Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
Weasley menage Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is in the generator 's eminence at the bottom.


molly Weasley did n't dare serve dinner until after the Quidditch compeer had been completed because even she did n't have the ability to drag Weasleys away from Quidditch. chemise secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out Jesse James 's clutch and then everyone was off their heather and sitting at the large bunch of tables in criminal record time. After all, Quidditch was one of the considerably things one could do to build up a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very good mood as he had been on chemise 's team.

Albus and Rose sat next to each early in the midsection of the radical of table and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Percy due to his use of talking politics during dinner, something that even bored rosebush. The two of them looked at each former as Percy sat down and Albus readied himself for political conversation rather than Quidditch talk.

"I 'm telling you,"Percy said to no one in specific as he served himself some carrots,"something 's going to happen. I guarantee it. It 's been too pipe down in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought things would get a bit riled up lastly year when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had standardized views. More similar than I expected anyway ..."

Leave it to Walker Percy to try and find something wrong with the Ministry when all was fine, Albus thought. He reached over Rose to grab a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping serving onto his collection plate.

"What do you cogitate, Harry ?"Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting following to him."Any stirrings in the Auror department that I may not give heard about ?"

"affair are pretty calm, Harry Hotspur,"Harry replied.

"Of course they are. I would 've heard if they were n't,"Percy decided.

Albus was n't exactly certainly what his uncle Hotspur actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the Minister, but his literal title was so long and complicated that Albus never bothered to remember it.

"Well, it 's an election year,"Percy pointed out."Things never stay calmness during election days. company announcements come first calendar week of September and after that thing will be chaotic around the Ministry. heaps of work to do. Let me narrate you, when I run for Minister-"

"Oh, here we go again !"Ron said loudly."When Sir Henry Percy runs for Minister. It 's never gon na happen, Perce. Honestly."

"I would vote for you, Hotspur,"molly assured him."You would make a wonderful minister. But this dinner is supposed to be about the nipper. James ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. year ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must calm down a bit and study."

"nanna, really,"St. James muttered."We 're going to be hearing this from the teachers. Uncle Percy, why do n't you state us more about your running for Minister ?"

"well, as a matter of fact."Hotspur stood up."I have a rather excite announcement to make and I feel I must tell my folk first, before the rest of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for striking effect."I will be formally announcing on Monday, Sept second that I will be running for curate for April 's election."

There was inviolable secretiveness for about five minute before a whole lot of matter happened at once. Ron, George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her eyebrows as far as they could go. Ginny, Bill, and Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her head slightly and then jumped up from her chair, running towards Percy and finally enveloping him in a gravid hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

"Oh, Percy !"she exclaimed."I 'm so lofty of you ! You 've been talking about it for year and I think it 's high time you actually did it. I always wanted a son who was this successful !"

"Mum !"Ron groaned."It 's not like your early Son have n't done anything. I 'm an Auror for Merlin 's interest !"

"And you 're a fine good one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being parson. You just do n't give the dream Percy does,"Molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

Gold was exchanging handwriting at the other end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some sort of bet involving when Percy would run for Minister. That bet must have been in the plant for years.

Albus was personally stunned. He of course of instruction had been on the receiving end of many a Harry Hotspur rant about what he 'd do when he ran for Minister, but he had always believed Sir Henry Percy would n't ever do it. If Albus was honest with himself, he did n't really want Percy running. His kinsperson was famous enough without having an actual parson in it.

"Honestly, Mum, do you think he 's really going to win ?"Ron exclaimed."I mean, do n't get me wrong, Sir Henry Percy, I 'll vote for you, but what about the respite of the wizarding earthly concern ?"

"Sir Henry Percy, do you really think you 're cut out for this ?"Harry asked skeptically.

"Why would n't I be ? I 've been involved with the Ministry for decades !"

"I think what Harry 's trying to say is that you 're all bark and no bite,"Bill pointed out.

"I am not !"Sir Henry Percy shouted."And I would 've expected more reenforcement from my own family."

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"Boys,"Chester A. Arthur warned."Hotspur 's right. If he wants to run for diplomatic minister he can without any of us making it difficult for him. You do n't feature to vote for him, but I wo n't have you arguing during dinner. You 'll bowl over your mum."

Everyone resumed their prat but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Percy running for Minister. They just continued to do so in depressed vocalism. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a seat near Percy.

"Do you know who else is running ?"Hermione asked.

"Not sure enough,"Harry Hotspur replied."Hartwell 's not running again, if that 's what you 're getting at. He 's had sufficiency. But I 've got his financial backing. After all, I am the elder Undersecretary for the draftsmanship and redaction of Laws to the Minister."

So that 's what Harry Hotspur 's deed was, Albus thought. He had no idea if that was a position that had a lot of power or not, but apparently it was enough to receive livelihood for a Minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"Peach State shouted from a little way of life down the board."I figure this is as adept a time as any to severalise you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

Percy choked on whatever he was eating."You 're what ?"

"Moving out. You know, leaving the cuddle. I 've got a flavourless with a friend finisher to the pitch. It 'll be more convenient, for work."

"Work,"Percy muttered."If Quidditch can be considered work."

"Look, I know how these elections work. You 're going to desire to make yourself look like a family man, so you 're not going to want to consider me your gaga daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd better pop thinking of me as your daughter who 's the New backlog Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll sound better to the press."

Walker Percy stared at her with his mouth agape love. He shook his head slightly and resumed eating, without another word to Georgia. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that slight argument.

Albus turned to rosebush and grinned. GA certainly knew how to make Percy 's running for rector work to her advantage.

"Rose, have you heard from Linda yet ?"Albus asked, deciding not to bring together the residuum of his family in political conversation.

"Not yet."rose shook her head teacher."Her mum might ingest wanted her to expect a bit after they settled in Canada, though. Have you heard anything about what the Ministry 's doing about Lubar ?"

"If anything 's changed Dad 's being really quiet about it,"Albus answered.

"It 's so wrong, though, that he can completely get away with what he did,"rose wine muttered."It 's like I could go to Anatole France, rob a bank building, get back to England, and I 'd get away with it."

"You 're robbing a bank ?"James shouted.

"Of course not,"Rose replied."It 's none of your business."

Albus and Rose did n't risk talking about Lubar for the rest of the evening. Sure, the ease of their family line have it away about what had happened but neither of them wanted to discuss their theories with any of them.

The ease of the evening was rather out of reference for usual Weasley family dinners. All the previous days'dinners had consisted of lecture of Hogwarts and the adults exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the first time would get a fair bit of attention, but this year Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attention was focused on Percy. The adults were talking politics and Albus 's older cousins were placing stake on whether he 'd win or not.

Stanley was the first to depart as he had to go back to Romania the following morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their twelvemonth in Romania and had returned to England permanently the previous month. Victoire and Teddy left shortly after that since they both had to work the next day.

Percy was still discussing campaign tactic with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were pocket-size and he had to pretend he was concern in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was time to allow. For the first meter in his life, he was actually well-chosen to allow for and get back to Grimmauld Place. The before school dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to give birth fun all together before school started, and this time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some stroke of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the potter before, James had packed his luggage compartment the night before they left for school. Albus was indisputable that some sort of apocalypse was going to come soon because Percy running for minister of religion and the thrower arriving early for the Hogwarts Express were two result that nobody ever thought would happen. Albus did n't question it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at Platform 9 ¾ prior to going through the barrier, was not early, so the Potters went through without him. Rose and her family unit were already there of track, so Albus said a quick bye-bye to his parents before getting on the wagon train to discover pink wine. With any hazard his friend would n't be there yet and he could talk to Rose alone. Usually there was nix he would n't talk to his friends about, but the unusual impression he had had about his family was something he only wanted to verbalize to rose about.

Rose was alone in a compartment about halfway down the railroad train, reading one of her new textbooks. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't have the little theme what any of the symbolisation in it meant. He chose the seat next to her and waited for her to be done reading whatever it was she was deciphering.

"I 'm witnessing a miracle, apparently,"rose said after setting her Quran down.

"James I packed end Nox,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is golden if King James packs originally than five transactions before you leave."

"It 's definitely odd,"Albus agreed."Listen, do you get the notion things are changing ?"

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three years, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the same time. I know they 're really stupid when it comes to dueling but I think they 're smarter than anyone 's giving them credit for. things are going to change, Al. The man 's getting scarier,"Rose said quietly.

Albus swallowed hard. That was in the back of his mind of form, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to verbalize to Rose about.

"I guess,"Albus replied."But I was n't really getting at that. I was thinking about our family."

"Oh,"was all rosiness said. Both cousins sat quietly for a minute before she continued."I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner party at Gran and gramps 's ? It was all Percy. O.W.L.s were mentioned once and no one said anything about Angie starting Hogwarts."

"I know. It was odd. It just seems like everything 's changing. There are less of us at Hogwarts now so I guess that 's what 's going to happen-"

"There 's still a lot of us here,"Rose interrupted."And Eddie and the twins have n't even started yet. Plus it 's not like we even talked about Teddy, Victoire, Stanley, and Georgia. We talked about Percy for Merlin 's rice beer !"

"What do you recall will happen if he wins ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't roll in the hay. I do n't think matter will exchange political-wise but I think it 's going to be really Wyrd for Georgia and Bradley and Cedric. Even the twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most authoritative somebody in the wizarding world has got to be stressful."

"Tell me about it,"Albus muttered."Can you reckon if my dad ran for Minister ?"

"Percy would n't put up a chance."

"Dad 'll never run, though,"Albus pointed out."I just think that thing are already different from last year. Everyone 's going to be focused on Uncle Harry Hotspur 's campaign."

"things never stay the like, Al,"blush wine said.

"What 's not staying the same ?"John asked as he entered the compartment, followed by Kaden."I 'm hoping you 're talking about my Divination mark, rose wine, because my parents nearly murdered me this yesteryear summer when they saw it."

"I think we 'll just get to deal with your murder, John the Divine, because that cross is not getting any higher,"rosiness replied.

"Seriously, what were you talking about ?"Kaden asked as he sat down across from Rose.

"nil,"rose wine said quickly.

"I 'll distinguish you once Matt and Amanda get here,"Albus said, figuring he 'd order them about Sir Henry Percy running for Minister.

"This is going to be the Charles Herbert Best yr ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a piece of lambskin out of his bag."Look, it 's my Hogsmeade permission case !"

"Excellent,"John replied."Now I do n't have to buy your dungbombs for you."

"Do you really have to buy dungbombs this year ?"lusterlessness asked as he entered the compartment."They 're so nasty."

"Just for the Slytherin vulgar way,"can assured him."Our goal is to figure out how to get a few in there."

"Not going to work out,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the early side of Rose."You ca n't get into someone else 's common way unnoticed."

"That 's what Albus 's cloak is for,"Kaden said.

"Not if it 's going to smell like dungbomb after,"Albus said.

"Told you we should get just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,"John the Evangelist told Kaden.

Kaden shrugged."All right, everyone 's here. Tell us what you and Rose were talking about before any of us got here."

"Fine."Albus took a oceanic abyss breath."Well, my Uncle Harry Hotspur 's running for Minister."

"Seriously ?"John replied.

"Cool !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"Matt asked.

"Is n't he the one who 's been talking about doing that for year ?"Amanda asked.

"Yes,"Albus answered."He 's seriously incline, it 's not that sang-froid, I 'm honestly not for certain why, and yes he 's been talking about it for years."

"Why does n't your dad run ?"Kaden asked.

Albus and rose both burst out laughing."Because that 's the last thing he 'd ever want to do. He would n't require anymore power than he 's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is kind of power hungry,"Albus replied.

"Do you know who he 's running against ?"Amanda asked.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus said."They 're supposed to be announcing the candidates on the second."

"What 's that got to do with everything changing ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's our kin,"rosiness said quietly."Uncle Percy is so concentre on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Empire State of the South 's got it all figured out. Walker Percy 's going to pretend he 's completely well-chosen with her Quidditch playing just to make himself seem like a family man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's stupid,"John said."Georgia 's not going to like that."

"She 's the one who brought it up,"Rose pointed out.

"He 's justly, you know,"Amanda said.

"What do you mean, he 's properly ?"Albus stared at her. She had a knowing grin splayed across her face.

"You, Rose, and Matt are n't the only ones of us who have kin in politics,"Amanda said.

"But you 're a Muggle,"John replied.

"I never said the Ministry of Magic, john. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle 's the prime minister."

Albus continued to stare at her. Amanda was always rather calm and rarely talked about her family. He always figured that was because she was so tranquillity and never guessed that it might be because her family was just as influential in the Muggle earthly concern as his was in the wizarding Earth.

"Michael Smythe, that 's my uncle. He 's my mum 's blood brother,"Amanda elaborated."Imagine my mum 's surprise when she told him that I was a witch only to find out that he already knew about the wizarding world."

"So if Percy wins ...,"Albus began, his vocalism trailing off.

"He 'll meet my Uncle Mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, Sakartvelo does have it all figured out. If word gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch acting, it 's going to come off incorrectly in the press and lose him voter turnout. So, he 'll restrain it to himself and will be in the front row of every single one of her matches, pretending to be a huge Kenmare Kestrals fan."

"Wow, that seems so wrong,"rose muttered.

"It 's political science from the other face. The public wants people in power to suffer a certain image."

"Still, it 's like lying,"rosebush went on."Just another reason I am not getting into politics."

"My full cousin Leanne went a slight idle at university her kickoff yr, our first gear yr at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photo of her and put it on the masking of some tabloid, but that was the only one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not like Georgia 's partying. She 's got Quidditch skills and is using them to pretend an honest living,"blush wine pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't want the public to know he 's not glad with her career option so he 's going to spend a penny himself await like a devoted father."

"See, everything 's changing."Albus sighed."Sometimes I just wish I had a normal family."

"It 's not all it 's cracked up to be,"John said. Kaden nodded.

"It 's true up, Albus,"flatness said."Amanda 's completely right. It 's the whole reason why my dad got sacked. The public did n't like that I was a wolfman, which is part of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, cypher wanted him in government anymore."

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but Matt was right. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before Matt mentioned that. And now the same affair was happening with his home. Percy was going to guess and while that did n't really directly effect him, how long would it bring before the public did n't like the figure of speech he and the rest of his first cousin were presenting ?


A/N : From now on, updates for this will happen on the first of every calendar month and updates for Beyond the dark will take place on the 15th. That way they 'll be spread out. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this !

Here 's the Weasley-Potter home Tree !

Bill-Fleur
Victoire- 20
Gabriella- 18
Ben- 5th yr

Charlie-Katherine ( witch )
Stanley- 19
Heather- 7th year
Mark- 6th yr
Eddie- 8

Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Georgia- 18
Bradley- 6th yr
Cedric- 5th year
Samantha & lindy hop ( twins ) - 9

George- Alicia Spinnet
Fred- 7th yr
Angie- 1st year

Ron-Hermione
Rose- 4th year
Hugo- 2nd yr

Ginny-Harry
James- 5th year
Albus- 4th year
Lily- 2nd year

*All in Gryffindor*


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was no mention of politics or minister throughout the difference of the gearing slip. Amanda did n't say anything else about her uncle being the prime minister and how it had affected her family line, but Albus was still really curious about it. How had she managed to prevent that a arcanum for three geezerhood ? Judging by pink wine 's response, she did n't even love about it. matt had n't even managed to keep it a surreptitious that he was a werewolf for a year. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the best secret keeper in their group.

The public lecture lightened considerably as they made their way to Hogwarts, soon turning to the familiar subject of Quidditch and then to fantasizing about the new Defense teacher. King John was hoping for someone who let them do whatever they wanted whereas rosebush wanted someone who would actually teach, and not teach like Balladanis had. Albus did n't really care, so long as the new teacher did n't wish to harm his student, physically or emotionally.

As the train neared Hogsmeade station, Albus and his friends changed into their gown and prepared to exit the train for the bumpy carriage depend upon up to the schooltime. The journey was now so routine that they did so with little chatter and transferred to the rig with none of the fanfare of the old two twelvemonth. They were fourth years now and Hogwarts was fellow territory. As fourth years, they were well on their way to being the senior pupil of the school.

The Great Hall was filled with laugh and excitement as the students found their tush at their business firm tabular array. Albus and his supporter quickly found seats together at the Gryffindor table and all five glanced up to the staff table to find the new face that would be their defence mechanism teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar nerve they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

"Which one 's the Defense teacher ?"Kaden asked.

"Have n't the slightest,"Albus replied.

There were two new mavin sitting at the mesa. One was deep in conversation with professor Kendrick and the other was glancing around at the room, his middle never resting on the Saame thing or soul for more than a few moment. The former was wearing what looked to be Ministry robe, which made Albus question if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from last year standing off to the position in his usual office. The second new wizard was dressed in plain black robe and had nearly no hair atop his school principal, but instead had a large face fungus and mustache, as if he was trying to pay.

"I think the one talking to Kendrick is from the Ministry,"Albus said.

"That 's not a honest planetary house,"Saint John replied."What 's the Ministry doing here on the first day ?"

"It 's not necessarily a bad thing,"Rose pointed out."Maybe they just want to make sure everything is back to rule after the contest last year."

John the Evangelist opened his mouth to reply but was silenced by the door opening and Professor Patil entering with the new outset geezerhood. They looked scared and tiny, far smaller than the former yr 's first years. It was weird how they seemed to get little every year.

As with the old year, Albus did n't pay any tending to anyone 's sorting unless their last name was potter or Weasley. This year, of course of study, there was only Angie entering Hogwarts from Albus 's large family. She ran up to the three-legged-stool with as much enthusiasm as the eternal rest of the family had and jammed the hat onto her head.

It remained there for all of three minute before shouting"Gryffindor !"Angie ran from the stool to the excited shouts of the Gryffindors, her Brother Fred 's whistling reverberance over the residuum. Everyone at Hogwarts would have bet money on Angie being a Gryffindor, but everyone still liked to cheer up.

For once Albus wished that Kendrick would make declaration before the feast was served just so he could find out why there were two new wizards at the staff table, but like common, Kendrick waited until after the feast. Thus, the duration of the banquet was spent speculating.

"The Ministry 's sent somebody to observe,"King James I said confidently."look at the preceding three years. Every single one at to the lowest degree one of Al and his friends have gotten kidnapped by insane ace. Clearly the Ministry does n't think the teachers can protect us enough."

"That 's what the Aurors are for,"Rose pointed out."What 's some Ministry bloke going to do that an Auror ca n't do ? I really do n't think that fellow is another Auror."

"I bet he 's here to inscribe people for the Ministry,"Fred suggested."You know, spend a yr with us one-seventh years and try to convince us that we should take on boring Ministry line. Bet Uncle Percy 's the reason for it. Probably does n't need anymore of his kin to take up Quidditch professionally."

"That 's pathetic,"a seventh-year girl replied."He 's probably just the new Defense teacher."

"Then who 's that former bloke ?"Matt gestured to the bald man sitting following to Slughorn.

"Slughorn 's yearn lost twin ?"Kaden suggested."Seriously, plane his whiskers and he 'll look just like Slughorn."

"Maybe Kendrick just wanted to pay for someone to the Welcome spread,"Amanda pointed out."It could be as simple as that."

Albus doubted it. cypher was ever elementary when it came to spirit at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed like long time, the pudding disappeared and Kendrick stood to give his common start of term speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I give a lovesome welcome to our new first eld and Hope you have enjoyed your commencement Hogwarts feast. I 'll remind everyone that the forest is out of bounds as well as the Whomping Willow. Those wishing to try out for their home Quidditch teams can leave their figure to their head of house. Now, you may have noticed that there are two new staff appendage this year even though only one position is vacant. The first is simple to explain and the second is a little more complicated.

"First, I would like to welcome professor Elliot Young to Hogwarts. Professor offspring is going to be taking over the defensive structure instructor position."Kendrick gestured to the man with the byssus, while scattered hand clapping was received from the bookman and other professors.

"Professor antediluvian if you ask me,"Saint John the Apostle muttered.

"Many of you may be cognizant and quite a lot of you I 'm sure as shooting are not aware that this is an election year for the Ministry of magic trick. Tomorrow the candidate running for Minister of Magic will make their speeches announcing their campaigning, which will set about a seven month campaign geological period. At the kickoff of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the winner shall be announced. The fact that this is an election year is a wonderful educational opportunity and I was n't about to let it travel by us by. Therefore I have decided to add another division to the curriculum. It will fit once a workweek and in it you will learn the ins and outs of our political system and its history.

"This is prof Richard Embry."Kendrick gestured to the fellow sitting next to him, who then stood up."He is from the Ministry and has agreed to teach this new year that we have designed. The socio-economic class will appear on your agenda that you will receive tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as classes begin bright and early in the morning. Prefects, please escort the 1st year to the common rooms."

Kendrick and the Ministry bloke both resumed their tush while Albus and his Friend rose. The joined the mob of students making their way out of the Great Hall and towards the chief stairway. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins broke away from the ring to descend to their dormitories and then the Ravenclaws left for their pillar. Soon, Albus and his admirer were only amongst dude Gryffindors.

The green room was abuzz with give-and-take about the new prof when they arrived. Most of the younger scholarly person had gone to bed, but the older students were making no motion to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up shroud for Quidditch try-outs on the notice board while heather mixture watched. Albus predicted that the two of them would act Sir Thomas More like co-captains since there was no way Heather was going to let Fred pass water all of the team determination this year.

"So now we have another class,"John muttered as they sat down at a mesa near the fire."More homework. Thomas More exams."

"It 's only once a workweek,"Rose pointed out.

"But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to call for a class about politics ?"John asked.

"Never,"Albus replied.

"Muggles take classes on politics,"Amanda pointed out."My sister took one last year and my cousin have taken them. I really do n't think it 's going to be that difficult."

"Yeah, it 's not like there 's going to be an O.W.L. for it,"rosebush said."Can you think that we 'll be taking O.W.L.s next twelvemonth ?"

John groaned."Do we really have to talk about them already ?"

"Seriously,"Matt agreed."They 're a long way off."

"wellspring, I think I 'm going to change by reversal in,"rose wine said as she stood up."Classes start tomorrow."

"You sound like Kendrick,"Albus said, but he was feeling slightly tired himself.

blush wine and Amanda left for the little girl'dorm a little while later. Albus and the other boys stayed up a while longer, but soon realized they were quite tired. They said goodnight to Kaden when they reached the third eld'dormitory and then continued on to their own. It had been a long day and Albus was set to go to sleep, just so he would n't take in to think about political sympathies or the election anymore.
******


"well, we 've got one of the new teachers today,"John said at breakfast the following morning."We start off the day with Herbology and then have Defense right before lunch."

"When do we have that political sympathies category ?"flatness asked as he scooped a batch of oatmeal onto his plate.

"Tomorrow, right hand before dinner,"lavatory replied."Merlin, that would 've been free sentence if we did n't make that crashing class."

"It could be fun, John,"pink wine said.

"I have n't got it until Friday morning,"Kaden lamented."I think it will be fun. Muggle political sympathies are boring but charming makes everything better."

"Bad news is we have it with the Slytherins,"Albus said.

"Of course of study,"Matt muttered."Would n't await anything different. And we 've probably got potions with them again, right ?"

Albus glanced at his schedule."Yes."They had had potions with the Slytherins every year now. Surely that could n't be accidental. Albus would have preferred they have no year with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in DoD the previous yr. The last thing he and flatness needed was more contact with Scorpius Malfoy.

"commodity news is that we 've got Defense with the Hufflepuffs this year,"Amanda pointed out.

"Bet Kendrick did that on purpose after survive year,"John said."He 'd have to be an imbecile to give us that form with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in concord. After the scenery that had developed between Albus, John, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in Defense socio-economic class together again. Albus was grateful. He 'd expend the last few weeks of his third year avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to keep off him for the remainder of his Hogwarts vocation. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling squad.

The radical hurriedly finished their breakfast and then parted ways with Kaden before heading down to the glasshouse for Herbology. Herbology was one of those predictable classes where they never had to concern about anything awful happening when it came to open issue or instructor. Neville was a fair teacher who made classes interesting. Albus never had to concern about anything odd happening while in the nursery, unlike potions and Defense.

Everyone was slightly leery of the new defense force prof and thus the tooshie in the back of the room were in high demand. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had Transfiguration beforehand and had a much curt walk, so they claimed all of the far seats. Albus, lusterlessness, and John had the misfortune of having to sit at one of the front tabular array and all three boys were on border.

The prof ambled into the room just as grade was scheduled to start out. He had a very large heap of parchment, which he set on the desk before beginning to call bun.

"I am professor Young,"he began after he finished with roll."And welcome to fourth twelvemonth denial Against the Dark Arts. This year we will focus on dark curses, jinx, and worldwide spells, all of which are detailed out in your textbook. You can exact your record book out now if you have n't already done so."

Albus rummaged in his bag and set his Koran on the mesa. Professor Young picked up the stack of parchment and began passing it out to the students. Albus feared that it was a quiz, as he glanced down at its fill-in-the-blank questions and little answer questions.

"Please read the starting time chapter of your books and dispatch the worksheet by the end of the class,"Whitney Moore Young Jr. said as he walked back to his desk. He said naught more and began to read what appeared to be a novel while stroking his beard.

Albus glanced at privy and matt, unsure of whether Edward Young would yell at him if he spoke in whispers to his friends. Actually, Young might not even hear him. He did come out to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the maiden day of class. Would n't a lecture make more sentiency ? Albus could n't retrieve a clock time when a professor had n't lectured on the first day of class.

Everyone else seemed thoroughly confused as well. For the next five instant everyone sent each other confused looks and glances before finally cracking open their textbooks, having realized that Young was n't going to do anything besides read his novel.

Albus began to learn the first chapter, which was dreadfully dull. It was about the most everyday of nighttime hexes, if a Dark hex could be considered mundane. The chapter did n't even mention unforgivable scourge, which while atrocious, were far more interesting than the basic principles of what made a blaspheme Dark.

Albus finished his worksheet a few minutes before Young put down his novel."Leave your worksheets here on my desk. There is n't any homework."

"That was the unusual class ever,"Albus said once they had left the room."Who gives a worksheet on the first day of class ?"

"Someone who just wants to read their book all day,"John replied."Works for me, since he did n't break any homework."

"Still, it was horribly boring,"Albus replied.

"Honestly, I 'm glad it 's boring after dealing with Balladanis finis class,"Matt said.

"Somehow I do n't reckon this blighter is going to be bringing any Anamateks to class,"Albus said.

"An Anamatek would probably finish him off,"St. John the Apostle replied."I do n't retrieve he could handle one."

"Not many people could,"Albus pointed out.

When they arrived in the Great Hall, they were surprised to see Sakartvelo hurrying Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric out of the room.

"What 's wrong ?"Albus asked, extremely confused as to why GA was at Hogwarts.

"Dad wants us there when he makes his big announcement."She rolled her eyes."We 're supposed to be there supporting him or something."

"What meter is it happening ?"Albus asked.

"One,"Peach State replied."Which means we 're already going to be later than Dad wants. It 'll be in the eve Prophet."

"There is no way Georgia 's going to be capable to affect everything is fine between her and Uncle Walker Percy for the whole election,"Rose said once Georgia and her crony had left."She looked get at already and he has n't even announced he 's running yet."

"She probably has to miss practice for it,"Albus replied."I just want to know who he 's running against."

"Wish we could go watch,"Rose said."I bet our parents are there."

"Of path they are,"Albus agreed."Matt 's dad is probably there, too."

"He is,"flatness said."Has n't got a clue as to who 's running, though."

"Guess we 'll find out tonight,"Albus said.
******


Albus did n't see Bradley or Cedric until dinner. He had been hoping to catch one of them in between classes, but either their docket did n't permit them to track course or the announcement had gone until dinner party. The noise in the Great Hall was n't any louder than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he was n't quite sure enough how much the relaxation of the pupil cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor table, all of Albus 's first cousin were clustered at one end of the table, their heads leaned in to one another.

"tone like a family meeting or something,"Albus said.

"We 'll see you in the common room after dinner, then,"Amanda said as she pulled John and Kaden towards the other end of the table, Matt following.

Albus followed pink wine to the far end of the table, where everyone else had already gathered. Albus squeezed his way in between Victor-Marie Hugo and James II while Rose found a arse future to Lily.

"Finally, you 're here,"James said."Tom Bradley and Cedric wo n't say a Christian Bible until everyone 's here."

"Otherwise we 'd just have to tell the story over and over again,"Bradley muttered.

"well, go on,"Fred encouraged.

"It was basically a vast illusion company with a gang of boring speeches,"Bradley began."A clump of Ministry people and their wives or husbands and Dad was the center of attention, of course of study. Everyone knew he was running even though he had n't made his official announcement yet. It did n't get interest until Dad and the witch he 's running against made their announcement-"

"Dad 's was pretty boring,"Cedric cut in."Talked about how he 's seen the Ministry through so many change and how we need strong leadership to keep back the sorcerous community of interests together and loyal. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of trend. Then everyone clapped politely and the oppositeness stood up."

"The witch who 's actually running spirit like she was a hawk in a former life story. Her nose is as pointy as a nose can get and she 's got this aerodynamic black hair that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a crew of people who she introduced as her campaign team,"Tom Bradley said."But it was her speech that got the crowd riled up. She kept putting fix in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding human beings was a strong link up front but she talked about how rifts are forming and the Ministry is slipping and alteration is needed again. She made all these elusive mentions of how the Aurors are n't as on top of things and how if we do n't do something the magical world will devolve apart."

"That 's ridiculous !"Fred said."The magical world is fine."

"I thought they were just making their announcements that they were running,"Rose said."Speeches do n't start yet."

"Neither of them are going to lay waste to an opportunity to get vote,"Heather pointed out."So do you two have to make anymore appearance ?"

"Yeah,"Omar Nelson Bradley answered."Dad wants us all there for his first lecture this weekend and he said there are going to be some debates here, so we have to sit up straw man with Mum at those."

"And the Prophet wants to do a huge article on our family,"Cedric added."They 're doing one on the beldame, too."

"What 's her epithet ?"Rose asked."And what does she do in the Ministry ?"

"Patricia Laurentis,"Cedric replied."She 's some sort of adviser to the electric current Minister. Her form of address 's just as confusing and long as Dad's."

"Weird that both the prospect were working under the flow Minister,"Rose said.

"wellspring the party chose them."Cedric shrugged."I should get going, though. Have to go see Slughorn about what I missed earlier."

"Me too,"Bradley said as he stood up."Patil probably wo n't be pleased that I missed the first lesson."

Cedric and Thomas Bradley left, leaving the rest of the first cousin to talk about what they had just been told. Albus mostly listened while pushing his food around his plate. What he had learned about Patricia Laurentis unnerved him a little and it was mostly because part of him thought she was right. Things were n't as perfect as his Uncle Percy thought. Willinson was still on the loose and not to mention the issue with Lubar was still unsolved.

But Albus 's dad and the other Aurors were doing all they could, were n't they ? What could Patricia Laurentis do if she got elected ? There would still be the Lapplander Aurors working at the Ministry.

"Maybe Uncle Percy is the right person to be minister of religion,"heather said quietly."The Ministry has been working the same way since the final examination engagement, has n't it ? And there have n't been anymore Voldemorts trying to gain power."

"But affair ca n't always stay the same,"Rose pointed out.

"Do you really think the Ministry needs to switch that much ?"Heather asked.

"I do n't know,"Rose said quietly."I just do n't call up the great unwashed are as united as Uncle Percy thinks."

"I 'm going to the common room,"Albus said as he pushed his plate away. He was n't hungry anymore.

Footsteps behind him told him that Rose was following, just like he hoped she would."What were you getting at ? the great unwashed not being united ?"he asked once they were in an hollow corridor.

"Not everyone agrees on everything, Albus,"Rose said."Far from it. I think Uncle Percy 's slightly delusional about that. And think back what you told me about that odd fellow who gave your dad a admonition at the Quidditch humankind Cup ?"

"That bloke ?"Albus laughed."He was insane !"

"I 'm not denying that, but he did take a point. In an election year everything issue. Uncle Percy 's aligned his beliefs with the flow Minister 's, which means if he 's elected he 's going to continue doing things the Saami way. The Ministry has n't caught Willinson for good in the three age they 've been searching and he 's slipped out of their clutch numerous clock time. It 's not going to be difficult for that Laurentis lady to convince hoi polloi we need to vary tactics, even if her manoeuvre are n't great either."

Albus said nothing for a few second."How do you know all of this ?"

"I 've talked to Amanda more than you have,"rosebush replied."She knows how all of this work, and it 's really not that different in the Muggle world."

"So you think Laurentis is going to win ?"Albus asked.

blush wine laughed."I never said that and it 's far too soon to tell. They have n't even debated yet. All I 'm saying is, Uncle Percy needs to open his oculus a bit."

Albus did n't respond. He knew that his Uncle Hotspur 's political views were slightly unlike than the rest of his kinsfolk 's, but they were still quite standardized. If what Rose was saying was true, that meant that his whole kinsperson needed to open their eyes and Albus was n't for sure how he felt about that.


A/N : Sorry about the belated update. There were some site offspring. See the forums for more details about that. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"You know, this political science class is taking away from our free period of time,"lavatory said the take after morning at breakfast. He shook his header as he loaded his denture high school with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for rosiness 's reply about how they needed to take reward of any learning opportunities, even if they meant less free time, but it did n't come. Albus turned to face at her, thinking she might be ill. She was n't. Instead she was piling her own home base senior high with eggs and toast. Albus raised his eyebrows at her.

"What ?"she demanded."Girls get athirst, too."

"Not that,"Albus replied."trick just complained about having another class and you did n't groan and tell him off."

"I sort of agree with him."rose shrugged.

"Are you ill ?"Albus asked as he felt her forehead.

rose wine pushed his hand away."closure it, Al. I 'm not saying I wo n't delight the class. I 'm just saying that we 're fourth years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the time we can get to examine. Not that John would use the time to study, mind you."

"There 's the Rose we all know."John grinned as he stuffed his face with bacon.

"I think it 'll be a nice alteration,"matt put in."Something unlike. Notice they gave us history of Magic on two straight mornings. question who the half-wit was who did that."

"Same one who always gives us classes with the Slytherins, I 'll bet,"John said."Double Potions this morning and I 'd bet my rightfulness arm and both my legs we 'll be with the Slytherins."

"Why not both your arms and branch ?"Amanda asked.

"On the off-chance that I 'm wrong, I 'll need some sorting of limb to get around with,"John answered.

"I only had one class with the Slytherins concluding year,"Kaden said."You lot must have terrible fate. I 'd better be off. Defense this morning."

"Good lot. That professor is weird,"Saint John said.

"Ca n't be big than last year,"Kaden replied as he got up and left.

Albus, flatness, Rose, and Amanda waited for trick to finish his muckle of eggs before setting off for the dungeons. When they arrived the door was already open and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpius Malfoy was sitting at one of the movement tables, looking rather smug. Albus averted his heart and continued to the spinal column of the schoolroom, where he sat down in between Matt and John.

"Wonder what he 's so well-chosen about,"Albus muttered as the rest of the students entered the room.

"I do n't know. But I do n't like it,"John said.

Slughorn chose that instant to totter into the room so Albus and St. John could not continue their conversation."Welcome, welcome ! Ahh, my two best-loved houses together again ! What luck. Well, well, welcome to one-quarter yr Potions. This is the yr that thing get difficult since you 'll be sitting your O.W.L.s next year ..."

"Why is it they 're talking about O.W.L.s this year ?"Albus whispered."They 're still over a year off."

"... Since today is a duplicate class I thought we 'd set about brewing the inaugural potion in your textbook and see where your skills lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to read your schoolbook books over the summertime !"

Albus glanced at Rose, who was sitting next to Amanda at one of the look board. She seemed to sit up high-pitched in her seat.

"Let 's get started, then. You can go in duad of your choosing. The pair that produces the beneficial potion will win a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate."

John set off to work with Janie Creevey who lacked a cooperator while Albus and matt set up a cauldron at their mesa.

"Remember your baseball mitt,"Slughorn announced."If you touch the finished product your deal will immediately freeze."

"Does it seem odd to you that we have to concoct a freeze solution with fire ?"Matt asked as he stuck his scepter under the cauldron to light the flame.

"Very,"Albus agreed."So now that we 've had Slughorn for three years, have you noticed that he always starts the yr with a competition ?"

"Yeah. I bet he uses the Saami curriculum every twelvemonth,"Matt added."Ca n't ideate that a good deal change in terminus of potion brewing."

"I bet our parents brewed the Saame potions,"Albus said.

"I wonder if it 's possible for this potion to explode,"flatness mused as he tossed a few pieces of sliced beetroot into the cauldron."

"Well, I suppose we 'll find out,"came a drawling articulation from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few bottleful he must have gotten from the provision W.C.."I 'm sure you two will superintend it, if it 's possible."

"Shut it, Malfoy,"Albus replied.

Malfoy glared at him and then stalked off towards his own table. Albus was slightly surprised that he had left so quickly. It was strange.

"Weird of him to leave so soon,"lusterlessness said, as if reading Albus 's mind.

"Yeah, if you ask me, he 's afraid of you now."

Matt let out a jest."Yeah, right. If anything he 's finally realized you 're a better dueller than he is and he 's got to observe out. Speaking of which, you think you 're going to be captain of your dueling team this yr ?"

"It 's either going to be me or Malfoy,"Albus said.

With everything else that was going on that year, the endure matter Albus needed was to be skipper of his dueling team, but he did not require Malfoy as captain either. He 'd guide the extra work if just to keep Malfoy from being in care. Malfoy needed powerfulness like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flame thrower.

Albus and Matt did not boast up their potion by the end of the course. In fact, their potion had the same consistency that it was supposed to and while it was slightly off-color, it did manage to block the flight feather Slughorn stuck in it. rose and Amanda won the chocolate, which was no surprise to anyone.

Rose and Amanda shared their coffee with the male child as they walked up to the Great manse for dejeuner. Albus and matt told the young lady and John about Malfoy 's bizarre behavior and Rose told them that they should just be happy he 's backing down, rather than study his motivation.

The Great Hall was buzzing with activity when they entered it a few minutes later. Albus sat down at the Gryffindor table and no sooner had he grabbed a roll did ling toss a copy of the Prophet onto his denture.

"What 's this ?"Albus asked as he lifted up the paper.

"This dawn 's Prophet. The owls were late delivering it. Something about a violent storm in London,"Heather explained.

Albus set down his roll and opened the paper. There on the social movement varlet was a picture show of his Uncle Percy, smiling broad, in refine robes, shaking hands with a very tall adult female, who was also smiling full and wearing elaborate robes. Above the picture was the title,"campaigner for Minister of Magic Announced."

By this head pink wine and Matt had crowded on either side of meat of Albus, while Amanda and lavatory hovered behind him, all trying to show the article. Albus 's oculus traveled down the page so he could do the same.

In figurehead of the total Ministry of Magic,
Minister hopefuls Percy Ignatius Weasley and
Patricia Vivien Leigh Laurentis announced their
candidacy on Sep 3rd, 2029. Both
candidates work under Minister Hartwell, yet
are running against each other for opposite
parties.

Weasley, elder Undersecretary for the
Drafting and editing of law, has been
chosen to run for the Merlinus party,
which is the party that current diplomatic minister
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, senior
adviser to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
Official has been chosen to run for the
Paracelsus Party.

A large crowd turned out for the declaration,
which is only the first of many appearances
by both candidates. The first debate is
scheduled for September 8th, at the
Ministry of illusion.

"So that 's who your uncle 's running against,"Matt said.

"Guess so,"Albus replied.

"She looks a little like this maths teacher I had before I came to Hogwarts,"Amanda said."She was a scarey madam. I remember once I forgot to do my homework so I spent the entire daybreak in the loo before somebody came looking for me."

"You can assure they both hate each other,"Matt said as he gestured to the picture."for certain they 're shaking hands and acting nice but clearly they both want to hex each other."

"It 's just weird that she works for Hartwell if she 's the opposite party he is,"Rose mused."Why would Hartwell have hired her ?"

"Maybe she switched party ?"Amanda suggested."It happens in the Muggle world."

"Maybe,"Rose said."It just seems fishy. Her switching parties and hinting at all these chemical group changes. It just seems like something big is going to happen."

Albus could n't help but have the Lapp feeling. But all he could do was hope that his uncle won the election and Laurentis would not stimulate the prospect to transfer everything.

"Hey, Al, done with that paper ?"James called from down the table.

