Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


On Yuletide Eve the Potters went to Godric 's hollow, like common. It was completely dark by the time they Apparated to the Burrow, but there was plenty of light streaming out of the tall house 's windows. As they walked closer to the place, Albus could hear the hollo of laughter coming from inside.

`` Harry ! '' the room access to the tunnel flew out-of-doors and George stood in the doorway to greet them, a mug of eggnog in his deal. `` How are ya, mate ? ``

`` I 'm majuscule, Saint George. I see you 're already salute, '' Harry grinned at him.

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

Albus smiled to himself as he saw the usual topsy-turvydom that was Christmas Eve at his grandparents'house. His sea of redheaded full cousin were milling around eating and laughing with each other. This was what Albus loved about Christmastide at the Burrow. He grabbed a mate biscuits from the nearby table and went to find Rose. She was sitting on the floor near the fireplace with Hugo, Victoire, and Teddy.

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

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

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

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

`` Gran 's been refilling the cooky disc and talking with my mum and Aunt Fleur. I think she 's about to put on Celestina Warbeck, '' Rose gestured to the nearby wireless that Molly, Hermione, and Fleur were looking at. Fleur threw her manus up in the air and glared at mollie. `` Yup, here comes Celestina. ``

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

Sure enough, Fleur poured herself a magnanimous mug of eggnog as mollie settled down to listen to the radiocommunication. She was the lonesome one listening, though. Albus could get word bits and pieces of a het up Quidditch discussion going on between his Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, auntie Alicia, and Scots heather. Harry was making his way over to them now. It amazed Albus that his uncles and auntie could carry on a fully understandable Quidditch discussion while drunk.

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

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

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

Victoire playfully slapped him. `` Teddy ! Do n't let Mum discover you say that. ``

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

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

`` Quidditch ? '' Hugo snapped his head away from his chocolate frog cards, `` Can I play ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus replied.

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

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` We can get a real biz going. I 'll just differentiate my dad I 'm going house with you. '' Albus looked around the way and saw Harry in the midst of a Quidditch discussion. `` Hey, Dad ! ``

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

`` It 's all mightily if I go to blush wine 's house on the 28th, right ? And ride out a couple solar day ? ``

`` That would be mulct, '' Harry said, `` But we 're actually going to Dudley 's sign for New year 's Eve, so we 'll total get you on the 31st before we leave. ``

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

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

`` What ? ! ''

`` Dudley thought it would be a good approximation, considering that Kaden is a mavin, '' Harry explained.

`` All right, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't really want to see Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, but he did n't really have a choice.

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

`` fountainhead, at least I can come over for a few days, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but you 've got to go see the Dursleys, '' Teddy screwed up his brass in disgust.

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

`` I 'm sure it 'll be fine, '' rosiness assured him. `` Plus, Kaden will be there. ``

`` That 'll make it even more interesting, '' Albus grinned.

`` You know, he 'd fit mightily in with this lot, '' pink wine gestured to the loud and boisterous Weasley family around them. `` Except without the red hair. ``

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

`` Neither do I, '' Victoire agreed.

`` I do, '' Teddy laughed as he changed his hair from its usual wild blue yonder to red.

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

`` closing curtain sufficiency. And anyway, who knows what 'll happen in the future few old age, '' Teddy winked at Victoire, who giggled. Teddy threw his arm around Victoire and kissed her.

`` Better not let Gran see you doing that, '' pink wine warned.

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

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

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

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

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

`` Maybe another metre, '' Albus glanced at Rose. Albus had n't really adjudicate whether or not to order Teddy about the new map. Most of blush wine 's and Albus 's most Recent epoch rule breaking was done in gild to decipher it. Albus knew he was n't going to severalise his first cousin about it, but he was n't sure enough about Teddy and James. One part of him thought they deserved to recognize, considering that their father and grandfather were both Marauders, but on the other hand he sort of liked keeping it a secret.

`` Aw, come on, tell me. ``

`` Another time, '' Rose said adamantly.

`` Oh, fine, '' teddy bear huffed, `` But I will chance out. ``

Albus spent the sleep of the evening talking and playing plot with Rose, shimmy, and Victoire. He was really enjoying the time off from school and getting to drop clock time with his stallion fellowship at once. By the time he climbed up to the attic sleeping room that he shared with Jesse James and a few of their first cousin, he was tired and stuffed from all the cookie.

******

`` King James I ! Albus ! '' Albus snapped his middle open at the sound of his gens the succeeding morning. He immediately recognized the phonation as belonging to Lily. He heard her pace bounding into the room. `` Albus, James River ! It 's Christmas Day ! fire up up ! ``

`` Hi Lily, '' Albus yawned.

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

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

`` We 've got nowadays, James IV ! '' Lily grinned.

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

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

After Lily 's betimes wake-up call, everyone in Albus 's room was up. Albus settled down to spread his own slew of present with the other boy. The first gear few loge were filled with afters and several Weasley 's necromancer Wheezes Cartesian product. The next was this twelvemonth 's Weasley jumper. It had a red quaffle stitched onto the front with a navy blue background. `` Opened your jumper yet, James ? ``

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

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

`` Excellent. ``

Albus opened the next few presents, which consisted of numerous rule book and early habiliment items. He also got a broom handle service Kit, which would be utilitarian since his Firebolt 2000 had a few sprig that needed to be plucked. Albus saved the present from his parents for last and was about to open it when James gave an excited yell from the bed above.

`` Whoa ! ``

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

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

James had a huge grin on his face as he held up a blank shell musical composition of parchment. `` face what I got. ``

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

`` He sure did ! '' James II shouted.

`` This is perfect ! '' Cedric exclaimed.

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

`` That 's neat, Saint James the Apostle, '' Albus smiled, `` But why you and not me ? '' Albus could n't facilitate but palpate a little left out, even though he now had his own vulture 's Map that would potentially be better than the original. But his dad did n't know about that, so why did he give the Map to James I ?

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

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

What he saw made his oral cavity fall open in stupor. This would explain why James got the Map ! Sitting in the midriff of the torn wrapping, was the Invisibility Cloak. `` He, he gave me the Cloak, '' Albus whispered.

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` I 'm going to go William Tell rose, '' Albus wrapped the Cloak around himself and left the room. He had never worn the Cloak at the burrow before and he thought it was really mirthful that he passed Eddie on the stairs and Eddie did n't even notice him. He pushed open the door to the room that blush wine shared with Victoire, Georgia, Gabriella, and Heather and waited for the girls'reactions.

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

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

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

`` Dad gave it to me ! ''

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

`` I just ca n't believe he gave you that, '' rosiness grinned, `` I 'll bet James II is overjealous. ``

`` He got the marauder 's Map, so he 's fine. ``

`` Wow ! '' blush wine shouted, `` That 's incredible. And you can percentage them. ``

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

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

Bill choked on his deep brown and ptyalize it across the table at George II, who had started laughing. Harry, who had probably been expecting this, grinned and looked at Ginny, who was smiling back. Lily was staring at Albus with her mouth wide heart-to-heart. Molly dropped the bowl of oatmeal she had been bringing to the table. Everyone else looked at Albus with diverse looks of shock and amusement.

`` Albus ! '' Molly shrieked as she cleaned up the pour forth oatmeal with a undulation of her scepter, `` Do n't do that ! ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` time lag, you gave him the Marauder 's Map, too ? '' George V stared at Harry.

`` No, James got that. ``

`` I did n't think you 'd ever fall in that away, '' George III laughed.

`` Well, I can cheat on the castle whenever I want and it wo n't count who 's around, '' Harry explained, `` The male child ca n't. Plus, I did n't require to deny them the fun of it. ``

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

`` The castle is perfectly safe, even at night. I 'm not saying I approve of you wandering around at nighttime, '' Harry gave Albus a buns gaze, `` But there are more enchantments than ever protecting it. ``

`` That wo n't protect them from wizards already in the rook ! '' Molly commented, `` retrieve that Willinson kid death twelvemonth ? ``

`` How could I draw a blank ? Sometimes, you just have to pack danger in order to live a minuscule. I trust the boys enough to know they wo n't go wandering around late at night very often. And if you see anything fishy on the Map, '' Harry turned to Albus, `` narrate me about it right away. ``

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

`` Thanks, Dad ! '' James shouted, `` This is brilliant ! ``

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

`` Hello, Weasleys ! '' Teddy strolled into the way, his hair half dark-green and half red. He sat down side by side to Albus and pulled a platter of testis towards him. `` happy Christmas. ``

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

`` It 's festive, '' Teddy grinned. `` You want me to charm yours to be red and green, too ? Just learned some excellent appealingness for that sort of thing in breeding. Not that I 'll need them. ``

`` No thanks, '' James had a facial expression of disgust on his brass. `` I 'll observe the plain red. ``

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

`` Oh, yeah ! Sure is ! '' Saint James handed it to Teddy, `` Got it for Noel ! ``

`` That 's great ! '' Teddy grinned. `` What did you get Albus ? Do n't recall Harry could top that. ``

`` I got the Cloak. ``

shift turned to Albus, `` Really ? That 's peachy, too ! want I had an Invisibility Cloak. ``

`` But you can barf those disenchantment charms, '' Albus pointed out.

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

`` Oh, boys, '' Harry began, `` You 're going to ingest to parcel those with Lily once she gets to Hogwarts. ``

`` Aw, arrive on, '' James II groaned.

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

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

`` We 'll part, '' Albus assured them. He would n't mind sharing with Lily, just as long as she kept the Cloak secret. The finish thing they needed was the entire castle knowing about it.

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

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

******

Albus spent nigh of the day playing Quidditch outside with his family. Eventually they all had to fall in because they were too low temperature to play any thirster. Plus, it started snowing pretty strong and nobody wanted to fall back the sneak. Albus spent the respite of the day with Rose and reading a few of his new books. The Cloak was passed around between his cousins, and almost of them were amazed Harry had given it to him, and a little jealous as well. James passed the Map around and everyone had fun watching the few dots that were left in the castle.

Christmas dinner party came and went in its usual chaotic state. It was loud and funny and Albus enjoyed every minute of arc of it. He went to bed feeling very replete and very content. The following day Albus 's aunty, uncles, and cousins all started to will. Albus and blush wine 's fellowship stayed for a couple to a greater extent days, but they soon had to go out so Albus 's grandparents could go on holiday for New Year 's. Albus was actually excited to leave because he would be going to rose 's sign of the zodiac and hopefully getting the hart print.

Albus landed in rosebush 's livelihood room after Flooing from the Burrow. His Uncle Ron, rosiness, and Hugo had already arrived and his aunty Hermione was right behind him. There was an owl waiting next to the windowpane and Hermione ran over to let it in.

`` That 's Matt 's owl, '' Albus announced as he and rosebush went over to recall the letter. Albus opened the envelope and scanned the letter, `` He can come, but only for tomorrow. We 're supposed to come across him at the Leaky caldron at eleven. ``

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

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

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

`` Of row I do, '' rosebush grinned. `` We 'll secern my parents that we 're going to go exploring in the woods and we 'll look for a stag while we 're in there. Once we find one, we 'll all try and stun it- ''

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

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

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

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

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

`` Me, too. But we do have a couple twenty-four hour period. You 'll be here until the 31st, so that 's four days to get it. ``

`` Yeah, but John and lusterlessness want to facilitate, too. ``

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

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

`` Yup, '' rosiness grinned.

`` Now we 've just got to incur the charm to retain Kaden quiet, '' Albus replied.

`` You 're going to tell him everything after I find that charm ? '' Rose asked.

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

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

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

`` Yeah, you definitely ca n't, '' Rose agreed.

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramist.


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

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

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

`` It was brilliant, '' Albus replied, `` Wait trough you see what I got. ``

`` What ? '' Amanda asked.

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

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

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

Albus bade adieu to his aunt and turned back to the Floo. Within seconds he was back in Rose 's surviving way. A few minutes later all his friend were back as well.

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

`` Yeah, '' Matt agreed, `` Kind of facial expression like mine. ``

`` Thanks, '' rose wine replied.

`` So, Albus, what did you get for Yuletide ? '' Matt asked.

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

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

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

`` And to call back we slip it just a few week ago, '' St. John the Apostle snorted.

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

`` Oh, sorry. ``

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

`` He did n't ! '' Saint John shouted.

`` He did. ``

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

`` But we 'll possess our own Map soon anyway, '' Amanda pointed out as she dug around in the bag she brought. She produced a crumpled slice of lambskin with a paw print on it that was slightly pocket-sized than the wolfman print.

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

`` I hope it 'll do work. Newton would n't stay still and the sheepskin is sort of wrinkled. ``

`` I 'm surely it will go, '' Albus said.

`` Good thing we did n't have the print go directly on the map, '' Matt replied.

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

Everyone agreed and headed into the kitchen to cadge up some food. Ron had already created an enormous sandwich and was eating it when Albus and the others walked in. They all liked the idea of making giant sandwiches and were soon eating alongside Ron. Albus thought John the Divine 's sandwich looked disgusting because it was piled senior high with Republic of Turkey, pickles, and Arachis hypogaea butter. Rose shuddered as she saw him bite into it, but he thought it tasted delicious.

`` I ca n't believe you ate that entire thing, '' Rose screwed up her face in disgust after John ate the concluding bite of his lunch.

`` It was dear, '' he shrugged.

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

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

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

Once they were all done with lunch, rosiness and Albus led the way outside and over to the wood. The timber was situated next to the large open field that was next to the house. Albus and blush wine went exploring in it quite a bit and knew their way around it well. The group crunched across the lead by the nose laden field until they came to the forest 's sharpness. blush wine found the course they usually took and lead the radical down it. `` go on your eyes pealed for a stag, '' she told everyone.

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

`` How was Australia this year ? '' Albus asked, remembering that his booster just returned to Britain the previous day.

`` It was all mighty. No different than common. It was boring of line, and my grandmother kept telling us how we should visit more often. ``

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

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

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

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

The radical continued walking into the forest until rosiness announced that it would be meliorate if they sat completely still and waited for a stag to walk by. She said their movement would scare the puppet away. Albus sat down in the snow behind a shrub with his friends and watched and listened for animals. After a half hour of waiting, Albus was bored. How long was it going to lead for a stag to frustrate their path ? He would much rather just walk around to find out one. rose wine seemed perfectly capacity to sit still, as did Matt. john had made a with child pile of snow balls, along with a blow wizard. Amanda was interfering creating a snow witch to go along with his wizard.

`` I 'm tire, '' john sighed as he made yet another blow glob. `` How long is this going to acquire ? ``

`` I do n't jazz, '' Rose shrugged, `` We do n't see stag that often in here, so it might be a while. ``

Albus glanced at his watch, `` Well it 's just after two, so if we do n't find one soon, we 'll ingest to go back. '' He stared into the timberland and willed a stag to come. Albus was getting frustrated by this compass point. They needed that stag print for the map ! There was no lieu else to find out one. What if they could n't encounter a stag before the end of the holiday ? They would have to wait until the summertime to search again. Albus could n't wait that hanker. He wanted the map now.

`` waiting, '' Matt stood up and turned around, `` I think I hear something over there. '' He pointed to a cluster of bushes a span m away.

`` I do n't pick up it, '' can replied.

`` Shush ! '' matte whispered, `` You know I can learn matter you ca n't. ``

mat started slowly making his way towards the bunch of George Walker Bush. Albus and the others followed behind, nobody saying a parole. `` Wands gear up, '' Matt whispered.

Albus pulled out his scepter and pointed it towards the pubic hair, his mind racing with excitement as he went. This was it ! They were going to get the stag print ! Part of Albus 's mind knew that this was n't necessarily a hart, but he did n't pay attention to that. What else could it be ? near of the animals in the forest were too small to be rustling the shrub this much. As Albus got closer to it, he could distinctly get word the step of the beast, and they were much too tatty to be a rabbit or a squirrel. There were n't many large animals in the forest, stags being some of the few. It could be a doe, but Albus hoped it wasn't.

The radical was now only a match invertebrate foot away from the bushes. Everyone had their wand pointed at them, waiting for the animal to form its appearance. The moment Albus saw the leave-taking constituent, he shouted, `` Stupefy ! ``

`` Stupefy ! '' rosebush, John, flatness, and Amanda all shouted at once.

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

It was teddy bear. The stochasticity lustrelessness had heard in the George Walker Bush was Teddy. Albus lowered his baton and sighed. So very much for finding a stag. Now that Teddy was with them, they would no longer be able-bodied to look. Albus turned to his friends and saw them all put their wands away.

teddy fully emerged from the bush and walked over to where Albus was with a bewildered looking at on his typeface. `` Do I even want to be intimate what you 're up to ? ``

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

`` We 're just taking a walk in the timber and you scared us ! '' Rose announced, `` Sneaking up on us like that, what did you think we 'd do ? ``

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

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

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

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

`` It 's kind of low temperature to be going for a hike, '' chemise commented, `` But Ron said you were here, so I figured I 'd see if I could find you. '' He eyed John 's pile of Abronia elliptica and grinned, `` Planning on having a lead by the nose ball fight ? ``

teddy did n't wait for an answer and picked up a few of St. John 's snowballs. He threw one at Albus and the other at rosiness.

`` look on it ! '' Albus shouted as the snowball made inter-group communication with his typeface. He spat out the snow and bent down to make his own Charles Percy Snow ball. He aimed it at Teddy but Teddy jumped out of the way and it hit matt instead.

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

A few import later, a vast snowball fight broke out. It was every man for himself for a piece and Albus was getting pummeled by shift 's Abronia elliptica. He tried to get Teddy back, but shimmy was too quick for him. Instead, Albus decided to focalize on Matt, who was trying to get Albus back for the snowball that had hit him instead of chemise. Rose eventually joined Albus in his attempt to get matt, while Amanda evened out the odds by joining Matt 's side of meat. John, who seemed to be the only one with enough skill to hit Teddy, was having a one-on-one conflict with the blue haired boy and was actually doing well.

The six of them were completely soaked by the fourth dimension the fight ended. matt and Amanda surrendered to rose and Albus after the cousins decided to create about twenty snowball and lob them constantly at their two supporter. lav surrendered to Teddy a few transactions later, once Teddy decided to becharm a pile of snow to turn itself into snowballs, resulting in a never-ending supply of ammunition for Teddy. Gospel According to John did n't roll in the hay that magic spell and was stuck paw making his blow balls while Teddy continuously sent sweet sand verbena at him.

`` Who 's up for Quidditch ? '' teddy bear asked as they were walking back through the wood to rosiness 's house.

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

`` Sounds dependable, '' shift replied, `` Harry and Saint James the Apostle should be at the firm by now.

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

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

`` Me, '' Amanda said. She was the merely one. John and mat, who both had brooms, had brought them knowing they would play Quidditch.

`` We 've got spares, '' Ron announced, holding a couple brooms in his hand.

Once everyone had a broom to use, Teddy started to make charge of creating teams. `` All right. Let 's see, we 've got Me, Harry, Ron, James IV, Albus, John, Matt, Amanda, Hugo, and pink wine, are you playing ? ``

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

`` good, then we 've got ten players. That 's five per team. So each squad will consume a Seeker, a beater, a steward, and two chaser, that 'll work. I 'll be one of the searcher, '' he turned to Harry and James IV, `` Which one of you will be the other ? ``

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

After a few minute of organizing, the two squad were created. Albus 's team consisted of teddy bear as Seeker, Ron as steward, Victor-Marie Hugo as the only Beater, and lusterlessness and himself as the two chaser. On the early team, James was seeker, Amanda was steward, John was the Beater, and Rose and Harry as Chasers.

The two team trooped outside into the dusty winter day. It was just starting to snow a little, but Albus did n't take care. He would keep warm while he was playing anyway. Harry and Ron conjured goal hoops and everyone flew into the air. Hermione released the glob ( only one Bludger, since there were only two beaters ) and threw the Quaffle into the air, then conjured herself a electric chair to watch.

The match was nothing like the ones at Hogwarts. It was much Sir Thomas More intimate, and in a way, Albus enjoyed it more. There was only friendly competition between the two teams and no one got wild when soul dropped the Quaffle, which happened a lot. The two team were pretty evenly matched in condition of Chasing skills. Albus, who was the only substantial pursuer on either team, was easily the best. Harry was a decent Chaser, but it was clear that Seeking was his substantial skill. Rose was absolutely dreadful and was the first to intromit it. She was n't a big fan of flying in the first place and did n't like to take her hands off her broom in gild to catch and throw the Quaffle. mat was better than rose wine, but dropped the Quaffle numerous times. Albus and Matt scored More power point than Harry and Rose did.

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

After about an hour of playing, during which Albus was sure both teddy bear and King James I had seen the sneaker but ignored it in gild to drag the plot on recollective, both Seekers flew directly up into the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing to catch. A few seconds later, they both came flying back down and James had the Snitch clutched in his hand.

`` I got it ! '' he shouted.

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

`` Yes ! '' Henry James exclaimed, landing on the ground. Albus and the residue of the thespian landed after him and congratulated him and his team for winning. `` Ha ! I beat you at Quidditch, slip ! '' Jesse James gloated.

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

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

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

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

After all the food for thought had been eaten, John Flooed back to his planetary house and Albus, rose, and Hermione went with lustrelessness and Amanda back to the Leaky Cauldron to forgather their sept. It had been a little sojourn, but a fun one nonetheless. Albus only wished that they had managed to get the stag print. He and pink wine were planning on trying again the following day, and the next if it was necessary. They had three Sir Thomas More days to do it and Albus was determined to succeed.

