Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Pouring a can of pea soup into the toilet and pretending it was vomit ? No, he 'd done that the last time. Ketchup on the nose, pretending it was blood ? No, that one was just poor fish. Faking a headache ? Nope, his mum would just turn that around on him and tell him it was his own fault for staying up too late the former night.

Kaden Dursley sighed and sat up on his bed. He gazed out the windowpane at the overcast sky. It was impossible to tell the time of day since the sun was blocked by clouds, but his clock said it was nearly one o'clock. It would probably rain later, which only worsened Kaden 's mood.

Ever since Kaden awoke at noontide, he had been trying to reckon up a just excuse to bound off going to dinner at his grandparents'planetary house later that day. His grandparents were possibly the most insufferable people on the face of the planet, save for his aunt Marge.

Kaden had never liked his grandparents. Sure, they 'd showered him with endless gift on his birthdays and Christmas, but that was the just way they showed their affection. well, aside from his grandmother 's off-white smashing hugs, which were surprisingly closely considering her small-scale frame. His grandparents were downright boring, their conversations ranging from the weather condition to what the next door neighbors were doing that morning.

However, the absolute worst affair Kaden 's grandparents had done was guarantee that he had to go to Smelting 's in the declension. Smelting 's was an elite schoolhouse that his grandfather and his father had both attended. Kaden had visited numerous times and hated everything about it. He hated the dreadful uniforms, the too big for one's breeches professor, and the nipper who constantly argued about whose founding father had the best job.

Kaden had told his parents that he did n't want to go. At first gear, his beginner was willing to consider letting him attend public schooling with all his friends, but after his grandfather had his say, there was no discussing the matter. Smelting 's it was. And after that, he would surely be destined to work for Grunnings, the same drill company that his grandfather and father worked for. What a drill life.

Perhaps if he tried real hard, Kaden would be capable to give himself a febrility. He 'd done it once, a few years ago. His parents had wanted him to attend some variety of employment related party for his granddad, and Kaden had been dreading it. one-half minute before they were supposed to forget, his temperature spiked to five degrees above formula and he 'd been capable to skip the party. The outdo piece was, the fever had been gone within the hour.

He had no thought how he 'd done it, though. Kaden concentrated hard, thinking of hot things such as volcanos and the Equator, but even after fifteen minutes of thinking, he still felt perfectly normal. It must have been a trematode worm, the other time. Must 've just been a random fever.

There was a soft knock on his threshold and Kaden hastily got out of his bed. He opened the door, revealing his mother standing in the door. She was a short woman with neat John Brown hair, the Same coloration as his own, that was level with her chin.

"Kaden, proficient, you 're awake,"she smiled."Your grandpa wants to see you in your Smelting 's undifferentiated tonight. He 's gotten a new digital television camera and needs to consume some pictures of you in it."

Kaden groaned."But I wore it finally time I saw him."

"I know,"she said."But it 's really not a big deal, is it ?"

"fine,"Kaden muttered.

His female parent left and Kaden shut the door again. She had always been the peacekeeper in the family. Whether dousing arguing between Kaden and his seven-year-old sister, Bethany, or easing the tautness between Kaden and his grandparents, she was always keeping the heartsease.

Not ten minutes later the door burst open and Bethany practically flew into the room. She never knocked, something Kaden would normally shout out at her for. However, this metre he was too traumatise at her show to bother shouting.

Bethany was wearing a princess outfit, complete with sparkly shoes and a crown. She was grinning ear to ear and her prospicient blonde tomentum was curled.

"Why are you wearing that ?"Kaden asked. Bethany was n't normally the girly case and preferred to assume dungaree and a T-shirt while kicking a football around with Kaden.

"Grandma petunia got it for me,"Bethany grinned,"It 's so much serious than the other princess costumes I 've seen. Now granddaddy Vernon can take painting of me, too."

"Wish he 'd just subscribe painting of you,"Kaden muttered.

"Mummy did my hair. Do you like it ?"Bethany asked.

"Lovely,"Kaden replied.

"I-"Bethany began, but stopped as the buzzer rang."I 'll get it !"she shrieked as she ran out of the room.

Kaden ran after her. She was n't supposed to get the door, and not only because of the ground nearly parents would n't let their seven-year-old girl answer the door. A few workweek ago she had purchased over fifty chocolate bars from a kid who was selling them, with their mum 's money.

"Bethany, move !"Kaden shouted as they reached the door.

Kaden pushed her out of the way and peered out the windowpane. There was a man standing on their social movement porch wearing an outfit even stranger than Bethany 's. In fact, it kind of looked like Bethany 's. It was a dress. A black robe-like clothes. Kaden had to stifle his laughter as he opened the door.

"howdy,"the man greeted them. He was shorter than Kaden 's Fatherhood, but taller than Kaden. His light-haired hair looked windswept and he had a glad smile on his face.

"Er, hi,"Kaden said, still trying not to laugh.

"Are your parents in ?"the man asked.

"Yeah,"Kaden answered."Bethany, go get them."

"Why are you wearing a dress ?"Bethany giggled.

"Not a dress,"the man said."Go get your parents and I 'll explain."

More curious than ever, Kaden glared at Bethany until she turned around and ran into the kitchen. Kaden turned back to the man and watched him. He seemed squeamish enough, still smiling as he stood on the stoop. Kaden assumed he was selling something, perhaps the unusual dress-like outfit he was wearing ? If that was the grammatical case, then he 'd have no portion at the Dursley 's house. At to the lowest degree he had n't showed up at Kaden 's grandparents'house, though. He certainly would n't be smiling after that. Petunia and Vernon hated anything abnormal and that would certainly include men wearing dresses.

Bethany returned with their parents following behind her. Dudley was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that was stretched over his rather vauntingly belly. His blonde pilus was clean and tidy, which Kaden was sure enough was due to the dinner with his grandparents. Normally Dudley did n't mother around with his tomentum.

"Dudley and Christina Dursley ?"the strange man asked.

"Yes,"Dudley said as he furrowed his supercilium."Can I help you ?"

"My name is professor Neville Longbottom,"the man said as he stuck out his hand."I have something I wish to talk over with you. May I come in ?"

"I suppose,"Dudley said as he shook the professor 's hand.

Kaden held the door out-of-doors and Neville Longbottom stepped inside. Kaden followed as his parents lead them into the living room. Christina ran to bring in drinks while Neville settled himself onto one of the couches. Dudley sat in the chairperson across from him, looking confused and slightly shocked. Bethany was staring at Neville.

Kaden sat down in a beanbag chair on the trading floor and waited for the grownup to pop talking. He was glad his parents had n't kicked him and Bethany out of the room. He hated when they did that. It was rather pointless anyway since Kaden had become very adept at listening in on his parents'conversations.

Christina returned with drunkenness and passed them out. Neville took a sip of his, set it down, and then turned to Dudley.

"This may come as a bit of a shock absorber for you,"Neville began."But I am a prof at Hogwarts."

Dudley spat out his tonic and started coughing. Christina let out a small gasp and turned to look at Dudley, who had gone pale white. The two shared a look and then turned back to Neville.

Kaden was more confused than ever. What was Hogwarts ? A shoal ? Why would a professor from a school day he 'd never get wind of show up at his door ? His parents had obviously heard of it.

"That 's a stupid epithet,"Bethany announced.

"You do n't think,"Dudley began, ignoring Bethany."You ca n't be unplayful. This has got to be a joke !"

"It 's not a joke,"Neville assured him."I 've come to put up Kaden a situation at Hogwarts."

"But, but,"Dudley said faintly."Oh my God."

Kaden was fully alert now. What sorting of school day was Hogwarts ? And what had he done to earn a place ? He had n't applied to any early schooltime besides Smelting 's. Of course, if this Hogwarts shoal really was offering him a place, he wanted to go. Anything was unspoiled than Smelting's.

"But what is Hogwarts ?"Kaden asked.

"Dudley,"Neville said quietly."What have you told your children about Harry ?"

Harry ? What did Harry give birth to do with this ? Kaden had met his dad 's cousin, Harry potter, only a few times. All he knew was that Harry had three kids around his own age and that they lived in London. For whatever grounds, Kaden 's family rarely visited them. Kaden found this rather odd since his grandparents had raised Harry after Harry 's parents were killed in a car crash.

"Not much,"Dudley muttered.

"You told them Harry 's parents were killed in a car crash, did n't you,"Neville said, more as a statement than a question.

"What else was I supposed to say ?"Dudley groaned.

Kaden stared at his begetter, who was looking more and more uncomfortable. Had Harry 's parents really not died in a car crash ? Why would his dad lie about that ?

"Well, you 're going to feature to explain now,"Neville said."I 'll wait. Unless you 'd rather I do it-"

"No, no, I 'll do it !"Dudley exclaimed."But only if we decide that Kaden can wait on this school."

"Of course I 'm going !"Kaden shouted."Dad, you know I do n't require to go to Smelting 's and here 's the perfect understanding not to !"

"I do n't bed,"Dudley sighed."What will my parents say ?"

Nobody said anything for a few moments. Kaden continued to glare at his founding father. He was sick of having to do what his grandparents wanted. Why would n't his own founder marijuana cigarette up for him ?

"enough,"Christina said loudly."Look, Dudley, we knew this could befall. It runs in the genes ! He 's been making odd things happen for years. We tried to ignore the signs, but we knew it might chance. And frankly, I 'm happy. You and I both know he would n't have been glad going to Smelting 's. I also could n't deal less about what your parents think. You 're a spring up man, Dudley, make decisions regarding your nestling based on what you think, not what your parents think."

What ran in his factor ? It could n't be intelligence. Kaden knew he was fair, no better than most of the Thomas Kyd his age. Maybe it was football skill ? Kaden was a evenhandedly football game player, but no one else in his family was particularly dear. How would that run in his cistron ?

"All right,"Dudley said quietly."He can go."

"Excellent !"Kaden exclaimed."Now can somebody recite me what Hogwarts is ? And what exactly I 've got running through my factor ?"

Dudley looked up and his eyes met Kaden 's."Hogwarts is a school. A special schooltime that Harry attended when we were kids. It 's a school of magic, for hag and wizards-"

"time lag,"Kaden interrupted."Magic ? Like Abra Kadabra and conjuring trick verge and stuff and nonsense ?"

"Wands yes, but Abra Kadabra is not a spell,"Neville said as he pulled out a long control stick which Kaden assumed was a wand.

Kaden watched skeptically as Neville pointed his wand at his glass of soda. He muttered something in a different nomenclature and the glass began to float. Kaden gaped as he glass floated around the room and then back to Neville. Neville caught it and then pocketed his wand.

"Holy shit,"Kaden gasped."So I 've got deception running through my factor ?"

"Apparently so,"Dudley said.

"Then how arrive I ca n't do magic, like cause my homework magically do itself ?"Kaden asked.

"You are n't trained,"Neville said,"but even then you wo n't be able to name homework do itself. Think, Kaden, has anything ever happened to you that you ca n't explain ?"

Kaden thought, then his eyes opened wide and he stared at Neville."What if a person really did n't want to go somewhere and they got a fever all of a sudden and then it went away once they did n't have to go where they did n't need to ?"

Neville grinned."Yes, that would be magical. Did that pass off to you ?"

"Er, yes,"Kaden said, avoiding his father 's middle."But I did n't do it on design. cartel me, I 've tried to do it again and it does n't work."

"Of course you did n't do it on purpose."Neville laughed."affair like that happen to a lot of young witch and wizards."

"But what about Harry ?"Kaden asked."You said his parents did n't die in a car crash ?"

"They did n't,"Dudley said."They were murdered by an evil wizard, noble something or the other-"

"Voldemort,"Neville muttered.

"rightfield,"Dudley said."Harry was sent to live with my parents and I, who told him his parents died in a car crash. They told him nothing about magic or his parents. They thought if they ignored the thaumaturgy, they could stump it out of him. They hate magic. When he turned eleven a man showed up to recount him all about it and offer him a stead at Hogwarts."

"So, do James, Albus, and Lily go to Hogwarts ?"Kaden asked."And is this Voldemort bloke still around ?"

"James IV and Albus are currently attending Hogwarts, but Lily is too immature,"Neville explained."And Voldemort was defeated years ago ; no want to worry."

Kaden nodded. Quite a few questions were going through his head, but he could n't figure out which to ask first.

"So,"Dudley said."He 's going to stimulate to get a- a wand ?"Dudley 's face paled a bit when he said 'wand'.

"Yes,"Neville smiled,"Everything you need can be found in Diagon Alley in London."He rose from his chair and pulled a varsity letter out of his robe, handing it to Kaden."Your adoption varsity letter and lean of supplies."

Kaden took the letter of the alphabet and ripped it open. It was printed on thicker paper than what he was used to, almost like the sort of report he imagined people wrote on centuries ago.

He unfolded it and read it loudly to his parents and Bethany. It told him of his acceptance and was signed by the deputy headmistress, professor Padma Patil. Then it said that the Hogwarts Express would go forth from King 's Cross station on September first, from a chopine 9 3/4.

"9 ¾ ?"Kaden asked questioningly."That 's not a real platform, is it ?"

"It is,"Neville laughed."It 's hidden from Muggles."

"Muggles ?"Kaden repeated.

"People who ca n't execute magic, such as your parents,"Neville explained.

"Oh,"Kaden replied as he unfolded the list of supplying. It was full of odd Quran such as Magical herbaceous plant and Fungi, brass scales, and even a pewter cauldron. If his Fatherhood had n't have already known about trick, he would 've thought the whole thing was a joke.

"I can pack you to John Griffith Chaney and show you where Diagon alleyway is, if you would wish,"Neville suggested.

"No, no, I think I 'll ask Harry,"Dudley said.

"That 's fine,"Neville replied."Do either of you have anymore interrogative sentence ?"

"Am I a enchantress ?"Bethany asked.

"fountainhead, I 'm not sure enough,"Neville answered."If you get a letter the summer you 're eleven then you 're a beldam. If not, then you 're not a witch."

"Oh,"Bethany said disappointedly."I want to be a witch."

"I 'm sure Kaden will state you all about Hogwarts once he 's there,"Neville assured her as he stood up."I 'm going to experience to go, but if you 've got any head, just get ahold of Harry."

"Thanks,"Dudley said as he shook Neville 's hired hand. He still looked in shock and not all the semblance had returned to his face.

"I 'll see you at Hogwarts,"Neville said to Kaden.

"What do you teach ?"Kaden asked.

"Herbology,"Neville replied."Magical plants."

Kaden watched as Neville left the menage and then turned his attention to his parents. Dudley had slowly sat down on the nearest chair and let out a small moan.
***


The lone audio at dinner was the chink of utensils hitting the china dental plate and the flashy belch that Kaden let out after chugging half a ice of sal soda, earning him a unappeasable gaze from his granny. It seemed that cipher could think of anything to tattle about. Even the usual issue of the weather, sports, and work had been exhausted.

Kaden and Bethany had been given strict gild by their father not to note anything about Hogwarts, Harry, or conjuration whatsoever. Kaden 's grandparents hated conjuring trick with a passion, something that kind of divert Kaden but seemed to frighten his father. Kaden has also learned that his grandparents did not like Harry due to his being a wizard, which explained why he rarely saw Harry or his small fry.

Vernon and genus Petunia were still under the impression that Kaden was going to attend Smelting 's and Kaden had just endured an hour of having his exposure taken by his grandfather while wearing his Smelting 's unvarying.

"You should get involved with boxing at Smelting 's,"Vernon said in between bites of white potato."Your dad was a champion boxer when he was there."

"I like football,"Kaden muttered while wondering if Hogwarts would have football. superstar would still wager variation, would n't they ?

"Football ..."Vernon muttered."punter than nothing, I suppose. Smelting 's does birth an first-class football team. I 'll give the coach a doughnut and let him know you 'll be joining."

"wellspring I 'm not sure yet what I 'll be joining,"Kaden said as he pushed his carrots around his plate.

"You 'll link a summercater, though,"Vernon insisted."Boys grow into proper men when they play a sport."

"We 'll necessitate to bulge you up, too,"petunia commented as she placed another pork chop on Kaden 's plate.

"I 've already been to the schooltime twice,"Vernon said as he took another large gulp of brandy."Spoke with all your professors and they 're quite excited to meet you. farseeing line of Dursley men who attended Smelting 's, you know."

"Yeah, you 've mentioned it five multiplication,"Kaden said under his breath.

"What was that ?"Vernon asked.

"goose egg,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden really did n't care lying to his grandparents. His parents had always taught him that lying was wrong, but now he knew that they had been lying to him his solid life about Harry. Now, he had to lie to his grandparents. How long would he have to keep lying ?

"Dudley had a wondrous time at Smelting 's,"petunia commented as she refilled Vernon 's brandy glass."Another glass, Dudley ?"

"No, no, I 'm amercement,"Dudley said. His own brandy spyglass was still half-full.

"Every vacation, coming home with marvelous stories of your Friend and all you 'd done during the past times terminus ..."Petunia smiled as she reminisced.

"And that 's where he started his boxing vocation !"Vernon said proudly."You 'll do us proud, Kaden. You 've got the Dursley blood."

Not really, Kaden thought. More like he had the ceramicist blood line. Or perhaps not. He was n't technically related to the thrower side of the family, just the Evans side. So he had Evans line of descent.

"You know what ?"Christina said."That 's it. Dudley, we 're telling them."

"recounting us what ?"Vernon asked, setting down his brandy glass.

"We ca n't,"Dudley hissed."We said we would n't severalise them tonight."

"This is pathetic, Dudley,"Christina said."It 's not bonny to the kids."

"Tell us what ?"Vernon asked, more loudly this time.

Christina stood up."I 'd like to verbalise with you in private, Dudley."

Dudley got up and followed Christina out of the room. The two of them disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Kaden and Bethany alone with their grandparents. Petunia was sitting straight up, wearing a pinched expression, and staring at the kitchen door. Vernon was sipping on his brandy again. It was all very awkward. Kaden pushed his uneaten food around on his home plate and tried to nullify his grandfather 's eye.

Christina and Dudley returned a few instant later, Christina looking triumphant and Dudley looking queasy. They resumed their bum and Christina gave Dudley a knowing look.

Dudley sighed and glanced at Vernon, before staring at his plate."Mum, Dad, we 've got to tell you something. Kaden 's not going to Smelting's."

Vernon dropped his brandy glass and it shattered onto the table. Petunia looked so shocked that she did not even move to clean it up."He 's WHAT ?"Vernon exclaimed.

"He 's not going,"Dudley said quickly."It 's not for him. He has n't wanted to go there from the starting and we 're not going to force him."

Kaden felt his grandad staring at him, despite the fact that he was not looking up from his plate."That 's not true, Kaden,"Vernon said.

"It is,"Kaden muttered. Kaden finally looked up and saw that his uncle was staring love feast at Dudley. Petunia looked mildly uncomfortable.

"Then where 's he going ?"Vernon asked."Not public school day. You know the issuing that exist with them."

"Yes, public school,"Dudley said immediately. Christina turned and glared at him.

"Public school ?"Vernon roared.

populace school day ? Kaden thought. Was his dad really going to switch one lie for another ?

"He wants to abide with his friends, Dad,"Dudley said."We just ca n't force him to go somewhere that he does n't want to go."

"Every boy in our family has gone to Smelting 's !"Vernon exclaimed as he slammed his fist down on the table."You ca n't break that tradition."

"Vernon ..."Petunia said quietly."Kaden is their son. It 's up to them."

"It 's outrageous, Petunia. The boy wo n't get a proper Education in populace school,"Vernon insisted.

Kaden wished the land would give up and swallow him entirely. Was that the sort of matter he could do with deception ? It would be very useful for dinners with his grandparents.

"You 'll rue this, Dudley,"Vernon said."print my Book. Smelting 's is the only worthy school out there. He 's going to miss out on a lot."

Kaden glanced up and glared at his grandfather, who luckily did not notice. Why was he so against any school besides Smelting 's ? He knew the reason why Dudley did n't want his grandfather to jazz he was attending Hogwarts, but would it really be that terrible if they told him ? Did he really detest magic that much ? But he, Kaden, was a wizard. A wizard just like Harry, and Vernon hated Harry and all wizards. Did that mean his own grandpa would hate him, Kaden ? It gave Kaden a sickening flavour in the pit of his tum and he pushed his plate away.

"May I be excused ?"Kaden asked quietly.

"Yes, that 's fine,"Christina said as Vernon continued to shout.

Kaden escaped the dining elbow room and ran upstairs to the smallest bedchamber. He knew it had been Harry 's bedroom, although it no longer contained any oddment of his wizard cousin. It was corking as could be, decorated in pastels and flowers. Kaden sat on the bed and stared out the window.

Earlier in the day he 'd finger so excited about finding out that he was a ace. It explained all the strange things he 'd done in the past times. The fever was not the only time something inexplicable had happened to him. Once, he had fallen off his bike, landed hard on his articulatio radiocarpea, and suffered no to a greater extent than a scrape. Another clock time he 'd left a library Book at place that he had meant to land back to schoolhouse, only to find that it had appeared in his rucksack during lunch.

Why had n't his dad told him about Harry being a wizard ? Perhaps there was some sort of law preventing wizards telling Muggles about magic ? That would explain why most Muggles did not have intercourse about magic. But his mother had known. Dudley had clearly told her. Harry must have done unusual things as a child and Kaden wondered if his own father had realized what Kaden was when he did foreign things.

There was a knock on the door a few minutes later. Christina popped her head into the elbow room and told Kaden they were leaving. She looked angry. Kaden nodded and quickly followed her down the step and out the doorway, without even saying goodbye to his grandparents.
***


The side by side few workweek were both wind up and inept. Kaden put up a calendar on his wall to consider down the days until he got to forget for Hogwarts. Harry had said he would take them to Diagon back street a few weeks before term started and Kaden was very much looking forward to that.

Kaden 's parents had a very big row in the days following the dinner at Vernon and Petunia 's. Christina insisted that they tell Vernon and Petunia about Kaden attending Hogwarts and Dudley still wanted to prevent it a secret. In fact, during those few weeks, they did not see Vernon and petunia at all, when they normally saw them once a week.

It took a yearn fourth dimension for Christina to win over Dudley that he should tell his parents about Kaden attending Hogwarts, but she finally did. In fact, it was the even before Kaden and his family were to go to Diagon bowling alley with Harry that they went over to Vernon and genus Petunia 's for dinner once more.

The matter was very silence at first, with nobody knowing what to say and the merely phrase mentioned being"pas the SALT"or"could I have some more brandy, please ?"Kaden did not say a unity Bible, which even he knew was rare, since he liked to talk a lot.

It was Vernon who finally broke the secrecy."Still set on this public school, are you ?"

Dudley and Christina exchanged glances."No, actually, Kaden was never going to attend world school,"Dudley said quietly."He 's been selected to go to a small, private shoal in Scotland. He did n't apply, but he 's been selected to attend."

"Then why did you differentiate us-"

"He 's going to Hogwarts, Dad,"Dudley interrupted, clearly wanting to get it over with."There. I told you. He 's going to Hogwarts. Kaden is a virtuoso, just like Harry."

Kaden watched as both of his grandparents visibly paled. Vernon dropped his brandy glass. genus Petunia let out what could only be described as a small narrow escape. Vernon 's face then turned the purplish vividness it did when he got angry.

Petunia squeaked again and Vernon slammed his clenched fist down on the table."That billet ! That place where the boy went. Where ABNORMAL mass go. You ca n't honestly be thinking of sending Kaden there ? ! I wo n't deliver it, I wo n't !"

"It 's not up to you,"Christina said shortly."He 's our son."

"He 's going, Dad,"Dudley said quietly."Christina and I, we had a touch sensation ...."

"A feeling about what ?"Petunia asked.

"Kaden 's done unknown things,"Dudley answered."Like Harry did when we were child. We never told him about magic, but we half expected this."Dudley left out the part about him debating whether or not to let Kaden go to.

Vernon gave Kaden a very strange look, one that made Kaden feel mildly uncomfortable. It was a weird mix of confusion, ire, and the slightest bit of revulsion, as if he could not stand to think that someone actually related to him was a wizard. Vernon had surely prided himself on the fact that he was not actually related to Harry.

"You do n't bear to send him there,"Vernon said, after he tore his eyes away from Kaden."It 's not required. You 're under no obligation-"

"He 's going, Dad,"Dudley said."It 's what 's best for him."

"No, it 's not !"Vernon exclaimed."He 'll get amalgamate up that same gang that your aunt did and you know what happened to her."

"She was murdered !"Dudley exclaimed."You ca n't blame her for being murdered. And the lunatic who did it is gone."

"He 'd be better off at Smelting 's,"Vernon muttered as he poured himself another generous helping of brandy, in a new glass."Smelting 's wo n't be glad to hear this."

Kaden could n't care less about Smelting 's. He was just happy he 'd never have to set foot in the post again. Anything would be respectable than Smelting 's and what little he knew about Hogwarts was better. He just wished his granddaddy would be a piffling more accepting. Kaden may not induce particularly liked his granddaddy, but he still loved him and hated feel as if it was not mutual.

Vernon sighed and stared at Kaden once more. Kaden immediately looked down at his plate of uneaten food.

"Vernon,"Petunia said quietly."He 's still your grandson. You may not care that he 's a wizard, but he 's still your grandson."

Vernon chose to dismiss this and continued eating. The board settled into uncomfortable muteness once more and Kaden managed to choke down a few bites of chicken before Petunia brought out afters. She served Kaden a very large helping of pudding, but he only ate a few sharpness before stopping.

Kaden and his kin did not linger after pudding was finished. No one seemed disposed to shoot the breeze any prospicient. Vernon and petunia walked them to the doorway, but Vernon beckoned Kaden into the living room before they left.

"Er,"Vernon began."Your nan 's right field. You are still my grandson. I ca n't say that I 'm not disappointed you 're not going to Smelting 's and I absolutely hate that former ... schooling ... but you 're still my grandson."Vernon gave Kaden an awkward one-armed hug.

Kaden nodded, smiling. As far as he was concerned, that was as in force as an apology from his grandfather. He caught up with his parents and Bethany, gave his grannie a hug, and they left.

Kaden lay in bed that dark feeling very content. His grandparents may not have been happy about his attending Hogwarts, but they did not seem to detest him for being a mavin, and that was as undecomposed as he expected. Plus, the following day he would get to go to Diagon bowling alley with Harry and the relaxation of his charming first cousin. It would be his first appreciation of the wizard globe and he could not expect.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype writing grouping who helped me derive up with a deed of conveyance for this ! Especially to Mikayla, who came up with the deed I used.

If you enjoyed this, mark off out Albus ceramist and the Tracks They Left backside, in which Kaden 's story is continued in.

Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus Severus thrower stared out his bedchamber window and watched as an owl flew confining and close to Grimmauld situation. The sun was just above the visible horizon and was already shining brightly into Albus 's elbow room. Albus ran a hand through his messy smutty hair as he waited for the owl. True, he did n't really hump if the owl was for him or not, but he was eagre to see. He was the only one awake at this time of day anyway. His sidekick James was surely sleeping in, as he had been doing all summer. Albus slept in for the for the first time few week, but after a while the freshness wore off and he started rising at an in the first place hour. Albus watched the owl through his green heart as it soared towards his window. Albus leaned over and opened the latch, and the owl landed on his desk.