Albus nodded and passed the prophesier down, then settling in to eat luncheon. There was no point worrying about the election now. It was months away. Plus, the politics class was later that day and Albus was incredibly curious about it.

transfiguration seemed to drag by since it was the like as it was every year. professor Patil explained about that year 's program and how they needed to start thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased work load. It was all rather monotonous and all Albus wanted to do was get to politics since it was something new.

Finally Transfiguration was over and Albus and his friends hurried to the fifth floor to the classroom where political science was held. They slowed down when they reached the elbow room as none of them wanted to be the first to enter.

"We better not give birth this with the Slytherins,"bathroom muttered as they neared the doorway.

Albus peeked in the threshold."Nope, Hufflepuffs."

John let out an audible sigh of relief and Albus pushed the door open as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the spine, and the professor was nowhere in great deal. Rose immediately claimed a desk in the nominal head and Amanda chose one following to her, while Albus and the other son headed to the grouping of Hufflepuffs in the back.

"Do you consider there will be homework in this category ?"bathroom asked as they sat down.

Albus raised his brow."Is that a serious doubt ?"

bathroom shrugged."wellspring it 's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably wo n't even have this stratum future yr. So why would there be homework ?"

"Because it 's a class and this is Hogwarts,"Albus replied."I guarantee there will be homework."

The residue of the class filed in, filling in the seats that remained in the middle of the schoolroom. As the chime rang, prof Embry entered, walking with an air that this class would be all study and no play.

"Good afternoon,"Professor Embry began as he shuffled a few report on his desk."Welcome to BASIC Wizarding Politics. I am Professor Embry and you will treat me such."

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to gait the distance of the classroom."I understand that most of you know absolutely cypher about politics and feign that the minister of conjuring trick is born the minister and laws just magically come into existence. A select few of you,"his oculus rested on Albus, and then on Matt, and on two Hufflepuff girlfriend,"have parents in the Ministry and may take slightly more knowledge than the rest, but that would be rather generous of me to assume.

"Hogwarts has not put much stake in political education before now, something that I feel is lacking in today 's instruction and indirect request to rectify this yr. The curriculum will admit chronicle of how our administration came to be the way it is today as well as how the government is currently run."

The course of study let out a corporate grown at the Word history. Albus glanced at rose, who was on the edge of her seat.

"But sir,"a particularly brave Hufflepufff boy announced,"we 've already learned the chronicle. We take History of Magic."

Embry let out a brusk gag."With Professor Binns ? If I may be point-blank, that man died before most of the history happened. Along with that, he 'll put a rock 'n' roll to sleep."Embry chuckled. No one in the category dared to laugh."I 'm going to establish you a proper history of our modern administration, starting with a legal brief overview of what the government was like before the reign of Voldemort and a more comprehensive overview of what it is like today.

"I will also consecrate a class menses each to the way the government is run in France, the United States, and Australia. Now, since you were not aware that this class would take place, you have not acquired books. Therefore I have purchased them for you. You are to treat them as library script and return them to me in similar stipulation at the end of the year. Lest your parents be billed."

Embry flicked his wand and mint of Holy Scripture flew out of a nearby cupboard. They landed softly in movement of the pupil. Albus glanced down and read the championship. Politics and governance in Bodoni Wizarding Britain by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the closet it had come out of.

"Very good. Now, get out parchment and quills. I 'm not going to let the relief of this socio-economic class period go to waste product,"Embry said as he tapped his scepter on the table. promissory note immediately appeared on it.

Embry lectured for the remainder of the class about how the first governance was formed in Britain. It was incredibly dry. The only intellect Albus stayed awake was because he had to take promissory note. Literally had to. Embry caught a John the Evangelist not taking notes and threatened him with detention this Sabbatum if he did n't start.

"That 's all for today,"Embry said after the bell rang."Next grade we 'll fast forward in time and teach about the government pre-Voldemort. learn the first-class honours degree chapter for prep and total up with three thoughtful interrogative to stupefy to the rest of the class. Dismissed."

"How does Hogwarts attract the most outre instructor ?"Albus asked once they were out of earshot of the classroom.

"Kendrick must put it on the tilt of job requirements,"john replied."Must be out of your freaking mind to take this position."

"I think he 's master,"Rose piped in."It seems like we 'll really learn stuff."

"Why bother ?"Saint John the Apostle asked."It 's not like we 're old enough to have a say in the politics anyway."

"But we will one day,"Amanda pointed out."And to be true, I 'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, Gospel According to John. Muggles get politics socio-economic class in school. It makes sense that we should, too."

"She 's got a point, Paraguay tea,"lustrelessness said."Who has the power in your state issue. If you elect the wrongly citizenry, affair can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their loss leader, either. We do n't even get to do that fully. The place that Albus 's dad has and my dad accept ? In the United States, those are elected place. Not here."

"And before Voldemort, we did n't even elect our Minister,"Rose said.

"How do you lot even have it off this stuff ?"John asked as they drew closer to the Gryffindor unwashed room.

"Parents."Amanda shrugged."It 's amazing what you pick up when your parents think you 're too unseasoned to handle to eavesdrop."

"Wait."John stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at his friends."Wait. Now that we know about your uncle, you lot all have kinfolk involved with the Ministry, wether it 's the sorcerous ministry or the Muggle ministry."

Albus grinned sheepishly."Guess so."

toilet groaned."This is insane. Why could n't I have picked normal booster ?"

"formula is highly overrated,"flatness said as they reached the Fat Lady.

******


The rest of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus 's judgment. Everyone, scholarly person and instructor, fell back into their usual Hogwarts routines and by the clock time Fri arrived Albus had a stack of prep as in high spirits as his bed and was more than than make for a few sidereal day off. But when he saw the bill table in the vulgar room when he got back from magical spell on Friday afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

Fred had scheduled Quidditch practice on Saturday at eight in the morning.

"VIII !"Albus exclaimed."In the morning ? Is he thoroughly insane ? It 's the first week back ! Even Georgia was n't nutcase enough to do that."

"Tough fate, mate,"St. John the Apostle said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby couch."ogdoad in the morning. Let 's see, I 'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, flatness ? What will you be doing at eight in the cockcrow ? Flying through the pelting ? Trudging through the mud to the pitch ?"

"track not."Matt grinned."I 'll be cozy in bed, having an puzzle pipe dream where I 'm playing for the carom. In perfect conditions of course."

"The cannon are the only team you 'd ever have promise of playing for,"St. John the Apostle replied.

Albus threw himself down on the lounge. Fred was insane. That was all there was to it. Well, he could apply for a prof position once he graduated. He 'd meet the insanity requirement.

"Speak of the Satan,"privy said as Fred entered the common room.

"You !"Albus shouted as he got up."Why in the name of everything Falco columbarius owns did you docket drill at eight in the morning on a Saturday ? Not everyone 's a seventh year taking four classes. We ca n't all sleep in every bloody day."

Fred shrugged."Had to. Pitch is booked square all weekend except for Saturday morning and evening. All the other houses are having try-outs. We ca n't even hold our steward try-outs until succeeding weekend because of it."

"Why not the evening then ?"

"Omar Nelson Bradley 's got to ca-ca an appearance at Uncle Hotspur 's speech."Fred rolled his eyes.

"Then why have exercise at all ? We do n't necessitate to train anyone new until we get a new Keeper,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's been a whole summer. We 're out of practice. We 've got to begin training too soon. I want that Quidditch trophy."

"We 've been playing Quidditch all summer,"Albus said flatly.

"expression, Al, I 'm not changing it. Just quite a little with it,"Fred said as he continued up to his dormitory.

Albus spent the residue of the even fuming about drill and cursing Fred under his breath, until Rose suggested they all go to the Room after dinner. Albus reluctantly agreed, knowing that if they went to the elbow room he 'd be up half the night and would only get a few hours'sleep.

In the end he was glad rosiness suggested it. They spent the evening playing Gobstones and Exploding Snap and listening to John and Kaden think up new ways to prank the Slytherins, and more specifically, Scorpius Malfoy. Eventually, Albus decided to call it a dark and headed back to his dormitory, leaving his friends to keep discussing whether it would be in effect to twist Malfoy 's hair red or purple.

Only a few short hours later Albus found himself sneaking quietly out of his dormitory at an hour of day that was only meant to be seen on weekdays. He grabbed his broom and went to meet his teammates in the common room.

No one looked glad. King James was nodding off on the couch while Ryan attempted to tie his shoes without opening his centre. Heather 's hairsbreadth was sticking up at odd angles while she tried to moderate it into a ponytail. Bradley was sulking in an armchair. Even Fred looked a little worse for vesture. But they trudged through the rook, only seeing Peeves loosening a few door flexible joint and Filch 's cat skulking behind a case of armor.

The weather was at to the lowest degree nice and the four hours they spent on the pitch went by relatively truehearted. Albus and his mate landed on the ground as the Slytherin Quidditch team made their way onto the pitch. Albus glared at them as they passed.

Without going up to his dormitory to alter, Albus headed into the Great Hall hoping there would be something right for lunch. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his booster halfway down the Gryffindor table and after stowing his Scots heather underneath the bench, he sat down and grabbed the cheeseparing dish.

"You could at least shower first-class honours degree, Al,"Rose said."You stink."

"Too starved,"Albus replied.

"Albus !"Lily called from down the table. She got up and headed over to him."Mum and Dad sent this earlier."She handed him a piece of parchment."They want us to go to the debate tonight since it 's the get-go one and all. We 're expected to Floo from Kendrick 's study to the Ministry at five."

Albus groaned as he read the letter."That gives me about four hours to decompress and possibly do homework."

"Are you going to have to go to every disputation ?"Rose asked.

"Hope not,"Albus replied in between pungency."You do n't birth to go ?"

"Have n't gotten anything about it. Dad probably does n't even want to go himself so he wo n't make us. And Mum probably expects that it would just use up away from my studies."

"This says I have to fag dress gown,"Albus muttered.

"At least you can tell us if anything good happens,"Matt said.

"And what about you ? Your dad 's high up in the Ministry. Why are n't you going ?"Albus asked, desperate to determine somebody else who could keep him company.

"He already told me over the summer that I 'll only induce to go to ones at Hogwarts. And then whatever political party the campaigner will throw for the officials. Does n't reckon an election should have a lot issue on my animation,"Matt explained.

"Lucky,"Albus replied.

Albus made the most of the eternal sleep of the day. He and his Friend took preparation down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beech tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree while they sat by the sharpness of the lake and dangled their feet in. Kaden swore the behemoth squid tried to eat his infantry, but nobody believed him. rosiness and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the edge of the forest, insisting that none of the boys follow.

Kaden pulled a Fanged Frisbee out of his bag once the girls left and the boys began tossing it around. This was majuscule fun until the Frisbee decided it had had enough of being thrown and took out a department of Kaden 's haircloth, leaving his header bleeding rather profusely and Albus, John, and flatness having to rush along him to the hospital wing. By the time Kaden 's head had been bandaged up and all four had received a lecturing on the dangers of Fanged Frisbees ( Madam Pomfrey somehow figured out that that was the cause ) it was time for Albus to channelise back to Gryffindor Tower to get fix for the debate.


A/N : Sorry for the lack of a May update. school day was insane. But I only have a class left ! I 'm now home for the summertime and am having emergence getting my Internet to cooperate with HPFF. matter take a long clock time to load and I can not respond to look back. I will still understand every revaluation, but responses will take away a while since I have to be at the library to reply to them.

Since I shoemaker's last updated I 've had some issues with the great unwashed plagiarizing my tarradiddle. I really hate that I have to tell you make fun this, but it is against the rules to adopt anyone 's stories from here and put them on other sites. It 's also against the rules to take plots, theatrical role, etc without permit. I do not generate my permission for anyone to direct my plot of ground or fibre. I 'm really happy that you guys like my stories, but please do n't deal them.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


If there was one thing Albus hated it was getting dressed up for Ministry consequence. He had always been slightly uncomfortable with his dad 's celebrity and Ministry position because he hated the attention. Epistle of James had always been the type who would enjoy in the care, enjoying when all the Ministry officials proclaimed how big he was getting and how he was sure to be the star of Gryffindor 's Quidditch team. Lily was rather indifferent towards it. She never really expressed emotion about the care one way or another. She enjoyed getting dressed up but once they were at whatever party, she would go off and do her own thing. Albus just did not like it. He did not like getting his cheeks pinched by old ladies and did not like random people telling him how tall he was getting. As he got former, he did not like it any more.

But it was a fact of liveliness and so Albus found himself once again forcing himself into a set of emerald green attire robes. They were wrinkled, but he did n't lie with any sorting of ironing charm so he let them be. It 's not like anyone would be focused on him anyway. This was his Uncle Walker Percy 's nighttime and it seemed like this entire year was going to be his Uncle Percy 's year.

Albus tamed his hair with a bit of water and then met King James, Lily, Bradley, and Cedric in the usual room. James looked suave and perfectly comfortable in his blue dress gown, whereas Bradley and Cedric looked like they were being force-out fed rotten fish in their matching grey gown. Lily was wearing a purpleness wearing apparel and as usual, did n't look to induce an notion about going to the argument.

"So you three got roped into this, too ?"Omar Bradley asked as they made their way to Kendrick 's study.

"Yeah, Mum sent us a alphabetic character this break of day,"Lily explained."I guess Dad thinks we should be at the world-class one."

"At least you do n't have to go to all of them,"Bradley muttered.

The rest of the trip-up to Kendrick 's study was silent. When they arrived they saw that Kendrick was in clothes robes as well and was apparently escorting them to the Ministry and would stay to watch the public debate. He handed them each a bit of Floo pulverisation and let them go first.

Albus stepped into the Floo after James and soon found himself in the Ministry of Magic 's entering vestibule. The place was far placid than it was the in conclusion prison term he had been there, the following year, when he went with Matt to secern his dad about Lubar being at Hogwarts.

Kendrick led them to the lifts and down to the tourist court rooms."The only if place big enough to accommodate everyone witnessing the debate. Even still, it 's an invitation only event. It 's being broadcasted over the wireless, however. Kendrick stopped in front of court room ten and opened the door. The room was about half full. Albus spotted his mother 's brilliantly red haircloth in the firstly row of seating. He followed Kendrick down the stairs.

Albus 's Aunt Corrine was sitting with his parents, along with a rather dark looking Peach State and the twins, who were both reading books. Kendrick began to speak quietly to Harry as Albus and the others filed into the row. James, Bradley, and Cedric immediately began to address of Quidditch and Albus listened in. They were speculating on who would show up for Keeper try-outs the following weekend. Georgia immediately perked up and began giving the boys advice on who they should keep an eye out for.

It soon became obvious that the left slope of the figurehead row of the seating was reserved for Sir Henry Percy 's home. They were joined by all of Albus 's aunts and uncles, as well as Victoire, Teddy, and Sir Henry Morton Stanley. In fact the only one of his older cousins that was not there was Gabriella. Albus wanted to ask Victoire where she was but she was too far away.

Albus assumed that the beginning row on the right side was reserved for Laurentis 's kinsperson, although Albus did n't recognize a undivided one of the people in that row. He turned around and focused on the people filing in. He recognized a few of them including lustrelessness 's parents and a few early Ministry functionary he 'd met before. matt 's parents sat down behind Albus 's parents, adjacent to prof Kendrick. Albus briefly wished that flatness had been forced to go, but quickly erased that thought because what form of friend would wish their best booster had to advert a political debate ?

The chatter in the way immediately subsided when pastor Hartwell entered followed by a few of his penny-pinching adviser. Behind them were Percy and Laurentis, both wearing Ministry robes. Hartwell and his adviser sat along a tabular array at the front of the room while Percy and Laurentis stood behind pulpit, also at the front line of the room. The minister of religion spoke with his advisers briefly while Hotspur and Laurentis smiled and waved at the bunch. Then one of the advisers rose from his seat.

He was a portly man, whose robes stretched very tightly across his heart. He was completely bald and had no beard, but a very extensive moustache. Aiming his baton at his own throat, he muttered a enchantment and then set his wand down.

"Welcome,"his voice boomed over the audience,"to the kickoff debate of the 2020 election for government minister of deception. Our two candidates, Sir Henry Percy Ignatius Weasley and Patricia Vivien Leigh Laurentis, conjoin us tonight for an basic debate on a variety of issues. My figure is Wendell York and I am the head of the Department of Magical transport and will serve as moderator for tonight 's argument. I will stick the topic and each candidate will get five instant to reply, then two minutes for a rebuttal.

"The kickoff matter is how our world is concealed from Muggles. Do you recollect the electric current Ministry is doing an adequate job ? What changes would you evoke ? Mr. Weasley, you may go first."

Albus yawned. Why could n't it be an sex topic like catching Dark necromancer ? Or at least something relevant to his life story, like the lack of good defense reaction prof at Hogwarts. Now that would be a disputation he 'd be interested in. Albus turned towards Percy and realized he had n't even been paying attention to a good deal of his uncle 's response.

"... current constabulary do a satisfactory job of concealing our world from Muggles. illusion sightings by Muggles are low in telephone number and when they do occur Obliviators do an excellent job of altering the computer storage of our Muggle neighbors ..."Harry Hotspur droned on.

Albus turned to James who rolled his heart. Could they have come up with a more boring subject ? Albus seriously doubted it. Except perhaps cauldron bottomland thickness, which was a news report Percy had done when he first started at the Ministry, according to Harry. Albus glanced at his dad. He was paying attention, but in that sealed way of paying attention that meant he was really bored but was trying to fake it. Even Corrine looked slightly bored.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Wendell York said."Ms. Laurentis, your turn."

"I disagree with Mr. Weasley,"Laurentis began."One sighting of our sort by Muggles is too many. Each time a Muggle catches passel of an act of magic trick puts our entire world at peril, and not only Britain 's wizarding cosmos. We have a responsibility to the universe that we hold open our deception under wrapping. According to last year 's statistics we were in the top five commonwealth in full term of numbers of sightings. That 's not goodness ..."

Laurentis went on and on about various laws that could be enacted to ensure that Muggles did not see acts of conjuring trick until Wendell House of York cut her off. He then let Harry Hotspur have his two bit rebuttal, during which he went on about how it was an impossible goal to try, to achieve no magic sightings by Muggles. Laurentis 's rebuttal was basically just a re-statement of her previous argument.

Albus tuned much of the debate out, focusing instead on what he wanted to do during the current schoolhouse year. He was a fourth year, which meant he was no longer one of the immature Kid. He 'd been on the Quidditch team for two yr and now he was hoping he 'd be able to have some say in how praxis went and how matches were played. Then there was the Dueling clubhouse. Each of the eight teams had a captain and the skipper were fourth years. professor, mostly Neville, picked the captains. Albus knew it would be down to either him or Scorpius and as much as he did not really need the responsibility of being skipper, he did not want Scorpius to have got powerfulness over him. He would use that to his advantage.

The public debate wore on and Albus continued to not pay aid until he heard the Word of God 'education'and 'Hogwarts'. That got his attending. It was Laurentis 's turn to go first.

"I think educational reform is the best way to go. Hogwarts has been ran the same way for generations and while no one can traverse that Headmaster Kendrick runs a wonderful school, we also can not ignore that changes could be made to benefit the students. The world is a constantly changing place and Education pauperism to hold back up in order for our student to be better prepared.

"The class choices for example. It is my understanding that a new form has been added this yr about political sympathies, which I think is greatly good to educatee. But other than that the same family are offered now as have been offered for decades. New classes need to be phased in while old I that either no recollective interest students need to be phased out. Obviously I am not talking about core group course of study such as Potions and Charms, but elective.

"instructor also need to be kept up to date with Recent epoch findings in their theater of operations. They should not be teaching the like selective information I or my adversary learned at Hogwarts. They should be teaching the newest valid information available-"

"Thank you, Ms. Laurentis, but your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

"My adversary brings up an concern point, but even she admits that headmaster Kendrick is running an fantabulous schooltime. I believe that some government regulation is necessary, instance being cobbler's last year 's incident with professor Balladanis, but we as governance official do not feature the education nor experience needed to properly run a school. I, as well as my opposite, would be kidding ourselves if we believed we could do a upright job running Hogwarts than professor Kendrick.

"Just as prof most in all likelihood believe it best to leave law fashioning and the running of the country to those such as my opposer and I, I believe it right to result the running of Hogwarts to professor Kendrick and the other prof. In conclusion, I believe that Hogwarts is fine as is and if the master thought he needed government assist bringing about variety in curriculum he would ask."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"the moderator said."Ms. Laurentis, your rebuttal."

"I in no way stated that I am trying to run Hogwarts. Nor do I think I would do a better job of it than prof Kendrick. I am merely stating that the bookman would benefit from more authorities intervention. If the Ministry had been more need with teacher selection, for illustration, we could have possibly avoided hiring Professor Balladanis net year."

"Mr. Weasley."

"My opponent is speculating. There is no way for anyone to say whether authorities officials would give birth found Professor Balladanis to be an inappropriate professor during his consultation. In fact, I would lean towards the opponent, considering that neither I or my opposer have ever hired a prof before."

Both Walker Percy and Laurentis were red in the font. Albus was surprised a Ministry frequent debate could get so heated. He craned his head word and turned around in order to see what Kendrick 's reaction to all this was, but found that Kendrick was hiding his emotions far better than either Hotspur or Laurentis. It also seemed that everyone in the room was paying rapt attending, including Saint James and Lily. The only if two the great unwashed who were n't were Samantha and lindy hop.

There was one final head about law making that Albus did n't really interpret, nor did he care to understand. He was far more interested in the Hogwarts question. Percy 's literary argument was far respectable, in his opinion. Hogwarts was fine the way it was. Why did Laurentis privation to exchange everything ? What kind of variety was she talking about, anyway ? He supposed the topic would be explored more specifically at the education themed debate which was scheduled to take place at Hogwarts the following month. But one thought that Albus could not get out of his foreland was that if Laurentis won, what would happen to Hogwarts ?
******


"The lone modification I want to see at Hogwarts is LE prep and fewer exams,"Saint John the Apostle said as he walked with Albus and the relaxation of their booster to the Great Hall.

A week had passed since the first debate and pupil were still talking about the potential changes to Hogwarts. A very large full varlet gap had appeared in the Daily Prophet the day after the argument, proclaiming that Laurentis wished to change Hogwarts. This had both students and professors up in arm and thing were only beginning to lull down. The professors had been on edge the old calendar week, snapping at students for nothing and assigning spare prep. This resulted in the students being very unhappy. Albus did not quite understand why everyone was letting it impress them so much. It 's not the likes of Laurentis had won. Yet.

It was early on Saturday morning and Albus and his acquaintance were heading to the Great Hall for the get-go junior 's Dueling baseball club confluence of the year. Albus 's nerves were on end. It was at this firstly meeting that the maitre d' would be announced.

"If Scorpio gets captain I 'm going to dispatch something,"John muttered as they entered the Great Hall.

"You 're not even on his squad,"Rose said.

"I am and I could n't fend it if he won,"Amanda pointed out.

"If he 's master, tournaments are going to be awful,"John countered."Plus, I 'm Al 's friend."

The Great mansion was in wad pandemonium, as it always was during the first merging of the year. Two squad were congregated at each board and much to Albus 's despite, his team was holding court at the Slytherin table. He weaved his way through the confound secondly years who had yet to be assigned a squad and stood next to his squad. Scorpius was seated across the tabular array from him.

"Well, Potter, ready to be under my captaincy ?"Scorpio greeted him.

"I could say the same to you,"Albus replied."What makes you so for certain you 'll get it ?"

"I 'm the better dueler, obviously."Scorpius smirked.

"tranquillity, quiet everyone !"Neville shouted.

Albus turned away from Scorpius and swallowed the desire to make a ejaculate back and paid attention to Neville instead. Professor Patil stood following to him. Albus supposed the new Defense professor had not had a desire to help with the Dueling Club. Somehow, Albus was not surprised.

"Thank you,"Neville said."start I 'd like to declare that professor Patil has graciously agreed to help me frequent this year 's Dueling Club. As a reminder, all team must have a professor present during recitation and it is up to the squad captain to coordinate pattern multiplication and situate a prof to sit in. The prof does not accept to be myself or Professor Patil. However, this twelvemonth we are allowing seventh class Dueling Club members to supervise as well. So as an alternative, you may ask a 7th year to supervise.

"starting time order of business organization is this year 's indorsement years. I 've already assigned you to teams and shall now read off the list."

Albus let his nous wander while Neville read off the list. The entirely second years he knew were his sister, and she was assigned to matte 's team, as well as Hugo, who was assigned to John and Kaden 's squad. A crop of shy looking second years had congregated at his own team 's spot and he smiled at them, encouraging them to take seats next to the previous pupil. There were five of them. Two son and three little girl. Three Ravenclaws, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff. No Gryffindors, but Albus could live with that.

"And now, what I am sure all the fourth long time have been waiting for, captain announcements ! Let me remind you that I, as well as the other professors who have been involved with this lodge have been watching you over the past two years and have chosen not only exceptional duelist, but exceptional leaders. Without further adieu.

"The sea captain of Team One is Marina Jordan-Bell."

sunniness erupted for Marina, mostly from the Hufflepuff mesa, where her team was seated. Albus grinned. Marina was very nice and would make an excellent captain.

"The captain of squad Two is William Harvey Tucker."

Saint John the Apostle and Kaden 's team. Harvey was a Ravenclaw and all Albus knew about him was that he knew every answer in every single class.

"The headwaiter of squad tierce is dick Smith."

A Hufflepuff. His male parent had attended school with Albus 's parents and they had n't liked him much.

"The headwaiter of Team quadruplet is Lydia Thompson."

A rather snobby Slytherin whom was often seen with Scorpius. Scorpius grinned and clapped loudly for her.

"The captain of team Five is Jace Johnson."

Rose 's team. Jace was a Hufflepuff who did n't look to ever be not well-chosen. It was kind of bizarre, actually.

"The captain of team Six is Raisha Sweeney."

A Hufflepuff that Albus did n't have a go at it well. He swallowed hard. Team Seven was adjacent and that was his team.

"The maitre d' of Team Seven is Albus Potter."

John 's whistling could be heard above everyone 's cheering. Albus grinned. His total squad ( salvage for Scorpio and his acquaintance ) were clapping hard. He 'd done it. He 'd made captain ! All the doubtfulness he 'd had over the summer about it had disappeared. He, Albus Potter, was the new captain of Team Seven.

"The senior pilot of team Eight is Dayton Coons."

matte 's team. Dayton was another Ravenclaw who had multiple cyclopedia in his brain.

"That 's all for today. maitre d', please figure out a fourth dimension for your world-class practice, which should take station during the following two workweek. Once you have a date, please see me to get a schoolroom. Then line up a professor or 7th year to supervise.

Scorpius did not say one Book as Albus talked with the rest period of his team and figured out a practice fourth dimension that did not interfere with four different Quidditch teams, Gobstones Club, and Chess nightspot. Eventually he settled on the following Thursday even. Neville assigned them to an empty classroom on the sixth trading floor. Albus figured he 'd ask a 7th year to superintend rather than a professor. It was less intimidating for his first practice.

Albus 's friend joined him at the door to the Great antechamber. Scorpius brushed past them, but did not say a word. He looked like he was prepare to murder somebody. Albus thought he looked far too angry over a bewildered captaincy. It was just the Junior 's Dueling guild anyway.

"Did Malfoy say anything to you ?"John asked on their way back to Gryffindor.

"Not a Good Book,"Albus replied.

"Do n't think about him,"Rose said."What 's the tip ? You made captain and that 's all that matters."

Albus grinned."Most of the captains are pretty the right way, too. I mean Lydia 's kind of irritating, but the sleep are n't bad."

"It 's going to be a good year for dueling, that 's for indisputable,"mat agreed.

The six friends discussed dueling all the way back to the common way. When they entered they saw a augury that said 'Congratulations Albus and Marina !'Unopened butterbeers cluttered one of the tables and all of Albus 's cousins were cracking them open. Marina was surrounded by her protagonist and Albus was accosted by his cousins as soon as he entered. Someone thrust a butterbeer into his hired hand and patted him on the spine. He smiled as he looked out at the vernacular elbow room, at the party that his cousins had thrown together for himself and Marina. matt was not only right about the fact that it would be a trade good year for dueling. It was going to be a good year in general.


A/N : So I bet you 're all confused about the name alteration ! Well, I 've been doing some thinking and a plot change was needed. The chapters that are already posted wo n't be affected. The change only affects what I have n't written yet. But the old title was n't going to work with the new plot, so I had to convert it. I like the new one unspoiled anyway. And do n't vex, Percy will still run for curate. Actually, the new plot focuses more on that.

To resolve in forward motion, because I know this will occur up, I wo n't narrate what the old patch was going to be. I 'd rather people not equate the old plot with the one that will actually be written.

If any of you are on the assembly, you 'll know about the tragedy we had death hebdomad. Liza Potter on the archives ( and lizzacc on the forums ) has died. She was a fan of my Albus series and told me once that they were the initiatory narration she ever read on HPFF. She will be missed. I am dedicating this story to you, Mugil liza.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The next day Albus found himself on the Quidditch pitch staring at all of the new Gryffindor keeper hopefuls. There were a lot of them. Try-outs were scheduled to set out in fifteen min, yet the pitch had been packed since before lunch. Albus speculated that some hopefuls, including Hugo, had not even taken a break for lunch. poor people Hugo need n't have bothered skipping his meal since even an extra half hour of exercise would not have helped him.

Students from indorsement through seventh class were hoping for a spot on the squad, including Janie Creevey. Albus recognized most of them, but there were a few older students whom he did not. Along with the Gryffindors, there were example from other team, surely there to check out Gryffindor 's new keeper.

Albus stood on the tar a few m from the gang, with his team. Fred was holding a clipboard and Calluna vulgaris was standing next to him, gazing out at the students hoping for a spot. King James, Omar Bradley, and Ryan were laughing about something.

"silence, please, everyone !"Fred shouted. The Gryffindors immediately settled down. A few flew back down to the ground and dismounted, some not very gracefully."Thank you. We only need a Keeper this year. And if you ca n't Keep, you 're not going to get on the team. If you 're hoping to get in as keeper and then take another 's office when they graduate, you might as well not liquidate your time."

Wow, Albus thought to himself, Fred was channeling both Georgia and Samantha Meyers. Usually he would jest around at try-outs, but Albus supposed since he was now in charge, things had changed.

A few of the younger students walked slowly off the delivery and into the stands, looking clearly disappointed.

"All right then, I 'm going to cause you fly around the lurch to assess your basic flying acquirement. If you 're not up to par on that, you 'll be eliminated. Then we 'll actuate on to guarding the goal posts."

Albus stood back while Fred had the hopeful fly laps around the pitch. Quite a few could not even superintend to fly straight or execute turns properly. About a one-fourth of them were eliminated during the first ten proceedings. Half of the remaining Gryffindors were eliminated within the first ten minute of destination keeping, including Hugo. He hung his head as he walked to the stands, heather trailing behind him. Albus felt bad for him.

The rest of the of the students took recollective to reject. After about an minute the amount of money had been narrowed down to ten and they all seemed to be standardized in skill.

"I think the only fair way to do this is to eliminate anyone who misses a save. utmost one standing, er, flying, gets the spot,"Fred announced.

It took another half hour to finish the try-outs. To Albus 's surprisal, the victor was Janie Creevey. Albus had had no idea that she even played Quidditch until he saw her at the try-outs. She grinned as she dismounted from her broom and accepted the kudos from the residue of the team.

"Nice to have another girlfriend,"Heather said."I thought I 'd be the only one after Sakartvelo left."

"I thought your cousin Hugo would get picked,"Ryan replied."Who knew he was the lonesome Weasley who ca n't diddle Quidditch ?"

"Have you seen pink wine on a Calluna vulgaris ?"Albus asked.

Janie grinned."I 've played since I was little. So happy to feature won the situation. When 's first exercise ?"

"right field now,"Fred said."We 've got the rake all afternoon."

Albus sighed. Fred was turning into Empire State of the South. But Albus enjoyed Quidditch and it was a bright and cheery day, so it would n't be bad.

praxis lasted a few 60 minutes and Albus was thoroughly exhausted by the time it was over. He immediately went back to his dormitory to take a shower and then set off to locate his friends. dinner would be served shortly and Albus was starved.

Albus 's Friend were in the piranha 's Den, just where he had predicted when he did n't see them in the Gryffindor rough-cut elbow room when he had traipsed through after practice. john and Kaden were playing chess game and Kaden was trouncing John Lackland, like usual. rose and Amanda were sitting on the redact discussing an essay that Cedonia had assigned the previous week. Matt was not there since the full moon had been the previous night.

"Albus !"John the Evangelist exclaimed after Al had shut the door."So, who 's the new Gryffindor Keeper ?"

"You 're never gon na believe it, but Janie Creevey,"Albus answered as he collapsed onto a nearby chairperson."Apparently she has been playing Quidditch for age and was just waiting for the steward location to open."

"Seriously ?"St. John the Apostle asked."She never mentioned it all these years that we 've been brewing potions together."

"She 's probably too busy making sure you do n't squander anything up,"rose replied.

"Hey, I 'm best than Al and flatness are,"lav muttered.

"Speaking of mat, have you lot been to see him today ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, but he was asleep so Madam Pomfrey did n't let us ride out. Figured we 'd go after supper,"toilet answered.

"Let 's get going now,"Albus said, standing up."Should be starting soon."

Everyone nodded in arrangement and they set off towards the Great Hall. The corridors were filled with students who had spent the day open and Albus felt very contentedness walking alongside his admirer, despite how every bingle one of his muscular tissue ached from exercise.

"Shhhh, expression !"toilet seethed as he grabbed the back of Albus 's shirt and pulled him into a doorway. Kaden, Rose, and Amanda followed, all looking curiously at John.

"What is it ?"Rose asked.

"Shush !"trick whispered."It 's Scorpius and Willinson 's full cousin. What was his gens again ?"

"Felix,"Kaden muttered."Slimy git."

"Who 's that with them ?"Amanda asked.

Albus craned his head around the door material body. Scorpius and Felix were standing next to a few suits of armour, top dog leaned in towards each other. There was a girl about a head word shorter than Scorpius with them. She and Felix had the same color fuzz, except hers was farsighted and curly.

"She 's a first year. I remember seeing her a the Sorting but I do n't retrieve her name,"Rose answered.

"I have half a idea to save her from the two of them,"John muttered."She 'd be effective off not getting mixed up with the the likes of of them."

"She 's a Slytherin,"Amanda pointed out."She could be just like them for all we know."

Scorpius began walking down the corridor and Felix and the girl followed. Albus and his friends watched them until they turned a recess, disappearing out of sight.

"Weird,"Albus said as they began walking to dinner once more."I 've never seen Malfoy befriending first years, except for Willinson when he came here."

"You 're paranoid,"rose said."They were just talking and they 're in the Lapp house. Maybe she had a question or something."

"He 's Malfoy,"Albus responded."He 's up to something."

"Oh Merlin."Rose let out an exasperated suspiration."Two weeks into the term and you 're already picking a row with him."

"Remember finis class ?"Albus asked."I 'm only trying to fend off something like that again."

"amercement. But I 'm not getting involved,"Rose muttered.

Albus walked in silence the rest of the way to the Great Granville Stanley Hall. Rose may hold been right. Albus may possess just been being paranoiac, but deep down he had a spirit that Malfoy and Willinson were n't just talking about homework.
******


Matt returned from the infirmary wing two sidereal day later and the month wore on in its usual way. The professor were assigning more and more homework and it took longer and longer to make out.

Once October arrived turmoil began to brew when the first Hogsmeade weekend was announced. The visit was scheduled for the Saturday before Halloween and Kaden in particular was very charge up. He never did manage to make it to Hogsmeade under the invisibility Cloak the premature year.

Albus 's initiatory dueling praxis had gone particularly well. Albus had been pleasantly surprised. Even Scorpius had cooperated and done what Albus had told him to do, although that may ingest been solely because prof Cedonia had been present during the pattern. His team was shaping up well and he had high hopes for them winning many tournaments. Quidditch had been going equally as well. Janie had fit seamlessly into their team.

Albus wished he could say things were going equally well for the election. Ever since the number one argument various magazine and radio shows had been latching onto Percy 's assertion about education and his want of willingness to change, as they had put it.

"Dad 's really stressed,"Bradley said one night at dinner. The Weasleys and Potters were all eating together in social club to talk over the election."Does n't write us as much and when he does it 's always about the election."

"Not to mention the five page bed cover that Wizards magazine is doing about our family,"Cedric muttered as he gnawed on a turkey leg."That 's sure enough to fuel the fire."

"When is that ?"Albus asked.

"Tomorrow,"Bradley answered."Only good part is we got permission to lack all of our classes."

"Is it really going to be five Sir Frederick Handley Page ?"James asked."What are they going to put in it ?"

"Dad 's lifetime floor,"Cedric answered."Plus a few paragraphs on each of us and Mum about our lives. Just a happy article about how we all love each other and Dad 's a fellowship man. That 's what his political campaign handler wants to portray him as seeing that Laurentis does n't have any kids."

"And Uncle Percy has a completely lot,"James pointed out.

"Hey, you lot safe watch out. When Dad told us about this he mentioned that they 're going to do another on the integral Weasley-Potter clan,"Cedric announced.

"Did he say when ?"James asked.

"Around Christmas, I think. Adds to the happy sept atmosphere,"Cedric explained.

"Then they ought to interview Uncle George III when he 's had a bit too very much eggnog."Saint James the Apostle laughed.

"When 's the next debate, anyway ?"Albus asked."Must be coming up soon."

"This weekend, actually,"Bradley replied."At the Ministry again. I think this one 's focus on law creation and enforcement or something equally as boring."

"Do we have to go to it ?"Lily asked.

"I do n't guess so,"Saint James the Apostle answered."Dad said we just had to go to the ones at Hogwarts from now on."

"Speaking of elections, what does everyone think of that politics stratum ?"Albus asked.

"Professor 's very intense,"James River said in between sting."But it 's not nearly as awful as the other grade. There 's no O.W.L. in it so it 's my flow favorite."

"Yeah and I think we 're at an advantage,"Cedric said."With our parents being in the Ministry and stuff. A few of my friends have absolutely no idea about anything to do with the Ministry so they 're having a hard time."

Professor Embry seemed to be teaching the class in chronological Order and thus was currently lecturing on how the Ministry was organized prior to the fall of Voldemort. Albus thought it was a piddling oil production but he had a feeling it would get more occupy once Embry started on the free fall of Voldemort.

"And that 's why the category is requisite,"Rose said."Think about it. No class like this has been taught before, so where did the current Ministry officials learn the history of the Ministry ? Where did they learn about politics ? They learned it as they went, but did n't sleep together much when they started. That 's a trivial shivery. hoi polloi should know how their nation is run."

Albus thought about what Rose had said as he chewed on his ringlet. She had a good point. Where had they learned it ? Had his Uncle Hotspur really known aught about the Ministry when he started ? No, he could n't take in. Hotspur 's own father had been in the Ministry as well. Still, it was Weird to think about.

Albus mostly listened during the respite of dinner. He always felt slightly unsettled when the election was discussed and he was n't trusted why. Nor could he figure out whether he wanted Percy to win or not. Either way, life would be drastically dissimilar after Election Day, and Albus liked things the way they were.
******


"Now she wants to change Azkaban ?"Albus asked at breakfast a few mean solar day later. The law enforcement argumentation had taken place the Nox before and the entire front page of the vaticinator was devoted to it."Is n't changing Hogwarts enough ?"

Ministry hopefuls Percy Weasley and
Patricia Laurentis debated law world
and enforcement last Nox at the Ministry
of trick. Like the premature general debate,
sparks flew in this one, with each candidate
speaking passionately about the issue.

'I 've worked in law creation for yr ,'
Weasley began with. 'Since the licking
of Voldemort, I think we can all agree that
things are running smoothly. I intend to
see to it that affair keep going the way they
are, with enforcement of laws that benefit
the entire wizarding biotic community .'

Laurentis took a more radical stance, in
her response to Weasley 's opinions.

'Sure, the laws we have now are sufficient.
I 'm not denying that. But I think we need
to take a good hard smell at how they are
enforced, or rather, not enforced. The
statistics are clear. Far More outlaw
are being acquitted and even Sir Thomas More are
being released from Azkaban. In my work
at the prison, I see many malefactor being
released whom I do not think should be.
Not to mention the break-outs. There are
far too many. Law enforcement needs to transfer .'