******

Albus and Rose spent as lots time as they could in the woods looking for stags the next day. When they were n't in the woodland, they spent their time in the program library in Rose 's sign of the zodiac, looking for a appeal to keep Kaden quiet.

`` There 's books in here that are n't in the shoal library, '' rose announced as they walked into the way after a particularly moth-eaten sashay in the forest.

`` I 'm still not sure we should read a interruption from looking for a hart, '' Albus replied.

`` It 's too cold out there now. Plus there 's a violent storm coming and it wo n't do us any good if we get lost out there. '' rose wine went over to a Book ledge and Albus followed. He had been in this room plenty of times before, just never to await for a specific charm.

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

`` That 's what this is for, '' Rose slammed a sullen Holy Writ down on the table near to the shelf she pulled it off of.

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

`` Yes, '' rosebush confirmed as she opened the covert, `` It 's a rather cunning idea, really. All I 've got to do is take my wand, full stop it at the rule book, and say'I need a magic spell to keep someone quiet'and it will flip to the powerful pageboy. ``

`` That would certainly travel rapidly things along, '' Albus replied. `` Try it. ``

`` All rightfield, '' Rose pointed her sceptre at the leger, `` I need a good luck charm to keep someone quiet. '' The book 's page immediately started turning until they stopped about a poop of the way into the book. mount peered at it and then shook her head. `` Nope, that 's not it. This one 's just a hush up charm. ``

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

Rose nodded. `` I need a charm to foreclose somebody from talking about something. '' The pageboy started turning again and stopped a few moment later. arise sighed after she read the description. `` This one charms a person 's back talk shut. ``

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

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

`` I think you 'd break tell the book exactly what we need the charm to do. recite it that Kaden has to not babble out about a specific thing. ``

`` trade good idea, '' rosiness poised her wand above the Quran, `` I need to keep back Kaden Durlsey from revealing secret about matte Eckerton and about a map. He must only be capable to talk about these closed book with five other people and not mention them to anyone else. He should be able-bodied to converse normally about early subject. ``

`` That ought to be specific enough. '' Albus watched as the ledger hesitated for a few moments and then turn its pages to one of the last-place 1. Both rose and Albus leaned over the volume while rosiness read aloud.

`` 'The Sileo Altus appealingness is the most complex and intricate of the silencing spell. This charm has the ability to prevent a soul from revealing one specific patch of entropy to others, unlike other silencing charms which prevent a mortal from speaking at all. The charm also has the ability to involve others, which will leave in the person the appeal is cast on to be able-bodied to converse about the private with those particular people. When done correctly, this charm will last forever or until the heel counter charm is performed. The Sileo Altus appeal keeps a person 's secret safe much like the Fidelius Charm keeps a person 's location secret and is said to be just as condom .'

`` Then there 's a solid bunch of turn that are required, '' Rose scanned the difference of the first appearance. `` There 's a magical spell that has to be performed on each person who is involved, one on Kaden, one on the secret-keeper- ''

`` There 's a secret keeper ? '' Albus asked.

`` Yeah, I guess so. Then there 's the overall charm, '' rosiness continued, `` It sounds complicated. But I 'm up for it. This does n't really distinguish me how to do it, though. There 's just a lean of magic spell. ``

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

`` You 're right, I had n't noticed that, '' Rose leaned over the Book again and understand the form of address of the commend book of account. `` I think we might actually have that one. '' Rose jumped up from her tooshie and ran across the way. Albus sat back and watched her. He had no estimation how she could possibly bonk if she had that book or not. The entire room was filled with shelf and shelves of account book. Albus would n't even know where to look to find the book they needed.

Rose returned a few minutes later with a Good Book in her munition and a smile on her face. `` We do have it ! This was easier than I thought it would be. ``

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

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

Albus watched as his cousin-german flipped through the pages of the book until she found the magic spell they were looking for. He was very happy that Rose was so eager to learn new charms. It certainly helped that she was honest at it, too. Albus had made a lot of advancement in charms ever since prof Cedonia arrived, but he was still mediocre. rose wine was easily the outflank in their socio-economic class. That and her avidness to learn would certainly avail if she was going to get the hang this charm.

rosiness read in muteness for a few minutes and then turned to Albus. `` All right. This explains it pretty well. First, of course of study, we 've got to tell Kaden the enigma. Then we 've got to pick the private steward. I 'm thinking that I 'll have to be the cloak-and-dagger keeper since the hole-and-corner keeper is the one to perform the charms. ``

Albus nodded, `` I 'm mulct with that. We 've just got to progress to sure flatness is. What does the hole-and-corner steward do ? ``

`` Just perform the charms. And the secret keeper is the only one who can do the counter appealingness on Kaden. Normally the secret keeper would be the lone one the soul could talk about the secret with as well. But we 'll use another charm to ensure that Kaden can talk about the arcanum with you, John, matt, and Amanda as well. ``

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

`` fountainhead, the private keeper performs a magical spell on themselves, which turns them into the arcanum keeper. Then they perform a appeal on Kaden. Then Kaden will declaim the secrets in detail. After that, the hole-and-corner custodian performs another good luck charm on Kaden. Then charms are performed on the eternal rest of the multitude involved. Then a final waterproofing appealingness on everyone, including Kaden and the mysterious keeper, and it 's done. ``

The idea of all those different spells made Albus 's mentality damage. `` Wow, that 's a lot of charms. We 've never done ones that are a compounding of multiple charms. ``

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

`` What 's the heel counter charm involve ? '' Albus asked, thinking that maybe there would be a time when Kaden would grow and they would n't feature to rely on legerdemain to hold open him from spilling arcanum to Malfoy.

`` Erm, it seems pretty much like the existent charm, '' pink wine looked back at the Holy Scripture, `` You pretty a great deal go backwards, using different good luck charm. ``

`` shuffling sense. ``

`` I 'll originate practicing as soon as we 're back at shoal, '' pink wine shut the book and got up. `` I 'll impart the book. Mum 'll never know, she 's got way too many to keep racetrack of. ``

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

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

******

Albus was getting quite fed up with the hart hunting by the clock time late afternoon arrived the succeeding day. He and resurrect spent the stallion morning in the woods, taking a breakout for lunch, and then returning in the good afternoon. Albus looked at his sentry and saw that they would have to be starting to return to the house soon. `` We 're never going to find a stag ! '' he groaned.

Rose, who had brought the charm book of account they had found the previous day, looked up. `` You 've just got to be patient. I told you one wo n't come if we 're noisy. ``

`` We 've been quiet for the past times two time of day, '' Albus said flatly.

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

Albus sighed and stared out into the forest. So far Albus had seen no lupus erythematosus than ten cony and four owls, but no stag. He was getting very cold posing in the snow and his cloak had long since soaked through. Albus was determined, however, and refused to go back to rose wine 's household until they found a stag.

It had seemed so dim-witted at get-go, to stun a stag in the forest and get its footprint. This was not supposed to be the hard mark to get. Looking back, even the wolfman one seemed easier. surely, they got locked out of Hogwarts, but they never got in trouble for it. The dog print had been the leisurely, since Amanda had a dog. The rat would be easily, too, once John managed to catch one.

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

Albus raised his forefront and looked in the direction blush wine was pointing. Directly in presence of them was a majestic looking doe, standing completely still and staring just to the left of where the two cousin were sitting. `` It 's just a doe, '' Albus whispered back, `` It wo n't lick. ``

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

Albus sat completely still with his wand facing towards the doe. Rose did the same and the two of them did n't move for a good five minutes. The doe inched slowly ahead, walking to the left of Albus and rosebush. Then Albus heard a whisper behind the doe and fervour washed over him as he saw a huge stag appear from behind a cluster of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. `` This is it, '' he whispered to rosiness. She nodded but did n't say anything. The hart walked towards the doe, who had turned around to attend at her mate. `` On the reckoning of three. One ... two ... three. Stupefy ! '' Albus shouted.

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

The doe shot off like a rocket as soon as the cousin-german shouted the spell. The stag started to follow but was hit by Albus 's stunner. rose 's spell hit a nearby tree and burned a small-scale mess into the bark.

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

`` Thanks. ``

`` Let 's hastiness. We wo n't have much time before he wakes up, '' pink wine reached into her robes and pulled out a composition of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a paint brush.

The stag was even braggy up close. Its optic darted around nervously as rose wine painted the ink onto its movement hoof. Albus quickly pressed the parchment onto the hoof and pulled it away. A perfect hoof print appeared on the sheepskin. `` This one 's good, '' Albus showed it to Rose.

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

Albus did n't need telling twice. He blew onto the lambskin a few meter to dry the ink and then put it in his cloak. The two cousin-german ran through the trees and back to the theatre. It only took them a few minutes as they were n't very far. Albus was thrilled that they had actually managed to get the print. The only print left was the rat one and then they would be capable to try out the map.


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

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


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


Albus 's crime syndicate came to pick him up from blush wine 's theatre the side by side afternoon. They were all dressed in Muggle clothing, although Harry looked a footling uncomfortable in his Muggle suit. Probably due to the tie, Albus thought. He could never empathise why Muggles wore those.

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

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

`` Bye, '' pink wine smiled.

The rest of the thrower and Weasleys said au revoir to each other and then Albus disapparated with his family. They appeared in a dreary bowling alley near a deserted street. Harry motioned for them to conform to him and the family started down the street. They made a few more go until they came upon a neighborhood of median size business firm. The houses all looked different, but seemed to be well cared for. It was a very quiet neighborhood with few people out and about. There were a duad mass outside shoveling the newly fallen snow off their driveways, but none of them seemed to mark Albus and his family.

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` Get anything in effect for Christmas ? '' Kaden asked Albus once they sat down on the couch. `` I got a few new secret plan for my Wii, a new football game, a skateboard, and a gang of clothes. ``

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

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

`` Oh, '' Albus nodded, `` I got some clothes, books, a loading of Henry Sweet, poppycock from my Uncle George 's shop, and my dad 's Invisibility Cloak. ``

Kaden 's backtalk fell undecided, `` He gave it to you ? ! ``

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

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

All the adults looked over at him. `` Albus, you 'd better put that away before Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia get here, '' Harry warned. Albus nodded and took the cloak back from Kaden. He knew Uncle Vernon would be to a lesser extent than enthusiastic about any variety of magical object.

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

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

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

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

`` wellspring, I was kind of hoping you would all pretend up, '' Dudley mumbled.

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

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

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

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

Albus watched as pandemonium broke out amongst the grownup. Vernon 's face turned diverse tone of red and purple as he tried to dig what was happening. petunia clung to her husband with a combined feeling of dislike and fear on her case.

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

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

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

Christina stood near the entrance to the kitchen, looking uncomfortable. Bethany clung to her leg and hid her boldness, clearly afraid of her grandfather 's shouting. Albus, James, Lily, and Kaden glanced around at the adult, paying rapt attention to the blossom contention, but not saying a word. Ginny pursed her lips and watched her husband with a disapproving smell. Albus had to acknowledge that his Uncle Vernon was a bit scarey right now and Albus had no desire to track paths with him. Dudley looked nervous as he tried to make peace between his congeneric. His voice was drowned out amongst Vernon and Harry 's shouting, and petunia 's shrieking.

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

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

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

Vernon 's case turned from ghostly white to a deep refinement of purple. `` What could he possibly teach ? Abnormalness ? ``

`` trick, Dad, it 's called magic, '' Dudley sighed.

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

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

`` aught dear will come of this, Dudley ! I assure you of that ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` Vernon, '' Petunia put her manus on her husband 's arm, `` Let it go. ``

`` You do clear that this kind of abnormalcy is what got your sister killed ! ``

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

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

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

Vernon and Petunia regained their composure and Petunia gave Dudley a bone crunching hug and smothered him with kisses. She then moved on and did the Saame with both her grandchildren, making sure to completely ignore Albus, James, and Lily. Albus sat down on the sofa and to his dislike, Vernon chose to sit next to him. After a few moments of inept silence, Vernon turned to Albus. `` So, '' he began, causing Albus to jump, `` You go to this, schooling, too ? ``

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

`` Look at me when I 'm talking to you, '' Vernon spat, `` I see personal manner are n't high on their anteriority list. What classes do you take there ? ``

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

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

`` Um, I guess so, '' Albus replied. He was wishing more and more that he could have just stayed at pink wine 's house instead of coming here. Why was Vernon questioning him ? Why not Jesse James or Kaden ?

`` What theme does your father Edward Teach ? '' Vernon barked.

`` Defense Against the Dark art, '' Albus muttered.

`` And what is that, exactly ? ``

`` Defensive charm, dueling, stuff you use to overcome wickedness wiz like Voldemort. ``

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

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

`` He 's a great instructor, Grandpa ! I love my new schooltime. It 's much better than Muggle school day, '' Kaden grinned. `` I 'll be right back. '' He ran up the steps and came back a few moment later with his wand. `` Look at this ! ``

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

`` Of course I do ! '' Kaden laughed, `` I wish I could show you some magic, though. I ca n't do it outside school. Hey, Professor ceramicist can show you ! ``

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

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

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

`` Or never, '' Vernon muttered.

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

The Dursleys dominated most of the dinner conversation, with Vernon and genus Petunia asking Dudley and Christina about what was new in their lives. They wanted to sleep together every finally detail, down to what grade Bethany had gotten on her latest book report in school day. Eventually they had exhausted this topic and the table descended into an ill at ease silence before Vernon started drilling Harry about his life.

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

`` I 'm the top dog of the Auror section at the Ministry of Magic, '' Harry smiled.

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

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

`` Oh, like a policeman. Would n't have guessed you 'd be in law enforcement, what with all the trouble you caused as a child. ``

Harry sighed, `` You know about of that was n't my demerit. ``

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

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

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

That had to be the most nonsensical affair Albus had ever heard. A wizard could not rick a Muggle into a wizard. If they could, there would n't be any Squibs in the domain, and there would certainly be more wizards.

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

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

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

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

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

`` I am not going to remain firm for anymore abonormalness in this family ! '' Vernon roared.

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

`` How do you know ? ``

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

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

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

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

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

Albus glanced nervously from one adult to the next, hoping that the fight was over. He realized now how a great deal Uncle Vernon and aunty Petunia hated magic now. The two of them were still going on about how Albus 's gran had been killed, thirty-some eld later. Albus was still amazed that Vernon had actually blamed Harry for Kaden being a wizard. Albus knew Vernon disliked Harry, but he did n't believe Vernon would still find fault Harry for things he did n't like, this many old age later.

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

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

`` This is utterly ludicrous, '' Vernon muttered, `` Wait till Marge hears about it. ``

`` I hate aunty margarin, '' Kaden said loudly, causing Albus to huff into his succus. `` All she talks about is breeding dogs. ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` That was n't his fault ! '' Ginny came to Harry 's demurrer, `` He could n't control it ! What your sister said about his parents was absolutely icky and you know it ! ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` They should have just ignored him and minded their own stage business, '' Petunia announced. Albus did n't really think she should be telling person to bear in mind their own business organization, when she thrived off of gossip.

`` You could n't discount Voldemort ! '' Harry and Ginny said at the same time.

`` Can soul please enjoin me how auntie oleo got blown up ? ! '' Kaden shouted again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` Dementors, '' Albus corrected, `` They 're these cloaked creatures that suck out your soul. ``

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

`` suck out your soul, '' Albus repeated, `` They feed on happy view, until you 're only will with the sad unity. ``

Kaden shuddered, `` They sound crashing horrible. prof thrower saved Dad from one ? ``

`` Yeah, when they were 15. There 's a magical spell, the Patronus good luck charm, that drives them away. It 's really kick upstairs illusion not taught until seventh class, but Dad learned in his third twelvemonth. ``

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

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

`` We would sustain been very well without those weirdos 'protecting'us ! '' Vernon raged.

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

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

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

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

The adults said nothing for a few moments while Christina glared at every one of them. Eventually, Harry spoke, `` She 's right. We should just try and get along. '' Ginny nodded in agreement.

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

`` Fine, '' Vernon tiff, `` I 'll suffer the boy. But you are making a weighty mistake with Kaden, Dudley. ``

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

The rest of the dinner was much more pleasurable. Harry quickly told the storey of when he blew up Marge to soak Kaden and Bethany 's curiosity, but there was no more acknowledgment of magic throughout the rest of the meal. The conversation centered on topics that could be equally relative to Muggles and wizards, such as the weather. Albus did n't say anything, choosing instead to quietly eat his pudding while listening to the adults'laboured conversations. He was just happy that they were no longer arguing with each other.

After dinner, Albus, James I, and Kaden escaped to Kaden 's bedroom, which he was bore to show off. The stallion thing was decorated with various football paraphernalia, with a lot of vehemence on Manchester United. James II found this highly flirt with and exhausted quite a few instant laughing at the posters, in which the instrumentalist remained completely still. Kaden spent a while showing off his Christmas presents to Albus and James I and soon wanted to point them how to play his Wii.

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

The Wii was set up in the middle of the room and attached to a television system that was against the wall. Albus had never played a Wii before and was kind of singular about it. King James I was as well, although he got sidetracked by a outside ascendence car. He drove it all over the room, completely amazed at how the car seemed to move by magic.

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

Kaden spent the next hour teaching William James and Albus how to toy the Wii. They started with Kaden 's new racing biz, which was actually pretty complicated. It took Albus the better part of an hour to figure out how to bet it. King James I caught on a bit faster, but neither of them could top Kaden in skill. Albus found that the secret plan was incredibly fun and almost wished he had one at his house. Once they successfully learned the racing plot, Kaden went on to teach them how to work a couple more games. Lily eventually wandered over and wanted to get a line, too. By the time midnight came around, all five of them were taking turns playing games and Albus was having a gravid time.

Albus was sort of disappointed when his dad called them back upstairs to count down to the new year and hoped that everyone was still acting civilly. They were, as Albus found when he entered the support room. It did n't really look like the adult were enjoying themselves, but they were at least acting polite, which was good enough for Albus.

Shortly after they rang in the new class, Albus 's parents decided it was sentence to leave. Albus had no arguments against this because he was tired and did n't really want to pass anymore fourth dimension in the same firm as Uncle Vernon. Harry politely shook hands with Vernon, said good-by to petunia, and told Dudley he would owl him soon. Vernon variety of flinched at the citation of the Word of God 'owl .'Albus completely ignored Vernon and Petunia, and told Kaden he would see him on the power train ride back to schoolhouse. Once the obligatory goodbyes were said, Albus and his family line left the theater, only to Apparate back to Grimmauld plaza a few streets away.


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


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to admit that he was happy to be going back to Hogwarts. After the nearly calamitous dinner with the Dursleys, Albus spent his meter working on prep or goofing off with St. James and Lily. By the end of the holiday he was actually kind of bored and glad to be seeing his ally again. Plus, the sooner he got back to shoal, the Sooner he could try out the new map.

The ceramicist met the Weasleys and the Dursleys at King 's mark and entered Platform 9 3/4 together. Both families were running late again and Albus, rosebush, James, and Kaden only just made it onto the string before it left. James immediately left to find his Friend while Albus, rose, and Kaden wandered around trying to find their friends.

John and Amanda were sitting in one of the compartments in the middle of the gearing. Albus opened the doorway and walked in, followed by Rose and Kaden.

`` Hey ! '' St. John greeted them.

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

`` Yeah, '' Albus laughed and sat down future to her. He wished more than anything that Kaden would leave so he could recount bathroom and Amanda that he and prove managed to get the stag mark. All the mark were currently residing in Albus 's bag, just waiting to be transferred onto the map.

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

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

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

`` What happened ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` My granddad went mad, '' Kaden shook his head. `` And my grandma sort of did. ``

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

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

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

`` And Uncle Vernon wound up claiming that Dad had somehow used a good luck charm to turn Kaden into a virtuoso, '' Albus explained.

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

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

`` And my nan of all masses told him it was n't possible, '' Kaden laughed. `` Apparently she wanted to be a witch when she was a kid. But the best part was when granddaddy brought up Aunt Marge. ``

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

`` My grandpa 's babe, '' Kaden explained, `` I ca n't stand her. But apparently professor thrower blew her up when he was 13 ! ``

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

`` This I 've got to get word ! '' Amanda grinned.

Albus smiled at them and told the story of his Aunt Marge. Gospel According to John and Amanda laughed even harder when they had heard the whole thing.

`` What happened succeeding ? '' John asked once he had calmed down.

`` Well, we went down to the basement and played with Kaden 's Muggle video games, which was a lot of fun. ``

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

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

`` Oh, yeah. grandpa tried to win over Dad to not let me go back to Hogwarts. He thought Dad would be more potential to agree without you lot there. Dad told him to stop and eventually he gave up and left. ``

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

`` Hopefully not, '' Albus replied.

`` Let 's do it at your house future, '' Kaden grinned, `` I want to see a wizard house. ``

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

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

`` We 'll come, too, '' Rose announced. John and Amanda nodded. `` And flatness. ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` good, '' Albus said.

******

Over the next few days, Albus kept trying to bump some metre to narrate John and Amanda about the stag print, but it was hard to shake Kaden off. It seemed the alone times they were away from him was when they were in social class or in their hall at night. Neither were good opportunity to verbalise about the map.

In the lag, Malfoy was trying to figure out why Matt was n't in schooltime. The full moonlight was n't until the following week, so Albus was going to throw to wear Malfoy 's questioning for a while longer. Nothing seemed to fulfill him. Albus was also preoccupied with what was going to materialize this broad moon. He was kind of worried about lustrelessness taking the new wolfsbane potion.

