entire day. He made a mental Federal Reserve note to ask rose about the Sileo Altus charm the next day. They would give birth to order Kaden about everything soon if they wanted to shit anymore procession on the map. Plus, they 'd have to enquiry more about how to turn up to the map that they really were like the Marauders.


A/N : Bit of a shorter chapter, but the previous one was longer, so it evens out. Kaden has proved that it never hurts to suffer a light saber, a deterrent example that my sidekick agrees with since he brought his unhorse saber to LeakyCon and quite a few people told him they wished they 'd brought theirs.

I have created a website for my fan fic, where you can incur type visibility and a web log about news program and updates about my writing. The liaison is on my visibility Page here. I 'd jazz for you to check into it out and leave comments in the news show and Update section.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, who had to trim up as the Tin Man in last summer 's magpie hunting. Big thanks to my acquaintance, Rose, for coming up with the riddle. Thanks as well to EvilChaos, XDNLxtlz99, Gospel According to Luke, mischiefmaker92, drownzer, Moonylupin, Miguel, Denas, and Tonks for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Throughout the residue of the calendar month, Rose continued to make procession on the Sileo Altus magic spell, and by the time April rolled around, she was confident in her ability to perform it. Albus wished the same could be said for the progress with finding out how to prove to the map that he and his friends were like the Marauders. Albus spent every waking bit that he was n't doing prep, attending Quidditch practice, or dueling practice, in the library trying to find out a spell or magic spell that would work. His feat were fruitless, though, because he still had n't found anything promising.

Albus also had another successful dueling tournament. He won both of his duels as did Malfoy, but their squad still had n't won. Albus was beginning to doubt whether they 'd ever win.

Albus 's next Quidditch match was the offset Saturday in Apr. He found himself distracted by the map even before he entered the changing way. They were playing Ravenclaw, and it was heavy to distinguish who had the better team, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Albus pushed thoughts of the map from his point as he walked into the changing elbow room.

Georgia gave the team the usual pep public lecture, which this time included telling them that if they won this match, they 'd be in the final. If Ravenclaw got less than 180 points, then Ravenclaw might not make up it to the final. Georgia did n't particularly manage who they played in the concluding, just so long as they won.

The match went smoothly, in Albus 's opinion. Much skillful than the previous match, in which Albus got upchuck partway through. The weather was meliorate for this match as well. Albus managed to keep from thinking about the map, which was good since it was a very high-scoring match for both sides and Albus was constantly being thrown the Quaffle. After only an hour of play, Henry James went into a dive and caught the canary, right out from under one of the Ravenclaw beater 's broom.

The usual party in the park room ensued after the scholar returned to the castling, but Albus was n't really concern in it. Now that the match was over, all he could suppose about was trying out the Sileo Altus good luck charm on Kaden. Albus figured the serious time to do it would be in the evening and the salutary seat would be the Room.

Shortly after Rose had succeeded in performing the magical spell on John, mat had reluctantly given into trying it with Kaden. His only condition was first trying it with a harmless secret, and if that worked, to move onto the bigger one.

`` Are we doing it tonight ? '' John asked as he sipped his butterbeer.

`` Yeah, '' Albus whispered back, `` After dinner. ``

The sleep of the afternoon and dinner seemed to go by at an alarmingly slow pace. sentence seemed to go by much like it did in account of Magic.

`` Kaden, '' Albus said after they had finished feeding, `` We 're not going to the usual way now. We 're going to exhibit you a different way in the palace, one you 've never seen. ``

`` Excellent, '' Kaden grinned, `` What sort of room ? ``

`` You 'll see when we get there, '' Albus replied. `` Let 's go. ``

Kaden followed Albus and his booster through the palace, with a unremitting watercourse of questions that Albus ignored.

`` Are you sure this is going to operate ? '' flatness whispered nervously as they stopped in front line of the blank shell infinite of wall where the Room of necessity was.

`` Yes, '' rose assured him, `` It will work. ``

Matt nodded and started pacing in front of the wall.

`` Why did we contain ? '' Kaden asked, and then his center popped out of his head as he saw the door appear from nowhere. `` Wicked. ``

`` C'mon, '' Albus said as he opened the door.

`` What is this place ? '' Kaden asked in awe.