Without a doubt, thing are only going to
heating up. The candidate seem to feature
completely different opinions on everything
from education to laws. The side by side debate,
which will be on education, will take lieu
at Hogwarts on Saturday, November the 9th at
two in the afternoon.

"Does n't she run Azkaban ?"Matt asked, taking the paper from Albus."So why has n't she changed it already ?"

"Probably does n't have the top executive,"pink wine answered."The Minister has to ratify off on most things, unless all instance and official disagree with him or her."

"So clearly there 's people who do n't agree with her,"Matt replied.

"Think they 'll ever agree with each other ?"Albus asked.

"Doubt it,"Amanda said."It 's like this in the Muggle elections, too. They 're usually terminated opponent. What I do n't understand is how she 's working under Hartwell when he and your uncle agree on everything."

"Me either,"Rose agreed."hypothesis we 're watching the future debate."

"Yeah, it 'll be here,"Matt said."Embry will probably make up us do an essay on it, too."

"It wo n't be bad,"Rose said."That will be the debate that will directly affect us. The election 's in April which means we 're going to accept over three years of Hogwarts under whichever campaigner is elected. If it 's Laurentis, all those changes are going to move us."

Omar Nelson Bradley sat down next to Albus and threw a copy of ace powder store onto the tabular array."Article 's out."

"That was fast,"Albus said.

"They wanted it to be out right around the public debate,"Bradley muttered."You really ought to read it. It 's awful."

"Rita Skeeter did n't do it, did she ?"Albus asked.

Thomas Bradley shook his head."This ma'am 's almost unfit. Trust me."

rosebush, Amanda, Saint John, lustrelessness, and Kaden crowded around Albus as he flipped through the magazine. The article was in the middle, with the two page being a full color photograph of Uncle Percy, aunt Corrine, and their kids. Sir Henry Percy and Corrine were sitting on their living room couch, with Empire State of the South in between them. All three were smiling and waving. Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric were leaning on either side of the lounge and the twins were sitting in front man of it. Albus flipped the page and saw a very lengthy article, interspersed with various pictures of his syndicate and box seat about each of those five first cousin. The article finished up on the postdate Sir Frederick Handley Page.

Upon entering the abode of Minister of Magic
campaigner Sir Henry Percy Weasley 's Southampton place
I am surprised to see that it does not appear
like the house of a Ministry candidate. It is
not filled with deal and piles of papers and
Weasley 's campaign manager is nowhere to be
found. Instead, the base is cluttered with
toys belonging to the immature Weasley children,
nine-year-old twins, Samantha and Lindy. A
plate of warmly cookies sits upon the burnt umber
mesa and Weasley 's wife, Corrine, bustles
into the elbow room carrying a tray of tea. Percy
enters as well, followed by the five Weasley
children.

'I prefer to keep the crusade at the Ministry ,'
Harry Hotspur explains after I ask where his campaign
materials are. 'The campaign is oeuvre. It is my
job. The family is for my crime syndicate .'

"Really ?"rosiness raised her eyebrow."She should 've seen his study. That 's where all his hunting expedition stuff is."

The article went on to talk about Harry Hotspur and his fathering skill. Albus grew Thomas More and more disgusted as it went on. Percy had and always would be a workaholic, but the article was painting him to be father of the year. No wonderment Bradley had not been pleased when giving Albus the article.

'I could not be more proud of Sakartvelo ,'
Percy said, speaking of his eldest girl,
who currently plays as Reserve Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I 've been to a
identification number of her peer and it is clear
that she could bear a long life history in
Quidditch .'

"What a cargo of dung !"Albus exclaimed."Uncle Harry Hotspur has never once agreed with Empire State of the South 's Quidditch career."

"Did he actually say that or was that reporter just saying he did ?"matte asked.

"Oh he said it,"Tom Bradley, who had taken a bottom a short-circuit ways down the tabular array, answered."Not that he really thinks it."

Albus had had enough of the main article. His heart glanced across the Sir Frederick Handley Page and rested upon the small-scale box that discussed Georgia.

Georgia Weasley, the firstborn girl
of Percy and Corrine, is 18 and
currently plays reservation keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I love
Quidditch ,'Sakartvelo said when the
topic was brought up. 'It 's freeing
and I look forward to playing for
Kenmare as a full Keeper one day .'
Georgia 's dream is to wreak for England.

Next to Georgia 's box there was one for Bradley.

Omar Nelson Bradley Weasley, the eldest son of
Hotspur and Corrine, is currently in
his sixth class at Hogwarts. He plays
Beater on Gryffindor 's Quidditch team.
'I like Quiditch, but I do n't want to
play professionally like Georgia. I
want to work for Gringotts some day .'

Then there was one for Cedric.

Cedric Weasley is in his twenty percent year
at Hogwarts and is the prankster of
the family. 'Every Weasley family line
has to have someone who will play the
jokes. It 's like a dominion or something.
I come up with the considerably thought when I 'm
with my cousin Epistle of James [ thrower ] .'Upon
asking Cedric what he wants to do after
Hogwarts, he replied, 'Have n't got a clue.
I think I 'll focus on getting through
my O.W.L.s first .'

The net box was for both Samantha and Lindy.

Samantha and Linda ( Lindy ) Weasley are
nine years old and attend a local
primary shoal for Muggles. Both Twin
ca n't wait to infix Hogwarts in two
yr .'I 'm going to be in Gryffindor,
just like my Sister and crony ,'says
Samantha .'I do n't care what house I 'm
in, just as long as I can play Quidditch.
well, okay, I do n't want to be in Slytherin .'

"That,"Albus began as he set down the magazine,"was the whip article I 've ever read in my life."

"I shudder to remember what the one about our entire class will be like,"rose muttered.

"Nah,"trick said."That one will be better because they wo n't have to make as a lot up. Albus 's dad saved the whole wizarding world. They 'll just roleplay that up."

"It was n't only him,"Albus pointed out."Are masses really going to believe all this ?"

Amanda nodded."Yeah, they will. They know nada about your uncle 's family. trusted, they know all about your dad, but really, how lots do they know about Percy ? Not much. They 're going to need to believe it and why should n't they ? They have no idea Sir Henry Percy does n't approve of Sakartvelo 's Quidditch career. It 's the same as in the Muggle world.

"It would be gracious if masses voted on candidates who shared their same views, but it honestly comes down to who presents the best campaign. People are n't going to want someone in power who has issue with his own family."

"That 's poor fish,"Kaden replied."Glad my family 's not involved with politics."

"My fellowship is your crime syndicate,"Albus pointed out.

"But I 'm not related to your Uncle Percy."

"You still call him Uncle Percy,"Albus said.

"Because he basically is. He 's just not my roue uncle."

"Well, I can honestly say my family 's not in political relation and I 'm very beaming about that,"St. John the Apostle said.

Albus could not imagine lifetime without having household involved with the Ministry, but suddenly he felt slightly jealous of John. What would it experience been like to have parents who were n't famous ?


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this tale ! You cat are all amazing. Just as another monitor, I ca n't respond to reviews while I am home for the summer, but I read every unity one. If you have some kind of question that you need answered about my stories, please use my Ask the Author page at the meeting place or transport me a PM there.

I have another chapter ready to go so that should be up shortly after I return from vacation next week. Hope everyone enjoys Deathly Hallows 2 this week !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The following hebdomad brought a storm so long and so intense that Herbology and Care of Magical animal had to be canceled for the mo half of the week. It was thoroughly impossible to walk outside without being doubled over by the wind and the younger pupil could not walk without being blown away. The rainwater was also so heavy that one would become soaked within two minute. The students secretly rejoiced, for the supernumerary free menstruum were helpful to all.

It remained so showery and windy that even Quidditch exercise had to be canceled on Sat. Not that Fred would have canceled it himself, but Kendrick announced a ban on going out of doors until the violent storm let up. Fred lamented this fact all of Fri evening and contemplated holding a strategy sitting in the common way instead, but Scots heather convinced him just to let it go.

Albus decided to take the opportunity to spend the day at the library, something that Saint John the Apostle and Kaden reluctantly agreed with. Matt and Amanda joined them as well, for they had plenty of homework as well. pink wine had mentioned something about tutoring a younger scholarly person and run off shortly after breakfast.

The library was absolutely packed with students, most likely due to the weather condition and not a burning desire of the Hogwarts population to study, and it took a good five minutes for Albus and his Friend to turn up an discharge board. It was a lot louder than common and brothel keeper Pince was glaring at each table of student in turn.

Albus set his atomic reactor of books down and got to work on a Potions essay that was due the followers week. He had n't started it, of course, but he had a few days to do it. He thought he was ahead of the plot anyway since he 'd normally be at Quidditch drill and not even thinking about homework.

toilet and Kaden, as common, were ineffectual to get started on their preparation right away and were scolded by Madam Pince twice before finally opening their rule book. Amanda immediately set to work on the Saami essay Albus was working on. matt cracked open his charm text but stared at the Lapplander page for five minutes before Albus noticed that his eyes had glazed over. The October wax moonlight was the watch over night, so Albus was not storm.

"This is abruptly boring,"can muttered after they 'd been studying for an hour."political sympathies back before Voldemort is pointless. It 's completely different now, so why do we need to rile reading it ?"

"So we do n't make the same misapprehension,"Amanda said without looking up from her parchment."simple, really."

"You 're channeling rosiness now,"john stated.

"Someone has to when she 's not here,"Amanda said.

"Would you rather do my divination predictions ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah !"John exclaimed."Let 's see, how about you get blown away by the wind while you 're ignoring Kendrick 's rule against going external ?"

"perfect tense. That 'd be something I 'd do,"Kaden said as he scrawled it down."And then I can come down with a cruddy common cold after being remote in the rainwater so long."

Albus rolled his oculus. The two of them had been insane to take Divination in the foremost place, but at least they seemed to love making up their fake predictions. Albus grinned to himself as Saint John the Apostle and Kaden snorted into their sheepskin, laughing over some ridiculous anticipation.

An hour later Albus had finished his essay, as had Amanda. The two of them had moved on to August 6 reading. whoremonger and Kaden had given up on preparation and were planning an elaborate caper that involved a poulet, bird feed, and the Slytherin common room. flatness had been dozing on his Charms book. Albus prodded him awake.

"How 's Charms ?"Albus asked, grinning.

"Oh, er ..."Matt glanced at his leger and quickly wiped it with the sleeve of his robes."Great, really. Think I 'll head to the Den, actually."

Albus nodded."I 'll be there in a bit. Want to get some of this reading done."

John and Kaden rose to join lustrelessness. They 'd been yelled at two More times and figured they 'd do ameliorate to plan in the Den.

"waiting,"John said when he was only a few foot from the tabular array."Is that Rose ?"He pointed to a head of bushy red hair at a nearby table."Who 's she with ? Is that-"He walked across the way and hid behind a ledger shelf to get a closer look.

Albus craned his head. Rose was sitting with a small girl. John the Evangelist returned a few seconds later.

"I thought so. It 's that little girl we saw with Malfoy and Willinson a few hebdomad ago."

"Wait, that Slytherin first yr ?"Albus asked. He 'd nearly forgotten about her, finally deciding that Scorpius probably was n't up to anything that involved her.

"Yeah, that 's her all right hand,"John said."What 's Rose doing with her ?"

"She 's tutoring someone. must be her,"Albus pointed out.

"Wyrd. Tutoring a Slytherin,"John replied.

"What 's it thing ?"flatness snapped."No point in standing here watching them. I 'm going to the Den."He hiked his bag up on his shoulder and headed for the door, not waiting for trick and Kaden.

"What 's with him ?"toilet asked.

"You know what 's tomorrow. And honestly, what 's it matter if she 's tutoring that girl ?"Albus asked.

"You thought it meant something that she was with Scorpius but this you do n't like about ?"

"It 's the Hogwarts tutoring political platform. I do n't retrieve you get to manipulate who you tutor,"Albus explained.

"I suppose."John Lackland sighed."well, see you in a bit."

"See you,"Albus said as John Lackland and Kaden left.

Albus and Amanda studied for another hr before joining their friends in the Marauder 's Den. whoremonger and Kaden were having a unplayful treatment on how they were going to obtain a poulet and matte was sound asleep on the couch. Albus and Amanda settled down with a deck of Exploding Snap and played round after round while listening to John and Kaden.

"I still say it 'll be easy to have an older student transfigure something into a chicken,"Kaden said a fully twenty transactions later."I 'll bet one of Albus 's cousins will do it."

"Yeah, but I want this to be our buffoonery. We could just go film one of the chickens from Hagrid 's wimp coop,"John replied.

"More chance of getting caught. No one 's going to suspect if one of Al 's full cousin is practicing their transfiguration. But sneaking a chicken into the castle ? They 're fairly loud with their squawking."

"Where 's the fun in no chance of getting caught ?"Saint John asked.

"There will be plenty of chance of getting caught when we 're getting into the Slytherin common room. Merlin only knows how we 're going to manage that."

The door opened and rosebush walked in."Why are you lot trying to get into the Slytherin common way ?"

"You do n't desire to make love,"Amanda said."One of their pranks."

Rose rolled her eyes and sat down adjacent to Amanda, picking up a few add-in to join in on the next round.

"How was tutoring ?"John asked, abandoning the topic of chickens.

"fine,"Rose answered."Same as always."

"How did you even get into tutoring ?"St. John replied.

"Why ? You want to tutor ?"rose wine smirked.

John laughed."Definitely not. Just curious."

"prof Longbottom contacted me over the summer. Fourth age and above can be in the tutoring program. The professors match you up with immature educatee and I 've been tutoring a outset class for a few hebdomad now."

"Yeah,"can said as he got up and walked over to where rosebush was sitting."We saw you earlier. That fille you 're tutoring ? That 's the same miss that Malfoy and Willinson were talking to a few weeks ago."

"hold, that one clip that you and Al thought they were up to something ?"

"Yeah that fourth dimension. I was just wondering who she was."

rose sighed."She 's Willinson 's piddling sister. Her public figure 's Elsie. She 's really nice, actually. calm, does n't seem much like a Slytherin to me but her entirely category 's been in Slytherin."

"Oh,"John said."Guess that 's why she was with Willinson and Malfoy. What do you tutor her in ?"

"Bit of everything,"rosebush answered."You lot desire to go to dinner ?"

Everyone, except Matt, who just wanted to catch some Z's, agreed and they headed down to the Great Hall. pink wine had been right. Nothing suspicious about Willinson 's babe tagging after him and Scorpio. Albus 's inherent aptitude had been wrong on that occasion.
******


Never in Albus 's life history did he ever think there would be a professor who could top Professor Binns in price of boring family. But prof Thomas Young had done the insufferable. Twice a week Albus and his champion traipsed to Danton True Young 's classroom to work on a ace worksheet. Brigham Young did zilch else, except mitt out worksheets. Said worksheets did not even take an entire year time period to make out, resulting in students using the remaining time to catch up on other homework, something that Loretta Young neglected to comment. The only good part about the course of study was that Lester Willis Young never assigned homework.

"You think he 'll endure the yr ?"Matt asked as they were leaving Young 's classroom.

"Do n't see why not,"Albus answered."Unless Laurentis is elected Minister and deems him indispose to teach."

"He does n't really teach,"Rose pointed out.

"But still, he 's meliorate than Balladanis,"lusterlessness reasoned.

The repose of Albus 's class were decent, although about assigned too often homework for his liking, but that was not anything new. As the end of October drew nearer, Albus became very excited about the maiden Hogsmeade visit of the twelvemonth. It would be the first time that all of Albus 's friends would get to go together and possibly the final, given how fussy everyone was this year.

Albus nearly did not get to go to Hogsmeade when the day finally arrived. Fred had sprung an surplus Quidditch practice on that day in order to make up for the missed recitation due to the storm. However, the stallion squad was outraged and Heather threatened to hex Fred if he did not rescind the practice. Albus was very lighten as it was a nice day and perfect for Hogsmeade.

"I 've got to get a new pack of dungbombs,"Kaden said as they walked down the path from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade."Used them up long time ago."

"That the pack I sent you over the summer ?"whoremonger asked.

"Sure is. Did n't last too long."

"I need another Skiving Snackbox,"John announced."And slews of other stuff and nonsense from Weasleys'."

"And we need to go buy bird seed if we 're going to do that prank,"Kaden reminded him.

Albus and lustrelessness exchanged feeling. bathroom and Kaden had finally agreed to ask one of Albus 's one-time cousins to metamorphose them a chicken that they would then somehow sneak into the Slytherin commons way. The birdseed was to disperse throughout the office in social club to irritate the Slytherins even more.

"You two enjoy that,"blush wine said."And do n't come complaining to us when you get a month of detainment, because there 's no potential way you can sneak into the Slytherin unwashed room without getting caught."

"We 'll own Albus 's cloak, obviously,"Kaden said.

"When are you going to do it ?"Albus asked.

"Around Halloween,"John answered.

"Idiots,"rosebush muttered.

Weasleys'champion Wheezes was packed with scholarly person. Being the first Hogsmeade weekend, most pupil had a life-threatening lack of pranking Cartesian product and needed to stock up. George was behind the counter ringing up purchase after purchase and waved at Albus as he walked in with his friends. They quickly scattered, each header towards the video display that contained what they needed.

Albus wandered towards the Skiving Snackboxes and grabbed two, figuring that he would need to get out of defensive measure at to the lowest degree once and History of Magic a few times a month. John and Kaden each had about five boxes and mat watched with a disgusted face on his face. Since he missed at least a day or two of classes a calendar month due to his lycanthropy, he never understood why anyone would puddle themselves ill to do so.

"Should 've gone there last,"John said as he lugged his bags to the triad Broomsticks.

"Yeah, must recollect that for next clip,"Kaden agreed."But now, off to have a Butterbeer !"

Albus smiled. His first cousin had had Butterbeer before when multitude snuck it back to the Gryffindor common room, but he 'd never had it in Hogsmeade before.

The Three Broomsticks was crowded, but Matt managed to grab a table in the spine. rose wine set off to get them all Butterbeers. They had been there for about fifteen minutes before Scorpius showed up, followed by Garth Octavius, Xavier Goyle, Felix Willinson, and Elsie Willinson. Scorpio surveyed the room and his eye rested upon Albus. Smirking, he sauntered over towards them.

"potter,"Malfoy greeted him. He nodded to each of Albus 's booster, glaring at Matt, and then turned back to Albus."I expect you lot are set to duel next weekend."

"grade we are,"Albus answered."The team 's plenty prepared. Last pattern on Thursday."

"I 'll be there,"Scorpius replied."And I 'll be ready to bear the squad on Saturday since the rest of our team could n't win a duel against a first year."

"Shut it. Our team is finely,"Albus said coldly.

"Maybe if they had a decent maitre d' ..."Scorpio 's voice trailed off."But the professor love anyone whose finally public figure is thrower or Weasley, just like everyone else in the world."

"They chose based on acquirement,"Albus replied, staring him in the eyes."Not name. blush wine did n't make captain and she 's a Weasley."

"But you 're a potter and you get everything because your dad is the Boy Who Lived,"Scorpio spat, ignoring Albus 's remark."But I 've got news for you. Not everyone in the world likes that your entire family line runs the wizarding cosmos and that zippo gets done without one of them signing off on it. Not everyone 's going to vote for your uncle, you know."

"Obviously,"Albus replied."And just so you know my family may be involved with the Ministry but it 's only because they want to help people. And they 're only there because people voted for them."

"No one voted for your dad,"Scorpius muttered. Then he turned to lusterlessness."Or yours."

"People voted for Hartwell, who appointed them,"Albus said."And your dad works in the Ministry, too."

"That 's not the point."Scorpius took a step closer to Albus."The period is that your family might not be running this country much longer. So you 'd amend watch out."

Scorpius turned to leave and his friends followed."My family does n't run the earth !"Albus shouted after him.

Albus resumed his seat after Malfoy left, not even realizing that he had rose from it in the first of all place."He 's just so stupid !"Albus exclaimed."My family does n't run the country."

"He 's just covetous,"Amanda said."You got made senior pilot of our team and he hates that. Your dad 's famous and he 's jealous of that."

"His dad 's famous too,"Albus said darkly."Just for the damage reasons."

"And Scorpio probably wishes his dad was illustrious for the right intellect,"Amanda replied.

"Do n't see why. Having a noted dad is n't always a honest thing,"Albus muttered.

"Just ignore him,"Rose said."He 's just trying to get you angry with him."

"Clearly Kendrick 's threat have worn off,"lusterlessness said quietly."I liked it in September when he just sort of ignored us."

"It does n't signify he 's going to tell anyone,"pink wine whispered."He 's just looking for a fight."

"It does n't matter what he 's looking for. One slip of the spit is all it takes and my life at Hogwarts is done."

"And so would his,"Albus reminded his ally."Being at Hogwarts, becoming a certified thaumaturge, is everything to a Malfoy. He 'd be zippo more than a Squib if he were expelled."

"I guess."Matt sighed."What do you think he think of by your kinsperson not being in rush of the wizarding world much longer ?"

"Probably thinks Laurentis is going to win."Albus shrugged."But that wo n't have in mind much. My dad will still be in charge of the Auror department."

"No,"rosiness whispered."Have n't you been paying attention in Politics ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said, staring at her."What do you signify ?"

"O.K., I guess Embry has n't really discussed it yet but I read ahead in the book. New minister of religion can appoint new heads of the departments if they want to. almost do n't because so many new people makes for a bad transition menses, but it 's happened a few clip. If Laurentis winnings, she could replace Uncle Harry,"rosiness explained.

"Wait, seriously ?"Albus 's mouth fell open.

pink wine nodded."Seriously."

"And my dad, too,"Matt said.

"Yeah, yours, too,"blush wine replied.

Albus stared at his half-finished Butterbeer. Having a new Minister was one thing, but having new head teacher of all the department ? The Ministry would be run in a completely dissimilar way. Nothing would rest the same. cipher would supersede Harry Potter as Head of the Auror department, though, would they ?

"No."Albus shook his top dog."No one would supervene upon my dad. He 's a great Auror."

"He 's a great Auror, that 's confessedly,"rose wine agreed,"but neat is an sentiment. Hartwell thinks he 's a great Auror. Uncle Sir Henry Percy undoubtedly thinks he 's a great Auror. But if Laurentis gets elected, none of that will matter. All that will matter is whether she think he 's a great Auror. And the question is, does she ?"

Albus swallowed."But that would signify my dad would be out of a job."

"No, he 'd just go back to being a regular Auror,"rosebush said."spirit, you do n't need to worry about it. I 'm sure Uncle Harry knows this."

"They do n't do that in Australia. All the header have terms like the curate. When their term is up, the current minister of religion can replace them or observe them, but they ca n't get replaced when their condition is n't up. Unless there 's a scandal and they have a earreach. Like with my dad."

"Does n't seem fair,"Albus said.

"It works both ways. If Uncle Percy wins he 'll get to replace who he wants and he 'll no doubt replace Laurentis,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm surprised Hartwell has n't done that,"trick said.

"She 's probably unbroken still about her opinions so she could keep her position while running,"Amanda replied.

"So why does n't he replace her now ?"John asked.

"It would look bad. Remember, half of politics is how you look to the public,"Amanda said."Which is why according to the Muggle Ministry, I attend a secluded boarding school in the United States, just in case anyone asks why the Minister 's niece disappears for to the highest degree of the year. Which they have n't. Yet."

Albus shook his head."It 's so disconcert. I do n't know how anyone keeps track of it."

"Luckily we do n't have to,"Kaden said."Let 's go to Honeyduke 's. I think we could all use with some chocolate."


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! Also big thanks to darkladyofslytherin and onestop hpfan18 because this chapter is the result of word wars with them. You two are awesome ! HPFF now loads properly on my internet and I am able to react to reviews, so I 'm slowly working through them. save a feel out for responses !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"I say we do it on Halloween,"Kaden said adamantly while inspecting item-by-item Bertie Bott 's Every tang noggin and tossing the nasty ones into a pile on the floor.

"That 's stupid,"John the Divine countered."Everyone 's going to be expecting a caper on Allhallows Eve. We should do it the day before."

"Why not Saturday ?"Albus suggested, glancing up from the conclusion minute essay he was working on."Maybe it 'll rattle them enough that they 'll lose the match."

The first Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was scheduled to take property on Sat, two days after Halloween.

"Again, the Prefects and professors will be expecting it,"privy said.

"Why ?"Albus asked."We 've never pranked them before a match before, have we ?"

"You know, I really ca n't remember."

"Clearly a sign you 've pranked them too much,"blush wine pointed out.

Albus and the rest of his friends were in the Marauder 's Den, attempting to decide on a day to put the volaille and wimp feed in the Slytherin mutual elbow room. They 'd been arguing for a half time of day and had n't agreed on anything. Albus and Matt, who had been leery on whether to participate in the harlequinade at all, had decided that they would serve as look-outs while John and Kaden snuck into the park room.

"I think Wednesday would be a good option. Wednesday night. We 've got to do it really latterly, though. The beginning years have Astronomy on Wed, so we have to look until they 're back in their dorm,"toilet explained."Nox before Halloween-"

"By the time you manage to do it after Astronomy, it 'll technically be Halloween,"Amanda pointed out.

"But not Halloween night,"John said."Pre-Halloween."

"maleficence Night,"Amanda said.

"What ?"Albus asked.

Kaden threw another attic onto his pile and started laughing."You 're right !"

"balefulness dark,"Amanda repeated."It 's a Muggle thing. It 's when Muggles pull prank and stimulate havoc. It 's traditionally the dark before Allhallows Eve or the night before Guy Guy Fawkes Day, so if you pull this on Wed night or early Th morning, it 'll be on Mischief Night."

John grinned."Perfect. Wizards do n't do that, so no one will be expecting a thing."

"Mostly it 's Americans and Canadians who celebrate before Halloween, though,"Amanda explained.

"I 'd rather do it before Hallowe'en,"toilet said."We have Astronomy on Tuesdays so the Nox before Guy Guy Fawkes Day would be harder."

Everyone nodded in agreement, except rose, who rolled her center.

"Do you have everything you need ?"Matt asked.

"Not yet, but we have plans. Tonight I 'm going to lurk by the Slytherin uncouth way under the invisibleness Cloak to listen their watchword. Midweek evening we 'll ask Omar Nelson Bradley to transfigure us a few volaille. Then, Al and matt will stand safeguard while Kaden and I let them let loose in the mutual way,"John explained.

"How in the name of Merlin are you going to keep the chickens calm while you bring them to the dungeons ?"Rose asked.

"Stun them, of course,"Kaden answered."By the clip they wake up, we 'll be long gone."
***


Wednesday brought with it a immense thunderstorm which Albus saw as a rather ominous prodigy for Operation Slytherin poulet as the frivolity had been dubbed. As the day wore on Albus found himself having doubts about the unhurt thing. old caper had been harmless and had not broken any major school day rules, but this one broke at to the lowest degree ten. This could get them regretful than a few detentions.

King John and Kaden seemed to have no such booking. Both of them were particularly gleeful the total day and privy even returned from fortune telling with a grinning on his case, which never happened. mat seemed indifferent to the whole thing and acted as usual.

"You do realize we 'll be getting three hours of sleep, round top, tonight,"Matt said after dinner, while they were attempting to do preparation in the vulture 's Den."And that we have History of magic trick tomorrow morning."

John sighed."All right, maybe that was n't the upright bit of planning."

"Clearly not,"flatness agreed.

Albus had a very difficult clip getting any homework done while they were waiting for the time to arrive. He found himself drawing awful pictures of chickens in the perimeter on his Transfiguration Day essay. No one else was having much fate either. John and Kaden were playing chess and mat was taking a nap. pink wine and Amanda had holed away in the library, neither one wanting to be associated with the boys that night."We need alibis,"she had told Albus earlier."wish to be seen by as many people as possible so there 's no chance anyone will think we were with you."

At one in the morning the boys left the Marauder 's Den and headed back to the common room, where Bradley would be waiting for them. They encountered no one on their way back and only two or three lingering students were in the vernacular elbow room. All of them went to bed within XV minutes and the male child were soon alone with Bradley.

Omar Nelson Bradley pulled three pillows out from under one of the sofa and set them on a table."Three crybaby going to be enough ?"

John nodded."I do n't intend we 'll be able to handle any more."

"You lot are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid,"Omar Bradley said as he pulled out his scepter."Even James has n't gotten into the Slytherin vernacular room."

"According to blush wine, we 're incredibly stupid person,"John said."But I think it 's brilliant. Has anyone ever gotten into the Slytherin common room ?"

"My dad and Uncle Ron,"Albus said."But not to pull a prank."

trick, Matt, and Kaden turned to count at Albus."I 'll explain later,"Albus said.

Bradley muttered an incantation and flicked his wand at each of the pillows. All three turned into chickens. One chocolate-brown one, one white one, and one large black and brown rooster. The cock opened its mouth to crow and Tom Bradley immediately silenced all three.

"Figured a rooster would be helpful,"Omar Nelson Bradley said."Want me to stun them for you ?"

"Sure,"Albus said.

"Should go about a half 60 minutes and then you 'll let to re-stun them,"Bradley told them."I 'm going to remove off. Remember, if you get caught, I did n't get the Gallus gallus for you. Ca n't afford another detention."

"Got it,"Albus assured him. Bradley took off to the dormitories and Albus turned to his booster. John was holding the cock and Kaden was holding the two chickens."Back to the Den ?"

The male child spent the next two time of day in the Marauder 's Den, playing Exploding Snap and re-Stunning the chickens every half hour. Shortly after three in the sunrise Albus re-stunned the poulet one more time and then threw the invisibility Cloak over all four of them.

It was very difficult for all four son to walk under the invisibility Cloak.
being one-fourth years, they were all a lot larger than they had been in endorse year when Albus had first received the Cloak. In fact, Albus could n't even remember the last clip all four of them had gone under it at once. Albus in particular proposition had grown quite a few inches over the summer and was now as tall as John the Divine. The two of them had to take the air with their stifle bent to ensure their feet would n't render.

The paseo was uneventful. The boy did not even see Peeves or any of the ghosts out for a night time stroll ( or ice-cream float, which would probably be the more capture full term ). Matt tripped going down the stairs once and nearly dropped a chicken, but since the corridors were empty, no one heard the sound.

Once they had reached the entree to the Slytherin vernacular room John and Kaden slipped out from under the Cloak and scurried over to the door. John whispered the countersign and it opened. Both son slipped inside and shut the doorway behind them.

Albus and Matt stood against the bulwark a lilliputian ways down the corridor, giving them a view of the stairs as well as the corridor. Neither of them said a Word while John and Kaden were pulling their prank because Filch 's cat had turned up and was pacing in front of them.

The next five minutes felt like an eternity and Albus was very relieved when John and Kaden exited the common room and hurried back under the Cloak. St. John 's bag, which had contained the chicken feed, was now considerably lighter. Neither boy said a word to Albus and matte as they walked back to Gryffindor pillar, for concern that mortal would get a line them.

They were walking down the minute level corridor when Albus heard footfall behind him. He turned and saw Professor Lester Willis Young walking slowly towards them, staring at the ceiling as he went. He appeared to be in oceanic abyss view about something but then stopped and stared right where Albus and his friends were. They were n't being quiet enough.

All four boys froze and looked at each former. Kaden grabbed all three of their jumper and pulled them through the dear threshold, while Young happened to be looking the other way. Once inside, Albus noticed that they were in a loo. A daughter 's loo. And the floor was soaked.

"pigeon hawk,"Albus muttered."We 're in Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom."

As if on cue, there was a plash and then Albus felt the unpleasant sensation of a ghost floating through him.

"I know you 're there."Vinca minor giggled."Harry Potter had one of those cloaks, too. You might as well acquire it off."

Albus reluctantly took off the Cloak. Cy Young would n't be going into a girl 's bathroom anyway.

"Ooo !"myrtle shrieked."Harry ceramicist 's son ! What brings you to my toilet ?"She giggled again and batted her eyelashes.

"Er ..."Albus muttered, feeling very uncomfortable.

"We were just leaving,"John announced as he threw the Cloak over all four of them once more.

Thankfully Professor Young had left by the time they exited the loo. The oddment of the journeying back to Gryffindor was as uneventful as the trek down to Slytherin.

The common room was deserted when they returned under the disapproving glare of the Fat Lady, who had not been pleased when they woke her up. John and Kaden immediately started laughing when they took the Cloak off.

"Epic !"Kaden exclaimed."There was no one in the common room and we spread the provender and put the chickens each on their own couch and left. The Slytherins are going to throw a uncivil awakening in a few hours."

"So are we,"lusterlessness said as he looked at his watch."Almost four. We 'll get three and a half hours sleep if we 're lucky."

The boys headed back to their residence hall, but Albus was not tired yet. epinephrin was still racing through his system. They had n't gotten caught. Yet. Would there be any way to trace the chicken back to the four of them ? Only if someone saw them, but if anyone had seen them they would have gotten them in trouble right then and there, would n't they accept ? Albus pushed the sentiment from his head. He settled into bed and thought about the reaction from the Slytherins the following morning.

Bilius 's alarm clock woke Albus up at eight the next morning and he rolled over and went back to sleep. He woke up once more with twenty proceedings left until history of Magic and had to hop breakfast. Albus woke matte and John up and the three of them ran through the corridors in fiat to make it to class on time.

They arrived with two minute to spare and the elbow room was filled with laughter and chatter. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were clearly excited about something and Albus had a feeling he knew what it was.

Albus sat down and Bilius turned around in his seat, grinning at Albus."You three missed breakfast. Too bad. The Slytherins are all upset, fuming about chickens and muttering about getting retaliation. Turns out someone snuck a rooster and two poulet into their common elbow room last night and spreadhead chicken feed around. Apparently their common room was a pile and it took all of their Prefects to Stun the chicken and work them to Hagrid. like I knew who pulled it off."

Albus attempted to simulate shock and excitement."Seriously ? That 's smart as a whip. Does anyone know who did it ?"

"Nope,"Bilius answered."All they know is that it was n't a Slytherin."

"They 'll never enter it out then. That 's three-quarters of the school to go through."

"And that 's what makes it so brilliant."

Professor Binns floated through the chalkboard and began to drone on about some kind of goblin rebellion. Albus rested his oral sex on his mitt and began to drowse off. Binns would n't even notice.

At luncheon, following metamorphosis, everyone was still talking about the volaille. The Slytherins were sullen and were glaring at all the other house board. The instructor did n't appear at all upset about the unharmed matter, probably because the chickens had n't done that very much legal injury. Nothing that could n't be easily repaired with the picture of a scepter.

"Six in the dawn !"Albus overheard a Slytherin mutter as he walked past the Gryffindor board."Can you opine ? And the first light after we 'd been on the pitch for three hours."

Albus smirked behind his forkful of swither. If the frivolity had messed with the Slytherins'education schedule, all the better. Albus had finally begun to relax. It did n't seem like they were going to get in trouble after all.

As Albus walked to the dungeon with King John, Matt, rose wine, and Amanda he realized that his nap in account of Magic was most definitely wearing off. He was feeling the enervation and was very well-chosen for the destitute geological period after potions. But he did n't defy bound off potions because he was quite excited to listen Malfoy lecture about the chickens.

During this detail class they were finishing up an engorgement solution that they had started on Tuesday. While Shrinking Solution was a rather simple potion that they had learned in their low yr, its opposite number was more difficult and required simmering for 48 hours before the last constituent could be added.

Albus retrieved all the requisite ingredients while his pardner, Limbert, located their potion in the cupboard. Limbert, who was usually very nonchalant about everything, was scowling and glared at Albus as he joined him at their table.

Just as Albus was beginning to chop his celery stem, Malfoy appeared in front line of the table. Albus looked up from his plant and looked Malfoy in the eye.

"Potter,"Malfoy muttered."You would n't materialise to know which idiot Gryffindor put chickens in our common way, do you ?"

Albus snorted."volaille, Malfoy ? I 'd heard something about that."

"Bloody birds,"Limbert muttered as he began to pulverise the rat spleen they were supposed to put into their cauldron."Crowing at six in the bloody forenoon. feeding chicken feed all over the coarse room. Getting their plume and other stuff everywhere ...."

"What he said,"Malfoy replied."tip is, one of your lot got into our common room and I want to cognise who."He folded his limb across his chest.

"Was n't any of 'my lot'as you say,"Albus answered, hoping that Malfoy could n't hear his substance pound in his chest."We ca n't get into your common elbow room. Do n't have the word. And even if we did, why would we want to ? It 's probably covered in Hydra slime."

"Well it was n't a Slytherin if that 's what you 're implying. And I doubt it was a Ravenclaw or a Hufflepuff. A Ravenclaw would n't do something that stunned and a Hufflepuff would n't be able to image out how-"

Albus rose from his chair."That 's rude. I know plenty of Hufflepuffs that are smarter than you, Malfoy. And they 're comme il faut citizenry, too."

"boy, get to work now. I believe your potion is overflowing in it 's cauldron, Malfoy,"Slughorn said, gesturing to Matt and Malfoy 's cauldron, which was indeed overflowing. flatness was frantically waving his wand at it, trying to get it to stop.

"Oh for Falco columbarius 's sake,"Malfoy muttered and stalked off towards his own table.

Albus breathed a suspiration of substitute and continued to chop his Apium graveolens dulce source. Limbert retrieved another rat spleen, as the one he had been using was now hopelessly destroyed. He did n't verbalize to Albus for the remainder of the class except for the periodic"passport the knife"or"turn down the flame ”.

chase potions Albus, Matt, and John immediately went upstairs to the. Marauder 's Den to convey a much needed nap. rise went to Muggle subject and Amanda went to the library. Albus fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and did not fire up up until John swatted him with a pillow when it was metre for dinner.

The Slytherins were still complaining about the Gallus gallus during dinner and Albus and his Quaker giggled every time they heard something about them. About halfway through dinner, professor Kendrick rose from his seat. Albus turned to look at lusterlessness, who shrugged. Kendrick rarely made dinner party speeches when it was n't the start or end of term.

"Just a few promulgation,"Kendrick said once the Great Hall quieted down."number 1, I am sure you are all aware of the frivolity that took place in the Slytherin common room conclusion dark. I, nor do any of the teachers, have any melodic theme who is responsible for, but if we do find out, be aware that those responsible will be punished. Entering another house 's usual elbow room is not tolerated and all students should take this as a warning, in fount they have been inclined to do so themselves. Slytherins, please be advised that your countersign has been changed. If you are not mindful of it, delight see a Prefect.

"Second. Next weekend Hogwarts will host a few Ministry officials including the Minister of Magic, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, the drumhead of the Auror Department, the promontory of the Department for the regularization and ascendency of Magical puppet, as well as a few of the Minister 's closest adviser. In gain, both candidate for Minister will be here as well. They will arrive Friday night and stay until Sunday morning. Saturday they will be debating Education Department here in the Great Hall.

"All educatee will birth the chance to watch the debate by a random drawing since we can not accommodate all of you in addition to the Ministry official and members of the general population that will be attending. The relaxation will take heed via wireless in a few classroom. All scholar are required to listen or watch. More entropy about that, such as how to feel out if you 've been selected to check and what assignments you will have on the debate, will be distributed by professor Young in your political science class.

"I expect you all to behave yourselves and demonstrate to our Ministry that this is a place of learning. You are all representing Hogwarts, whether you are students, instructor, or staff. You will not pull pranks, especially not like the one that was pulled final nighttime. You will prize the Ministry interpreter. I will give you further information next workweek. In the lag, start thinking up a few interrogation to ask our candidates in font they have time to do a question and reply session."Kendrick resumed his prat.

"Blimey, I 've never seen Kendrick act so serious,"John said quietly.

"Can you blame him ?"Rose asked."Remember what Laurentis said about Hogwarts ? She all but said he was n't running the school properly. If she wins, chances are he 's out of a job. He 's got to put on a good display next workweek if he 's got any promise of staying here if she wins."

"That 's insane !"Albus shouted. A few start years looked over at him and he lowered his voice."I mean, Kendrick took over as schoolmaster when McGonagall left and even before that he helped rebuild the shoes. How can she sack soul who helped rebuild Hogwarts ?"

"She ca n't if she 's not elected,"Amanda said."We just have to hope your uncle wins."

"Never thought I 'd say it, but I agree,"Albus replied."Georgia and Bradley and Cedric wo n't be happy but can you imagine what Hogwarts would be like if Laurentis won ?"

"I ca n't,"lustrelessness said."No one can because no one knows what she wants to do to alter it."