It was a large brown screeching owl that Albus immediately recognized as his acquaintance, Matt Eckerton 's. It stood proudly on top of Albus 's Transfiguration volume with its leg sticking out, waiting for Albus to untie its varsity letter. Albus went over to the owl and retrieved the letter. Once he did so, the owl flapped its extension and flew out the window once more. Albus flopped down onto his bed and ripped open the envelope. It had been weeks since he had last seen his friends from Hogwarts and eagerly anticipated their letters. John Brickston and flatness Eckerton had each written him a couple fourth dimension. Albus unfolded the letter and silently translate it.

Albus,

My parents said yes ! I can go to yours and Rose 's natal day political party !
I really was n't sure if they 'd actually let me, but they 've been
talking to your parents a lot and they finally agreed. They 've got
it all arranged. I 'm going to go to your house a partner off Day before
the political party, in about three calendar week, and I can stay a match days after,
too. But then I 'll have to go home ; you know why.

We 're going to meet up with you in Diagon bowling alley, since we 're not
on the Floo Network. John tells me he 's visiting some of his
cousins decent before your company, but that he 'll be capable to bide at
your house after.

I ca n't wait until the party. Things at my house are dreadfully
oil production. And my parents have been kinda depressed. Amy
moved out last week. You probably already do it that since
Victoire went with her. But Mum 's been crying a lot. She 's
talking about how her babe is all grown up.

Anyway, I 'll see you in a few weeks !
Your champion,
matte

Albus grinned broadly as he set matte 's letter down next to John 's most Recent epoch one. He was thrilled that both of his effective supporter would be able to go to his birthday party. John had said yes the right way away, but Matt 's parents were very protective of him and had to be convinced. Both of his Quaker would scent up spending about a calendar week with Albus and he could n't waitress. Albus wondered what Mrs. Eckerton would do with herself while her son was at Grimmauld Place. Albus had only met the woman twice, but he got the belief that she was even more protective of her nipper than his own grannie was. He could only imagine what flatness 's mum was doing now that her girl had moved out. Only a week before, flatness 's sister, Amy, and Albus 's first cousin, Victoire, had moved into a flat in London. The two of them were beginning their Healer preparation in September.

Albus heard footsteps running down the mansion that he recognized immediately as his little Sister Lily 's. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly nine. His female parent must be up, too. Albus got up from the bed and got dressed. He opened the door and went down to the kitchen. When he got there, he saw his mother standing near the fire tending to a cauldron. Lily was sitting at the mesa in her jammies, playing with her pet pygmy puff.

Albus sat down next to her and watched her as she fed the belittled animal Wizard O's.

`` Hi, Albus ! '' she said cheerfully, `` Wan na feed Martin ? ``

`` Er, no thanks, '' Albus told her.

`` Hi, Al, '' Ginny looked up from the cauldron and smiled at him, `` I 'm cooking some oatmeal. ``

`` phone undecomposed, '' Albus said as his stomach growled, `` I got a letter from Matt just now. He can make out to the company and he 's coming a few days early. ``

`` That 's marvelous, '' Ginny smiled and went back to stirring the cauldron.

`` Would Cy Young original like any autumn pumpkin juice ? '' Kreacher appeared at Albus 's side carrying a flagon of succus and a cup.

`` Sure, thanks, Kreacher, '' Albus told the theatre elf. Albus liked Kreacher. He was always there to help whenever Albus needed him. Harry had told him that Kreacher was not always this courteous, but Albus could hardly imagine it.

Albus took the Methedrine of Cucurbita pepo juice and grabbed the transcript of the break of day vaticinator that was laying nearby. He immediately opened it to the Quidditch division. `` Ha ! '' he laughed when he saw the headline, `` I wonder if Matt 's read this ! ``

Ginny glanced over at Albus 's shout and looked at him quizzically. `` The Chudley Cannons just lost another plot. Their newest searcher tripped over his own broom as he was kicking off from the dry land and gave himself a black eye, '' Albus laughed. `` matt supports the cannon. ``

`` Who supports the Cannons ? '' James came slowly down the steps, yawning as he rubbed his eyes.

`` Matt does, '' Albus said and he tossed James II the paper, `` Read that. ``

James read the newspaper silently for a few minutes and then erupt out laughing. `` They 're hopeless. ``

Albus nodded in agreement as he started eating the rolled oats that Ginny had served him. He discussed Quidditch with Henry James and his mother for the next half hour. All of them agreed that the Cannons had no chance of ever making it to the League Cup. When Albus had finished his burgoo, Harry came stumbling down the steps in his pajamas.

`` There 's oatmeal in the cauldron, honey, '' Ginny smiled warmly at him and got up from the table. She planted a agile kiss on his face as he reached for an abandon bowl.

Albus twisted his face up in disgust as Epistle of James shouted, `` Mum ! Ca n't you do that when we 're not looking ? ``

`` Someday you 'll understand, James I, '' Ginny laughed, `` Someday soon, missy wo n't have cooties anymore. ``

`` That 's already happened, '' James muttered quietly so only Albus could pick up him, `` It 's just I 'll never require to see my own parents doing that. ``

`` Do you have to go into workplace today ? '' Ginny asked as Harry sat down next to her at the table.

`` No, thank merlin, '' Harry told her, `` First Sabbatum off in a month. I had n't realized how far I got behind when I was teaching. ``

`` Have you decided if you 're teaching yet next year ? '' James asked. He and Albus had been asking their Father-God this over and over again for the by month, but he had yet to make a decision.

Harry sighed, `` I 'm still not for sure. Professor Kendrick is looking for another teacher, but he has n't found anyone yet. It would appear as if people think the job 's cursed again. If he does n't find anyone else, I guess I 'll do it. ``

`` I hope you do teach, Dad, '' Albus told him, `` I like having you for a teacher. ``

Harry grinned, `` I 'm glad you like it. What do you say we have a necromancer 's chess game tourney after breakfast ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' Albus shouted excitedly. `` power actually have a opportunity at winning since Uncle Ron and Rose are n't here. ``

The unanimous Potter crime syndicate played game after game of cheat, until James River was declared the fighter. By the clock time lunch rolled around, Albus was nauseous of the game. `` Can we go roleplay Quidditch after lunch ? '' he asked.

`` Maybe, '' Harry said in between bites. Harry often took them to play Quidditch at rosiness 's house. Since the Potters lived in London, they really could n't work Quidditch at their own firm. `` Rose wo n't be there, though. They 're visiting aunt Hermione 's parents. ``

`` That 's all rightfulness, '' Albus said, `` rosebush does n't really like Quidditch anyway. ``

`` I 'll never infer that, '' James sighed.

At that moment, Albus heard a high pitched ring coming from the kitchen counter. He looked over and saw the small peregrine phone that always sat next on the window sill. The potter did not sustain many Muggle twist in their mansion, but they did induce one telephone in case they had to contact any Muggles. Usually the phone was just used when Harry talked to his cousin, Dudley. But James and Albus had given the number to their Muggle Born friends. Amanda had called Albus earlier in the summertime to tell him that she would be capable to go to his party.

Harry glanced at Ginny, who shrugged. It was obvious that neither of them were expecting a shout. Harry wordlessly got up from the board and answered the phone. `` hello ? '' he said. He went quiet for a few second while whoever was on the other end told him something. Harry 's optic widened in shock and a smile spread cross his facial expression. `` What ? Are you sober ? Dudley, that 's brilliant ! ``

Dudley ? Albus thought. Normally, Dudley only called around vacation and birthday. Even then, the conversations tended to be short and not filled with inflammation like this one obviously was. Albus was very curious at this period and he glanced at St. James, who looked just as curious.

Harry 's upheaval calmed down a bit as he continued the conversation. `` Well, you 'll receive to differentiate them sometime. Yes, I know they wo n't be thrilled, '' he paused, furrowing his brow as he listened. `` No, I 'm not going to tell them for you ! ``

Harry listened for a few mo as he started to pace alongside the replication. `` Hmm, well, if you 'd like, we 'll take in him to Diagon Alley with us when we go. You can come, too, of course. ``

Harry talked for a few more minutes and then hung up the phone. He started laughing as he sat back down at the tabular array. `` Just spoken with Dudley .... ''

`` Yes, I 'd guessed that ! '' Ginny said quickly, `` What about ? ``

`` You 'll never guess .... ''

`` So tell us ! '' Ginny replied.

`` Kaden is a wizard, '' Harry grinned.

Albus 's mouth fell spread. Harry 's full cousin, Dudley, had two child. The senior one, Kaden, was a slight younger than Albus. Dudley had never been a fan of illusion and Albus could only imagine what he would think of his own son being a wizard.

`` You 're kidding ! '' Ginny shouted.

`` Nope, he got his letter this morning, '' Harry told them, `` The owl scared the heck out of Christina, but Dudley says Kaden is thrilled. '' Christina was Dudley 's wife. Dudley had told his wife about deception, but had not gone into great detail and neither of the minor knew anything about it. `` He 's not looking forward to telling Vernon and Petunia. ``

`` I would think not, '' Ginny said, `` Merlin, they 're going to switch. ``

`` Dudley actually asked me if I 'd secern them, '' Harry laughed, `` I told them definitely not. ``

`` commodity, '' Ginny agreed, `` I would n't even want to be in the Lapp room as your aunt and uncle the bit they find out about Kaden. ``

Harry and Ginny continued to talk about Kaden even after William James and Albus left the mesa. The two of them went up to James IV 's room, where they spent a few proceedings discussing it themselves.

`` marvel what house he 'll be in, '' Albus said as he tossed around one of James River 's practice Snitches.

`` I 'd judge Hufflepuff, '' William James commented. Albus had to agree with that. He had met his cousin, Kaden, before and he 'd seem the Hufflepuff sorting. James had managed to pull quite a few pranks on him over the old age and he did n't appear to be the sharpest flight feather in the box. Albus remembered the last time they 'd seen Kaden. It had been a couple years ago. Albus and his family tended to natter the Dursleys every span of years, but the Dursleys had never been to Grimmauld Place. Albus guessed it was probably because Kaden and his Sister did n't know about legerdemain. Well, they did now, Albus thought.

`` Think he 'll be any good at Quidditch ? '' Albus asked.

`` Who knows ? '' James shrugged, `` He 's never been on a heather before, but look at Dad. ``

`` I ca n't hold off to see him eat Bertie Bott 's Beans for the first time, '' Albus grinned mischievously, `` The first metre Amanda had one of those, she spat it out in privy 's boldness. ``

`` I guess he 's coming to Diagon Alley with us. Dudley, too, probably, '' James said, `` That 'll be interesting. ``

`` Yeah, I ca n't expect to see what Dudley thinks of the post, '' Albus laughed.

`` Just waiting until Kaden asks for his first heather, '' St. James grinned.

Albus burst out laughing, thinking of the facial expression on Dudley 's face when Kaden announced he was going to run Quidditch, `` We 'll let to teach him how to wager Quidditch ! ``

`` Definitely, '' James agreed. `` This is going to be a smashing year, I can sense it ! ``

`` That 's because you get to go to Hogsmeade this twelvemonth, '' Albus reminded him.

`` I know, '' Henry James grinned, `` I ca n't wait ! ``

`` addition, Washburn 's gone, '' Albus commented, `` Wonder who they 'll get to replace him ? ``

`` Hopefully somebody who 's not a Slytherin-loving git. ``

`` Or who wants to steal the Hallows. ``

`` Or who 's goal in life is to become the next Voldemort. ``

`` Or who stares at you so menacingly you ca n't even execute the simple spells. ``

`` Or who gives you custody every other day. ``

James and Albus continued to list off Washburn 's error, which quickly turned into insulting the way he looked, until they were both laughing so hard they were in tears. They were still laughing hysterically when Harry came into the elbow room a while later.

`` What 's so mirthful ? '' he asked.

Albus stopped laughing and looked up at him, smiling, `` We, er, were talking about Washburn. ``

`` Ever notice how he 's sort of got a unibrow ? '' Saint James asked, laughing.

`` I guess, '' Harry smiled. `` Anyway, do you two want to go play Quidditch ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' the son shouted at the same time. King James I grabbed his Scots heather off the top of his desk and found a Quaffle, along with a practice Snitch.

Albus ran out of the room and grabbed one of his mother 's old ling from the nearby cupboard. It was old and started vibrating if you flew too fast, but it worked. He was hoping he would get a new ling if he made it onto the Quidditch team this year. `` quick, '' he said as he rejoined his dad and brother.

`` Are Mum and Lily coming ? '' James asked.

`` No, they 've got some shopping to do in Diagon skittle alley, '' Harry told them as he left the room, `` I think we 'll Floo. ``

Albus followed his dad and James IV down the stairs and into the draftsmanship room. Harry grabbed a handful of Floo pulverization, threw it into the ardor, and shouted, `` Ron and Hermione Weasley 's planetary house ! '' James followed after him, and then Albus.

Albus landed in his Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione 's aliveness way. Their house was a humble, cozy lieu in the middle of a field with a forest nearby. It seemed strangely quiet without anyone else in it. Albus, James, and their dad headed out the door and into the field. Albus watched as Harry pulled out his verge and muttered a few patch that would preserve the sneak from roaming too far.

`` Let 's do some Quaffle drills, '' Albus suggested as he mounted his Scots heather, `` I need to practice for try-outs. ``

Harry and James agreed and mounted their ling as well. The two of them were up in the air before Albus was, due to their superior broom. Albus saw King James release the stool pigeon and look a few mo before taking off after it. Harry had the Quaffle in his helping hand and once Albus was in the air, he passed it to him. Whipping out his wand, Harry conjured a large wooden ring and suspended it in mid-air.

`` There you go, Al, '' Harry grinned, `` Try and put the Quaffle through that. I 'll proceed. ``

`` You 've got to beseech two more, Dad, '' Albus told him, `` Otherwise it 's too easy for you. ``

Harry laughed and conjured a few More hoops. Albus flew around him for a little while before sending the Quaffle into the left hand most basket. Harry was too slack and the Quaffle sailed through.

`` secure one ! '' Saint James shouted as he caught the Quaffle on the other side. He tossed it to Harry, who then tossed it back to Albus.

They continued playing for a couple hours, taking short fault to rest. Albus managed to make a lot of goals, with Harry only blocking a couple. After a patch of catching and releasing the Snitch, King James joined Albus and the two of them teamed up against Harry. Harry was n't able to write many goals with both his sons passing the Quaffle back and Forth River. Eventually, they all got tired and decided to call it a day. Albus flooed back to Grimmauld seat tired, but happy.



A/N : Well, here it is, the first chapter of the continuation ! I hope everyone enjoyed it. Just a bank note to any new subscriber out there, I highly recommend you read Albus ceramist and the enigma Within, which can be found on my writer page.

Thanks to my sister and Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to my other sister and my brother.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` Can we go now, Dad ? '' Albus asked impatiently. He was supposed to play Matt at the Leaky cauldron in five proceedings, but Harry was on the phone talking to Dudley.

`` Dudley, you just have to tell them, all right ? '' Harry sighed, `` You ca n't preserve it from them forever. ``

`` Dad ... '' Albus tapped his foot. Harry said he would take Albus to Diagon skittle alley a half minute ago, but then Dudley had called. The two of them had been talking for the retiring thirty minutes.

`` Listen, Dudley, '' Harry began, `` I 've got to take Albus to Diagon Alley. Yes, that 's the place Kaden will go to get his stuff and nonsense. Ok, I 'll utter to you later. Bye. '' Harry closed the sound and set it down on the windowsill.

`` Finally ! '' Albus sighed, `` Can we go now ? ``

`` Yes, '' Harry told him, `` Sorry about that. Dudley still has n't told Uncle Vernon and aunt Petunia about Kaden. I 've told him he 's got to do it soon. ``

Albus followed his dad to the hearth and the two of them flooed to the Leaky Cauldron. The pub was very crowded since it was a Sabbatum. Albus tried to peek through the bunch in rules of order to find his Quaker, but he did n't see Matt.

`` Hey, it 's Harry Potter ! '' someone sitting at the bar shouted. He was clearly drink. `` Hi Harry Potter ! '' he waved lazily.

Everyone else in the pub looked over at the fireplace that Harry and Albus just came through. Harry nodded to the bibulous mavin as he and Albus walked past the bar. The crowd parted in purchase order to allow for them through. Once they made it through the crowd, Albus spotted matt and his parents at one of the tables in the back. Albus hurried over to him with Harry following closely behind.

`` Matt ! '' Albus shouted as he sat down, `` How are you ? ``

`` I 'm great ! How are you ? ``

`` Brilliant, '' Albus grinned, `` I 'm so glad you could come. ``

`` Me, too. I 've been bored out of my judgment, '' mat told him, `` I 've even started some of my homework. ``

`` Wow, you must 've been bored, '' Albus laughed.

Harry sat down next to Mr. Eckerton and the two of them judder handwriting. `` Why do n't we get some lunch ? '' Harry suggested. Everyone agreed.

`` Hi, Harry ! '' A pregnant Hannah Longbottom walked over to their table.

`` Hannah, how 've you been ? '' Harry asked.

`` Fine, '' Hannah grinned, `` Just a couple to a greater extent months and there will be another babe Longbottom ! So, what can I get you ? ``

The group ordered their food and a unforesightful while later it arrived. Albus and flatness spent the solid fourth dimension telling each other about their week apart while the adult talked quietly with each other.

`` So estimate what ? '' Albus said while eating a bit of his sandwich.

`` What ? '' lusterlessness asked.

`` You know my cousin, Kaden ? '' Albus grinned.

`` Is he your dad 's cousin Dudley 's kid ? ''

`` Yeah, and he 's a necromancer ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Matt spat out a mouthful of pumpkin succus.

`` St. Matthew the Apostle, '' Mrs. Eckerton scolded, `` Be polite. ``

`` Sorry, Mum, '' Matt wiped the Cucurbita pepo juice up off the table and turned back to Albus, `` Are you serious ? ``

`` Yup, he got his letter a couplet weeks ago, '' Albus told him, `` Mad, is n't it ? Of course, it is n't that surprising. I mean, there 's obviously magic in the household. ``

`` Yeah, '' lustrelessness laughed, `` But what did your Uncle Vernon say ? ``

`` Dunno, Dudley has n't told him yet, '' Albus said, `` That 's why we were a little belatedly. Dad was on the telephone set with Dudley trying to convince him to secern Uncle Vernon and auntie genus Petunia. ``

`` We 'd better be getting base, '' Harry stood up, `` See you in a few days, Walter and Julie. ``

Albus, matt, and his parents stood up as well, `` See you then, '' Mr. Ecketon replied and turned to Matt, `` Have fun, and do n't make too lots difficulty. ``

Mrs Eckerton hugged Matt tightly, `` I love you, Gospel According to Matthew. Do n't hesitate to owl if you need us. ``

`` I 'll be fine, Mum, '' Matt replied once his female parent stopped hugging him.

`` Do n't care, Julie, '' Mr. Eckerton put an arm around his married woman, `` Let 's go visit Amy before we go home. '' Mrs. Eckerton nodded and the two of them left the pub.

`` We 're flooing home, '' Harry said as they walked over to the fireplace, `` Have you ever done that, Matt ? ``

`` Er, yeah, but not in a couple years, '' Matt eyed the fireplace nervously.

`` You 'll be fine, '' Harry told him, `` Just throw the pulverisation in and say 'Number 12 Grimmauld Place .'''

`` 12 Grimmauld plaza, '' Matt repeated, `` Got it. ``

`` You can go first, Al, '' Harry handed him the bag of floo pulverisation.

Albus threw it into the flak and shouted, `` Number 12 Grimmuald Place ! '' He was whisked away in a vortex of greenness fervor and came out in the drawing room of his household. He quickly stepped away and waited for Matt and his dad to appear.

A few minutes later, Matt fell out of the flack and landed on the trading floor. He was coughing and sputtering. `` I did n't like that, '' he groaned as he stood up.

`` You 'd better abuse away, '' Albus pulled lustrelessness away from the firing just before Harry appeared.

`` Are you all right ? '' Harry asked when he saw matte coughing.

`` Yeah, I think so, '' mat coughed, `` But I think I prefer Apparition. ``

`` You get used to it, '' Albus told him, `` Come on, you can neglect your stuff in my elbow room. ``

`` Wow, this is a pretty big planetary house, '' Matt gazed around as he followed Albus up the stairs. `` Reminds me of the star sign we had in Australia. ``

`` Yeah, it used to be Sirius 's house, '' Albus told him, `` It was a lot different then. It had a lot of creepy and nighttime stuff and nonsense in it. The Black family was pretty involved in the Dark humanistic discipline. Except for Sirius, and his brother genus Regulus changed his views at the end of his life and tried to demolish a Horcrux. Anyway, my dad managed to get near of the Dark stuff out. ``

`` fountainhead, that 's good, '' Matt said as they entered the next floor.

`` My room 's the concluding one on the rightfulness, but for the first time I 've got to show you something, '' Albus led matt into one of the other rooms, `` This is William James 's room. But it used to be Sirius 's. ``

`` Your brother 's not very slap-up, is he ? '' Matt asked as he stepped over a pile of dirty schoolhouse gown and books.

`` Nope, he 's not, '' Albus said and walked over to one of the walls, `` Here 's what I wanted to demonstrate you, '' he pointed to a picture of four boys, `` Sirius put a bunch of pictures up on the wall and no one can get them off. My dad covered up most of them, but he left this one. It 's my granddad, Sirius, shimmy 's dad, and shaft Pettigrew. ``

`` Wow, '' matt stared at the picture, `` So that 's Moony, the only early, you know, to suffer gone to Hogwarts ? ``

`` Yup, '' Albus told him, `` view you 'd like to see it. ``

`` Yeah, thanks, '' matt said, still looking at the picture.

`` Well, do you desire to go to my elbow room ? '' Albus asked after a few minutes.

`` Sure, '' matt replied, turning away from the video. `` Let 's go. ``

******

A few daylight later, John arrived at Grimmauld Place. The boys spent their time playing games and talking. John was just as shocked as matte was that Kaden was a wizard. Harry took them to Rose 's home to playact Quidditch a few prison term. Amanda was there and the five of them managed to do a bit of prep after Rose prodded them a few fourth dimension.

`` So, what do you want to do now ? '' bathroom asked. The three male child were lounging around in Albus 's room, tossing a Quaffle back and forth.

`` I dunno, '' Matt threw the Quaffle to Albus, `` What do you desire to do ? ``

`` Hmm, '' Albus caught the Quaffle and stopped to recollect. He had given his friends the grand tour of duty of Grimmauld shoes as soon as they 'd arrived, but there was one seat he had yet to show them. `` Want to explore the loft ? '' he grinned mischievously.

`` Yeah ! '' John jumped up from the bed. `` What 's in it ? ``

`` All sorts of old stuff, '' Albus replied. `` I do n't go up there very often, but it 's bang-up for exploring. ``

`` Let 's go, '' matt agreed and got up.

Albus led his champion down the hall and towards the stairs. They climbed all the way up to the top and opened the door. The attic of telephone number 12 Grimmauld Place was a very large room, filled with old loge and furniture. It was darkness, cramped, and dusty and hard to make a motion around in. `` Here we are, '' Albus announced and walked into the room.

`` Whoa, '' Gospel According to John exclaimed, `` What is all this clobber ? ``

`` Mostly old Black category heirlooms and other hooey that belonged to the Black person family. But some of it is my mum and dad 's. When they moved in, they moved a lot of the stuff that was here originally into the garret, '' Albus explained.

`` It 's not dangerous, is it ? '' lustrelessness asked as he peered into one of the boxes.

`` Nah, '' Albus assured him, `` My parents got rid of all the serious and dark stuff. ``

`` Wicked ! '' lavatory shouted as he pulled out an old silver tea tray, `` I 'll bet this is Charles Frederick Worth loads of galleons. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus agreed and went over to prove the tray, `` It 's got the Negroid family line crown on it, too. ``

`` What 's in there ? '' matt had walked over to the only threshold leading off the room, besides the one they had come in.

Albus jumped over three boxes and threw himself against the door. `` Do n't go in there ! '' he shouted.

`` Why not ? '' Matt asked curiously.

`` There 's a portraiture of Sirius 's mum in there, '' Albus told them, `` She 's horrible. The portrayal used to be in the hallway downstairs, but my dad managed to use a move magical spell to get it up here. He could n't blackball it from the house, though. There 's some kind of charm on it that keeps it in the sign. ``

`` What did she do to make you keep her up here ? '' King John asked.

`` She insults everyone who comes into the sign of the zodiac. The screaming 's awful. My Uncle Walker Percy came up here once looking for some spare kitchen utensils and we had n't told him not to go in there. It took three hours to shut her up. ``

`` She sounds horrible, '' Matt agreed.

`` I bet she was worse when she was alive, '' Albus commented. The two of them walked back over to the box John was rifling through.

`` look at all this ! '' John grinned, `` The whole box is filled with fancy hooey. chalice, silverware. '' John Lackland pulled out a very large candelabra and examined it. `` Are those, snakes ? '' he pointed to the persona of the candelabrum that would sustain candles. Each of them was a serpent 's psyche, and the candela would sit in the snake 's mouth.

`` I think so, '' Albus took it from John and stared at it, `` That 's kind of creepy. No wonder it 's up here. ``

`` Not to advert the fact that it 's very Slytherin, '' Saint John commented. Albus and Gospel According to John bent down and continued to look through the box, while flatness watched them. `` Funny, '' John announced as he picked up yet another silver item. It was an old teapot that looked like it went with the tray, `` There 's not often gold up here. If the Blacks were so rich, why did n't they have any Au ? ``

`` It 's too Gryffindor, '' Albus laughed.

`` True, '' John replied. He examined the teapot more closely. `` Hey, Matt, could you hand me that tray ? '' He pointed to the tea tray that he had set on the story earlier.

`` Erm, '' Matt glanced from the try and then to John, `` Sorry, I ca n't. I 'm sensitised to silver. ``

`` Really ? '' St. John asked as he picked up the tray himself.

`` Uh, yeah, all lycanthrope are, '' Matt explained.

`` That 's interesting, '' whoremaster said.

`` How did we go a unscathed year without knowing that ? '' Albus asked.

`` wellspring, '' mat grinned, `` There 's not much ash gray in the Gryffindor common room. It 's too Slytherin. '' The male child all laughed.

`` These definitely go together, '' John announced, holding up the tray and teapot. `` I 'll bet there 's a totally set. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus agreed and stood up, `` Let 's find another box, one that does n't have silver in it. ``

John agreed and put down the tray and teapot. Matt looked very thankful as they started wandering around the dome. Albus and John peered into the boxwood, looking for one that did n't have any silver in it.

`` Are there any without ash grey ? '' John asked after they 'd looked at at least ten different boxes.

`` Here ! '' Albus announced, pointing to a magnanimous box at the far end of the room. `` This says 'Sirius'on the side. I 'm trusted there 's no silver in it. It would be too Slytherin. Plus, Sirius hated his category. ``

`` Excellent, '' John sat down and opened the box. Albus and lusterlessness joined him and started pulling stuff out.

`` Look at these old robes, '' Albus held up a very old set of Gryffindor robes.

`` And this, '' trick pulled out an old transcript of 1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi. `` Bet it has n't changed in the to the lowest degree. ``

`` Broken snitch, '' Matt announced, `` Broken Sneakoscope, a few dungbombs, conk out quills, zip too stimulate. ``

`` wait, what 's that ? '' Albus pointed to a small-scale, worn out leather book at the bottom. It did n't look much like a schoolbook Christian Bible. Albus reached into the box and pulled it out. He opened it up in silence, while John and lustrelessness looked over his shoulder. On the 1st Page was a word-painting of four boy. `` It 's pic album, '' he murmured. He flipped through the succeeding few pages, noticing that the pictures were always of the same four male child, though occasionally one or two of them were missing.