All the students and instructor seemed to be falling into their usual routines. Dueling and Quidditch exercise started up again. Both Kate and GA were working their teams hard and Albus was feeling the effects. Between that and the increase amount of money of homework the instructor were intention on assigning, he had hardly any time for anything else.

A couple sidereal day into the full term, Kaden finally had one of his tutoring academic session. Albus and his friend seized the opportunity and ran to the Room of necessary as soon as Kaden left the green room.

`` Finally ! '' Saint John the Apostle exclaimed as he threw himself onto one of the couch in the way. `` I thought I was going to die of oddment ! ``

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

`` It 'll be easy once rosiness soma out the charm to maintain him quiet, '' Albus replied.

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

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

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

`` precondition a bit of practice, sure, '' rose wine replied. `` We just have to make certainly flatness agrees to it. ``

`` I 'm sure he will, '' whoremonger said, `` I mean, this appeal will definitely maintain Kaden from telling anyone. ``

`` I 'll take off working on it now, '' pink wine took the ledger back, `` I have n't started yet because I do n't want anyone to ask why I 'm trying to discover it. ``

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

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

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

`` We should waitress for Matt, '' Albus told him, `` He 's a part of this as much as we are. ``

`` Oh, yeah, that 's a respectable idea, '' St. John the Apostle set the prints down on a nearby table. `` You know, I think this is the low time we 've been in here without him. ``

`` I think you 're right, '' Albus commented. It was kind of strange, really. All the other sentence they had been in the room, Matt had been the one to ask for it. cipher said anything for a few mo. Albus could differentiate that everyone was thinking the same matter he was, what would find with Matt 's new potion.

`` well, he 'll be back soon, '' John said after a while.

`` As long as zero goes wrong, '' Albus said quietly.

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

`` Definitely, '' Albus agreed, but he could n't serve but think the new potion would n't work any better than the old one. Why should it ? If matte was resistant to wolf's bane potion, why should a different assortment of it make ?

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

******

Albus became more and more anxious as the broad moon approached. His friends seemed to as well, and John especially developed a very short circuit fuzee. Kaden seemed to get the brunt of this but he took it in stride. The dark of the actual full lunation, Albus had Quidditch practice. He became so cark during it that Georgia called for a break during practice and demanded to know why Albus was dropping so many Quaffles. He lied and told her he was worried about a August 6 exam the future day. Luckily she seemed to accept this and wished him luck on his exam. Albus tried surplus hard during the endorse one-half of practice but still missed a lot of easy passes.

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

His Friend were sitting at their usual table which was covered in homework. Not that much of it was being done. Kaden was the alone one feverishly working away at an essay. John, Amanda, and even rose wine were staring off into nothing with their untouched homework in battlefront of them. Albus quickly stowed his Calluna vulgaris in his dormitory and joined his Quaker at the table.

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

`` Hi, '' pink wine mumbled. lav and Amanda gave equally unenthusiastic greetings.

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

Even at a prison term like this, Albus could n't assist but laugh at Kaden 's cluelessness. `` Hi, Kaden. ``

`` How was practice ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not that big. I got hit with a couple bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' Kaden winced.

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

`` Just go see Madam Pomfrey, '' rose wine suggested, `` Your arm looks nasty. ``

Albus glanced at his arm. It had turned a lovely purplish blue vividness in the fourth dimension since he had received the black eye. `` All right field, '' he stood up. `` I 'll see you in a bit. ``

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

Albus did n't find like telling Kaden not to bother, so he nodded and Kaden followed him out of the common room. Albus did n't mouth much on the way to the hospital fender, but Kaden kept up a streaming commentary about what went on in his classes that day. Kaden must stimulate felt the motive to part it even though nothing particularly exciting had happened that day. The corridors were utterly deserted and Kaden 's voice seemed awfully loud. Albus glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost curfew. He wished he had brought his invisibility Cloak. Of course, none of the teachers could give him hold for being out of his common room in society to go see Madam Pomfrey, could they ?

Albus pushed the door to the hospital wing open slowly and saw that Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, writing something, and glancing out the windowpane every few arcsecond. The Moon was streaming through and illuminating one of the beds. There were n't any affected role in the ward, which Albus thought was kind of strange. Albus rarely ever saw the billet empty. He walked quietly up to Madam Pomfrey and Kaden followed. The nurse did n't even appear to have noticed them hail in.

`` Er, excuse me, Madam Pomfrey ? '' Albus said once he was a duo feet in front of the desk.

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

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

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

Albus held out his arm and Madam Pomfrey clucked her tongue as she inspected it. She pulled out her wand and touched it to his arm, muttering a spell as she did so. Albus 's arm felt warm and tingly, and then normal again. The pain was gone.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` No problem. Anywhere else ? ``

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

Madam Pomfrey looked at Albus 's backbone and performed the Lapp healing good luck charm. It felt immensely better.

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

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

Albus nodded and turned to pull up stakes. He and Kaden were soon back in the abandon corridor.

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

`` Shush, '' Albus hissed, `` Transfiguration examination tomorrow. ``

`` Oh, that 's probably why John, rosiness, and Amanda were so hushed. ``

`` Yeah, that was it. ``

The two of them continued their trek to the common room until they practically bumped into two other people as they turned a corner.

`` Watch it ! '' a frigidness vocalization shouted and shoved Albus aside.

Albus pulled out his verge and lit it, shoving the light in the faces of the two strangers. They were Malfoy and Willinson. `` You watch it, '' Albus muttered.

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

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

`` None of your stage business. ``

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

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

`` Do n't send for him that ! '' Albus shouted.

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

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

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

`` You 'll do no such thing, Mr. Malfoy, '' soul said from behind Albus.

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

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

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

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

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

Patil looked at Kaden. `` Is that dead on target, Mr. Dursley ? ``

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

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

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

Any colouring that had been in Malfoy 's face drained. The four male child quietly followed Professor Patil to the hospital flank. Albus was very relieved. Madam Pomfrey would enjoin Patil that he and Kaden had been there, and then she would n't give them detention.

Patil opened the doors to the hospital wing, but Madam Pomfrey was no yearner there. Patil motioned for the boys to stay there and she strode over to the nurse 's position. She knocked lightly and waited for madam Pomfrey to appear.

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

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

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

ma'am Pomfrey gazed at the boy. `` Well, Albus and Kaden were here about fifteen minutes ago, but I have n't seen the other two in quite a while. ``

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

`` Not a trouble, '' the nurse replied.

`` I 'll submit you two back to your common way, '' Patil said to Albus and Kaden. `` As for you, '' she glared at Malfoy and Willinson, `` You will fall back to my office and we shall arrange for detainment. ``

Malfoy and Willinson sulked and muttered under their breathing place as the five of them exited the Mrs. Humphrey Ward. Albus laughed to himself on their way back to Gryffindor tugboat. Malfoy and Willinson were glaring obelisk at Albus and Kaden the hale way back, but Albus just smirked at them. They could n't do anything now anyway, not with Patil around. But surely they would charge Albus and Kaden for their detention and Albus would have to watch out the future few days.

******

Albus did n't sleep very well that night, despite his fatigue from Quidditch practice. He fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning and woke up only a few hour later. bathroom was just as exhausted and the two of them stumbled down into the common room, only to find rosebush slumped over a book of account at their usual table.

`` blush wine ! '' Albus shook his cousin 's shoulder, `` Wake up ! ``

rose wine slowly lifted her drumhead and then jumped at the mess of Albus and Saint John. `` Wha-what are you two doing ? ``

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

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

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

`` No, could n't kip, '' Rose shrugged, `` So I came back down and worked on the Sileo Altus charm. I just ca n't count on it out. It 's driving me mad ! ``

`` That 's a really high level appealingness, blush wine. You know it 's going to take you a while, '' Albus reminded her.

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

A few minute of arc later, Albus and his friend walked to the Great Hall. Albus noticed Malfoy and Willinson at the Slytherin tabular array as they walked by and both of the Slytherins were shooting obelisk at Albus.

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

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

`` Yeah, he 's not too happy. ``

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

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

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

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

`` You 've got a alphabetic character ! '' Kaden shouted eagerly.

`` I know, '' Albus rolled his heart and pulled the letter off the owl 's leg. He gave the owl a few bits of pledge and the heavy bird flew off.

rosebush, who was on Albus 's other side, looked over his berm as he looked at the envelope. John and Amanda were leaning over the board and Kaden was leaning over Albus 's other shoulder.

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

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

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

`` Shush ! '' Albus, Saint John the Apostle, Rose, and Amanda said at once.

`` Well, we 'd better be off to Transfiguration, '' Albus said and gave rosebush a significant glance.

`` Yes, we 'd better, '' rose stood up.

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

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

`` I 'll number, too ! ``

Albus sighed and got up from the table. He could n't open that alphabetic character in nominal head of Kaden. Rose, John, and Amanda got up as well and followed Albus out of the Great Hall. Kaden was right behind him, but Albus did n't defy open it yet. Kaden stalled in the entry Hall, but eventually gave up and headed down to the dungeons for Potions.

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

`` 'Cause he 's Kaden, '' St. John the Apostle shook his head.

`` We 'll just read it after history of illusion, '' Rose said as they climbed the stairs, `` We 've got the whole afternoon off. ``

The morning dragged by at an extremely slow gait, in Albus 's opinion. Transfiguration of Jesus was n't too bad, since it was a practical lesson. Malfoy descended upon Albus and the others after the course of instruction was over, wanting to know where lustrelessness was. Albus lied and told him flatness was having a recently holiday with his grandparents and then took off for account of Magic, ignoring Malfoy 's charge about detention that followed.

History of Magic was as tedious as usual. Albus thought he saw the clock 's hands go backwards at one point. He passed notes with bathroom and Amanda while rose wine took promissory note. She seemed to have inherited her mother 's ability to stay awake during that class. trick nodded off at one gunpoint and Albus had to prod him awake with his pinion. Professor Binns did n't even appear to notice.

After History of Magic finally ended, Albus and his friend went to the Great manor hall to grab a quick luncheon. Kaden was there when they arrived and immediately launched into an explanation of the potion he had just brewed. Apparently it was so telling that Slughorn gave him a bar of Honeyduke 's coffee and an invitation to the next Slug nightclub meeting.

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

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

`` Er, yeah, they do, '' Albus coughed. He had not been expecting Kaden to get invited to any type slug Club meeting. Albus had n't even gone to any since the previous yr. He just told Slughorn he had Quidditch recitation or too a great deal homework to go. Slughorn had n't even had his Christmas party this year. Albus was n't sure enough why, but he was guessing it was because he had n't been capable to bump anyone famous to attend.

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

Albus groaned inwardly, `` Oh, I do n't know .... ''

`` Please ? '' Kaden pleaded.

`` amercement, '' Albus sighed. It could n't be that bad now that Quinton Willinson was gone. And it was just one get together. `` But just this once. And if Peach State calls for Quidditch recitation, I wo n't go to the group meeting. ``

`` Yay ! '' Kaden shouted.

Once Kaden left for his following family, Albus and his supporter went straight for the elbow room of Requirement. Albus and Rose sat on one of the couches while St. John the Apostle and Amanda sat on the opposite one. Albus reached into his bag and found the letter.

`` Here it goes, '' Albus whispered.

`` That potion better have worked, '' John said.

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

Dear Albus, Rose, John, and Amanda,

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

`` darn ! '' John shouted.

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

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

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

From,
Amy

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

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

`` Yeah, '' rose wine agreed.

Nobody said anything for a few bit. Albus felt very disappointed that the potion had n't worked, but he was for sure it did n't even come close to what matt was feeling.

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

pink wine glared at him, `` He wo n't. He 's still in that study, which means he 's still got to take that potion for the next two twelvemonth or so. Then there 'll probably be another one for him to quiz. And maybe that one will make. ``

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

`` Then you can do it when you 're older, '' rose said, `` You could n't do it now anyway, it 's too advanced. ``

`` Albus 's grandfather did it. ``

`` When he was in one-fifth year, '' Rose reminded him.

`` Fine, three more years then, '' John the Divine shrugged.

pink wine sighed, `` matt wo n't let you join him on the full Moon, though. And I would n't hint doing it behind his back. ``

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

`` Definitely, '' pink wine agreed.

Albus and his supporter spent the better part of the next minute talking about what they would do if they could transform into fauna. They all agreed that listening in on people 's conversations and sneaking up on mass like Malfoy would be top on the listing of stuff to do. Eventually, Rose insisted that they all start their homework, which took them most of the evening to complete.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

Kaden, on the other hand, spent the days leading up to Sat talking non-stop about the Slug Club group meeting. Albus had already explained in point what they involved, but that did n't stop Kaden from constantly wondering aloud about what the meeting would be like.

Saturday arrived quickly and Albus was still without an excuse to not hang the get together. GA had not called for Quidditch practice that day, mainly due to the fact that the Ravenclaws booked the tar all morning and the Slytherins had it all good afternoon. The two houses were scheduled to play each other the following Saturday.

`` It 's clock time for the type slug Club meeting, Albus ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly a few minutes before eleven.

Albus sighed and got up out of his chair in the coarse way. `` See you lot in a short while, '' he said to John and Amanda.

`` Have loads of fun ! '' John laughed.

`` See you later, '' Amanda grinned.

Albus, Kaden, and Rose, who had also decided to go, set off for the keep. Albus hoped he would only cause to stay for a lilliputian while, maybe an 60 minutes at to the highest degree. Just long enough for Kaden to see what the encounter were like.

The coming together was held in the Potions schoolroom and a few scholarly person were milling about when Albus, rosebush, and Kaden walked into the room. Albus recognized nearly of them from last class 's meetings. A few of his cousin were there as well, but not all of them. Saint James the Apostle was n't there, but Albus knew he had dueling praxis that day. Albus was also happy to remark that Felix Willinson was not there. Of course of action, after what happened with Quinton and his founder, Albus guessed he should n't be surprised that Quinton 's cousin would n't be invited to the Slug Club.

There was a tabularize full of food along one of the side walls and most everyone was crowding around it trying to get some lunch. Slughorn had a plateful of food in front man of him and was sitting at a prominent mesa in the front of the room.

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

`` What is this poppycock ? '' Kaden pointed to a platter of some sort of meat.

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

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

`` unspoilt to see you all again ! '' Slughorn greeted them and then turned to Albus. `` And Albus and Rose ! I 'm very well-chosen that you two decided to add up ! How have stratum been going ? ``

`` Good, '' Albus replied.

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

Kaden grinned, `` Potions is fun. Loads better than Transfiguration of Jesus. ``

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

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

`` This stuff is excellent ! ``

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

Albus chuckled to himself. Of course Kaden liked the pheasant. If there was one thing Albus had learned about his full cousin over the yesteryear six months, it was that he 'd eat pretty much anything. This was obviously something he had inherited from his father.

Slughorn soon launched into a prolonged explanation of what he did over his holiday and who he had spent time with. ( `` Barry Ryan used to bring for Ireland, you know. '' ) Albus found the completely affair rather boring but he noticed that Kaden seemed to attend on Slughorn 's every Word. rosebush seemed to be paying aid as well, but probably only out of courtesy.

Albus let his thinker wander as Slughorn continued talking about his dinner with Barry Ryan. Matt was supposed to return to Hogwarts the following day, which meant that in as picayune as twenty-four hr, they could be having the map working. Well, if they could filch away to the Room of requirement, that is. Albus hoped pink wine would suffer that charm working soon. Then they could just do all of this with Kaden. It would induce it a entirely lot easier. Of course, Matt still had n't said that he agreed to differentiate Kaden even with the appealingness. Albus kept forgetting about that part. But why would n't he accord ? The charm seemed like it would play well.

Albus, Kaden, and Rose wound up staying until the end of the meeting. Kaden was enthralled by the entire matter and Albus knew he would resist to leave early. Albus was incredibly bored by the clock time the matter was over and Rose looked as bored as Albus felt. Once the meeting was finally over, the three of them said goodbye to Slughorn and left the dungeons.

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

`` boring 's more like it, '' Albus replied.

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

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

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

Albus looked at Rose. She did n't see like she wanted to go to the next one either. `` Er, well, I might suffer Quidditch practice. ``

`` And I 'll probably accept too much homework, '' Rose explained.

`` I 'd go even if I did accept too very much homework, '' Kaden told them.

`` That really is n't a good idea, '' blush wine warned him. `` You 'll get behind. ``

Albus laughed as rose wine launched into a discussion about how important meter management is and how homework should always get first. The three of them were nearly to the plebeian elbow room by the time Rose finished and Kaden was wearing a vacuous look on his face, much like the one Albus had worn during the Slug guild meeting.

******

`` Got any idea what sentence he 's coming back ? '' John the Divine asked shortly after tiffin the following day in the common room.

`` No estimation, '' Albus shrugged.

Albus, Saint John, Kaden, Rose, and Amanda were all sitting around their common table in the common room. Rose and Kaden were playing cheat and it was evident that rosiness was going gentle on Kaden. The two of them had been playing the Lapplander plot for fifteen minutes. If Rose wanted to, she probably could have beat Kaden in five moment. John the Divine and Amanda were both working on the Transfiguration essay that was due the side by side day. Albus had already finished that finicky essay and was watching rose wine and Kaden 's chess match.

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

`` Bishop to D3. '' Rose 's bishop smashed Kaden 's poove to man. `` checkmate, '' rosiness grinned.

`` crap, '' Kaden muttered as his king dropped its sword in defeat.

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

`` Do you have Quidditch praxis today, Albus ? '' Saint John the Apostle asked.

`` Yeah. Sakartvelo managed to reserve the pitch for an hour after dinner. The Hufflepuffs were n't too happy, but Georgia got it first. ``

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

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

`` He 's going to get a shipment of homework to stool up, '' Kaden announced.

`` That sounds like something you 'd say, rose, '' John laughed.

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

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

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

`` lack to play again, Rose ? '' Kaden asked.

Rose shrugged. `` indisputable, why not. ``

Rose and Kaden set up their man and started to bring again. Albus watched them. It was pretty funny to watch the two of them take on chess. Kaden would sit there forever figuring out what motility to wee and once he made it, rose would smile and travel one of her own pieces within seconds. Rose 's moves usually involved killing one of Kaden 's pieces.

The portrait hole to the common room opened a few mo later and Albus looked up. lusterlessness was just climbing through and headed straight person for Albus 's table once he noticed them.

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

`` Hi Albus, '' mat grinned back. He looked wear down, but happy. There was still a yellowish bruise on his forehead, but other than that he looked fine.

John, rose, Amanda, and Kaden all looked up from what they were doing and greeted Matt as well. Matt grabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat down following to Albus.

`` How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` All right, '' mat shrugged.

`` Er, Kaden, '' Albus began, `` You know how you said Matt 's got a lot of homework to produce up ? ``

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

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

`` Ok, I 've got my own homework to set off on anyway. ``

`` goodness, '' Albus replied, `` John the Divine ? Amanda, blush wine ? You can fare with us. ``

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

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

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

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

`` You wo n't ingest to. I 've already gotten it. They owled it to me over the vacation. I 've already finished it all, '' Matt explained.

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

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

The five champion continued their walk to the Room of prerequisite, which manifested itself in its usual form for them. They walked into the elbow room and settled onto the usual scarlet and gold furniture.

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

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

`` Did it help at all ? '' Rose asked.

`` Nope. ``

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

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

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

`` They were n't really serious English essence. It just made me really tired. ``

`` But you 're always tired before the wide-cut moon, '' John pointed out.

`` I know, but the potion made it uncollectible. Usually I can at to the lowest degree go to morning course on the day of the full moon but with the new potion I 'll just catch some Z's right through them. It makes me tired as soon as I start taking it, which is a week before the full Sun Myung Moon, just like the habitue Wolfsbane was. ``

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

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` The therapist are trying to find a potion to counteract the fatigue, but I doubt they 'll ingest one in time for future month. ``

`` I do n't get why you have to celebrate taking it if it does n't even function, '' John shook his head.

`` Because they have to pass water sure it was n't just a fluke or something. That 's the thing about these studies, they have to do multiple trial to break down the effects and stuff. ``

`` There 's a prospect it might wreak following month ? '' Amanda asked confusedly.

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

`` You do n't appear that upset or anything, '' pink wine commented.

`` I honestly did n't think it was going to mold. My parents told me not to get my hopes up about any of these experimental potions. Plus, this was only the first one I 've tried. They 'll number up with others. ``

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

`` Me, too, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` You 've got no idea how a lot I wish that.

`` Let 's not talk about it anymore now, though. You 've got to narrate me if you got the shop mark ! It 's been driving me mad for week now. ``

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

`` brainy ! '' mat exclaimed.

`` And I 've got the transference charm all worked out, '' pink wine told him.

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

`` I 'm working on it ! '' John replied, `` It 's arduous than you 'd think to spot a rat during Potions. ``

`` Well, we 've got two-base hit Potions tomorrow, so try then. Slughorn 'll be having us brew the whole class probably, so just hold open your eye out, '' Albus told him.

`` I will. I 'll pay more care to potential rats than to my potion, '' John the Evangelist grinned.

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

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

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

`` Just think, this time tomorrow, we may have the map working, '' matt commented, `` That would be awe-inspiring. ``

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

`` And I 'm not entirely sure the map will make for after we do this, '' Albus said, `` It almost seems too childlike. ``

Albus had been thinking this for a few Day now. They had had an incredibly easy time getting the print. Almost too easy a clip. Dogs, stags, and scum bag were quite common and anyone who could cast a uncomplicated Petrificus Totalus charm could get those prints. The solitary one that would be difficult for the average sensation to get was the werewolf print. Even so, Albus did n't imagine the Marauders would pass water it this soft to access the map.