"conjecture we 're going to retrieve out next Saturday,"Amanda said."Think any of us will get to watch it ?"

"We will,"Albus answered, gesturing to matte and himself."Our dad are two of the example, so I bet we 'll induce to sit with our families."

"I hope I get to,"Amanda said."It 's really fascinating, wizard political sympathies. In some ways it 's completely the same as Muggle politics, only with magic involved. Really shows that we 're all people."

"Me too,"Rose agreed.

"You can have my ticket if I get one,"John told her."It 's going to be severely to drowse off if I 'm in the same room."

"Same here,"Kaden said.

Rose rolled her center."You lot done eating ? Anyone up for spending the evening in the program library ?"

The boys reluctantly agreed. They had neglected their homework the former Nox due to the harlequinade and had multiple naming due the following day that they had not even started on. Albus thought longingly of his bed in Gryffindor tug and then resigned himself to the fact that he 'd be in the library until curfew.


A/N : Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this ! You guy wire are awesome. Big thanks to all my writing friends that I word war with. There are now too many to name individually, but they are awesome.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The day after Halloween dawned with a violent electric storm, one that Albus hoped would pass before Sat, when he would get to confront Slytherin on the Quidditch pitch. Albus was feeling often better after a nice nighttime 's sopor, although he was dreading having to go to chronicle of conjuring trick first thing in the morn again. Whose brilliantly idea was it to open them that class two daybreak in a row ?

The post owls arrived as Albus was serving himself some eggs and he scanned the air for his family owl. He did n't see it and resumed piling his plate with food. His parents only occasionally sent him post now that he was in fourth year and no longer needed a letter from them every other day. However, Albus did see his Uncle Percy 's screech owl making a beeline towards Cedric, who was sitting across from Albus. Cedric set his fork down and untied the varsity letter from the owl 's leg. The owl dipped his hooter in Cedric 's juice and then took off.

Albus watched as Cedric read the alphabetic character and saw his nerve go from obscure curiosity to slight horror and then finally extreme disgust. Walker Percy 's letters were always interesting and it seemed as this one was no exception.

"Unbelievable !"Cedric shouted.

"What is it ?"King James asked as he snatched the letter out of Cedric 's paw."Is he making you sit next to him while he debates following calendar week ?"

"Worse !"Cedric exclaimed."He thinks I was the one who put the Gallus gallus in the Slytherin coarse room !"

"Seriously ?"King James asked as he settled down to read the varsity letter."Let 's see ... Seriously disappointed in you ... taught you better than this ... stunts like these could suffer my chances for a win in Apr ... must learn to think about the aftermath of your actions ... twenty percent class is for studying for your O.W.L.s ... time to grow up ..."

"See ?"Cedric said as he stabbed his bacon with a bit too much force."He really believes I did it. And with no grounds !"

"Oh now he 's bringing up your bit from that article. The part where you mentioned that you like pulling pranks. Oh and now he 's brought me into it ... Oh wait, hey ! He 's going to tell my parents that I was in on it too !"James slammed the letter down."No way they 'll believe him without proof though."

"Which he has none of. Did you get to the part where he 's owling Kendrick, too ?"Cedric asked.

"Kendrick ca n't do anything without proof,"James I said.

"Yeah but our record are n't exactly fresh,"Cedric pointed out."Merlin, I wish I 'd thought up this prank. It was story worthy. I mean getting into the Slytherin common room ? I 've been dreaming about doing that since before maiden year."

"I wish we knew who did it. I 'd like to get some tips,"James IV added."They 're going to go down as Hogwarts legends."

Albus hoped that his furious blushing was n't obtrusive. He could not believe that Percy actually believed Cedric pulled the trick without any grounds. Cedric could n't get in bother without evidence, could he ? If he did, Albus would finger dreadful. He already felt frightful that Percy had even had the nerve to accuse Cedric for something that Albus and his Quaker did, something Cedric had no part of.

"We 've just got to cypher out who did it,"James decided."To gain our names."

Cedric nodded."Wo n't be that hard. No prank can be done without evidence left behind. It 's impossible to do in this shoes. We 'll look for hint around our own vulgar room because I think the Slytherins are rightfulness. It was a Gryffindor."

"We should speak to the wraith, too,"James said."They wander at all hours."

"Right,"Cedric agreed."Best be off to class now, though.

Albus turned to John after his chum and cousin-german had left the tabular array. John and Matt had both been sitting close enough to Cedric and James to see the total conversation. Both boy were sick than common and Albus was for certain he was as well.

"Myrtle saw us,"Matt whispered."We 'll be number one on their fishy list."

"D'you think your own comrade would turn us in ?"John asked.

Albus laughed."Of course he would. He 's my brother."

"commodity point,"John the Evangelist muttered."What are we going to do ?"

"Bob Hope Vinca minor does n't say anything,"Albus said.

"That 's it, we 're doomed."matte sighed.

"On the plus face, we 'll be Hogwarts legends,"John said.

"Tell that to my parents,"Matt replied.

Albus thought about James and Cedric 's request to work out out who pulled the chicken clowning during the integrality of History of trick. They had n't left any traces behind except for talking to Myrtle. And even that only proved that they were out of bed at four in the morning, not that they 'd left chickens in the Slytherin common room. Sure, there might have been random chicken feathers in the mutual room that morning but the business firm elves would have already cleaned them up. Then there was Bradley.

Bradley. Albus 's tum dropped. Would Bradley rat out Albus in rescript to deliver his own brother from possible trouble ? Albus liked to think not, especially since doing so would incriminate Bradley as well. But it was possible that Thomas Bradley would request Cedric to leave him out of it when he told Kendrick in return for the information in the foremost position. Albus rubbed his forehead. It was all so confound and there were too many hypothesis.

Matt and St. John the Apostle looked equally disturbed by the possible action. Both male child were sitting completely still, staring at Professor Binns but not looking at him. Matt was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook. John was twirling his quill around in his mitt and had splattered ink all over himself and his History of Magic volume.

Albus was thankful that they had tending of Magical beast next, despite the steady downpour. They would be able to blab. Hagrid was currently teaching them about unicorns and this fussy object lesson he had an actual unicorn for them to notice and interact with. Luckily for Albus, john, and Matt, unicorns did not like boys and thus had an excuse to hang back and talk.

"The lone way they 're going to find out is if they talk to Omar Nelson Bradley and Omar Nelson Bradley tells them,"Albus said as they pretended to take government note on the unicorn, which was currently surrounded by the girls of the class.

"Or if they talk to Myrtle and put the clues together,"Matt pointed out.

"What clues ?"John asked."We did n't impart anything behind."

"Not that you know of. But they were right when they said zippo can be done at Hogwarts without someone knowing about it. For all we know there was another ghost lurking by the Slytherin vulgar room while we were there that we did n't notice,"lusterlessness explained."Or the fact that we were n't in the common way close night-"

"We 're rarely in the common elbow room,"John said."Not since we found the piranha 's Den."

"True. They could also talk to Bilius or Ethan and find out that we got back at four in the break of the day. Ethan woke up when we got back and asked what we were up to, remember ?"matt said.

"That would n't differentiate them anything more than Vinca minor would,"Albus replied as he scrawled a few short letter about how the unicorn was pawing at the ground.

"What if they find feathers or chicken provender or something ?"lusterlessness asked.

"That will feature all been cleaned up by now. The house elves clean everyday,"Saint John the Apostle said."I think Albus is right. The only way they 'll know is if they talk to Bradley. Or if they just assume and ask us about it. Al, are you going to be able to lie to them if they ask you ?"

"Er ..."Albus 's representative trailed off. He knew how much of a rotten liar he was."To be honest ? Probably not."

cypher said anything for a few minutes. Each boy pretended to be absorbed in taking note of hand on the unicorn.

"There 's nothing we can do, then,"lustrelessness finally said."We ca n't turn back them or tell them not to inquire because that would look suspect. All we can do is wait and hope they do n't figure it out."

Albus nodded. Matt was completely right, of track. But what Albus did n't say was that James and Cedric would figure it out. They were the school practical joker and for the low metre they 'd been out-pranked. The two were the school 's prank experts and could easily accompany the trail that would conduce them right to their own crony and cousin.
******


The trigger-happy thunderstorm that had plagued Hogwarts the day before cleared up by Saturday morning and the weather condition could not have been undecomposed for Quidditch. It was sunny, with svelte swarm screen and small flatus. The temperature was mild for November. Weather would not be a agent in this Quidditch match. No, the team that won would win solely based on their science.

The Hogwarts population, both students and professors alike, were very excited for the match. mansion Quidditch had been suspended the previous year in decree for the Quidditch and Dueling contender with the schools from New York and Commonwealth of Australia, although the final couple in the Quidditch effect had been a disaster. Everyone at Hogwarts was prepare for affair to go back to normal and that included House Quidditch.

pattern also included the taunting that went on between the Gryffindors and Slytherins at breakfast right before the match. Malfoy informed Albus that he needed to find out out else he come up himself in the Hospital Wing for days. Albus ignored this because Malfoy was n't even on the Slytherin team and did n't possess enough Quidditch skill to be on a children 's squad. He tried his comfortably to cut the taunting from the real Slytherin team as well, but still found his abdomen was a bit too queasy to eat much more than toast.

The team gathered around Fred in the changing elbow room shortly before the match, gear up to get word his first team speech.

"I fully believe we can win this,"Fred began."Our practices have gone very smoothly and it feels like Janie has played with us for years rather than only a few weeks. Slytherin plays dirty, though, so watch yourselves. They also have two new musician, a Chaser and a Beater, whereas we only have one. The new Chaser is a second year and the new Beater is a third year, so I do n't think we 'll receive much subject there. I 've seen them practice session and they still do n't operate as a seamless team like we do. Just go out there and play like we did two years ago and we 're sure to win."

The team stood up and followed Fred out onto the sales pitch. The soil was voiced beneath Albus 's feat, but not too dirty, which would make for a good kick off. He stood in between Calluna vulgaris and James while Fred went to stir hands with Fielding, Slytherin 's captain.

Oteski shouted his desire for a uninfected mates and then the two captains crunched each other 's hands. Oteski released the Bludgers and sneaker and then tossed the Quaffle into the air. Albus kicked off from the flat coat and flew towards the Quaffle, which had unfortunately been caught by Fielding.

"And they 're off !"Todd Smith announced."First House match in two old age due to the time out stopping point class, during the competitions with the other school. Both teams have some new faces this year. Slytherin has a new pursuer, second yr Marshall Belby, and a new Beater, thirdly year Devon Wright. Gryffindor has a new keeper, fourth year Janie Creevey ...."

Albus tore his attention from Smith as the buster Gryffindor began to announce the name of the rest of the players. Leaning forward on his Calluna vulgaris, Albus soared to the other side of the sales talk, where Fielding was attempting to throw the Quaffle into one of Gryffindor 's goal posts.

"Spectacular make unnecessary by Creevey !"Adam Smith shouted."Looks like she 's going to be an fantabulous Keeper for Gryffindor. Gryffindor now in self-will. Heather Weasley in self-command, passes to Albus potter ...."

Albus caught the Quaffle, wedged it under his arm, and sped down to the early side of the pitch. He dodged two of Slytherin 's Chasers but was hit by a Bludger sent from Wright and dropped the Quaffle. It was intercepted by Peyton Haines.

Albus swore loudly and tailed Haines as he turned around and headed towards Gryffindor. Fred managed to charm the Quaffle after Haines was hit by a Bludger and tossed it back to Albus.

This meter Albus made it to the Slytherin end stake and feigned decently before sending the Quaffle soaring through the left hoop.

"score !"metalworker announced."Albus Potter scores the first goal of the friction match. Ten points to Gryffindor !"

The balance of the couple continued in the Sami way, with the Quaffle continuously exchanging hands, rendering it very unmanageable for Joseph Smith to keep up with the commentary. Gryffindor maintained a good constant score of twenty tip ahead of the Slytherins. Albus scored two more goal and assisted on five more. The Slytherin Chasers looked more and more sick as the match wore on.

An hour and a half into the match Albus saw St. James the Apostle desolate his position above the rest of the histrion and fly towards the ground. huntsman Pucey, Slytherin 's Seeker, followed.

"aspect like ceramicist has seen the canary !"Ian Douglas Smith exclaimed.

Albus watched while flying the Quaffle to the Slytherin goal position. James had his arm outstretched towards a glittering object when Devon Wright slammed her Beater 's bat towards a nearby Bludger. But the Bludger suddenly soared upward, leaving nothing in between the bat and James River 's leg. Devon 's bat collided with James II 's leg, sending him sprawling onto the footing. Albus stopped where he was.

The entire crowd gasped, with the exclusion of the Slytherins, who were cheering. Pucey was flying around the auction pitch holding the struggling fink in his outstretched paw. Albus ignored this and flew directly to William James, who was get hold of his leg on the ground.

Albus abandoned his ling once he landed and hurried towards James. He was surrounded by Madam Pomfrey, prof Oteski, professor Kendrick, prof Longbottom, the rest of the Gryffindor team, and surprisingly, Devon.

Albus paused to look at the girl. She was modest, like most secondly twelvemonth are, but sinewy. Her begrime blond hair was in a mussy bun and her human face was streaked with tears. As Albus got closer, he could hear that she was whispering"I 'm sorry"over and over again.

"Foul !"Heather shouted."That 's a foul ! I want a rematch !"

"Let 's get Saint James to the hospital extension and then we 'll interest about a rematch,"Neville said as Madam Pomfrey conjured a stretcher.

"Finally, someone with some common sense around here,"ma'am Pomfrey muttered."All of you, out of the way !"

The crowd quickly dispersed as Madam Pomfrey guided the stretcher towards the castle, followed by the gathered professors. After a few hour, professor Patil ordered the rest of the educatee to get back to their common way. Albus walked back to the castle with his team, who were heading straight to the hospital offstage.

James was resting once they got there, his leg bandaged but no longer break up. He no longer looked to be in nuisance, but looked like he wanted to hex the entire Slytherin team. Madam Pomfrey appeared in front of them before they could reach King James 's bed.

"Ten minutes,"she said."That 's all."

"Are we getting a rematch ?"was the first matter out of King James 's mouth."No one will recount me anything."

"They have n't said anything yet,"Fred replied."How 's the leg ?"

"mulct, now. Just a little painful. lady Pomfrey said I can leave tomorrow good afternoon,"James told them."We better get a rematch. That was a foul. I was two arcsecond from catching the stoolpigeon when that new Beater went and hit me with her bat ! Who does she think she is ? Does n't she sleep together the formula of Quidditch ? Or is that how Slytherin 's training their actor these Day ?"

"She was going for a Bludger,"Albus explained."You probably could n't see it because she was behind you, but there had been a Bludger. It flew up at the death s and she accidentally got your leg."

"How do they know that ?"James asked."She might 've made that up."

"Everyone saw it,"Albus said quietly.

"It 's true,"Heather agreed."I do n't have a go at it if they 'll founder us a rematch."

The doors to the infirmary annex opened, revealing the Beater in question. She walked tentatively inside and stopped when she saw the integral Gryffindor team. dame Pomfrey greeted her and they spoke in voices too quiet to overhear before she walked slowly over to James IV 's bed.

"I know you probably hate me and I do n't find fault you,"she whispered."But I really am sorry. It really was an accident. I swear it. It was my starting time match."

Albus glanced at the ease of his team. Their spirit of discombobulation mirrored his own thoughts.

"Er, well, thanks for the apology, I guess,"James said.

"Is your leg ok ?"she asked.

"It 's okay now,"James IV replied.

Devon reached into her robes and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate. She handed it to James, her eyes staring at his bed and not meeting his glance the full time."Here,"she whispered.

"Er, thanks,"James said as he took the chocolate.

"Um, I 'm going to go now. Bye,"Devon said and turned to run from the ward, before any of the Gryffindor team had prison term to respond.

"That was strange,"James I muttered after the doorway had slammed shut."Anyone fancy some chocolate ?"

"She 's got a crush on you,"Ryan announced.

"DOE not,"St. James the Apostle argued.

"Have we ever had a Slytherin apologize for injuring one of us before, let alone give us chocolate ?"Fred asked."I 'm with Ryan on this one."

"Well clearly some of them have consciences,"Albus replied."But yeah, she likes you."

"She 's dozen,"James said flatly.

"lady friend mature faster than blokes."Heather smirked."So, actually, she should be just about right for you."

"Shut up,"St. James the Apostle muttered."Not sharing my burnt umber anymore."

"Ten minutes are up !"Madam Pomfrey announced as she returned to Henry James 's bed bearing a tray that contained a few nasty looking potions."And these are for you, James."

Albus and the rest of the team bade William James bye and left the infirmary backstage. They walked up to Gryffindor tugboat together, but parted once they entered the common room. Albus found his protagonist at a table near the door to the hall and sat down to excuse the entire Devonshire Wright thing.

"So she was actually upset that she had broken James River 's leg ?"whoremaster asked.

"And she apologized ?"Matt added.

"And gave him chocolate ?"Kaden continued.

Albus nodded."Strange, is n't it ?"

"Very,"John agreed."I 'm surprised she 's on the team. Is n't it a requirement for the Slytherin team to be a fan of violence ?"

"She might not be on much longer, rightfulness ?"Matt asked.

"It was an accident,"Albus said."I already said that. The rest of the team saw it and so did half the professors. So there 's probably not going to be a replay either."

"That 's not fair,"Gospel According to John muttered.

"It 's only the first compeer,"Albus pointed out."hatful more than clock time to gain those points back. And their quester is awful anyway. He could n't possess caught that Snitch if James had n't have been hit."

Albus, Matt, and Saint John spent the remainder of the afternoon discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor 's luck of winning the Quidditch Cup. They factored in the skill grade of all the players on all the houses and the points earned so far, along with the possible conditions balk that were surely to come. Kaden paid attending, but did n't impart very much except for the occasional scuttlebutt about how something was different in football game. Amanda did the Same, save for the football game gossip. Rose sighed and dug a book out of her bag and read it until they had finished.

professor Oteski was at supper that night, which was a rare occurrence due to the fact that he has a married woman and vernal child in Hogsmeade and normally was only at the castle for course and Quidditch lucifer. Towards the end of the meal he rose, rendering the entire Hall silent.

"The former professors and I have reviewed the events at today 's match,"Oteski began."We 've taken into account a few select educatee'observations-"

"He interviewed me,"Fred said.

"-along with the professors'. I have come to the decision that the act of a Slytherin Beater hitting Gryffindor 's searcher with her Beater 's Bat was an inauspicious accident. No disciplinary legal action will be taken against her, nor will a rematch be taking place."He resumed his seat.

All of Gryffindor groaned while Slytherin rejoiced. Albus glanced over at their table and saw that Devon Frank Lloyd Wright was the alone Slytherin not shouting in excitement. Instead she had her head on her hand and was picking at her dinner. She was a very odd Slytherin, that was for sure.

"I really did n't think there 'd be a rematch,"Fred said."But listen, we can still win. Losing the first off match does n't mean we 'll lose the Cup."

"mortal 's going to have to enjoin Saint James,"ling replied."He wo n't be pleased. I 'm fairly certain he can count the issue of times he has n't caught the snitch on one hand."

Albus thought back to the prison term James had lost a lucifer against Linda the lamia and hid in the screaming Shack. Luckily his buddy had come a long way from that and would not feel the motive to hide after missing the fink.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I 'm back at school now, so I wo n't be writing as much. But I have a few chapters saved up, so I 'm hoping to update frequently for the adjacent month at least.

If you are enjoying this story ( or any of my stories ), head over to the forums and put up one for a Dobby awarding ! Be indisputable to read the dominion before posting. : )


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus was very salve that he was not given the chore of telling St. James the Apostle that there would not be a rematch. Fred, being the maitre d', took that job for himself and the eternal sleep of the team merely went with him. James was understandably tip over, but did n't adopt the news nearly as badly as Albus would have expected. Perhaps he was maturing, if even a little amount. On Sunday, Epistle of James was released from the Hospital Wing and life at Hogwarts returned to normal if only for a few days.

After a double family of potions and single class of Transfiguration on Tuesday, Albus and his champion had politics and this was the day where they would detect out who would get to sit in the Great Hall during the argumentation on Saturday. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were understandably more chatty in the transactions before Professor Embry began class. Most of the students hoped that they would get to attend to the debate, with the elision of St. John and a few of the Hufflepuffs. Albus and Matt would be attending it either way, so they doubted either of them would be picked. Rose had also found out that since she was Harry Hotspur 's niece, she would also get to attend no issue what.

"settle down, settle down,"Embry said once the clock struck three. He smiled and then quickly took attendance."I 'm very felicitous to see how rouse you are for Saturday 's debate. It 's very charge up to see Edward Young citizenry so interested in political sympathies. Since I know none of you will pay care during form unless I announce who gets to attend before I begin, I will announce them now."

The class immediately began whispering until Embry located a piece of parchment on his desk and cleared his throat."Now, a few of you are able to attend to the debate without being chosen. flatness Eckerton and Albus Potter, since both your Church Father are heads of department at the Ministry you will be able-bodied to attend. Rose Weasley, since you are related to one of the candidates, you may look as well. And not to worry, everyone else, they will not use up away berth from the regular student body.

"One boy and one young lady were picked randomly from each year, for each menage. So eight scholar from each yr were chosen total. For Hufflepuff the lucky two are Olivia toll and Ronald Bones."

"Yes !"Ronald shouted. He was a rather loud, blonde haired boy, who reminded Albus a lot of Kaden. Olivia just smiled. She was calm, but as one of Hufflepuff 's Beaters, was quite forceful.

"And for Gryffindor we have Ethan Kesse and Marina Jordan-Bell,"Embry continued.

Both let out ecstatic shouts and the ease of the class clapped before everyone settled down. All four winning scholarly person were still grinning when Embry began speaking once more.

"felicitation to all four of you. This will not be the only when argument to take spot at Hogwarts and for the next one, unlike scholar will be chosen. Now, on Saturday, you are to describe to the Great Hall at ten o'clock in the dayspring. The argument will lead off at eleven. You will give your figure to whichever prof is waiting by the doorway and then a Prefect will read you to where you are supposed to sit. Same goes for you, lustrelessness, Albus, and Rose."

Embry set the sheepskin down on his desk and smiled as he walked closer to the mesa of his students."Now, what Professor Kendrick has not told you yet, because it has only just been finalized, is that both prospect will be hosting two joint question and answer Sessions. These will be for scholarly person and Hogwarts stave only. The same students chosen to look the debate will be able-bodied to look the question and response school term. It will carry place at three in the Great Hall. Please arrive at two-thirty.

"Everyone else will be listening to the public debate on the wireless. Fourth year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs will be in the Transfiguration classroom. Please report there by ten-thirty. Everyone, no matter whether they are attending the debate or listening on the radiocommunication are expected to compose a foot long essay on which candidate you thought was more successful in making their peak. It will be due at the origin of next week 's class."

The stallion class groaned at the mention of the essay. Embry ignored this and began his lecture. They had finally made it into the 20th century, but were still far from learning about how everything in the Ministry changed after Voldemort was defeated.

The residuum of the hebdomad passed very slowly. The Hogwarts students were getting very excited at the medical prognosis of the prospect arriving for their debate, with the exclusion of Bradley and Cedric. Even John and Kaden, neither of whom were going to pay heed the debate, were catching a little bit of excitement. Albus was rather shocked at how the absolute majority of the students were getting involved with the election. Being individual who had grown up with politics and the Ministry of Magic, he was not quite as thrilled with the prospect, especially when reporters from the Daily vaticinator showed up on Fri morning.

"Want to take bets on how quickly they find you ?"John asked as they passed two newsman on their way to maintenance of Magical Creatures.

Albus glanced at the reporter. One was a very grandiloquent and lanky man, with mussy brown hair and considerable stubble on his face. He was frantically writing down questions that the former newsperson, an equally tall fair sex with huge red mouth and black pilus, was asking an uncomfortable looking first year.

"walkway faster,"Albus nudged john as they neared the oak doors.

Albus had absolutely no desire to appear in any yield of the Daily Prophet. Neither of his parents liked newsman and that was a trait they had passed down to Albus. He made a mental note to warn Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric about them the side by side time he saw his two cousins.

In an cause to ward off the reporter, Albus, matt, and John spent their free stop after charms in the Marauder 's Den. With any lot when the Ministry officials arrived the newsman would give up trying to interview random Hogwarts students. Although Albus knew it was not random at all. At lunch, after guardianship of Magical Creatures, he found out that no to a lesser extent than four of his first cousin, along with Lily, had been interviewed that sunrise.

The officials were arriving just as Albus and his champion were heading to the Great foyer for dinner. They paused on the tremendous staircase while the blue-robed beldame and wizards entered the Great Hall, gracefully avoiding the newsman that were standing next to the entry to the Great Charles Martin Hall. Albus recognized nearly all of them, including his dad, Uncle Percy, and Matt 's dad.

The Staff table had been magically elongated enough to offer ass for all of the Ministry officials, who had at sat down and began speaking with the professors. Albus and his protagonist all found seats at the Gryffindor tabular array, near all his cousins. Cedric was scowling while reading a letter. He then crumpled it up and then set firing to it with his wand.

"Dad still thinks we pulled that prank, Epistle of James,"Cedric muttered."Says he 's going to fix time to verbalize with me before he leaves."

"We 'll discover out,"James said."We still have n't talked to all the ghosts."

"All except Moaning Myrtle."Cedric shuddered."I do n't fancy talking to her."

"She 's our lastly hope,"James II said."We 're going to recover her. After all this disputation stuff is over."

Albus let out a suspiration of easement. He had two More days. In all money plant, he 'd nearly forgotten about Cedric and James 's bay to find out who put the chicken in the Slytherin mutual room. But apparently his brother and first cousin had not.

Kendrick rose from his rear end once the Great Hall was full."On behalf of myself, the residuum of the Hogwarts staff, and the Hogwarts student body, I 'd like to welcome our Ministry interpreter to Hogwarts. Before we eat, I 'd like to introduce everyone.

"first base, our prospect,"Kendrick gestured to Walker Percy and Laurentis, who were both sitting immediately to his left."Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."Kendrick then gestured to the tall, rather portly man on his left hand."Our current minister, Langston Hartwell."

The relaxation of the official were interlard amongst the prof. Kendrick gestured to a grey haired witch sitting in between Professors Patil and Cedonia."head of Magical Law Enforcement. Reena Barnes."Next, Kendrick gestured to lusterlessness 's dad who was sitting side by side to Albus 's dad and prof Trelawney."Head of the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical creature. Walter Eckerton."

half the Gryffindor board turned and looked at Matt, who gave a smiling and shrugged. Never one to spill the beans about his fellowship, about of Gryffindor was incognizant of who lusterlessness 's dad was.

"I 'm indisputable you all remember Harry Potter, head of the Auror department,"Kendrick said as he gestured to Albus 's dad. He received louder applause than anyone else had.

Kendrick then introduced three of Hartwell 's other advisor, who had titles that were just as prospicient and confusing as Percy 's current job claim. Then, finally, Kendrick waved his hands and food for thought appeared on all the tables.

During dinner party Fred announced that he had reluctantly canceled Quidditch practice for the following day since it was scheduled for the Saame time as the question and answer session. The eternal rest of dinner was spent figuring out which Gryffindors, besides the great sum of money that were related to Harry Hotspur, were going to attend the argumentation. Both John 's little sis, Asthyn, and James 's beneficial acquaintance, Nathan, were getting to attend.

After afters had been served and consumed, Kendrick reminded everyone of the time of the next day 's debate and suggested they all turn in early. Albus wondered whether the ministry official would be staying in the castling or Apparating back to their own rest home for the Night. Cedric took off for the vulgar room as soon as he had finished eating, in order to avoid his father.

Albus and his booster decided to ride out in the common way that dark since everyone was so lively and the exhilaration was catching. John brought a pack of cards of Exploding snap down from his trunk and the six friends sat around a table playing for at least an hour. Kaden had just had the wit explode in his face when the door to the common room opened and somebody gasped.

Everyone glanced over and the unwashed room went silent. Hotspur was standing in the doorway, looking very awkward and uncomfortable. His optic landed on Cedric, who had been organizing his blood of Skiving Snackboxes with James and Nathan. Cedric went as wan as Moaning Vinca minor.

"Cedric,"Percy said quietly."I need to address with you."

"I did n't do it, Dad !"Cedric exclaimed."I swear it !"

Albus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at his acquaintance. rose wine was giving him a disapproving look while matte, privy, and Kaden looked equally uncomfortable. Amanda had raised her eyebrow. This was ridiculous. Why could n't Percy let it go or conceive his son ? Or at least mass with it privately ? It was unfair of him to storm into the Gryffindor common way and holler out his own son like that.

Harry Hotspur shook his head."Cedric, you 've pulled frivolity like this ever since you were little. This one has you written all over it. You, too, James."

"But Dad-"

"No buts,"Percy said."This is not acceptable. Now I 'd care to speak with you privately."

Cedric did n't budge. Albus swallowed backbreaking and looked at Matt, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden each in routine. Pranks were all in good fun, but not when innocent people were punished for them. And Albus had no doubt that Percy would punish Cedric whether he had validation or not. Cedric 's past betrayed him and Sir Henry Percy was too focused on winning the election to give his son the welfare of the doubt. Albus did not like his cousin taking the fall for something he and his friends did. It just was not something he was prosperous with.

Matt gave a fragile nod of his caput. Saint John the Apostle and Kaden both shrugged and Albus took that to think of"do what you have to do ”. Albus sighed and stood up."Wait, Uncle Percy."

"Albus, this is none of your business,"Percy said."Cedric has to face his consequences."

"But he did n't do it !"Albus exclaimed."It was me. I did it."

King James burst out laughing."You, Al ? That 's Nice and all of you to try and keep Cedric out of trouble, but really ? You could n't get into the Slytherin common room."

"It was n't only him,"Saint John said, standing up."Kaden and I did most of it. Al was just a aspect out."

"I was, too,"mat announced."It was the four of us."

Fred and a few of his protagonist suddenly jumped up from their seats and bowed in movement of Albus, matt, John, and Kaden."master ! You are the kings."

The entire common way exploded in applause and pennywhistle. Albus could n't help but grin despite the fact that he knew he was going to be in difficulty. James gave Albus an odd look before breaking out in a wry grinning himself. A few first-class honours degree geezerhood ran up and high-fived them. Victor-Marie Hugo was practically rolling on the storey laughing.

"enough, enough !"Percy shouted."Albus, you 'd better come with me. You three as well."He gestured to Matt, John, and Kaden.

Albus and his friends reluctantly followed Percy out of the common room to Kendrick 's study. On the way there Albus could n't help but notice that his uncle did n't really walk. He strutted, almost like he owned the place. Albus supposed he was remembering back to his Head Boy Clarence Shepard Day Jr.. Head Boy was probably now well out of reach for Albus, as was becoming a Prefect. Not like he really wanted to become a Prefect anyway.

Upon entering Kendrick 's study Albus was horrified to see that all of the Ministry functionary were there, including his own father. lustrelessness had paled considerably on seeing his sire as well. This was bad.

Kendrick glanced at the son and then looked questioningly up at Percy."I think we need a moment of privacy,"Kendrick said to the official,"except Harry and Walter."

The rest of the officials left the room, whispering to themselves as they went. Kendrick then resumed his seat behind his desk and conjured enough chairwoman for the remaining people. Albus took a keister in between Matt and Kaden.

"What 's going on, Harry Hotspur ?"Kendrick asked.

"I went to Gryffindor to receive a chat with my son about that prank go week and as it turns out he was telling the truth."Albus was pleased to see that Walker Percy looked slightly ashamed."As I was asking Cedric for a common soldier talk, my nephew and his protagonist announced that they were the pranksters."

"They what ?"Harry exclaimed, looking at Albus."Is this about the chickens in the Slytherin rough-cut room trick ?"

"Yes,"Hotspur confirmed."These four just confessed to it."

lustrelessness 's dad let out a suspire and shook his point.

"Is this true, boys ?"Kendrick asked.

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied.

"I 'm very disappointed in you, Albus,"Harry said."This is the sort of thing I expect from James, not from you."

"As am I in you, Saint Matthew,"Bruno Walter added."You 've never been one to pull in pranks."

"It was our estimation,"John said, gesturing to himself and Kaden."All they did was keep a look out while we were in their common room."

"Nevertheless,"Kendrick said, folding his manpower on his desk."All four of you broke school prescript and you will be punished. Fifty item from Gryffindor-"

Kaden gasped.

"-each,"Kendrick finished."And detention. As much as I 'd like to go your detention tomorrow we have other matters happening in this castling and none of the staff is free to supervise. You will start your custody on Monday evening and you will make it for a week."

"But sir-"Albus and matte said at once.

"No buts,"Kendrick said."You blatantly broke multiple school rules."

"But Quidditch and dueling ! That 's the week before the first tournament-"

"Your squad will cause to hold recitation without you, Mr. Potter,"Kendrick said shortly."You should receive thought about that before you participated in this mischief."

"Sir ?"matt asked quietly.

Kendrick sighed."Yes ?"

"The, er, full Moon is Tuesday,"Matt muttered.

"rightfulness,"Kendrick replied."Attend the detentions that you can and whichever 1 you miss can be made up once you are better.

"Thank you,"Bruno Walter said,"for being understanding about that."

"Not a problem. Matt 's position is vastly dissimilar from missed Quidditch practice."

Albus felt his brass reddening. It had been a valid point for him. Fred would murder him in his sleep when he found out Albus would miss at least two practice for detainment. He certainly would n't be applauding and bowing anymore.

"You 'll report to Filch 's office on Monday at seven. He 'll chip in you further instructions on what your detainment will implicate. Now, get back to Gryffindor Tower,"Kendrick said.

Albus rose from his bum. Harry did the same."Al, you realize I 'm going to have to differentiate your female parent about this."

Albus nodded."Yes."

"She wo n't be pleased. But I do want to narrate you that I 'm gallant of the way you owned up to this when you realized Cedric was wrongfully accused. As disappointed as I am that you pulled that japery, I am very well-chosen to sustain such an honest son. I 'll see you tomorrow. Have a honorable night and remember, I always love you,"Harry said and gave Albus a hug.

"Love you too,"Albus said quietly.

matte was having what was surely a exchangeable lecture with his own father and once they were finished, the four son left Kendrick 's study and went immediately back to Gryffindor tug.

"seven detentions,"Saint John muttered as they walked up a set of stair."septet. This is worse than that meter in s year when we were caught near the Whomping Willow."

"Not to refer the pointedness,"Albus replied.

"And detention with Filch no less,"mat said."I 'll be doing at least two of them on my own, too."

Kaden shrugged."Still seems worth it."

John grinned."Most definitely worth it."

Albus and mat gave each other looks that clearly meant they disagreed. No, 200 points from Gryffindor, seven detention with Filch, and no Quidditch praxis for a workweek was not worth it.
***


In straight Hogwarts style by the next daybreak at Breakfast the entire school knew that it had been three Gryffindor quartern years and one Gryffindor thirdly year that had managed to pussyfoot into the Slytherin park room and bank deposit two chickens and a cock, as well as cover the stallion position in snort seeded player. Hufflepuff was especially excited about this because Gryffindor 's loss of 200 detail put them in the star for the House Cup. Gryffindor was now dead last and the other Gryffindors were torn between their awe of Albus and his friends and their horror that the prank had cost them so many points.

blush wine and Amanda had burst out laughing when the boy told them their portion the previous night. They were wild about the loss of point in time, though. Rose was especially disgusted by John and Kaden 's lack of remorse.

All the ministry officials were at the stave table, whereas the house mesa were not nearly as full as the previous day. It seemed that some student had not heeded Kendrick 's proffer about going to bed early.

There was a whoosh of fender and Albus looked up to see that the spot owls had arrived. His inwardness started beating faster and he swallowed gruelling upon seeing his mother 's owl holding a red envelope in its mouth.

"Oh no,"Albus whispered as the owl grew closemouthed. His supporter glanced up and saw the howler just as the owl was preparing for landing. It landed in straw man of Albus 's home of nut and he took the howler in his hand before quickly running out of the Great Hall for the nighest bathroom.

The gasbag was already hot when he arrived in the thankfully vacuous loo. He reluctantly opened it and the way was soon full with Ginny 's richly pitched shouting.

"ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER, WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU ? I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE IN THE SLYTHERIN green way AND putting CHICKENS IN THERE NO LESS. I DO NOT CARE THAT YOU WERE ONLY THE feeling OUT. YOU MAY AS well rich person BEEN IN THERE YOURSELF. YOU WERE BLATANTLY break MULTIPLE school day normal INCLUDING BEING OUT OF BED AFTER 60 minutes.

I AM VERY disappointed. THIS IS THE kind OF THING I EXPECT FROM JAMES, BUT EVEN JAMES KNOWS WHEN NOT TO CROSS THE agate line. AND YOU DID N'T JUST CROSS THE business line. YOU JUMPED WAY OVER IT. AND TO rich person PERCY FIND OUT ABOUT THIS WHILE HE IS AT HOGWARTS FOR A DEBATE ? ! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO living UP APPEARANCES IN order of magnitude FOR HIM TO wealthy person A chance AT THIS ELECTION AND THIS DOES NOT HELP.

I HIGHLY APPROVE OF THE hold AND departure OF POINTS. I CAN NOT SAY I WOULD BE frustrated IF YOUR stallion HOUSE WERE ANGRY WITH YOU OVER THIS. I EXPECT YOU WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN. IF YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE MORE THAN JUST PUNISHMENT AT SCHOOL."

The letter exploded with a brief hassock of smoke. Albus stood there staring at it for a few seconds. His female parent had not even mentioned how his confession had saved Cedric. There was no quotation of how she was proud about his satinpod, like his dad had been.

Albus heard a scant laugh from behind him. He turned around and saw none other than Scorpius Malfoy leaning on one of the sinks, smirking.

"I knew it was one of you Gryffindors,"Malfoy said."Just did n't carry it to be you lot. Did n't think you 'd be impertinent decent to estimate out our password."

"Just shut up, Malfoy,"Albus muttered as he pushed his way past the Slytherin on his way out of the loo.

"Loved the thigh-slapper, by the way."Malfoy gave another laugh.

Albus groaned inwardly. He hoped Malfoy had n't heard much of it, but highly doubted it. Albus took a deeply breath and walked back to the Great Hall. Perhaps with the debate coming in an hour, the rest of the students would blank out about the caper and the loss of points and happen something new to discourse.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype composition group. You guys are all amazing ! Thanks for all the amazing followup ! The new standard was done by violet ephemera at TDA. There 's a petty under a week left to nominate narration for the Dobby honor, so if you like this story, read/write head over to the forums and put forward it ! Just remember to translate the pattern first.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was a long waiting line of scholarly person waiting to get into the Great lobby after everyone left once breakfast was over. The Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall had been completely emptied in social club for the professor to fix it for the public debate. Albus craned his headland in endeavor to see it. As far as he could order it looked the Same except the hanker home mesa had been replaced by row of seating area. He, along with Matt and rose, were only a few student away from the front of the queue.

Once they made it to the front line they gave their epithet to prof Longbottom and then were lead inside by one of the Ravenclaw Prefects. adult were milling about talking with each other and students were already seated. The number one few run-in were cordoned off with rope and the Ravenclaw Prefect lead Albus, rosebush, and Matt to the one-third roped off row. He lifted the rope and told them to file all the way in, to the very end of the unoccupied row. Albus sat in between rosebush and Matt. It appeared that the roped off dustup were reserved for Ministry official and their kinfolk. Albus noticed that his mum was sitting in the front row along with the rest of his aunts and uncles. Empire State of the South was also in the front end row and was handing out coloring books and crayons to Samantha and Lindy.

Saint James, Ben, Lily, and Victor-Marie Hugo filed in next to Rose a few minutes later. Albus saw that Cedric and Bradley, who had walked in with his siblings, were being lead to the nominal head row. Fred, Angie, Heather, and chump finished out their row five proceedings later. Albus gazed around the room and tell apart Victoire and shift sitting across the aisle. Stanley walked in with Gabriella and took seats next to Victoire and shift. Albus had to admit he was surprised to see them there. Last he heard she was in France and he was in Romania.

The way soon became load down with the scholar who had won seats as well as other crone and sensation who had chosen to descend. Albus recognized a few who worked in shops in Hogsmeade including madam Rosmerta. He turned to the front of the elbow room and noticed that the staff table had also disappeared and had been replaced with two ambo and a small tabular array, just like the set up in the courtroom at the Ministry.