`` Who are they ? '' John asked.

`` I think they 're the marauder, '' Albus pointed to a pictorial matter of a messy haired boy with glasses, `` Because that is definitely my granddaddy. ``

`` shuffling sentience, since it was in Sirius 's box, '' King John agreed, `` Which one is Sirius ? ``

`` Probably him, '' Albus pointed to the tall, long haired boy. `` And the scant chubby one has got to be Peter Pettigrew. So, that 's Remus, '' Albus pointed to the skinnier boy.

`` Wow, '' Matt whispered, `` Wonder if your dad knows it was here. ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus replied. He continued to change by reversal the pages, looking at each picture. It was a bit strange looking at all these moving-picture show and seeing the predator at Hogwarts. There were painting of them in their hall, in the common elbow room, on the grounds, in Hogsmeade. There was even one of them with the Whomping Willow in the scope. There were also a couple of James playing Quidditch. In all the mental picture, all four male child waved wildly at Albus, John, and Matt. They all looked so happy. It felt weird to fuck that only a few years after these photo had been taken, pecker would betray James and Lily. The Marauders had trusted each other with their lives, literally. form of like how Albus trusted his friends. But they would never betray each early. Albus knew that. None of them were informer like Pettigrew was.

Towards the end of the photo album, a girl started appearing in a lot of the pictures. She would accept her arms wrapped around King James and would kiss him every once in a while.

`` Who 's that ? '' Matt asked, pointing to the girl.

`` My grandmother, '' Albus explained. `` I think this has all their years of Hogwarts in it. '' Albus flipped to the very net page and saw that the last picture was of all the Marauders, plus Lily, standing in front of the lake in their school robes, holding diplomas. They all wore vast grins on their faces.

`` Graduation, '' Gospel According to John commented.

`` Yup, '' Albus replied, `` They look very happy there. ''

`` What are you going to do with it ? '' John asked.

`` I think I 'll keep it, '' Albus replied. `` I mean, no one 's going to miss it if it 's up here. '' Albus closed the photo album and a folded up objet d'art of parchment fell out.

`` What 's this ? '' lusterlessness picked it up. `` Looks space. ``

Albus took it from him, unfolded it, and examined it. It was almost clean. In one of the box were four very small paw photographic print. `` No it 's not. front, '' Albus pointed to the corner.

John and Matt peered at the parchment and looked at the paw prints. `` What 's that mean ? '' Gospel According to John asked.

`` I 've never seen it before, '' Albus replied, `` But I think it 's supposed to represent the Marauders. I 'm guessing they 're a wolf, dog, stag, and rat photographic print. ``

`` It 's lacuna, though, '' King John commented, `` I mean besides that. Why would Sirius hold on an old spell of parchment ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. But in his gut, he had a feeling that it was n't a meaningless man of parchment. After all, to the ordinary person, the Marauder 's Map was just a meaningless composition of parchment. Albus shoved the parchment back in the record album, which he then shoved at the bottom of his bole once the male child returned to Albus 's room.

******

`` Are you kids ready to leave ? '' Harry shouted up the stairs, the day of Albus and rose wine 's natal day party.

`` Yeah ! '' Albus shouted back. He ran down the stairs with King John and flatness following him. They ran into the drawing room, where Albus 's parents were, along with Jesse James and Lily. `` We 're ready ! ``

`` good, '' Harry replied, `` Have you got everything, Ginny ? ``

`` I think so. I took most everything to the burrow earlier. ``

`` Like my present ? '' Albus hinted.

`` Yes, like your present, '' Ginny laughed.

`` Are we going by floo ? '' lusterlessness eyed the fireplace warily.

`` I thought we would, '' Harry told him, `` Do n't vex, it 'll be better this prison term. ``

Harry was right. This meter, flatness did not inhale nearly as much roll of tobacco and managed to not devolve over as he arrived at the Burrow. When they got there, the house was already crowded with people.

`` Albus ! '' Molly Weasley came running over to them and gave Albus a big hug, `` happy Birthday ! ``

`` Thanks, Grandmum, '' Albus replied.

`` Oh, are these your friends ? '' Molly asked.

`` Yeah, this is John the Divine Brickston and Matt Eckerton, '' Albus gestured to his friends.

`` Nice to meet you, '' mollie smiled, `` Now, Ginny, I need your helper in the kitchen. Harry, would you help Ron set up the board in the pace ? ``

The adults quickly left to set up for the company, leaving Albus and the other fry alone.

`` I 'm off to bump Cedric and Ben, '' James announced, `` See you later. ``

`` Let 's go to the 1000, '' Albus suggested.

`` Is everyone here related to you ? '' Matt asked as they walked through the house towards the back door.

`` Pretty much, '' Albus laughed, `` If they 've got red hair, prospect are they 're related. ``

`` Wow, I ca n't reckon having this many cousins, '' lusterlessness replied, `` Well, I have n't got any cousin. ``

The group managed to make it through the crowd and into the backyard. They saw Harry and Ron setting up the tables magically. A few of Albus 's first cousin were in the air on brooms and a few others were playing with the dwarf in the garden. Albus spotted rosiness and Amanda at a nearby table.

`` Rose ! '' Albus ran over to them, `` Amanda ! ``

`` hi, '' rose wine and Amanda greeted them. `` Did you just get here ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yeah, have you been here for a while ? '' Albus asked as he sat down.

`` For about a half hour. We flooed, '' rosebush told them.

`` Us, too. ``

`` I hate flooing, '' Amanda groaned, `` demand me XV minutes to arrest coughing. ``

`` It gets better, '' mat assured her, `` I had n't done it in years, but I did it to get to Albus 's house. Took me forever to stop coughing. But then when we came here, I was fine. ``

`` Did Kaden come with you ? '' Rose peered around at the grounds like she was looking for Albus 's cousin.

`` Oh, no. Dad invited him, and Dudley, too. But they were having dinner with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, '' Albus explained.

`` Did Dudley tell them ? '' Rose asked.

`` Sure did. Apparently Uncle Vernon went mad. He was shouting and swearing. Said he was n't going to have anymore monstrosity in the mob. But aunt Petunia got him to break. She 's actually ok with it. ``

`` Wow, '' rosiness replied, `` Still ca n't conceive it. ``

`` Me, neither, '' Albus laughed.

`` Hi, kids ! '' Bill had appeared next to the table, holding what appeared to be a mammoth Gryffindor lion. `` Everyone 's arrived, so I think we 're going to do the pinata soon. ``

`` Brilliant ! '' Albus grinned.

bank bill set the pinata down on the table and glanced out across the thousand. `` Oi ! chemise ! Want to do the pinata ? ``

Teddy, who had turned his hair scarlet and atomic number 79 for the function, came running over to the tabular array. `` indisputable ! We doing it in the heart of the yard ? ``

`` That would probably be best, '' broadsheet replied. The two of them set off to illuminate a place for the pinata.

`` There 's no tree there, '' Amanda commented, `` What are they planning to hang it on ? ``

`` knack it on ? '' Albus asked.

`` Well, yeah. That 's what you do with pinatas. You hang them on tree so they 're in the air, '' Amanda said.

`` Oh ! That 's how Muggles do it ! '' Albus realized, `` Teddy 's just going to levitate it. He 'll move it around and it 'll be really intemperate to hit. ``

`` Whoever wants to do the pinata can come over here now ! '' teddy shouted. All at once, all of Albus 's cousins ran over to teddy bear. Albus, rose wine, and their admirer managed to push their way through the crowd to the figurehead.

`` All rightfulness ! '' billhook shouted, `` Albus and Rose first, then youngest to oldest. ``

Rose went first. measure put a blind-fold charm over her centre and handed her an old broom. chemise levitated the pinata and flung it around rosiness. After a few poorly aimed hits, her play was over. Albus was up future. He took the broom from Rose and was blind-folded. He loved this part of his natal day company, but he was never very trade good at it.

`` To the right wing ! '' person shouted. Albus swung the ling around to his right, but did n't make tangency with anything. chemise always made it difficult.

`` I bet you anything that Bradley 's going to explode it overt, '' Albus said once his turn was over. `` He does at everyone 's parties. ``

`` well, this is the kind of thing a beater would be good at, '' blush wine pointed out.

`` I know, '' Albus replied. The pinata bashing continued for a piece and no one had managed to even touch on it. Teddy was laughing hysterically as everyone flung the broom around. Soon, all the little kids had finished and Albus 's ally were up. Amanda was the first one to actually touch the pinata with the broom, but she did n't make any progress in smashing it clear. lustrelessness actually managed to hit himself in the head with the broom, instead of the boastfully Gryffindor lion.

`` See, I was n't exactly lying when I told you I was clumsy finale twelvemonth, '' he whispered to Albus as he rubbed his head.

John was up succeeding and he hit the pinata with a loud crunch that sounded like it should have smashed the whole thing. `` Yes ! '' he shouted.

`` Sorry, it 's a magically reinforced pinata since there 's so many of us, '' Teddy grinned, `` It 'll charter a few more of those. ``

As common, Omar Bradley was the one to feed the terminal gust to the pinata. Everyone rushed forward to take hold of the sweets that had fallen out of it. Albus and his ally each got a gravid bagful of sweets.

`` Time for presents ! '' Molly shouted over the gang. Albus and rose wine sat down at one one of the tables next to two large piles of presents. They alternated opening them, each receiving a lot of Good Book, sweets, Weasley star Wheezes products, and various clothing token. Soon, there was just one stage left.

`` It 's from us, Al, '' Harry smiled as he handed Albus a long, rectangular box.

Albus took the box and tore the wrap off. fervor washed over him as he saw what it was. `` A Firebolt 2000 ! '' he shouted, `` Wow ! This is bloody vivid ! Just like Empire State of the South 's ! Thanks Mum and Dad ! ``

`` You 're welcome, '' Harry grinned, `` It 'll be perfect for when you get on the Quidditch team this year. ``

`` If I get on the team, '' Albus replied.

`` You will, '' James IV assured him.

`` I 'm going to try it out now ! '' Albus grinned. He ran to the middle of the yard with his supporter and first cousin following. He mounted the Scots heather and took off into the air. The evening piece of cake felt cool as he soared in high spirits and higher. It flew just like GA 's did. The acceleration was wonderful and it turned at the tenuous touch. Albus flew around the yard for a few proceedings, enjoying the chill that only flying could lend. Albus had loved flying and Quidditch for as long as he could think. He had received his first toy broom on his first birthday. He promptly crashed into a tree the next day and broke it. Albus had gotten a lot well at flying since then, but he still was n't nearly as good as William James was. After a few more minutes, Albus descended and landed on the ground.

`` How is it ? '' John the Evangelist asked.

`` Completely wonderful, '' Albus grinned, `` Want to try ? ``

`` Of course of study ! '' John took the broom and flew off into the sky. Albus spent the next half time of day lending his broom to his cousin-german and friends. They all agreed that it was a superb broom and that Albus was sure to make Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Molly served dinner shortly after everyone had tried out Albus 's new broom. The discussion centered mainly around Quidditch, like it often did when all the Weasleys got together. With such a large number of multitude, there was always a good bit of dissonance about which team were the C. H. Best. Matt was thrilled that Albus 's Uncle Ron was a Chudley cannon fan and the two of them defended their squad to the rest of the group.

The evening ended with a magnificent Gryffindor lion shaped cake that molly had made. Hermione had enchanted it to roar realistically when it was first base cut. Shortly after everyone finished their bar, they started going dwelling. Albus 's family were some of the last to leave.

`` I 'm going to Apparate home with Lily, '' Harry said as they walked to the open fireplace. Lily was asleep in his arms.

`` All right, '' Ginny replied. Harry turned on the spot and disappeared. `` You boys go first, '' Ginny gestured to the pot of floo powder.

Albus stepped out of the fireplace at Grimmauld Place and waited for bathroom and Matt. They appeared a few minutes later, and the three of them went up to Albus 's room.

`` That was really fun, Albus, '' matte yawned as they lay down to go to sleep, `` Your phratry is fun. shuffle me wish I had some full cousin. ``

`` You 're welcome to portion mine, '' Albus laughed.

`` Mine, too, '' John agreed, `` If you think Albus 's family is nuts, you should meet mine. You 'll fit one of my first cousin this yr. It 's her kickoff year at Hogwarts. All my cousins are younger than me. ``

`` The solely one of my first cousin coming to Hogwarts this class is Kaden, '' Albus told them.

`` Well, half of Gryffindor is your full cousin, Albus, '' John laughed, `` And if you make the Quidditch team, Ryan will be the only non-Weasley and non-Potter on the squad. ``

`` Yeah, we 're taking over, '' Albus joked. `` Well, respectable nighttime. ``

`` Night, '' John replied.

`` Night, '' lustrelessness said.



A/N : Thanks to my babe and beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my other sister and my pal. Thanks also to XDNLxtlz99, teddysxxgirl, Moonylupin, smirkyhaha, and ginnyweasleypotter87 for their review !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` Do you see them yet, Dad ? '' Albus asked.

`` No, not yet, '' Harry replied.

Albus sighed. He, Harry, St. John the Apostle, and mat were all standing outside the Leaky Cauldron. The Muggle side. It was a few solar day after Albus and Rose 's birthday political party and Matt was meeting his parents to go base in a duet hours. Harry had agreed to consume them a few hours early so they could buy their new books. Harry also decided that it would be a good prison term to take Dudley and Kaden shopping for Kaden 's supplies.

A few minutes later a racy sedan chair pulled up to the American Stock Exchange. A rather large blond-haired man stepped out, along with a curtly brunette woman, and two kids. Albus recognized the boy as Kaden. He was short-change, only an inch or so tall than Matt, and a bit on the chubby side. His hairsbreadth was brown and looked in motive of a cut. Kaden 's new sister, Bethany, had inherited her father 's blond hair and was about a head shorter than Kaden. Albus thought she was seven, but he was n't certain.

`` Hello, Dudley, '' Harry extended his mitt to his full cousin.

`` Hi, Harry, '' Dudley took his bridge player and shook it.

`` Why do n't we go inside the pub and we 'll talk More there ? '' Harry suggested and opened the door to the Leaky caldron. Everyone filed inside. The Durlseys stared around, gaping at everything in sight while they followed Harry out the backward door. Harry took out his wand, tapped one of the bricks, and Diagon Alley appeared in front of them. `` This is Diagon Alley. ``

`` This is where you got all your, your sorcerous stuff ? '' Dudley gaped.

`` Sure is, '' Harry grinned, `` The get-go matter you 'll need to do is set up an account at Gringotts. '' He pointed to the boastfully Elwyn Brooks White edifice at the end of the street. `` Ezra Pound wo n't buy much here. You have to use whizz money, Galleons, reap hook, and Knut. ``

Albus really did n't require to go to Gringotts and wait while the Durlseys learned about wizard money. `` Dad, can me, John, and matte go look at the shop class by ourselves ? ``

`` I suppose so, '' Harry said after he thought for a second, `` I 'll get Dudley and Christina to Gringotts and show them around. Why do n't you take Kaden with you ? '' he suggested. `` We can meet you at flourish and Blotts in an hour. ``

`` Sure, '' Albus said, happy to not have got to go to Gringotts, `` Let 's go. '' The boys set off down the street, none of them really sure as shooting where to go first. Kaden seemed to be gazing in awe at everything he saw. Albus led them to a work bench outside Quality Quidditch supplying. `` Ok, Kaden, these are my booster, whoremonger and mat. ``

`` Are your parents crone and wizards, too ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, '' John replied. Matt nodded.

`` Oh, '' Kaden said, `` Are there a lot of tiddler whose parents are n't witches and wiz ? ``

`` A fairly few, '' Albus answered, `` Our friend Amanda has Muggle parents. ``

`` I wish I 'd known about magic earlier, '' Kaden told them. `` What 's a Muggle, anyway ? ``

`` Do n't worry, you 'll catch up fast. Muggles are masses who ca n't do magic. Like your parents, '' Albus told him, `` Let 's go into the Quidditch shop class. ``

`` What 's Quidditch ? '' Kaden asked as they walked into the shop class, `` Whoa ! There 's ling in here ! Are we going to be clean and jerk something ? '' he asked skeptically.

john burst out laughing, `` clean and jerk with heather ? No way. We fly on them ! ``

Kaden 's mouth fell unfastened, `` Like witches do in movies ? ``

John laughed even harder, `` Yes, just like that ! ``

`` So what 's Quidditch ? '' Kaden asked again as he inspected a Firebolt 2000.

Albus, John, and Matt spent a good twenty minutes telling Kaden all about Quidditch.

`` That sounds very complicated, '' Kaden announced once they 'd finished.

`` I suppose, '' John Lackland shrugged, `` But it 's fun, right than that sport Muggles play. Football or something ? ``

`` Hey ! I play football game ! '' Kaden shouted, `` And it 's fun. ``

`` Well, there 's no football at Hogwarts, '' King John told him, `` It 's Quidditch or nothing. Just wait until you first fly a broom, you 'll modify your nous about football game. ``

`` Do you play Quidditch ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not on my House team. First years are n't allowed to trifle. And this yr the only opening is for a Chaser. My billet is Beater. But Albus is trying out. ``

`` Oh, really ? '' Kaden looked at Albus.

`` Yup. I hope I make it. James is already on the team. He 's the Seeker. One of the best Gryffindor has ever had, '' Albus said.

`` What 's Gryffindor ? ''

`` Does n't know much about Hogwarts, does he ? '' Saint John whispered to Albus.

Albus shook his pass. `` Gryffindor is one of the Houses at Hogwarts. You get sorted on your first day into one of the four sign. Gryffindor is usually where you go if you 're brave, Ravenclaw if you 're smartness, Hufflepuff if you 're loyal, and Slytherin if you 're malign. ``

`` What ? ! ''

`` Well, technically Slytherins are cunning, but virtually of the evil enchantress and necromancer were in Slytherin. ``

`` How do you get sorted ? ``

`` Ca n't tell you, '' Albus grinned, `` It 's part of the fun not to know. ``

`` Are you all in Gryffindor ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied, `` All my cousin are, too. ``

`` I hope I 'm there, '' Kaden replied. `` Can we go somewhere else ? I 'm sick of looking at brooms.

`` Let 's go to Weasley 's star Wheezes, '' trick suggested. Although he looked a picayune taken aback that Kaden did n't need to calculate at brooms anymore.

The boys left the workshop and made their way to Weasley 's Wizard Wheezes. Kaden kept up a constant watercourse of questions the unhurt way there. By the prison term they made it to the shop, Albus was getting a bit tired of answering them. Albus had remembered Kaden as being rather hush, but now he seemed to be very hyper. Maybe the excitement of finding out he was a wizard had caused him to be more outgoing.

`` Whoa ! What is this spot ? '' Kaden gazed around at the inside of Saint George Weasley 's shop with a look of awe on his face.

`` Joke shop, '' John told him, `` Best shop in Diagon Alley. ``

`` Why thank you, John ! '' George IV greeted them. `` Hello, Albus ! Hi, Matt ! ``

`` Hi, Uncle George II, '' Albus grinned, `` This is my cousin-german, Kaden. Dudley 's son. ``

`` Oh, yeah, Harry told me you 're a wizard, '' George turned to Kaden, `` If you 're ever in need of any pranking point at Hogwarts, just place me an owl, I 'll let what you 're looking for. ``

Kaden nodded and stared at George V. After a few bit, he asked, `` What on Earth happened to your ear ? ``

`` Lost it during the war against Voldemort, '' George IV told him, `` I 'm a bit holey now. ``

Kaden laughed, `` Holey, like a saint ! ``

George turned to Albus, `` You sure he 's not a Weasley ? ``

`` positive degree ; he thinks football game 's skilful than Quidditch, '' Albus told him.

`` I 'm sure that 'll change after he sees Quidditch, '' Saint George replied. `` Well, I 've got to get back to work. See you later, Albus. ``

`` Bye, '' Albus said as George went back behind the comeback. Albus started looking around the shop with whoremonger and lusterlessness while Kaden bounced from one showing to the next, announcing how brilliant everything was and asking the other male child more questions.

`` What are these ? '' Kaden pointed to a few Skiving Snackboxes.

`` Skiving Snackboxes, sweets that make you ill, '' Matt told him.

`` Why would you want to do that ? '' Kaden grimaced.

`` To get out of boring classes, '' Matt explained, `` Once you 've sat through one of Binns 's classes, you 'll sympathize. ``

`` And what are those ? '' Kaden pointed to a display of Extendable Ears.

`` Extendable Ears, '' Albus told him, remembering when he used them last-place Christmas only to catch his dad talking about the Hallows. `` You use them to listen in on conversations people are having. ``

`` Wish I had some money, '' Kaden sighed as he put back a bundle of Extendable Ears.

`` You will soon, once your parents are done at Gringotts, '' Albus told him, `` oral presentation of which, we should probably head back to Flourish and Blotts. ``

The boy waved goodbye to George I and left the shop. Albus, Matt, and whoremonger listened as Kaden commented on everything they passed on their way to the Word storage. Albus hoped that his cousin would calm down once he was more used to the Wizarding universe. They continued their walk to Flourish and Blotts while explaining about magical physical body of transportation to Kaden. He was amazed that superstar could come out and disappear 'just like that', as he put it and snapped his fingers.

When they got to the Flourish and Blotts, Harry and the Dursleys were already waiting for them outside. `` Are you having fun ? '' Harry asked.

`` Yeah ! Albus has told me about Quidditch and Apparition and Flooing and all form of magical practical put-on items, '' Kaden grinned.

`` Well, let 's go get your books now, '' Harry said as the group walked into the shop. Flourish and Blotts was quite empty today. There were only a few other people inside, none of whom Albus recognized. Harry and the Dursleys took the boys'tilt to a cut-rate sale someone while the boys started looking around.

Albus, John, and flatness had been to this Bible storage numerous clip and did n't find anything exciting about it. The three of them would rather have been in timber Quidditch Supplies. Kaden, on the former hand, seemed as commove there as he had been in George III 's store. He ran all over the shop, picking up random books and bringing them back to read the former boys.

`` take care at this ! '' he panted, running back to Albus for what must have been the tenth time, `` It 's a Koran about brewing potions ! Am I going to get to do that ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied wearily. He had already given this answer in reception to inquiry about charm, Transfiguration of Jesus, and defensive spells.

`` I ca n't wait ! '' Kaden shouted and disappeared into another row of books.

Albus turned to his friends and groaned. `` I do n't cogitate he 'll ever run out of excitement. ``

John stifled a laugh, `` Just wait until he gets his first of all Potions essay. He wo n't be too thrilled about it then. ``

`` expect at this playscript ! '' Kaden came running back a few arcminute later with a book entitled, Dark puppet : How to Protect Yourself. `` It 's got stuff about vampires and loup-garou in it ! I did n't be intimate those were literal ! ``

Albus felt flatness stiffen succeeding to him. Albus glanced at him and saw the smell of panic on his aspect. Albus immediately took the book from Kaden, `` Yeah, they 're material. But they 're zippo like the 1 in Muggle fairy narrative. And you do n't want to say this book. It 's too march on. You 've got to start out with the BASIC. '' Albus quickly stuffed the Scripture onto a nearby shelf. He did not want Kaden to scan about the prejudices thaumaturgist had about werewolves.

Kaden took off into another section of the store and matte relaxed. `` That was airless, '' he whispered.

`` I 'm not going to let him buy into that werewolf bias, '' Albus assured him, `` Even though he 'll probably never find out about you. ``

`` Thanks. ``

`` I 've got everyone 's Bible ! '' Harry announced as he, Dudley, Christina, and Bethany walked back to where the boys were standing.

`` Can we go get my wand now ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he ran back from the other section of the store.

`` Sure, '' Dudley replied, `` You lead the way, Harry. ``

Harry, Kaden, and the rest of the Dursleys walked ahead of Albus and his friend on their way to Ollivander 's. Kaden was practically skipping up the street in his excitement about his wand. In contrast, matt was starting to tire out due to the approaching full moon. By the sentence Albus, John, and flatness got to Ollivander 's, Kaden was already trying out his first base wand. He gave it a wave and one of the empty wand corner on Ollivander 's desk exploded. Kaden thought that the blowup was neat, but Ollivander disagreed. Kaden tried out wands for the next xv transactions before finding one that created Au spark when he waved it. Dudley paid for the wand and the group left the shop. The adjacent stop was the Apothecary and then Madam Malkin 's. An hour later, Kaden was all set for his first year at Hogwarts.

Once they were done shopping, the group met lusterlessness 's parents at the Leaky Cauldron. Everyone was athirst, so they all decided to eat dinner together. Albus, John, flatness, and Kaden sat at their own table while the adults and Bethany sat at the other.

`` Ca n't believe the summertime 's almost over, '' Albus said as he took a swig of butterbeer. `` What are you blackguard doing for the eternal sleep of it ? ``

`` I 'm going to claver some more of my cousin-german after I go home, '' St. John told them.

`` That 's probably what I 'm doing, too, '' Albus told them, `` And the big party we have at the end of every summer. That 's always amazing. What are you doing Matt ? ``

lustrelessness glanced up from his food, which he was only picking at, and looked at Kaden before answering. Kaden was currently staring as a wizard at the next board cut his steak with his wand. `` I 've got to go to St. Mungo 's, '' he whispered.

`` What 's St. Mungo 's ? '' Kaden asked loudly and turned his attending back to the former boys.

`` Wizard hospital, '' Albus replied, hoping that Kaden would n't press for more information. Luckily, at that moment, a waitress came walking by while levitating two phonograph recording of food for thought. Kaden immediately turned his attention to the levitating trays and did n't mention ask anything about St. Mungo's.

`` Why have you got to go there ? '' Albus asked very quietly, as he leaned in finisher to matte. John leaned over as well.

`` I 'll explain sometime else, when we 're alone, '' he gave a meaningful glance at Kaden, `` Maybe on the train. But do n't occupy about it, I 'm fine. ``

Albus was n't very reassured by this. He did n't reckon people went to St. Mungo 's when they were fine. But he did n't conjure for Thomas More information, he knew Matt disliked discussing his condition, especially around so many people.

`` We should probably get going, '' Mr. and Mrs. Eckerton stood up and walked over to Albus 's table. Mrs. Eckerton sent a disquieted look at her son. lustrelessness was resting his head on his bridge player and had his center closed. `` Are you all right, dear ? '' she asked quietly.

Matt lifted his drumhead up and nodded. `` I 've just got a cephalalgia. I 'll see you on the gearing, Albus, St. John. Nice to match you, Kaden. ``

Harry and the Dursleys got up and said their so long to flatness 's parents. Mr. Eckerton drew Matt into a tight hug, and the three of them Disapparated.

Kaden gawked at the place that Matt and his parents had been just instant before, `` That was brainy. I want to do that. ``

`` You 'll get to, '' Albus told him, `` When you 're in your sixth year, you can train lessons. And then when you 're seventeen, you take a run to get your licence. ``

Kaden sighed, `` That 's so far away. But how come Matt got to do it now ? ``

`` He just did side-along Apparition. individual who 's got their Apparition permit can take former people with them while they do it. ``

`` Have you done that before ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, but I prefer Flooing. ``

`` So do I, '' John told him, `` But mat likes side-along Apparition better. ``

`` time to go, Kaden, '' Christina Durlsey came over to the table.