`` elbow room of Requirement, '' Albus told him, `` elbow room that gives you what you need. ``

`` I ca n't believe you did n't show me this yet ! ''

`` well, it 's not something we want you to enjoin anyone about. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said, `` So it 'll feed me anything I ask it for ? I think I want an intact bar .... ''

`` It does n't do solid food, '' rosiness explained.

`` Oh, well, it 's still brilliant. ``

`` Kaden, follow sit down, '' Albus told his cousin.

`` You 're all so repose, '' Kaden said as he took a fundament on the couch next to Albus, `` What 's going on ? ``

`` Well, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to test something. rose found a charm that 's supposed to make up individual not be able to tell other people 's secrets. If it works, we 're going to recount you a bunch of hooey and you wo n't be able to tell anyone. ``

`` What are you going to secern me ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` We have to make sure the charm works first, '' Albus sighed, `` Which is why we 're here. Rose is going to perform the charm, using your knowledge of this way as the secret. If you have n't told anyone by next Saturday, we 'll tell you the rest of it. ``

`` mulct, '' Kaden sighed, `` I ca n't believe you wo n't tell me without this charm. ``

`` Um, Kaden, you 've told Malfoy material I told you not to tell anyone, '' Albus reminded him.

`` That was n't my flaw ! ``

`` I know, but we 're not risking this. If you want to lie with the closed book, you 'll have to have Rose do the magic spell. ``

`` Ok, ok, I 'll do it, '' Kaden said.

`` goodness, '' rose smiled, `` Now let 's get started. ``

It took Rose about ten mo to perform the charm. Kaden was thoroughly amazed by the charm and Rose 's ability to perform it.

`` Let 's test it, '' rose decided once they left the Room. She pointed to a lady friend who was walking towards them. `` Go tell her about the Room. ``

Kaden shrugged and ran up to the missy, who looked to be around Kaden 's age and was in Hufflepuff.

`` Er, '' Kaden began, `` So there 's this place- '' Kaden turned around and looked confusedly at Albus, then turned back to the daughter. `` Anyway, at this place, you can- ''

`` What 's wrongly with you ? '' the miss asked, trying to handle up her giggling. `` Are you ok ? ``

`` Fine, mulct, '' Kaden muttered, `` Never intellect. ``

Kaden ran back to Albus and the others, blushing furiously. `` It worked, but now everyone 's going to think I 'm an idiot. ``

Albus laughed, `` No they wo n't. But that 's upright that it worked. ``

`` Yeah, '' Kaden grinned, `` Definitely worth it. ``

******

Albus kept a close eye on Kaden throughout the side by side workweek. As far as he could tell, his cousin did n't tell anyone about the Room of Requirement. They tested the charm a few more clip, telling Kaden to tell someone about it, but Kaden was never able-bodied to. Albus was fully convinced that the Sileo Altus charm was a achiever.

Kaden was positively beaming by the metre Saturday arrived. Albus was kind of excited as well, because they would officially birth Wormtail in their mathematical group of new vulture. john, blush wine, and Amanda were excited as well. The only thing left to do after this would be to determine a way to prove to the map that they were like the marauder. mat did n't seem excited at all. He was clearly unquiet about telling Kaden that he was a loup-garou. It probably did n't help that the full moon was only a few days away. Albus could n't really blame Matt for his nerves, but Albus was sure as shooting the charm would continue to work.

After dinner, Albus led his friends back to the Room of Requirement, with the new Map in his robes.

`` Ok, what 's the secret ? '' Kaden said as he bounced around the Room once they were inside.

`` You 've got to sit down first, '' Albus told him. `` And matte 's going to tell you the first one. ``

`` Oh ! '' A looking of comprehension appeared on Kaden 's face. `` Is this about how you get sick every month ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt sighed.

`` And this is what you do n't want Malfoy to know about ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt said shortly, `` Now just let me severalise you what it is. ``

`` Sorry, '' Kaden muttered.

`` It 's ok, '' Matt said, `` First, you ca n't tell anyone this. I mean, do n't even try to quiz the good luck charm like we 've been doing all week. You ca n't even try to tell anyone this. Never mention it to anyone except us. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said.