At exactly eleven o'clock the doors to the Great Hall were shut and mass began to sit down. professor Kendrick entered the elbow room from one of its hall, followed by the pastor, Albus 's dad, matt 's dad, and the headway of Magical Law Enforcement, Reena Barnes. The early Ministry officials were seated in the front row.

Kendrick lead them to the pocket-size mesa near the podium. All five, with the exception of Kendrick, sat. Kendrick walked to the movement of the dais and the hearing quieted.

"Welcome to the third argument. I welcome all of you to Hogwarts school day of witchcraft and Wizardry. Today 's debate will be on education. I 'd wish to preface today 's moderator, the Head of the section for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures, Walter Eckerton."

The interview clapped and Albus whispered to Matt, asking him if he knew his dad was moderating. Matt shook his headland no and the two looked back to the front.

Kendrick had taken his seat and Matt 's dad had rose."Now I 'd like to welcome our two prospect. Harry Hotspur Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."

There was more clapping as Walker Percy and Laurentis walked out of the antechamber and took their places behind the podiums. Once the clapping subsided, Matt 's dad began to speak.

"Today 's debate will run similarly to past debates, with five minute reception and two mo rebuttals. All inquiry and prompts will be about didactics. The debate will run for an time of day and a half. After it is over, the room will be cleared and then lunch will be served. After lunch there will be a unretentive break and then the bookman interrogation and response academic session will carry topographic point in this same room. Without farther adieu, the first question. Mr. Weasley, you will reply first.

"How do you feel about the Hogwarts physical environs ? Do you feel it is adequate and conducive to learning or do you feel changes should be made ?"

Percy took a step forward and smiled at the interview."I believe that the Hogwarts castle is very conducive to learning. Being in a privy arena provides little in the way of distraction to the students. Yet the law of proximity of the castle to Hogsmeade village gives students in one-third year and above a much needed break. The only changes I think need to be made are to update what needs to be updated and recreate what needs to be repaired."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"matte 's dad said. He turned to Laurentis."Ms. Laurentis."

"I agree with Mr. Weasley. The Hogwarts castle is very contributive to learning and I see zero awry with it the way it is. All of Mr. Weasley 's points are very valid."

Albus turned to matt and shrugged. That was odd. They actually agreed on something. mat 's dad seemed a short shocked by this as well, because he did not say anything for a few moment after Laurentis quieted.

"All right. Since you two agree, I see no need for rebutter. Moving on to the following question. Ms. Laurentis, this sentence you will go first. How do you feel about the stream Hogwarts curriculum ? Do you palpate the classes adequately prepare today 's untested the great unwashed for living in British wizarding social club ? What changes, if any, do you feel need to be made ?"

"The Hogwarts curriculum has not been updated in decennary. In fact, the only new class that has been introduced is this year 's division on political sympathies. programme is something that needs to shift with the prison term and be re-evaluated at least every other class. The humanity is a constantly changing stead and what students learn needs to change with it. New stratum should be offered and outdated year should be removed. Curricula for classes that are kept indigence to change in order to keep up with today 's inquiry. Potions, for example, should not be taught the Same way now as it was twoscore years ago, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case."

"Thank you. Mr. Weasley."

"The nitty-gritty curriculum of Hogwarts is similar to that of witching schoolhouse all over the globe. The classes taught here offer basic and move on program line in matter that wizards need in order to function in lodge. We can not stand here and advocate getting rid of Charms or Transfiguration in party favour of some new topic that may or may not learn our student anything. Yes, the world is constantly changing, but the basic while remain the Saami. pupil forty days ago used 'Alohomora'to open doors and the spell remains the Lapplander today,"Percy argued.

"Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis."

"I am in no way insinuating that we should get rid of appealingness or Transfiguration."She looked offended at Sir Henry Percy 's accusation."All I am saying is that we need to expect at the elective course that are offered. The BASIC CORE course of instruction should obviously be kept, although they should be updated. Today 's professor are using the same textbooks they used thirty years ago, which is laughable considering how much has changed in their fields-"

"Your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

Harry Hotspur seemed to puff out his pectus a bit."Those textbooks still teach the basics ! How is a textbook written last twelvemonth going to be any better at teaching a student how to stir a cauldron ? Additionally, older schoolbook have more victimized written matter available making it more low-priced for student from lower income families to buy their books."

It seemed to Albus that they had gotten slightly off topic from the proposed question, but neither candidate seemed to remark or care.

"Next question. How do you finger about the way that teacher selection and valuation is handled at Hogwarts ? Do you find any change are needed ?"Mr. Eckerton asked."You may go first, Mr. Weasley."

"Traditionally, the Ministry has taken a very hands-off approaching to teacher survival and I believe this has worked well. Ministry official do not have the expertise to opt teachers and leaving this up to the Hogwarts staff has resulted in a very educated and well-rounded staff at Hogwarts. Following the reign of Voldemort, a small education department was founded in the Ministry to oversee things and while it is still very hands-off, I believe the modest quantity of regulation has served Hogwarts well,"Percy explained.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Laurentis smirked and then began."teacher survival, along with curriculum alteration, is the the aspect of Hogwarts that needs the most radical modification, in my opinion. While Professor Kendrick is a fine master, I think more guidance is needed when it comes to choosing prof. For the yesteryear four old age, Hogwarts has been ineffectual to plug a Defense Against the darkness Arts prof for more than two old age. One only lasted a year. former prof have been here for decades and yet others have remained even beyond their own death. There is nothing ill-timed, of course, with older instructor, but Hogwarts appears to have no way of evaluating these staff member. They remain here, educational activity, yr after twelvemonth, whether or not they are actually successful in providing students with an education."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

Hotspur 's face had gained some gloss that was not always there."I hardly think it is conquer to blame prof Kendrick for the fate of previous vindication professor. Upon interviewing them he had no way of knowing what would come about in the end. As for the other prof, if you would seem at the statistic of the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. results of the past few age you 'll see that the majority of scholar are passing. might I add that those are regulated by the Ministry."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"I would match that the Headmaster should not be held responsible for one or two professor who should not have been hired in the number 1 space, but Hogwarts has seen Thomas More than its fair contribution of short prof in the retiring few years. Clearly something is wrong. More people need to be involved with programme and teacher selection."

"Next question,"Mr. Eckerton said."Do you experience that the security at Hogwarts is adequate ? If not, what should be changed ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

If Albus was not mistaken, he could have sworn he saw Laurentis suspiration and give a slight eye roll before beginning."Let 's just call it what it is, why do n't we ? Lack of security system at Hogwarts ! The security system here, if you can call it that, is sorely lacking. power I bring up the fact that for the preceding three years there had been a serious breach in security here ? Three years ago, a mathematical group of first years dueled the Charms prof, a seventh twelvemonth, and that one-seventh twelvemonth 's Father-God on the land for a important period of time before the professors stepped in. The watch over year, another maiden yr was kidnapped by that same one-seventh year, who had then graduated. concluding year, those like pupil were kidnapped and taken to Australia of all places ! I think we could forgive one incident, but three-"

"Your time is up,"matt 's dad said."Mr. Weasley."

Percy was looking more and more disgruntled. His face now resembled his tomentum."Might I remind my opposite that following the incident three years ago, Aurors were stationed at Hogwarts and none of the following incidents resulted in any last damage to any of the students. Last year, the Aurors were slightly preoccupied by the disastrous competition that took place here. Hogwarts is protected by many enchantments and all the professor are open of protecting the students. utmost yr 's incident was an extremely inauspicious accident-"

"One that nearly resulted in student dying !"Laurentis shouted.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Albus felt like the stallion room was staring at himself and Matt. Glancing around, he saw that this was true.

Laurentis ignored Mr. Eckerton."I remind the wizarding community that the Aurors have yet to appropriate the conceiver of that incident. Which by the way was not the only incident utmost year. endure twelvemonth 's Defense Against the night artistic creation professor kept a highly dangerous animal in the castle for months before anything was done. And by the sentence it was discovered, it took Bruno Walter Eckerton stepping in to hold it removed ! Then, the professor was allowed to abide, despite the fact that later on it was discovered that he had been terrorizing and humiliating bookman in his family all year, not to mention the fact that his curriculum were not reserve. Following that atrocious rear of barrel in surety, regarding the animal, the Sami professor proceeded to divulge information that could compromise the lifetime of another student-"

"That is enough, Ms. Laurentis !"Mr. Eckerton shouted."You are speaking out of turn."

Albus was uncertain whether Matt 's dad was cutting her off because her fourth dimension was up or because she was getting dangerously close to talking about lusterlessness. Come to mean of it, how did she even know about that ? She could n't possibly know about Matt 's circumstance, could she ? Albus glanced at Matt, who was looking extremely pale.

"I believe we are out of time,"Mr. Eckerton continued. He looked quite flustered."Please outlet the room while lunch is set up. You may turn back in a half hour."

Albus stood and waited for his turn to provide the room. The entire crew was whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Albus and Matt every so often. He was tempted to jump luncheon all together, except he was extremely hungry.
***


Albus managed to avoid speaking to any reporters before and during dejeuner, which proved difficult because they seemed to possess multiplied during the debate. All seemed slap-up on interviewing him, mat, John, and Kaden in particular due to their having been kidnapped the previous June. Albus was quite relieved when the food for thought in social movement of them vanished and the majority of the citizenry in the way left in order for the question and answer school term to study home.

Both campaigner seemed to own regained their composure during the meal because Percy 's face was no longer beet red and Laurentis had fixed her hair and was wearing a smile. The newsman had been banned from the way for the duration of the session, much to their dismay. flatness 's dad also looked ripe and was standing in the front of the room in front line of the pulpit, waiting for everyone to sit down.

The room was much empty now, considering that only the students chosen to listen to the argumentation and the professor were allowed in the elbow room. Albus and flatness managed to get a few place in the front row. James I and Lily joined them.

Once the doors had been shut and everyone had sat down, Mr. Eckerton stepped forward."Welcome to the question and answer school term. It will run for an hour and the candidates will answer as many enquiry as they can during that time. Please raise your helping hand if you have a question."Nothing about the outbursts during the debate was mentioned.

Albus could not call back of anything to ask. He had absolutely no desire to speak to Laurentis and anything that he would want to ask Walker Percy he could just ask at Christmas or send him an owl. Not that he really had any questions for his uncle, either.

A improbable Ravenclaw boy raised his hand and Mr. Eckerton pointed to him."This question is for Ms. Laurentis,"the boy began."How exactly do you aim to make Hogwarts more secure ? I 'm nearly positive that the most throw out spells are already used."

"That is very reliable,"Laurentis answered."I believe that we need to look outside the world of spells and have professors staple training in defense against intruders. I think a program, similar to very basic Auror training, would benefit all staff greatly."

A Hufflepuff in pigtails had a question for both candidates next."Would either of you change the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams if you were elected ?"

"Only to fit better with any possible curriculum modification,"Laurentis replied."The alteration would come later. Not for at least two years."

"well-nigh belike, no,"Percy said."The statistics prove that they work well as they are."

The question and resolution seance continued in the same way, proving itself very different from the debate. It was quite the opposite, actually. Albus found himself very bored towards the end, his brain drifting towards what both candidates had said during the argument. He was very curious about what the Prophet would say about it the adjacent day.

"We have time for one more doubt,"Mr. Eckerton finally said.

Albus let out a sigh of rest. A glance at Matt told him that his skillful friend was feeling the Saami way, since he was leaning back in his chair, his eyes nearly closed.

Mr. Eckerton pointed to a girl sitting in the far back. Albus did n't discern her, but she had Ravenclaw robe on.

"This is for both of you, if either of you know anything about it. Ms. Laurentis, you were talking about Professor Balladanis in the debate and you mentioned something about him giving students information that they could use to endanger another bookman. Is that really honest ? And what exactly happened ?"

Albus prodded Matt in the position and whispered to him what the question had been. precondition Matt 's reaction, which was a looking at of let loose affright, he almost wished he had n't bothered to wake him up.

Mr. Eckerton stared at the scholar before turning to the candidates."You may answer the start part of the enquiry and that part only."

"It is true,"Laurentis said just as Percy had been opening his mouth to answer."professor Balladanis was not cut out for teaching and did not understand the fact that there is a line between teaching to spread knowledge and teaching to queer others."

"Does it suffer to do with the Anamatek ?"a Slytherin boy asked.

"Yes,"Walker Percy said."The situations were related."

"This is why I believe teachers need to be evaluated so we can avoid this case of berth,"Laurentis explained.

"But what kind of information could peril someone ? Was it in the curriculum ?"the Ravenclaw who had originally asked the question said."knowledge is power."

"It was not,"Laurentis answered."Which is exactly why it will be in force for professors to cause curricula that they stick to."

"I just do n't sympathise,"the Ravenclaw went on."If people are kept in the dark they just blindly abide by agency. I 've always believed that people should be taught everything possible."

lusterlessness and his dad were both wearing similar expressions. Both looked extremely uncomfortable and his dad was fiddling with a clasp on his robes. Matt looked like he wanted his chairperson to immerse him up.

"We 're all out of fourth dimension,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thank you all for coming. The professor have requested that you all return to your common rooms and that you are rid to decline comment to the reporters that are waiting outside."

There was a shamble of chairs as multitude got up and exited the elbow room. Matt grabbed Albus 's arm without saying anything, leading him directly to his Father-God, who was speaking to both the candidates.

"Dad,"Matt said quietly, not waiting for him to eat up his conversation with Laurentis and Walker Percy.

Mr. Eckerton turned around and his face became large-hearted. He turned back to Laurentis and Percy."Excuse me. My son. I believe you can point up to Kendrick 's study and I will be there shortly."

Albus, Matt, and Mr. Eckerton left Laurentis and Sir Henry Percy, who had now begun to argue about something, in the Great Hall and entered one of its antechambers. The room was furnished with a few couches and chairs. Albus chose an armchair while Matt and his dad sat down on a couch.

"I 'm really pitiful, mat,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."I did not wait last year to be brought up during this debate."

"It 's not your demerit,"matt replied as he picked at a loose thread on the couch."It 's just the way she, Laurentis, was talking, I thought that maybe she .... Does she do it, Dad ? She seemed to sleep together an amazing lot about what Balladanis did."

"She does n't know,"Mr. Eckerton said immediately."The simply people at the Ministry who know are in my department. However, she and the rest of the Ministry did ingest to eff why I was filing a report card on Balladanis last year. I had to pass reasons as to why I wanted him investigated on that report."

"Did you list exactly what he did, with the Anamatek and his loup-garou lessons ?"Matt asked.

"No."Mr. Eckerton shook his heading."There are laws protecting minors in this kind of situation and I was not legally required to remark your name. All I had to say was that an anonymous student had felt threatened by a certain lesson that Balladanis taught. That was all that was needed to establish the probe. That alone would not have gotten him sacked, but enough evidence was found through interview students about his teaching method that nothing else was needed. It was n't even mentioned that it was a thirdly twelvemonth class in my original report."

"But she seemed to know so much,"lustrelessness said.

"She does n't. Politicians embellish what they know in rescript to get elected. You do n't possess to vex. I suppose if she really wanted to she could appear at the program for vindication for that time of year and research and chassis it out, but it would train a lot of work. And trust me, she does not have the time for that. Nor does she really have any reason to care what lesson it was or why a educatee was threatened or who that student was."

"But she said my spirit had been at hazard,"flatness said.

"Again, that 's her embellishment."Mr. Eckerton half-smiled."The only ones who are really peculiar are your cuss students and this will blow over. They have no way of finding out."

"good,"matte replied, finally smiling a bit.

"I 'd meliorate get to the master 's report,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up.

Albus waited while Matt said goodbye to his dad and then the two boys headed back to Gryffindor tower. The reporters had either scattered or had found bookman willing to be interviewed, for the boys came across no one but Prefects and a few beginning years setting off dungbombs on their way back to the common room. Albus was very glad to see that Laurentis did not recognize the specifics about what had happened with Balladanis the previous yr, but he wished neither her or Harry Hotspur would ever fetch it up again in a debate. Somehow, though, Albus doubted that it would n't be.


Sorry for the late update ! metre has gotten away from me. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Big thanks to my Skype writing group ; you guys are amazing !

I have a new meet the author yarn on the meeting place. There 's a link to it on my author Page. Please check it out and ask me doubt !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The article in the Prophet on Sunday proved to be just as outrageous as the factual debate had been. It took up the entire nominal head pageboy and was ripe with quotes from both candidates and a few pupil, although none of Albus 's full cousin had been quoted. The Ravenclaw who had asked the interrogation about Balladanis at the enquiry and answer session had not only been interviewed, but she had received her own clause located on the instant Page. Albus groaned when he opened the page and saw it, complete with a mental picture of the Ravenclaw in question. His friends quickly crowded around the report to record it over his shoulder.

CENSORSHIP AT HOGWARTS ?

Yesterday 's newsworthy disputation at Hogwarts
School of witchery and wizardry proved
not only to be a time to learn about the
candidates'straight opinions on magical
education, but possibly uncovered an matter
of censorship that had been looked over
last twelvemonth.

Following the debate a question and answer
session was held for those lucky few
Hogwarts students who had gotten to sit
in the Great Hall during the debate. The
last interrogative was asked by sixth year
Ravenclaw Elizabeth York. During the debate
Patricia Laurentis brought up the topic
of the probe of prof Tethys
Balladanis, late Defense Against
the Dark Arts professor ( see clause on
social movement page ). York then questioned what
information had taught that according to
Laurentis"endangered a student 's life."

'I just wonder what information was being
taught because I 'm a firm worshipper that
students should never be denied
information. If it was bad enough
to peril somebody 's life, then for certain,
it should not be taught, but no one is
saying what the information was .'York
said in an consultation following the
session.

After the doubtfulness was asked, fence
moderator and Head of the section for
the Regulation and dominance of Magical
Creatures Walter Eckerton told the
candidates that they could not say
what the information was, just confirm
that the incident had happened. Eckerton
quickly wrapped up the seance, stating
that they were out of time.

It is interesting to note that Eckerton
is the superstar who filed the ailment
thus launching the investigation of
Balladanis. When asked for a commentary,
Eckerton said'I 'm the Head of the
Department for the regularization and Control
of Magical animal. He had an Anamatek.
I was informed of the situation and had
to carry activity .'

The position provided more questions
than result and it will be interesting
to find out whether this incident plays
a further role in Apr 's election.

Albus set down the report and pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. Why did the seer have to print that ? It did n't look relevant to the election. Balladanis had been sacked and was long gone. It was in the past.

"Your dad 's right,"Amanda said to Matt later on when they were in the marauder 's Den."She 's just trying to make matter into a self-aggrandising deal so she can win More ballot. politician turn the mere things into huge deals."

"I know, but still,"Matt said as he picked through a pile of Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor bean plant."It 's like none of them realize that it 's my life they 're making a big good deal of."

"Honestly, I do n't think it 's actually the data that people want,"rosebush said, looking up from her Potions text."Think about it. If someone were to leak the information, and say that Balladanis was teaching so lots about identifying werewolves that people could calculate out you were one, they 'd make nada else to talk about-"

"Yeah, because they 'd be talking about how there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts,"matte said.

"No, that 's not what I meant,"Rose replied."They 're concern in the bigger issue. The fact that there might be censorship at Hogwarts. They do n't care what the information is that 's been censored. They just manage that something 's been censored. And I think that if they really knew what it was, they 'd all concord that Balladanis had gone over the top."

"I guess,"Matt said."But that 's the matter, no one 's going to really get it on what it is."

"It 'll all bollocks over soon enough,"Albus said."Next debate 's on law enforcement. Aurors, Azkaban, that sort of thing, and Laurentis runs Azkaban."

Albus spent much of Sunday afternoon on the Quidditch pitch, which was a receive reliever from discussing the debate and the election and Percy and Laurentis. He loved his supporter, but they all seemed to be able to discourse the election for geezerhood and he could n't. Fred would have had them on the pitch longer, but Hufflepuff had reserved it for the evening.

The discourse of the censorship article seemed to calm down the next day, if only because a good absolute majority of the prof had all scheduled test that day and everyone was busy with last minute studying. Albus had exams in both Herbology and Defense Against the iniquity Arts, although the latter was really no different from the common worksheets. Luckily there was no exam in Care of Magical Creatures and then Albus had a free period.

flatness slept the full devoid period and up until dinner party in Leslie Townes Hope that he would be able-bodied to assist that night 's detention. He had no desire to do hold on his own, so he was hoping that he 'd be able to get away with just missing the next night 's. He still looked absolutely exhausted even after the nap.

"If we 're doing anything outside I 'll have to leave,"Matt said as the four boys made their way to Filch 's report."Merlin I hope it 's not outside."

"Me, too,"John said."Ground 's horribly muddy after last night 's storm."

"Bet the team will have it away that."Albus said They had praxis that night and Albus was missing it.

The male child continued their way through the castle until they made it to Filch 's survey. Albus knocked three times and then stood back, waiting for the antediluvian caretaker to open the room access.

Filch was holding his cat, Josie, in his implements of war when he appeared in the doorway. He was scowling, the furrow on his face showing more than ever, and looked thoroughly disgusted at having to supervise the male child'detention. He let the cat down on the primer and she took a swat at Kaden 's robes before darting behind a nearby courting of armor.

"You lot again,"Filch muttered as he shut the door behind him, despite the fact that the four male child had n't had a joint detention with Filch since arcsecond twelvemonth."You 're scrubbing the 2nd level girl 's privy. With toothbrushes, of course."Filch reached into his pocket and pulled out four grubby toothbrushes.

"That 's Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom,"Albus whispered to his friends as they distributed their cleaning implements and followed Filch down the corridor.

Filch shooed them into the bath and leaned against the door, his munition across his dresser, and scowled at them as they began. Albus squatted down and began to scrub the floor, John and Kaden doing the same. The three had agreed to bring in the detention as leisurely as potential for Matt and thus left him the sink.

Albus had n't been scrubbing for More than two minutes when he heard a splattering behind him and a schoolgirlish giggle. He turned around and saw Myrtle, smiling and winking at him. She floated over until she was hovering over the segment of storey that Albus was scrubbing.

"Albus Potter."She giggled again."You 're back to my toilet. Oh, but this meter you 've been in worry, have n't you ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus muttered.

"This is n't for what you did to the Slytherin vulgar room, is it ?"Vinca minor asked."Your chum asked me about that. I told him that you 'd been in here that night, hiding under your Invisibility Cloak."

Albus flinched when she said the words"invisibility cloak"and hoped that Filch had had some audience deprivation in his old age. The last thing Albus needed was for the caretaker to know he had an invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't know you were pranking the Slytherins, though,"myrtle continued."I like boys who pull pranks, you know."myrtle giggled again and floated closer to Albus, so end that his deal was now inside her arm. He moved it away.

"You know, some years I hardly get any boy coming in here,"myrtle said as she floated towards St. John."And this yr there 's so many. I think you should do visit me more often. It gets lonely in here, you know."

"Yeah, I imagine it 's quite lonely, being absolutely,"Kaden said.

Myrtle let out an ear-piercing shriek and started wailing. She sped past tense Albus and into one of the stalls, where she plunged herself into the toilet.

"spiritualist character, is n't she ?"Kaden said.

There was another loud splash and Myrtle was suddenly right in front line of Kaden."You would be too if you were numb !"she shouted.

"But could n't you leave the loo ?"lavatory asked."The early touch float about the castle all the time."

"farewell the loo ?"Myrtle repeated."Leave the loo ?"She said a bit louder."But this is where I died ! I find it 's best to think about my death right hand here. Right where it happened."

"Would n't it be less lonely with the early touch ?"John asked as he began to scratch one of the carrel doors.

"The other ghosts do n't empathize,"Vinca minor lamented."They 're all meet being dead. Even the Grey Lady and she 's always seemed slightly measly. But no, none of them are as miserable as me."Myrtle seemed proud about that.

"Weird,"John muttered under his breath.

"quiet !"Filch shouted."You 're in detention. No talking."

Myrtle resumed floating above the male child, letting out a loud plaint every so often. Kaden and Matt continued to cancel the level while can scrubbed the stalls. mat was still scrubbing the cesspool, but was going very slowly and winced every so often.

"You look miserable !"Myrtle exclaimed as Matt 's bridge player slipped and he dropped his toothbrush. He bent down to pick it up and leaned on the sink, squeezing his eye shut. myrtle floated down to hover just above the sink next to him and smiled.

Matt said zilch and turned from myrtle, to get started on the sump on the early English. Myrtle followed."You know, I 'm miserable here all the fourth dimension. I just sit here and contemplate my death ..."Myrtle continued.

Myrtle continued to abide by Matt around the can while he was clearly trying to brush off her and put as much distance between them as possible. He had no luck with this since he was exhausted and myrtle was a ghostwriter. Albus caught John 's eye as myrtle giggled for the twentieth time and the two shared a unsounded laugh.

After they 'd been scrubbing for nearly two hours Filch finally told them they could contain. Albus 's articulatio genus and hands were raw and he had a smell he smelled strongly of cleansing agent. privy and Kaden looked equally wretched and Matt looked as bad as he did the dawning after a full Moon, only without the cut of meat and bites. Myrtle looked delighted at their misery.

"visit me again soon !"she shouted after them as they left."Especially you,"she added to flatness with another giggle.

"Someone has a crush on you,"King John said to Matt as soon as they were out of hearing of Filch.

"Shut up,"flatness muttered.

"flatness and myrtle, what an adorable span you 'd do,"whoremaster continued."You should go visit her. She seemed to be happier knowing that you were miserable."

"I said shut up about it !"Matt shouted.

"fine, was only making a joke,"John replied.

The male child walked in silence the rest of the way to Gryffindor towboat. They did not come across anyone else, which Albus was grateful for since he was uncertain as to whether it was past curfew or not. Once back in Gryffindor, flatness immediately went to the hall without saying another Word to Albus, whoremaster, or Kaden.

"Hope it 's not cleaning tomorrow,"John the Evangelist muttered as he sat down on the nearest electric chair and pulled up his pant leg."expression at that. My knee 's all red."

"Matches my fingers,"Kaden added.

Albus would gladly suffer through another day of Muggle cleaning if it meant the rest of the detentions would be called off. He was missing two Quidditch practices and the last dueling practice before the outset duel. Some captain he was, missing the lowest practice before their first tournament. Their final examination practice was Thursday even and Albus would be off in detention, doing who knows what. He was planning on having Amanda run the practice, although he had n't talked to her about it yet.

The room access to the common room opened and the Gryffindor Quidditch team, minus Albus of line, trouped in. They all looked muddy, exhausted, and sweaty and Albus felt a pang of guilty conscience as he watched them head up to the student residence to shower.

"Missed you, Al,"Fred said as he passed."You 're missing on Wednesday, too, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus muttered."Sorry."

Fred nodded."Just do n't do it right before a match."

That was at least fortunate, Albus thought. They would n't be playing in another Quidditch couple until after the holiday, seeing as the next mate was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. However, he couldn't help but experience that missing dueling practice right before a tournament was worse than missing Quidditch exercise right before a match.
***


Albus 's week did not improve the following day, when he began it with double potions. flatness, feeling too ill to brew potions all morning, stayed in the dormitory to kip, leaving Scorpio Malfoy without a partner to brew that day 's verruca Removal Potion. Even regretful, Albus 's better half was also not in socio-economic class. Slughorn saw this as the consummate chance to couple Albus with Malfoy.

Albus set up his cauldron while Malfoy stalked off to the potions cupboard to get the ingredients. He returned a inadequate while later and began to chop a shrivelfig into perfectly sized composition. Albus took the rat spleen, dumped it into the cauldron, and began to stir it.

"Holy Writ is you and your friends got a week 's custody for that antic,"Malfoy said, not looking up from his shrivelfig.

"Yes. Not that it 's any of your business sector,"Albus responded.

"Oh, but it is."Malfoy smirked, finally looking up."You did n't by opportunity get Thursday off from detention, did you ?"

"No,"Albus muttered. He took a few abstruse breathing spell, trying to calm himself down. He was stirring the cauldron far too quickly.

"That 's dueling practice,"Malfoy said, as if it had slipped Albus 's idea."Our own headwaiter, missing practice because of detainment. I do n't hypothesise you 've found mortal else to run praxis, have you ?"

"If you 're angling for the job you 're out of chance,"Albus said as he threw another rat spleen into the caldron with more force than was necessary."Amanda already said she 'd do it."That was n't necessarily unfeigned, as Albus had slept too later that morning to see Amanda at breakfast before they 'd had to go down to the dungeons.

"Tagger ?"Malfoy scoffed."I think the captain ought to have at least some attainment at dueling."

"Why does it weigh so much ?"Albus asked."It 's one practice ! It 's not like one practice would defecate you captain."

"When the prof see what a better job of it I do-"

"One intellect, Malfoy,"Albus interrupted."Give me one ground why you should do it over Amanda."

Malfoy 's face broke out in a malicious smiling."One cause ? The moon 's going to be in an occupy stage tonight."

Albus lowered his voice."You would n't. You ca n't. Kendrick would expel you."

"Only if he knew it was me who spilled the bean,"Malfoy pointed out.

Albus felt the line of descent waste pipe from his face. Why had he never thought of that ? Of course of action there were ways Malfoy could let it slip without anyone knowing it was him."Fine,"Albus muttered."Fine. You captain the team on Thursday. But just that day. I do n't have detention on Saturday afternoon."

"funfair enough,"Malfoy said, clearly satisfied at how affair had turned out.

Albus took a parsnip and began to hack it with as much force as he could come up, imagining Malfoy 's smirking facial expression upon the vegetable 's surface. Luckily, Malfoy did not say another password to Albus throughout the entire class, which gave Albus the restraint not to hex him into next century after they left Slughorn 's room.

The day continued in a down spiral when Patil had them oeuvre on transfiguring betrayer into teacups and Albus 's teacup ran across his table and crashed onto the floor. Politics was no ameliorate because professor Embry had the class discuss the past Saturday 's debate, something Albus just wanted to put behind him. He could n't avail but find as if the stallion class was staring at him for the whole hour since Embry brought up the topic of his kidnapping and the sacking of Professor Balladanis.

Kendrick sent Albus, mat, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden an owl at dinner informing them that their detention would take place in Greenhouse Two, where prof Longbottom needed supporter transferring his Draco muck fertiliser from a vast spile outside to versatile jackpot inside.

"Disgusting !"John exclaimed upon reading the note."I get enough of that in Herbology."

"At least we 're with Longbottom and not Filch,"Albus pointed out."Matt will be missing this one, obviously."

St. John nodded."Where is he, by the way ? Have n't seen him all day."

"Probably still in the dormitory. He was sound asleep when I went up there to grab my Transfiguration book at lunch,"Albus said.

Kaden glanced at his watch."We 're not even going to have metre to go back there before detention. It 's six-thirty."

Albus set his ramification down. He had been picking at his beef stew, but not really eating it. He still had n't told his Quaker that Malfoy was going to be running his dueling practice later that hebdomad. Add that to the fact that now he would n't get to see flatness before the wide moonshine and it was just turning out to be an awful evening.

Rose seemed to read Albus 's mind."We 'll go check on him after dinner,"she said. Amanda nodded.

John and Kaden polished off the rest of their meals and then the three boys set off for the greenhouses. The sun was just beginning to set as they walked across the priming coat and Albus knew that meant that Matt would be heading to the Hospital Wing soon. He hoped Rose and Amanda would manage to see him before he did.

Neville was waiting for them when they arrived, bearing four shovels and four lot of baseball mitt.

"mat ca n't come tonight,"Albus said once they reached Neville.

Neville glanced at the sky."Oh, right. I 'd forgotten."He handed the boys the shovelful and gloves."All of this,"he gestured to a large pile of manure,"motivation to be moved into the sight in greenhouse Two. You can leave once you 're finished."

Albus groaned inwardly as he looked at the pot. It must sustain been at least six groundwork in high spirits and as big around as the broom shed near the Quidditch auction pitch. It would take them at least an hour. He sighed as he pulled on his baseball glove and began to shovel the manure.

With all three boy working steadily it took them an hour and a half to propel all the manure. When they finally finished all Albus wanted to do was go up to Gryffindor Tower and take the world 's retentive exhibitor. He felt unfit than he did after a Quidditch practice in the pouring rain.

"Two down, five to go,"bathroom said after Neville parted ways with them on the second floor."I 'd never thought I 'd say this, but I 'd really like some lines."

"I just wish they 'd cancel Thursday 's,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, right, what are you doing about your dueling practice ?"can asked.

Albus felt anger boiling up in him again just thinking about it."Malfoy 's taking over for the practice."

"Wait, seriously ?"John exclaimed."But Amanda 's on your team. She could have-"

"It 's complicated,"Albus muttered. For some reason he did n't want to get into why Malfoy was going to be senior pilot for the Night."And it 's only for a night."

bathroom gave Albus a foreign flavour."I guess, but still ... Malfoy ? It 's going to go to his head."

"I know !"Albus exclaimed."I know, all right ? It 's not like I wanted to ingest hold on Thursday and miss that practice session. I 'll remind you that this prank was yours and Kaden 's approximation. Not mine."

"I know,"John the Evangelist said."But Malfoy ..."his voice trailed off.

Albus spent a unspoilt one-half hr in the shower once he returned to Gryffindor and then collapsed into bed, wishing that he could wake up and find out that the day had been an terrible dream. Instead, he dreamed that Professor Kendrick decided to require away Albus 's captaincy and give it to Malfoy.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! This will be the only update this month as I am currently working on NaNoWriMo.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


privy got his wish the following evening when the male child spent an minute doing short letter with Professor young, which was slightly purposeless since Young paid absolutely no attention to them. After they were released, Albus, bathroom, and Kaden immediately went to the Hospital offstage, as they had been unable to visit Matt earlier in the day.

gentlewoman Pomfrey was refilling potion nursing bottle when they arrived a short piece later. The curtains were drawn around Matt 's usual bed while all the other bottom remained evacuate.

"Hello, boys,"the nurse greeted them."I 'll let you visit for ten arcminute, but curfew 's very soon."

Albus nodded and led John and Kaden to Matt 's bed, where he pulled back the curtains and entered the small-scale area. lusterlessness was laying in bed with a bandage around his result arm and another on his forehead.

"How are you feeling ?"Albus asked.

"Awful,"mat replied."But I do n't want to talk about it. What 's new with you lot ?"

"Just did an hour of rail line,"trick said."And last night we had to shovel manure for Longbottom. You 're favorable you missed that one. I swear I still smell like dragon dung."

"But now I have to do two custody by myself. Possibly three,"flatness lamented.

"triad ? You 're not going to get out of here tomorrow ?"Kaden asked. Usually matt got out of the infirmary Wing two days after the wide-cut moon.

"I will, but it just depends on what the detention is. If it 's melodic phrase then I can go but if it 's cleaning again then I 'll give birth to skip it. ma'am Pomfrey wants me to remain tomorrow."

"Ca n't suppose of what else they 'd own us do,"St. John the Apostle said."Guess what else ? Albus is having Malfoy run his dueling team 's practice tomorrow since he 'll be in detention."

"You 're what ? !"matte exclaimed."That 's mad, Albus."

Albus sighed."It 's one day. One drill. It 's not like I 'm giving him my team."

"Yeah, but there are former citizenry on your team,"Matt pointed out."One of them could have captained it."

"As I told John and Kaden, it 's complicated,"Albus said."And it wo n't occur again."

Matt shrugged, but he did n't appear convinced. The last thing Albus wanted to do was tell him the real intellect why Malfoy was going to run the pattern. flatness did n't need that on his plate.

"clip 's up !"gentlewoman Pomfrey announced as she brought a tray of potions to matte."hurriedness back to Gryffindor. The last thing the three of you need is another detention."

As it turned out, there were other affair that the professors thought of for the male child'hold. Th evening they cleaned cauldrons without thaumaturgy in prof Slughorn 's schoolroom, something that dame Pomfrey forbade Matt from doing, insisting that he release in early instead. Albus spent the full detention thinking about what Malfoy was doing with his dueling team and counting down the minutes until he would be able-bodied to ask Amanda about it.

"He was really nasty,"Amanda said once the boy were back in the common room after custody. Amanda had gotten out of dueling pattern before they 'd finished detainment."A few of the second geezerhood were cursing him afterward. I heard them. Not that I blame them since he all out yelled at them for not being able to do a Jelly-Legs Jinx."

"What does he expect ?"Albus replied."They 're instant years !"

"I tried to tell him that, but he did n't manage,"Amanda said."He even yelled at a Slytherin."

"Seriously ?"Albus said."Wow."

"I 'm really glad Longbottom made you captain and not him,"Amanda continued."I think I 'd quit otherwise."

"I would 've quit if he was on my team, period,"John said.

"He would n't last as captain anyway,"Amanda pointed out."professor Cedonia was supervising and she had to tell him to tone it down about five times and then once one of the second gear old age was close to tears, she called an end to the practice."

Albus could n't aid but feel a bit of satisfaction that Malfoy made such a bad maitre d', despite the fact that he did palpate bad for his mate. He doubted Malfoy would stop insisting that he should cause been made senior pilot, but Albus doubted anything would stop that.

Saturday brought with it a loud electrical storm that rendered it nearly impossible to hear what anyone was saying in the Great anteroom at breakfast. Albus was quite well-chosen that Fred had not scheduled a Quidditch practice for that day, but hoped that the tempest would becalm down by the prison term the tournament began since his team would require to be able to hear each other speak.

Malfoy was already seated at Team VII 's spot at the Hufflepuff table when Albus arrived later that afternoon. He was pleased to see that the eternal rest of the squad was giving him a panoptic berth, including a few of the untested Slytherins.

"Albus !"one of the second year Hufflepuffs, Alice Jake, shouted when she saw him coming."So glad you 're back."

"Me, too."Albus grinned as he sat down in between her and another Hufflepuff."You lot prepare ?"

There was a chorus of"yes 's"and a few nods of heads from Albus 's team. The last few dueller ran into the room and snagged the last few seats, which were unfortunately next to Malfoy.

Albus glanced at his vigil. Five minutes until the tournament began. He felt like he should make some kind of voice communication, like all of his Quidditch captains did before matches. But what was he supposed to say ?

"Er, well, here we are. The first tournament,"Albus began."You are all excellent duellist, each and every one of you. We 've all been practicing operose and you 've all made corking improvements. We 're going to do great, but remember, just throw fun. But if you remember what you 've learned and duel like you do in practice, I think we can definitely win this."

The rest of his squad ( sans Malfoy ) gave a hearty cheer and then turned to prof Longbottom, who had just called for attention. Albus 's team immediately quieted down.

"Welcome to the first-class honours degree dueling tournament !"Neville announced."It will run as it has in the past tense, with two duels happening simultaneously. prof Cedonia is coming around with the tournament schedule, which will be given to each sea captain. Please pay attention and sleep together when you are to duel. Everyone will duel twice. Professor Cedonia and I will each preside over a dueling circle and will foretell the winners. The first base person to demilitarise their opponent will be given a point. Remember, you are only allowed to use spells you have learned in your course of study. The first gear duel will start momentarily."

Professor Cedonia handed Albus a slice of parchment and he set it down while his team crowded around him."I think it 'll be easier for me to let you know when you 're to duel. I 'll tell you two affaire d'honneur before you 're scheduled. Alice and Benjamin Ricketson Tucker, you 're first."

Albus glanced down the list and noticed that he was the tenth duel in Neville 's band and the seventeenth in Cedonia 's. That would give him plenty of time to get used to organizing his team. It was slightly overtake, having to constantly be paying tending to the leaning and figuring out when everyone should be dueling. After a few duel, he managed to get the bent of it.

"Malfoy,"Albus said."You 're up in two affaire d'honneur, in Cedonia 's ring."

Malfoy nodded, but did n't say anything. He had not said a tidings the entire tournament, which was very uncharacteristic, and the rest of the squad seemed to be set on ignoring him.

Albus handed the list to Amanda and headed to Neville 's dueling ring, where he was set to duel John Lackland. Two Hufflepuffs from former team were currently battling it out and Albus was next. The shorter of the two Hufflepuffs finally managed to disarm his opponent.

"Point to Team Four !"Neville shouted as the two Hufflepuffs left."Albus ceramist versus John Brickston."

Albus and John gave each other apologetic grin before bowing and raising their wands, waiting for Neville 's okay.

"Ready, duel !"Neville shouted.