`` All right field, '' Kaden sighed and stood up, `` I 'll see you guys on the wagon train. I ca n't waitress ! ``

Albus waved bye-bye as the Dursleys left the pub to go back into the Muggle world. Albus was n't surely what to think about Kaden. He had n't seen him in years, but he 'd be seeing a lot of him now. Kaden was definitely a clod of energy, that was for sure. Kaden seemed to think that everything in the wizarding world was expectant. He was going to be in for a rude awakening when he learned about Voldemort and other evil wizards.



Wealsey-Potter-Dursley Family Tree

Bill-Fleur Charlie-Katherine ( witch ) Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Victoire, 18 Stanley, 7th year Georgia, 6th year
Gabriella, 6th twelvemonth Heather, 5th year Bradley, 4th class
Ben, 3rd twelvemonth scar, 4th year Cedric, 3rd year
Eddie, 6 years old Samantha & lindy ( Twin Falls ), 7 years old

George-Alicia Spinnet Ron-Hermione Ginny-Harry
Fred, 5th year Rose, 2nd year St. James, 3rd yr
Angie, 9 years old Hugo, 10 years old Albus, 2nd yr
Lily, 10 years old

Dudley-Christina ( Muggle )
Kaden- 1st year
Bethany- 7 years old

*all in Gryffindor*



A/N : Thanks to my sister and beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to my other sister and my brother. And thanks to ginnyweasley98, smirkyhaha, sinwillys822, Moonylupin, and ladymblack for their reviews !

I also want to invite everyone to check out my sports meeting the Author varlet on the forums. There 's a link to it in my profile. Feel free to ask about my stories or writiing in superior general there.


Disclaimer- As always, I do not own Harry Potter.


`` Hurry up ! '' Ginny called back to James IV and Albus, `` It 's already quarter to eleven ! ``

Albus sped up as he pushed his trolley through the crowded King 's Cross station. William James was veracious following to him, pushing his own trolley. Their parents and Lily were in forepart of them, walking as fast as they could without actually running. The ceramicist were running late, very late. It was September first and the Hogwart 's Express would be leaving in exactly fifteen min. The whole morning had been very rushed. Albus woke up late and Jesse James woke up even later. Albus had stayed up until midnight the Nox before working on his Transfiguration essay, and James II always woke up late. Then, James I could n't find his practice snitcher and refused to leave before he found it. Lily finally found it in a cauldron that was in the kitchen. No one was really surely how it got there.

But because of all this, the Potter family was now practically running through king 's crossbreeding, trying to get to Platform 9 3/4 on time. This was earning them many unusual looks from the Muggles, especially due to the fact that they had two nettled owls on their trolleys.

`` James, you first ! '' Ginny shouted as they reached the barrier between weapons platform 9 and 10. Albus watched as his brother disappeared into a seemingly solid wall.

`` I 'll delay here and waitress for the Dursleys, '' Harry said as he glanced at his sentinel. It appeared that the Dursleys were even later than the Potters.

`` All right, '' Ginny replied, `` Albus, you next. ``

Albus nodded and ran through the barrier. A few present moment later, Albus was standing on chopine 9 3/4, and rose was running up to him.

`` Albus ! '' she shouted, `` There you are ! ``

`` Yeah, we 're running a bit late. ``

`` A bit ? ! The gearing 's leaving in seven minutes ! ``

`` I know, '' Albus said as Ginny and Lily appeared behind him, `` But Kaden 's even later. ``

`` I 'll load your trunks, '' Ron appeared and took James and Albus 's trolleys to the train.

`` Be good, King James I, '' Ginny warned, `` You, too, Albus. ``

`` We 're always effective, Mum, '' James River grinned and slapped Albus on the back, `` Right, Al ? ``

`` 'Course we are, '' Albus grinned back.

Ginny gave them a stern smell, `` I do n't want any owl from Professor Kendrick. ``

`` Aw, do n't concern, Mum, '' James laughed, `` You have n't gotten one yet. ``

`` Five minutes until the railroad train leaves ! '' Hermione told them.

`` Kaden better precipitation up, '' Albus replied.

At that moment, Kaden burst through the barrier with a Brobdingnagian grin on his look. Harry was behind him, pushing another trolley. Ron grabbed it and ran it over to the train.

`` That was brilliant, '' Kaden announced as he joined the group.

`` You 've got to get on the train now ! '' Ginny shouted as she herded everyone over to one of the train doors. She gave King James I and Albus a quick hug and snog. `` Bye, kids ! Be good, all of you ! ``

`` I 'll see you later at the feast, '' Harry gave each of his sons a hug.

`` Bye, Mum, bye Dad, bye Lily ! '' Albus shouted as he climbed onto the train. Kaden and Rose got on after him. James jumped on just as the wagon train was starting to move.

`` That was closely, '' Rose sighed as the gearing left the station.

`` Yeah, '' James agreed, `` But we made it. I 'll see you lot later. '' He ran down the gear corridor to encounter his friends.

`` C'mon, pink wine, '' Albus started to walk down the corridor, `` Let 's go find John, matt, and Amanda. ``

`` How does that employment ? '' Kaden asked while he followed Albus and Rose, `` I mean, how on earth can you go through a self-colored brick wall ? ``

`` I dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` It 's deception, you know. ``

`` Yeah, but still ... '' Kaden shrugged.

Albus and Rose continued down the corridor, peeking into compartments as they looked for their protagonist. Kaden followed close behind, still wanting to spill about the barrier. Anything remotely magical seemed to stir him, and Albus had to stifle a laugh as he thought about what Kaden was going to do when he saw the classification Hat.

`` There they are, '' Rose announced when they were halfway down the wagon train. Rose pulled open the door and they walked inside. Saint John, lusterlessness, Amanda, and a girl with prospicient, Black, curly hair Albus had never seen before were sitting inside.

`` I was wondering when you two would show up, '' John the Divine grinned.

`` Barely made it, '' Albus told him as he sat down succeeding to John.

`` I was on prison term, '' rosebush announced, smirking at Albus.

`` Hey ! It was n't my geological fault. James would n't leave until he found his praxis snitcher. ``

`` well, you made it, that 's all that matters, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah, good thing you did n't miss the train. I suppose you could 've just Flooed, but the train is better, '' John told them. `` By the way, this is my cousin, Isabelle, '' he gestured to the fille Albus had n't recognized. `` She 's just starting this yr. ``

`` Hi, '' Isabelle said quietly.

`` hullo, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm Albus Potter. ``

Isabelle 's eyes opened wide and she stared at him. `` Really ? ``

Albus sighed, he was sick of going through this with everyone he met, `` Yes, really. ``

`` Wow, '' Isabelle replied.

`` I 'm climb up Weasley, '' rosiness told her, `` Albus 's cousin. '' Isabelle nodded, but did n't say anything.

`` Oh, Amanda, Isabelle, '' Albus said, `` This is my cousin, Kaden. He 's Dudley 's son. ``

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Amanda smiled at him. Isabelle again just nodded.

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied and sat down next to Amanda. `` You 're, what 's the word ? Muggle-born, too, right ? ``

`` Yeah. ``

`` Were n't you amazed by the barrier, too ? '' Kaden asked, `` I mean, it was just so unusual, going through a self-coloured brick wall. ``

`` I suppose. It was kind of scary at first, but it does n't bother me much now. ``

`` He 's been going on about the roadblock for the by ten minutes, '' Albus whispered to John and Matt.

`` Just wait until he first gets bewitch, '' St. John whispered back, `` He wo n't be thinking everything 's brilliant then. ``

`` How was your holiday in Hibernia, Amanda ? '' Rose asked.

Amanda grinned, `` It was wondrous ! We went all over the place, just wandering around and seeing everything. I kissed the soft soap Edward Durell Stone, too. ``

`` I 've done that ! '' Kaden announced.

`` I hope we go back sometime, I had a really good meter, '' Amanda told them, `` How were the rest of your summers ? ``

`` Mine was good, '' Saint John the Apostle said, `` Visited Isabelle 's family and we all went to Diagon Alley together. cipher too exciting. ``

`` I love Diagon bowling alley ! '' Kaden shouted, `` I ca n't hold off to go back there ! ``

`` Yeah, it 's a pretty straight place, '' Albus agreed, `` Went back there with King James after you left, John. Other than that I spent the respite of my holiday doing homework and acting Quidditch. ``

`` Me, too, '' blush wine said, `` Although I mainly watched James and Albus play Quidditch. ``

`` How about you, Matt ? Do anything exciting ? '' Albus asked, looking at his protagonist. Albus really wanted to know why Matt had been in St. Mungo 's, but he knew that matte would not elaborate on it while Kaden and Isabelle were in the compartment.

`` Not really, '' Matt replied quickly, giving Albus a spirit that meant he would tell apart him later. `` So, I wonder who the new appealingness teacher will be ? '' lusterlessness asked, changing the subject.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` Anyone will be salutary than Washburn. ``

`` Who 's Washburn ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` And what happened to him ? ``

`` He was the Charms teacher, '' Albus told him, `` He got fired for trying to slip, er, certain things that would aid him achieve Voldemort 's ideals. And he started a affaire d'honneur with me, John the Evangelist, Amanda, Matt, and rose wine. One of his friends dueled with my dad, too. It was pretty bad. ``

`` Who 's Voldemort ? '' Kaden asked, `` And what things ? ``

Albus sighed and looked at rose wine, who shrugged. It was going to be a long stumble. Albus turned to Kaden and explained all about Voldemort. He left out the part about the Hallows, though, as he was n't trusted if his dad would desire him to tell Kaden. `` So you see, not all whiz are good, '' Albus finished.

Kaden stared at his cousin, lost for words for the start meter. After a few moments he whispered, `` Blimey. So that 's why your family 's famed ? Because my dad said you were, he just did n't say me why. ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied.

The mathematical group spent much of the eternal rest of the journey talking about who the adjacent Charms instructor would be, Quidditch, the Dueling golf-club ( which they 'd be allowed to join this year, as second years ), and a great deal of other stuff. Around dejeuner time, the crone came around with the trolley and everyone bought large amounts of nutrient. Everyone had a lot of fun watching Kaden try all the charming sweets. Kaden announced that he liked Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans best, despite the fact that the first one he tried was a vomit flavor. When he opened his first cocoa toad frog, he was shocked that it could hop and even more traumatise when he saw the picture of Rowena Ravenclaw disappear from the visiting card that came with it.

After they polished off the rest of the sweets, the conversation turned to which houses Kaden and Isabelle wanted to be in. Apparently St. John and Isabelle 's household consisted of an equal number of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Isabelle 's dad had been a Gryffindor and her mum had been a Hufflepuff. Isabelle did n't really handle if she was in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, but she knew she did n't want to be in Slytherin. She decided that Ravenclaw would n't be bad, but she wanted to be some place where her family had been. Kaden on the early hand, definitely wanted to be in Gryffindor. Albus was n't too certain he 'd twist up there, still thinking that his cousin was Thomas More of a Hufflepuff, but he did n't narrate Kaden this.

Soon the power train made it to Hogsmeade station and it was time for everyone to get off. Albus and his friends joined the big crew of pupil exiting onto the platform.

`` fir'years ! Firs'years ! '' Hagrid called out.

Albus lead his group over to him, `` Hi, Hagrid ! ``

`` 'Ello, Albus ! '' Hagrid greeted him.

`` My cousin-german Kaden 's starting this yr, and John 's first cousin, Isabelle, '' Albus gestured to the two first class standing near him.

Kaden gaped at Hagrid, `` Are you the one who gave my dad a pig 's arse ? ``

`` Oh, yer Dudley 's son, then, '' Hagrid turned to Kaden, `` Tha'was me. ``

Kaden started laughing, `` I ca n't expect to learn how to do something like that. ``

`` Soon enough, soon enough, '' Hagrid told him, `` Le 's go, then, '' he said to Kaden and Isabelle. The two of them waved to Albus and the others, and followed Hagrid to the lake.

`` Finally, '' Albus muttered as he lead his champion to the perambulator, `` I thought he 'd never leave us alone. '' Albus liked Kaden, but found his unremitting company to be taxing.

`` I kinda like him, '' John laughed, `` He 's got spunk. ``

`` Well, you 're sort of like him, John the Evangelist, '' Albus laughed and climbed into the closest empty carriage. `` Although you 're a bit less nettle, '' Albus turned around and grinned at his friend.

`` Gee, thanks, '' Gospel According to John laughed and sat down following to Albus. Rose, Amanda, and Matt followed after, and sat down on the backside across from them.

`` So, flatness, you were awfully quiet on the train, '' Albus began, `` Something happen during the live component part of the summer ? ``

Matt sighed and glanced around at his friends, `` Yeah .... I just did n't need to tell you with Kaden and Isabelle around. ``

`` I figured, '' Albus replied, `` What happened ? Are you all right ? ``

`` I 'm alright, honestly. It 's just, call up over the summertime when I said I was going to St. Mungo 's ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus said.

`` And remember that study I told you about ? The one I 'm in ? ``

Albus nodded and remembered back to earlier in the yr where matt had briefly explained about a bailiwick as to why Wolfsbane Potion had no event on him and other werewolves.

`` I know I did n't recount you a completely lot about it, but it 's the reason I was at St. Mungo 's. individual has to notice me after every transformation. Usually madam Pomfrey or my parents do it, but the therapist like to do it at to the lowest degree twice a year. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus replied, relieved that Matt being severely injured was n't the reason he was in the hospital.

`` That makes sentiency, '' rosiness commented.

`` Yeah, but that 's not all. I figure I should probably severalize you a bit more about the sketch. It started when I was 8. For the first 2 years, I did n't get any Wolfsbane potion. The next 2 years, I got regular Wolfsbane. Not that it made much of a dispute. ``

`` I wonder why, '' Albus said. He had been singular about this bailiwick ever since Matt told him about it the previous terminal figure, but Albus had been reluctant to ask about it.

`` Dunno. No one does, that 's why they 're doing it, '' matt told them, `` But anyway, the therapist and Potion beer maker that are working on the Wolfsbane have come up with anther form and I 'm going to start trying it out. ``

`` When ? '' John asked.

`` I think in January, because I 'll be home on Christmas break. I 've got to exact it a couple days beforehand and it 'll be better if someone can watch closely, '' Matt told them.

`` Has it been tested before ? '' Rose asked.

`` No, '' Matt said quietly. `` That 's the point of the study, to test the potions. ``

Albus glanced at Matt. He looked a bit pit at the prognosis of taking an untested potion. No curiosity he had been quiet on the gearing. Albus was n't certainly if he would want to occupy an untested potion. Of course, if the potion worked, lustrelessness 's life would drastically vary for the in force. But what if it did n't run, what if it had horrible side issue ?

`` But they 've been researching it, right ? '' Rose asked, `` I mean, they 're pretty sure it wo n't do anything bad ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, they do n't think it 'll smart me. They 're just not sure if it will possess the result it 's supposed to, '' mat assured them, `` But it is a bit scary. ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` I 'd say so. ``

`` It 's worth it, though, if they ever find one that works for me. ``

******

`` Brings back memories, does n't it ? '' trick said as the first yr filed into the Great Hall.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, remembering how fearful he 'd been of being in Slytherin the previous twelvemonth. He still had n't told his acquaintance that the classification Hat had considered it, and he was n't surely if he ever would.

`` There 's Kaden, '' Rose pointed to Albus 's cousin-german, who was standing right at the strawman of the group.

`` And Isabelle 's right behind him, '' John told them.

professor Patil motioned for the room to be tranquil and the categorization Hat burst out in song. Albus had to muffle a laugh as he saw Kaden 's mouth receptive in seismic disturbance. Albus knew that hat would astound his cousin. Kaden turned around and whispered something to Isabelle, who nodded. Once the hat stopped singing, prof Patil started the classification. The outset two scholarly person were both sorted into Ravenclaw.

`` Brickston, Isabelle, '' Patil called, and John 's cousin walked over to the commode. Patil dropped the hat on her head and a few consequence later, it shouted out, `` Hufflepuff ! '' Isabelle got up and joined her gent Hufflepuffs.

`` Dang, '' john said, `` I thought she 'd be here. ``

`` Well, you said there are a lot of Hufflepuffs in your phratry, '' Rose pointed out.

`` Yeah, I know, '' whoremonger sighed, `` Hufflepuff 's skillful, too. But it 's not nearly as in force as Gryffindor. ``

`` Dursley, Kaden, '' Patil announced. Kaden ran forward immediately and sat down on the ordure, with a big grin on his grimace.

Patil put the hat on his head and after a few minutes, it opened its rim wide and announced, `` Gryffindor ! ``

Albus turned to look at James, who was sitting a few seats down, wearing an indistinguishable look of jolt to the one Albus was. `` Gryffindor ? '' he mouthed, shaking his head. He was so sure that Kaden would scent up in Hufflepuff.

`` Well, the hat did convey an awfully long time to decide, '' rose pointed out. `` Maybe he 's got facial expression of all the theatre. ``

Like me, Albus thought to himself. He looked up and saw Kaden running over to the Gryffindor table. Albus did n't think it possible, but his grin was even wider now. A few of the onetime Gryffindors congratulated him as he wedged his way in between Albus and mat on the bench. `` sound job, Kaden, '' Albus said.

`` Thanks ! I still ca n't trust that hat can talk. unearthly thing I 've ever done, have a conversation with a hat, '' Kaden laughed.

`` Wo n't be the weirdest thing you 'll see here, '' Albus told him, thinking of Nearly Headless ding, the portraits on the paries ( Sir Cadogan in particular proposition ), the Whomping Willow, Moaning myrtle, and numerous other facet of the palace that Kaden would have never seen before.

The sorting retain and the grouping of first years dwindled until there were only a couple scholar left. Albus had n't recognized any of the other first long time, besides Kaden and Isabelle. He thought this must bear been the first year in a long metre that a Weasley had n't been sorted.

`` Willinson, Felix, '' Patil announced. One of the two remaining boy walked sullenly to the fecal matter and waited for the hat to sort him. A few seconds later, the hat shouted, `` Slytherin ! ``

`` Willinson ? '' Albus turned to look at his friends, who were all starting at each former, `` You do n't think- ''

`` Must be some relation, '' John shrugged.

`` Maybe a cousin ? '' blush wine suggested, `` I remember Slughorn mentioning that Willinson was an entirely child at one of the type slug society confluence last yr. ``

`` Great, '' Albus sighed, `` I thought we 'd be done with Willinson after hold up class, but now we 'll have to address with his first cousin. ``

`` Felix Willinson might not be like his first cousin, '' Rose pointed out.

`` But he 's in Slytherin, '' John said adamantly.

`` May I have your attention, please ! '' Albus and his champion stopped talking and looked up to see that Kendrick had stood up. `` Thank you. I do bear a few scratch of term announcements, but I think they can wait until after the feast. Enjoy. '' Kendrick waved his blazonry and food appeared on the golden platters.

`` Whoa ! '' Kaden shouted loudly, `` That 's bloody brilliant ! ``

`` That 's how the food always appears, Kaden, '' Albus laughed and served himself a magnanimous constituent of steak and kidney pie.

`` I could definitely get used to this, '' Kaden grinned as he piled his plate high with everything within reach.

`` Told you he was like you, '' Albus whispered to John as John filled his own home plate with as much food as he possibly could.

`` Wut, is'goob foob, '' lav replied with his sassing full-of-the-moon of potatoes.

`` That 's disgusting, John the Evangelist, '' rosiness screwed up her face in disgust.

`` Wut were you wis'ring abo befo ? '' Kaden asked with voice of a curl in his mouth.

`` Ugh, he does it too ! '' Amanda commented.

`` What ? '' Matt asked Kaden.

Kaden swallowed, `` I said, what were you whispering about before ? You know, when Felix Willinson got sorted. ``

matte glanced at Albus, clearly unsure about what to say Kaden. Albus glanced at his former supporter, who all shrugged. `` Er, '' Albus began, `` think back what I said about the spell instructor on the gear ? '' Kaden nodded, while stuffing his facial expression with the rest of his roll.

`` Well, Professor Washburn was n't the entirely one in on that duel. Some whiz named Jarett Willinson was fighting alongside Washburn ; we think he 's the one who was in charge. He has a son, Quinton, who was a 7th twelvemonth last year. Quinton drove us mad all lowest twelvemonth and then fought along with Washburn and his dad. We 're all trying to figure out if Felix is related. We think he is, only probably just a full cousin because Quinton does n't have any sibling. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden replied and served himself another helping of poulet. He clearly was n't too worried about Felix Willinson.

Throughout the rest of the fiesta, Albus talked to his ally about Felix Willinson and whether or not he was anything like Quinton. Rose wanted to open him the benefit of the dubiety and wait and see if he shared the Sami vista as Quinton. John, on the early hired hand, was quick to hex him as soon as the feast was over. He figured that Felix must concur with Quinton, since he was in Slytherin. Matt and Amanda both agreed that Felix probably did agree with his cousin, but did n't think they should start hexing him before they really met him. Albus was n't sure what to intend, and he just thought they should deflect Felix, not trying to be friendly with him or hex him.

Kaden received a nice shock when Nearly-Headless Nick decided it would be his plate he would appear out of during the feast. Kaden dropped his paradiddle in surprisal, but another one of his huge grins appeared on his brass shortly after. He gazed around in amazement and watched all the touch circling the way. Albus laughed and told him that they even had a wraith instructor. Kaden was amazed by this and said he could n't wait for that class.

`` It 's just History of magic, '' lusterlessness told him, `` Boringest class in the school. secure one for quiescence, though. ``

`` You 'd cognize, would n't you ? '' trick joked.

`` Oh, shut it, John, '' matte laughed, `` But seriously, Binns is the most boring professor here. ``

Kaden looked a bit defeated at this, `` Really ? How can a class be boring if it 's taught by a touch ? ``

`` Trust me, the quiver wears off after the first day, '' lustrelessness said.

A few arcminute later the food disappeared and deserts appeared just consequence later. Kaden and John immediately piled their photographic plate with every pudding there was. Albus and his ally informed Kaden about the rest of their professor and they all speculated about the new Charms instructor. Albus had noticed one new teacher sitting at the faculty table and assumed she was the new Charms instructor. She was an old beldame, with her grey-headed tomentum pulled back in a tight bun. She was very skinny and Albus was guessing she was quite tall, but it was hard to tell as she was sitting down. Albus thought she had an almost bird-like appearance.

`` Your attention, please, '' Kendrick stood up once again and the educatee quieted down, `` Thank you. I hope everyone had a dependable summer and are ready to get back to studying. I have a few start-of-term declaration, as well as one rather big proclamation. ''

rustle immediately erupted in the room, as to what this big announcement could be. Kendrick waited a few moments before continuing, `` Anyway, first I 'd wish to innovate you to our new appealingness teacher, Professor Cedonia. '' The old enchantress stood up and Albus noticed that she was, indeed, very marvellous. She gave a small wave and sat back down again. `` I also need to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is, as always, out of bounce, as is the Whomping willow. ``

Kaden turned to Albus and mouthed, 'Whomping willow ?', with another look of astonishment on his face. Albus chose to ignore this and went back to paying tending to the master 's speech.

`` Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that dueling in the corridors is forbidden. Also, that the list of verboten objects now includes the new 'Extra-Strength Dung Bombs'that have just been released at Weasleys'champion Wheezes. All other products available for purchase there are also forbidden and students may scrutinize the full leaning on Mr. Filch 's door. ``

Albus, who had experienced the issue of one of his uncle 's new dung bomb calorimeter, could understand why they were banned, but knew the ban would n't stop people from using them. He laughed to himself as he remembered the look on his nan 's aspect when Uncle Saint George brought one of the droppings bombs to the end of summertime get together at the Burrow.

`` If you want to try out for your theatre 's Quidditch team, delight hand your name to your foreland of house. I think those are all the usual announcements. Now, onto the more stimulate declaration, '' Kendrick paused and none of the students said a word, `` It has come to my tending that the tension between the family have been increasing over the past few years. I know that certain houses have always had rivalries, '' Kendrick turned to await at the Gryffindor and Slytherin table before continuing, `` But I think the rivalry has gotten too large. I believe we need more oneness. A bully Muggle man once said'A house divided against itself can not stand-'''

`` But our star sign is n't divided, '' Cedric Weasley shouted out, `` Gryffindor is perfectly unified. ``

`` Thank you, Mr. Weasley, '' Kendrick said sternly, `` I was talking about Hogwarts as a unit. I, along with the early professor, believe that their is too very much House rivalry. Therefore, we will be taking steps this year to palliate it. ``

`` This wo n't be unspoilt, '' John muttered under his breath, `` I can see it coming, we 're going to deliver to be well-disposed with the Slytherins. ``

`` We have decided to alter the Dueling Club, '' Kendrick continued, `` This year, unlike past years, we will take in inter theater teams. ``

`` What ! ? '' Most of the Great Hall erupted into call of double-dyed amazement. The Gryffindors were glaring at the Slytherins, and vice versa.

`` No way am I dueling with Gryffindors ! '' an older Slytherin shouted, `` I 'm only dueling against them ! ``

`` well, we do n't want any crashing Slytherins on our team either ! '' Fred Weasley shouted back.

`` Thank you for proving my point, '' Kendrick shouted over the noise. The room quieted down immediately, `` As I said, there is too much competition. I believe this will facilitate alleviate it. You will have to work together with members of other houses in order to win the dueling championship. There will be more details to come during the first meeting of the Dueling nightspot. As always, the nine is outdoors to second years and above. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted loudly and turned to Albus, `` I ca n't conjoin ? ``

`` No, '' Albus told him, `` Sorry. start eld do n't know enough spells to join. But you can connect next yr. '' Kaden scowled and turned back to the headmaster.

`` What about Quidditch ? '' Saint James the Apostle asked, `` That 's not lay to rest household, is it ? ``

`` Of grade not, Mr. potter, do n't concern, '' Kendrick smiled, `` I believe I would be run out of the castling if I tried to start inter house Quidditch. ``

`` He probably would, '' Albus replied quietly, so only his friends could see him.

`` I think those are all the announcements I have for now. I suggest you all get a good night 's rest for classes tomorrow morning. low long time, delight follow a Prefect to your common way. Good night, everyone, '' Kendrick sat back down.

`` Blimey, '' trick sighed and shook his head as he stood up, `` Inter house dueling. ``

`` Yeah, this could get messy, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` I 'm not sure it 's going to feature the effect Kendrick wants. ``

`` Oh, I do n't know, '' Rose shrugged, `` I form of think it 's a good estimation. ``

`` I do n't think it 'll fix us get along with Slytherins, '' Albus commented as they exited the Great Hall.

`` nada could do that, '' lav said.

`` Are you guys still joining ? '' matte asked.

`` Definitely, '' Albus replied. John, Rose, and Amanda all nodded their heads.

`` Good, me too, '' matt told them, `` Just have to go for I 'm not with Scorpio Malfoy. ``

`` We 've all got to trust that, '' Albus agreed.

Albus and his friends continued their trek to Gryffindor Tower, and the conversation turned to the new Charms teacher. None of them could estimate what Professor Cedonia was like, but they all assumed she was strict. She had a very stern look about her all during the banquet. When they got to the common room, they all decided to take Kendrick up on his advice and tour in early. They were all tired from the journeying to Hogwarts. Albus got into his warm four-poster bed, and realized that with prof Washburn gone, he would n't have anymore of those Legilimency dreams he had last twelvemonth. With that well-chosen thought in his head, Albus drifted off into a restful sleep.