`` good. Now, you know that werewolves are real, right ? ``

Kaden nodded, `` What does that have to do with you getting be sick ? ``

`` Everything, '' mat said quietly, `` I am a werewolf. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That is the cool thing ever ! ``

`` No it 's not, '' Matt sighed, `` You do n't even really know what happens when I turn into a werewolf. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I 've seen picture show. ``

`` It 's not like that, '' matte told him, `` I get brainsick a few days before the fully moon, and then the night of the entire moon, I turn into a wolf and bite myself because there 's cypher else for me to seize with teeth. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden deflated, `` So where do you go when you turn into a masher ? ``

`` A shack in Hogsmeade. ``

`` The screeching Shack ? ``

`` Yes, that, '' mat replied, `` I 'm the one who does the screaming. ``

`` Now that is assuredness, '' Kaden grinned. `` How long have you been a werewolf ? ``

`` Since I was five. ``

`` That 's a tenacious sentence, '' Kaden said.

`` Most of my life, '' Matt explained, `` It 's ugly, really. ``

`` And that 's the big secret ? '' Kaden asked, `` Why ca n't anyone know that ? ``

`` Because most wizards do n't like wolfman, '' Matt explained.

`` Well that 's stupe. ``

`` Yeah, it is, but it 's realism. ``

`` But why is n't there a piece to stimulate you not a werewolf anymore ? Or a potion ? ``

`` thaumaturgy does n't fix everything, '' Matt sighed.

`` Yeah, that 's what I 've been trying tell you for the all year, '' Albus pointed out.

`` But why ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` But there is a potion, called the Wolfsbane Potion, that 's supposed to score it so you keep your human being mind when you turn into a wolf. So you do n't require to attack anyone or yourself. ``

`` Why do n't you take that ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I do, '' Matt told him, `` Actually, I take a different variety than most werewolves take. For some cause, Wolfsbane does n't work for me. I 'm in this study at St. Mungo 's to figure out why and right now they 've got me taking a new kind of Aconitum lycoctonum. ``

`` Does it work ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' matte replied, `` That 's form of why I still bite myself every full moon. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. `` So someday they might find a potion that will mould ? ``

matte shrugged, `` Maybe. But I 'm not getting my hope up. ``

`` So I 'll be charmed not to say anything about this ? '' Kaden asked after a few moments of silence.

`` Yes, '' Albus replied, pulling the new map out of his gown, `` And about this. ``

Albus spent the next half hour showing Kaden the new map. Kaden thought it was the best matter he had seen yet at Hogwarts and could n't wait for it to completely work.

`` So we need you to play Peter Pettigrew, '' Albus said after he 'd finished explaining about the map.

`` peter Pettigrew ? '' Kaden raised his eyebrow, `` That evil cuss who betrayed your grandparents ? ``

`` Er, yes, '' Albus sighed.

`` You know my mum wanted to describe me Peter, but Dad said no because he did n't desire me to birth the same name as that idiot, '' Kaden commented, `` So it 's my middle figure. ``

`` Perfect, '' Saint John the Apostle grinned, `` You even sorting of share his name. ``

`` testament you do it ? '' Albus asked.

`` I guess so, '' Kaden said slowly, `` I mean, it 's not like I 'm going to be like Pettigrew now. ``

`` No, '' Albus agreed, `` But you have to be sort of like him for it to work. And you are because you 've sort of got the same name. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I guess. Anyway, when are you going to get the map to do work ? ``

`` Whenever we figure out how to prove to it that we 're like the Marauders. Somehow we 've got to show the map that we are alike to the piranha, '' Albus explained, `` Which is taking forever. ``

`` Oh, you mean like a digit mark ? '' Kaden asked.

`` What ? '' Albus asked.

`` You know, a digit print. Everyone 's is different, but your digit print is similar to your relatives. It 's how Muggle cops find people and stuff when they 're missing. And how they identify bodies. ``

`` A finger mark ! '' Rose exclaimed, `` That 's it ! I ca n't trust I did n't think of it ! ``

`` What are you talking about ? '' John asked. `` Kaden just said everyone 's is different. So how will ours be like the vulture'? ``

`` Not Muggle fingerbreadth photographic print, '' rosiness said, `` virtuoso ones. There 's a spell to get your star 's Finger Print. It reveals your epithet, congeneric, even your personality. ``

`` That 's kind of scary, '' Albus said, `` Anyone can find that stuff out if they 've got your fingerbreadth print ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose shrugged, `` But I think it will work for this. ``

`` Hope so, '' Albus grinned. He could n't believe that Kaden had actually given rosebush an idea about the map. Kaden had helped with it. If this finger print thing worked, they could have the map figured out in no time.