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

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

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

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

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

`` Speaking of the Marauders, '' John turned to Rose, `` How 's the Sileo Altus good luck charm coming ? ``

`` The what ? '' lustrelessness asked.

`` Oh, yeah, we 've got to recite you about that, '' John said. `` Want to explain it, Rose ? ``

`` Sure, '' Rose shrugged, `` It 's a charm I found in a Word at my planetary house. It 's a way to prepare sure enough someone keeps something a secret. sort of like the Fidelius charm, only it 's for verbal secrets, not places. Whomever performs the charm is the secret keeper and only that person can unmake the charm. After the appeal is performed, the person ca n't mouth about the enigma with anyone except the Secret custodian and anyone else who was involved in the magic spell playacting. It 's a way to hold open Kaden from telling anyone that you 're a werewolf. ``

Albus held his breath as Rose explained and hoped that flatness would think it was a goodness idea. Albus watched as Matt thought about what Rose had said. Albus could n't really say what he thought. flatness looked a bit surprised, almost like he did n't opine Rose would hold ever found a charm to do that.

`` fountainhead, what do you imagine ? '' Albus asked after a few present moment silence.

`` I 'm not sure, '' lusterlessness said quietly, `` Will it really work ? ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` I doubt he 's ever going to imbibe any Veritaserum, '' Rose said,"And even if he did, somebody would stimulate to ask him if you were a werewolf. He would n't just randomly start telling people."

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

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

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

`` Yeah, but still ... I do n't roll in the hay ... '' mat groaned, `` I just do n't really want to separate him. ``

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

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

`` No, '' Albus replied, `` I 'm not indisputable when we 'll need him. The map just said we had to be like the Marauders, which means we 'll need somebody to be Wormtail at some gunpoint. ``

`` And I want to prove that charm out before we use it on Kaden, '' lustrelessness said.

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

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

******

`` Settle down, root down, '' Slughorn barked at his class.

Albus turned around in his seat. He had been talking to John, who was sitting behind him adjacent to Goyle. Albus was sitting next to Limbert and Matt was looking thoroughly paltry next to Maloy in the next row over at the nominal head. Slughorn was still plowing forward with his inter-house partners in class, but Albus did n't imagine it was helping to decrease the hostility between Gryffindor and Slytherin. So far, the outflank that had happened was silent odium during pragmatic lessons and jinxing and hexing at worst. Based on the small affaire d'honneur between Ethan and Garth Octavius the previous hebdomad, it was only a subject of time before thing really got out of hand.

`` Thank you, '' Slughorn said once everyone was paying care, `` Today you 'll be brewing the discombobulation Potion I taught you about on Friday. He waved his wand at the blackboard, `` management are on the board. You have the entire class. ``

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

Albus nodded and pulled out his scepter. Albus and Limbert had come to an unexpressed correspondence with brewing potions. Limbert would compile ingredients while Albus lit the fervency and unpacked all the various scales and knife. Then, Albus would devise the ingredients while Limbert added them and stirred the cauldron. Albus was ok with this since Limbert was a practiced Potions brewer than he was.

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

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

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

`` Oh. ``

`` Stir it the other way ! '' St. John the Apostle shouted.

Albus stifled a laugh and glanced to his left, where Rose and Vivien Leigh Montague were having a similar conversation.

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

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

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

`` Fine. You do the whole thing if you 're so smart, '' Leigh huffed.

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

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

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

`` living stirring CLOCKWISE for another minute, '' can said slowly and clearly, `` Then switch to COUNTERCLOCKWISE. I 've got to go get something. Do n't do anything besides the inspiration. ``

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

Saint John pointed to a recession of the elbow room, near the cupboard of ingredients. There was a large rat sitting there. Albus shuddered and looked back at John.

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

Albus tried to concentrate on his shrivelfig, but he could n't stop glancing up at toilet. He was almost to the cupboard now, and the rat still had n't moved. Albus watched as john pointed his wand at the rat, but he could n't see what spell John was using due to the interference in the elbow room. Luckily everyone was concentrating on their potions and not paying an ounce of attention to whoremaster. Albus grimaced as John picked up the rat and shoved it inside his robes. Albus was incredibly happy that St. John the Apostle was willing to do the rat mark. The thought of putting a rat in his robes creeped Albus out.

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

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

`` Excellent, '' Albus said.

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

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

`` Boody blaze ! '' King John exclaimed as the orange potion landed on the front of his robes.

bedlam erupted in the classroom. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at the explode potion. Albus turned around and saw that the blowup had come from John the Divine and Goyle 's cauldron. Goyle was wearing a thunderstruck expression on his brass and was staring into space while holding his ladle in the air. His face was covered with potion as well as his robes. His hair was singed and there was a lowly attack on his table.

Albus could finger the potion burning down his back and it hurt like hell. It felt like his hide was on fire. He got up from his chair and felt his spine. His robe were burn straight through. John 's and Limbert 's were as well.

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

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

`` You must 've gotten potion in your oral cavity, '' Slughorn shook his principal. `` Hospital wing. Who else got hit ? ``

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

`` infirmary Wing, all of you, '' Slughorn replied, `` If one of you could please earn sure Mr. Goyle arrives there, that would be appreciated. ``

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

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

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

`` Not a cue, '' toilet shrugged, `` Not what I told him to do. ``

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

`` Well, he 's dumber than a troll, '' whoremaster groaned, `` Falco columbarius this poppycock burns. ``

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

`` True, '' John laughed and then lowered his voice, `` Hey, it was deserving it since I got the rat. ``

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

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

`` I just hope it stays stunned. ``

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

madam Pomfrey was already meddling taking care of a lady friend who had gotten bitten by something in Care of Magical brute and told them they would have to wait. Once she had finished healing the young lady, she moved on to Goyle, since he was n't capable to sit still and was wandering around the room tripping over affair. She took precaution of Limbert, Celeste, and Karina, and then moved on to the bed Albus and can were sitting on.

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

`` Well, Matt, Rose, and Amanda were all too far away to be hit by the potion, '' Albus explained.

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

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

lady Pomfrey sighed and with a wave of her wand the potion was cleaned up. `` Drink the sleep of it, '' she instructed them.

brothel keeper Pomfrey applied some sort of salve to their burns and a few minutes later they were allowed to allow for. The nanny told them to go directly to their dormitory to get new robe and that she did n't require to see them in the hospital annexe for the next few weeks.

`` Fat prospect that 'll come about, '' Saint John smirked as they started back to Gryffindor Tower.

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

`` Next Quidditch compeer is what, in three calendar week ? '' whoremonger asked.

`` Just about, '' Albus said.

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

`` Shut it, '' Albus replied, `` I did n't land myself there last mate. ``


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist or dog Sinatra.


Albus and whoremonger were immediately bombarded by Kaden when they entered the common room. rosebush, Amanda, and matt were standing just behind Kaden with smirks on their faces.

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

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

`` You know, '' Rose said, `` You 're not exactly the best potion brewer either, toilet. ``

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

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

`` So what are you doing tonight, Albus ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he followed Albus and John to the dormitory door.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had been planning on grabbing a agile dinner with his acquaintance after he changed robe, and then promontory to the Room to try out the new map. They had all the paw prints ( John had gone up to the residence hall ahead of Albus with the rat and got the print from it. Albus did n't want to know what happened to the rat afterwards ) now, so Albus was impatient to try it out. But they would n't be able to if Kaden was around.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged.

Kaden spent the entire eve with Albus and his friends. Normally, this really would n't get bothered Albus, but that night his cousin was driving him mad. All Albus wanted to do was try out the map, but he could n't think up a good excuse for them to go somewhere and not let Kaden follow. So they spent the eventide in the common elbow room, working on homework.

Albus and his Quaker were far too meddlesome the next few day to try out the new map. Albus had Quidditch practice on Tues and Thursday and dueling practice on Wednesday. rosebush had dueling practice on Friday. John normally had his practice on Sabbatum, but due to the Quidditch lucifer, it had been rescheduled for Sunday. Any bit of time where neither Albus or his booster had any practices, Kaden was around. It was n't until Saturday, following Slytherin 's spectacular loss to Ravenclaw, that they were finally capable to try out the map. Kaden had been recruited to tutor a fellow first class in Potions and was going to be spending a few hours in the dungeons after the Quidditch match.

`` ejaculate on, let 's go try it now, '' Albus whispered to his friends after Kaden left the vulgar room.

`` Got the print ? '' matte asked.

Albus nodded and grabbed his bag. They quickly left the common room and ran for the room of requisite. They almost bumped into a Ravenclaw prefect, but luckily he was feeling generous ( nigh likely due to the Quidditch win ) and did n't lambaste them for running in the corridors.

Matt paced three times in front of the empty bulwark and as soon as the door appeared, the five ally ran inside. Albus set his bag down on the board and everyone crowded around it. Albus pulled out all four prints and the map.

`` All right, '' Albus unfolded the map, `` rosebush, you 're good with the appealingness, right ? ``

pink wine nodded, `` I 've practiced it and it works every metre. ``

`` Good, '' Albus stared at the map, unsure of how to begin, `` Er, maybe I should do what I did last clock time to get it to tell us we 've got to prove we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Probably, '' blush wine agreed.

`` Wait ! '' whoremaster shouted, `` Can I do it this sentence ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus shrugged and handed John the map.

`` Excellent, '' John grinned and pointed his verge at the map, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Padfoot. ``

Ink appeared on the map, but not nearly as lots as when Albus had done it earlier in the year.

'No, you 're not .'

The ink disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

`` What ? '' lav shouted, `` But it worked shoemaker's last time ! ``

Albus 's Hope plummeted. Why was n't it working now ? Was it on some kind of a timer ? Like it could only work on a certain day of the month ? He had been so excited about getting the new map to work, and now it would n't even tell them to try out they knew the Marauders.

`` Let me try, '' Matt grabbed the parchment and pointed his wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Moony. ``

'No, you 're not .'The map said once again.

`` This sucking, '' Gospel According to John muttered, `` It worked last clock time. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to be Albus, '' rosebush suggested.

Albus wordlessly grabbed the map and pointed his own wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

The ink he had been expecting to seem rose to the surface of the parchment and formed the familiar words.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the Marauder 's Map, Second Edition .'

`` Ha ! '' Albus grinned in excitement, `` There it is ! ``

`` But why did n't it work for us ? '' John asked dejectedly. `` Does that mean we ca n't be Padfoot and Moony ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus sighed. He really hoped his friends would be able to be Padfoot and Moony. Who else could be Padfoot and Moony ? The map would n't even work without mortal to be Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail. Albus could n't do it alone.

'Mr. Prongs disagrees with you and insists that you are not Prongs. However, you could be the s Prongs .'

`` See ? Why did n't it say 'However, you could be the second Padfoot'when I did it ? ``

'When four male child, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendship and mischief, they may portray themselves as the next generation of Marauders. These four friends must each map one of the Marauders, for if even one is missing, this map will not bring. Before this goes any further, you must turn out that you know the arcanum of the vulture. establish that you know, and you may stay along the track of discovery .'

'The path of discovery ? I never knew you were so poetic, Mr. Prongs .'

'Oh, believe me, Mr. Padfoot, I am not. Mr. Moony came up with that altogether thing .'

'Then I pay my compliments on the phrasing to Mr. Moony .'

'Mr. Moony advises that whomever is reading this ignore Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot and start proving that they know the marauder .'

'Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and also advises that if whomever is reading this has no idea who the Marauders are, that they quit while they 're ahead .'

'The vulture wish you just luck .'

`` Well, now what ? '' Gospel According to John asked.

`` I guess we 've just got to transport the paw mark, '' Albus said tentatively.

pink wine picked up the paw mark and the map, setting them down in social movement of her. She pulled out her wand and muttered an incantation at the lycanthrope print. Then she muttered another incantation at the map. The loup-garou print appeared on the map, just as it had been on the other piece of parchment.

`` That, was blinking amazing, '' Saint John said in awe.

Albus agreed. He was forever grateful that his full cousin was so brainy. Albus did n't think he 'd ever be able to pull off something like that. At least not until he was at least in 5th year.

Rose repeated the routine with the dog, stag, and rat prints, positioning them in the exact same way that the little gull that the vulture had put on the map.

`` There, '' she said once she was done.

The five friends stared at the map for a few second, waiting for something to pass off. The paw photographic print were n't doing anything and neither was the map. No new ink had appeared and the paw prints were n't disappearing or anything.

`` Er, '' Albus began, `` Maybe I 've got to tell the map that we know the marauder ? ``

`` Worth a shot, '' John shrugged.

Albus pulled the map over to him and tapped his wand to it, `` I, Albus Severus ceramist, the second Prongs, know the Marauders. ``

The paw print quickly faded until there was nothing left but a blank parchment. Albus glanced up and looked at his ally before returning his gaze to the new map.

'Prongs agrees that you do roll in the hay the piranha, and is especially impressed that you managed to get a lycanthrope paw photographic print .'

`` It worked ! '' Albus shouted happily.

'Due to your obvious cognition of the piranha'secrets, we shall now recount you more about this map. When the piranha were seventh year, they realized that within a few abruptly month, they would be gone from Hogwarts, and the school would be left without their chief mischief makers.

'Prongs suggested-'

'Do you always talk about yourself in the tierce person, Prongs ?'

'Only when I have a cam stroke of brilliance, Padfoot .'

'Not too often then, right ?'

'Oh, get on with the explanation, Prongs .'

'Calm yourself, Moony. You 're letting your furry self show .'

'Shut it, Prongs .'

'All right. Anyway, I ( happy now, Padfoot ? ) had a fortuity of brilliance that the Marauders could encounter a way to ensure that they would never be gone from Hogwarts .'

`` I knew it ! '' Rose shouted in glee, `` I knew that was what this was about ! ``

'The Marauders decided to create another map. The first map was only the beginning. The marauder wanted to bump a way to put themselves into a map, in gild to help the future propagation of mischief makers. That is what this map is about.

'However, not just anyone would be capable to have entree to the map .'

'Yeah, we would n't need any old dunderheads stumbling upon it .'

'Right, Padfoot. Or even big, having Slytherins get their unworthy paw on it .'

'I shudder at that thought, Moony. Anyway, the Marauders had to figure out a way to check that only those worthy would be able to admission this map. The Marauder 's Map is actually quite simple to reckon out, compared to this one. All you have to do to open that is say a certain phrasal idiom. For this map, you have to be a certain person to open it.

'You may or may not get figured out that in order to get the first bit of information out of this map, you have to be a blood relative of one of the marauder. However, not everyone representing the Marauders must be related. Because, you know, we might not all have kids .'

'Yeah, you would n't want to be passing along any genes, Prongs .'

'Better mine than yours, Padfoot .'

`` That 's why only Albus could do it ! '' John shouted.

Albus felt vast backup man from this. St. John the Apostle and flatness would be able to represent Padfoot and Moony.

`` So really, only Epistle of James, Lily, Teddy, my dad, and I could get it unresolved, '' Albus said.

'The rest of you must be Gryffindor male child, because we want you to be like us .'

'Lily wo n't like that, Prongs .'

'I know, Moony, but Lily does n't lie with about this. I do n't contrive on telling her, either .'

`` Guess that counts out my Sister, '' Albus commented.

'So, now you 've proven that you know the Marauders. Your next step is to prove that you are the next predator .'

The ink slowly faded once again until the parchment was as blank as before.

Albus stared at it for a few moments, thinking about what he had just found out. The map was n't going to work yet. He had been so indisputable that all they 'd have got to do was prove they knew the vulture. But now they had yet another matter to do. They had to prove that they were the side by side Marauders. How were they going to do that ?

`` That was eldritch, '' John said.

`` I 'll say, '' Matt agreed, `` They did n't even really tell apart us what it was a map of. ``

`` Yeah, they just said they wanted to make sure they 'd never leave Hogwarts. Like the map is a part of them, '' lavatory replied.

`` To be honest, it sounds a bit like a Horcrux, '' rose wine commented.

`` Yeah, but it 's not like they put their souls in there, rosiness, '' Albus pointed out. `` It 's like the piranha 's Map. It 's just enchanted. ``

`` I still wish we knew what it was a map of, '' John muttered, `` I mean, this is n't reasonable ! We spend workweek getting those paw print and we still have n't figured the map out. ``

`` I knew you 'd have to do something like this, '' Rose said, `` Otherwise it would n't matter if there were four of you to represent the Marauders. If it was just this, Albus could make done the whole thing himself. ``

She made a good pointedness. Albus had n't really thought about that, but it was true. They had to do something that required each of them to represent one of the Marauders.

`` I guess we 've got to prove we are the piranha, then, '' Albus said, `` Wonder what that involves. ``

`` Maybe we 've got to do something the Marauders would sustain done, '' Matt suggested.

`` Like turn illegal Animagi ? '' John grinned mischievously.

`` No ! '' Matt sighed, `` I told you, you 're not doing that ! ``

`` I do n't think that 's it, '' rose began, `` How would you go about proving to a spell of paper that you 're illegal Animagi ? ``

`` Maybe we 've got to pull a huge prank or something, '' Albus said.

`` Again, how would you prove that to the map ? '' Rose asked.

`` Well, does anyone have any other ideas ? '' Albus asked.

`` We 'll think of something, '' Amanda said, `` I mean, there 's got to be a way. ``

`` Of course their is ! '' Rose said, `` We 've just got to go to the library and see if we can find anything there. ``

`` We ca n't do anything anyway until you 've got that Sileo Altus magical spell down, Rose, '' Albus pointed out.

`` right, '' Rose replied, `` It 's coming along well. I just need to get some practice. Anyone want to be my tester ? ``

`` I will ! '' John the Divine shouted and jumped up out of his chair.

`` Ok, come here, '' rose wine got up and went to the other side of the room.

Albus watched as the two of them worked. First, they had to reckon up a arcanum, which took a good bit of time. St. John the Apostle finally suggested that the secret be 'Filch the likes of to dance in the moonlight with a foresightful grip mop with Frank Sinatra music playing in the background .'

Albus burst out laughing at that. `` Filch ? Dancing ? ``

`` Yes, '' bathroom said in a life-threatening tone, `` I saw him once. He was rubbing the mop head to his fount and had on a look of pure joy. ``

`` And soon you wo n't be capable to tell anyone about it, '' Amanda grinned. `` What a shame. ``

`` Yes, it is, is n't it ? '' John laughed. `` You lot can still pass around it around, though. ``

`` Ok, John, let 's try it, '' Rose said.

Rose pointed her wand at herself and recited the good luck charm that would make her the closed book keeper. Then, she pointed her wand at john and said a slightly dissimilar charm.

`` Now you say the surreptitious, toilet. ``

`` Filch likes to dance in the moonlight with a long handgrip mop with frank Francis Albert Sinatra medicine playing in the background signal, '' lav smirked.

`` Good, '' Rose replied and then performed another magical spell on John. `` I 'm not make to try including other people yet, so Saint John will only be capable to talk about Filch 's little drug abuse to me. ``

rose waved her wand around in an intricate pattern and then said one survive incantation. She lowered her wand and stared at John. Then she turned to look Albus.

`` There. Now you can try asking him about it, Albus. ``

Albus grinned, `` All right. So, lavatory, heard anything interesting about Filch lately ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' John shouted, `` Actually, just the other night I saw him and he was- '' John 's back talk continued moving but no phone was coming out of it.

Albus and Amanda burst out laughing. John looked like a fish out of pee. `` I think it worked ! '' Albus shouted.

blush wine was staring at John with a thin tone of disappointment. `` Not quite. He was n't even supposed to be able to move his mouth. You know, in instance people can read lips. I guess it 's a start, though. ``

`` Definitely. I mean, this is a really throw out magical spell. You ca n't ingest expected to get it on the first try, '' Albus pointed out. Although, he did kind of think Rose expected to get it on the first try.

`` I suppose, '' Rose sighed, `` I 'll just unmake it. ``

rosiness waved her wand around and muttered some more incantations. `` Ok, he should be able to blab out about it now. ``

`` Heard anything comical about Filch recently ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, he likes to dance with a prospicient hold mop by moonlight while Frank Francis Albert Sinatra plays in the backdrop, '' John told her.

`` looking like the countercharm worked, '' Albus said.

`` But that 's not even what we 'll need, '' rosebush pointed out, `` We 're not going to do the countercharm on Kaden. Not for another few yr at least. ``

`` Yeah, but it 's golden for lavatory that it worked, '' Albus grinned, `` Otherwise he would n't be able to parcel Filch 's orphic pleasure of life story. ``

******

Over the next few sidereal day, lav actually did portion that Filch liked to dance with a longsighted handgrip mop by the moonlight with Frank Sinatra performing in the background. All he had to do was refer it to a few former Gryffindors at meal times and the bit of gossip was soon spreading throughout the shoal. The reactions from students ranged from hysteric laugh to raised eyebrow to exclamations of 'Who the hell is Frank Francis Albert Sinatra ?'Albus could n't help but smirk every time he heard his fellow educatee mentioning the story.

Filch, on the other deal, was actively trying to find the culprit. There was n't really any point, since he would n't be able to receive who started it, but he tried. He spent the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. prowling the foyer and listening in on students'conversations, trying to find out any form of info regarding the sour floor. Whenever the students noticed him, they would explode out laughing, which would cause Filch to start muttering about 'rotten students'and 'ought to whip them all'.