A/N : Thanks to my sister and beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my other sister and my brother. Thanks also to sinwillys822, Moonylupin, TheAlbusPotterCritic, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan89, and Draco ginger for their reviews !

citation that Kendrick said in his speech was said by Abraham Lincoln and all acknowledgment goes to him.

I 've also written a new one-shot, That Night, which is about the Nox Matt got bitten. If you want to check it out, the link is in my profile.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` What have we got next ? '' John asked at tiffin the future day. The Gryffindor bit twelvemonth had just gotten back from a particularly boring history of illusion class. Before that, they had transfiguration, which was almost as tedious as History of Magic.

Albus looked at his docket, `` forked Potions. I hope we 're not with the Slytherins this twelvemonth. ``

`` Yeah, we 're already with them for Transfiguration Day, '' Matt groaned.

`` Hi, everyone ! '' Kaden threw himself onto the terrace next to Albus and started piling his plate with food, `` The classes are splendid here ! There is n't any maths or English class ! ``

`` English people ? '' John laughed, `` Why in the name of Merlin would they teach us to utter English language ? ``

`` Muggles take English class in school day, John, '' Amanda sighed, `` They learn grammar and punctuation and read literature. ``

`` Oh, '' St. John the Apostle replied, `` Sounds boring. ``

`` It is, '' Kaden announced, `` Anyway, I had Uncle Harry for Defense first this good morning ; it was so not bad. ``

`` Glad you liked it, '' Albus responded.

`` I ca n't hold back to use my baton for something, '' Kaden pulled out his wand and started waving it around.

`` Watch it ! '' mat shouted as Kaden nearly poked his eye out.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden put his wand back in his robe.

`` You 'll use it soon, '' Albus assured him.

`` We 'd better get going to Potions, '' rose wine stood up and grabbed her bag.

`` Potions ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That sounds fun ! Like interpersonal chemistry. '' He pulled out his own schedule, `` I 've got it tomorrow, I ca n't wait ! ``

Albus stood up, `` We 'll see you later, Kaden. ``

Albus and his friend walked out of the Great antechamber and towards the stairs that lead to the keep.

`` Is there anything Kaden is n't excited about ? '' mat asked.

`` I do n't consider so, '' Albus laughed, `` We 'll see what he 's like when exam metre comes. ``

`` Oh, Merlin ! '' trick shouted once they reached the keep, `` We 're with the Slytherins again ! ``

`` Of all the classes to own with them, '' Albus muttered.

The student stood outside the keep, in break groups of Gryffindors and Slytherins, waiting for Slughorn to arrive. He arrived a few minutes later and unlocked the door. Albus went inside with everyone else and sat down at one of the desks, future to Matt.

`` Ah, my two favorite Houses together again ! '' Slughorn grinned and clapped his manpower together, `` Just let me run through attendance real quick. '' Slughorn read off the names of all the students, `` Excellent, excellent, we 're all here !

`` Now, seeing as we have a repeat class today, I thought a piddling contest would be appropriate ! Let 's see how practically you remember from finis class. The partner that brew the adept Forgetfullness Potion will each get a large slab of Honeyduke 's burnt umber ! '' Slughorn glanced around at his scholar. The Gryffindors were on one side of the room, Slytherins on the other, much like it had been in the previous class.

`` I 'm sure you all heard prof Kendrick 's delivery finally night, about the fact that the school needs to be more integrated, '' Slughorn continued in an uncharacteristically serious spirit, `` Therefore, I have decided that it would be a dear idea to have inter-house partners this year. ``

Albus turned to mat and mouthed, Good idea ? Matt was looking as shocked as Albus felt. Neither of them wanted to work on Potions with any of the Slytherins. How could Slughorn think this would be a good idea ? Albus thought it would most likely cause more blowup than usual.

Once the division stopped groaning, Slughorn continued, `` I, for one, agree with the headmaster in that there needs to be lupus erythematosus tenseness between the theatre. So, please lay off moaning. I 'm for certain you 'll notice that you can work together for the good afternoon. I will read off the duet and then you may move. ``

Slughorn picked up another slice of parchment and started reading off it, `` Dalila Avish is with Amanda tagger, toilet Brickston is with Xavier Goyle, Janie Creevey is with Nessa Vaisey, mat Eckerton is with Scorpio Malfoy. ``

Albus glanced at Matt who had a flavor of utter repulsion on his aspect. He was shaking his fountainhead and mouthing the countersign 'no'. Albus knew that Matt would have got rather worked with any Slytherin other than Scorpius. Albus turned his fountainhead slightly and saw that Scorpius had a self-satisfied look on his human face. He probably thought he 'd find out Matt 's secret now. But he would n't, not if Albus could do anything about it.

Slughorn continued reading names, `` Celeste Faxon is with Karina Jordan-Bell, Marina Jordan-Bell is with Elle Yeardley, Ethan Kesse is with Garth Octavius, Jesse Louis Jackson Limbert is with Albus Potter. ``

Could be uncollectible, Albus thought. He did n't really know Jackson, although he did sleep with that Jackson was an excellent Potions brewer. Albus was nice with Potions, but not nearly as good as Jackson.

`` Bilius Mansfield is with Saint Patrick Parlan and Leigh Montague is with Rose Weasley, '' Slughorn looked up from his parchment and tapped his baton on the nigrify circuit board. Instructions appeared on it. `` There you go ! ``

Albus gave lusterlessness a halfhearted smile that matt did not return, and Albus got up to link Michael Joe Jackson Limbert at his desk. Scorpio Malfoy got up and took Albus 's empty seat. `` Limbert, '' Albus nodded as he set his cauldron down on the desk.

`` Potter, '' Limbert nodded back. `` I 'll get the fixings, you light a fire. ``

Albus nodded and lit a flame beneath his cauldron as Limbert joined the queue of scholarly person getting ingredients from the cupboard. Limbert returned a few minutes later and he and Albus started to train the fixings. They worked in silence the whole metre. Albus did n't lie with what Slughorn was thinking. The skillful he could probably hope for was what Albus and Limbert were doing ; working civilly with each other, but not talking. Albus dropped a few beetles into the caldron and looked around at everyone else. It seemed like Albus and Limbert were some of the few who were getting along. Scorpius Malfoy was whispering something to Matt, that Matt was trying hard to ignore. Rose was telling Leigh something and Leigh looked like she was ready to hex Rose. John was correcting Goyle, who was stirring his cauldron in the wrong direction, and Saint John looked like he wanted to scream. Amanda and Delila seemed to be getting along all rightfield, but like Albus and Limbert, were n't talking.

`` clock time 's up ! '' Slughorn announced a while later. Albus stepped back from his cauldron as Slughorn started to examine the potions. He inspected each one, telling its owner what they could have done to make water it better. Slughorn was impressed with Rose and Leigh 's potion, but not with any of the others. Finally, he made his way to Albus and Limbert 's caldron.

He leaned over the cauldron and prodded it with his wand. `` Excellent ! fountainhead done, boys ! I think we have a winner ! '' Slughorn produced two bars of chocolate and gave them to Albus and Limbert. `` Please study chapter one of your book and write a six inch summary of it for next class. ``

Albus and his friends cleaned up their caldron as quickly as they could. They met up with each other just outside the dungeon door. `` Well, that was n't as bad as I thought it would be, '' Albus said.

Matt, John the Evangelist, and Rose all stared at him with looks of disgust on their faces. `` Speak for yourself, '' Matt muttered. St. John the Apostle and Rose both nodded.

`` I think Goyle 's actually dumber than a troll, '' John commented, `` Does n't know the difference of opinion between clockwise and counter-clockwise. ``

`` Leigh is a bit smarter than that, '' Rose replied, `` But she wo n't hear to a parole I say, so we were both doing the same statement over again ! ``

`` At least you were n't with Malfoy, '' Matt said, `` He spent the whole time asking me I would be visiting my gran this year. ``

`` What did you say ? '' Albus asked.

`` That I would be, '' Matt answered, `` What else was I going to say ? You know I 'll be visiting her this year. '' He gave Albus a significant look.

`` I do n't know what Slughorn was thinking, '' Amanda sighed, `` We 're never going to all get along. I 'm just gladiolus I was with Dalila. She 's not that bad. She 's very quiet, so we just ignored each other. ``

`` fountainhead, you 're quiet too, '' Albus grinned, `` But yeah, that 's what Limbert and I did. ``

`` Worked out good, '' John said, `` You got the chocolate. ``

******

The next morning, after breakfast, the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw second years found themselves waiting outside the Charms schoolroom. None of them had met the new teacher and they were all eager to see what she was wish. Albus did n't care what she was like, as long as she was nicer than Washburn. Shortly after the chime rang, prof Cedonia came ambling up the corridor. She did n't say a word to her students as she unlocked the door. Albus filed inside with the others and sat down at a mesa with Saint John the Apostle and Matt.

`` Gon na set her on fervor, too ? '' St. John grinned at Albus.

`` Only if she tries to read my psyche, '' Albus whispered back.

`` placidity, please, '' professor Cedonia said in a subdued, but forceful, voice. `` Thank you. I 'll just run through the attendance. '' Cedonia called out all their names and when she was satisfied that everyone was there, she walked out from behind her desk. `` Now, I know your finale year of instruction in this national was less than satisfactory, and I hope to exchange that for this year. I know some of you, '' her eyes fell upon Albus 's mesa, `` Spent more time in custody with Professor Washburn than in class with him. I do not believe that that is a good way of teaching. Now, do n't get me wrong, if there is any misbehavior, I will apply detentions, but I do not hired man them out lightly. I would much rather see out why a student is misbehaving and work to fix it, than just founder out detentions like they 're free samples. ``

`` I think I 'm going to like her, '' mat whispered. Albus and John nodded.

`` For example, some students cause chaos because they are bored with social class. I do not want you to be bored in my classroom. If you are, please palpate detached to let me make love before you start causing any pandemonium.

`` Now, with that in mind, I 'd like to start off with a revue of last-place year. Please take in out your sheepskin and quill. ``

The rest of the family was rather enjoyable, Albus thought. They spent half of it taking billet, which Cedonia actually made reasonably fun. She kept everyone engaged, but did n't force you to answer a question you did n't know, like Washburn had done. The early half was spent practicing appealingness they had learned terminal yr. Albus found that he was much advantageously at Charms when he was n't being watched by a teacher who hated him. He actually managed to levitate his textbook a partner off feet in the air and he did n't set anything or anyone on fire.

`` I 'm going to care charm this yr, '' St. John announced as they walked out of the room.

`` Me, too, '' Matt agreed, `` I wish we 'd had her last year. ``

`` I like her style, too, '' Rose commented, `` She is n't going to be giving out a lot of custody. I like that. ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus nodded, `` I 'm going to have so much more free fourth dimension this twelvemonth without all the custody, '' he joked.

`` You 'll just bear to do other things to earn detention, '' John laughed, `` Like pull out pranks on the Slytherins. ``

`` It 'd be better just to perplex them at the Dueling Club, '' rosebush said, `` You could n't get in trouble for that. ``

`` Yeah, but they might be on our team, '' John said disgustedly, `` And we probably wo n't all be on the Saame team. ``

Albus groaned, `` Now it 's not going to be as fun as I thought it would be. I do n't want to duel you lot. I want to duel the Slytherins. ``

`` Oh, you 'll get to duel them, too, '' Rose assured him.

`` When 's the first meeting, anyway ? '' flatness asked.

`` This Saturday, '' Albus told him, `` Day before Quidditch try-outs. That 's not a, er, bad meter for you, is it ? ``

`` No, luckily it 's not, '' Matt replied quietly, `` The you-know-what is n't until next Thursday. ``

`` Good, '' Albus said, relieved that Matt would not be missing the commencement Dueling Club meeting.

******

The eternal sleep of the week passed by quickly. Albus and his friends fell right back into their usual Hogwarts routine. They spent their evenings in the common room either doing prep or just talking and playing games. Kaden usually spent the evenings with him. Kaden seemed to spend meter with Albus 's group rather than the other Gryffindor first years. Albus was not sure why, and was starting to turn a bit annoyed at the fact that Kaden was always around. The exclusively time Albus seemed to get away from Kaden was during course of instruction. year were going well so far. Albus was doing much better in appealingness with Professor Cedonia, and was doing about the same as the previous yr in the rest of his classes.

When Saturday arrived, everyone was talking about the Dueling cabaret. The firstly meeting was taking place that afternoon, after lunch. Albus and his friend went immediately to the Dueling room after they finished eating. When they got there, it seemed like everyone in the completely school was joining. Well, everyone except the start years.

`` Wow, '' Albus said as he looked around, `` Is everyone joining ? ``

`` Probably, '' pink wine replied, `` There are n't many people who do n't unite. ``

`` lull, please ! '' Harry shouted out over the crowd. Everyone stopped talking and turned to face at him. `` Thanks. Now, like retiring years, we 're having Junior Dueling as well as the regular Dueling order. If you 're second, tertiary, or quaternary year, you have to link up the Jnr night club. If you 're in twenty percent twelvemonth or above, please follow professor Longbottom to the next way where you will have your meeting. ``

`` Well that 's a assuagement, '' lustrelessness commented as the older students left the way, `` I did n't figure dueling with 7th year. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` My cousin Sir Henry Morton Stanley is a brilliant duellist. I would n't desire to be paired up against him. ``

`` Oh, I do n't lie with, '' John grinned and pulled out his wand, `` I bet I could rent on a seventh year. ``

`` Yeah, sure, '' Rose rolled her eyes.

`` Wands away ! '' Harry shouted, and John quickly stowed his wand. `` Now, as you know, prof Kendrick has decided that we will not have House squad this yr. There will be eight squad, just like last year, but they will have members from each house on them. ``

There was a corporate moan from the crowd. Everyone was standing in chemical group consisting of students of their own sign of the zodiac. Albus sighed, he had variety of hoped that Professor Kendrick would modify his mind, but it did n't appear that way.

`` Yes, I know none of you are glad about it. And frankly, I 'm not for certain if it will cause less tension between the houses, but it 's worth a try. Now, once we get everything organized, this will play much like Quidditch. Each team captain will set up practice times, and there will be contender throughout the year. Unlike Quidditch, there is no trying out ; everyone gets on a team.

`` First, I 'll tell you who the captains will be. Professor Longbottom and I picked them at the end of last class, based on your carrying into action. All the chieftain are 4th long time. There are two from each house.

`` They are Bradley Weasley, Tasha Kasey, Kate Waverly, Leo Davies, April Finch-Fletchley, Saul of Tarsus Galivant, Nadine Neal, and Barty Heath. ``

There was a expectant amount of cheering and groaning at the announcement of the captains. Albus did n't get laid any of the captains besides his cousin, Thomas Bradley. He hoped he was on Bradley 's team.

The residuum of the confluence consisted of Harry putting everyone onto a team. Albus found it rather boring and spent the whole time talking to his ally. Eventually, he was put on a team. He was on Kate Waverly 's squad, along with Amanda. They were the only two Gryffindor first years on that team. James was n't on it either. Albus was well-chosen he was on Kate 's team. She was a Ravenclaw and on the Quidditch team. Albus was very unbosom that his captain was not a Slytherin. However, shortly after Harry told Albus he was on Kate 's squad, he found out that Scorpius Malfoy was on his team. He was not looking forward to having to get together with Malfoy. He had hoped he would be able to duel Malfoy, but it did n't look like that would be happening.

`` I 'm so gladiola I 'm not on Malfoy 's team, '' Matt said, as they entered the park room after the meeting was over.

`` Yeah, well, me and Amanda are, '' Albus groaned and threw himself into one of the chairs.

`` But you are n't his Potions partner, '' flatness pointed out, `` I 'd go mad if I had to be on his dueling team, too. ``

`` ripe full stop, '' Albus sighed, `` But you really lucked out. You have my cousin for your headwaiter. ``

`` At least you have n't got a Slytherin for your sea captain ! '' John shouted. Rose nodded. She and Gospel According to John both had Slytherin captains, but not the same ones. John 's captain was Nadine Neal and Rose 's was Barty Heath.

`` Oh, you 'll survive, '' Amanda laughed.

`` Easy for you to say, with your Ravenclaw captain, '' John muttered.

`` Albus ! '' Kaden came running out of the door leading to the boys'dorm, `` How was dueling ? Was it fun ? Did you win ? Was the other guy unconscious for a spell ? Is he still unconscious ? '' Kaden sat down excitedly in the hot seat next to Albus's.

Albus sighed ; he had yet to see his cousin without his endless amount of energy. Albus was beginning to wonder if Kaden could get back down enough to sleep. `` Er, we did n't really duel today, Kaden. It was just an informational get together. We got designate team, though. ``

`` Neat ! Who 's on your team ? ``

`` Me, Amanda, Cedric, and a bunch of Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins that I do n't know. Our police captain is Kate Waverly, she 's a Ravenclaw. ``

Kaden grinned, `` I ca n't wait to link the Dueling ball club next year. I 'll beat everyone ! '' He pulled out his scepter and waved it around. It produced a trickle of weewee that landed on Albus 's head.

`` keep an eye on it ! '' Albus shouted and shook the pee out of his eyes, `` And put your wand away.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden replied and put his wand into his gown. `` What are you going to do now ? ``

`` Probably go down to the Quidditch sales talk and recitation for try-outs tomorrow, '' Albus told him.

`` Ooo ! Can I come, delight ? Flying lesson start side by side week. I ca n't wait ! Can I try out your broom ? '' Kaden begged.

Albus did not want Kaden on his new broom. Kaden had never flown before and Albus was sure he would gate-crash it. `` You can get watch, I guess. But drab, you ca n't try out my broom. ``

Kaden 's expression fell a bit, but he still looked charge, `` All right wing, let 's go ! At least I can catch you playact Quidditch. I still do n't see how it can be serious than football. ``

`` It is, '' Albus replied adamantly. He stood up and turned to his friends, `` You lot want to come in ? ``

`` Yeah, definitely ! '' John stood up. `` I 'll get my Calluna vulgaris and service you practice. ``

`` I 'll come up, '' matt agreed.

`` Do n't conceive so, '' Rose replied, `` I 'm going to do some prep. Want to stay here with me, Amanda. '' Rose gave Amanda a look.

`` Sure, '' Amanda said, `` See you later, Albus. ``

Albus and John grabbed their brooms from their dormitory and the four boys left the common room.

`` Rose and Amanda are probably having girl talk, '' Gospel According to John grinned.

`` Yeah, they 're probably talking about us, '' Albus laughed.

Albus, toilet, Matt, and Kaden spent the rest of the afternoon playacting Quidditch. Kaden watched the unit time, amazed that broom could enable people to fly. He still thought football was better, but Albus assured him that after he saw a compeer, he would shift his mind. Gospel According to John let lusterlessness fly his Scots heather for a footling while and Albus practiced his Chaser skills with both of them. By the meter night fell, and Albus was exhausted, bathroom and Matt were sure he would get on the team.



A/N : Thanks to my babe and genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to my early sister and my chum. Thanks to ginnyweasley98, XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, potterfan89, Moonylupin, and ladymblack for their reviews !

Just to let everyone be intimate, the next chapter might not be up until Friday of side by side week instead of Thursday. I might sustain to switch my update day to Friday instead of Thursday from now on, since school is starting and my Thursday are going to be quite busy.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus woke up the next day feeling very skittish. The Quidditch try-outs were n't until the afternoon, but Albus did n't eat much breakfast anyway. He spent most of the sunrise in the vernacular room with his friends, trying to get some homework done, but found that he could n't reduce. Eventually he gave up and played a few turn of Exploding elasticity with Gospel According to John, who was putting off his homework until the hold up minute.

Harry stopped by the Gryffindor table during lunch and wished Albus effective luck. Shortly after luncheon, Albus headed down to the Quidditch pitch with his new Scots heather over his shoulder. Rose, John Lackland, lustrelessness, and Amanda went with him.

`` Albus, hey, Albus ! '' Albus turned around as he was leaving the castle to see Kaden running out of the Great Hall.

`` What ? '' Albus asked impatiently. He was anxious to get down to the tar and see how many other the great unwashed were trying out. He did n't need to be late.

`` Are you going to try-outs now ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` Uh, yeah, '' Albus replied.

`` Oh, can I come ? '' Kaden asked hopefully.

`` Sure, '' Albus answered and stepped out of the castle. The group continued their walk to the lurch, listening to Kaden talk animatedly about his first week at Hogwarts. Albus did n't consider Kaden would ever run out of matter to say, and found his invariant jabbering a bit irritating. Albus was n't in the climate to hear about how professor Patil had yelled at half of Kaden 's transfiguration family the old day. Soon, Albus just adopted the policy of smiling and nodding when Kaden paused, like he did with his early younger full cousin. Right now, all Albus wanted to do was concentrate on his try-out.

John, flatness, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden went to go sit in the stands while Albus went down to the large bunch of Gryffindors trying out. Albus turned his aid to the other Chaser hopefuls gathered around him. There was a seventh year boy who Albus vaguely recognized as one of Sir Henry Morton Stanley 's Quaker, two burly looking 6th year male child who looked like they 'd throw better Beaters than pursuer, a couple fifth year fille, quite a few quarter and third age, and even a bunch of first long time. After a few to a greater extent minutes of waiting, the Gryffindor team emerged from the footlocker room, lead by Albus 's cousin, Georgia. Georgia had become the new captain over the summer. Albus distinctly remembered the morning she got the letter informing her of her captaincy. Her head had appeared in the fireplace at Grimmauld Place, where she shouted the intelligence so loudly, Ginny had dropped the ladle she was stirring porridge with.

`` Attention, please ! '' Georgia shouted over the crew. She had a very flash voice and everyone was quiet immediately. `` Thanks. Now, there 's only one available billet this yr, for pursuer. And I 'm not kicking any of stopping point class 's players off, so if any of you are seeking a positioning other than chaser, clear off now. ``

There were a few groans from the crowd, and the two 6th yr boys stalked off the field. One of the fourth years left as well.

`` Also, I 'm blue but the rules have not changed since last yr, and first old age are not allowed on the team. I encourage you to try out again when we next have usable office. '' The rather large radical of first long time scowled and left the sales talk in a huff.

`` Well, now that that 's taken tending of, '' Georgia pulled out a clip board, `` kickoff, I 'll call for to see you all fly around the lurch. fifth part through seventh old age first. ``

Albus watched as the old students flew around the pitch a few prison term. Georgia watched them carefully and wrote preeminence on her magazine add-in. Albus thought they all flew remarkably well except for one of the fifth year girls. She kept lurching downwards every meter she accelerated, almost falling off her heather. After a few turns around the pitch, the older students landed next to Georgia.

`` good. But I 'm sorry, Carrie, '' Georgia turned to the fifth year who did n't fly very well, `` I do n't guess you 're cut out for this. '' The girl shrugged and went to sit in the stands. She did n't expect too defeated and Albus suspected the only reason she tried out was because the other fifth year girl did n't require to do it alone.

Next, it was Albus 's turn to fly around the delivery. He took off along with the third and fourth geezerhood. Once in the air, he started feeling better about the try-out. He could do this, he was a serious flier. He sped around the delivery, going faster than the early students. Albus noticed that they were great fliers as well, even better than the one-seventh and 5th years who had flown earlier.

`` Excellent, '' Sakartvelo grinned as Albus landed in front of her. The others landed shortly after. `` Now I just have to see how well you work with Quaffles and the rest of the team. ``

During the next part of the try-outs, all the chaser hopeful went up into the air along with the rest of the squad and passed the Quaffle back and Forth. Albus only dropped it once. The same could n't be said for everyone else. Everyone else dropped it at least once. The only other person who only dropped it once was one of the one-fourth years, Gabe Bourne.

`` You all did great, '' Empire State of the South smiled after they finished tossing the Quaffle around, `` But I have narrowed it down to Gabe Bourne and Albus Potter. '' The other hopefuls sighed and left the pitch.

After this, GA simulated a material compeer, in rescript to come up out who fit comfortably with the squad. Albus, who had played pursuer with his cousin numerous time, worked quite well with Calluna vulgaris and Fred. Albus already knew the way they played and found that it was very easy to pass with them while he was flying.

`` All right wing, '' Peach State announced once everyone had landed, `` I 've decided on Albus Potter. I 'm gloomy, Gabe, feel free to try-out again another time. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus grinned. The rest of the squad clapped him on the berm and congratulated him.

`` I knew you 'd get it, Albus, '' James grinned.

`` frame, '' Gabe muttered as he left the sales pitch, `` Had to pick your cousin. Are n't there enough of them on the team ? ``

`` He 's just jealous, '' James commented. `` You obviously worked better with Heather and Fred. ``

`` Thanks, James, '' Albus grinned. He did n't wish what Gabe bourn thought. He was on the team !

`` Great job, Albus ! '' John shouted as he ran onto the pitch. `` I knew you 'd get it. ``

`` Yeah, congratulations ! '' Matt agreed. Rose and Amanda grinned.

`` Brilliant ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Maybe I 'll get to be on the team someday. ``

`` I thought you liked football, '' Albus laughed.

`` I do, football game 's still better than Quidditch, '' Kaden assured him, `` But flying is vivid. ``

`` Quidditch is better, '' Albus replied adamantly, `` But I 'll see you lot up in the castle. We 're going to outride and practice session a bit. ``

Albus and the rest of the team spent the whole afternoon practicing. Albus loved every bit of it. Georgia was very happy that Albus worked so well with Heather and Fred. Usually, when a team got a new Chaser it took a couple weeks for the new Chaser to get used to the team, but Albus fit right in. Georgia was trusted they would be ready for the start couple, and they might even be capable to win the Quidditch Cup again.

******

Albus climbed through the portraiture hole the conform to Thursday feeling thoroughly worn out. The Quidditch squad had just practiced for two time of day and Albus just got back from snagging a recent supper afterwards. The team was only practicing a pair Night a week, but it was enough that Albus hardly had any sentence for anything other than homework. He could only imagine what it would be like when they were practicing every night of the calendar week.

Albus immediately spotted John and Matt sitting at their usual board in the back. He looked longingly at the door leading to the dormitories. All he wanted to do was catch some Z's, but they had astronomy at midnight that night. Albus ran up to the dormitory for a few minute to posit his broom and get his schooltime bag, wishing all the spell that he could just collapse into bed.

`` Hi, guy wire, '' Albus said as he sunk into a chair at the table his friends were at.

`` Hi, Albus, '' King John greeted him, `` You look almost as bad as flatness does. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied flatly, but he knew he looked fatigued. Although not nearly as eject as Matt did. The replete moon was that dark matte was sleeping with his head on his transfiguration book.

`` How was practice session ? '' John asked, without looking up from her chronicle of Magic notes.

`` Exhausting, '' Albus replied, `` And I got hit with two Bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' John said.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, massaging his left arm where both Bludgers had made impinging. He heard the portraiture surface and saw Kaden coming in, looking more subdued than he usually did. He made a beeline for Albus and sat down adjacent to him.

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Albus said.

`` Hi, Albus. ``

`` Er, is something wrong ? '' Albus asked. He was n't used to seeing Kaden so quiet.

`` Patil assigned another essay today. A foot long ! '' Kaden shouted so loudly that Matt woke up. `` A whole infantry ! ``

Albus looked at Gospel According to John and both of them burst out laughing.

`` What 's so funny ? '' Kaden asked loudly, his voice returning to its usual tone.