`` We 'll take care for it tomorrow, '' pink wine stood up and drew her wand, `` Now let 's do the appealingness. ``

Albus nodded, feeling more frantic than he had in months. They were so close, he could just feel it. The map would be working soon. Of course, there was a peck doubtfulness in Albus 's gut that was telling him that there would be something to figure out even after the finger print thing.

******

`` What are you going to subscribe up for ? '' John asked as he glanced over the parchment all the second gear old age had received just a moment earlier.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` What about you, Matt ? ``

`` Care of Magical animate being, '' Matt replied, `` Not sure what else. ``

`` I 'll do that one, too, '' Albus decided and wrote it down on his parchment. `` Hagrid teaches it, so it 'll be fun. ``

`` signaling me up, '' whoremonger said, `` I could use with a fun stratum. ``

`` You ought to cogitate about what will be useful in your future vocation, '' blush wine told them.

`` But I 've got no idea what I want to do, '' bathroom said.

Albus had no estimate either. He had n't really thought about it. He thought being an Auror would be a proficient job, but he was n't trusted that that was what he wanted to do. He still had five age at Hogwarts anyway, why decide now ?

`` Me either, '' Amanda agreed, `` I think I 'll do attention of Magical creature, too. ``

`` I 'm taking Muggle field, '' Rose announced, `` Plus Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. ``

`` All three ? '' King John asked, `` But we only have to take two. ``

`` Yeah, but I want to learn all of them. I 'd really wish to take in Care of Magical Creatures, too, but there 's not enough clip. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do foretelling, '' John shrugged.

Rose snorted, `` fortune telling ? Mum says that should n't even be a subject. There 's no veridical learning involved. ``

`` But is it sluttish ? '' John asked.

`` Uncle Ron said all you 've got to do is pull in up predictions about your demise if you 've got Trelawney, '' Albus explained.

`` Excellent, '' John scribbled onto his parchment, `` I 'll take that and hope I 've got Trelawney. ``

`` I 'm taking that, too, '' Amanda said, `` It actually sounds interesting. ``

`` mulct, '' Rose sighed, `` But I still say it 's not really a study. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Ancient runic letter, '' Albus thought aloud, `` I think it 's easier than Arithmancy. What about you, Matt ? What else do you think you 'll take ? ``

`` ancient Runes sounds good, '' Matt yawned, `` I guess I 'll subscribe that. Amy took it. She hated it in Australia, but she said it 's better here. ``

`` I 'd take everything, '' Kaden announced, `` I could n't resolve. ``

`` You ca n't take everything, '' rosiness laughed, `` You 'd have to be in two places at once. ``

`` Oh, well I 'm somewhat sure that 's unsufferable, '' Kaden sighed.

Albus turned and grinned at Rose, who grinned back. Albus could only imagine Kaden 's chemical reaction to a time-turner.

`` Yeah, the most stratum you can take is three, '' rose explained.

`` Then I 'll take three, '' Kaden decided.

`` Are you lot done choosing classes ? '' Rose asked as she stood up, `` We 'd break get to Transfiguration. ``

Albus spent the full Transfiguration stratum trying to twist his plate into a bowl, and had almost managed to do it by the time the division was over. Rose, of course, did it within ten minute of arc and spent the remainder of the class helping Albus and the rest of their friends.

History of legerdemain was as boring as ever. lustrelessness slept the entire class, and Albus felt himself nod off a few times. lusterlessness had seemed very fatigue in metamorphosis and probably would ingest fallen asleep in that class if it were n't for the fact that it was a virtual lesson. This was n't surprising considering the fact that the full lunation was the side by side day. The Healers still had n't found something to countercheck the slope core of extreme fatigue duty of the new Wolfsbane that lustrelessness was on.

Double Potions was after lunch, and Albus felt drowsy as soon as he walked into the room. This was odd since he had felt fine a moment before. He did n't look to be the only one who felt this either. Both St. John and Amanda yawned as soon as they sat down, and even rose 's centre drooped a bit as she pulled out her parchment. flatness laid his school principal down on the desk and fell asleep immediately.