Filch 's main defendant was Kaden, which Albus found kind of funny. Kaden of trend had laughed the loudest when he heard the story. Since Filch had developed an intense disfavour for Kaden since their detention months ago, he gave Kaden ominous stares every clip Kaden passed him in the corridors. Kaden just found this funny, since he knew lav had invented the story.

The news report about Filch provided a decent jailbreak from the vivid studying that all the students were occupied with. Like usual, the teacher had increased the preparation after the holidays. Albus was happy it was n't yet his O.W.L. year and he could n't imagine how he would manage to make out with that in three poor geezerhood. Along with homework, Albus also had Quidditch and dueling exercise. Both GA and Kate had increased practice times in order to prepare for the upcoming couple and tournament. The third dueling tournament was to take berth the number one weekend of February and Quidditch on the following weekend. Albus now had Quidditch drill on Mondays, Tues, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Dueling practices were as common, not mandatary, but were now not only on Midweek, but on Fri as well. The only day Albus had off was Lord's Day, which did n't give much sentence for him to try and enter out how to rise he was like the vulture to the new map.

The morning of the Dueling Tournament was cold, snowy, and blustery. Albus was very happy the Quidditch match was n't that day. He got up a few hr before the tournament started and went down to breakfast with his friends.

`` I ca n't expect until I can duel next year, '' Kaden said in between bites of egg.

`` It 's not really as cool as it 's made out to be, '' John the Evangelist commented, `` A lot of waiting around time during tournaments. ``

`` That 's because there 's so many of us, '' rose explained, `` In the regular Dueling Club, the one that you can only be in if you 're fifth year or above, not everyone gets on the team. It 's like Quidditch and you have to try out. ``

`` That sounds better, '' Saint John said, `` But I do n't cognize if I 'd build the squad. ``

`` I know I would n't, '' Amanda replied.

`` You 're getting amend, '' Albus assured her, `` You might take a leak it by the time you 're a fifth year. ``

`` Yeah, that 's the point of the junior 's social club, '' Rose said, `` So you can get amend. They do n't expect us all to be expert duelers. ``

`` Albus is, '' Amanda grinned, `` He 's brilliant. ``

Albus felt his face round red, `` Well, I 'm not that great ... I mean, there are loads of people who are proficient than me. ``

`` Not on our team, '' Amanda continued, `` He 's vanquish almost everyone on the team. ``

`` Yeah, everyone except Malfoy, '' Albus muttered. He still had n't managed to beat Malfoy during their practice session duels.

`` That 's good, though ! '' Rose sighed, `` You 're both splendid duelers, so you 've got a skillful team ! ``

Albus shrugged. He kind of would rather just be capable to pulsate Malfoy than beat the other squad, but he did n't mention anything about it.

Albus and his friend continued their talk about dueling throughout breakfast and as they sat around the vulgar room afterwards. Soon, it was time for them to go down to the dueling sleeping room for the tournament.

They passed Filch on their way down the step, and he was muttering to himself as usual.

`` tinker's dam Thomas Kid ... better when Umbridge was around ... marvel if she 'll come back ... she 'd let me welt them ... ''

`` I swear he 's gotten more mad over the yr, '' John Lackland muttered to Albus as they passed him.

`` Dad says he 's getting senile, '' Albus whispered back.

The dueling bedroom was packed with students, just like the past two tourney. Albus and Amanda squeezed their way through the gang to their usual table, where their team was sitting.

`` Hi Albus, Amanda, '' Kate greeted them. `` ready to win ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus grinned.

The tournament got under way a few minutes later. It was much like the past two tournament, with a lot of sitting around time. Albus was felicitous that he and Amanda were on the same team so they were capable to spill to each other in between affaire d'honneur.

Albus won both of his duels, just like the endure two tournaments. So did Malfoy and once again, Albus found that he was kind of happy and kind of angry about that. Amanda won one of her affaire d'honneur, which Albus was very happy about. He knew one-half her dueling topic were from boldness and the fact that she thought she would n't do well.

Rose, privy, and lustrelessness each won one of their duels as well. Albus clapped for them even though they were on other squad, which earned him glare from Malfoy. Albus did n't care, though. Malfoy could sulk as long as he wanted, it was n't going to halt Albus from cheering for his friends.

The points were tallied after the go affaire d'honneur and John 's team was declared the success. Albus was slightly disappointed, but there were still three more tournament before the final. Harry announced the point sum for the total year and Rose 's team was in start place so far. In second was the team led by Hufflepuff Saul Galivant and in third was John 's squad, led by Albus 's cousin Omar Bradley.

Albus did n't opine that the inter-house dueling was decreasing the rivalry between star sign. Albus was n't anymore fond of the Slytherins than he had been in the rootage of the year. None of the Slytherins really got along with the Gryffindors on his squad, and vice versa. He was n't exactly sure how it was working with the even dueling club, but he had overheard Stanley complaining about how disobliging the Slytherins on his team were. But that was months ago and he did n't live what had been going on with it recently.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan296, Miguel, Gospel According to Luke, and mischiefmaker09 for their recap !

I wrote my initiative marauder Era tarradiddle, Side personal effects May Include Gratitude and touch of wellspring Being, which is a one-shot from Madam Pomfrey 's point of view. It 's on my author varlet, if you 're interested. I 'd love it if you read and reviewed it !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


flatness 's birthday was a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. after the Dueling tournament. Albus and his friends did n't thrust him a party like they had last year. That had mostly been done to cheer him up since he had been in the infirmary Wing at the time. This yr they went down to the kitchens and got a cake, and then ate it in their dormitory. Kaden went with him and was amazed by the kitchens, with all the house-elves around. His reaction was curious to watch than Amanda 's the previous year. He stood there with his lip half open and then ran around grabbing as a great deal food as possible.

By the time the Quidditch match arrived the keep up Sabbatum, Albus was utterly exhausted. Between Quidditch pattern and homework, he hardly had anytime to sleep. Throw in a trip down to the kitchens for Matt 's natal day after Quidditch exercise the early Night, and Albus was ready to sleep through an entire day.

Albus yawned, got out of bed, and looked out the windowpane. He had been hoping that the raging blizzard would have got let up, but it had n't. Wonderful, he thought, James would n't be catching the snitch quickly in this weather.

A few hours later, Albus bade his friends goodbye and headed down to the changing rooms at the Quidditch auction pitch. His friends had bundled themselves up in as much scarlet and amber clothing as they owned and were ready to huddle against the howling wind for a few hours of Quidditch. John, mat, and Amanda did n't seem to heed the weather at all and were excited about the lucifer. blush wine, on the early hand, clearly would have rather spent the afternoon in the rook studying. Kaden still liked football better than Quidditch and Albus had a feel he would n't throw minded the storm if he was watching a football game.

`` Ok ! '' Georgia shouted a few bit after Albus entered the changing rooms, `` Everyone come over here ! ``

`` I know the weather condition is n't saint, '' Empire State of the South began once everyone was gathered around her, `` But we 've played in uncollectible than this ! ``

`` Yeah, if you count that flood we played in during third year, '' Fred muttered, `` But other than that .... ''

Georgia glared at Fred, `` Anyway, we 're playing Hufflepuff, so we 'll win. harper 's still captain, but it 's her last year, so she 'll be dead set on getting the Cup. That means she 'll have trained her team even harder. They 've got a new Keeper, though. mortal named tanner Royce. He 's a fifth year. early than him, the team 's the same as last year. So, with that, get out there and kick some badger ass ! ``

Albus grinned to himself as he picked up his broom and started to walk to the door. GA was a great senior pilot, but was n't much for long winded speech.

`` Albus, '' Georgia whispered and put her hand on his shoulder.

`` Yeah ? ``

`` You 're, er, less nervous this match, right ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' Albus smiled, remembering how he had told her he was extremely anxious the finally compeer. In reality, he 'd been too preoccupied with the new map. Sure, he 'd been a trivial nervous, but not as practically as Georgia thought he had been. This compeer, however, he was n't nearly as distracted, although he still was a bit nervous. `` I 'm a bit flighty, but not as a lot. ``

`` commodity, '' Sakartvelo grinned and walked out the door and onto the pitch.

Albus followed his cousin onto the tar and was immediately hit by the forceful fart that were prevailing.

`` Welcome to the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff friction match ! '' Todd Smith 's interpreter sounded over the lurch. It sounded syncope and variety of far away in the wind. `` It 's crashing cold out here so let 's make it quick !

`` Here are the Gryffindors ! Captain Georgia Weasley, followed by Ryan O'Malley, Albus ceramicist, James Potter, Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Scots heather Weasley !

`` And the Hufflepuffs ! Captain Jessica Harper, followed by Shawn Ames, Lisa Galivant, Andy Kaper, Stacey Manson, Anna Reilly, and Tanner Royce ! ``

professor Oteski motioned for Georgia and Harper to judder hired man and as soon as they did so, Albus and the residual of the players rose into the air. Oteski released the balls and Heather immediately took self-command of the Quaffle.

`` And Heather 's got the Quaffle ! She passes to Fred, then back to Scots heather, and to Albus. ``

Albus caught the Quaffle and started flying towards the Hufflepuff goals. He was amazed that he had actually caught it since the weather was so atrocious. He could hardly see two feet in front of him. His robes were already soaked with snow and ice and he was frigidly cold. Nevertheless, he kept flying towards the goal until he had to give up short and toss the Quaffle back to Heather, since he almost flew straight into an oncoming Hufflepuff chaser.

Heather caught the Quaffle and flew it the rest of the way to the goal. She threw it in and it easily went past Hufflepuff 's new Keeper.

`` end ! Ten-zero Gryffindor ! Now hurry up and view that stoolie, Jesse James ! I 'm freezing my bloody- ''

`` Smith ! '' Patil shouted, `` see your spoken language ! ``

`` Sorry, Professor. ``

The Quaffle was now back in manoeuvre and was in Hufflepuff willpower. Albus was n't even sure which Chaser had it, but he knew it was a Hufflepuff. Whichever Hufflepuff had the Quaffle managed to take it to the Gryffindor goal, but Georgia saved it.

Fred took the Quaffle and flew it back to the former end of the delivery, scoring another goal for Gryffindor.

The game continued this way for the next half time of day. Hufflepuff managed to score two destination, but Gryffindor scored about eight. Albus currently had the Quaffle and was flying straight at the Hufflepuff goals.

He narrowly avoided a bludger and both Hufflepuff beaters, but soon he was within throwing length of the goals. He faked to the right wing and then threw the Quaffle at the left hoop. Royce tried to save up it, but he was n't quick enough.

`` Goal ! Albus potter has scored against Hufflepuff ! The musical score is now 90-20 Gryffindor ! ``

Albus was rapt. That was the initiative goal he had ever scored in a Quidditch couple. Up until now, all he 'd done were assists. Albus took a victory lap around the pitch and then caught the Quaffle from Calluna vulgaris.

Albus managed to rack up another goal and Heather scored two more in the next half hr of the match. Hufflepuff scored a few more goals, but were still far behind. By now, Albus was sure he had turned into an icicle and was getting a bit sick of flying around in the cold. He was even getting a bit of a head ache from it. Albus was n't even sure as shooting if he 'd know if James River or Galivant caught the Snitch, due to the increasingly bad visibility and snowfall. The rash seemed to be getting worsened by the minute. If Hogwarts actually called off Quidditch, they would have called it off a spell ago.

A few arcminute later, sunniness broke out in the stands and Albus was indisputable somebody must let caught the snitch. He was very happy to down his broom and knew he 'd be even happier when he finally got into the ardent park room.

The balance of his team was shouting in gloating and were surrounding James. He must bear caught the snitcher, Albus thought. The ease of the Gryffindors were swarming the pitch and soon James I was lifted onto a few people 's shoulder. Albus joined the throng of his household and started his way back to the castling.

On his way back to the usual room, numerous people stopped him in order to congratulate him on the win. Albus was thrilled that they had won, but all he really wanted to do was see his admirer and get into some affectionate robes. James loved the aid he got after winning a Quidditch match, but Albus could take it or leave it. Right now, he could entrust it since his concern was getting worse.

The political party in the common way was just getting started when Albus entered a few minutes later. Someone must have snuck down to the kitchens because there was an entire tabular array filled with food. person else had obviously gotten into Hogsmeade because just about everyone had a butterbeer in their hand.

person shoved a butterbeer into Albus 's hand as he made his way through the bunch. St. James was in the thick of it as common and was rehashing how he caught the Snitch.

`` And I saw it lurking near one of the goal posts. Galivant was on the other end of the sales pitch, so I knew she had no hope ... '' James was saying to a couple of giggling girls.

The rest of the squad was nearby and were digging into the food that was on one of the tables.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Georgia shouted as he passed, `` I knew you could get over those nerves ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled as he went up the stair to his dormitory.

Albus quickly changed out of his cold, wet robe and felt a bit better afterwards. He went back down to the usual elbow room and it was even Buckminster Fuller than before. It looked like all the Gryffindors had returned from the lurch and the political party was in fully swing.

Albus found his friends sitting at their usual table and they all seemed to be enjoying the party.

`` Albus ! '' John shouted as Albus sat down, `` Brilliant playing ! ``

`` Definitely, '' Matt agreed.

`` You 're quite a respectable pursuer, Albus, '' Rose said, `` Although I honestly do n't know why they did n't offset the match with this blizzard ... ''

`` Cancel the match ? '' John stared at her, `` Never ! ``

`` If it was football, it would 've been canceled, '' Kaden commented.

`` Yeah, because you would n't be able to run around in two feet of Charles Percy Snow, '' John laughed, `` But Quidditch is in the air, so it does n't weigh. ``

`` testament you two just quit arguing about football game ? '' rosebush sighed.

`` Just trying to plough Kaden into a proper wizard, '' lavatory shrugged.

`` Quidditch is hardly the definition of a proper wizard, '' rosebush said, `` I believe potion brewing is a bit more important and I 'm sure Kaden could teach you a thing about it, Mr. Exploding Potions. ``

`` That was Goyle 's fault, '' Saint John muttered.

`` Why do n't all three of you just quit arguing ? '' Albus snapped. His head was pounding and listening to his Friend'arguing was not helping.

`` What 's with you ? '' lav asked, `` We 're not fighting anymore than normal. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to do that he 's been flying around in a rash for the past two time of day ? '' rose wine suggested, `` If they 'd just own canceled the match- ''

`` They do n't cancel Quidditch ! '' John shouted and then turned to Matt, `` You understand this, do n't you ? ``

`` It 's true, '' Matt agreed, `` Quidditch is n't ever canceled for little things like blizzard. ``

`` I think the weather just makes it more interesting, '' Amanda commented.

`` Not you too ! '' rosebush groaned.

`` Football 's only played in the lovesome months anyway, '' Kaden said, `` They would n't even schedule an outdoor football match in the winter. ``

`` well that 's tire, '' John replied.

Albus leaned his head on his paw and closed his eyes while trying to drown out his Friend conversation. can, Rose, and Kaden continued to argue about the merits of Quidditch and football. flatness and Amanda stayed out of it for the most part and seemed kind of amused with the intact affair. Albus was n't, though. He wished they 'd just keep out up. Albus 's point was steadily feeling worse, like he was being hit with a bludger over and over again. Besides that, he still had n't completely warmed up from the couple and was shivering, despite his dry robes.

`` I think football would be a adequate mutant if it were played on brooms, '' Saint John the Apostle said.

`` Oh come on, whoremaster ! '' Rose sighed, `` Be grievous ! You ca n't play football on Scots heather. How would you kick the ball ? ``

`` Not to mention that Muggles dally football ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Muggles ca n't fly ! ``

`` I 'm not saying that Muggles should play football on brooms. I meant if football game were ever played by wizards, it should be done on brooms. ``

football on broom, Albus thought, what an insane theme. His friends were now trying to unify football and Quidditch.

`` Albus, are you all right ? '' matte asked.

Albus opened his eyes and lifted his head off his hired hand. `` I dunno. ``

`` You do n't appear that dandy, '' Matt said concernedly.

John, rose wine, and Kaden stopped arguing and looked at Albus.

`` Yeah, you look tough than Matt does when he gets sick, '' Kaden said loudly.

`` Thanks, '' Matt muttered.

`` mat 's right hand, '' rosiness said, `` You do take care awful, Albus. ``

`` I 've got a worry, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You should go see brothel keeper Pomfrey, '' Kaden told him.

`` I think I 'll just go to bed, '' Albus got up from his death chair, `` I have n't really log Z's much the preceding few nights. I 'm probably just tired. ``

Albus stumbled over to the dormitory room door, feeling worse than he had a few minutes ago. He collapsed into his bed and fell asleep minute of arc later.

******

Albus awoke with a head start and he was n't sure how a good deal time had passed since he went to sleep. He still felt extremely tired and his psyche still hurt. He groaned and closed his eye again, wanting only to sleep for a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. straight.

right when he was about to drift off again, someone threw the mantle back and Albus 's bed was flooded in light.

`` Ugh, '' Albus groaned and covered his eyes with his hands. `` What was that for ? ``

`` You 've slept almost an entire day, '' someone said.

Albus moved his custody and slowly opened his eyes. lav was standing over his bed with a look of concern on his facial expression.

`` And I 'd care to sleep a bit more than if you do n't mind, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You slept through dinner last night, and breakfast and lunch today. Are n't you hungry ? ``

`` Not really. ``

`` Are you sure you 're ok ? '' lavatory asked, `` Rose sent me up here to tick on you. ``

Honestly, Albus was n't sure he was ok. He could n't recall the lastly time he had slept an entire day. But right now all he wanted was for john to go away so he could slumber some more.

`` I 'll be fine once I sleep some more, '' Albus replied and rolled over away from John.

`` If you 're sure, '' bathroom said quietly and closed the curtains.

It did n't take Albus long to fall back asleep. He had some strange dreams that involved Teddy telling him his broom broke and he 'd have to play Quidditch without it by running around on the ground. Then, instead of a Quaffle, the match was played with a football.

Albus woke up briefly after one of these dreaming, only to find that the dormitory was dark. He could get wind Ethan 's mute snore and an owl hooting outside. Unfortunately, he did n't find any better than he had when John woke him up. In fact, he now felt worse. Every one of his muscles were aching, like he had fallen from his broom during the match. But Albus could n't recall falling from his broom. When had the lucifer been anyway ? Yesterday or the day before ? Albus could n't even call back and he did n't even make love what day it was currently.

`` Albus ! '' Someone shouted. Albus was dreaming about Quidditch again and someone was hitting him with their beater 's bat.

`` Quit it, '' Albus mumbled.

`` Albus, are you all right ? ``

`` Go away, '' Albus said, `` And halt smacking me with that beater 's bat. ``

`` Beater 's bat ? '' they repeated, `` That 's it, I 'm getting Professor ceramist. ``

`` I 'll go, '' somebody else said, `` You stay here with him. ``

Whoever had been hitting Albus with the bat had stopped, and he was grateful. Empire State of the South had taken the bat away and was now yelling at its owner. Then she announced that they would be playing football instead of Quidditch. James complained loudly, since there were n't any seeker in football.

`` Albus, wake up ! ``

`` I think Kaden said you 'll accept to bet defense, James, '' Albus mumbled in his sleep. `` There is n't a stoolie in football. ``

`` Hang on, Albus, John 's getting your dad. ``

`` My dad ? He 'll sustain to wreak defense reaction, too. ``

`` What 's wrong ? '' someone new shouted.

`` He 's been sleeping since after the couple, professor potter. I think he 's sick. ``

`` Since after the match ? ``

`` Er, yeah. We thought he was just tired, but he 's been sleeping for two mean solar day. ``

`` The lucifer ? '' Albus muttered, `` Did we beat Slytherpuff yet ? ``

Albus felt himself being lifted out of his bed and into person 's arms. He rested his head on their berm and shivered as his blanket fell back onto the bed. Albus fell back into a mysterious sleep and next woke up as he was being laid down on another bed.

Albus heard people talking all around him, but he could n't make out what they were saying. Someone poured a few disgusting potions down his throat and forced him to swallow them. There was more croak around him, but Albus soon drifted off to slumber again.

The room was quieter when Albus next woke up. He opened his eyes and looked around. Where was he ? Albus was certain he had fallen asleep in his dorm room, but now it looked as if he was in the hospital Wing. The berth was nearly deserted, save up for Madam Pomfrey sitting at her desk. Albus yawned and tried to sit up, but he was still light-headed. The good thing was that his heading felt much better. However, his body still ached.

Madam Pomfrey looked up from her desk and got up once she saw that Albus was awake. She grabbed a few bottles and put them on a tray, which she then carried over to Albus 's bed and set it on the bedside table.

`` Good, you 're up, '' Madam Pomfrey said as she poured one of the potions into a cup, `` You gave us all quite a fear. ``

`` What time is it ? '' Albus asked, still confused about what he was doing there.

`` Just after six o'clock. ``

`` Er, and what day ? ``

`` Mon, '' the nursemaid said as she thrust the cup under Albus 's nozzle, `` Drink that. ``

Albus downed the potion quickly, `` Yuck. It 's really Monday ? I 've missed stratum ? ``

`` I 'd say so. ``

`` Er, what exactly happened ? I mean, I went to bed in my residence hall and now I 'm here ... ''

`` You 're ill, '' gentlewoman Pomfrey said, `` You 've caught the flu. Your friend told me you slept for almost two mean solar day and then they went to get your father since you were n't getting any improve and had started becoming delirious. You 've been here since around lunch time. ``

`` Oh. well, how yearn do I have to stay ? ``

`` Another two daytime, probably, '' Madam Pomfrey told him. `` Now I want you to fuddle these other two potions and eat that trough of soup. ``

Albus nodded and lady Pomfrey strode back over to her desk. Albus thought back and could vaguely recollect being taken out of his residence hall, but it was only a fogged memory board. The last thing he could really remember well was the Quidditch match. He was very happy he had n't fallen ill before the match.