`` It 's just, '' Albus grinned, `` that you seemed so in love with everything magical and it did n't seem like you thought anything was bad in the witching world and here at Hogwarts. You loved every single course of study and did n't have a charge. I knew that would change once you 'd been assigned a long essay. ``

`` Haha, '' Kaden replied flatly, `` But still ! I mean, come on, how can I save a base long essay about transfiguring matchsticks into needles ? It 's not that complicated ! You mutter an conjuration and your lucifer change, that 's all there is to it ! There 's no way I can stretch that into a foundation unless I write as big as Bethany does and I do n't think Patil would like it if I wrote like a seven-year-old. ``

`` A foot is nothing, '' Albus told him, `` Eventually, you 'll be doing essays that are two rolls of parchment. ``

`` Two rolls ! '' Kaden shouted, `` How is that possible ? It 's not ! I give up ! ``

`` Could you talk muted ? '' lusterlessness whispered.

Kaden paused long enough to look at Matt. `` You look terrible. You should go see lady Pomfrey. You know magic fixture everything ! It 's awing. I had a frigid the other day and she gave me a potion and it was gone in an instant ! ``

`` She ca n't fix this, '' matte muttered.

`` surely she can. I saw her fix this bloke 's bone with her wand. It was brilliant. She 'll have you better in no metre, '' Kaden assured him.

`` No she wo n't, '' matt said quietly.

Albus and John guess Kaden warning looking at. Albus willed his cousin-german to stop over talking now. Kaden had absolutely no idea what Matt went through every month. Albus was getting fed up with Kaden 's belief that everything about the wizarding world was wonderful and that magic fixed everything.

`` Yeah she will, '' Kaden pressed, `` Just go ask her for a potion. ``

`` Just forget it, '' Matt replied a bit more loudly, and stood up. He turned to Albus and John, `` I have to go now. I 'll see you tomorrow, right ? ``

`` Of line, '' Albus assured him.

`` Yeah, we 'll see you then, '' John said, `` Want me to total ? ``

`` No, I 'm mulct, '' mat replied and left the common room.

`` Is he going to see Madam Pomfrey ? '' Kaden asked, `` I do n't bed why he did n't go right when he got sick. Seems pudding head to me. ``

That was the last husk. Albus had had it with Kaden. He turned to his cousin with a flavour of craze in his middle. `` Kaden, just shut it ! '' he shouted. `` Do n't call him dullard ! You 've got no mind what illness he 's got, '' Albus whispered so that only Kaden and St. John the Apostle could hear him, but his voice was every bit as forceful as it had been when he was shouting. `` And get it through your chief that magic does not fix everything ! There are some things that Madam Pomfrey ca n't fix with potions. Do n't ever distinguish him to just go see Madam Pomfrey so she can make it all better. Because she ca n't. ``

Kaden stared at Albus and did n't say a word. His usual cheery smile faded away and was replaced by a look of shock and hurt. `` Sorry, '' he mumbled and got up from the board. He ran over to the dormitories and went up the stair without so much as a glimpse back to Albus.

Albus looked at John, who was wearing a face of shock on his face as well. `` I do n't think I 've ever heard you yell at anyone like that. Besides me, of course, when we were fighting over whether to state Matt we knew he was a loup-garou, '' John said quietly.

`` Yeah, well, he was really starting to get on my nerves, '' Albus replied, `` And this was it. He should n't have done that. He should have stopped talking when Matt said brothel keeper Pomfrey could n't help him. ``

`` But how was he supposed to have intercourse ? '' John asked, `` Do n't you reckon you were a bit harsh ? ``

`` No, '' Albus answered, `` Not when it comes to this. He 's got to learn not to butt against into Matt 's illness, especially if he 's going to be around us all the clip. ``

`` I 'm not for sure he will anymore, '' John replied.

The two acquaintance sat in secrecy for the side by side few minutes. Albus thought about what John had said. Maybe he had been too rough. Maybe he should accept just told Kaden not to incommode flatness. But Kaden had practically called lusterlessness pudding head, had n't he ? That was uncalled for. Could what Albus said really been enough to dissuade Kaden from disbursal sentence with Albus and the others ? Albus was n't sure. He was n't even for certain if he wanted Kaden to stop spending time with him. As much as Kaden annoyed him, he had grown used to his younger cousin being around.

`` You 're awfully quiet over here, '' rose said as she and Amanda sat down at the table. `` Oh, did Matt leave ? ``

Albus nodded. `` How is he ? '' rose wine asked.

`` He 'd have been better if it was n't for Kaden, '' lavatory pointed out.

rosebush groaned, `` What did he do ? ``

`` I was wondering why Kaden was n't here, '' Amanda said, `` It 's variety of odd seeing you without him around, Albus. ``

`` Kaden insisted that mat go get a potion from ma'am Pomfrey because he looked gruesome, '' John told the fille. Albus was perfectly willing to let bathroom tell apart the story. `` And of course he looked spew, considering what tonight is. But Kaden did n't know that, of course, and he would n't stop telling lustrelessness how witching can fix everything. ``

`` Oh, did he really ? '' blush wine sighed, `` Then what happened ? ``

`` lusterlessness left. I think he really did have to provide then, but I 'm certain he was pretty irritated by Kaden, '' John continued.

`` I 'll bet, '' Amanda said quietly, `` Your cousin does n't always know the well thing to say, Albus. ``

`` That 's why Albus yelled at him, '' King John announced.

`` What ? ! '' both fille shouted at the Same time.

`` Yup, '' Saint John replied, `` Probably would possess turned into a big row if Kaden had n't have just left. He 's in his dormitory right now. ``

`` Oh, Albus, you did n't, '' Rose sighed.

`` I did, '' Albus said, a little annoyed that rose seemed disappointed, `` And you would receive to if you 'd been there. I just told him I was tired of him talking about how magic fixes everything. I told him that there are some things that Madam Pomfrey 's potions wo n't fix and not to mention them around matt. I also yelled at him because he practically called mat stupid. Kaden said Matt was dazed for not getting a potion when he first got ill. ``

`` I see your gunpoint, '' rose wine replied, `` But honestly, Albus, you could feature said it without yelling. I think Kaden 's having a rough clip adjusting and making friends. Having you angry with him is n't going to help things. ``

`` Maybe if he learned to be quiet once and a while, he 'd make friends, '' Albus muttered.

`` well, you can apologize in the first light, '' Rose told him, while taking out her homework.

`` Apologize ? He 's the one who 's got to apologize to Matt, '' Albus said adamantly.

`` He does n't even have sex why that upset flatness, '' rosebush insisted, `` And unless you plan on telling him, he 's probably not going to rationalise. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. There was no way he was going to say Kaden that Matt was a werewolf. `` All right, ticket. I 'll apologize. But if he does that again, I 'll shout out at him again and I wo n't apologize. ``

`` And I 'll be right there yelling with you, '' John assured him.

`` son, '' Rose muttered to Amanda, who nodded.

******

Albus was extremely tired when he trudged down to breakfast with his friends the next dawning. Due to Astronomy, he had n't gotten to bed until 1:30 am, and had had about six hour of quietus. Albus had n't seen Kaden at all that morning, which was strange because Kaden usually waited for Albus in the green room before breakfast. Albus figured he was probably still upset about the former night. Albus really did n't require to apologize, but he supposed he would cause to.

Albus sat down and poured himself a glassful of orange juice. He was glad that it was a relatively easy day. reduplicate Herbology in the morning and then a single class of Potions after luncheon. Following Potions, Albus and his booster would go visit Matt in the hospital Wing. Albus felt like he would rather spend the day in the hospital Wing sleeping instead of going to category, but he knew that would n't happen.

The post owls flew into the room and Albus noticed his female parent 's owl flying towards him. The owl landed next to Albus, Albus took the letter of the alphabet, and the owl was off again.

`` Letter from Aunt Ginny ? '' rosebush asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus told her and opened the letter.

Dear Al,

How are you ? I hope your first two calendar week have gone well.
I 'm happy the new Charms teacher is nice, and I do trust
you 'll behave yourself in her class.

Congratulations on making the Quidditch squad ! I 'm so
proud of you. Lily is very excited as well and is
telling me that she is going to become the new
Keeper after GA graduates. We 'll see about that.

Dudley called last nighttime and told me about the row
you had with Kaden conclusion Night. I realize that Kaden
may accept been less than sympathetic with lusterlessness, but
please apologize to him. Kaden is having a rough
time adjusting to Hogwarts. I know it seems like
he loves everything wizardly, but he has not made a
whole lot of friends. He needs you to be kind to
him and include him in your activities.

With love,
Mum

Albus folded the letter and sighed. Even his female parent wanted him to apologize to Kaden. Did n't anyone sympathise that Kaden had been out of pipeline survive night ? John seemed to think so, but thought Albus should have been nicer about it.

`` Aunt Ginny agrees with me, '' rose commented.

`` Her and everyone else, '' Albus muttered. He still did n't really want to justify to Kaden.

`` Well, looks like you 'll let to rationalize later, '' Rose announced and stood up, `` We 've got to get to Herbology. ``

Relieved that he had an apology not to apologize now, Albus made his way to the greenhouses with his admirer. Neville spent the lesson teaching about mandrake root and helping the class to re-pot them. Albus found rather easy, but not everyone in the class did. One of the Mandrakes attached itself to Karina 's hair and would n't let go until Neville stunned it.

Albus did n't see Kaden at lunch and did n't have time to go find him before Potions, not that he minded. He was still mad at Kaden and did not want to rationalise. Potions was pretty irksome because all Slughorn did was lecture. Albus felt himself nodding off a few fourth dimension, only to be prodded awake by rosebush who was sitting side by side to him.



A/N : Thanks to my sister and genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my other baby and my brother. Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, potterfan89, ginnyweasley98, and Moonylupin for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




After Potions, Albus and his ally went to travel to Matt like they usually did after a wax moon. Albus was relieved that they did n't run into Kaden on the way there. He was n't for sure what he would say in ordination to stimulate off his cousin if Kaden decided to try and visit flatness with them.

`` hullo, fry, '' Madam Pomfrey greeted them as they entered the ward. She was used to them visiting by then and left them alone as long as they were n't too loud.

Albus made a beeline for the bed Matt usually stayed in and pulled back the pall. matt was sporting numerous cuts all over his case and blazon, a Black person eye, and bruises all along his branch. He was also asleep.

`` Aww, he 's sleeping, '' St. John the Apostle grinned mischievously as he shut the pall behind them.

`` well, that 's not really surprise, '' Rose commented, `` Maybe we should issue forth back later. ``

`` No, I 'm awake, '' flatness mumbled hoarsely and opened his eyes a bit. `` Is Kaden here ? ``

`` Nope, have n't seen him since hold out night, '' Albus told him.

flatness breathed a sigh of alleviation, `` Good. I was trying to come up with a something to tell him as to why I 'm here, but now I do n't have to. ``

`` I do n't think you 're going to give to worry about that, '' John replied.

`` Why not ? I 'm sure he 'll ask. He 's always hanging around. And finally nighttime he was so blinking irritating. I think I would 've had a go at him if I had n't had a splitting headache. ``

`` Albus had a go at him, '' toilet told him, and proceeded to tell Matt what had happened after he left.

`` Wow, Albus, '' lustrelessness said quietly when John had finished, `` Thanks, I guess. ``

`` No problem. I 'm not going to let him abut into why you 're vomit all the clip, '' Albus said.

`` And you have n't seen him since ? '' Matt asked.

`` Nope. He got really upset, I think. And Mum says I 've got to justify to him. I do n't really want to, though, '' Albus answered.

`` Well, you probably should. He is your cousin, after all. But I ca n't say I 'd mind if he did n't pass as much time with us, '' matte told him.

`` I know, me too, '' Albus responded. `` Anyway, how are you ? ``

`` Been better, been bad, '' mat replied, `` Got a few broken ribs, but ma'am Pomfrey fixed them. I 'm just a bit sore. And tired, of form. ``

`` When do you get to leave ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Probably Sunday, '' matte yawned.

`` Do you want us to lead so you can catch some Z's ? '' Rose asked.

`` No, I 've got all night to sleep. tell me what I missed in family. ``

`` Well, a mandrake attached itself to Karina 's tomentum in Herbology, '' Albus told him.

`` Bet she loved that, '' Matt stifled a laugh.

`` And Albus fell asleep in Potions, '' rosebush announced, `` I had to rouse him up a few times. ``

`` I was n't asleep. I was just closing my eyes for a bit, '' Albus insisted. `` Slughorn was just talking and it was boring. I had Quidditch practice yesterday and astronomy. I 'm tired. ``

`` What did I miss in astronomy ? ``

`` Not a great deal. Just review, mostly. Phases of the Moon, that form of thing, '' Albus replied.

`` I think I 've got those down pretty well, '' Matt laughed. Everyone else started laughing, too. Albus was well-chosen that Matt was getting to be more comfortable about talking and joking about his stipulation with them.

Albus and the others spent the residuum of the metre until dinner in the Hospital backstage with lustrelessness. Once dinner sentence came, Madam Pomfrey chased them out. Albus knew he 'd hold to lecture to Kaden soon, but he did n't get the opportunity to during dinner. After they finished eating, Albus and his friend went up to the common room to get started on their growing flock of homework.

`` You should go talk to Kaden now, '' Rose said as she looked up from her notes.

Albus sighed. He had just gotten started on an essay that he really did n't feel like writing, but he 'd rather write it than talking to Kaden. `` I do n't even see him in here, pink wine. ``

`` He 's over there, sitting by himself, '' pink wine pointed behind Albus.

`` Just get it over with, Albus, '' John told him as he twirled his calamus around his fingers, `` You 've got to do it sometime. Just apologize and tell him not to inconvenience matt anymore. Make sure he knows that, because if he does that again I 'll yell at him, too. And I 'm often tatty than you, '' King John grinned.

`` He 's your cousin, Albus, you 've got to at least be polite to him, '' Amanda said, `` Even if you 're not comfortably acquaintance. ``

`` That 'll never hap, '' Albus rolled his eyes. `` Oh, fine, I 'll go talk to him. ``

Albus got up from the tabular array and squeezed his way through the crowded commons room to the death chair Kaden was sitting in. Kaden was leafing through his potions text book and writing the occasional tone down on a piece of sheepskin. `` Er, hi Kaden, '' Albus said and sat down in the chairwoman opposite his first cousin. `` Could I talk to you ? ``

`` Oh, hi Albus, '' Kaden replied quietly, `` I thought you were still mad at me. ``

`` That 's what I wanted to talk to you about. ``

`` Oh, well, go ahead, '' Kaden closed his potions book.

`` I guess I just want to say I 'm pitiful for yelling at you last night, '' Albus said as he picked at a loose thread on the chair. `` I did n't really mean to upset you. I just wanted you to stop telling Matt to go to the hospital Wing. He told you to discontinue and you did n't. ``

`` well, I thought Madam Pomfrey could just feed him a potion and he 'd be all in effect, you know, like magic trick, '' Kaden gave a halfhearted laugh, `` I just do n't get why anyone would n't go get a potion when they 're ghastly. ``

Albus sighed. He knew it was clock time for Kaden to sympathise that magic did n't fix everything. `` Kaden, you 've got to read that magic ca n't fix everything. I do n't cogitate you get that yet. I know it 's heavy to come into the magical humankind after keep in the Muggle one for eleven years. Well, actually, I guess I do n't screw that. You 'd be undecomposed off talking to Amanda about that, or my dad, or my Aunt Hermione- ''

`` I think magic is crashing vivid ! '' Kaden interrupted.

`` That 's the thing ! '' Albus stared his cousin in the eye, `` Not all trick is smart as a whip ! And it wo n't fix everything ! ``

`` I do n't see why it ca n't, '' Kaden shrugged, `` It 's magic after all. ``

`` This is why nigh Muggles do n't get laid about magical. Most of them think conjuration can fix all their problems, just like you do, '' Albus explained, `` But it ca n't. And I guess you 'll just have to determine that for yourself, if you do n't conceive me. ``

`` I think I do consider you, Albus, '' Kaden replied, `` And I already know that not all deception is good. I remember what you told me about Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, I think you do cognise that, '' Albus agreed, `` But back to the early thing. You 've got to empathise that there are some, er, '' Albus chose his Christian Bible carefully so as not to give away mat 's secret, `` illnesses, that ca n't be fixed by magic. They 're worsened than your average cold or flu, and the Healers, those are magic doctors, have n't found cures yet. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. Albus could tell he was giving this a effective bit of idea. `` But why ca n't you just wave your baton and make it better ? ``

Albus sighed. This was heavily than he thought. He tried to think of a way of putting this in a Muggle perspective. Amanda would be better at this, he thought. Or even Rose. `` I 'm not for sure exactly why. It just wo n't work. I guess magical healing is n't that different than Muggle practice of medicine. therapist try to see therapeutic just like MD do. Doctors ca n't fix everything either, like cancer, '' Albus remembered a Muggle disease he heard his dad talking about once, one that was very backbreaking to bring around. `` Doctors try to fix it and sometimes they do, but there 's no curative. ``

Kaden 's eye opened wide of the mark and he whispered, `` lusterlessness 's got cancer ? ``

`` Oh, no ! '' Albus exclaimed, `` superstar do n't get that ; it 's a Muggle disease. And what he 's got is n't the wizard variation of it. He 's not going to die from it. He just gets sickish every once and a while. What you 've got to understand is that brothel keeper Pomfrey ca n't fix it with potions. So, you should n't recount him to go get some. Just do n't observe anything like that. And definitely do n't bid him dolt for not going to see brothel keeper Pomfrey, '' Albus said sternly.

Kaden nodded his head solemnly. Finally he seemed to be getting it, Albus thought. `` But what has he got ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had hoped this would n't occur up, but he knew it would. `` I ca n't evidence you. That 's for him to tell you, if he wants to. And honestly, I do n't imagine he will. So do n't ask him, ever. ``

`` You know what it is, right Albus ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, I do, '' Albus replied. `` Oh, and do n't talk about this with anyone else, besides me. Not any of the other first off old age, or anyone. Do n't advert that you know anything whatsoever about him getting tired of. Promise me you wo n't. ``

Kaden looked questioningly at his cousin. `` I wo n't. But why is it so secretive ? ``

`` It 's all office of what it is, and that 's all I 'm going to say, '' Albus stood up.

`` All right wing, so you 're not mad anymore ? ''

`` No, '' Albus replied. `` I 've got to go eat up an essay. You want to come sit with us ? '' Albus was n't sure what his friends would conceive of Kaden sitting with them, heck he was n't really sure if he wanted Kaden to sit with them, but it seemed like the right affair to do.

A huge smiling appeared on Kaden 's typeface and he stood up. `` Yeah, of course ! ``

Albus walked back to his friends, Kaden following like a puppy, and he knew things were back to normal.

******

`` Hey, Albus, '' Kate Waverly sat down following to Albus at breakfast the following Mon.

`` Oh, hi Kate, '' Albus said once he 'd get down his mouthful of eggs.

`` Listen, I 've been trying to find a sentence for dueling practice, '' she began, `` It 's been harder than I thought it 'd be. I obviously ca n't do it during Quidditch practice. I do n't think the unhurt team will be able to meet at the Saame time ; it just wo n't work. But that 's all right. The team I was on end year rarely ever met at the like fourth dimension. I 've been talking to everyone and it looks like Wednesday eve will operate for a lot of people. Can you make it ? ``

Albus thought for a moment. He had been wondering when the first dueling recitation would take place. can and Rose had already been to their first practices. matte missed his because it took place while he was in the hospital fender. `` I should be able-bodied to prepare it, '' he told Kate.

Kate grinned, `` Great. How about you, Amanda ? '' she turned to Amanda, who was sitting across from Albus.

`` Sure, I 'll be there. I have n't gotten anything else to do besides homework, '' she laughed.

`` perfect tense. The meeting will be in the dueling room, seven in the evening. I 've already talked to Professor thrower and he said it 's free. I 've got to go talk to the Slytherins now. I 've been saving them for final stage, '' she groaned and walked over to the Slytherin table.

`` Finally, we 're having a meeting ! '' Albus said excitedly. `` I ca n't hold off to start dueling people. ``

`` Me too, '' Amanda grinned.

`` It 's pretty brilliant, '' St. John the Apostle told them, `` We have n't really learned any new while yet, but I got to disarm a couple on people. ``

`` I disarmed a couple third gear geezerhood at my confluence, '' Rose announced. `` I 'm sex about learning new spells, though. ``

`` Wish I had n't missed mine, '' Matt muttered.

`` You 'll make it to the next one, '' Albus assured him, `` You heard Kate, not everyone makes it to every meeting. ``

`` Can I go with you to the meeting, Albus ? Please ? '' Kaden begged.

`` I do n't conceive you can, sorry, '' Albus told him, `` initiatory years are n't allowed. ``

Kaden mumbled something that sounded like 'stupid linguistic rule'and left to go to his first class.

`` We ought to go, too, '' blush wine announced. Albus and his Friend left the Great Hall and made their way to Transfiguration.

The next few days seemed to drag on for an eternity. Albus was very excited about the dueling practice and he did not sense like concentrating on anything else. He momentarily forgot about it during Quidditch practice session on Tuesday, but once that was finished, he was back to waiting impatiently for dueling.

After dinner on Wednesday, Albus and Amanda said goodbye to their friends and made their way to the dueling room. When they got there, they saw 7 or 8 early educatee, along with Kate Waverly milling about. Albus noticed that the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs were all talking with each former, but the Slytherins were sulking by themselves in one corner.

A couple more students ran into the room as Albus and Amanda went over to the grouping of non-Slytherins. Harry walked in a moment later, and stood next to Kate in the front of the room.

Kate looked at the clock and then back at the squad. `` All right, I think most of us are here. I 'm Kate Waverly, 4th year Ravenclaw, as nigh of you know. I know a lot of you are n't well-chosen about the inter-house team this yr, but we 'll have to plow with it. It 's not slow for me, either. death year, captains only had to suit one Quidditch squad, this yr we have to reconcile four.

`` Professor Potter, professor Longbottom, or one of the other professor will supervise the practices, at least for the offset few. But if you have an issue, delight number to me first because I 'm the captain. Now, for our number one merging, I 'd just like to assess what dueling skill you 've got. So distich off and disarm each other. Disarm only. ``

Albus and Amanda stepped a few foot apart and faced each other. `` prepare ? '' Amanda asked.

Albus grinned, `` You know, if this was a real duel, you would n't ask me if I 'm ready. ``

`` I know, '' Amanda laughed, `` I 'm just used to it. ``

`` It 's all rightfulness. ``

A few second gear later, Amanda shouted out, `` Expelliarmus ! ``

Albus felt his scepter quiver in his bridge player, but it stayed there. `` That was a good try, '' he said.

`` I 've done it in class, '' Amanda told him.

`` I know. I 've seen you. ``

`` You try now. ``

`` Ok, '' Albus pointed his wand at Amanda and shouted, `` Exeplliarmus ! '' Amanda 's wand flew out of her hand and it landed at Albus 's feet.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Kate shouted from across the room.

`` Nice one, '' Amanda told him.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied, `` You try again. ``

Albus and Amanda disarmed each other for the next fifteen minutes. Amanda managed to disarm Albus a couple times, but she was n't nearly as good at it as Albus was.

`` All right ! '' Kate shouted, `` Switch partners, everyone ! Preferably someone who 's not in your house. ``

`` ceramist, '' Malfoy appeared succeeding to Albus, smirking at him, `` Let me show everyone how much of a good dueler I am. ``

`` Bring it on, Malfoy, '' Albus growled, suddenly wanting to hex Malfoy, rather than just disarm him.

`` Too bad we 're not on separate team, '' Malfoy commented, `` Then I could pass over the base with you in a real affaire d'honneur. Oh, well, this 'll have to do. ``

`` Bit full of yourself, are n't you ? '' Albus muttered, raising his wand.

`` Expelliarmus ! '' Malfoy shouted. Albus 's sceptre flew out of his handwriting and landed a couple metrical unit away. `` Told you, '' he laughed. `` I am a ripe dueler than you. ``

`` I have n't tried disarming you yet, Malfoy, '' Albus replied, `` Do n't count your Snidgets before they hatch. ``

`` Give me your big, potter, '' Malfoy smirked.

`` Expelliarmus ! '' Albus shouted with all the force he could come up. Malfoy 's wand left his hired man and landed a copulate feet away, just as Albus 's had done. `` There, we 're even. ``

`` We 'll never be even, Potter, '' Malfoy replied haughtily.

`` Great job, everyone ! '' Kate announced, `` That 's enough for now. I see we have some corking duellist in here. With a trivial practice, I 'm sure we 'll shell the former squad. I think for simplicity, I 'll hold practice every week this same day and time. It might be in a different elbow room occasionally, and I 'll let you live if it is. Do n't worry if you ca n't make all the confluence. Just try and make as many as you can. I 'll see everyone side by side week. ``

`` That was pretty fun, '' Amanda said as they were getting ready to leave.

`` Yeah, although I could do without Malfoy, '' Albus replied

`` Hey, Al, '' Harry put his arm around his son, `` Could I talk to you for a bit ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus said and then turned to Amanda, `` I 'll see you in the green room. ``

`` All right, '' Amanda left the room.

`` I have n't had a prospect to talk to you much, '' Harry said once the room was vacate. He walked over to a pair chairs and sat down in one. He patted the one adjacent to him. `` How have you been ? ``

`` Great. I love Quidditch, '' Albus grinned and sat down in the chairperson next to his dad.

`` I 'm glad you made the team, although I heard some of the other Gryffindors were n't too happy. ``

`` Yeah, a duo cerebration I just got on the team because Georgia 's captain. And Ryan 's the only one who 's not a Weasley or a Potter on the squad now, '' Albus explained.

`` I 'm surely that 's not why you made the team, '' Harry assured him. `` You 're a great pursuer. ``

`` And I 'm already used to working with Heather and Fred. ``

`` Exactly, you were the best one, '' Harry agreed, `` How have category been ? ``

`` fine. good luck charm is much best than last year. I like Professor Cedonia. ``

`` She 's very prissy. She 's definitely not the usual form of instructor Hogwarts has, but that 's not really a bad thing, '' Harry commented.

`` Yeah, she has n't given out many hold, '' Albus told him.

`` But she has her division under control. I think the other teachers could larn a lot from her. ``

`` I 'd get laid it if nobody gave out detainment anymore, '' Albus grinned.

`` That 's not really what I meant, but anyway, '' Harry continued, `` I heard you had some difficulty with Kaden recently. Mum sent me an owl about it. ``

Albus felt his cheeks number red. `` Er, yeah, but it 's all worked out now. I 'm not mad at him anymore. ``

`` glad to pick up it, '' Harry smiled, `` If you have anymore job, feel free to come to me. I know Kaden can be a bit, er, exuberant, to put it nicely. ``

Albus laughed, `` I 'll say. He just does n't get laid when to throw in the towel sometimes. ``

`` Some people are like that, '' Harry stood up. `` It 's getting late. You should probably go back to Gryffindor. ``

`` All rightfield, '' Albus stood up as well and gave his dad a hug. `` G'night, Dad. ``

`` 'Night, Al, '' Harry gave his son a hug back and the two of them left the room.




Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter. Nor do I own 'Bothering Snape'or anything else related to Potter Puppet Pals.