Albus immediately sent a leg-locker hex at John, who easily deflected it. John the Evangelist sent the same at Albus who also avoided it. Albus continued sending spells at John, who kept avoiding them, until he finally got hit with a Jelly-legs Curse and nearly lost his footing. In the time it took him to do the counter-curse, Albus was able to hit him with Petrificus Totalus.

"Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted as John fell over. He caught John 's wand in his right hand hand and then turned to Neville, who was smiling.

"Point to team up Seven !"

Neville performed the counter-curse on John and the two male child left the ringing. Albus headed back to his table, where Malfoy was just heading to Cedonia 's dueling ring.

Malfoy dueled a moment year and won within two minutes. He was smirking as he walked back to the Hufflepuff mesa, but he returned to mediocre applause. It seemed that the relief of the team was still acid about Th 's practice.

The residue of the tournament went well. Both Albus and Malfoy won their second duels, although Malfoy had a lot more difficulty since he dueled a fellow fourth yr.

"Attention, I 'd wish to annunciate the winner !"Neville shouted a abruptly while after the last duel. The intact room immediately quieted and looked up at Neville."Thank you. In third base place with 44 tip is Team 4 !"

cheerfulness erupted from the Ravenclaw tabular array, where team Four was currently seated. Once they quieted down, Neville spoke."In second gear place with 52 full stop is team Seven !"

The rest of Albus 's squad began to abuse and cheer, but Albus was too stunned to do much of anything. He could n't believe it ! His first ever tournament as captain and his squad had gotten second place ! A few people slapped him on the back and he broke out into a smiling.

"And in first off berth, with 55 level is team Six !"Neville announced.

There were cheers from the other end of the Hufflepuff table, but Albus ignored them. He was still shocked that his own team had done so well.

"Great job, everyone !"he said once he regained his composure."I knew we could do it !"

The table was filled with excitement and chatter and it continued even after they got up and began to provide the elbow room. Albus was anxious to get back to Gryffindor tower where he could lionise his most win with his friends.

"Nice going, Potter,"Malfoy fuss as soon as they left the Great Hall."I bet if I were the maitre d' we would 've won."

"We got 2nd,"Albus replied."That 's really good."

"First would 've been better,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm amazed we even got mo considering how awful you are at practices."

"better than you,"Albus said."No one liked your exercise on Thursday. Did you notice how no one talked to you today ? They hated it."

"They 're just too used to you coddling them,"Malfoy said, taking a stone's throw closer to Albus.

"Well it does n't much thing because I 'm the captain and you 're not,"Albus said as he toyed with his wand, which he was still brandishing in his result hand.

"For now,"Malfoy replied, eyeing Albus 's wand."If you keep getting in trouble I bet they 'll replace you."

"C'mon, Albus."Matt had appeared next to Albus."Let 's get back to the uncouth room."

"Better listen to him."Malfoy gave a short laugh."You 'd reckon it 'd the early way around, though. Him attacking me rather than you. But I suppose that would only be in a sealed clock time of-"Malfoy glared knowingly at Matt.

"Shut up ! And study that back,"Albus seethed, raising his wand.

"Seriously, Albus, let 's go !"Matt grabbed the vertebral column of Albus 's robe and pulled him towards the staircase.

"iniquity git,"Albus muttered, looking back at the crowd in the Entrance manse. Malfoy was already gone."Why does he always have to bring it up like that ?"

"It does n't matter,"Matt said.

"Of course it matters !"Albus said indignantly."It 's insulting !"

"I 'm used to it,"Matt said quietly.

"So what ?"Albus exclaimed."That does n't mean you should have to spend the rest of Hogwarts having him bring it up every day."

"And you hexing him would give solved everything ?"Matt asked."You just would 've gotten another detention."

"Would 've been worth it,"Albus muttered.

"No, it would n't have,"Matt argued."You 've just got to neglect him. I ignore him."

"I really hope that following year he 's not on my dueling team,"Albus said.

"I do n't call up he will. Did n't they go back to house teams for dueling for fifth through seventh year this year ?"Matt asked.

"Did they ?"Albus asked.

"That 's what one of the sixth years said,"matt answered.

"trade good,"Albus said."Then I just have to lose through this year."

Albus and matt were the hold up of their friends to get back to Gryffindor, where it appeared that no one was doing homework. James had set a few firework off out the window and everyone was watching them while eating platter upon platters of cookie.

"What are you lot celebrating ?"Albus asked Henry James as he took a biscuit.

James River shrugged."Just the fact that we 've got a Sabbatum with null to do. Well, Cedric, Ben, Nathan, and I that is."

"Where have you two been ?"rose asked as she walked up to Albus and Matt. John and Kaden were behind her, a cooky in each deal.

"Al nearly got into a affaire d'honneur with Malfoy in the entree Hall,"Matt explained.

"Albus !"Amanda exclaimed."You ca n't get anymore detention !"

"I know, but he said something really wretched,"Albus said and turned to John Lackland."You would 've hexed him."

"What did he say ?"Rose asked.

"He said that he was surprised I was n't attacking him,"mat said quietly.

"You 're aright,"John growled."I would 've hexed him."

"See ?"Albus said.

"And I told you that it was n't worth detention over,"matt repeated.

"But if it continues,"rose wine said,"you 've got to separate Kendrick."

"I 'm not telling Kendrick,"Matt insisted."I think he 's got enough to occupy about with the possibility of the entire school day getting changed if Laurentis wins this election."
***


"Why in the public figure of pigeon hawk are we doing detention in the woods ?"Kaden asked at breakfast the following morning.

"Seriously,"John agreed."That 's not really detention, is it ? The forest is cool. I 've always wanted to go in there."

"Are you two insane ?"Amanda asked."There 's all sorts of creature in there."

"My sister did detention in the forest once,"Matt said."She had to harvest these plants Slughorn needed and they could only be harvested the night of the full moon."

"Well that 's one detainment you 'll never have to do."John laughed.

"Maybe we have to harvest some other kind of plant ?"Matt suggested, ignoring St. John 's comment.

"Dunno."Albus shrugged. The letter they 'd received had not gone into specifics. It just stated that they were to meet Hagrid near his hut at three that afternoon.

"At to the lowest degree you 're not going at night,"rose wine pointed out.

The few hours Albus and his friend had until detention went by rather quickly. They spent the hours in the vulgar room alternating doing homework while participating in very large round of Exploding Snap with nearly all of Albus and rose 's cousins. Everyone was covered in ash by the fourth dimension three o'clock rolled around and the boys had to run up to their dormitory to wash their faces before heading down to Hagrid 's hut.

Albus liked Hagrid. He had known the half-giant since he was piddling and was slightly confused as to how detention with Hagrid could possibly be considered detention. Perhaps Professor Kendrick was unaware that Albus and his friends visited Hagrid every so often and enjoyed spending meter with him.

Hagrid was already outside when Albus and the other three male child arrived, armed with his crossbow and Fang by his side. Albus swallowed hard upon seeing the crossbow. Did Hagrid really think they would involve that ?

"'Ello, boys !"Hagrid greeted them."Fairly dewy-eyed detention today. We 'll be collectin'unicorn arse hairs."

"Like getting them from unicorns ?"Kaden asked."I thought they did n't wish boys."

Hagrid gave a smash jest."No, no, Kaden. It 'd be a crime to take 'em right from the unicorn, wouldn'it. No, we 'll be gettin''em from Bush and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. As the unicorns run past they get snagged. Let 's get goin'."

fang let out a gaudy barque as they made their way to the woods. Collecting unicorn hair. That was n't bad at all. But still, it was the forest and that was where Washburn and Willinson had spent a lot of their meter the previous year. They would n't be back there, would they ? Obviously Washburn and Quinton Willinson were in Azkaban, but what about Quinton 's founding father ? Where was he ?

"What do we need unicorn whisker for ?"John asked as they entered the timberland."No one here makes wands."

"Used for a lot more'n baton, aren'they,"Hagrid answered."Potions, mostly. Tha 's what we need 'em for. one-seventh yr are brewing somethin'that needs unicorn hairs so Professor Kendrick volunteered you four to garner 'em. Slughorn 's too old to do it himself."

"That 's for sure,"John muttered to Albus.

It was very obscure in the timber, despite the fact that it was day. All four boy lit their baton and Hagrid 's pink umbrella was providing More weak than two scepter combined. Hagrid had told them that they would n't get hold any hair's-breadth until they were at least 15 transactions into the wood since unicorns rarely ventured near the edge.

The forest was very dense and it was hard for them to walk next to each other. Soon, they were forced to walk single file through a very small path that was riddled with tree branches and rocks. Albus stumbled every so often and lusterlessness managed to fall over three times before anyone found any unicorn tail hair. Galloping hooves could be heard in the aloofness and Albus figured they were Centaur. His dad had told him that there was a herd of centaurs in the forest, although Albus had never seen one before.

"Here we are,"Hagrid said after what had been at least a xx arcminute walking. He gestured to a nearby bush."Jus'have a spirit around here and I 'm sure we 'll find plentitude. This is a have a go at it field where unicorns live. Don'wander too far."

Hagrid had provided them all with bucketful in which to pile up the hairsbreadth. Albus set off for the good bush and found a few hairs snagged in the offset.

"conclusion detention,"John said as he worked alongside Albus."Thank Merlin."

"Speak for yourself,"lustrelessness called out from a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree a few beat away.

"Do you recognize what you have to do for your next I ?"Albus asked.

"Lines, all three nights,"Matt said."Easier, I suppose, than coming up with anything else when it 's just me."

"bettor than cleaning bathrooms again. Or digging up dragon dung,"Kaden said."Whoa, I just found a whole cluster of hair."

After they 'd been working for a half hour Hagrid decided that they 'd collected enough. They set off re-tracing their gradation through the forest. Albus found it a fiddling less scary on the manner of walking back and he was n't sure whether it was because he had gotten used to the noises or because he could see the sun at the bound. He was very take over to find that he did not see Jarrett Willinson anywhere in the forest, although now that the detention was passed he realized that Willinson would n't go back there now that the Resurrection Stone was no longer there. No, Willinson was most likely still in Commonwealth of Australia, where no one was looking for him. At least, Albus hoped he was.


Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! You guys are awesome ! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. NaNo gave way to a frantic finishing of all the papers I 'd neglected during November. But I won NaNo and course of instruction are over so I 'm hoping to get a good bit of writing done within the next month.


The net few hebdomad of November provided the Hogwarts students and staff with a much needed period of calmness. The succeeding election debate would not take position until December and the the censorship at Hogwarts issue seemed to have died out, with the Daily Prophet no longer publishing clause on it. Both Quidditch and dueling tournament were over for the full term, leaving the students with a bit more than time to pay to their studies. The next Hogsmeade visit was scheduled for the irregular Sabbatum in December, a week before term ended.

Albus enjoyed the monotony of those few hebdomad. His years were filled with homework, Quidditch practice, and dueling practice. Team Seven was very happy to sustain Albus back as their maitre d'hotel and most continued to ignore Malfoy during practice. Malfoy still reserved a extra glower of hatred for Albus and his protagonist, but he did not attempt to start anymore affaire d'honneur in the corridor, like he had after the dueling tournament.

December arrived with a Charles Percy Snow violent storm that caused the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to strike down two of their practices. This gave Fred the chance to volume the pitch for two extra exercise, something that earned him a level-headed Zen of U-No-Poo in his morning pumpkin succus courtesy of James and Bradley. Albus was well-chosen to see that the job of schooling prankster had been rightfully returned to James and his booster. The workweek of detentions had certainly dissuaded Albus from planning anymore pranks. The same could not be said for Saint John and Kaden, who were plotting something, although Albus did not know what.

Albus, mat, and Amanda spent the first Saturday of December ignoring their homework in the Marauder 's Den. The Slytherin team had the pitch for the integral day, which gave Albus a much needed breakout from Quidditch. John and Kaden 's location would probably only be found with the marauder 's Map and pink wine was tutoring in the library.

There was a tawdry squawk from outside the elbow room, which was rose wine 's signal that she was exterior and wished to be let in. Albus got up from his game of Gobstones and let her in. She dropped her bag unceremoniously on the floor and flopped down on the couch.

"I 'm worried about Elsie,"rose wine said.

"Elsie ..."Albus prompted.

"Elsie Willinson !"she exclaimed."The first twelvemonth I 've been tutoring all year."

"Oh yeah, the one with the cretin for a brother and a cousin and uncle who want to bring back Voldemort. Yeah, I 'd be worried, too,"Albus said as he returned to his game.

"No, I 'm not worried about her unintelligent pal. I 'm worried about her."

"What, is she still failing all her field of study ?"Matt asked.

"No, she 's actually doing a good deal better,"Rose said."She 's just very quiet. She never talks about anything former than homework-"

"audio like you."Albus turned around and grinned at his first cousin."Although you 're not quiet."

"I 'm severe, Albus,"rose said flatly."Her chum walks her to the library for our sessions and then picks her up when we 're done. I never see her with anyone other than him and occasionally Malfoy. I 've never seen her eat with anyone early than them, either."

"That is kind of strange,"Amanda said.

"See ?"Rose said."Amanda thinks it 's weird."

"So she 's shy."Albus shrugged."I just do n't see what it 's got to do with you."

"It does n't really,"Rose said quietly."But if she 's having proceeds. We all know about her family. If her brother 's keeping an eye on her there must be a reason."

Albus had n't thought about it that way. What if Felix Willinson was trying to keep an eye on his sister ?"If she 's doing something her family does n't like I bet she 's going against something they want."

"That 's what I thought,"Rose agreed."Which means she 's trying to do something good. Or he 's trying to fix for certain she does n't disgorge family secrets."

"You think they have more family secrets than just wanting Voldemort back ?"Matt asked.

"Of course they do,"Rose said."We only found out last twelvemonth that they were related by married couple to Lubar. I mean, you never would 've guessed that in first or instant year."

mat shuddered."Probably a in effect thing that I did n't. I probably would have got refused to descend to Hogwarts."

"nigh pure-blooded families like them have darkness closed book,"Albus said as he fiddled with a Gobstone. It squirted him in the look and he rubbed the liquid on his robe."The ones that want the descent to stay on consummate and stuff. Like the Malfoys."

"And I 'd bet my final stage Galleon that Elsie Willinson found out one of those secret and wants to secern person,"rosebush stated.

"You think it 's got to do with what they 're trying to do ?"Albus asked.

"I 'm sure it does."

"The only job for them is that Jarrett 's on his own now,"Amanda said."With the other two in jail, what 's he going to do ?"

"You 're forgetting about Lubar,"lusterlessness said darkly.

rosebush got up and started walking around the room."To be honest, I do n't know how a great deal he 's going to be involved, especially if this going to subscribe piazza in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Think about it, hold up year he had the apology of the tourney to be here. He 's got no apology this year. He 's a Ministry official. A horrific one, but still a Ministry functionary. It 's not in his sound interest to be trying to bestow back Voldemort."

"That did n't even shape,"Albus cut in."They ca n't work him back, even a ghost of him, with the Resurrection of Christ Stone."

"Jarret Willinson was a Ministry official,"matte pointed out.

"He was a secretary for the Obliviator office. That 's a short unlike from a promontory stead,"Rose explained."Lubar has Sir Thomas More to lose."

"I say we try and figure out what Elsie 's keeping cloak-and-dagger and I bet it 'll have something to do with what Willinson is planning now. Because I guarantee he 's planning something,"Albus decided.

"How are we going to do that ?"Amanda asked."She 's always with Felix."

"Not when blush wine is tutoring her."Albus turned to Rose."You think you could try and get her to give up ?"

"Well she 's not going to just come out and tell me. I can try, but it 'll lease a while,"Rose said.
***


Albus told John and Kaden about the conversation about Elsie later that night. John proclaimed that he knew something had been weird about that girl from the moment they had seen her at the beginning of the twelvemonth. Both boys agreed that they needed to detect out what it was she was keeping orphic. Albus then asked them what prank they were planning, but St. John the Apostle and Kaden mysteriously went quiet as soon as Albus brought the topic up.

Albus laid awake that night for a hanker clip thinking about Elsie Willinson. He could not shake the image of her with Felix and Malfoy in the root of the year from his mind. She had looked so timid and inexperienced person, far too innocent and Edward Young to be involved with anything like what her family was involved with. In fact, she reminded him a bit of Lily, although he was n't sure why since Lily was anything but timid.

good morning arrived shortly after Albus had fallen asleep and despite the fact that he 'd only gotten a few hours sleep, he got up around six and decided to get a bit of reading done in the common room. He knew he would n't be capable to fall back asleep.

Upon arriving in the common room, Albus thought he was still dreaming. He rubbed his optic and pinched himself to try and wake up, but it was no use. He was in fact awake. The image before his eye was real, and it was painful to look at.

The Gryffindor vulgar room was no longer red and gold. It was now decked out in commons and silver. The comfy couches and professorship were gone and had been replaced instead with standard schoolroom chairman. assorted banner were hung up in the room that depicted snakes. In fact, the Gryffindor rough-cut elbow room now looked exactly as Albus imagined the Slytherin coarse way to count, except for it not being under the lake.

However, the sheer Slytherin-ness of the common room was not the unearthly change, by a tenacious dig. The foreign new plus to the Gryffindor uncouth room was a Zane Grey and Andrew Dickson White laughingstock. It was standing in the middle of the room, its head down and buried in a volume. The thing about caprine animal, though, was that they did not enjoy books the way masses did. Goats ate books. This butt was currently munching on The measure Book of trance : Grade Two. Albus 's eyes drifted from the Capricorn the Goat and around the way again, where he now noticed remnants of other books, quills, prep, and even a cloak.

The Capricorn looked up and stared at Albus. It let out a bleat and then went back to the leger. Albus crept a little tight and noticed that a mansion was affixed to the stooge. It said 'The Gryffindor Goat : Gryffindor 's new mascot. Gifted by the Slytherins. Next time, recall twice about putting Gallus gallus in our common room .'

Albus stood in the middle of the room, his stare alternating from the butt to the tone and back again. A stooge ? That did n't even make any sentience. Not only that, they were clearly trying to copy Saint John the Apostle and Kaden 's antic. And changing the room into a Slytherin room ? It was horrifying, absolutely horrifying.

Albus tore his optic away from the Goat and ran back up the coiling staircase until he got to his own dormitory. He flicked on the lights and Ethan, the lightest sleeping car of the bunch, rolled over and groaned.

"Everyone get up !"Albus shouted."Up, get up !"

"What ?"Ethan asked shortly."It 's like six in the morning !"

"I know it 's six in the sunup !"Albus replied."Get up and go down to the common elbow room. Now."

Ethan slowly got out of bed and went over to Bilius 's bed to get him up. Albus woke trick up and then the two of them woke flatness up while Bilius and Ethan went down to the common room. Their shouts of anger could be heard all the way in the dormitory.

"What is it ?"whoremaster asked as he and mat followed Albus back down the stairs.

"The Slytherins have had their revenge,"Albus said, handing bathroom the note.

Albus took a roundabout way to the one-third twelvemonth 's dormitory to get Kaden up. Kaden 's roommates got up as well and soon there was a large crowd in the usual room. By the metre Albus entered the room again, the first, second, and sixth geezerhood were all there. The seventh and 5th geezerhood were right behind him.

The uncouth room was in chaos. James, Cedric, and Nathan were inspecting the goat. The prefects were all congregated in one spot, clearly trying to figure out what to do. A after part of the students were standing frosty, with feeling of repugnance on their faces. Another tail were laughing, despite the fact that the prank had happened in Gryffindor. Victor-Marie Hugo was wrestling the stooge for the transcript of the Standard Book of enchantment : Grade Two, which evidently was his.

The girls'residence hall door opened and all the Gryffindor daughter flooded out of it. Rose and Amanda made their way over to Albus and the relaxation of the boy, who were receiving numerous stares and glares from their dude students. Clearly a few of them were blaming Albus and his friends for the Slytherins'need for revenge.

"What in the name of Merlin happened ?"Rose asked.

John handed her the note."The Slytherins have had their revenge."

"Malfoy ?"Amanda asked.

"No way to bed, is there ?"Albus replied.

"It 's got to be, though,"John said."No one else hates us like he does."

"I bet a lot of Slytherins wanted revenge,"Rose said.

"All right, unruffled everyone !"Albus 's cousin, Mark, shouted over the crowd. He was one of the sixth year Prefects."You 're all to get back up to your student residence. I 'm going to convey Professor Longbottom. Who 's the one who first saw this ?"

"I did,"Albus announced.

home run sighed, as if thinking he should hold known."Al, stay down here. The relaxation of you, back upstairs.

blush wine handed Albus the bill back and she and the rest of Albus 's friends turned to go back to their dormitories. There was a world-wide murmuration and whispers as everyone left. Soon, the park elbow room was empty except for Albus, the Capricorn the Goat, and the six Prefects. stain left in order to go get prof Longbottom.

The Prefects whispered amongst themselves while German mark was gone. Albus stood off to the side, as he did not know the Prefects very well. He recognized a few as Quaker of his cousins.

Mark returned ten second later with prof Longbottom in tow. The herbology professor froze in mid-step when he entered the room. His gaze shifted from the new piece of furniture to the Goat to the banners and back to the goat.

"Albus discovered it,"stigma said.

Longbottom turned to Albus."And it looked like this when you found it ?"

"Mostly,"Albus answered."The caprine animal had been chewing on one of Hugo 's script so he took that. And someone 's cloak had been here, but it was a Gryffindor cloak."

Longbottom sighed."All right, Albus, you can go back up to your dormitory."He turned to the Prefects."Let 's go through all this and see if we can find any clues to figure out who it was."

Albus reluctantly went back up to his dormitory room, where he found not only all of his roommates but Kaden as well, discussing the harlequinade. They all turned to Albus when he entered.

"Find anything out ?"John asked.

"Nope,"Albus answered."The Prefects are helping professor Longbottom go through everything for clues."

The boys whiled away the time until breakfast by trading Chocolate Frog cards, playing cycle of Exploding snatch, and discussing the Quidditch season. lusterlessness fell back asleep after defending the carom to everyone else, but no one else was able to go back to bed.

Gospel According to Mark knocked on their threshold a few 60 minutes later and told them they were free to get up and go to breakfast. Albus woke flatness up and the boys went back down to the rough-cut elbow room. It looked formula once more. All remnants of the Slytherins were gone and the stooge was nowhere in sight. The classroom chairwoman had disappeared and the regular comfy lounge were back. Albus was relieved to see their common room back to its usual state, although that did aught to satisfy his curiosity about who had done it.

"Wonder what they did with the goat,"Kaden said as they walked down tot he Great Hall.

"Probably gave it to Aberforth,"Matt said.

"Aberforth ?"Kaden asked.

"Dumbledore 's brother. He owns the Hog 's capitulum in Hogsmeade. Keeps goat in his pub. Wyrd bloke,"Matt answered.

"He keeps goats ? In his pub ?"Kaden repeated."Do they just wander around ?"

"Yeah,"Matt said.

The Great hallway was populated only by Gryffindor students, which did not surprise Albus in the slightest given the early time of day and the fact that it was Sunday. The professors were all up having breakfast and were whispering amongst themselves. No doubt that Longbottom had told them about the japery. Slughorn in particular looked enervate.

Rose convinced the relief of the chemical group that it would be a good idea to head to the library after breakfast to take advantage of the fact that it would be void. Albus had a few essays that he 'd neglected and John and Kaden needed to establish up some new forecasting for Trelawney.

After a few hour of studying Albus felt his attention offset to cheat on. The library had filled up since they had arrived and Madam Pince was watching over the place like a hawk. The door opened and Albus was surprised to see Elsie Willinson walk in, followed by her brother and Scorpius. Scorpio 's eyes met Albus 's and he veered from his little group in order to waltz over to Albus.

"How 's your mutual room ?"he asked with a smirk.

"Is that a confession ?"Albus replied as he stood up.

"Of course not. It 's all over the school. Everyone knows that your common room looked like an extension of mine this morning. And that goat, I heard it ate a few Book. Serves you right after what you lot did to ours,"Malfoy said.

"We know you did it, Malfoy,"whoremonger said."Just waiting for the professor to prove it."

"If I did do it, and I 'm not saying I did, I would n't have left any evidence like you idiots obviously did."

"We did n't,"can said flatly."Albus confessed to save his cousin and brother who had been wrongly accused."

"How noble."Malfoy laughed.

"Just tell me one thing,"Albus said."How did you get into the usual room ?"That was what had been bothering Albus the most. He and his friends had used the invisibility Cloak to figure out the Slytherin word, but how had Malfoy done it ? As far as he knew he did not experience an invisibleness Cloak.

"I did n't,"Malfoy said."And if I did I would n't state you how I did it."With one more blaze at Albus, the Slytherin walked away towards the mesa that Felix and Elsie had found.

"How did he get into our unwashed room ?"Albus asked as he sat back down.

"No idea,"Matt said.

"I 'm betting he threatened a first of all class into telling him what it was,"John said."Would n't put it past him."

"You do n't bonk it was him,"Amanda pointed out.

"They 're never going to chance out who it was, either,"pink wine said."Not unless they confess like you did. Otherwise no one would 've found out it was you."

"Guess it does n't really count at this point."Albus sighed."They 've had their revenge."

"Which means it 's fourth dimension for ours,"Kaden said as he grinned at John.

Rose groaned."Really ? It 's just going to wrick into a huge prank war if you have revenge."

"That 's the peak,"John Lackland replied.

If whoremaster and Kaden were trying to start a prank war Albus did n't want any theatrical role of it. He had had enough detentions for a life and did not desire spending anymore of his Hogwarts life history scrubbing lav or doing lines. Albus sighed and returned to his meter reading. John and Kaden got up and left the library, presumably to go on their next prank.

Later that day at dinner party prof Kendrick gave a very stern lecture to the entire school day about breaking formula, especially the rule about not entering common rooms that were not yours. It was very similar to the lecture he gave after the poulet prank, except this sentence Albus could secern that the headmaster was even to a greater extent furious. Albus kept glancing at Malfoy during the speech but the Slytherin boy did not expect shamed at all. In fact he seemed disinterested in Kendrick 's speech.

The talk of Gryffindor 's goat ( as the prank had now been dubbed ) died down by the centre of the week. Most of the castling was excited about the upcoming Hogsmeade stumble and then the winter holidays. prof Longbottom sent around a sign-up sail for those students who wished to appease home base during the holiday, although none of Albus 's friends signed it.

"I 've always wondered what it would be like to stay put,"John said as Professor Longbottom passed by.

"Me too,"Albus agreed."But my parents already said I ca n't this year since there 's some big Ministry Christmastime party we 've got to go to. For the election and all."

"Same here,"Matt said."We 're not even going to Australia because of it."

"Wow, that 's the second year in a row,"Albus replied.

Matt nodded."My grandparents are coming here and then we 're visiting them over the summer."

"I think we should all rest next year,"Kaden said."Then I can go a whole schoolhouse twelvemonth without seeing my grandparents. Or Aunt Marge."

Albus agreed that that was a good reasonableness to stay at Hogwarts over the holiday."Yeah, that would be fun. My dad says the castle 's great at Christmas."

"It would be interesting to see what Dec 25 is like,"Amanda said. Amanda 's home was Jewish and far-famed Hanukah.

"You 're welcome to make out to our grandparents'sign for Christmas this year,"Rose suggested.

Amanda grinned."I 'll ask my parents. I 'm for sure they 'll say yes since Festival of Lights was early this year and I 've already missed it anyway."

"rose wine, you 've got post,"Albus said, gesturing to Rose 's household 's owl, which had just landed on the table.

"Oh, beneficial !"blush wine said as she ripped open the missive. She scanned it for a moment before smiling widely."I wo n't be going to Hogsmeade with you."

"You wo n't be ?"Albus gave her a quizzical look.

"No. Mum and Dad are taking me to the disputation that 's that day. I owled them a few 24-hour interval ago to see if I could go and they said yes !"

"You want to go to another one ?"John asked.

"I 'd go to all of them if I could. They 're just so fascinating."She scanned the missive again."I 'm supposed to to to Kendrick 's study at ten on Saturday to floo home."

"What 's this one on ?"Albus asked.

"Law enforcement. The Auror Department. How it 's run and and how trials are run. I think it 's going to be the most interesting one since both Uncle Hotspur and Laurentis have already hinted at their view on that topic."

That was for indisputable. This debate would probably be even more volatile than the one on Education Department."You 'll have to let us know all the item,"Albus said.

"Oh I will,"rosiness replied."It 's why I wanted to go. I 'd rather not memorize everything second hand from the Prophet."

She had a period there, Albus thought. Although he was glad that Rose was the one going and not him. As much as he thought the election was interesting, he 'd rather be in Hogsmeade with his admirer than sitting in a courtroom listening to politico all day.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far ! I 'm almost done with schooltime ( forever ! ) so I 'm hoping to update more often.


The week leading up to the Hogsmeade tripper dragged by very slowly. Albus was sealed that Wednesday in particular was at to the lowest degree twice as long as a normal day and by the time Friday finally decided to give an appearance Albus was sure he would go insane from all the homework he had to fill out. Tuesday had been the full moon, but luckily Matt left the hospital wing Thursday afternoon and had been cleared by Madam Pomfrey to go to Hogsmeade.

When Sabbatum arrived there was a receive happy chance in the blizzard that had blanketed the Hogwarts cause in two foot of blow. Albus and his friend slept late and by the time they woke up rose had already left to go to that day 's debate. Albus, lusterlessness, and John quickly dressed and met Kaden and Amanda in the vulgar room.

Fred accosted Albus as he was about to leave."Albus ! gladiolus I found you. I booked the pitch for today at three since there 's a break in the storm."

"But Fred, it 's Hogsmeade today,"Albus pointed out. As much as he loved Quidditch, Hogsmeade head trip were uncommon occasions and he had Christmas Day shopping to do.

"Exactly !"Fred exclaimed."So none of the other teams have booked the tar. It 's booked strong the rest of the hebdomad and we need another praxis in before break starts."

Albus sighed. Fred was justly, of row. He glanced at his watch. It was noon, so if they hurried through lunch he would still have a good two hours in the settlement."All right. I 'll see you at three."

"Excellent,"Fred said."Just have to find Jesse James ...."

Amanda snorted and started laughing. Fred, who had turned to impart, stopped and looked back at her."What ?"

Albus, John, mat, and Kaden also looked questioningly at Amanda.

"Oh, I guess I forgot to severalize you,"Amanda began."Rose and I were in the library cobbler's last week and overheard James asking some Hufflepuff fifth part yr out. They 're going to Hogsmeade together today."

Fred burst out laughing."Wait, James I has a date ?"

"James asked a girl out in the library ?"Albus joined Fred in his laughter.

"Do n't state him that Rose and I overheard him,"Amanda said."He 'd murder us if he knew it was us who told."

"Bet he 's already in Hogsmeade, then,"Fred said, still laughing."They better not be in Madam Puddifoot 's because I do n't fancy going in there to tell him about practice."

Albus was still laughing about the musical theme of James asking a girl out in the library of all station. He wondered who the Hufflepuff was. Maybe he 'd negociate to beguile a glimpse of them in Hogsmeade together.

"He 's not actually going to leave her to go to Quidditch practice session,"Amanda shouted after Fred as he left the uncouth room.

"He will if the date 's going poorly,"Fred shouted back and disappeared into the corridor.

"fountainhead let 's hurry up and get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said."I want to see if I can figure out who this girl is."

Albus hurried out of the common room followed by his friends. They ate a very rushed lunch in the Great foyer and then ran outside and down the way to Hogsmeade. As they neared the village Albus kept his eyes peeled for his brother.

"Where to first ?"Matt asked.

"Weasleys',"whoremaster and Kaden said together.

Albus and flatness shared a glance. They should have known. They followed John and Kaden as the two arch boys led the way to Weasleys'magician Wheezes.

The shop was packed to capacity as it always was on Hogsmeade weekends. Albus waved to his Uncle George VI who was behind the riposte ringing masses up as fast as the till would let him. shift was working that weekend and was restocking a shelf of Skiving Snackboxes. can and Kaden each grabbed two as the boys passed.

Albus grabbed a few Extendable spike as his seemed to hold disappeared and a box of Deluxe Whizbangs for James for Christmastide. He joined the long queue at the boulder clay and was joined by John and Kaden who each had arms overflowing with products. Matt and Amanda were n't buying anything and were playing with a few Pygmy whiff that were in a John Cage in the strawman of the computer memory.

"Neither of you have seen Henry James, have you ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"whoremaster said."Bet they 're at the terzetto Broomsticks."

"Or that place that Fred mentioned. brothel keeper whatever ?"Kaden put in.

"gentlewoman Puddifoot 's,"Albus said."Horrifying place. Covered in frilled things, and tap stuff."

"Let 's not go there,"Kaden said.

Albus and John both agreed. They would look for Saint James, just not at madam Puddifoot 's. The queue moved relatively quickly and soon Albus, John, and Kaden had their supplies.

The succeeding stop was Honeyduke 's where everyone stocked up on confect and Albus bought a Christmas present for Lily. Then they made their way to the Quaffle Shop and then the triplet Broomsticks. Albus had yet to see Saint James the Apostle, but his meter was quickly running out. He had a half hour before he had to head back to the castle for Quidditch practice.

John went to the bar to get five Butterbeers while the eternal rest of the group found a table. Luckily Scorpius Malfoy was nowhere in sight. Albus gazed around the bar until he spotted his chum 's comrade red hair. Unfortunately the girl he was with was facing away from Albus 's table so all he knew was that she had very long, very uncoiled brown hair.

"There they are,"Albus whispered to Matt, Kaden, and Amanda."Any of you know who the girl is ?"

"That 's Gabby Ellis,"John said as he returned with the Butterbeers."My cousin knows her. She 's one of the twenty percent twelvemonth prefects."

"postponement, so James not only asked her out in the subroutine library, but she 's also a prefect ?"Albus exclaimed.

"Guess so."John shrugged."I 'll never ask out a prefect. Now he 's going to have to check his step."

"You realize that there 's a full chance one of us might be a prefect succeeding yr,"Amanda pointed out.

"Nah, they 'll clean Bilius or Ethan,"John said."They 'd never pick me, Al, or Matt after that prank."

"well rosebush is obviously going to be a prefect,"Amanda said.

"We 'll just sustain to sneak around more following twelvemonth,"John said."Ca n't induce a prefect knowing about our pranks."

"Dervish and Banges is still unoccupied,"matte said, changing the subject."Do n't you think that 's kind of odd ?"

Albus had n't really thought about it."Yeah, but no one 's going to desire to buy a shop class where somebody was murdered."

"Still, it 's just unusual,"mat said as he sipped his Butterbeer.

"Someone might still own it,"Amanda pointed out."They might not require to do anything with it or sell it."

"surmise that 's a good point,"Matt said.

"Look, James and the daughter are getting up,"Kaden said.

Albus turned and saw that James was indeed rising from his chair. Gabby did as well and the two of them walked side by side out of the pub. Gabby was pretty, Albus had to admit. Her centre were brightly and her cheeks were tap. King James was grinning. Neither of them noticed Albus or the others on their way out the door.

"Think he 'll show to Quidditch practice ?"John asked.

"If he values his life,"Albus replied."Speaking of that, I should probably get going."

Albus said goodbye to his friends and headed back out into the cold. The sun was out and there was no wind, but it was still bitingly cold. He trudged his way through the snow and back up to the rook, where he ran up to Gryffindor tower to shed off his purchases and variety into his Quidditch robes.

The residual of the team was already on the pitch when Albus arrived. Fred was arguing with James I about something while the rest of the team stood off to the side.

"She 's not even on their squad !"James shouted."She 's not going to steal any of our plays."

"But she 's still a Hufflepuff and this is a closed practice !"Fred argued.

Albus glanced over to the stands and saw Gabby sitting there, wrapped in a very with child Hufflepuff cover. She smiled and waved at Albus, who gave a flimsy wafture back.

"I could n't just pass on her. I promised we 'd spend the day together."

"And she wants to watch you work Quidditch ?"Fred asked."amercement, fine. She can stay. Let 's just get going. We 're wasting time."

Fred and James joined the rest of the group."All right !"Fred shouted."Let 's fly around the pitch a few times to get warm up."

Albus mounted his heather and soared into the air. He joined the rest of the team in their flight around the pitch and lost himself in flying. It was squeamish to just fly and blank out about everything else that was on his psyche.

The recitation went incredibly well. It was their best praxis in workweek since the weather condition was cooperating. The Gryffindor squad did not have any egress with playing, but the weather was usually awful whenever they practiced. Fred insisted this was a unspoilt thing since it would help them learn how to play in matches with bad experimental condition but no one else agreed. Albus was very happy to have a pattern where the conditions were nonsuch. It made Quidditch so much more enjoyable.

James and Gabby hurried off as soon as practice session ended and the rest of the team walked back to the castling together. They were nearly back to Gryffindor towboat when rosebush, Matt, John the Divine, Kaden, and Amanda came running towards Albus, all five looking slightly terrified.

"What 's wrong ?"Fred asked.

"It 's nothing,"rosebush said."We just demand to talk to Albus."

"meet us in the room after you stash your Scots heather,"flatness whispered and the five of them hurried off.

Albus hurried into the common room and up to his student residence. He had absolutely no theme what was going on, but it must feature just had to do with his friends because everyone else in the common room was acting normally. Albus quickly put his broom away and ran back out to the corridor.

It did n't shoot him long to reach out the Marauder 's Den. All his friends were sitting quietly and looked up at him when he entered.

"What in the name of merlin is going on ?"Albus asked.

"Two things,"Rose began."One, the argument. It was ... well ... insane is the only word to describe it, really. And two, I 'll let everyone else explain that first."

"Malfoy was lurking near the screeching Shack,"mat said."After you went to Quidditch practice we walked around the village and noticed him. It looked like he was trying to get in."

"Did he ?"Albus asked.

"No, he ca n't,"matte said."There 's hospital ward. It 's just odd. He was alone."

"doe he do it that that 's where you go ?"Albus replied as he sat down next to Rose.

flatness shook his promontory."I 'm not really worried about it, either. It 's just very weird."

"Malfoy is friends with Felix Willinson so anything Weird that he does needs to be remembered,"Albus said darkly.

"That 's what I said,"John replied.

"He 's not the showtime one to be peculiar about the scream shanty,"matt pointed out.

This was different, Albus thought. He would have expected Matt to be the one worried about this, not John.

"But he 's Malfoy ! It 's not just that he 's trying to get in,"John said.

"Well he ca n't get in. And he already knows what I am,"lusterlessness countered."Let 's just blank out about it for now. What Rose has to say is far worse."

Albus turned to look at Rose, who looked upset and slightly scared. That was strange in itself since Albus could hardly remember a metre when blush wine was scared.

"The argument was on law enforcement,"rosebush said quietly."She wants to completely switch the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She wants to look into every single Auror and reorganize the department because she does n't retrieve things are working as they are. She ... well ... she basically called your dad incompetent."

Albus stared at his cousin. He could not think what he was hearing. Albus 's dad had been in rush of the Auror department for years and there had never been any complaints. How could Laurentis just affront him like that ?

"Which means she 's going to lose,"John said confidently."No one 's going to vote for soul who insults Harry Potter."

"No,"blush wine whispered."They will. There 's been editorial in the Prophet for hebdomad about how the current Ministry is n't working. She has support."

"That 's insane,"Albus said."What did Uncle Percy do ?"

"Argued with her,"Rose said."Talked about all the beneficial your dad has done, but she argued right back."

"What about everyone there ? Did they clap for her ?"Albus asked.

"Everyone clapped for everyone. They were all polite about it and there was no way to distinguish who supported who,"rose said."If you ask me, I think she 's going to replace all the pass of departments who do n't agree with her. She 's going to want people in world power who are on her side."

"Which means my dad will be gone,"Albus said."Everyone knows he supports Uncle Hotspur. It 's obvious."

"So that leaves what, Matt 's dad 's job, fountainhead of Magical Law Enforcement, Head of Magical expatriation, and what else ?"Gospel According to John asked as he counted on his finger."There 's got to be more."

"There are,"Rose said as she stood up and began pacing around the room."International Magical Cooperation, Magical Accidents and catastrophe, Magical secret plan and Sports, and then the section of Mysteries."

"Do you know anything about the heading of those department ?"toilet asked.

"The gentlewoman who 's straits of Magical Law Enforcement was here during the public debate. She 's really old and Dad says Mum is a shoe-in for her job when she retires,"rose said."But I do n't have sex much about the others. The fella in charge of Magical Transportation moderated the 1st debate."