No sooner had Albus drank the first potion that the doors to the Hospital offstage swung undetermined and privy, mat, rose, and Amanda came bursting through. ma'am Pomfrey got up quickly from her desk and met them halfway.

`` Is Albus awake ? '' rosebush asked.

`` Yes, he 's only just woken up. I suppose you can chat him for a few minutes. But calmly ! He needs to rest ! ``

`` Albus ! '' rosiness shrieked when she ran over to his bed, `` Thank Falco columbarius you 're all right ! ``

`` How are you ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Doing effective ? '' John asked.

`` wellspring, '' Matt said with a half smile on his blench look, `` This is a substitution. ``

Albus grinned at him, `` Yeah, ca n't really remember a time where it was you visiting me here. ``

`` What exactly have you got anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Flu, '' Albus answered, `` But I 'm getting better. Not nearly as tired as before. ``

`` I would desire so, '' John smirked, `` You slept two days. ``

`` I 'll probably sleep another two, '' Albus said, `` Pomfrey said I 've got to outride another two days. ``

`` We 'll be here together, then, '' matte replied.

Albus looked at his friend, who was looking a bit exhausted himself. `` When 's the full lunation again ? ``

`` Tomorrow, '' Matt sighed.

`` Did you lease that new potion ? '' Albus asked.

mat nodded, `` Yeah, and I 'm more knackered than usual. ``

`` He fell asleep in History of magic trick and almost fell asleep in Potions, '' St. John said.

`` Well, you did n't sleep through two altogether years like I did, '' Albus pointed out.

`` I 've done it before. I 've slept through more than two days actually. I think four is my record book. ``

`` All right ! '' ma'am Pomfrey announced, `` prison term for you lot to be off to bed, especially you, Matt. And Albus needs to reside. ``

`` See you tomorrow, '' Albus said as his Quaker left the room.

`` Sure will, '' Matt replied.

Albus slept on and off throughout the nighttime and the adjacent sunup. He was still tired, but felt much better when he woke up late the next morning. His dad had stopped by in the beginning before course of instruction, but Albus fell back asleep after he left.

lady Pomfrey was fussing over him and giving him numerous potions to drink. Albus was the but patient in the integral Mrs. Humphrey Ward, so the nurse 's fussing was all focused on him.

The nurse had been giving Albus what must receive been his tenth crank of water that morning time when the door to the Ward opened. mat stumbled inside and walked shakily over to the bed next to Albus 's. He collapsed onto it and winced in pain.

Madam Pomfrey immediately put down the piss pitcher and descended upon matte.

`` You 're here sooner than usual, '' she said as she felt his headland, `` And you 're burning up. ``

`` Why are you here earlier ? '' Albus asked once Madam Pomfrey had gone to get another potion.

`` Tired, '' Matt mumbled, `` felled seam asleep in Defense and your dad told me to come here. ``

`` Is it the new potion ? ``

`` Yeah, it does n't exactly help much, does it ? ``

`` I thought you said they were going to observe something to counteract the part of it that makes you threadbare, '' Albus said.

`` They are, they just have n't found it yet. ``

`` Oh. ``

Madam Pomfrey returned a import later and gave lustrelessness a few potions. He drank them and was asleep hour later. Albus was n't really tired, but he fell asleep anyway out of lack of anything else to do.

John, Rose, and Amanda stopped by after dinner party to see Albus and Matt, but dame Pomfrey did n't let them outride long. Matt had been numb anyway. Shortly after their friends left, Madam Pomfrey woke lusterlessness up and took him down to the Whomping Wilow.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Moonylupin, potterfan296, Miguel, Luke, and Denas for their inspection !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


When Albus awoke the side by side first light, he felt much better. In fact, he felt mostly normal. He was n't achy anymore and his head felt better as well. He hungrily ate all the breakfast brothel keeper Pomfrey provided.

The Saame could n't be said for matt, who was looking much worse than the old day. He was either asleep or unconscious mind, Albus was betting on the latter, and he had numerous stinger and scrapes on his boldness. His right field arm and forehead were covered in a gravid bandages.

`` So when can I provide ? '' Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey performed some form of spell on Matt.

`` Later today, most belike, '' she said after she 'd finished her incantation.

Albus sighed. He had been hoping he 'd be able to result that dawning. He was starting to feel incredibly bored with the Hospital Wing, although not bored enough to start up the homework rose wine had brought the previous evening.

Albus spent the remainder of the daybreak drifting in and out of slumber out of lack of anything else to do. Madam Pomfrey gave him a few more than nasty taste potions and dejeuner, which Albus ate ravenously. After going two sidereal day without food, he was starving.

The doorway to the Hospital Wing opened just as Albus was finishing his lunch. John the Evangelist, Rose, and Amanda walked inside and immediately headed for Albus 's bed. Madam Pomfrey was in her billet and did n't seem to notice the visitors.

`` Hey, how are you ? '' Rose asked.

`` Bored, '' Albus replied.

`` That 's ripe, '' rosiness grinned.

`` Are you easily now ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Pretty much. Madam Pomfrey wo n't let me bequeath until later, though. Wish she 'd let me leave now. ``

`` She just wants to realize certain you 're completely better, '' Rose said, `` And it 's not like you 're missing course of instruction since this is our afternoon off. ``

`` Exactly ! '' whoremaster sighed, `` He could be doing a lot better stuff on his good afternoon off if he was n't here. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Like figuring out the new map. ``

`` How are we going to do that anyway ? '' trick asked.

`` Go to the library, '' Albus replied, `` We 've got to appear for ways of proving who we are. ``

whoremaster groaned, `` And I doubt there will just be a book titled Prove Who You Are to a opus of parchment. ``

`` Probably not, '' rose laughed. `` But we 'll find out somehow. ``

`` making anymore procession on the charm for Kaden ? '' Albus asked.

`` A bit, yeah. I tried it again net night on John and this time he could n't even displace his oral fissure like last time. Now I 've just got to reckon out how to call for other hoi polloi in the mystery. ``

`` And then all we 've got to do is convince Matt that the charm is foolproof, '' lavatory said.

Everyone glanced over at lustrelessness 's bed, where he was still sleeping.

`` He been asleep all day ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said, `` Ever since I 've been awake. ``

Matt groaned and opened his eye, `` You lot here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' King John replied, `` How are you ? ``

`` Horrible, '' Matt said flatly, `` My promontory is killing me. Were you talking about me ? ``

`` A bit, '' lavatory said, `` Just about that charm for Kaden. We 're going to get working on the map once you two are out of here. Got to receive some way to leaven to it that we 're like the marauder. ``

`` audio good, '' matt yawned.

`` When do you get to leave ? '' Amanda asked, `` Albus is leaving later today. ``

`` No idea, '' Matt said, `` Not until at to the lowest degree tomorrow night. might be out in clock time for astronomy. ``

`` Ca n't you not be outside when the moon is close to full phase of the moon ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Only when it 's waxing. When it 's waning I 'm fine. ``

`` So, we 'll be after on working on the map this weekend, then, '' Albus said. `` Unless any of you catch what I had. ``

`` Hope not, '' can said. `` Maybe Malfoy will catch it, '' he added gleefully.

`` John, that 's not amusing, '' pink wine scolded, `` He 'd be really spue. ``

`` He 'd get better. Albus is finely now. ``

Albus heard a doorway open up and gentlewoman Pomfrey came strolling out of her office staff. She looked up and saw the crowd around Albus and matt 's seam and made a beeline for them.

`` What are you lot doing here ? '' she demanded.

`` Visiting Albus and mat, '' Rose answered.

`` Oh, you 're awake ! '' the nursemaid exclaimed and went over to Matt 's bed, apparently forgetting that Rose, John, and Amanda had burst in without her permission. `` How do you palpate ? ``

`` Awful, '' flatness replied. `` My mind detriment and so does pretty much everything else. ``

`` You must bear hit your head much worse than usual last night, '' ma'am Pomfrey sighed, `` You had quite the concussion earlier. I 'll go get some pain sensation potions. ``

She returned a minute of arc later with a potion for matt, who drank it in one gulp.

`` Now, you three have to leave, '' Madam Pomfrey said to blush wine, John the Evangelist, and Matt, `` Albus will be out later and you can see him then. ``

Boredom set in for Albus shortly after his friends left. matt had fallen back asleep quickly after he took his bother potion. Albus could n't even kip anymore because he had already slept so lots that day.

******

`` What are we supposed to be looking for anyway ? '' John sighed as he slammed a book shut.

Albus, John, Matt, pink wine, and Amanda were all crowded around a cloistered table in the subroutine library. It was covered in books that covered all sort of topics. The five of them had spent the last hour searching for shipway to prove to the new map that they were like the piranha. So far, nobody had found anything useful.

`` I do n't know, '' Albus replied, `` Anything that might turn out that we 're like the piranha. ``

`` That 's not very specific, '' John muttered, `` I really do n't want to spend an intact Sabbatum here. ``

`` It 'll do you some effective, '' Rose said.

`` Wish we could just use that book that you used to chance the other charm, '' Albus said to pink wine, thinking of Flitwick 's book.

`` Me too, but it 's in the Restricted Section, '' rosebush said.

`` Why ca n't we just get Professor ceramicist to give us a note ? Bet he would, '' St. John said.

`` Bet he would n't, '' Albus disagreed, `` He 'd love we 're up to something. ``

`` Besides, '' rose interjected, `` It might not be a Charm we 're looking for. ``

`` We 're just going to ingest to keep looking, '' Albus said as he opened another Good Book. `` But I 've got Quidditch practice in a half 60 minutes. ``

`` We 'll just look every time we can get away from Kaden, '' lusterlessness suggested.

`` Where is he anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. add up to think of it, he had n't seen Kaden since breakfast. It was kind of strange since Kaden spent every waking moment of his day ( when he was n't in class ) no less than four metrical foot away from Albus.

`` There he is, '' lustrelessness pointed to somewhere behind Albus.

Albus turned around and saw his cousin running through the library with a clipboard in his hand.

`` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` serenity ! '' gentlewoman Pince shouted even loud, `` Or I 'll shake off you all out ! ``

`` Albus, '' Kaden said more quietly as he sat down in an empty professorship at their table.

Albus eyed Kaden 's clipboard but he could n't read what it said. `` Hi Kaden. ``

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied, `` Will you sign my petition ? ``

`` prayer ? '' Albus asked, `` What in the name of Merlin are you petitioning for ? ``

`` TVs in the common rooms, '' Kaden grinned.

`` What ? ! '' whoremonger and Matt shouted.

`` restrained ! '' madam Pince screeched.

rose laughed, `` What on world for ? ``

`` I would n't bear in mind having a TV in the common elbow room, '' Amanda commented.

`` Exactly, '' Kaden said, `` It 's hard enough for us Muggle-borns to adjust to Hogwarts and if we had TVs, it would bring in it easygoing. ``

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' john laughed.

`` Nope, not kidding, '' Kaden said, `` I 've got loads of signatures already. I 'm not really sure how many I 'll ask, though. I figure I 'll try and get as many as I can in a few days and then open it to Professor Longbottom. ``

Albus tried to curb his grin, but he could n't. The thought of Kaden trying to get television system put into the vernacular way was just too funny. There would be no way any of the teachers would fit to it even if everyone in Hogwarts signed the petition.

`` So will you sign it ? '' Kaden asked, `` If this goes through, I 'll try for computing device next. ``

`` Computers, '' lusterlessness laughed, `` You 're mad. ``

`` I 'll sign, '' Amanda grabbed the clipboard and quill.

`` Sure, why not ? '' Albus shrugged. It could n't hurt to sign the thing, and he was sure Kaden would n't stop bugging them unless they did.

John and Matt signed as well, although they were laughing the whole time. Rose signed a bit reluctantly, but she eventually gave in.

`` So what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked after Rose finished signing.

`` homework, '' Albus replied automatically.

Kaden stared at the with child cumulation of account book, `` mo year must be all-fired insane. ``

`` Oh, it is, '' John said, `` You wo n't birth any time to watch any TV. ``

`` I 'll make clip, '' Kaden said as he stood up, `` Well, I 'm going to get more signatures. ``

Albus watched as his full cousin went from table to tabularize trying to get people to sign. Some of them liked the theme and signed willingly. Others laughed until Kaden gave up and others looked at him like he was brainsick. Eventually, gentlewoman Pince found out what he was doing and threw him out of the library.

`` Your cousin is the weirdest bloke I 've ever met, '' John said after Kaden was kicked out.

`` Yeah, he is a bit strange, '' Albus agreed and closed the Word he was reading, `` Well, I 'm off to practice. I 'll see you lot later. ``

After practice, Albus went to the common room and found his supporter sitting around their usual table doing homework. Unfortunately, none of them had found anything that would aid them to prove that they were like the marauder. Albus was beginning to marvel if they 'd ever get that map working. Even if they did find a way to essay they were like the predator, what would they get to do next ? How many things would they own to do before they would actually be able to see the map ? Albus had no estimate, but he knew the piranha were n't going to score this easy.

******

The rest of Feb passed quickly. Albus and his friends continued to scour the subroutine library for any sort of charm, spell, or potion that would help them in their quest to reveal the map. None of them found anything. Kaden thought they were all doing homework as they searched the books every weekend. Rose was making progress with the Sileo Altus charm, but it was n't quite perfected enough to use yet. Rose was sure she 'd have it learned by the end of the calendar month. flatness never said a lot when the appealingness was brought up and Albus was hoping he would still agree to tell apart Kaden once Rose perfected the charm.

Kaden 's request to have TV put into the common room was rejected shortly after he gave it to Neville. Kaden did n't seem in the least bit deterred by this. He insisted it was rejected due to lack of convincing grounds as to how the televisions would benefit the students. He was planning on resubmitting it along with a elaborate essay on the subject later on in the term.

`` You know, Kaden, '' rosebush said at dinner one night, `` Even if the teachers accepted your petition, the video would n't even ferment here. There 's too very much magic. ``

`` Oh, I 'm sure there 's a charm that would counteract that, '' Kaden said.

`` It wo n't crop, '' mat said, `` Magic just does n't tally with electronics. This one time when we were visiting my Uncle Jack in the United body politic, Amy accidentally broke one of the metal sensor at the airport. It was n't her fault or anything, the magic just interrupted it or something. The thing started beeping and would n't stop until they turned it off. ``

Saint John the Apostle laughed, `` That would 've been hilarious to see. ``

`` Amy did n't retrieve so. She was mortified, '' Matt said, `` It was a while ago, before we even moved here. I think she was fourteen. ``

`` Well, I still say they could find a way, '' Kaden said.

`` Hey, look, '' Albus pointed to the pass board. Professor Kendrick was standing up.

`` wonder what he 's got to say ? '' John asked.

`` Hope it 's naught bad, '' Rose said.

`` He looks happy enough, '' Amanda commented.

`` May I have your attention ! '' Kendrick announced. The room fell silent. `` Thank you. Do n't concern, I 'm not giving out bad news program. In fact, I think you 'll ascertain this announcement most exciting. ``

There was a general mussitation of excitement throughout the Great vestibule at this. Kendrick waited for everyone to stop talking before he continued.

`` If you 'll call up at the beginning of the year, when I announced the changes for the Dueling night club, that that would only be one function of the House unity effort. I am announcing today that the other professors and I have organized another unity outcome. It will be a scavenger search, with inter-house teams, of course. ``

Albus groaned. A scavenger hunt would be fun, but not if he had to do it with Slytherins. Everyone else seemed to be in understanding, because there was a world-wide groaning throughout.

`` I know you do n't care it, but the school needs to be unified. Now, I will explicate the case. It will not be like a regular pack rat Holman Hunt. It will guide property on the following three Saturday. This Sabbatum will be for the low and indorse years. The following will be for third and fourth part years. The lastly will be for fifth part, sixth, and one-seventh years.

`` The other professors and I will be organizing the teams, which will consist of appendage of early years and other house. Each team will have about ten phallus. You will take in one hour to fill out the tasks given.

`` You will receive a leaning of items to prevail before this hour is up. There are linguistic rule, of course. Some of these particular will be required to obtain without magical. We will be performing magical spell on these detail and if we find that any of them were spelled, transfigured, conjured, charmed, etc. within the hour they will be disqualified.

`` However, the pack rat hunt will not only include a list of token to see. You will also take in multiple trivia sheets. These will include both wizard and Muggle trivia.

`` Finally, each squad will incur a riddle, which if they deceiver correctly, will go them on a quest throughout the castle and land. When you reach the end, there will be a bit of information that must be returned to me. If you are successful, you 'll get a 100 point fillip. However, there is also a false trail that will head you to worthless selective information. If that is brought back, you 'll invite no bonus.

`` I will collapse you a more detailed leaning of rules on the day of the event. Until then, go on your wit crisp and do n't get rid of anything you would otherwise deem useless, '' Kendrick smiled and returned to his seat.

Albus turned to his friends, `` This sounds, er, interesting. ``

`` It 's really an first-class mind, '' Rose grinned, `` I mean, there 's no way a single person would be able to attain all of it alone. It 's a dandy idea for theatre unity. ``

`` It 'd be better if we did n't have to team up up with Slytherins, '' John muttered.

`` But what if there 's something on that list that 's in the Slytherin common room or something ? '' rosiness pointed out.

John the Divine groaned, `` I guess you 're powerful. ``

`` Sounds fun, though, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah. Wonder what we get if we win ? '' mat asked.

`` Hopefully some voucher to get out of preparation or something, '' John said.

`` Since when have they given away those ? '' Albus laughed.

`` Now 's the perfect meter for them to start, '' John replied.

`` I hope I 'm on your team, Albus, '' Kaden piped up.

`` That would be bang-up, '' Albus smiled, and he actually meant it. It sounded like there was going to be a lot of random stuff on that lean and if there was anyone in the school day that had onus of random stuff and nonsense, it was Kaden.

******

The succeeding few days seemed to drag on forever for Albus and the ease of the first and minute years. Everyone was getting excited about the scavenger hunt and the teacher were getting a bit annoyed that nobody was paying care in class.

Soon enough, Sabbatum arrived and Kendrick announced at lunch for all the first-class honours degree and endorsement geezerhood to remain seated after they were done eating. Once all the older students left, Kendrick got to his understructure once more.

`` Now, the moment you 've all been waiting for, '' Kendrick said, `` The Scavenger Hunt will begin shortly. number 1, I have a few more rules to go over.

`` As I said earlier in the calendar week, there are items on this list that are not allowed to be created using deception. You may not invoke, transfigure, turn, or charm any of those token. Asking an older student to do so is also against the rules. We have magical spell that will detect if any item was magicked during the hour of the scavenger hunt.

`` The detail must be found within the school and grounds. Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow, and Hagrid 's hut are all out of bound and you may not explore for token in or around them. You may not ask previous students or teachers for help, nor may you owl menage phallus or early people. However, you may ask older students if they have any of the point on the list. It is up to them if they let you borrow them or not. Do not steal anything from anyone or there will be penalisation. You are permitted to use the program library for help with the trivia. ``

rosiness 's face lit up at that and Albus knew she would be the prescribed library research worker for her team.

`` There are going to be eight teams of approximately ten students each. Your household prefects have your team grant. team one and two are to gather at the Hufflepuff board, one at each end. Teams three and four at the Gryffindor tabular array, five and six at Ravenclaw, and seven and eight at Slytherin. You will be given a few mo to get organized in your squad and then the early professors will hired man out the reserve cloth. Each squad is given one set of material, no more. If you lose it, hooligan lot. Now please see your prefects. ``

Albus got up from the table and looked around until he spotted Georgia. He and his friend wound their way through the bunch until they managed to get to her.

`` Hey, Albus ! '' Georgia grinned and looked at her clipboard, `` set ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm on a in effect team, right ? ``

`` Well, there are Slytherins on all the teams, if that 's what you mean, '' Sakartvelo laughed, `` Anyway, you 're on squad Two. ``

Albus nodded and waited for his friends to get their squad assignments.

Georgia scanned her clipboard again, `` Let 's see, blush wine is on squad One, John is on Team 4, Matt 's on team Two ... ''

Albus grinned at flatness. He was relieved that one of his acquaintance was on his squad. Now all he had to do was hope Malfoy was n't on his team.

`` Amanda 's on squad Four, and Kaden 's on Team Six, '' Georgia looked up at them, `` Have fun. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus said and then turned to his champion, `` guess we 'll see you after. Good hazard. ``

Albus and mat worked their way through the bunch to the Hufflepuff table along with rosebush. Albus was a bit disappointed that Kaden was n't on his squad, but there was n't anything he could do about that. The probability were n't nifty that he would feature two of his Quaker on his same team. He was just lucky he had one of his acquaintance on the same team.

The Hufflepuff table was already filling with people from team one and two. team Two was gathering at the half closest to the faculty board, so Albus and matt made their way there.

There seemed to be a fairly even telephone number of each household at the table. Besides Albus and Matt, there was one early Gryffindor, a maiden year lady friend Albus had seen but did n't know her name. There were also two Ravenclaws Albus did n't live, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. Albus groaned when he saw who the Slytherins were, Felix Willinson and Leigh Montague. Leigh was rosebush 's potions better half and not the sharpest shaft in the box.