The second one-half of Sep passed the same way the first half had. Albus 's twenty-four hour period were filled with grade, prep, Quidditch practice, and dueling pattern. Albus was really enjoying both Quidditch and dueling, although he liked Quidditch better. Kate had begun teaching them new go in dueling, and it was fun, but Malfoy kept trying to better half up with Albus during practices. Albus suspected that Malfoy was trying to beat Albus in one of the drill duels, but he had yet to succeed. The inaugural dueling meet was n't until the end of October and Kate felt that the squad would be fully prepared by then.

Kaden was quickly becoming a permanent mending in Albus 's grouping of protagonist. After Albus apologized and invited Kaden to sit with them in the common room, he just never left. He was always with them whenever they were n't in course of study and because of this, Albus and his Quaker were spending much less metre in the way of requisite than they had the second one-half of their first twelvemonth. They seemed to have come to an unspoken agreement not to shew Kaden the Room, and Albus was perfectly felicitous with this. After all, there might eventually come a day when Albus and the others needed to be alone, without Kaden, and the Room might be the only space in Hogwarts where they could go.

The second Sunday of Oct, Albus found himself looking for his friends after a particularly long Quidditch practice. He shouldered his Calluna vulgaris, feeling very worn-out, and headed back to the castle. It was a tender tumble day, not a cloud in the sky, and a cool snap was blowing. It had been the perfect day for Quidditch practice. Albus had gotten his showtime taste of Quidditch practice in the pelting a couple weeks back and he had n't enjoyed it in the slightest.

On his way back to the rook, Albus noticed Saint John the Apostle and Matt sitting a couple yards away from the Whomping Willow, beneath another Tree. Kaden was wandering around nearby, playing with what appeared to be a round piece of charge card attached to a tenacious string. Albus went over to bathroom and mat and sat down next to them.

`` How was drill ? '' mat asked.

`` Exhausting, '' Albus replied, `` What have you been up to ? ``

`` Sitting around, putting off doing our homework, '' Saint John grinned.

`` And watching Kaden play with that Muggle toy, '' matte laughed.

`` What is that thing ? '' Albus stared at the patch of credit card as it went up and down on the string.

`` He calls it a 'yo-yo', '' John explained. `` Never seen anything like it. ``

`` I think I had one when I was really little, '' matt commented, `` But I must cause lost it ages ago. ``

`` How long has he been playing with it ? '' Albus asked, amazed that Kaden, who could n't sit still for fifteen minutes, could have the attention twain to play with that toy.

`` About fifteen minutes, '' mat told him, `` But I think he 's noticed you, Albus. ``

Sure enough, Kaden pocketed his yo-yo and ran over to Albus. `` Hi Albus ! How was Quidditch practice ? ``

`` Good, '' Albus told him, `` Tiring, but good. ``

`` I was watching. I think I 'd like to be a Beater, it looks like fun to whack those Bludgers around, '' Kaden grinned.

Albus, who personally thought Kaden should not be allowed near a Beater 's bat after he nearly put person 's eye out with his wand a span times, laughed. `` Well, we wo n't be needing a new Beater for a while, '' he turned to trick and Matt, `` Where are rose and Amanda ? ``

`` Up in the palace, doing homework, probably, '' John replied, `` They did n't want to number outside. ``

Kaden stood up and stared at the Whomping Willow. `` D'you think that tree could pop someone ? ``

`` Probably, '' Albus said.

`` Wonder why they planted it, then, '' Kaden started to walk a lilliputian close-fitting to the tree.

Albus glanced at his protagonist and saw a look of affright appear in Matt 's center. Why was it that Kaden always seemed to question the things that had to do with Matt 's being a werewolf ?

`` Er, Dumbledore probably thought it was funny, '' Albus lied.

`` He was mad, then, '' Kaden inched even closer to the tree, whose thrashing branches were now just a couple feet away from him.

`` A bit, yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` But he was brilliant, too. ``

`` It 's so unknown, though. I 've never seen a tree like this, '' Kaden started to circle the tree.

`` That 's because it 's magic, '' Albus told him.

`` You should probably step back, Kaden, '' lustrelessness warned him.

`` I 'll be careful, '' Kaden took a few Sir Thomas More steps towards the tree. He was now within reach of its branches. `` must be a hard Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. '' He started to try and have-to doe with one of the branches, but the tree got there first and hit him on the leg with one of its branch. `` Ouch ! '' Kaden shrieked.

Albus, flatness, and John all stood up and ran over to him, but not close enough that they could get hit.

`` Kaden, I told you not to go near it ! '' mat shouted.

`` It did n't even break the peel. I 'm fine, '' Kaden assured him and went back to inspecting the tree diagram. But the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree did n't like Kaden around it and started to hit him more forcefully. `` Ow ! ``

Albus rushed forward, dodging offshoot as he went. `` Kaden, move ! ``

But Kaden did n't move away from the Tree. A branch hit him in the capitulum and knocked him over. He stood up a little and peered closer at the tree 's base.

`` Kaden, get away from there ! '' Matt screamed in a very shaky timber. `` I 'm severe, proceed ! ``

`` I think there 's a hole down there ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly.

Albus saw all the color drain from lustrelessness 's face, and he knew that Kaden had just found out how to get into the secret passageway that led to the Shrieking Shack. Albus was about to go grab Kaden away from the tree, when he disappeared from sight.

`` Oh, no, oh, no ! '' lusterlessness shrieked, shaking his school principal back and forth.

Albus rushed forward towards the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. It hit him on his berm and his mind as he tried to sidestep the branches. He crept closer, still getting hit, and saw the hole Kaden was talking about. But it did n't seem like there was any way to get into it without being killed. Albus had no musical theme how Kaden had done it.

matte ran forward and grabbed a foresightful subdivision that was on the ground. He wordlessly shoved it into the theme of the tree, and the branches stopped. Albus turned to seem at him, but he said aught. Albus quickly jumped into the hollow and found Kaden crouching in the entree of a long tunnel.

`` This is amazing ! '' Kaden grinned, `` I 've found a secret passageway ! ``

`` Listen, Kaden, we 've got to get out of here, '' Albus said urgently.

`` Aw, come on, Albus. Let 's follow it ! ``

`` No, Kaden, we ca n't, '' Albus insisted.

`` You do n't seem very excited, '' Kaden commented and he stared at Albus for a few minute. `` I know, you already know about this, do n't you ? ``

`` Er, I, '' Albus tried to think up something to tell Kaden. He was n't a very honest lier, `` mulct, I do already have a go at it about it. My dad told me about it. But I have n't been in it. scholarly person are n't supposed to go in it. That 's why we 've got to leave, we 'll be in huge trouble. ``

`` Do you know where it leads ? '' Kaden asked.

`` No, '' Albus lied. He figured he 'd be able to pull that lie off, and he did n't want to evidence Kaden where the handing over led to. `` Now let 's go. ``

Kaden sighed, `` amercement. But you 're ruining the fun. ``

Albus did n't say another Book. He quickly climbed out of the hole, hoping that whatever matt had done to hold on the branches was still working. Luckily, it was, and Albus was able to climb out without receiving anymore injuries. Kaden climbed out behind him, the huge grin still on his face.

John and lustrelessness were standing nearby, but not near enough to be hit with branches. Matt was looking white as a ghost, clearly worried that Kaden had found the shriek hovel. Albus was just about to evidence his friends that Kaden had n't gone down the burrow when he heard a vocalism behind him.

`` Playing with the Whomping willow. That is clearly against the rules. ``

Albus turned around and saw Filch making his way slowly towards them. Great, he thought, this is just what they needed.

`` Yes, yes, '' Filch wheezed, `` Follow me, delinquents. ``

Albus turned to search at John and Matt. John was looking pretty calm, but lusterlessness was still as pale as Nearly Headless gouge. Kaden also looked a bit upset, but not nearly as much as Matt. Albus was a little nervous as well. He had never gotten in hassle with the caretaker before. He had heard revulsion chronicle about Filch and was n't sure enough which ace were true.

Albus followed Filch up to the castle in between John and Matt. Kaden was walking a little ways behind them. None of them said a parole. Filch was muttering to himself as he slowly lead the group up to the castle. They continued following Filch through the castling while other students stared at them. The former students were whispering amongst themselves as Albus and the others passed. Albus stared at the ground and tried to ignore them. Why was his trouble making always so bare ? Of course of action, this was n't even his defect, Albus thought bitterly. It was all Kaden 's fracture. Why did he have to save messing with the tree ? He never seemed to require to let anything go. When he got an thought into his brain, he never seemed to let go of it until Albus either yelled at him or physically stopped him.

Filch led them into a small, cramped, dark billet filled with various Muggle cleanup implements. There were only 3 chairs in the room, one of which was behind Filch 's desk and he sat in it immediately. Matt took one of the early chairs, as he appeared so neural that he might pass out. Kaden immediately started snooping around the bureau, while Albus and John remained standing and watching Filch 's every move.

`` It 's in here somewhere, '' Filch muttered as he rifled through a cabinet. `` Let 's see. B. fighter towards teachers, bothering house imp, bothering magical fauna, bothering Snape, bothering former students, ah, here it is ! Bothering the Whomping willow tree. '' Filch grinned and pulled out a bit of parchment. He set it down on his desk and looked up at Albus and the others.

Albus glanced at St. John the Apostle, who shrugged. None of them had ever been in Filch 's office before and had no musical theme what to expect. Albus was prepared for the bad, including being shackled to the wall, as his first cousin Fred told him Filch had done.

`` Quite the radical of trouble shaper you are, '' Filch muttered, `` I 've got the figure right here, already made. Had quite a few others torment that tree diagram in the past times, especially after it was first planted. ``

Albus had his doubts as to whether Filch actually knew why the Tree was planted. Matt seemed to be getting more nervous with every credit of the Whomping willow, and Albus could n't blame him.

Filch opened his sass and was about to say something when there was a crash behind Albus. Albus turned around and saw Kaden standing with a few dozen Fanged Frisbees at his feet. He was holding one in his hand and there was an empty box next to him.

`` Do n't touch anything ! '' Filch shouted and ran out from behind his desk. He yanked the Frisbee out of Kaden 's hand and picked up the others. He shoved the box back on the shelf and went back behind his desk.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden mumbled. Filch ignored him.

`` back to your penalisation, '' Filch continued, picking up a quill feather. `` Full names ? ``

For a break up mo, Albus considered giving Filch a fake name, but figured it would do no good with his dad as a teacher. `` Albus Severus ceramist. ``

Filch wrote his name down and a grin spread across his face. `` Following in your don 's footsteps ? And your grandfather 's ? Yes, yes, I have an entire drawer in my filing cabinet dedicated to your gramps and his delinquent friends. I do believe he once bothered the Whomping willow as well. ``

Albus ignored Filch 's reminiscing. He had not been bothering that tree. He had been saving Kaden from it. Although what Filch said had sparked his curiosity. Why had his grandfather messed with the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ? He knew his gramps loved to micturate trouble, but that tree concealed one of his best friend 's secrets. Maybe it had happened before he knew about it, Albus thought.

`` What about the balance of you delinquent ? '' Filch growled.

`` Gospel According to John Malcolm Brickston, '' John replied. Filch wrote it down and glared at Matt.

`` Matthew Conan Eckerton, '' matt mumbled very softly.

`` And you ? '' Filch glared at Kaden after he wrote down Matt 's name.

`` Kaden cock Dursley, '' Kaden announced.

`` Right, '' Filch finished filling out the form and put it into his very large filing cabinet. `` Your penalty. Three night'hold. Tonight you 'll be scrubbing cauldrons, Muggle style of form, in the Potions way. Tomorrow you can do lines. And Monday you 'll make clean the Astronomy towboat, without magic as well. Meet me in the donjon 8pm sharp tonight. Now get out of here. ``

Albus wrenched the doorway open and ran out of the office as fast as he could. Three nighttime of detainment ! Two of which would be spent doing Muggle cleansing ! That was coarse. Albus was angry now. Why did Kaden throw to go near that tree ? None of them would be in this mess if he had n't. Albus stalked all the way up to Gryffindor tugboat, with lav and Matt adjacent to him, nobody saying a word. Kaden ran along aside them, trying to get them to mouth to him. Albus knew what they had to do now. They had to make sure Kaden did not narrate anyone about that tunnel.

When they climbed through the portrait yap, Albus was relieved to see that both Bilius and Ethan were in the common elbow room. That meant the dorm room was loose and Albus could talk to Kaden up there. He wordlessly led the group to the dorm and shut the door behind them.

`` Ok, what is wrong with you lot ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` Why are you so quiet ? ``

`` We just got in trouble because of you ! '' Albus shouted.

`` Well, sorry ! '' Kaden responded, `` But it 's not that bad, it 's just cleaning. ``

`` Three Night worth ! '' Matt groaned, `` And I did n't even do anything. Neither did John or Albus. ``

`` Albus was in that tunnel with me, '' Kaden pointed out.

`` Only to get you out ! '' Albus reminded him, `` And if you remember, we told you legion multiplication to impart that tree diagram alone. This is what I was talking about last month, Kaden. You never stop when people ask you to. And I 've been in Hogwarts longer than you have, if I tell you to stop doing something, luck are there 's a goodness reason for it ! And this one just seemed like mutual sense to me ! 'Do n't go near the Tree that could kill you .'Why on earth would n't you listen to that ? ``

`` Jeesh, Albus, '' Kaden replied, a little quieter, `` I was just curious about it. ``

`` Curiosity killed the kneazle, '' John muttered.

`` What ? '' Kaden stared at him.

`` Kneazle, it 's a magical creature, '' John the Evangelist explained.

`` Oh, well, Muggles just say wonder killed the cat. ``

`` That 's strange, '' lav said.

`` Anyway, '' Albus continued, `` You ca n't enjoin anyone about that burrow and I mean anyone. Not your mum, not your dad, not your sister, not any of the early first years, no Muggles or Wizards, young or old, '' Albus turned to John and Matt, `` Have I left anything out ? ``

`` Do n't tell any animals either, '' John added, `` Or what appear to be inanimate physical object either, you never know in this office. ``

Kaden stared at them with a confused look on his face. `` Why not ? It looks to be a mystical passage ! ``

If it was possible, Matt seemed to rick even whiter. `` Do n't secern anyone, '' he said forcefully. `` And do n't go back into it. Ever. ``

Kaden sighed. `` You lot take all the fun away. ``

`` Trust me, Kaden, what 's beyond that tunnel is n't fun, '' Albus told him.

`` But you said you did n't screw what was beyond it ! ``

Oh, right, Albus thought. This was why he was a bad lier. He could never keep the lies straight. Now what was he going to say ? `` Oh, er, well, I kind of do know. But trust me, it 's nothing serious. It 's not even that exciting, pretty boring really. ``

`` And you 're not going to tell me what it is, are you ? '' Kaden looked at all of them.

`` Nope, '' toilet replied.

`` So you all know where it goes ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' John answered.

`` I just do n't get it. You lot seem to be keeping quite a few things secret from me. Are they special secrets only citizenry with wizard parents can experience ? '' Kaden asked darkly.

Albus was shocked. Where had his full cousin total up with something like that ? `` No ! Of course of study not ! Why in the gens of Merlin 's whiskers would you call up that ? ``

`` Certain the great unwashed here seem to think Muggle-borns should n't be taught trick, '' Kaden explained.

Albus knew this, of course of study. He just had n't known that they were bothering Kaden. `` Who, Kaden ? And are they doing this to you ? ``

`` Um, yeah, a bit, '' Kaden muttered, `` Mainly Felix Willinson. ``

Albus groaned. He should bear known. Felix had n't bothered Albus at all so far, but apparently he, like his cousin, enjoyed bullying other students. `` Just stay away from him. And if he bothers you again, just tell me. I 'll get my cousin-german to set him straight. ``

`` All right field, '' Kaden replied, `` And I really am no-count about the Whomping willow tree thing. ``

`` It 's ok, '' Albus assured him. `` We 'll just sustain you do most of the cleaning these next few nights, '' he grinned.



A/N : Thanks to my Beta and sister, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my other sister and my brother. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Niki Lily, drownzer, XDNLxtlz99, Moonylupin, and potterfan89 for their reviews !


Diclaimer- I do n't own Harry potter. Nor do I own Monty Python, Spamalot, or any of their associate material.




Albus never thought he would make a sorry hold than the one he had cleaning the trophy room the former year. He thought Washburn had been the sorry person to give detention with, but he was incorrectly. Albus went through his whole first yr without getting in trouble with Filch, and he was very happy about that. By the time he finished his instant detention on Monday Nox, he was beginning to wish he was doing detention with Washburn instead. At least Washburn had n't breathed down his neck the entire time. Filch spent all of Sunday Night staring at them while they scrubbed caldron, and all of the previous dark staring at them as they churned out line after job. Filch seemed to ingest joy in watching the students rub their hands raw while scrubbing the caldron. Of row, the stemma could have been considered a skillful break in between the two cleanup events.

By the time Albus trudged into the common room on Tuesday evening after Quidditch practice, he was ready to be done with detention. But no such portion ; it was their final Night and Filch was sure to relish every minute of it. Albus quickly dropped his Scots heather off in his dormitory and went back to the common room to drop the ten second they had before they had to go out for detention.

`` The last matter I want to do is go clean something, '' Albus groaned.

`` Looks like you need to clean your clothes, '' John the Evangelist laughed.

Albus shot him a dirty feeling. `` What do you expect ? It 's raining and it 's miry and I just spent 45 minutes flying around. ``

`` I know, '' privy grinned.

`` Georgia was n't happy about me leaving early, '' Albus told him. `` She 's ruthless. ``

`` I 'll bet, '' John agreed.

`` Hey, where 's flatness ? '' Albus asked, looking around the plebeian room.

`` Room of requisite, '' John replied. `` Been there since right after you left for drill. ``

`` Oh, right, '' Albus said, remembering that the full moon moon was the play along evening. `` Why are n't you there with him ? ``

`` Wanted to, '' Gospel According to John sighed, `` Could n't agitate Kaden. He 's been with me ever since you left. In fact, I think that 's why Matt left. He could n't get any rest with Kaden around. ``

`` But he 's not here now, '' Albus commented, noticing that Kaden was n't in the common room.

`` He went to put his Scripture in his student residence, '' Gospel According to John explained, `` I 'm certainly he 'll be back at any moment. ``

As if on cue, Kaden came flying out of the door leading to the dormitories and made a beeline for Albus and John. `` quick ? It 's the conclusion dark ! '' Kaden announced.

`` Yes, we know, '' John said, `` You 've been telling us that all day. ``

`` Where 's lustrelessness ? Have n't seen him since dinner. He 'd better hurry up, wherever he is, '' Kaden peered around the room.

Albus and John exchanged looks. `` I 'll find him, '' Albus replied quickly. `` You two go on ahead. ``

This time it was privy 's crook to grant Albus a fed up spirit. He clearly did n't want to be the one who had to go to hold with Kaden. `` Fine. See you later, rose, Amanda. ``

`` Enjoy yourselves, '' rose replied.

`` See you later, '' Amanda waved.

Albus gave John and Kaden a min 's head head start before he left the unwashed room and went to the Room of requirement. He did n't want Kaden to discover out where he was going. Once the coast was exonerate, he paced three clock time in movement of the blank wall on the seventh floor and waited for the room access to seem. It materialized just like always and Albus went quietly inside. The room was dark and Albus could hardly see where he was going. He wished there was some scant. Immediately, torches lit up along the walls and revealed a four-poster bed in the middle of the belittled room.

Albus walked quickly over to the bed and wrenched the wall hanging open. Once he saw how exhausted lustrelessness looked, he immediately felt guilty about how he had complained about being too tired from Quidditch practice to do detainment. His enfeeblement was nothing compared to Matt's.

`` C'mon, we 've got detention, '' Albus gently poked his friend.

matt opened his eyes and sat up, wincing. `` Already ? All right. '' He slowly got up out of bed and stretched.

Albus led the way out of the room and to the uranology tugboat. Neither of them said anything for most of the journey, but Albus knew they were both thinking the Lapplander affair. They wished they did n't have to do detainment that night.

`` Where are whoremaster and Kaden ? '' flatness asked, suddenly realizing that they were n't there.

`` They went on ahead. Did n't want Kaden to sleep together about the elbow room. ``

`` Oh, yeah, thanks for that, '' flatness replied.

Albus and Matt slowly climbed the stair leading to the towboat, and once they reached the top, Albus opened the door and the two of them arrived. Luckily, it had stopped raining and the clouds had even dissipated. The almost full lunation was shedding light upon the Tower, enough that Albus and the others would be able to do their hold with only a span torches. Albus noticed Matt chill and screw up his eyes as the moonshine hit him. Albus figured it was probably giving him a splitting vexation at best.

`` You 're latterly, '' growled Filch, who gestured to can and Kaden. The two of them were already scrubbing telescopes.

`` Sorry, sir, '' Albus mumbled, not elaborating on why they were late.

`` Another night 's custody, I think, '' Filch replied, `` Tomorrow dark. You can retain cleaning cauldron. There are still some left hand. ``

Albus glanced at Matt who did n't even seem to be paying attention to Filch. He looked too meddlesome trying not to be crazy. There was no way that Matt could possibly do detention the following evening. He would just birth to tell prof Longbottom about it the side by side day. Albus, however, groaned, as he would be up to of doing detainment the next night. However, he would have to overleap dueling recitation. At to the lowest degree Kate was n't uptight about them missing practice like Sakartvelo was.

`` Well, what are you waiting for ? '' Filch growled at Albus and lustrelessness, `` Start scrubbing ! ``

Albus picked up a rag out of the bucket that was standing nearby and ran quickly to where Gospel According to John and Kaden were scrubbing. He was partway there when he realized Matt was still standing near the doorway. He did n't appeared to have moved since they entered the Tower. Filch was glaring at him, looking like he was ready to explode with fierceness. Albus grabbed flatness by the arm without looking at Filch and led him over to the telescopes.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus whispered and started to clean the good telescope.

`` F-fine, '' lusterlessness stuttered. Albus looked at him and noticed that he was shivering.

Albus turned to count at John who shrugged with confusion. `` It 's a lot high-risk than last night, '' Albus muttered. During the late night 's detainment, Matt had nodded off a few times, but he had been able of producing a good bit of business. Tonight, Matt appeared to be frozen in place and definitely would n't be getting much cleansing done.

`` well, it is the night before, '' John whispered so quietly that Albus could barely listen him.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` But he seems grim than most nights before. ``

`` Dunno why, '' John replied, `` We 'd improve hide him from Filch, though. Filch will know he 's not cleaning. '' Albus nodded and moved to the other incline of Matt.

`` What 's wrong with him ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` Is he sick again ? ``

Albus and privy shot Kaden ominous looks and Kaden immediately shut up. `` I was just wondering, '' he muttered a bit later.

`` Remember what I told you last time ? '' Albus asked quietly, `` Do n't convey it up. ``

`` still ! '' Filch shouted loudly.

Matt jumped and looked at Albus with a flavour of confusion on his face. `` What 're we doing ? '' he mumbled.

`` detainment, '' Albus replied, `` Listen, d'you want to go to the hospital offstage ? ``

`` No, it 's not this evening, it 's tomorrow night, '' he said and slouched onto the telescope he was supposed to be cleaning.

`` I said quiet ! '' Filch yelled and waltzed over to the boys, `` Get to work ceramist and Eckerton. ``

Albus and the others worked in secretiveness for the next half hour. John and Albus worked carefully down the row of scope, making sure Matt was between them at all times so it would seem like he was cleaning. Kaden worked on Albus 's other side of meat, looking much more gay than the former three boys did.

`` Republic of Finland, Finland, Finland ... '' he sung quietly, `` That 's the land for me .... ''

`` What ? '' Albus whispered. Kaden had been humming that song for the past five hour and it was driving Albus mad. He had never heard it before and it sounded quite strange.

Kaden stopped singing and looked at Albus. `` Oh, add up on ! You 've never heard of Monty Python ? Spamalot, the Broadway caper ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, wondering what that song could hold to do with a python. There had n't been any mention of ophidian in it.

Kaden sighed. `` I love the wizarding world, but you lot are really lacking in eminent quality entertainment. Would it kill you to ascertain TV and picture ? Monty python is a movie, and a pretty funny story one at that. You can determine it at my star sign sometime. Spamalot is a Broadway play based on it. They turned it into a movie a few geezerhood back. ``

Albus was still a bit confused about the song, but he figured he 'd understand it if he ever watched the pic. He had seen a few Muggle films before, but never Monty Python or Spamalot. His aunty Hermione had a TV, but she did n't let Albus catch it very often. `` You 'll rot your genius out ! '' she always told him, `` Now go read a book ! ``

Albus and Kaden went back to their cleanup, and Kaden started humming a new birdcall. Albus assumed it also was from Monty python since it sounded just as confusing as the previous one. It had something to do with fish.

`` Stop that blessed humming ! '' Filch screamed.

`` Sorry, sir ! '' Kaden replied. Filch scowled. Clearly he was angry about Kaden talking to him, but he could n't berate him again since what Kaden had said was polite.

The residual of the detention was spent in almost fill out silence. Every once and a while, Kaden would try to engage the others in conversation, but it was always stopped by Filch. Luckily, Filch never realized that Matt had n't done an apothecaries' ounce of cleaning. He seemed to busy glaring at Kaden and telling him to exclude up. Albus realized that Filch probably had an ageless grudge against Kaden now, which Kaden seemed oblivious to. It would not surprise Albus if Kaden had a file that rivaled his grandfather 's by the time he graduated. By the metre the detention was over, Matt was leaning against Albus, although he seemed thoroughly incognizant of it. Albus had caught Kaden staring at Matt a few clip, but as soon as Albus sent him a dirty look, Kaden went back to cleaning.

`` All right, you 're done, '' Filch growled, `` Get out of here or you 'll be out of bed after curfew. Then you 'll get another detention. '' He smirked. Filch picked up the cleansing provision and ambled down the stairs before Albus and the others.

`` We 're done now, '' Albus gently woke flatness up.

`` Done with what ? '' mat mumbled without opening his eyes.

`` hold, where we 've been for the live on hr, '' Albus explained while looking at Gospel According to John. John pulled lustrelessness off of Albus, but he stumbled fell against a telescope.

`` Ouch ! '' lusterlessness shouted and grabbed his head.

`` We 've got to get back to the common elbow room, and quick, '' Albus said, more to can than to Matt, `` It 's almost curfew. ``

`` What 're we going to do with him ? '' John asked. Matt was now leaning on John. `` I wish we could levitate him. ``

`` You ca n't ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` No, that 's much more advanced than we 're capable to do, '' Albus explained, `` And lower your spokesperson. ``

`` Let 's just each get on one position of him, '' John threw one of Matt 's coat of arms over his berm and gestured for Albus to do the same.

Albus followed John 's lead and told Kaden to get the door. Albus, John, and mat hobbled awkwardly down the stair and back into the main contribution of the castle. It was slow going and they 'd already missed curfew.

`` practiced thing he 's loose, '' Albus commented.

`` Yeah, '' trick agreed.

`` Ugh, '' Matt winced and opened his optic, `` I think I 'm going to be sick. ``

Albus and John Lackland looked at each other for a split second before Matt retched onto the floor in front of them.

`` Ew, perfect ! '' Saint John the Apostle exclaimed.

`` Told you he was fed up, '' Kaden said. He had been walking a few paces ahead of them and kept looking back, wanting to say something but afraid to.

`` We knew that, '' Albus snapped.