"That 's eight spatial relation,"matt said quietly,"and she could supervene upon all of them. That would meander up being an entirely new Ministry."

"Essentially, yes,"pink wine said as she sank into an armchair."That 's why it 's so bad. There 's a grounds most newly elected minister do n't replace everyone. It 's too much upthrow. But if she wants immediate variety, it would be the promiscuous way to get it done."

"What 's the following debate on ?"Amanda asked.

"Azkaban,"blush wine said."Originally they were going to debate Azkaban with law enforcement, but Laurnetis requested a separate Azkaban debate. She 's in charge of it, so I 'm not surprised."

"And when is it ?"Amanda replied.

"Just after the new year,"Rose answered."Once we 're all back in school. Then February 's debate is on wizard creatures-"

"Oh that 's going to be unspoiled,"Matt said."Guess that 's when we 'll find out if my dad keeps his job after the election if she wins."

"And then in marching they debate International Magical Cooperation. Then it 's the election at the starting time of April,"pink wine continued."That one is going to take place here. So is the Azkaban one."

"I still do n't think anyone 's going to vote for her,"John muttered."Anyone who sacks Harry Potter would n't get enough votes."

"You 'd be surprised, John,"Amanda said."It sounds like she 's playing to everyone 's fears. I mean, I have n't been in the wizardly world long, but it seems like everyone fears another Voldemort. If she makes it seem like the current Ministry and Auror department are too lenient and hints at the possibility of another war, and then claims that she could crush it before it became a war, she would easily get the vote. People are easily persuaded."

"That 's exactly it,"Rose agreed.

The elbow room descended into uncomfortable silence. At the beginning of the school twelvemonth, none of them had much interest in the election or the Ministry in general, but now, just a few calendar month later, Albus and his friends were learning just how a good deal the outcome of the election would affect them. The possibility of drastic changes to both Hogwarts and the wizarding world did not sit well with Albus, especially if it meant both his and lustrelessness 's daddy were out of a job.
***


The remaining week of schooltime went by quickly. With the looming holidays and break from school day, hardly anyone in the castle was focusing on preparation or the election. Instead, the chatter that filled the Great Hall during meals was about Christmas and snowball fights and spending clock time with family line. Albus was sucked into the Christmas cheer as well, but the election was still on the back of his mind.

For Albus, Rose, and the rest of the Weasley/Potter kin group, the Christmastime holiday would be wrapped up in the election. A New year 's party at the minister 's sign of the zodiac was scheduled for New year 's Eve, for all of the upper-level officials and their families, as well as Walker Percy, Laurentis, and their phratry. All of Albus 's hold out family would be attending. But perhaps the most bizarre view of the holiday was the fact that Uncle Percy was going to allow a newsperson from ace mag to stick to him for not only the Ministry party, but Christmas at the burrow as well.

"This is just Wyrd !"Cedric exclaimed at breakfast the lastly day of term."A newsman ? At the Burrow ? And it says she 's going to be staying with us."

Cedric handed the letter back to Omar Bradley, whom it had been addressed to. Bradley pulled out his wand and burned it, which seemed to be his new way of dealing with place from his father.

"Did nan agree to this ?"James asked as he loaded his plate with bacon.

"She must 've,"Omar Nelson Bradley said."Anything to get Dad elected, probably."

"I kind of agree with her,"Albus said."I do n't need that Laurentis charwoman to win."

"Neither do I, but I do n't desire some reporter staying with us at the burrow,"Cedric said adamantly.

"Guess you wo n't be getting the material Weasley Christmas experience,"Albus said to Amanda, whose parents had given permission to stay with Rose for Christmas.

Amanda shrugged."Not a big muckle. With your family, it 's bound to be interesting."

"You have no estimation,"Albus said."We 'd improve get to History of Magic."

Albus got up and his friends followed. Despite the fact that it was the last day of term, prof Binns still gave a lecture. Nobody paid him an ounce of care. The rest of the prof did n't get at teaching any new fabric as they figured the pupil would just forget it over the good luck. Professor Cedonia set them a practical moral, but did n't scold them when they stopped charming their teacupful to trip the light fantastic toe and instead talked about Christmas. Hagrid had a large bonfire going to keep them fond, but did n't learn anything. Instead, he told the story of Norberta and bawled about how much he missed her. In ancient runic letter, there was an exam.

The following forenoon Albus and his friends climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express for the stumble back to British capital. On the Hogwarts express, Albus felt weirdly immune to everything that was happening in the wizarding world. He felt safe from Jarrett Willinson and somehow the election did n't seem as big a plenty. The train was like its own little earth with entirely students and dessert from the trolley car ; on the train, null bad could happen.


Long hiatus ! I apologize for that. I am now working on this for the minute one-half of June 's Camp NaNoWriMo, so I 'm hoping to get a crowd of chapters written so I can go back to weekly updates. Thanks so much for all the reviews !


"Remember, do n't say anything in straw man of her you do n't require printed in the article,"Harry said as they walked toward the Burrow.

"Will she really print anything ?"Lily asked.

"Yes,"Harry said.

It was Christmas Eve and Albus and the residue of the Potters had just Apparated to the line of business behind the burrow. Albus was a bit unquiet about being in the presence of a reporter from Wizards magazine and was not at all keen about being in an article. He was relieved they were late, as common, because by now the reporter would probably be involved in listening to somebody else 's conversation and might not even notice Albus.

"And St. James the Apostle, do n't even guess about slipping something into her soup,"Ginny said sternly.

Harry, who had just put his paw on the doorhandle, turned around and stared at James."Seriously, James, absolutely not."

"I was n't going to !"St. James the Apostle said."I swear !"

Harry sighed."Empty your pockets."

"But I was n't going to-"

"William James Sirius ceramicist, listen to your father,"Ginny said.

Albus put his bridge player over his mouth to obliterate his laughter while his sidekick pulled a handful of Ton-Tongue Toffees and a vial of Weasleys'Itchiest itching Powder out of his air pocket. Ginny took them and incinerated them with her sceptre. She brushed the ash onto the ground and James stared at it longingly.

"Shut up, Albus,"James muttered as Harry opened the door.

That just made Albus laugh even harder, earning him a clout in the articulatio humeri from James. Albus returned the punch while Lily rolled her eyes.

"male child, cut it out,"Ginny scolded.

"Ginny ! Harry !"Molly exclaimed as they stepped inside."Happy Yuletide !"

"Happy Christmas, Mum,"Ginny said as the two hugged.

Albus slipped past after giving his grandmother a agile hug, grabbing a handful of biscuits on his way to the den. The start thing he noticed was that the reporter was sitting on a stool in the niche. She stuck out like a Weasley at a Malfoy gathering, in her black skirt, flowery top, high-heeled shoes. Who wore heels to the tunnel ? Wyrd, Albus thought. Her jet haircloth was done up in some form of bun and her mouth were smeared with bright red lip rouge.

The second thing Albus noticed was just how clean the Burrow was. He had n't noticed it in the kitchen, what with the many mass and lulu wide of warm, steaming food, but out in the den, it was very noticeable. The Burrow was never unclean, exactly, but it was n't immaculately neat like matt and Kaden 's planetary house were. Instead it merely looked lived in, Albus always thought. It was cluttered with big money of books and stacks of display panel games and respective Muggle and magical devices. cover and pillows were thrown haphazardly onto couches and chairman, never being folded or stacked neatly. But today, everything was neat. The wad of books had been shelved and the mantle folded. The sheer sum of money of stuff seemed to make been moved or vanished because Albus did n't see a exclusive Muggle electronic twist half-taken apart on the trading floor or board. It was bizarre. The Burrow did n't look like the burrow without its clutter. You never knew what you 'd rule at the Burrow and Albus liked that.

Shaking his headland slightly, Albus carefully stepped around a few of his cousin and walked over to where Rose and Amanda were sitting on the storey. They had a gravid phonograph record of solid food in front of them, making Albus make how thirsty he was.

"So, what have I missed ?"he asked in between bites of bun."I see someone cleaned."

"Gran did. Said she wanted to build a commodity stamp. Uncle Hotspur 's been bragging loudly to the reporter about all the practice of law he 's helped head,"pink wine said."But all the reporter wants to do is consultation the rest of us. I guess her clause is all about where Uncle Sir Henry Percy came from and what his fellowship is like."

"Who 's she talked to so far ?"Albus asked.

"aunt Corrine, Gran, Gramps, Uncle nib, Uncle Fred, both of my parents, Victoire, Samantha, and Lindy,"rosiness said.

"Wow. Already ?"

"She has n't wasted any sentence,"Amanda said.

"There 's a lensman around here somewhere,"Rose said as she glanced around the room."Oh there he is."

Rose indicated to the step, where Percy was leading a scrawny cuss back into the den.

"Is he wearing-"

"attire soak ?"Rose said."Yeah, he 's been wearing them all night."

"Let 's get a few shots of you playing a game with the twins,"the photographer said as he and Harry Hotspur walked past times Albus, rosiness, and Amanda.

"Wonderful theme !"the reporter exclaimed as she hopped off her stool.

"How did she take heed that ?"Albus whispered to Rose.

"Harry potter 's son !"the reporter said as she grabbed Albus 's arm, causing him to swing the biscuit he was holding."Let 's get him in the guess, too. Hmm ..."she glanced around the way, her middle finally coming to rest on Amanda."We 'll need a dead reckoning with you and Harry Hotspur as well. nominee plays Exploding Snap with the prime quantity government minister 's niece ! complete ! I could not feature planned this better."

"How did she know that I 'm the flower curate 's niece ?"Amanda asked.

"She knows everything,"Rose said darkly."Creepy, really."

Albus soon found himself playing a sleuth plot of Exploding Snap with Uncle Walker Percy, Samantha, and Lindy. The whole thing was very farcical since none of them were photographed with ash on their faces. Then it was Amanda 's go, but she was posed with a set of virtuoso 's Chess,"for variety."

"Now that 's something Laurentis wo n't throw,"Percy said jovially after the photographer finished."Photograph with the Prime minister 's niece."

"But nobody knows I 'm the Prime minister 's niece,"Amanda said once she, Rose, and Albus escaped into the kitchen."It 's supposed to be a secret."

"Maybe it wo n't get printed,"Albus said.

"God, I hope not,"Amanda muttered."So is this what Christmas Eve is usually like ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said as he walked over to the threshold. He peered into the den and took stock of what his kinsfolk was up to.

His uncles Fred, Ron, broadsheet, and Charlie, were closest to the kitchen and were singing 'Odo the hoagie .'All four had patsy of eggnog in deal. granny was listening to Celestina Warbeck while Aunt Fleur glared at the wireless. It seemed to be distracting her from the conversation she was having with Aunt Katherine and aunty Hermione. Most of his cousin-german were eating or laughing about one affair or another. Samantha and Lindy were playing Exploding shot for real now, along with Eddie and Angie.

In fact, the only one who seemed to be acting any differently was Uncle Hotspur, who was talking with the newsman and the lensman. aunty Corrine was as well, but none of their quondam kid were anywhere in wad.

"Have you seen Omar Bradley, Cedric, or Georgia anywhere ?"Albus asked Rose.

"Actually, no,"Rose said."Let 's go find them."

Albus and Amanda followed Rose out of the kitchen and up the stairs. As they peered into each bedroom, Albus found out just where his gran had stored all the poppycock that used to be in the den. Every single room had a passel of random clobber in it. They eventually found their three full cousin hiding out in Uncle Ron 's old bedroom at the top of the house. They were sitting on one of the bed and were deep in conversation.

"What 's going on in here ?"Albus asked as they shut the door.

All three startled, but then seemed relieved to find it was only Albus, rose wine, and Amanda.

"We 're avoiding the newsperson,"Georgia said,"and talking about how a great deal it will suck if Dad gets elected."

"But Laurentis is fucking insane,"Albus said as he stepped over a typewriter and sat down on the face-to-face bed."Uncle Percy has to win."

"well, I do n't require him to,"Omar Bradley said."Do you recognize how a lot life will commute if he does ?"

"I 've got a bit of an idea,"Amanda said, sitting down next to Albus. Rose sat on his other side.

"Before his campaign started no one really knew what Dad did,"Bradley said."Or even who he was. I mean, if they heard his public figure they would know him, but he was just Percy Weasley. Do you know what I mean ?"

"He 'll be Harry Hotspur Weasley, parson of Magic. Not just Hotspur Weasley, your dad,"Amanda said."Minister is n't a just a job. It 's not something he 'll leave at the authority at five. It 's more a lifestyle."

"Exactly !"Omar Bradley agreed.

"And you 'll always be the Minister 's son,"Amanda said.

"How do you jazz all this ?"Cedric looked at Amanda strangely.

"My Uncle 's the bloom Minister,"Amanda said casually.

"Of UK ?"Bradley exclaimed."And you 've kept this private for four eld ?"

"Yeah. It wo n't be for much thirster since that photographer just took a video of me with your dad,"Amanda said."Anyway, you 're compensate that your life wo n't be the Lapp if he gets elected. And even after his condition is up you 'll still always be the Minister 's son."

"And we 'd have to move into the Minister 's sign,"Bradley said.

"You would n't. You 're going to graduate in June,"Cedric pointed out."And Georgia already moved out."

"You 'll be in Hogwarts about of the yr,"Georgia pointed out.

There was a knock on the room access and then it swung panoptic open. Sir Henry Percy stood in the doorway flanked by the reporter and photographer. Walker Percy had changed out of his robes and was now wearing a greens Weasley pinny with a red'P'on the front. In his arms was a stack of what appeared to be more Weasley jumpers.

"There you lot are,"Percy said."We 're doing a picture of the whole crime syndicate in our jumpers."He tossed one to each of his children and then one each to Albus and rosiness."Get changed and get downstairs."

"Are they all initial jumpers this year ?"Empire State of the South asked as she held hers up. It was grey with a purple'G .'

"Must be,"Albus said as he yanked off the jumper he was wearing and pulled on his new one. It was blue with a gold'A .'

"Bet it 's to make us appear like a cheesy crime syndicate,"Bradley muttered as he changed.

Once they 'd all changed Albus and pink wine followed their cousins back down to the den. Amanda followed as well, but she lingered on the step, clearly not wanting to be dragged into anymore photographs.

Albus 's entire house was posed in half the den. The photographer was running around making lowly adjustment, which Albus idea was pointless. There was no way he was going to get thirty-two people to all look at the tv camera and smile nicely at the same prison term.

The photographer noticed Albus, Rose, Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric and shoved Albus in between James and Lily, who were sitting right in the middle, on the base.

"Lovely !"the photographer exclaimed a few minutes later. He ran to the other side of the way and stuck his head behind the camera."Everyone smile ! Beautiful !"He took twelve of pictures and Albus soon grew tired of sitting still and smiling.

"Wonderful !"the reporter shouted once the lensman finally finished."I think we 've got what we need. I wish you all a happy Yuletide. The clause should be out just after New Year's."

"I thought she was staying for tomorrow, too,"Albus whispered to Rose.

pink wine shrugged."Maybe she got enough from just one night. Either that or she got overwhelmed."

Percy walked the reporter and photographer out of the Burrow, thanking them profusely as he did so.

"Bedtime, everyone !"molly shouted.

No one objected. It had certainly been the unusual Christmas Eve gathering the Weasley family had ever had and Albus was very a good deal looking forward to tomorrow, when things would get back to some semblance of normal. Albus walked up to bed with rosebush and Amanda, wishing them both skilful night when they reached Uncle Charlie 's old sleeping room, where the two would be staying. James, Ben, Cedric, and Bradley were already in Uncle Ron 's old room when Albus arrived.

"Quidditch tomorrow ?"James asked as all four boy climbed into their beds.

"You 're going down, ceramist,"Bradley replied.

"Is that a challenge, Weasley ?"

"Sure is,"Bradley said.

Yes, tomorrow would be a lot Sir Thomas More normal, Albus thought. Quidditch was a Christmas tradition for his folk and nix, even his uncle running for Minister, was going to forbid it.
***


"And that 's how we do it in Kenmare !"Georgia exclaimed, having just saved a goal by spinning in midair and hitting the Quaffle back into play by the end of her broom."Kenmare Krazy Keeper motion !"

"You 're still going to lose !"Bradley shouted as he hit one of the Bludgers toward Albus, who dodged it and caught the Quaffle."We 've got teddy !"

"If Teddy were a material seeker he 'd be playing for a conference team and not studying to be an Auror !"Georgia shouted back.

"He 's still not as good as James,"Bradley said.

"Yeah, I taught Saint James the Apostle everything he knows !"chemise said as he flew past, heading toward Georgia 's left-hand goal billet."And that 's game !"he shouted, returning with the Snitch clutched in his hand."Aurors have to have got constant vigilance, just like Seekers."

Albus flew to the primer coat, still holding the Quaffle. It had been a good game, even though his team had lost, but the temperature was dropping and the clouds were rolling in. It was a serious time to head back inside for Christmas Day dinner, especially since the aroma of joint Republic of Turkey and potatoes had been drifting outside for the by one-half hour.

Tables, already covered in numerous dishes of food, had been set up in the kitchen extending into the den while they played. Albus hurried on a higher floor to vary and when he returned, everyone was drifting toward the tables. Albus hurried to the bottom rose and Amanda had saved him, which thankfully was nowhere almost Walker Percy.

"How was Quidditch ?"rosebush asked.

"good,"Albus said."We lost, but Teddy 's pretty much invincible, so I was n't surprised."

"I 'm surprised he did n't fiddle professionally,"Amanda said.

"He thought about it,"Albus explained."And he had fling, but he deferred them for a class because he was n't indisputable. Then he just decided to link up the Auror Academy, because of his parents, you know."

"shuffle sentiency,"Amanda said.

"I 'd like to make a toast,"Walker Percy announced after everyone was seated. He held up his drinking glass of autumn pumpkin succus."I just want to say thank you, to all of you, for putting up with the reporter yesterday, and for everything you 've done for the campaign. We only have three months to go, so let 's make the most of it. maintain up all the great work. Here 's to a win in April !"

Albus clinked methamphetamine hydrochloride with rosebush and Amanda and then served himself a large helping of bomb. This was what he enjoyed the most about Yule at the Burrow. As he he ate, he listened in on the conversations his first cousin, aunts, and uncles were having.

To Albus 's left, his aunt Hermione was giving St. James the Apostle, Cedric, and Ben study bakshis for their O.W.L.s. The boys were nodding as if they were listening, but Albus knew they were n't. Victoire and Teddy were holding hands under the table, which was sort of funny story because Victoire was having to eat with her left hand, a skill she clearly did not possess. Epistle of James, Bradley, and Peach State were discussing Quidditch with Uncles George and Ron. Eddie was showing the twins, Lily, and Hugo just how many peas he could fit into his oral cavity at once. Percy was, of course, discussing the gritty details of his movement with his wife and parents. Fred and Mark were telling Angie about the secret passageway that lead into the basement of Honeyduke 's. The rest of his family was too far away for Albus to see what exactly they were saying, but everyone seemed felicitous.

"This is what it 's really the like,"Albus told Amanda."Usually there are a few pranks."

"You missed one in the beginning,"rosiness said while Amanda laughed."James put one of those wind-up Pygmy Puffs in Gran 's biggest pot, so while she was chopping veggie it jumped out and started screeching. auntie Ginny knew it was James, too. He got chewed out while you were upstairs changing."

"She had no proof !"James cut in."It could have been Cedric."

"But it was n't,"rosebush said."It was you."

"King James I, did you hear me ?"Hermione asked."I was just saying how you need to pop with your unaccented subject first. Honestly, you should 've started preparing finale year. Albus, Rose, Amanda, are you listening ? You should start revise now."

"I started calendar week ago, Mum,"rosiness said.

Hermione smiled."That 's my girl."

"She 'll be golden if Epistle of James starts revising a month before,"Albus whispered to Amanda.

"That would be stupid,"Rose said."What does he want to do after Hogwarts ? He 'll need certain O.W.L.s to get into the right N.E.W.T. classes."

"He 's got no theme,"Albus said,"except he wants to encounter Quidditch."

"He 'd improve get going,"Rose said.

"Oh, and I suppose you 've got it all figured out, Rose ?"James asked.

"As a thing of fact, I 'm thinking of getting into psychological medicine,"Rose said."Get my healing degree, specializing in psychiatry."

"Fine, then,"James muttered.

"Really ?"Albus asked.

rose wine nodded."I 've been thinking about it since summertime and it 's really want I want to do."

"Do n't you think you 're a bit young to hold decided that ?"Albus asked.

"lustrelessness 's sister had it all figured out in fourth year and look where she is now,"blush wine pointed out.

She did suffer a stage there, Albus thought. lustrelessness 's sis was well on her way to getting both her healing and brewing degrees, with only two and a half more years to go. Albus did n't even want to call back about what he would do after he graduated from Hogwarts. It was too far away.

"I have an proclamation to make !"Gabriella said as she stood up.

The room quieted and everyone turned to await at Gabriella. She was n't usually one to make spoken language or announcement during kinfolk dinners. In fact, she was one of the quieter of Albus 's cousins, certainly not coming near to the tier of boisterousness of Thomas Bradley, James, or Georgia.

"Thanks,"she said."None of you know this yet, since I figured I 'd just tell you all at once today. I 've decided to move to France."

The room was silent, lots like it was after Percy announced his purport to run for government minister at the before school dinner party. Then, as happened after Percy 's annunciation, everyone began to talk at once.

"You 're what ?"Bill exclaimed.

"Gabriella, honey !"Fleur shouted, dropping her looking glass of wine."What prompted this ?"

"The political climate in Anatole France is very unsteady,"Sir Henry Percy said."I would n't recommend moving there."

"What are you going to do there ?"Scots heather asked.

Albus was n't at all surprise. Gabriella had spent a few weeks in France that autumn and seemed to enjoy it. He was n't sure why her parents seemed so surprised.

"If everyone could just let me talk !"Gabriella shouted. The room quieted one to a greater extent."I 've already cleared it with Grandmere and Grandpere. They 're going to let me outride with them until I get on my human foot. When I painted there this fall it just felt so flop. My paintings there were so much better than the ones I 've painted here-"

"But what will you do for money ?"Bill asked."You know I could still get you that internship. This is crazy."

"Dad, it 's what I want to do. I do n't want to spend everyday in an office and miss out on life. No umbrage. Painting is what I love. I want to try this."

"But Gabriella, it 's not practical-"bank note began.

"Bill,"Molly said quietly."She 's just rebelling a bit. You did the same when you were her age. Remember the earring ? The hair ?"

Bill 's face reddened."It 's not the same, Mum. I had a job. I was n't learning the finer breaker point of being a starving artist !"

"Dad ! I 'm a good artist ! I 'm not going to starve !"

"You know my parents would never let her crave,"Fleur said.

"That 's not the degree. The point is that she should be doing something productive. When Victoire was her age-"

"I 'm not Victoire !"Gabriella exclaimed. She turned and left the room, running up the stairs. A few moments later a door slammed.

Federal Reserve note made to get up, but Victoire put her hand on his shoulder, forcing him back into his ass."Dad, I 'll go."

The room lapsed into uncomfortable silence after Victoire took off after her Sister. Albus was slightly shocked at his uncle 's dislike of Gabriella 's program. Albus had always thought of posting as his assuredness uncle, the uncle who would be supportive of whatever his youngster wanted to do. But now he was acting just like Walker Percy had about Georgia 's desire to be a Quidditch player.

"I support you, Bill,"Percy said pompously."creative person is not a vocation. You 've got to fight this. Went through the same matter with Georgia-"

"Really, Dad ?"Georgia asked."After the retiring few calendar month of going to my games and making the press think you 're supportive of my ambition, you still do n't think I should play Quidditch ?"

"Quidditch, like house painting, is a rocking horse,"Percy said."It 's not a career."

"You 're unbelievable !"Empire State of the South exclaimed."The support, the cheering, it 's all pretender, is n't it ?"

"Georgia-"

"You know what, Dad ? Do n't even bother."Georgia stood up and left the table in a similar fashion to Gabriella.

"This,"Albus whispered to Amanda,"is not normal."

"I thought Gabriella liked Uncle Percy 's fake support,"King James muttered.

"Well, she did at low gear but she probably thought there was no way he could wangle it for so long and not get down to come around. She surely thought it was real by now,"rosiness said.

"You 're going to make a near psychiatrist,"Albus said.

"Yeah, you can get going with Uncle Percy,"James said.

"Department of Energy anyone want pudding ?"Gran asked.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews !


Never before had Albus experienced such an awkward Christmas dinner, and that included the time his Aunt Katherine went into labor movement with Eddie at the table. After Gabriella and Georgia stormed out, Gran served pudding to the remaining home members, but everyone ate in secretiveness. Albus, pink wine, and Amanda ate as fast as they could and then escaped to the one berth they did n't think anyone else would go- the attic.

The attic of the tunnel was similar to an archaeological site. It contained stratum of Weasley house account and if you dug deep enough you could even find pictures of Uncle note when he was a baby. It used to house a ghoul, but the body snatcher died long time before Albus was born. Albus did n't go up in the garret much anymore, but when he was lilliputian it had made an excellent concealing spot.

"I never realized how alike Gabriella and Peach State were,"Albus said once they 'd close the Classical Greek door.

"I never realized how similar Uncle Percy and Uncle bank note were,"blush wine replied."I never thought Uncle note would respond like that."

"Me either,"Albus agreed."Let 's not let the cat out of the bag about it. I just want to do something fun."

"Let 's free rein monopoly,"Amanda said."It 's a Muggle secret plan. I brought it from my house."

Albus and Rose readily agreed and soon the three were playing Monopoly in the attic. It took Albus and rosiness a little while to get the hang of the money, which was based on Muggle money, but once they did, it was very fun. Albus 's favorite thing about it was how long it took. They spent hours on one game and by the prison term Amanda beat him and rose wine, almost all of his category was asleep.

By breakfast the next morning nearly everything had blown over. one-half of his aunts and uncles had left because they had to go to work and the early half were in the outgrowth of getting set up to allow for. Some of his cousins were still there, but quite a few had left. When Albus went downstairs he noticed his uncle Bill and aunt Fleur having a public lecture with Gabriella over platters of sausages. Albus paused in the door, waiting for them to finish.

"We do n't need you to call up we are n't supportive of your art,"Bill said."We are. Both of us. I just want to jazz you 're going to be okay."

"I am, Dad,"Gabriella said."I 'll be staying with Grandmere and Grandpere."

"That 's reassuring,"posting said."And I did overreact last night."

Fleur snorted."Yes, I 'd say you did."

"I certainly do n't need you to think I 'm anything like your uncle Percy,"Bill whispered."I 'd never try and stop you from pursuing your dream."

"fountainhead, painting in France is my dream for now,"Gabriella said adamantly.

"Then we 'll support you,"placard said. Fleur nodded in understanding."I 'm sorry for overreacting conclusion night. I think we were all on edge from the reporter."

"Thanks, Dad,"Gabriella said.

"When were you planning on leaving ?"Fleur asked.

"After that Ministry company. Ca n't miss that or Uncle Percy would go insane."

"The weekend after that, then,"Bill said."We want to facilitate you move."

Gabriella nodded."Thanks."

Bill stood up and gave his daughter a hug."I 've got to get to work, but I 'll see you at rest home later. I love you, Gabby."

"Love you, too, Dad,"Gabriella said as she hugged him back.

Albus walked into the kitchen as his uncle left, grabbing a few sausage balloon and a cinnamon bun on his way to the table. He was relieved that Uncle Bill and Gabriella came to an agreement, especially one that involved Gabriella still moving to France. He wanted his cousin to be happy and he still wanted to call back of bill as his cool off uncle.

Albus returned to Grimmauld lieu later that day and it only took him a few hours of ennui to start his holiday reading. rose and Amanda had returned to rose wine 's star sign, so without them, he was forced to be productive. In fact, Albus was actually looking forward to the Ministry party for the sole reason that he 'd get to see rosiness and lustrelessness.

The few days in between pugilism Day and New Year 's Eve were fairly uneventful, especially compared with Christmastide day. GA and Uncle Percy still had n't made up and Georgia came over for a candid with Albus 's mum the day before the party. Albus often forgot that his mum used to act as master Quidditch and would be the pure someone for Georgia to seek advice from.

Albus attempted to listen in on their conversation via extendable Ear, but his mum must 've put an interperbabble good luck charm on the kitchen door because he could n't listen a matter. Dejected, he put away his Extendable Ear and returned to reading his August 6 book.

Shortly after Georgia left Saint James walked in the back room access with a grin on his face.

"What are you so happy about ?"Albus asked.

"Mum forgot to put the appeal on the window,"James River said."I heard everything."

"Well, tell me what you heard !"Albus said as he closed his book.

"I do n't know ...."

"seminal fluid on, James,"Albus said."If you do I wo n't separate Mum and Dad what you 're planning on doing to the punch at the party tomorrow."

"Fine,"James muttered as he sat down."Basically, Georgia 's still mad at Uncle Percy and does n't want to go to the party tomorrow. Mum convinced her that she needs to guide the luxuriously route and be supportive of Uncle Sir Henry Percy even though he is n't being supportive of her. And she said there 's no secret to getting him to acknowledge Quidditch as a valid career. He just has to realize it on his own and all Sakartvelo can do is be the dependable player she can and corroborate herself and not ask him for money. But then she reminded GA that Gramps was very supportive of her Quidditch career."

"zero too stir, then,"Albus said.

"Nope, not really,"James agreed."Going to puddle for an concern party, though."

"That 's for sure as shooting,"Albus said.
***


"Is the Minister 's sign of the zodiac glowing blue ?"Albus asked as he followed his parents up the winding path to the mansion.

It was New year 's Eve and the ceramicist were slightly late for the party, as usual. This sentence Jesse James had not been the reason ; they were late because Ginny had had to lengthen Albus 's gown last minute.

"It looks that way,"Harry answered."delay until you see the inside. The election New Year 's Eve party at the minister of religion 's sign is one of the grandest affair the Ministry puts on, only beaten out by the party that will take place for the winner of the election. It 's going to be far fancier than the party for Mr. Eckerton finally year."

Albus nodded. As they drew snug to the mansion Albus noticed that the blue sparkle seemed to staunch from the ground, illuminating the house as it went upward, but he could not see where the light came from. It looked to just appear out of the ground. The track itself was lined with silver candles.

The threshold was already unfold when they reached the end of the way. A man dressed in a full tux with tails stood in the doorway and he took Ginny and Lily 's wraps while another man led the thrower into the grand ballroom.

The ballroom was already filled to capacity and Albus noticed that nearly half of the multitude in attendance were his aunts, uncles, and first cousin. The ballroom itself was lit by silver candles similar to the ones that lined the way of life outside. The windowpane were draped in labored navy curtains tied with silver gray Mexican valium and matching linens dressed the tables and chairs scattered throughout the room. Larger tables containing phonograph record of intellectual nourishment stood in the center of the room, each one holding an ice sculpture. The sculpture were of various historical construction in wizarding Britain, including one of Hogwarts.

waiter dressed in the Sami tuxedos as the whizz by the door walked throughout the way carrying plates of food and drunkenness. After taking a look at some of the food they carried, Albus wondered if there was anything normal or if it was just illusion hors d'oeuvres.

"Before you all take off to get your cousin-german,"Harry began, staring more at his sons than at Lily."James, absolutely no pranks. Albus, no sneaking off to former parts of the mansion or going outside this year. Promise me, both of you."

"I promise,"Albus and James each mumbled.

"All right, you may go,"Harry said."And go along an eye out for your younger cousins. Make sure they 're not getting into trouble."

Albus nodded and then slipped into the bunch in search of Matt, rosiness, and something to eat that did not resemble something his aunt Fleur 's mother would make. He finally wound up at the dessert board where he found both a declamatory piece of chocolate cake and his friends.

"Albus, there you are !"rose wine said."We 've been here for an hour already."

"Mum had to lengthen my robes,"Albus said in between collation of patty.

"I 'm not surprised. You grew a foot in the past times year,"Rose commented.

"Seriously, you 've got to stop,"Matt said."You make me take care like a indorse year."

"Is everyone else here ?"Albus asked as they walked over to a mostly abandon table. Its simply occupant was a very old man who seemed to be taking a nap.

Rose nodded."Even Georgia showed up. But I did find out that the only intellect we were all invited was to prepare Uncle Percy look like to a greater extent of a family man."

"Really ?"Albus asked."I thought it was just because family line of the candidate were always invited."

"No. Usually it 's only immediate family line fellow member, plus all the Heads of departments and top Ministry functionary and their families. So not all of us were going to be invited at first. It 's to cook us look like a very tightlipped knit family."

"You are a close knit family,"Matt said."It 's like you 're all comrade and Sister rather than cousins."

"But Uncle Hotspur never really knotty any of us in his Ministry career before,"Albus pointed out."Anyway, Matt, how was your Christmas Day ?"

"good,"mat said."blush wine already told me about yours. Sounded much more matter to than mine. My grandparents came to visit and they went home yesterday. Mum and Cinda argued over the fact that we do n't visit them enough anymore and then Mum and Amy argued over the fact that Amy never comes plate except for vacation. Dad, Richard, and I just stayed out of it. I swear, those three could indicate over nothing."

"Sounds like yours was interesting then,"Albus said.

Matt shrugged."Honestly, it 's been rather boring at home."

"I 'm fix to get back to Hogwarts,"Albus said."Is Amy here ?"

"Yeah, she 's off with Victoire and chemise,"Matt said.

"Oh, by the way, do n't drink the slug,"Albus warned them."James IV is planning to put something in it."

"What ?"rose asked.

"I do n't screw, but it 'll probably be crude,"Albus said.

"If your uncle wins your full cousin will get to go here,"Matt said as he gazed around the room."Wyrd to think about. This seat looks bragging than my old house."

"It probably is,"Rose said."And you 're the right way, that is weird to remember about."

The old man let out a snort and woke up. His eyes darted around until they rested on Albus, Rose, and Matt."Who are you three ?"he demanded.

"Er, I 'm Albus ceramicist and that 's Rose Weasley and Matt Eckerton,"Albus said.

His human face softened."Oh, skillful to meet you ! I 'm Gregory the Great Laurentis. My daughter 's run for Minister. Could not be prouder, but I suppose she 's running against your uncle. Albus Potter, Merlin 's beard ! I told cake, I told her she was nuts to run against Percy Weasley what with him being related to Harry Potter himself, but her company picked her to run so I suppose there was cipher I could do about it. And she could n't grow down that opportunity ...."

Albus glanced at blush wine and Matt while Laurnetis 's dad continued to rattle on about how lofty he was of his girl, yet marvel at her stupidity for running against mortal related to Harry Potter. He was rather funny remark, Albus thought.

"This seat is too shit fancy,"Gregory Laurnetis muttered as he fingered the tablecloth."And the intellectual nourishment, my God, what I would n't give for some banger and mash ...."

Albus stifled a jest, but he did agree with the old man."I think I hear one of my cousins calling me,"Albus said."We 'd better go."

"Oh, right, right,"Gregory XIII Laurentis said."I do n't hear anything, but then again my audition 's so bad these days. Well, well circumstances to your uncle, then. Not that he 'll necessitate it !"

"trade good fortune to your daughter, too,"Albus said as he stood up.

All three burst out laughing as soon as they were out of earreach of Hildebrand Laurentis. A few Ministry officials looked at them strangely as they did so, but Albus did n't care.

"Albus !"Matt suddenly whispered."Is that Balladanis over there ?"flatness pointed to the far support niche, where a man in plain black robes stood with his arms folded across his chest.

Albus peered at the man for a few instant."Yeah, I think it is."

"What 's he doing here ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Probably in fount of an blast,"blush wine said."Every prominent Ministry functionary is in this room right now. There 's probably Aurors stationed at every doorway outside, too."

"Do n't let him see us,"Matt said as he grabbed both Albus and Rose and pulled them behind a expectant radical of people."Can we just go somewhere else ?"

Albus glanced at Balladanis and then back at mat, who looked Thomas More than a little nervous. Albus did n't blame him. After go twelvemonth 's scandal with Balladanis, it was no wonder lusterlessness never wanted to see the man again. Albus thought briefly of what his dad told him when they got there, but pushed the promise from his mind. If matt did n't want to be in the same room as Balladanis, then Albus was just going to have to separate his promise.

"seminal fluid on,"rose said before Albus could reply. She took Albus and flatness 's work force and pulled them through the crowd. She let them go once they reached the corridor.

The corridor was much quieter than the ballroom. Albus had n't even realized just how brassy the dance palace was until now. Between the music and people 's part, it was a wonder he 'd even been capable to think in there.

"Thanks,"Matt said quietly."He just gives me the creeps."

"No problem,"Rose said."Where should we go ?"

"We could try and find that library again,"Albus suggested.

Rose and flatness nodded and the three set off down the corridor. It took them fifteen proceedings and three wrong turns to find the depository library and once they got there, they saw that it was already occupied by none former than Georgia, Thomas Bradley, and Cedric.

"We 've got to check using the Same hiding places,"Peach State said with a laugh as they entered."Just joking. Come on in."

Rose shut the threshold behind them and they joined Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric on the other side of the room.

"Sick of the political party ?"Georgia asked.

"We saw Balladanis,"Matt said quietly as he sat down."Did n't want him to remark us."

Georgia shuddered."Do n't charge you there, especially since your dad is the reason he got sacked."

"I kind of liked him,"Bradley said.

matte looked at him like he was insane."Are you kidding ?"

Tom Bradley shrugged."Nope. I 'm not terribly upset he 's gone, but he was form of cool."

"You 're mad,"Matt said.

"What about you three ? What drove you to the library ?"Albus asked, wanting to stave off an tilt between his outdo Quaker and cousin.

"Decided to explore the house,"Cedric said."If we 're going to have to inhabit here, we wanted to see what we 'd be getting into."

"And what do you think ?"Rose asked.

"life here would n't be so bad,"Cedric said."Omar Bradley and I would n't have to share a room. Neither would Samantha and Lindy, for that matter."

"I told you, one of you can receive my way,"Georgia said.

"Dad wo n't let us,"Thomas Bradley replied."Says you 're going to come back when Quidditch stops paying off."

Georgia groaned."Really, the religious belief he has in me is incredible."

"We met Laurentis 's dad,"Albus said.

Georgia burst out laughing."Seriously ?"

Albus nodded and told the narration. All three of his cousin were laughing by the clip he finished.

"I may have to go back out there just so I can meet him,"Sakartvelo said, still laughing.

"He sounds like a very interesting bloke,"Bradley said.

lusterlessness got up from his chair and began wandering around the library. He paused by the door, as if listening.

"What are you doing ?"Albus asked.

"I heard something,"matt whispered."Shut up, all of you."

Georgia immediately stopped laughing and all five of them stopped talking. lustrelessness 's eyes grew big and he hurried back over."somebody 's coming !"

"I do n't try any-"Bradley began.

"Sshhh !"Albus said as he jumped up."trustfulness him on this. We 've got to hide."

"There 's a wardrobe,"Rose said as she hurried to open the door."It 's not very big-"

"doe n't matter,"matt said."haste, get inside."

Albus just started hearing the voices as they hurried inside the closet. It was a very sozzled squeeze and rosebush was stepping on his impart foot, but he said nothing as he shut the door. Two seconds later he heard the door to the library open.

"It 's not working !"a woman said. Her voice was muffled ; Albus could barely nominate out what she said, let alone who she was.

"I ca n't get word anything,"Cedric whispered."Is this threshold substantial mahogany tree or something ?"

"Shut up !"lusterlessness seethed. He had his ear pressed to the door.

"The one prison term I do n't bring any Extendables with me,"Cedric muttered.

Albus pressed his ear up against the room access. The part were still muffled, but he could hear.

"I told you they 'd eat up the whole syndicate man thing,"another voice said. This one was male."Not to bring up he 's Harry ceramicist 's brother-in-law for God 's sake !"

"Harry potter is an fumbling changeling and you know it,"the adult female replied."He 's famous for something he did as a child and the general world is dolt to still think of him as the paladin of the wizarding Earth. He 's gone soft."

"It 's Laurentis !"Matt said.

"How can you secern ?"Bradley asked."This threshold is so crashing thick."

"I just can,"lusterlessness said.

Albus could n't tell that the interpreter was Laurentis 's, but based on what she was saying, Matt was aright.

"wellspring, what am I supposed to do about it ?"the man said.