Felix Willinson narrowed his eyes when he saw Albus and Matt coming over. Albus found seats far away from him and sat down, waiting for the scavenger hunt to begin.

One of the Ravenclaws stood up a few seconds later, `` Hi, I 'm Rachel Underwood and I 've been assigned as team police chief. ``

Everyone muttered hello to her and Rachel had everyone introduce themselves. So far, Willinson and Montague did n't seem enthused about their team, but Rachel did n't pay any care to their animus.

professor Patil came over a little while later with a fistful of lambskin. Albus assumed they were the list of stuff to depend for and the trivia.

`` The hunt club will set off in one minute ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will make you your tilt as soon as I say go. You 'll have one hour to be back here with as practically stuff you can possibly get. ``

A minute later, Kendrick shot out a shower of blue sparks from his baton and Patil handed the stack of parchment to Rachel.

`` All right field ! '' Rachel shouted as she leafed through the parchment, `` We need someone to decipher the riddle and run around to get the bonus points. ``

`` I 'll do it, '' the other Ravenclaw volunteered. Rachel nodded and handed him the sheepskin. He ran out of the Great mansion while reading the riddle.

`` Ok, here 's the trivium, '' Rachel continued, `` We 've got famed Witches and Wizards, Famous Muggles, What Not To Do While Interacting With Muggles, What Do You Know About Quidditch, and What Do You Know About football game. ``

Albus turned to matt and laughed. Kaden would surely love the football one.

Rachel handed out the small beer to the people who thought they 'd be able to do it. Willinson had n't taken any of the triviality sheets, but Montague took the Quidditch one. Albus hoped she actually knew something about Quidditch.

`` Now we 've just got the list of items to find, '' Rachel announced to the remaining team members, which were Albus, mat, Willinson, and one of the Hufflepuffs. `` You four get started while I work on the trivia. Oh, but I 'll assume guardianship of the costumes. You 'll just have got to wear them. ``

Albus nodded and took the parchment from her. Costumes ? He hoped he would n't have to outwear anything too humiliating. He set it down on the board and began to learn it, with everyone else looking over his shoulder.

item Are To Be Gathered Without magic

-holly wand
-five vomit flavored Bertie Botts dome
-Slytherin wearing Gryffindor gown
-Gryffindor wearing Slytherin robes
-light sabre
-Dumbledore burnt umber frog card
-twenty shoelace tied together
-Quaffle signed by King Oliver Wood
-Shooting Star broomstick
-Muggle pen
-copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein
-a Nintendo DS
-girl dressed up as Godric Gryffindor
-boy dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff
-color changing ink
-beater bat
-drum sticks
-silver chalice
-Chudley carom NJ
-six Extendable capitulum
-Muggle playacting cards
-receipt from Madam Malkins
-Argus Filch 's John Hancock
-the gens of five Hogwarts House Elves
-rubber duck
-copy of Hogwarts, A account
-sneakoscope
-foe looking glass
-tea cozy
-Hogwarts graduation ikon
-band assist
-green abandon potions bottle
-Beatles CD
-purple gloves
-Hershey 's deep brown bar
-My Little Hippogriff
-pet batrachian
-purple sheepskin
-two batteries
-tortilla chips

Albus looked up from the list and waited for everyone else to end up reading.

`` What the bloody hell is a CD ? '' Willinson asked.

`` Muggle way of listening to euphony, '' Albus explained, `` One of my full cousin might have one. ``

`` I 've got one, '' the Hufflepuff, who Albus now knew to be Admiral Nelson Rodner, said.

`` commodity, '' Albus replied, `` Anyone else know they 've got some of this poppycock ? ``

Everyone nodded.

`` Let 's go get the stuff and nonsense we know we 've got and then meet back here, '' Albus said as he got up. `` Then we can act upon on the stuff and nonsense we do n't. ``

The other three boy agreed and Albus ran out of the Great mansion house with Matt. The two of them ran as fast as they could up to Gryffindor Tower.


A/N : I ca n't bring mention for the pack rat hunt club idea. There is a resort in Pennsylvania called Woodloch Pines that I go to every summer and they have pack rat Leigh Hunt like the one in this chapter. Complete with costumes, triviality, and the conundrum. It 's a lot of fun.

Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Luke, Moonylupin, EvilChaos, potterfan296, XDNLxtlz99, drownzer, Miguel, Denas, and phoenixy friend for their critique !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or the idea for the scavenger hunt.


`` Willinson is acting civil, '' Albus commented as they were running up a flight of stairs.

`` Yeah, '' flatness agreed, `` Kind of surprising. Either he really wants to win or he 's not as confident without Malfoy. ``

`` Probably both, '' Albus said, `` Whatever the reason, we lucked out. ``

Everyone stared as Albus and mat ran into the commons room completely out of breath. `` Scavenger hunt, '' Albus muttered to his cousins Ben and Cedric as he ran by.

`` Excellent, '' Ben grinned, `` Ca n't look until our turn future Saturday. ``

Bilius was also in their dormitory collecting item when Albus and Matt entered. They nodded to each other, but did n't say anything.

Albus wrenched spread his trunk and started rifling through it. He found a bag of Bertie Botts noggin, a Dumbledore coffee frog card, his copy of Hogwarts, A account, one extendable Ear, and the picture album he found in the attic of his planetary house. The commencement exercise picture in the cover would shape for the Hogwarts commencement exercise picture.

`` What have you got ? '' he asked flatness once he emerged from his trunk.

`` My wand 's holly, a muggle pen, dance band aids, Chudley cannon NJ, and a Nintendo DS, although I 'm not certain why I still bother to bring it since it does n't work here. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Let 's get back to the Great Hall. ``

When Albus and Matt got back to the Hufflepuff table, Willinson and Rodner had already returned. There was a pile of stuff on the table between them. Albus looked through it and saw that they now had a copy of The Hobbit, color changing ink, a beater 's bat, Muggle playing cards, and a sneakoscope.

`` All right, we 've got a good start, '' Albus said as he added his and flatness 's material to the pile. `` I guess we 'll have to ask the sure-enough bookman to borrow the rest.

`` Rodner, '' Albus began, `` You see if you can get a illume saber, a Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood, a Shooting Star broomstick, drum sticks, a receipt from Madam Malkin 's, foe deoxyephedrine, and a Beatles CD. ``

`` Sure, '' Rodner said and took off out of the room.

`` Willinson, '' Albus turned to the Slytherin, `` Go down to the kitchens and see if you can get a silver chalice, tortilla check, a tea cozy, the names of five House Elves, and a Milton Snavely Hershey bar. ``

`` Why should I ? '' Willinson grumbled, `` Who put you in charge ? ``

`` somebody 's got to do it, '' Albus told him.

`` shuffling Eckerton do it. ``

`` Him and I are getting the rest, '' Albus replied, `` If you want to win, you 'll get the stuff. ``

`` mulct, '' Willinson muttered and left the Great Hall.

`` Ok, that leaves the shoe lacing, empty Green potions bottle, purple gloves, a My Little Hippogriff, a toad, imperial sheepskin, a rubber duck, two stamp battery, and five Thomas More Extendable Ears. Oh, and Filch 's autograph. ``

`` We 'll do that one final, '' Matt shuddered. `` We can probably just go back to the common elbow room and ask if anyone 's got this material. ``

`` Good theme, '' Albus agreed.

The two son set off at a run back to their common room. Luckily it was still packed with scholar and some of them grinned as Albus and flatness entered.

`` How 's it going ? '' Ben asked.

`` Good, '' Albus grinned back, `` But we 've got a lot of stuff to find. listen up everyone ! '' he shouted.

The entire common room quieted and turned to Albus. Albus was momentarily shocked that everyone actually stopped what they were doing to pay aid to him.

`` Er, we 're doing the scavenger William Holman Hunt and demand some stuff. Has anyone got a My Little Hippogriff, majestic gloves, a toad, empurpled sheepskin, a rubber duck, batteries, or Extandable Ears ? Also, we need twenty dollar bill shoe laces. I promise we 'll return it all once we 're done. ``

About half the students got up and went up to their dormitories. A few minutes later they came back down with various items for Albus. He managed to borrow a rubber duck's egg, majestic parchment, and a few Extendable ear. Plus he got at least twenty shoe laces.

`` That worked well, '' Albus said as he and matte left the room.

`` I 'd say so, '' Matt agreed, `` Now Filch 's John Hancock. This ought to be fun. ``

Albus smacked his hand to his forehead, `` I should feature grabbed the map ! ``

Albus groaned and ran back to the uncouth elbow room. Everyone laughed as he ran up to his dormitory and back down to the common elbow room. Albus ignored them and pointed his wand to the map. A few irregular later he saw that Filch was lurking near the library.

Albus and flatness took off for the library and spotted Filch a few cubic yard away from the door.

`` How are we supposed to ask him ? '' Albus whispered.

`` No idea, '' lustrelessness said back.

Albus 's fondness sped up as he got closer to the old caretaker. `` Er, Mr. Filch ? '' he asked.

Filch startled and turned around. He saw Albus and smirked. `` Potter. Up to no in effect again ? In motive of another detention, perhaps ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, `` Actually, I was just, er, well, we 're doing this scavenger Leigh Hunt. Maybe Kendrick told you about it. It 's to promote Inter firm Unity and we have to line up all this stuff throughout the castle and- ''

`` We need your autograph, '' matt interrupted, holding a piece of parchment and the Muggle pen in his outstretched hand.

Filch stared at them and then started muttering to himself. `` Do n't see why I should rag ... student never do anything for me ... ''

Nevertheless, Filch took the pen and scribbled his name onto the purplish parchment. He thrust it wordlessly back into Matt 's hand and shuffled off down the corridor.

`` That went better than expected, '' Matt said.

`` Yeah, thanks. I could n't really figure out how to ask him. ``

`` I figured, '' mat grinned, `` Anyway, we still need a few things. Hey, Kendrick never mentioned anything about the Room. Do you think we could just ask it for the ease of this ? ``

Albus wondered why he had n't thought of that. It almost seemed like cheating, but Kendrick never said anything. `` That 's brilliant ! ``

The two of them set off for the room, but when they got there, there was a Hufflepuff prefect milling around right in front of the elbow room. Albus slowly walked back and Forth in front of it, keeping an eye on the prefect.

He was about to make his one-third laissez passer, when the prefect stopped him. `` Sorry, '' he said, `` You ca n't go in there if you 're in the scavenger Holman Hunt. Kendrick 's rule. ``

Albus sighed, `` All right field. ``

`` Of course, '' Matt muttered as they left, `` Kendrick could n't announce that rule because then everyone would find out about the way. Oh, well. What have we got left ? ``

Albus handed matt the tilt and he looked it over for a few arcsecond. `` Hey, I know Madam Pomfrey 's got green potions bottles. ``

`` Let 's go, '' Albus said, `` We 'd better rushing, there 's only XV minutes left. ``

They made it to the infirmary annex in record time. Albus pushed the door subject and walked in, followed by Matt.

`` I 've got patient to lean to ! '' lady Pomfrey was shouting at a Ravenclaw commencement year, `` I have n't got time for this magpie hunt nonsense ! You 're the fifth mortal I 've had come in here looking for potions bottles and band tending ! I have n't got any ! ``

The little girl nodded and ran quickly out of the elbow room, completely ignoring Albus and Matt as she went.

`` Er, she says she has n't got any, '' Albus whispered.

`` I know she does, '' Matt whispered back, `` Let me just ask her. ``

Albus shrugged and followed Matt over to the nursemaid, who was hang over one of the beds.

`` how-do-you-do, brothel keeper Pomfrey, '' lusterlessness greeted her.

Madam Pomfrey turned around and her irritated expression softened immediately when she saw Matt.

`` Hello, Matt, honey. Are you all right ? You look a bit flushed, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey said and put her mitt to his forehead.

`` I 'm fine, '' flatness assured her, `` I 've just been running around working on the scavenger search. ``

`` Not you, too, '' lady Pomfrey sighed and then noticed Albus, `` Oh and Albus as well. ``

`` Yeah, '' Matt said, `` We were just wondering if you might have an vacate super acid potions feeding bottle. ``

The nursemaid sighed and walked over to her potions cabinet. `` I suppose. Just be certain to return it. ``

Albus watched in cushion as she returned with the exact item they were looking for. flatness grinned at Albus and took the bottle.

`` Thanks, '' matt smiled.

Madam Pomfrey shook her straits, `` No problem. Have fun, boys. ``

`` We will, '' matt said as he turned to leave the room.

Albus followed him out the door, still in shock that the nursemaid had actually given them the bottle when she had yelled at that starting time twelvemonth only mo ago.

`` You 're certainly on her good English, '' Albus muttered after they left the room.

`` One of the few perk of being there once a calendar month, '' Matt said dryly.

`` We 'd better get back to the Great Hall, '' Albus said as he looked at his watch.

Albus and Matt ran as fast as they could punt to where their team was. The repose of the team was working hard to land up the remaining trivia. Rachel herself was dressed up as Godric Gryffindor, complete with a bastard beard. Rodner was dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff.

However, neither was as mirthful as what Willinson was wearing. He was decked out in Gryffindor o.k., with robes, a scarf joint, and a 'Loyal Gryffindor'hat. Albus could hardly stifle his laughter.

`` Do n't say a word, Potter, '' Willinson growled.

`` Albus ! '' Rachel shouted, `` You 've got to dress up as a Slytherin ! The robe I 've got are too big for matte and Abby. '' Rachel pointed to the other Gryffindor on the team.

Albus groaned and Willinson burst out laughing. Albus reluctantly put on the Slytherin robes, scarf, and 'Slytherins Are topper'hat. It would only be for a few minutes and if it helped them win ....

Albus did find a bit unusual in the Slytherin robes. He could n't help oneself but cerebrate back to his sorting and how the hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin at first. If it had, he would be wearing these robe all the clip. He might birth even been more than friendly with Malfoy at first. He probably would n't cause really befriended St. John, matte, or Amanda if he 'd been in Slytherin. Albus shook the thought from his head and concentrated on the fact that he was just wearing the robes to help oneself his team win.

Rachel took line of descent of the detail on the list as Matt tied all the shoe lace together. It turns out that the solitary things they were missing were the light saber, Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood, shot Star broom handle, foe glass, Hershey 's bar, toad, and one battery. Rachel thought that was pretty good.

The other Ravenclaw returned a minute later and told everyone that he had finished the pervade quest and had managed to get the bonus decimal point.

`` fourth dimension is up ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professor will be around soon to hold in your lists. They will also roll up your trivium canvas which will be marked later today. The winner will be announced at dinner tonight. ``

Patil came over to Albus 's squad a few mo later and looked over their list. She took a photo of the four masses who were dressed up, much to Albus 's dismay. Now there would be permanent evidence of his Slytherin moment. As soon as the icon was taken, Albus took off the robes and he noticed Willinson doing the same.

`` Ok, '' Patil announced as she gathered up the bit of parchment, `` You can leave. Please return anything you borrowed. ``

Albus and Matt gathered up their stuff as well as everything they 'd borrowed from various Gryffindors. They stopped by the infirmary annex to return the nursing bottle and then headed back to their rough-cut room.

The two of them passed out everyone 's stuff and then went to sit down at their common table. rosebush, bathroom, Amanda, and Kaden joined them shortly.

`` That was fun, '' Rose said as she sat down.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Even though we were with Slytherins. Willinson was n't too bad. ``

`` That 's sound, '' John said, `` I caught a glimpse of him in the Gryffindor robes. Priceless. ``

`` Yeah, I thought so. Until I had to put on the Slytherin ones, '' Albus replied.

John burst out laughing, `` I wish I 'd seen that ! ``

`` You 'll be able to, '' Albus told him, `` Patil took a picture. ``

`` Excellent. ``

`` Did n't any of you lot have to dress up ? '' Albus asked.

`` I was Helga Hufflepuff, '' John said.

`` And I was Godric Gryffindor, '' Amanda added.

`` How did everyone do on the list of stuff to find ? '' matte asked.

`` I 'm pretty sure my team was the only if one with a low-cal saber ! '' Kaden said excitedly, `` I 'm so happy I decided to impart it. ``

`` We did all right field, '' rose wine shrugged, `` Missed a lot of stuff, but I think we did well in the trivia. ``

`` Of course you did, '' John grinned. `` Hey, did anyone manage to find the potions bottle ? Slughorn did n't have any green I and Madam Pomfrey looked ready to hex me when I asked her. It 's not really fair that Kendrick put something on there that was impossible to get. ``

Albus grinned at Matt, who grinned back.

`` What ? '' John the Divine asked.

`` We got it, '' Matt told him.

`` How ? '' Kaden asked, `` madam Pomfrey was downright chilling when I asked her. May have been because she was busy fixing someone 's broken arm, but still .... ''

`` lustrelessness asked her and she gave him one, '' Albus explained.

mat shrugged, `` Simple, really. ``

John sighed, `` Well, you 're probably the only one in the school who could get it. She 'd probably commit you whatever you asked for. ``

`` Why ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

`` Sorry, not telling, '' John replied.

Kaden sighed, `` Oh, component part of that entirely secret I ca n't know about ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John the Divine said and then changed the subject area, `` Hey, did any of you do the riddle thing ? ``

`` I did, '' rose said, `` Want to hear it ? ``

`` Of track, '' John said.

`` Ok, I 'll see if you can get it. I thought it was a bit simple, really, '' rosebush said. She pulled a piece of lambskin out of her robe and understand off of it.

'' 'In an event known by adept worldwide
Where good and evil are forced to collide
A fearsome force can now no longer reside.
A place where just one part of Voldemort died .'''

Albus looked at John, Matt, and Amanda and shrugged. He did n't think it was childlike, but rosebush was estimable at those sort of things.

`` No thought, '' John announced.

`` Dunno, '' lusterlessness shrugged.

`` Hmm, '' Amanda muttered.

`` Do n't await at me, '' Kaden said.

`` The Great Hall ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the place where Voldemort died.

`` Nope, '' Rose grinned, `` That was the put-on share. It 's actually that monument outside, where prof Longbottom killed Voldemort 's snake. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus groaned, `` Of form ! Did n't even imagine of that. ``

`` How long did it train you to figure it out ? '' mat asked.

`` Not long, '' Rose smiled, `` But then I had to stick with the hint to find the bit of selective information to present prof Kendrick. ``

`` And where was that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Library, '' Rose grinned, `` Herbology segment. ``

`` Wonder how many teams got it, '' Albus thought aloud.

`` Well, my team did, obviously, '' Rose said, `` And you said your squad did, Albus. What about you two ? ``

`` We did n't, '' John sighed and Amanda shook her head.

`` We did, '' Kaden put in.

`` supposition we 'll find out tonight how everyone did, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` But I 'm not going to think about it now. might as well get some homework done. ``

Albus managed to get half an essay done before dinner. blush wine wrote an intact essay and did a set of homework interrogative sentence. Matt helped Amanda with her uranology and still got his Herbology done. John and Kaden on the early hand, spent he ease of the afternoon goofing off and playing chess.

The excitement was running high in the Great mansion house during dinner that evening. Everyone was comparing what they managed to detect during the pack rat Hunt. Albus kept glancing up to the staff tabular array to see when Kendrick would have the promulgation, but he seemed to be waiting until the last bit to do so.

After what seemed like forever, Kendrick got to his substructure. `` commodity evening, everyone. I hope all the first and second base years enjoyed the pack rat Hunt. It was certainly a winner and I 'm indisputable the older students will seem forward to their turns.

`` And, without any promote waiting, I shall announce the results. The world-class, arcsecond, and tierce place teams will all be awarded decoration.

`` In third place, with 572 dot, team Two ! '' Kendrick announced, `` Will the penis of Team Two please come up here. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus shouted and jumped up, `` Third place, that 's not bad ! ``

`` Yeah, I 'd say that 's pretty in force, '' lustrelessness grinned and followed Albus up to the staff table.

Albus and Matt joined the residual of their team in front of the stave table. Kendrick put a bronze medal over each of their necks and pulled out a tv camera. He took a few word-painting and then told them to refund to their seats.

Rose, Amanda, John Lackland, and Kaden congratulated Albus and Matt as they sat back down. A few of Albus 's cousins patted him on the back and told him good job.

`` Excellent, Albus, '' James grinned, `` But my squad will get foremost place next week. ``

`` I 'll trust it when I see it, '' Albus rolled his eyes.

`` And in second place, with 580 point, is Team Seven ! '' Kendrick announced.

The member of team septet ran up to the staff table to get their silver grey medals and have their moving picture taken.

`` And in first place, with 673 points, is Team Six ! '' Kendrick shouted. `` Congratulations to the winning team ! ``

`` Woohoo ! '' Kaden stood up and started jumping up and down as he ran up to the staff table, `` Yes ! ``

`` Wow, who would 've thought that, '' Rose grinned, `` Kaden 's team won. ``

`` Well, he does have a very magnanimous amount of random stuff in his dormitory room, '' Albus commented.

`` I 'll bet it was the wanton cavalry sword that put his team over the border, '' John shook his straits, `` I mean, I think his team was the just one to get it. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus shrugged.

`` I ca n't believe I won ! '' Kaden shouted as he sat back down with his big gold medal a few minutes later.