`` commodity afternoon, everyone ! '' Slughorn said, `` Now, I 'm sure you 're all feeling a bit tired, which is perfectly normal.

`` This, '' Slughorn gestured to a smoke cauldron on his desk, `` Is Drowsiness Potion. All it takes is one whiff of this potion to put you into a state of fatigue. If you drink it, you 'll fall into an almost sleep-like United States Department of State for about a one-half hour. Of course, you 'd know this if you did the reading that was due today. ``

Albus remembered being assigned the reading, but he had n't done it. He had just been too busy with Quidditch practice session, dueling practice, and all his other preparation.

`` You will be trying to brew this today, but you will only do half of it, '' Slughorn announced, `` It needs to simmer for about a hebdomad before you can discharge it. program line are on the table. Work with your common partner. ``

Albus yawned and got up from his tabular array. He joined Limbert at his table and lit the fervor under the caldron while Limbert collected ingredients.

The integral class was moving at a irksome pace than usual, and everyone was yawning every few minutes. It was kind of strange. nobody was arguing with their partners either. Albus wondered if Slughorn had picked this particular potion for a reason. The past week, a affaire d'honneur had broken out between John and Goyle, resulting in both of them being sent to the Hospital wing for burn mark and then being assigned a hebdomad 's worth of detention.

Limbert returned wit the component and he and Albus started to prepare them, without exchanging any conversation. No different than usual.

Albus dumped some factor into the cauldron and began to stir it. He watched flatness and Malfoy as he did so. Malfoy had returned with factor and was prodding lusterlessness with his wand to get him to wake up.

`` What are you doing ? '' Albus whispered to Malfoy.

`` Waking him up, '' Malfoy said.

`` Wha-what 's going on ? '' flatness lifted up his head.

`` chop shot up those cherry roots, '' Malfoy instructed. Albus was surprised with how calm Malfoy seemed.

matt nodded and picked up his knife. Albus went back to stirring his potion.

`` Professor ! '' Malfoy said after a few minutes. `` He keeps falling asleep. ``

Albus looked up from the beetle eye he was mincing. Matt was once again asleep on the table.

`` Ah, '' Slughorn waddled over to mat and Malfoy 's board, `` The Drowsiness Potion affects everyone differently. '' Slughorn shook Matt 's shoulder. `` Dear boy, you might want to go to the Hospital Wing. I do n't think the exhaust fumes from this potion are agreeing with you. They 're not supposed to put you into a late sleep. ``

Matt nodded and stood up. He stumbled and leaned back onto the desk.

`` Albus, '' Slughorn turned to Albus, `` Perhaps you could escort him. I 'm certain Mr. Limbert can handle your potion. ``

`` All right, '' Albus laid down his knife and went over to where mat was standing.

Albus grabbed his arm and led him out of the room. Albus felt immediately better as soon as they shut the door. The drowsiness went away completely.

`` I 've got to sit down, '' flatness mumbled and sat down on the floor.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked, sitting down next to him.

`` I dunno, '' lusterlessness shrugged, `` I 'm guessing that that potion just made me even more tired than I already am. ``

`` Do you finger better now ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not really, '' Matt replied.

`` Then you 'd ameliorate get to the infirmary Wing. ``

`` Yeah, I suppose. ``

dame Pomfrey wanted Matt to stay for the residue of the afternoon. Albus was n't even sure if she 'd let him leave at all before the full Sun Myung Moon. Knowing the nurse, she probably wouldn't.

mat never came back from the hospital Wing that nighttime, so Albus assumed Madam Pomfrey was keeping him there until after the full synodic month. Albus and the rest of his friends decided that as soon as matte was out of the Hospital Wing, they would start looking for the thaumaturge 's Finger Print appeal. Rose was middling sure she had seen it in the library somewhere, but she could n't remember where. That meant that they would spend 60 minutes scouring the entire subroutine library for it. This was in addition to all the extra perusing they had to do now that the end of term exams were to a lesser extent than two months away. Albus just hoped they 'd be able to figure out the map before school was over. It would be wasted to estimate it out during the summer, when they would n't even be able to use it.


A/N : I hope everyone has enjoyed Half-Blood Prince or do revel it if you have n't seen it yet ! Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, EvilChaos, phoenixy friend, XDNLxtlz99, Tears of a Phoenix, Denas, Miguel, St. Luke, and tranc3rooney for their reexamination !