Matt retched a second time and Albus felt him collapse onto the flooring. Albus and John both grabbed his arms as he went down and slowed the fall. Now what were they going to do ?

`` matte ? '' Albus gently shook him and tried to get him to wake up, but it was no use.

`` What happened to him ? '' Kaden stared as Albus tried to wake flatness up.

`` Passed out, '' Albus said shortly. He was a bit annoyed that Kaden asked that. Was n't it obvious ?

`` I know that, '' Kaden replied, `` But why ? ``

`` How should I know ? '' Albus snapped.

`` Will you two bar arguing ? '' John interrupted. `` What are we going to do ? ``

Albus shrugged and thought. What were they going to do ? affright overtook him as he assessed the office. They were out of bed after curfew and matte was passed out on the floor. It could n't get risky than this. There was no way for them to get lustrelessness to the common room or the hospital wing without levitating him. And none of them could levitate a person. Albus looked at Matt and noticed he had begun shivering again. Albus took off his cloak and laid it over his friend. `` Kaden, '' Albus began, `` Go get Madam Pomfrey. ``

`` Why me ? '' Kaden asked nervously. He looked around at the dark corridor, clearly worried about walking through them alone.

`` Just do it ! '' Albus shouted.

Kaden looked taken aback at Albus 's tacky tone. `` Ok, ok ! '' he replied and took off down the corridor, towards the stairs.

`` He 's going to be ok, right ? '' Albus asked quietly once Kaden was out of sight.

`` I dunno, '' John whispered back. `` But it 's been bad before and he 's always recovered OK. ``

The boy sat in silence for the future couple minutes, watching for signs of cognisance in their booster. However, Matt remained unresponsive and very pale. Though he was still shivering, his forehead glistened with sweat in the moonlight that was streaming in through a nearby window.

`` What 's that ? '' John asked, pointing down the corridor.

Albus looked where John was pointing and saw a figure floating towards him. He stood up and drew his wand and John did the Lapp. The figure came tight and closer, and soon Albus was able to nominate it out. It was Peeves. Albus groaned inwardly. This was the last thing they needed, Peeves announcing their presence to the completely castle.

`` Students out of bed ! '' Peeves shouted gleefully as he noticed the boys.

`` Shut up, Peeves ! '' Albus replied, very irritated at Peeves 's happy tone.

Peeves peered down at Matt and then looked at John and Albus. `` Dueling, have we ? It seems that you two have won. But Mr. Filch wo n't like this ! No he wo n't ! scholarly person out of bed and dueling, too ! ``

`` We have n't been dueling ! '' John Lackland insisted, `` Now get out of here ! ``

`` Ha-ha ! '' Peeves laughed, `` Peeves does n't hear to student, no he does n't ! Peeves causes trouble when educatee are around ! ``

`` No, subdued ! '' Albus whispered.

Peeves cackled even louder and zoomed up and down the corridor. `` Students out of bed ! Students out of bed ! ``

Albus and John gave each other panicked looks. Albus had no estimate what to do to silence the poltergeist. But if he did n't turn back shouting, person would surely encounter out that they were there. Albus 's care were soon realized as he heard hurried stride coming down the corridor. Albus wished he had his father 's invisibility cloak.

Peeves apparently heard them too, because he flew down towards them shouting, `` They 're over here ! Over here ! Students out of bed ! ``

`` Go away, Peeves ! '' a loud stern part shouted, `` Or I 'll get the Bloody top executive ! ``

`` Yes, Madam Nurse, mam ! '' Peeves saluted and sped down the corridor, cackling madly.

Albus breathed a sigh of fill-in. It was just lady Pomfrey. Albus watched as the nurse ran the rest of the way down the corridor. She was surprisingly fast for someone her age. Kaden was panting behind her, trying to hold open up.

lady Pomfrey rushed over to Albus, King John, and Matt, and immediately flex down and put her bridge player on Matt 's os frontale. `` What 's happened ? '' she asked briskly.

`` He collapsed, '' Albus told her.

The nurse clicked her tongue and conjured a coping stone. She waved her wand and Matt landed on top of it. `` Well, you can explain more once we get to the hospital wing. Quickly now. ``

Albus, John the Divine, and Kaden ran behind gentlewoman Pomfrey all the way to the infirmary backstage. None of them said a word, although it looked to Albus like Kaden was trying to prevent himself from asking more than questions. proceedings later, the chemical group arrived at the infirmary backstage. Madam Pomfrey barged through the door and immediately deposited matte onto a bed. She bustled around the ward, gathering potions while asking the boys more questions.

`` Why were you out of your green elbow room ? '' she asked.

`` detention, '' Albus responded.

`` Where and with whom ? ``

`` Filch had us cleaning the entire astronomy pillar, '' John replied with a revolt tone.

Madam Pomfrey stopped rifling through her potion cabinet and turned to front at John. `` uranology tug ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' John answered with a look of confusion on his face.

`` Filch ! '' ma'am Pomfrey shouted as she ran back to Matt 's bed, `` I 'll bear him for this ! I thought I made it clear to him survive year when he had you scrubbing the bathroom ... I 'll hex him into next year ! Merlin 's beard, the astronomy Tower ! And tonight of all night ! '' The nurse continued to run back and Forth River from her office, potion cabinet, and Matt 's bed while muttering about Filch.

`` What 's she going on about ? '' Kaden whispered. Albus jumped. He 'd forgotten Kaden was there. `` What 's Filch got anything to do with him being sick ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I 'll get him for this ! '' Madam Pomfrey shouted as she waved her wand over Matt. `` I swear I will .... ''

Albus looked at lady Pomfrey and then back at Kaden. He chose to discount Kaden 's interrogative sentence. The nursemaid was getting dangerously close to cluing Kaden into why lustrelessness was there. If she was n't deliberate, she 'd give away everything.

`` I thought I 'd stimulate it clear to him ! '' the nanny repeated while she poured a disgusting looking orange potion down flatness 's throat. `` No detainment on these nights and certainly not on the Astronomy Tower ! If he 'd been out there any foresighted ... well, I 'm not exactly indisputable what would have happened ! ``

Kaden looked throughly confused. `` What 's the astronomy tug got to do with this ? ``

`` Of all the dark of the month- ''

`` Madam Pomfrey ! '' Albus shouted, suddenly deciding that he had to get the nanny to stop ranting. dame Pomfrey looked up from what she was doing and glared at Albus. It generally was not a unspoiled melodic theme to break up her while she was working, but Albus had no choice. He ran over to where the nurse was standing. `` Sorry, ma'am, '' he whispered, `` It 's just, there are sealed, er, things, that Kaden does n't love. '' Albus gestured to where his cousin was standing. `` And I know Matt would prefer it if he did n't know, '' Albus gave her a substantial flavor that he hoped would convey his thoughts.

ma'am Pomfrey stared at him for a few mo and then actualization came over her. `` Oh ! Oh, my ! '' she whispered back, `` I ca n't consider I, well, right. So lamentable about that. I 'll be a bit quieter. ``

Albus went back over to where Kaden and John were standing. John the Evangelist gave him a alleviate look, but Kaden looked even more bemused. `` What was that about ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Nothing, '' Albus gave Kaden another one of his 'shut up now'look. Kaden immediately closed his mouth. Albus was getting good at conveying those feel now and Kaden seemed to obey powerful away, which was good.

`` All right, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey walked back to the three boy after a few more minutes, `` He 's going to be fine. He 'll just want to stick around here for a couple up 24-hour interval. '' She looked at Albus and trick when she said this, and Albus knew she meant that he would be staying until after the fully moon.

`` Ok, '' Albus nodded. `` We can confab him, right ? ``

`` Of track, dearest, '' Madam Pomfrey 's expression softened. `` You know what times are serious. Now, you three best be off to your dormitory room. It 's very late. If anyone stops you, just tell them you were with me. And do n't worry about seeing Filch. I 'm off to find him now, and he 's going to be busy for quite a spell. ``

Albus nodded and had to suffocate a laugh. He knew the nurse would be seeking out the caretaker and would be giving him a farseeing and cheap scolding at best.



A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Special thanks to my early sister and my pal for help with the Monty Python clobber. Speaking of Monty python and Spamalot, I took some familiarity in deciding that Spamalot was turned into a movie sometime during the present and 2017, when this takes place. Otherwise, Kaden could not have seen it as it sadly closed on Broadway last month ( before I got to see it, unfortunately ).

Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, Luke, Moonylupin, and potterfan89 for their reexamination !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or Spamalot



Albus and Gospel According to John did n't ingest a chance to tell rose wine and Amanda about the custody until after lunch the following day. It was their good afternoon off and they were relaxing in the Room of necessity for a few minutes before they went to visit mat. It was the first time since the detention that Kaden was n't around. Kaden had classes all afternoon, so it was an nonpareil time to talk about what had happened the previous night. No one, not even rosiness, seemed to have any theme why lustrelessness seemed so much sicker that nighttime than the other night before full moons. Their solely guess was that he was already worn out from the detention on the previous two nights. Eventually, they just decided to go to the Hospital Wing and ask matt. Albus was certain he would tell them. After all, he told them all about that work he was in.

However, when they arrived at the Hospital annexe, Matt was sound asleep. dame Pomfrey informed them that he had woken up for a short while early that good morning, but had fallen asleep soon after. He had been asleep ever since, and the entertain flatcar out refused to let them arouse him up. She insisted that he needed all the rest he could get before nightfall and that they could call him the following afternoon.

Albus and his friends were very subdued that evening. Albus had just returned to the common elbow room after fulfilling his supernumerary detention with Filch. It was just as miserable as the initiative cauldron-cleaning detention had been. When he got back to the mutual room, all his protagonist were doing prep and not saying a great deal. Amanda was already back from dueling practice. Albus was worried about Matt and he could state the others were as well. It sort of reminded him of that Nox of the fully moonshine they stayed up waiting for morning to fall after Astronomy course of study the old year. Only this year, they had Kaden to fill in the soundlessness that surrounded them.

`` And then Slughorn had to impart the whole class antidote ! '' Kaden laughed as he relayed his most recent potions category. One of the other kickoff year had heated her cauldron too much and caused the potion to set off all over the total class. Albus and the others nodded their question, like they had been doing for the past times one-half time of day, and continued working on their respective homework.

`` Is n't it funny ? '' Kaden sighed, `` What 's wrong with you lot ? You 've been sitting there not saying anything for the past hour ! I thought you 'd at least laugh at the thought of everyone in my potions class having various portion of their soundbox call on shining pink. ``

`` We 're just worried about Matt, '' Rose explained, not looking up from her appeal book.

`` brothel keeper Pomfrey said he 'd be delicately, '' Kaden reminded her.

`` She does n't know that, '' blush wine replied.

`` Sure she does. She 's the nurse, '' Kaden grinned, `` And she can fix anything. ``

Albus sighed loudly, `` Not this again ! Listen, you just do n't understand. She ca n't know for sure that he 'll be ok. ''

This sentence it was Kaden 's bout to suspire, `` Well, I 'm not going to interpret unless you tell me what 's wrong with him. ``

`` Not going to occur, '' Albus muttered as he jotted down something on his parchment.

`` Someday I 'll weasel it out of you, '' Kaden said. A few second later he started to laugh. `` Weasel. Get it ? Weasley, weasel ! And you 're half Weasley ! ``

`` Very amusing, '' Albus murmured.

`` Oh, you 're no fun, '' Kaden said, still grinning at his own joke.

******

The side by side day after Herbology, Albus and his supporter hurried up to their dormitories to deposit their udder. Then they rushed to the Hospital Wing to see how Matt was. Luckily, Kaden was still in class. When they arrived at the infirmary wing, Albus saw Matt 's usual bed with the drape pulled around it and made a beeline for it. He was halfway there when Madam Pomfrey came out from behind the curtains and jumped as she saw Albus and the others.

`` Oh ! '' she clutched her chest, `` You scared me ! I was n't expecting you until later. ``

`` Sorry, '' Albus replied, `` We decided to descend now since I 've got Quidditch practice after dinner. ``

`` Is that all right ? '' rose wine asked.

`` Yes, that 's fine. Just for a few second, '' the nursemaid regained her composure and bustled into her office.

Albus ran the ease of the way to the bed and wrenched the curtain undefended. flatness was alive and propped up on his pillows. He looked timeworn and was covered in various moolah and bites, that looked a bit worse than usual. `` Hey ! How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` I 've been better, '' Matt said tiredly. `` It was bad. ``

`` It looks it, '' John the Evangelist commented.

`` privy ! '' Rose scolded.

`` What ? '' John shrugged.

`` It 's not that bad, '' rosebush said to Matt.

`` It 's fine, really, '' Matt assured John.

`` So, '' Albus began, `` What happened during detention ? ``

`` Honestly, I 'm not even for certain, '' Matt sighed, `` I do n't really recollect it. ``

`` Really ? '' Rose raised her supercilium, `` That 's odd. ``

`` Why do n't you two evidence me what happened ? '' Matt laughed.

`` All right, '' Albus said, `` You kind of froze when we got up to the Astronomy tower and you would n't act. Filch yelled at us for being tardily and assigned us another detention for lastly night- ''

`` L-last night ? '' matte interrupted.

`` Yeah, scrubbing to a greater extent cauldrons, '' Albus explained. `` I kinda figured something was haywire when you did n't object to it. ''

Matt groaned, `` I do n't even recall him saying that. Great, now I 've got another detainment once I get out of here. Probably two since I missed it last nighttime. ``

`` Oh, I do n't imagine you 'll hold to do any detainment, '' Albus assured him, `` Filch did n't mention anything about you doing detention the whole time I was scrubbing cauldrons death night. You see, gentlewoman Pomfrey was blanched when we told her what we had been doing for detention. ``

`` Yeah, '' John laughed, `` I 've never seen her so raging. She was storming around here, muttering and shouting and cursing Filch. It was kind of funny, really. ``

`` Anyway, she said she was going to talk to Filch after we left the other dark, '' Albus continued, `` I imagine she yelled at him quite a bit. I 'm sure she insisted that you not do anymore hold. ``

`` That 's a relief, '' Matt replied, `` So, what happened after Filch gave us another detention ? ``

`` I pulled you over to where John and Kaden were cleaning telescopes and John the Divine and I stood on either side of meat of you, so it seemed like you were cleaning too. It was almost like you were in a kind of spell. You did n't appear to cognize what was going on. So I asked if you wanted to go to the infirmary annexe and you said no. Then John, Kaden, and I cleaned for about an hour and a half. No one talked much except for Kaden. He kept humming random songs and Filch yelled at him. Then he told me what the songs were from. They were from a picture called Spamalot. Kaden insisted that I watch it sometime, '' Albus explained.

mat laughed, `` You should, it 's a really funny motion-picture show. ``

`` You 've seen it ? '' lavatory asked.

`` Yeah. We 've got a TV at place, since my mum is Muggle-born and she did n't need to give up TV, '' Matt replied.

`` I 've never seen it, '' Amanda commented, `` I 've heard of it, though. We should all watch it sometime. ``

`` That would be fun, '' Albus agreed. `` Anyway, once we left the astronomy Tower, we tried to get back to the green elbow room, but you got disturbed partway there and passed out. I told Kaden to get Madam Pomfrey, and well, that was it. ``

`` And I do n't call up any of that, '' matt groaned and stared down at the bed.

`` It 's all right, '' Albus said quietly, `` You were n't really yourself. ``

`` Why 'd it happen, though ? '' whoremonger asked after a few arcsecond, `` I mean, you 're usually tired the Nox before, but why was it that bad ? ``

`` Because I was in straight moonlight, '' matt whispered, `` The reason I get tired and sick beforehand is because the moonlight is getting fuller. The night we did detainment, it was practically full. And I was outside in the moonlight for over an 60 minutes. ``

`` That would explicate why Madam Pomfrey got so angry, '' John said.

`` Yeah, '' Matt replied, `` Makes the transformation worse, too. Because I 'm already worn out from being in the moonlight so long the night before. ``

`` I do n't get it, though, '' Rose said, `` Why did n't you just order Filch you could n't do custody that Nox ? ``

`` I do n't sleep together, '' lusterlessness sighed, `` I guess I just did n't require any sort of special treatment anymore. It makes masses suspicious. I do n't want anyone to wonder why I can beak my detention nights. Plus, I did n't really know that would bechance anyway. I knew I 'd be tired, but I did n't really know I 'd go into a trance like that. It had never happened before. My parents always made sure not to let me go outside the night before. ``

`` Well, even so, you should n't do anymore custody like that the night before, '' Rose insisted, `` It 'll make water you ghastly. ``

`` I know, rose, '' Matt assured her, `` And Madam Pomfrey talked to Filch and he 's not going to give me anymore detentions at bad times. ``

`` You mean, she told Filch ? '' Albus asked. He knew Filch did n't know about matt 's term, but he did n't conceive brothel keeper Pomfrey would actually tell him.

`` Oh, no, he does n't bed. madam Pomfrey just said that he needed to retard with her before assigning me detentions due to 'health issues that will remain private'. And she made him blaspheme not to tell anyone that he was checking detainment with her, or else she 'd make trusted Kendrick kicked him out. ``

bathroom let out a low whistle, `` Wow, remind me not to get on brothel keeper Pomfrey 's bad side. ``

`` She 's definitely forceful, '' matt yawned and closed his eyes.

`` Are you all right ? '' rose asked.

`` Umm-hmm, '' matt mumbled, `` I 've just got a cephalalgia. ``

At that moment, the drape opened and gentlewoman Pomfrey appeared with another potion. This one was a deeply blue devil and Albus thought it looked disgusting. The nurse took one flavour at Matt, shook her forefront, and turned to Albus and the others. `` Time for you lot to depart. You 're receive to visit again tomorrow. ``

Albus and his friend said goodbye to flatness and left the hospital wing. Albus had just enough time to grab dinner before he had to be at the Quidditch rake for praxis. Georgia thought the squad was doing wonderfully and was sure they would beat Slytherin in the fist match in Nov.

******

`` So, where is my brilliant potions partner today ? '' Malfoy asked sarcastically as the Gryffindors and Slytherins left Slughorn 's donjon the following afternoon.

`` Visiting his sick gran, like common, '' John replied shortly while glaring at Malfoy. `` Have n't you figured that out by now ? Whenever you ask where he is, he 's always visiting his gran. ``

`` Funny, that 's not what Potter 's cousin said, '' Malfoy smirked. Jackson Limbert and Saint Francis Xavier Goyle nodded on either side of him.

`` What ? '' Albus shouted. His cousins, except for blush wine, probably did n't even make out Matt left every month, let alone where he went. And rose wine obviously would n't tell apart Malfoy anything. `` Which full cousin ? ``

`` The mud-blood, '' Malfoy said simply.

Kaden, Albus thought. Of course ! Albus had told Kaden that lustrelessness got sick every so often, he just had n't told him what the illness was. But why on ground was Kaden talking to Malfoy ?

`` Do n't foretell him that ! '' blush wine shouted, drawing her wand.

`` Calm down, '' Malfoy replied, drawing his own baton. `` I mean it in the dainty way. ``

`` You do not ! '' John the Evangelist shouted as he drew his wand.

`` waiting ! '' Albus stood in between them and stared at Malfoy. `` Before anyone jinx anyone, I 've got to come up out what this is about. What did Kaden say ? ``

`` He mentioned that Eckerton is sick all the time. Apparently he 's got some disease that Pomfrey ca n't cure and you wo n't tell him what it is, '' Malfoy replied smugly.

Albus felt the color drain from his font. He told Kaden not to tell anyone about this ! And what had Kaden done ? He told Malfoy of all people ! Malfoy, the one person Matt did not want knowing where he went every month. Albus groaned. Malfoy now had a few more clues as to what was wrongly with Matt. With just a bit of enquiry he was sure to regain out. `` When did he tell you this ? '' Albus growled. Rage and angriness were building up inside of him, and not only towards Malfoy. If Kaden was anywhere near Albus right now, he was sure he 'd hex him.

`` Last night, '' Malfoy answered, `` Very interest bit of information, if you ask me. ``

Albus did n't say another Holy Scripture to Malfoy. He turned and ran towards the stairs and out of the donjon. The footsteps behind him told him that his friends were following. Albus did n't stop to let them catch up. All he cared about now was finding Kaden. He was angrier than he was the dark he yelled at Kaden. Albus knew if he found Kaden now, he 'd do More than just shout. He 'd hex him into the next century. What in the name of Merlin had possessed Kaden to enjoin Malfoy that Matt got sick ? Why Malfoy of all people ? Albus knew Kaden was aware of the Gryffindor/Slytherin rivalry. Heck, Albus knew that Kaden himself did n't the likes of Slytherins. Felix Willinson had made Kaden well aware of the prejudices many Slytherins felt. Yet, Kaden was obviously talking with Slytherins, and telling them thing they should n't know.

`` Albus, where are you going ? '' Rose shouted, as Albus ran up a escape of stairs.

`` To see Kaden, '' Albus growled.

`` I 'm going with you, '' John said. He sounded, if it was possible, even raging than Albus felt. He sped up and fell into position beside Albus. `` I told you before that if he did this again, I 'd hex him. I 'm keeping my password. ``

`` time lag, Albus, John ! '' rosiness shouted again.

But Albus did n't look. He continued up flights of steps towards the Gryffindor park room. Students stared at them as they passed, but Albus did n't care. Rose kept shouting after them, but both Albus and John ignored her. Amanda gave a few half-hearted shouts after them, but Albus could tell she did n't really care if they tried to hex Kaden or not. Eventually, Albus and John made it to the usual elbow room. They gave the Fat ma'am the countersign and ran into the way. Albus immediately spotted Kaden sitting in a chair, playing with what looked to be another Muggle toy. It was a block with legion emblazon public square all over it. It looked vaguely familiar. Albus thought he may throw seen Rose with one once. Albus ran over to Kaden and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the dormitories while glaring at him.

`` Hey, what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked. He dropped his regular hexahedron in surprisal. `` What 's gotten into you, Albus ? ``

Albus said nothing as he dragged Kaden to his dormitory. John Lackland followed without saying a Word of God, and shut the door behind them when they reached the dormitory. Albus let go of Kaden and glared at him for a few moments.

`` What is haywire with you, Albus ? '' Kaden asked, glancing from Albus to John.

`` I should be asking you that, Kaden, '' Albus replied in a low vocalisation. `` What were you doing talking to Scorpius Malfoy for ? ``

`` Scorpius Malfoy ? '' Kaden repeated as if trying to recall of who that was. Then a look of recognition appeared on his aspect. `` Oh. ``

`` Yeah, 'oh ,''' Albus said, `` You were talking to him terminal night ! ``

`` Uh ... '' Kaden shifted uneasily on his feet.

`` I told you not to enjoin anyone about Matt getting sick ! '' Albus erupted. `` You promised you would n't tell ! This is exactly why I did n't want to narrate you in the beginning place ! You just ca n't keep your mouth shut ! And Malfoy ! He 's been trying to find out about Matt since the beginning of first year, and let me tell you naught good will chance when he does find out out. And you know what you 've done ? '' Albus paused for effect, but Kaden did n't say anything. `` YOU MADE IT EASIER FOR HIM TO discovery OUT ! ``

`` I did n't entail to- '' Kaden 's interpreter cracked.

`` I do n't care, '' Albus interrupted, `` The stage is, you did ! How can you not mean to differentiate someone something ? Especially someone you never talk to in the fist space ! ``

`` I- ''

`` Shut up, Kaden ! '' Albus shouted and drew his wand. Saint John, who had been letting Albus take the pencil lead, drew his as well.

`` Wha-what 're you g-going to do ? '' Kaden shakily drew his own wand.

Suddenly, the door burst give and rosebush and Amanda appeared, both of them clutching stitches in their slope and panting. `` Expelliarmus ! '' rose shouted. Albus 's wand left his paw and landed on the floor near Rose. Rose disarmed lav and then gathered both wands.

`` Give it to me, Rose, '' Albus growled.

`` No, '' Rose replied, `` I 'm not going to let you hex your own first cousin. ``

`` You heard what he did ! '' Albus shouted.

`` I know, and I 'm not happy about it either, '' rosiness replied, `` But hexing him is n't going to fix it. You 'll just get detention. ``

On some degree, Albus knew rose wine was proper, but he still wanted to hex Kaden. Albus sighed. There was n't anything he could do now. All he could do is hope that Malfoy did n't put the cue together. That, and never trust Kaden to prevent a hidden again. `` Just get out of here, Kaden. ``

`` But- ''

`` I said, get out of here, '' Albus growled, `` Or I 'll resort to Muggle dueling. ``

Kaden bit his lip and turned towards the door. He looked back at Albus once before running out of the dormitory.

Albus threw himself down onto his bed after Kaden left. `` I 'm never telling him anything again. ``

`` I do n't blame you, '' John sighed, `` Why 'd he have to tell Malfoy anyway ? ``

`` I have n't got a clew, '' Albus replied, `` All I know is that this time, I 'm not forgiving him as easily. ``

`` I- '' rosiness started.

`` Do n't inconvenience oneself, rosebush, '' Albus interrupted, `` Nothing you say is going to make me apologize to him. ``

`` I was n't going to say that ! '' pink wine shouted, `` I was going to say that I agree with you. I mean, he does n't merit to be friends with you if he 's going to go telling half the school things you told him in enigma. You told him not to tell apart, right ? ``

`` Of course I did ! '' Albus said, `` I all but told him I 'd hex him if he told anyone. ``

`` Exactly, '' Rose replied, `` What if he tells Malfoy about the Whomping willow ? ``

`` pigeon hawk ! '' Albus suddenly sat up, `` I had n't thought of that ! ``

`` What if he already told Malfoy ? '' trick said darkly.

`` Then he 's already investigated it, '' Amanda said quietly, `` Or at least tried. ``

`` And he 'll try again, '' Albus replied, `` I know, I 'll check the map a lot. '' Albus got up from his bed and went to his trunk. He rummaged around in it until he found the Marauder 's Map. He took out his wand and tapped it, `` I solemnly swear that I am up to no beneficial. ``

Ink appeared all over the map as Albus and the others crowded around it. Albus scanned it quickly for Malfoy. `` He 's in the Slytherin common way, '' Albus pointed to Malfoy 's dot in the keep. `` I 'll just check it every once and a patch. ``

`` good idea, '' John said.

`` What are we going to differentiate Matt ? '' Rose asked quietly. `` We 've got to tell him about this. ``

In all the topsy-turvyness of finding Kaden and trying to hex him, Albus had n't thought about what they were going to tell apart matt. `` We 'll just have to tell him what happened, that 's all. I 'm not going to hide that Kaden was the one who told Malfoy. If Matt wants to hex him, he can go right ahead. ``

`` We 're not going to let him hex Kaden ! '' Rose insisted, `` He does n't need anymore detention. ``

`` Good point, '' Amanda agreed. `` We 'll tell him it was Kaden, but we wo n't let him hex him. ``

`` matt will just have to avoid Malfoy, '' John the Evangelist commented, `` I mean, there 's nothing we can do now. What 's done is done. We 'll all quash Malfoy. ``

`` That 'll be hard, '' Albus announced, `` Malfoy is Matt 's potions partner. And he 's on mine and Amanda 's dueling team. ``

`` We 'll just suffer to try, '' John Lackland sighed, `` Besides that, there 's not a good deal we can do. That, and never trust Kaden with another secret. ``





A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, potterfan89, Gospel of Luke, Niki Lily, Moonylupin, Denas, and drownzer for their reassessment !