`` Congratulations, '' Albus grinned, `` At least one of us got first blank space. ``

`` We were so close to s, '' mat groaned, `` eight-spot measly points ! ``

`` Well, third 's dear, '' Gospel According to John muttered, `` practiced than not getting a medal at all. ``

`` Oh, toilet, it 's just a game, '' Amanda said, `` The stop is that we all had fun. ``

`` Congratulations to our winning teams and everyone else that participated, '' Kendrick said, `` I will be looking forward to the next round, tierce and fourth years, a week from today ! ``

Albus hung his bronze ribbon from his bed post before he went to bed that Nox. He crawled beneath the covers feeling very depicted object with tertiary place. He had n't really been expecting to win at all. The Scavenger Hunt had been a lot of fun, and Albus hoped Kendrick would hold in it again sometime. It had been so much fun, that Albus had n't even thought about the new map the entire day. He made a mental note to ask rosebush about the Sileo Altus charm the next day. They would have to tell Kaden about everything soon if they wanted to make anymore progress on the map. Plus, they 'd have to enquiry more about how to test to the map that they really were like the Marauders.


A/N : Bit of a shorter chapter, but the previous one was longer, so it evens out. Kaden has proved that it never hurts to sustain a light saber, a lesson that my brother agrees with since he brought his light saber to LeakyCon and quite a few hoi polloi told him they wished they 'd brought theirs.

I have created a website for my fan fic, where you can rule persona visibility and a blog about news and updates about my authorship. The link is on my profile page here. I 'd love for you to see to it it out and result remark in the tidings and Update section.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, who had to garment up as the Tin Man in last summer 's pack rat search. Big thanks to my booster, rosiness, for coming up with the brain-teaser. Thanks as well to EvilChaos, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, mischiefmaker92, drownzer, Moonylupin, Miguel, Denas, and Tonks for their reassessment !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Throughout the rest of the month, rosebush continued to pretend progress on the Sileo Altus charm, and by the time April rolled around, she was confident in her ability to perform it. Albus wished the same could be said for the procession with finding out how to prove to the map that he and his friends were like the marauder. Albus spent every waking moment that he was n't doing preparation, attending Quidditch practice, or dueling practice, in the library trying to retrieve out a magic spell or spell that would work. His endeavor were vain, though, because he still had n't found anything promising.

Albus also had another successful dueling tournament. He won both of his duels as did Malfoy, but their squad still had n't won. Albus was beginning to doubt whether they 'd ever win.

Albus 's following Quidditch match was the first Saturday in Apr. He found himself distracted by the map even before he entered the changing elbow room. They were playing Ravenclaw, and it was laborious to tell who had the near team, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Albus pushed mentation of the map from his head as he walked into the changing room.

Georgia gave the squad the usual pep talk, which this time included telling them that if they won this match, they 'd be in the final examination. If Ravenclaw got less than 180 spot, then Ravenclaw might not establish it to the final. Georgia did n't particularly care who they played in the final, just so long as they won.

The compeer went smoothly, in Albus 's persuasion. Much undecomposed than the premature lucifer, in which Albus got honk partway through. The conditions was better for this equal as well. Albus managed to keep from thinking about the map, which was good since it was a very high-scoring match for both sides and Albus was constantly being thrown the Quaffle. After only an 60 minutes of play, King James went into a dive and caught the Snitch, right out from under one of the Ravenclaw beater 's broom.

The usual party in the common elbow room ensued after the educatee returned to the castle, but Albus was n't really matter to in it. Now that the match was over, all he could think about was trying out the Sileo Altus charm on Kaden. Albus figured the near time to do it would be in the evening and the best place would be the Room.

Shortly after blush wine had succeeded in performing the good luck charm on John, flatness had reluctantly given into trying it with Kaden. His only term was first trying it with a harmless secret, and if that worked, to run onto the self-aggrandising one.

`` Are we doing it tonight ? '' St. John asked as he sipped his butterbeer.

`` Yeah, '' Albus whispered back, `` After dinner. ``

The eternal sleep of the afternoon and dinner seemed to go by at an alarmingly slow rate. metre seemed to go by much like it did in History of Magic.

`` Kaden, '' Albus said after they had finished eating, `` We 're not going to the common room now. We 're going to show you a different room in the castle, one you 've never seen. ``

`` Excellent, '' Kaden grinned, `` What kind of room ? ``

`` You 'll see when we get there, '' Albus replied. `` Let 's go. ``

Kaden followed Albus and his admirer through the castle, with a constant stream of inquiry that Albus ignored.

`` Are you sure this is going to work ? '' matt whispered nervously as they stopped in presence of the blank space of wall where the room of necessity was.

`` Yes, '' rose assured him, `` It will sour. ``

Matt nodded and started pacing in front of the wall.

`` Why did we stop ? '' Kaden asked, and then his center popped out of his head as he saw the door appear from nowhere. `` Wicked. ``

`` C'mon, '' Albus said as he opened the door.

`` What is this place ? '' Kaden asked in awe.

`` Room of Requirement, '' Albus told him, `` room that gives you what you need. ``

`` I ca n't conceive you did n't show me this yet ! ''

`` Well, it 's not something we want you to tell anyone about. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said, `` So it 'll generate me anything I ask it for ? I think I want an integral cake .... ''

`` It does n't do food, '' rosebush explained.

`` Oh, well, it 's still magnificent. ``

`` Kaden, issue forth sit down, '' Albus told his full cousin.

`` You 're all so quiet, '' Kaden said as he took a keister on the couch side by side to Albus, `` What 's going on ? ``

`` Well, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to try out something. Rose found a charm that 's supposed to form someone not be able to tell other people 's mystery. If it works, we 're going to recount you a caboodle of stuff and you wo n't be able to distinguish anyone. ``

`` What are you going to recount me ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` We have to make sure the spell works first, '' Albus sighed, `` Which is why we 're here. Rose is going to perform the charm, using your knowledge of this room as the closed book. If you have n't told anyone by side by side Saturday, we 'll distinguish you the rest of it. ``

`` fine, '' Kaden sighed, `` I ca n't believe you wo n't tell me without this appealingness. ``

`` Um, Kaden, you 've told Malfoy stuff I told you not to enjoin anyone, '' Albus reminded him.

`` That was n't my fault ! ``

`` I know, but we 're not risking this. If you want to know the secrets, you 'll have to have Rose do the charm. ``

`` Ok, ok, I 'll do it, '' Kaden said.

`` Good, '' rosiness smiled, `` Now let 's get started. ``

It took rose wine about ten minute of arc to perform the charm. Kaden was thoroughly amazed by the charm and Rose 's power to perform it.

`` Let 's test it, '' pink wine decided once they left the way. She pointed to a girl who was walking towards them. `` Go recount her about the elbow room. ``

Kaden shrugged and ran up to the girl, who looked to be around Kaden 's age and was in Hufflepuff.

`` Er, '' Kaden began, `` So there 's this place- '' Kaden turned around and looked confusedly at Albus, then turned back to the girl. `` Anyway, at this post, you can- ''

`` What 's wrong with you ? '' the girl asked, trying to track up her giggling. `` Are you ok ? ``

`` amercement, fine, '' Kaden muttered, `` Never mind. ``

Kaden ran back to Albus and the others, blushing furiously. `` It worked, but now everyone 's going to think I 'm an idiot. ``

Albus laughed, `` No they wo n't. But that 's near that it worked. ``

`` Yeah, '' Kaden grinned, `` Definitely worth it. ``

******

Albus kept a close eye on Kaden throughout the next workweek. As far as he could tell, his cousin did n't tell anyone about the Room of necessary. They tested the charm a few Sir Thomas More prison term, telling Kaden to order somebody about it, but Kaden was never capable to. Albus was fully convinced that the Sileo Altus magic spell was a success.

Kaden was positively beaming by the meter Saturday arrived. Albus was kind of excited as well, because they would officially have Wormtail in their group of new Marauders. John, Rose, and Amanda were excited as well. The solely thing left to do after this would be to feel a way to prove to the map that they were like the vulture. lusterlessness did n't seem excited at all. He was clearly nervous about telling Kaden that he was a werewolf. It probably did n't facilitate that the full moon was only a few days away. Albus could n't really blame Matt for his nerves, but Albus was sure the good luck charm would continue to work.

After dinner, Albus led his protagonist back to the Room of requisite, with the new Map in his robes.

`` Ok, what 's the underground ? '' Kaden said as he bounced around the Room once they were inside.

`` You 've got to sit down first, '' Albus told him. `` And Matt 's going to tell you the first one. ``

`` Oh ! '' A look of comprehension appeared on Kaden 's human face. `` Is this about how you get sick every month ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt sighed.

`` And this is what you do n't want Malfoy to know about ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt said shortly, `` Now just let me tell you what it is. ``

`` Sorry, '' Kaden muttered.

`` It 's ok, '' lusterlessness said, `` First, you ca n't distinguish anyone this. I mean, do n't even try to screen the appealingness like we 've been doing all week. You ca n't even try to tell anyone this. Never honorable mention it to anyone except us. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said.

`` Good. Now, you know that werewolves are existent, right ? ``

Kaden nodded, `` What does that have to do with you getting barf ? ``

`` Everything, '' Matt said quietly, `` I am a werewolf. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That is the coolest thing ever ! ``

`` No it 's not, '' Matt sighed, `` You do n't even really experience what happens when I turn into a werewolf. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I 've seen movies. ``

`` It 's not like that, '' lusterlessness told him, `` I get ghastly a few days before the full moon lunar month, and then the night of the full Moon, I turn into a wolf and sting myself because there 's nothing else for me to sting. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden deflated, `` So where do you go when you turn into a savage ? ``

`` A shack in Hogsmeade. ``

`` The screech hutch ? ``

`` Yes, that, '' Matt replied, `` I 'm the one who does the shrieking. ``

`` Now that is nerveless, '' Kaden grinned. `` How long have you been a werewolf ? ``

`` Since I was five. ``

`` That 's a foresightful time, '' Kaden said.

`` near of my life, '' Matt explained, `` It 's horrible, really. ``

`` And that 's the big closed book ? '' Kaden asked, `` Why ca n't anyone know that ? ``

`` Because most whiz do n't like werewolves, '' matte explained.

`` fountainhead that 's stupid. ``

`` Yeah, it is, but it 's reality. ``

`` But why is n't there a go to establish you not a werewolf anymore ? Or a potion ? ``

`` magic trick does n't fix everything, '' lusterlessness sighed.

`` Yeah, that 's what I 've been trying tell you for the entirely class, '' Albus pointed out.

`` But why ? ``

`` Dunno, '' mat shrugged, `` But there is a potion, called the Wolfsbane Potion, that 's supposed to hit it so you keep your man mind when you turn into a wolf. So you do n't require to attack anyone or yourself. ``

`` Why do n't you take that ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I do, '' matt told him, `` Actually, I take a different variety than nigh loup-garou take. For some understanding, Wolfsbane does n't work for me. I 'm in this study at St. Mungo 's to figure out why and right now they 've got me taking a new variety of wolf's bane. ``

`` Department of Energy it solve ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Matt replied, `` That 's kind of why I still bite myself every full moon. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. `` So someday they might retrieve a potion that will work ? ``

Matt shrugged, `` Maybe. But I 'm not getting my hope up. ``

`` So I 'll be charmed not to say anything about this ? '' Kaden asked after a few mo of silence.

`` Yes, '' Albus replied, pulling the new map out of his gown, `` And about this. ``

Albus spent the next half hour showing Kaden the new map. Kaden thought it was the intimately affair he had seen yet at Hogwarts and could n't wait for it to completely work.

`` So we need you to comprise Peter Pettigrew, '' Albus said after he 'd finished explaining about the map.

`` Peter Pettigrew ? '' Kaden raised his eyebrow, `` That evil chap who betrayed your grandparents ? ``

`` Er, yes, '' Albus sighed.

`` You know my mum wanted to name me dick, but Dad said no because he did n't want me to consume the same name as that idiot, '' Kaden commented, `` So it 's my midriff name. ``

`` perfect, '' John grinned, `` You even sort of contribution his public figure. ``

`` testament you do it ? '' Albus asked.

`` I guess so, '' Kaden said slowly, `` I mean, it 's not like I 'm going to be like Pettigrew now. ``

`` No, '' Albus agreed, `` But you have to be sort of like him for it to work. And you are because you 've form of got the Sami epithet. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I guess. Anyway, when are you going to get the map to work ? ``

`` Whenever we figure out how to try to it that we 're like the Marauders. Somehow we 've got to show the map that we are similar to the piranha, '' Albus explained, `` Which is taking forever. ``

`` Oh, you mean like a fingerbreadth print ? '' Kaden asked.

`` What ? '' Albus asked.

`` You know, a finger print. Everyone 's is different, but your finger print is similar to your congeneric. It 's how Muggle cops find people and stuff and nonsense when they 're missing. And how they identify bodies. ``

`` A finger's breadth mark ! '' rosebush exclaimed, `` That 's it ! I ca n't believe I did n't think of it ! ``

`` What are you talking about ? '' King John asked. `` Kaden just said everyone 's is different. So how will ours be like the predator'? ``

`` Not Muggle finger's breadth mark, '' rosiness said, `` Wizard one. There 's a turn to get your Wizard 's Finger print. It reveals your figure, congener, even your personality. ``

`` That 's kind of scary, '' Albus said, `` Anyone can discover that stuff out if they 've got your finger print ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose shrugged, `` But I think it will play for this. ``

`` Hope so, '' Albus grinned. He could n't conceive that Kaden had actually given rose an idea about the map. Kaden had helped with it. If this finger impress thing worked, they could have the map figured out in no time.

`` We 'll see for it tomorrow, '' Rose stood up and drew her wand, `` Now let 's do the spell. ``

Albus nodded, feeling more delirious than he had in month. They were so close, he could just palpate it. The map would be working soon. Of row, there was a nagging doubt in Albus 's gut that was telling him that there would be something to figure out even after the finger print thing.

******

`` What are you going to sign up for ? '' John asked as he glanced over the lambskin all the second years had received just a minute earlier.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` What about you, Matt ? ``

`` forethought of Magical animate being, '' lustrelessness replied, `` Not indisputable what else. ``

`` I 'll do that one, too, '' Albus decided and wrote it down on his parchment. `` Hagrid Edward Teach it, so it 'll be fun. ``

`` planetary house me up, '' John said, `` I could use with a fun class. ``

`` You ought to think about what will be useful in your future career, '' Rose told them.

`` But I 've got no idea what I want to do, '' King John said.

Albus had no idea either. He had n't really thought about it. He thought being an Auror would be a good job, but he was n't sure that that was what he wanted to do. He still had five years at Hogwarts anyway, why decide now ?

`` Me either, '' Amanda agreed, `` I think I 'll do attention of Magical beast, too. ``

`` I 'm taking Muggle bailiwick, '' rose wine announced, `` Plus Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. ``

`` All three ? '' John asked, `` But we only have to charter two. ``

`` Yeah, but I want to study all of them. I 'd really like to take on Care of Magical puppet, too, but there 's not enough time. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Divination, '' John shrugged.

Rose snorted, `` divination ? Mum says that should n't even be a subject. There 's no veridical learning involved. ``

`` But is it promiscuous ? '' John asked.

`` Uncle Ron said all you 've got to do is relieve oneself up foretelling about your death if you 've got Trelawney, '' Albus explained.

`` Excellent, '' John scribbled onto his sheepskin, `` I 'll read that and hope I 've got Trelawney. ``

`` I 'm taking that, too, '' Amanda said, `` It actually sounds interest. ``

`` Fine, '' Rose sighed, `` But I still say it 's not really a subject. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Ancient Runes, '' Albus thought aloud, `` I think it 's comfortable than Arithmancy. What about you, matt ? What else do you intend you 'll bring ? ``

`` Ancient runic letter sounds honorable, '' flatness yawned, `` I guess I 'll postulate that. Amy took it. She hated it in Australia, but she said it 's practiced here. ``

`` I 'd take everything, '' Kaden announced, `` I could n't decide. ``

`` You ca n't take everything, '' pink wine laughed, `` You 'd have to be in two berth at once. ``

`` Oh, well I 'm jolly sure that 's impossible, '' Kaden sighed.

Albus turned and grinned at Rose, who grinned back. Albus could only imagine Kaden 's response to a time-turner.

`` Yeah, the most grade you can take is three, '' Rose explained.

`` Then I 'll train three, '' Kaden decided.

`` Are you lot done choosing category ? '' Rose asked as she stood up, `` We 'd amend get to Transfiguration. ``

Albus spent the entire metamorphosis class trying to ferment his home plate into a bowling ball, and had almost managed to do it by the time the class was over. rose, of track, did it within ten minutes and spent the end of the form helping Albus and the rest of their friends.

history of illusion was as boring as ever. Matt slept the full division, and Albus felt himself nod off a few times. matte had seemed very old-hat in Transfiguration Day and probably would feature fallen asleep in that division if it were n't for the fact that it was a practical lesson. This was n't surprising considering the fact that the full moon was the side by side day. The Healers still had n't found something to counteract the side essence of extreme point weariness of the new wolf's bane that Matt was on.

two-bagger Potions was after dejeuner, and Albus felt drowsy as soon as he walked into the elbow room. This was odd since he had felt finely a mo before. He did n't seem to be the only one who felt this either. Both lavatory and Amanda yawned as soon as they sat down, and even blush wine 's eyes drooped a bit as she pulled out her parchment. Matt laid his head down on the desk and fell asleep immediately.

`` Good afternoon, everyone ! '' Slughorn said, `` Now, I 'm sure as shooting you 're all feeling a bit tired, which is perfectly normal.

`` This, '' Slughorn gestured to a smoking cauldron on his desk, `` Is Drowsiness Potion. All it takes is one whiff of this potion to put you into a state of fatigue. If you drink it, you 'll fall into an almost sleep-like state for about a one-half hr. Of track, you 'd cognise this if you did the Reading that was due today. ``

Albus remembered being assigned the reading, but he had n't done it. He had just been too busy with Quidditch practice, dueling practice, and all his other homework.

`` You will be trying to brew this today, but you will only do half of it, '' Slughorn announced, `` It needs to simmer for about a hebdomad before you can dispatch it. operating instructions are on the board. influence with your usual partners. ``

Albus yawned and got up from his table. He joined Limbert at his table and lit the fire under the cauldron while Limbert collected ingredients.

The intact family was moving at a slower tempo than usual, and everyone was yawning every few minutes. It was variety of strange. Nobody was arguing with their better half either. Albus wondered if Slughorn had picked this item potion for a reason. The past week, a duel had broken out between john and Goyle, resulting in both of them being sent to the Hospital Wing for burns and then being assigned a hebdomad 's worth of detention.

Limbert returned wit the ingredients and he and Albus started to gear up them, without exchanging any conversation. No different than usual.

Albus dumped some ingredients into the cauldron and began to stir it. He watched flatness and Malfoy as he did so. Malfoy had returned with element and was prodding Matt with his wand to get him to wake up.

`` What are you doing ? '' Albus whispered to Malfoy.

`` Waking him up, '' Malfoy said.

`` Wha-what 's going on ? '' lustrelessness lifted up his head.

`` Chop up those cherry solution, '' Malfoy instructed. Albus was surprised with how calm Malfoy seemed.

matt nodded and picked up his knife. Albus went back to stirring his potion.

`` Professor ! '' Malfoy said after a few minutes. `` He keeps falling asleep. ``

Albus looked up from the beetle eyes he was mincing. flatness was once again asleep on the table.

`` Ah, '' Slughorn waddled over to lusterlessness and Malfoy 's table, `` The somnolence Potion affects everyone differently. '' Slughorn shook lustrelessness 's shoulder joint. `` Dear boy, you might want to go to the infirmary Wing. I do n't think the exhaust fumes from this potion are agreeing with you. They 're not supposed to put you into a deep nap. ``

Matt nodded and stood up. He stumbled and leaned back onto the desk.

`` Albus, '' Slughorn turned to Albus, `` Perhaps you could escort him. I 'm sure Mr. Limbert can handle your potion. ``

`` All right wing, '' Albus laid down his tongue and went over to where matte was standing.

Albus grabbed his arm and led him out of the way. Albus felt immediately better as soon as they shut the doorway. The drowsiness went away completely.

`` I 've got to sit down, '' Matt mumbled and sat down on the floor.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked, sitting down next to him.

`` I dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` I 'm guessing that that potion just made me even more tired than I already am. ``

`` Do you find better now ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not really, '' Matt replied.

`` Then you 'd amend get to the Hospital Wing. ``

`` Yeah, I suppose. ``

lady Pomfrey wanted lustrelessness to outride for the rest of the good afternoon. Albus was n't even certainly if she 'd let him forget at all before the wax moon. Knowing the nurse, she probably wouldn't.

lusterlessness never came back from the hospital Wing that Nox, so Albus assumed Madam Pomfrey was keeping him there until after the full lunation. Albus and the rest of his friends decided that as soon as mat was out of the Hospital Wing, they would jump looking for the virtuoso 's Finger mark appealingness. Rose was pretty sure she had seen it in the library somewhere, but she could n't think back where. That meant that they would pass hours scouring the total program library for it. This was in accession to all the extra perusing they had to do now that the end of term test were to a lesser extent than two months away. Albus just hoped they 'd be able to figure out the map before schoolhouse was over. It would be senseless to compute it out during the summer, when they would n't even be able to use it.


A/N : I hope everyone has enjoyed Half-Blood Prince or do enjoy it if you have n't seen it yet ! Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, EvilChaos, phoenixy friend, XDNLxtlz99, Tears of a Phoenix, Denas, Miguel, St. Luke, and tranc3rooney for their reviews !