"We 've got to think of something,"Laurentis said."The Azkaban argumentation is in a week. I 'm sure enough you can think of something to do for that."

"I think that 's her campaign director,"mat said.

"She sounds dreadful,"Albus said.

"It should n't be that hard. All we have to do is expose Weasley for what he really is and get everyone to agnise thrower 's not the hero they all think he is,"Laurentis said.

"And who is Weasley, then ?"

"A pompous imbecile !"Laurentis exclaimed."You do n't really buy the hale fact that he supports his daughter 's Quidditch career, do you ? I 've seen the way she looks at him and there 's no way that 's real."

"You ca n't really know that-"

"I can,"she fitful."I can understand people, Franklin Pierce. That 's why I got into political science. It 's all about reading multitude and figuring out the lies from the truths. See what you can dig up. We 'd break return to the political party. I left my begetter alone with Minister Langston. That wo n't turn out well."

"Yes, Ms. Laurentis,"Pierce replied.

Albus heard the sound of high-pitched heels on hardwood story, the door creak open, and then click shut again. He waited two total mo and then opened the threshold to the closet. Everyone hurried out.

"What was that ?"mat demanded."What is she up to ?"

"How did you catch all that ?"Bradley asked."Do you have super human listening or something ?"

"Or something,"Matt muttered,"but never head that. Laurentis knows your dad 's putting on an act and is going to try to display him."He turned to Albus."And she is going to try and flex the wizarding domain against your dad."

"She 's insane !"Albus exclaimed.

"You 've got to tell apart your uncle-"Matt began.

"No way,"Empire State of the South said loudly."Trust me, all he 'll do is blame me for not playing my contribution well enough. This is n't leaving this room."

"But she 's going to sabotage his campaign,"Albus said.

"Georgia 's right,"Rose said."It wo n't help anything. effort are half about digging up grunge on the other campaigner. Anything she says about Uncle Harry, no one will believe it unless they 're an cretin. Anyone with half a mind knows he runs the Auror Department well."

"If anyone says anything he 'll just get mad at us for spying,"Bradley added.

"Not to mention we 're not technically allowed in here,"Cedric pointed out.

"Oh, right,"Albus said."My dad did make me promise not to impart the ballroom."

"No one 's saying anything,"Georgia said."And I think we 'd all better get back to the ballroom, just in case anyone notices we 're all gone.


Thanks for all the reviews ! Remember to keep them 12+. Props to all who caught the 'mahogany'Hunger Games point of reference. Credit for that goes to Suzanne Wilkie Collins. If any of you are members of the assembly ( and if you 're not, you should be, join on the right field side of the pageboy ! ), feel disengage to moderate out my meet the Author Page ! It 's linked on my author varlet. Please ask me questions on my MTA Page since I love answering them !


When they returned to the ballroom Albus was pleased to see that Balladanis was nowhere in ken. Perhaps he left to police the grounds. Albus did n't really care ; all that mattered was that he was n't there anymore. Judging by the crowd in the room, no one else had left yet, and they all seemed a bit more boisterous, most in all likelihood due to the drinks.

Sir Henry Percy accosted them before they were even able to get to the desert table to reload their plate with cake. He walked with purpose, similarly to the way he had walked when he took Albus and his friend to Kendrick 's study. He seemed very at home in the Minister 's Mansion and it was n't even his yet.

"Georgia !"he said."There you are. I 've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was in the loo. Something you need, Dad ?"Georgia asked.

"Er, yes, actually,"Walker Percy replied."I need you to get Samantha and lindy household. It 's nearly eleven and your mother and I are going to be here well yesteryear midnight. Samantha ate too much cake and feels ill. I just think it would be best for them to go home and get some sleep. They 're over at that table."Hotspur gestured to a nearby table, where Samantha and Lindy were sitting, both with their heads in their deal, looking extremely bored.

Georgia raised her eyebrows, as if surprised that Harry Hotspur was actually going to not only let three of his nipper leave, but request that they do so. Albus was surprised he 'd even remember about the fact that it was n't really a party for two nine-year-olds.

"Yeah, I can take them household,"Georgia said.

"What about us ?"Bradley asked, gesturing to himself and Cedric."Could n't we look at them family ?"

"I 'd rather Empire State of the South do it,"Harry Hotspur said."You do n't even get your spectre license yet, Cedric. And Bradley, you just got yours. You 're not ready to side-along Apparate two people."

"They do have hearth here, Dad,"Omar Nelson Bradley muttered.

"Georgia 's taking them, and the two of you are staying here,"Percy said adamantly."Thank you, Georgia."

"You 're welcome,"Georgia said as Percy strutted off to talk to some Ministry official."Ha !"she said once he was out of earreach."I get to leave."

"Shut up,"Cedric said."I 'm going to go get James."

Sakartvelo headed over to the table her sis were sitting at while Thomas Bradley and Cedric disappeared into the crew. Albus, Matt, and blush wine wandered over to the sweet mesa, piled a plate senior high with the cooky a waiter had just set out, and then set off to find another table. They found one, which Victoire, Teddy, and Amy were vacating.

"Where are you three off to ?"Albus asked.

"We 've got former bout tomorrow,"Victoire said."Five in the morning. If we 're prosperous we 'll get four 60 minutes of sleep."

"I do n't see much point in staying if they 're not here,"Teddy said."Technically I was n't even invited, but seeing as I 'm Harry ceramist 's Godson, no one was going to kick me out."

Albus laughed."See you later, then."

After Victoire, teddy, and Amy left Albus sat down and his acquaintance sat on either side. He absentmindedly chewed on a biscuit and watched the bunch.

"Do these taste funny to you ?"Matt asked, holding up a partially eat on biscuit.

Albus took another collation. They did taste Weird."Yeah."

blush wine burst out laughing and started pointing at their chief."I think James River messed with the cookie instead of the punch. Al, your haircloth is blue and Matt, yours is green."

Albus and Matt both started laughing. Albus took another look at the crew."feeling, that dame 's hair is empurple !"He pointed to a Wiccan a few yards away. The chap she was talking to was clearly trying not to stare at her head.

Over the succeeding few minutes mass gradually began to realize that their hair was turning several coloration and that the biscuits were the perpetrator. wand appeared everywhere, as the guests charmed each other 's hair back to its normal colour. Another minute later Albus spotted both of his parents walking around the perimeter of the elbow room, clearly looking for Henry James, but he was nowhere in sight.

"I like this prank,"Albus said."I 'm leaving my hair as is."

"Me too,"Matt agreed. They both turned to rosiness."You should eat one."

Rose sighed."might as well."She took a cookie and a minute of arc later her formerly red hair was a lovely nuance of garden pink.

The relief of the party was rather boring. Harry eventually found Jesse James and told him he 'd be staying in his elbow room for the difference of the holiday, only being allowed out for meals. When midnight rolled around Albus, Matt, and Rose toasted to the new year with Lily and Hugo. Matt and his parents left immediately afterward and Albus and his kinfolk left a short while later. Albus was relieved to be going dwelling since the night had been exhausting, and he still could n't get the conversation he overheard in the library out of his mind.
***


"It 's here !"James shouted the next morning at breakfast, brandishing a transcript of whizz magazine. The front cover was a pictorial matter of Albus 's grandparents, his mum, Uncle Sir Henry Percy, Uncle Bill, Uncle Charlie, Uncle St. George, and Uncle Ron.

"Let me see it !"Albus shouted.

"No, I got it first !"James shouted back.

"I want to take it first !"Lily exclaimed.

"Kids, sink down !"Ginny said."James I got it first. Al can learn it next, and then Lily."

"Not fair,"Lily muttered."I 'm never first."

That was a lie, Albus thought to himself. It was either James or Lily who got thing first, never Albus. condemnation of being the middle child, he figured.

Albus sat and ate his breakfast while King James read the article. His brother let out moan and sighs and even laughter while he read, which made Albus even more uneasy to record it. After what seemed wish forever, it was finally Albus 's number. He yanked the magazine out of Saint James the Apostle 's deal and opened it up to the article.

The first page ( or rather, first two page ), contained the exposure of his entire phratry. Albus had been right in guessing that there was no way the lensman could 've gotten a picture that they all looked near in. Albus himself at least looked halfway decent. He was smiling and kept turning to look at rose and then back to the tv camera. Lily on the other hired man, was caught mid-grimace and always returned to that bewilder every few mo. Across the photograph was the gens of the article- 'Christmas With the Weasleys .'Albus turned the page and looked at all the former photographs that accompanied the clause before reading it. There was one of Percy, Corrine, and their nipper. Another featured Sir Henry Percy and Albus 's dad. Then there was the one with him playing Exploding ginger nut with the Gemini the Twins and Walker Percy, as well as the one with Percy and Amanda playing chess game. The caption on that take 'Minister hopeful Percy Weasley challenges the bloom Minister 's niece to a game of cheat .'Amanda was not going to be glad, Albus thought as he turned his care to the article.

When I first entered the childhood home of Percy
Weasley I immediately noticed the delicious smells
that filled the air. Molly Weasley, Percy 's female parent,
was strong at employment cooking Christmas Eve dinner. The
humble, but tea cosy, home was filled to capacity with
Weasleys, although it only grew more push with
the arrival of the potter an hour later.

The Weasley home gathers for Christmas at the
home of Arthur and Molly Weasley every twelvemonth.
Arthur, a retired Ministry employee, says ,'I
bang having the entire family together. It 's
chaotic, but I would n't have it any other way .'
The eventide begins with a repast, although eating
seems to take billet over many hours. The atmosphere
is homey and happy, with every single family line
extremity enjoying their prison term with each other.

Percy Weasley, a loving father of five, joins in
on the fun and Christmastime heart by challenging
his nine-year-old daughters Samantha and lindy,
as well as nephew Albus ceramist, 14, to a biz
of Exploding crack .'I feel it 's important to
spend clock time with my children, as well as my nieces
and nephews ,'Weasley said, 'we have such trivial
sentence with them before they go off to Hogwarts.
My eldest is already out on her own and my sons
only have a picayune time left at Hogwarts. The
twins are still Whitney Moore Young Jr., so I try to spend time
with them every single day .'When asked
about their father 's campaign, Samantha said,
'I want him to win. He 's good at his job .'
Lindy merely shrugged, 'It would be cool down if he
wins, but he 'll still just be Dad to us .'

The menage of Arthur and Molly Weasley is not
only open to Weasleys at Dec 25 time. This
year they were joined by a booster of Albus Potter
and Rose Weasley, 14. Amanda tagging program, also 14, is
a fourth year student at Hogwarts. Tagger is no
unknown to political families since her uncle
is Michael Smythe, efflorescence Minister of Great
UK .'I think it is just howling that
the Prime diplomatic minister 's niece is a beldam ,'Sir Henry Percy
said. 'We are always trying to raise a
healthy kinship with the Muggle Ministry
and this will only help .'

Before posing for the photo found on pages
20 and 21, the Weasley family first donned
their Weasley jumpers. Each phallus of the syndicate
receives one of these jumpers for Christmas
every year. The traditional pinafore are knitted
by Molly Weasley .'I 'm not sure how it started,
really ,'mollie said, when asked about the stock
of the pinafore ,'I suppose it was when vizor and
Charlie were little, before Sir Henry Percy was born. I
wanted to knit them matching jumpers and they
outgrew them by the following year, so I made
new ones. Then when Percy was born he needed one
so it soon grew into a yearly thing .'

If I had to prefer one word to draw the Weasley
kin, I would choose 'laid-back .'Spending a
Xmas Eve with this family, you would never
think that they were noted for their efforts in
the war against Voldemort. They are just so normal.
Even Harry ceramist, Head Auror, is just your
average Father of the Church. He spends Christmas Eve joking
around with his brothers-in-law and playing games
with his tike, nieces, and nephews. I asked
him what a typical Yuletide day is like in the
Weasley theatre and he responded with, 'Quidditch.
We live for Quidditch. No matter the weather we
get out there every Christmas and play a lucifer or
two. Then we 'll come inside and have dinner, all
of us together. It 's simple, but perfect .'

There you have it. Yuletide with the Weasleys
summed up in one sentence by none early than Harry
potter himself. I thoroughly enjoyed spending
Christmas Eve with Percy Weasley and his full
family. next time I interview him, I really must
ask for his female parent 's shepherd 's pie recipe. It
truly is wonderful.

"Really ?"Albus asked after handing the cartridge holder to Lily."After all that ? She interviewed half the family and only quoted a few of us ?"

"I 'm guessing the rest could n't really be used for the type of article she was going for,"James River pointed out."bill how she only included stuff Samantha and lindy hop said."

"And she made it seem like the photographer just happened to postulate pictures of us playing games with Uncle Sir Henry Percy,"Albus said."All of that was staged."

"That 's journalism,"Ginny said."Not good journalism, mind you, but it is fairly common practice."

"I guess it could induce been worse,"Albus said.

"Yes, it could get been,"Ginny agreed."I think we 're all just grateful she did n't stick for Christmas Day dinner."

King James laughed."I wonder how she would 've spun that. I 'm amazed no one 's figured out that Uncle Percy does n't really like that GA plays Quidditch."

"living your mouth shut about that, James,"Ginny said quietly.

"Anyone with half a brain could see it,"James muttered.

Albus said nothing. He still was n't completely sure that saying zippo about Laurentis figuring that out was the right thing to do. But he could n't exactly say anything, not when all his cousins and Matt had agreed not to.

"James I,"Ginny said."Enough. And I suggest you use the remainder of your break to take for those O.W.L.s. June is a lot Sooner than you think."

James certainly did a estimable job of pretending to study for the remainder of the holiday, while shut up in his way for his penalization. Albus noticed that while he always had a book cracked open nearby, to grab when one of their parents walked into the way, it was always the same book, opened to the Sami page. Albus was amazed neither of his parents realized that, but he supposed both of them had their minds on Percy 's election. Albus finished all his homework before the weekend, leaving him with two blissful days of doing naught. On Sat he, along with his parents, Jesse James, and Lily, visited Kaden and his house for a late Christmas and New twelvemonth 's festivity. Albus was relieved that Kaden 's grandparents were n't there.

Monday arrived and it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Albus was quite happy about this because he had grown bored of staying at home and doing nix and was sick of being in such closing quarters with James and Lily. At least in Gryffindor column they kept to their own groups of ally. But mostly, Albus wanted to get Amanda 's return on the conversation they overheard at the Minister 's Mansion.

"Everyone 's staring at me,"Amanda said as she entered the compartment Albus, Rose, matte, John, and Kaden were occupying."Took me ages to find you, just because mass kept wanting to talk to me. It 's that stupid cartridge clip clause. Now everyone knows I 'm the bloom Minister 's niece."

"It was bound to chance sooner or later,"rosebush pointed out."But I 'm grim. If I 'd cognize the reporter was going to talk about that, I would n't have invited you for Christmas."

"No, it 's okay,"Amanda said as she sat down."I 'm glad I went. It 's just annoying. Guess I know how it feels to be you lot."

"Except us,"John said as he gestured to himself and Kaden."We 're normal."

"You 're normal, bathroom,"Amanda said."But Kaden 's Harry Potter 's first cousin once removed or something."

"And that really makes me wonder how I got wrapped up in all this,"john said."My parents just are n't nearly as ambitious as yours all are."

"How was that party, by the way ?"Amanda asked.

"Mostly boring,"Albus said."But we did wind up in a tiny closet with my cousins GA, Bradley, and Cedric and overheard a conversation between Laurentis and her campaign manager."

"You what ?"John exclaimed."And you did n't think that warranted an owl ?"

"We wanted to state you in person,"Albus said."The conversation was really weird."

"Tell us !"Amanda said.

Albus explained what he overheard, with assistant from lustrelessness, who had been able to get wind it a bit more clearly. John Lackland and Kaden looked slightly uncomfortable when they finished, but Amanda did n't look at all surprised or upset.

"That ca n't be right,"John said."What do you think she 's planning ?"

"That 's just it, I do n't have sex,"Albus said."And all my cousins and matt agreed not to say anything-"

"They 're right hand, of course of study,"Amanda said."You 'd just stir up trouble. Your uncle has got to focus on convincing people he 's the right one for the job, not discrediting everything Laurentis says."

"But she 's going to try and convince everyone my dad 's a bad Auror,"Albus pointed out.

"Your dad is n't running for Minister,"Amanda said."And honestly, I do n't think she 's going to be capable to convince all of wizarding Britain that your dad 's incompetent by April."

"But what about the Georgia thing-"

"Albus,"Amanda said as she stared directly at him,"this is what politician do. Half the campaign is spent trying to win over people the adversary is bad for the job. As much as it should just be spent on trying to convince people they 're proper for the job, nominee just do n't do that. confidence me. My uncle 's on his indorse term. I know how these things work."

"I guess,"Albus said. He felt slightly better about it, now that he had Amanda 's impression, but he still felt uneasy."Something is going to happen at the Azkaban debate, though. She wanted her campaign manager to dig something up."

"Worst instance scenario, she figures out that your uncle Percy does n't really approve of Peach State 's Quidditch career,"Amanda said."Then he 'll give an interview and say that at first he was n't because he was care about her future but then he saw her romp and now he realizes how just she is and blah, blah, blah. It 'll be fixed."

"She 's right, Albus,"Rose said. The others nodded.

"How do you be intimate all this ?"Albus asked."I mean, seriously."

"I 'm an excellent eavesdropper,"Amanda said with a grin."And all without Extendable Ears."

"Amazing,"John agreed.

"It 's simple, really,"Amanda said."Be the kid in your family that goes unnoticed. My older sister is the drama queen, so everything that happens to her, no affair how humble, is a huge deal. My footling brother is a brat who demands changeless attending. Me ? I 'm the quiet one. They 'll give birth unanimous conversations about stuff in figurehead of me that they 'd never have in social movement of either my chum or sister."

Kaden laughed."Bet that changed when you found out you were a witch."

"At foremost, but then me being a witch became pattern,"Amanda said.

Matt let out a low tin whistle."Wish I had that skill. I still ca n't even go into the Sami way as my parents without one of them asking me if I feel okay. Bit of an exaggeration, but still."

"I think my parents spent too much of their puerility eavesdropping on hoi polloi to apply me a decently prospect at it,"Albus said."They know all the tricks."

"So do mine,"rose said."I swear my mum can sense an extendable Ear a nautical mile away."

"I think I 'm too loud,"bathroom said.

"Saame,"Kaden agreed.

"So, would you believe me if I said I actually wanted to go to the Azkaban argumentation ?"John asked as he opened a box of Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor Beans.

blush wine burst out laughing."Really, bathroom ?"

"Yes, really,"lav said, popping a bean into his mouth."Butter, Weird. If Laurentis is going to do something, I want to be right there to witness it."

"Maybe you 'll get prosperous and you 'll get picked,"Amanda said."I hope I get picked for one."

"I bet they 'll let you go to all of them now, being the efflorescence Minister's niece and all,"Gospel According to John said.

"Not necessarily,"Amanda said.

"You can always take my spot, Saint John the Apostle,"flatness said as he got up to steal a handful of John 's Bertie Bott 's."Full moon 's on Friday, so I wo n't be going."

"Maybe you can convert Madam Pomfrey, since it 's educational,"Kaden said.

Matt popped a bean into his sassing and then promptly patter it out."Ew, dirt. Does n't matter what lady Pomfrey says. Day after the broad moon ? I 'll be asleep. You 'll just receive to subscribe to banknote and let me know what happens."

John groaned."I 'll pop off on your spot if I have to carry notes."

"someone 's going to make to take bank note either way,"Matt said."I 'll need them for the essay that Embry will assign."

"Do n't worry, I 'll take short letter,"Rose told him.

"Thanks,"Matt replied."Now, who 's wants this edible bean ? It looks just similar dirt, but it could be chocolate."Matt held up a suspiciously brownness bean.

"I 'll get it !"John said. He took a tiny pick, screwed up his font, and threw the repose of the noggin back at Matt, hitting him square on the forehead."Thanks, match, another dirt."

Albus laughed and took a fistful of beans. The oddment of the trip was much more blithe than their conversation about the campaign tactics of Laurentis and Harry Hotspur. They finished off can 's Bertie Bott 's, growing braver as the box emptied. Albus stopped after he got a vomit flavored one, but enjoyed it immensely when Kaden ate one of the same flavor. The power train ride went quickly and soon they arrived in Hogsmeade station with Hogwarts, Albus 's second place, just a forgetful bearing ride away.


Sorry for the late update ! My cousin-german got married on Friday so I was gone the whole weekend and did n't have my computer with me. Thanks to my sister, Linda, who in my kinsfolk, is just the like Amanda and can listen in on everyone. She gave me the idea for that. Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


"This term we will focalize on how the first and second war against Voldemort shaped how the Ministry of trick is organized today,"professor Embry announced after the Bell rang for Tues 's politics class."This component part of the course will overlap with your History of Magic socio-economic class quite a bit, although I 'd hazard a guess that none of you pay attending in history of magic, not that I blame you. I never could stay put awake in that stratum either.

"beginning, we will take a nearer look at exactly how the Ministry was organized prior to Voldemort 's rise to force and why it was such a job,"Embry continued."region of the rationality why Voldemort was capable to come up to power as quickly as he did was because the Ministry was susceptible to a takeover. Since then, precautions have been taken to foreclose a standardized situation. Does anyone fuck the main difference of opinion between the Ministry before Voldemort and the Ministry now ?"

A few hired man went up in the air, including Amanda 's. Albus knew the answer, but he did n't really want to raise his manus. He preferred listening during class.

"Yes, Miss tagger ?"

"The minister of religion was n't elected,"Amanda said,"which is odd because the Muggle Minister is elected, kind of. It 's not like in the United DoS, but the public right to vote on which party will be in power."

"Exactly,"Embry said."Prior to the reorganization of the Ministry of Magic in 1998, the Minister was appointed by the Wizengamot. Can anyone tell me why that is a problem ?"

Amanda 's hired hand shot into the air once more. She was even faster than blush wine in this class.

"young lady Tagger ?"

"It was bad because the mass had no baron. Only the Wizengamot had any tycoon in the Ministry, because they were the ones who appointed the Minister, who then appointed all the former functionary. No one had any say in anything."

"Right again. Ten dot to Gryffindor,"Embry said."The Wizengamot, prior to 1998, was a mathematical group of very influential witches and sorcerer, mostly thoroughbred, who essentially ran the Ministry of Magic. They also served as the judicial scheme. These beldame and wizards inherited their seats on the Wizengamot from kinfolk phallus because each influential kinfolk in the Brits wizarding humans once held a seat in the Wizengamot. The problems with this are obvious because it meant that only purebloods and a select few half-bloods had any color of power."

Albus was scribbling furiously. He knew the basics of the political system just from overhearing his parents'conversations, but the details were brumous. Now that he was learning the gritty details, he wondered why it took so long for the Ministry to be reorganized. It seemed like it was based solely on rip status and how a good deal money individual had, which was n't right.

Embry continued to explain the old Ministry and the various superpower that each soul or group of people in the Ministry had prior to Voldemort 's reign. By the end of the lecture Albus had just over a pes of line, which was good because Embry had already set them an essay.

"Before you leave, I 'll announce who will be attending Saturday 's debate,"Embry said after he finished lecturing."Like last clock time, Albus ceramist, Rose Weasley, and Matt Eckerton will be able to attend. The two Hufflepuffs who will be attending are Elaine Asterly and Charlie Parker Wayland. The two Gryffindors are Amanda Tagger and Ethan Kesse. You will report to the Great Hall at ten and wait for instructions from the prefects waiting by the doors. Everyone else will be listening to the debate via wireless in the Transfiguration classroom. I expect an essay on which prospect you feel made their dot better by next form. You are dismissed."

"I guess I wo n't get to go to all the argument after all,"Amanda said as they left the classroom.

"This one will be serious, though,"Rose said."You 're lucky they picked you for it."

"want I got picked,"trick lamented.

"I 'm telling you, just go instead of me,"flatness insisted."Tell them I 'm ill and you 're taking my spot."

"I really do n't think they 'll let-"

"Planning on being ill on Saturday, are you ?"

Albus and his champion stopped in the midriff of the corridor, turning around to see Scorpius Malfoy behind them, his arms crossed across his bureau. He looked arrogant and vaguely annoyed as common, but there was something else there. He looked slightly upset and for some ground, that unnerved Albus.

"contribute it a rest, Malfoy,"John said, stepping closer to the Slytherin."We get that you know. We 've gotten over it."

Scorpius stepped closelipped, ignoring John and turning to Matt."How do you get into the screaming Shack ?"he demanded.

lusterlessness 's face paled. John grabbed grasp of Scorpius 's robes and dragged him into a nearby classroom. John the Divine had at least four in on Malfoy, so it did n't seem unmanageable. Albus and the others followed, Rose shutting and locking the threshold behind them.

"Why do you want to know about the shrieking shack ?"lav asked as he let go of Scorpio.

"None of your occupation,"Scorpius said, glancing at the locked door. He slowly drew his verge.

King John drew his own baton."Put your sceptre away. And it 's his business which makes it all of our business."trick gestured to matte, who had sat down on one of the desks.

"There 's five of you. Like hell I 'm putting my scepter away. So I am right, he does translate in the Shrieking shack,"Scorpius said with a sly grin. The face of sadness Albus thought he 'd seen was gone ; maybe he 'd imagined it.

"Saint John !"Matt exclaimed."Now look what you 've done !"

"Sorry,"St. John said."I did n't intend to-"

"Never mind,"Matt said, getting up from the desk and walk over to John and Scorpio."How did you figure it out ?"

"Where else could you transform safely ?"Scorpius asked."I did a fiddling inquiry in the library and that was built the summer before Remus Lupin started at Hogwarts and everyone knows he was a lycanthrope. No one ever lived in it, but people reported hearing Wyrd noises from it. Everyone said it was spook, but they went strangely still seven years later, only to reappear four and a half years ago, when we started at Hogwarts. Quite a co-occurrence, I thought. And now I see that I 'm right."

Albus was sort of shocked Scorpius had done all that research and put everything together. Perhaps he was smarter than Albus and his friends gave him credit for.

"Well, you ca n't recite anyone, just like you ca n't tell anyone I 'm a werewolf,"Matt said."Kendrick would expel you."

"I do n't worry that it 's where you transform,"Scorpio said."The point is that it 's empty except for one Night of the month. How do you get in ?"

"I 'm not telling,"Matt said.

"Fine, I 'll figure it out myself,"Scorpio said, pointing his wand at the door. The ringlet clicked and he strolled over to the threshold, opened it, and left.

"That was Weird,"Albus said as soon as Scorpius was gone.

"Yeah,"Matt said, sitting down on the nearest desk."Why does he want to get in the Shrieking Shack ?"

"Clearly he needs someplace that 's hollow, but the question is what is he planning on doing ?"pink wine asked."And did anyone else notice that he seemed a bit sad in the corridor ?"

"I thought I 'd imagined that,"Albus said.

"You did n't. He 's definitely upset about something,"rose wine said.

lusterlessness groaned."He improve not actually figure out how to get in there."

"If he does, he would n't be mute enough to go in there during a full-of-the-moon moon,"Albus pointed out.

"Yeah, but still. That 's my distance,"flatness muttered."I need a nap. I think I 'm going to cut dinner and just go back to Gryffindor. I 'll see you later."

matt hopped off the desk and left the room. Albus sighed. The last thing he wanted, amidst all of the election hooey and his family 's drama, was another proceeds with Scorpius Malfoy, but it looked like things were heading in that direction.
***


The following aurora when Albus and his protagonist entered the Great Hall for breakfast the students already eating were much louder than normal. Albus turned to Rose, who shrugged in confusion, as they walked inside. Everyone in the room, students and teachers alike, were talking ominously. Copies of the Prophet were exchanging custody faster than the Quaffle during a Gryffindor/Slytherin mate.

"Albus !"James shouted once they reached the Gryffindor tabular array."Read this. There 's been a break-out at Azkaban."

"Again ?"Albus exclaimed, hurrying over to where St. James the Apostle was sitting. He took the paper and his protagonist crowded around him.

"Not like last time,"James said darkly."High-profile prisoner and more of them. demise Eaters. There has n't been a break-out like this in years. Not since our parents were our age."

Albus 's heart began to Pound as he unfolded the newspaper publisher. There it was, right on the front page. A big photo montage of five multitude, all gaunt and evil-looking, was right in the midriff, with the words 'Five captive Break Out of Azkaban'above them and an article below them. Albus 's venter churned when he recognized the picture of the eye prisoner. It was Quinton Willinson. His eyes drifted to the clause so he could calculate out who the others were.

Early this sunup Azkaban officials
reported that five eminent security captive
escaped recently in conclusion night. It is undecipherable how
they managed to do so. The prisoner, all
imprisoned for felonies, should be regarded
as dangerous and should not be approached.

Four of the five captive have been in
Azkaban since 1998, having been imprisoned
for war crime. They are Alecto Carrow,
Amycus Carrow, Fenrir Greyback, and Dolores
Umbridge. All but Umbridge are proven end
Eaters. The fifth part prisoner, Quinton Willinson,
has been in and out of prison since 2018,
having escaped and been recaptured just last
year.

'Finding and recapturing these someone is
our top priority ,'header Auror, Harry Potter,
said to newsman early this morning. Minister
campaigner and pass Azkaban official, Patricia
Laurentis, refused to comment on the break-out.
The Auror department has asked all those with
tips to report them to the Ministry via owl
immediately.

Albus sat stunned after reading the article. Three Death eater, Dolores Umbridge, and Quinton Willinson had escaped from Azkaban. How did that befall ? How did five high security prisoner just escape with no one stopping them ? It did n't make horse sense.

"This is not going to produce Laurentis reckon good,"Amanda said quietly.

"Forget Laurentis, this is bad,"Albus said."Very bad. Umbridge is iniquity, twisted evil. My dad 's got scrape on his paw from what she did to him when she was a teacher here. And the Carrows, they were teachers, too. They taught Dark Arts. Not Defense, but factual Dark Arts, and how to torture Muggles. Greyback-"

"grayback bites people, for fun,"matte said, his face picket white."He 's the one who bit teddy 's dad."

"The four of them,"Albus began,"the four of them make Quinton Willinson look like a unicorn."

"That 's the weird affair,"Rose said."The others are in prison house for life for war crimes. Willinson will be in there for a patch, but he 'll get parole eventually and the only reason he 's a gamy security prisoner is because he escaped before. So why did he break dance out with the others ? Why did they let him in on it ? They 're up to something."

Albus had n't even thought of that. Why was Quinton Willinson now connected with war criminals who had been in prison house since before he was born ? It did n't make mother wit. Albus thought about it throughout all his class that day, but did n't do up with any answers.

It was obvious that the Azkaban break-out had unnerved the entire castle. Professors spoke in low whispers when they thought students were n't around, students no longer wandered the castle by themselves, and even Scorpio Malfoy seemed a bit more subdued during dueling practice on Thursday.

All five prisoner still remained at turgid on Friday, when Ministry functionary began arriving for the disputation. Laurentis still had yet to comment on the break-out, which struck Albus as strange. Azkaban was her territory and yet she said nothing on the subject.

"Is it just me or are there even more reporters here than there were last prison term ?"Albus asked.

"It 's not just you,"Amanda said.

Albus, Matt, John, and Amanda were walking back to the castle from tending of Magical Creatures. It was slow going since the full moon was that night and flatness was exhausted, but luckily the weather was unseasonably warm for January. They 'd just been passed by a group of hurry looking reporter coming up from Hogsmeade.

"There 's probably more because of the break-out,"lusterlessness said."Laurentis is going to induce to finally say something about it tomorrow since the topic is Azkaban."

"Energy anyone else think it 's weird that there was a break-out three days before the Azkaban debate ?"Albus asked.

"I thought of that, too,"Amanda said."Very weird coincidence."

"wellspring, it 'll be thoroughly for your uncle,"John said."Laurentis is going to look like an changeling, not being capable to keep five in high spirits security captive in Azkaban."

Albus nodded. He supposed that was one good thing that came from three demise Eaters escaping from Azkaban, not that there was anything good about it.

"I 'm skipping Charms,"matte said through a oscitancy."And Ancient Runes."

"I 'm surprised you did n't skip Care of Magical tool,"John said.

Matt shrugged."I felt okay earlier, probably because of the nap I took in History of Magic."

lav laughed."I felt much better after my nap in story of conjuring trick, too."

"Very funny,"lustrelessness said as they reached the castle.

Albus found it increasingly difficult to centre on anything for the rest of the day. By the time he went to antediluvian rune he was unable to think about anything besides the break-out and the fact that Death feeder were now roaming barren. Deep down he knew he was perfectly safe at Hogwarts, but it was still troubling.

professor Kendrick welcomed the Ministry official to Hogwarts at dinner that night and Albus thought back to the finally debate, when Hogwarts had housed the Ministry functionary. He was very glad that this time he would n't be confessing to a prank to his uncle in the Gryffindor common room. Neither John or Kaden had done their revenge prank to the Slytherins yet and Albus kind of hoped they would n't.

After a fitful quietus Albus woke early on Saturday morning and contemplated visiting lustrelessness before everyone else woke up, but figured that matt would be asleep and thus it would be superfluous to see. He 'd visit with everyone else later, after the debate. They 'd have plenty of time sine there was n't going to be a question and solution session this time.

At ten o'clock Albus, Rose, and Amanda stood in line in nominal head of the Great mansion house, waiting to be let inside. John had decided not to bother asking if he could get hold of matt 's space, since he did n't want to draw any care to the fact that mat was not there.

"Albus,"rosiness whispered, poking him in the side."spirit. Malfoy 's here."

Albus glanced over to where rose wine was pointing and saw that Scorpius was in fact waiting in demarcation. He looked sullen and disturbance again and Albus wished he knew why. It was eldritch seeing Malfoy, the usually arrogant prick, upset.

"Guess he won the Slytherin spot,"Albus said.

The room access to the Great Hall opened and Albus and rose wine said goodbye to Amanda before they were lead to the battlefront of the room by a Slytherin prefect. They were seated in the Lapp row they were before, along with the residuum of their Hogwarts cousins.

The Great vestibule slowly filled up over the side by side half minute. The rest of Albus 's cousin-german, aunt, and uncles arrived, taking smear in the front few rows. Albus caught Empire State of the South 's eye as she took her rear in the row on the opposite side of the elbow room from him and she gave him a slight grin.

Albus wondered if Laurentis 's campaign coach had actually found anything on Uncle Percy and whether she would say anything during the debate. With the break-out, he hoped she 'd been too busy to dig up much stain or even think about exposing anything.

Albus turned to the movement of the room and watched a very curtly man accompany Professor Kendrick to the moderator 's podium. He was dressed in Ministry blue robes and had very trivial hair on his head.

"tending, please !"Kendrick shouted. The crowd quieted."Thank you. I 'd like to welcome all of you to Hogwarts and introduce our moderator for this morning. superior Farleigh, Head of the department of Magical Transportation."

"Thank you, professor,"the short, balding man said."I 'd now like to introduce our candidates, although I am sure you all know them. Mr. Walker Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

Percy and Laurentis walked into the room from one of the antechambers and took their plaza at each of the pulpit. Percy looked as confident as always and Laurentis, despite the scandal of the break-out, looked poised and excited.

"Today we will be debating the juridical system, specifically Azkaban prison,"Farleigh announced."The usual formula apply. Five minute statement, two minute rebuttals."

Laurentis inched closer to her podium, as if she was readying herself to pounce on whatever Harry Hotspur said. Percy remained tranquillise and collected, continuing to toy the role of the cool politician.

"Mr. Weasley, you will react first. Do you palpate that the judicial organisation as a unit is comely to both the accused and victims of offense ? Are the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot fair ?"

"I believe everyone is able-bodied to get a middling tryout by the Wizengamot,"Hotspur began."I have reviewed many instance, and while I am not nor do I pretend to be a solicitor, and I feel that the majority of the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot fit the crime. However, there is always a chance that a individual shamefaced of a crime will go unloose, as there is an touch chance that someone will be wrongfully imprisoned. The judicial arrangement works hard to take a leak sure this happens as infrequently as possible and corrects wrongs when they do occur."

"Ms. Laurentis ?"

"I disagree with my opponent,"Laurentis said."Most of the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot are not harsh enough. Ever since the defeat of Voldemort prison time have grown shorter, with the exclusion of those imprisoned for war crimes. And one shamefaced soul who roams discharge is too many. If I am elected pastor I will work hard to assure that no guilty people get off. prisoner belong in Azkaban and the Wizengamot is far too lenient."

"Your rebutter, Mr. Weasley."

"While a goal of not having any shamefaced multitude get set innocent is suitable, it is unrealistic,"Percy said."The Wizengamot is composed of hag and wizards like you and me. They are not any more powerful than we are and do not possess the ability to fuck for certainly that the accused are guilty. Mistakes happen and while we should work to minimize them, it is very unrealistic to say that we can get rid of them completely. Ms. Laurentis is offering false hope."

"I am not offering false hope,"Laurentis said."There are spells, potions, room to discover out if masses are guilty that the Wizengamot does not use. If I am elect Minister I will approve use of these and they will assist the Wizengamot in ensuring that no guilty criminals are set free."

Albus agreed with his uncle. There was no potential way Laurentis could undertake that all crook would be imprisoned.

"Next head,"Farleigh said."Ms. Laurentis, you will go first. Do you feel the parole system is effective ?"

Laurentis gave a wry grin before beginning."Much like the Wizengamot, the parole organisation is too indulgent. I have seen crook shamefaced of grand thieving get paroled after a mere two years in prison. The statistics are clear, to the highest degree of these criminals who are paroled early on in their condemnation wind up back in Azkaban within a class, whether for breaking the rules of their word of honor or committing another criminal offence. As Head of Azkaban, I am able to founder my input of whether a prisoner is paroled or not, but in the end it is up to the Wizengamot."

"Mr. Weasley."

"As my opposite has said, many criminals are paroled too quickly. However, I do not believe that leaving them in Azkaban longer is the solution. If I am elected I will create and subscribe a better system of rules for integrating felon back into order. Muggles have seen success with halfway houses and I feel we should try that in wizarding society."

"Halfway houses ?"Laurentis said with raised eyebrows."An intriguing thought. However, Mr. Weasley lacks the experience that I have with dealing with prisoners. Most are not fit for society and many never will be. Even with halfway houses they will wrap up back in Azkaban. Why spend the money on trying to rehabilitate when it wo n't figure out ?"

"It 's about giving people a probability,"Percy said."Not everyone is a fall behind causal agent and should be written off so quickly. Many captive have made a few bad choices as a issue of bad puerility and a bit of rehabilitation will set them straight."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh said."future question. Is Azkaban an appropriate berth to planetary house prisoners ? Is the adroitness still doing its job ?"

Percy shifted a bit before answering."Azkaban is an earmark facility for highschool security prisoners, but I have always felt that we need a less intimidating building to business firm our lower berth surety prisoner. Right now all criminals, from those who committed lilliputian theft or skipped bail to those who have murdered people, are all housed in Azkaban. I have been to Azkaban. Despite the fact that it is no longer in restraint of the dementors it is still a terrifying and high gear security place. It also requires a lot of money for its sustentation. If we were to construct a minuscule building located on the mainland to house lower security prisoners, we would be able to decrease outgo at Azkaban itself. We could then increase security at Azkaban without wasting crusade and money on less dangerous criminals."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"How is building another adeptness going to save money ?"Laurentis asked."Once again you show your ignorance in the juridical system and Azkaban. I believe that Azkaban is doing its job perfectly well. I am in charge of the prison, including its upkeep and it is in perfect condition. We are not spending an exorbitant amount of money on the situation. Further, I do not believe that less dangerous criminals deserve a lower surety prison. They are all criminals and if they did not wish to be in Azkaban, they should not have committed a crime."

"Maintaining Azkaban is expensive,"Percy said."It is also extremely difficult to hire guard because of its location and oecumenical flavour of the office, not to bring up the grave criminals. If we housed less serious criminals in another building, it would be tardily to find sentry go to work there. We could then use the guards bequeath to hold high protection prisoners only to ward mellow security prisoners. We would no longer have to languish them on bring down security department prisoners."

"But we will still have got to maintain Azkaban, and then another building,"Laurentis pointed out."It just makes far more sense to hold back all criminals in one berth and an island is a good space to do that-"

"Obviously not that in effect, given the escape-"

"Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh interrupted."You are speaking out of bout. It is fourth dimension to motivate on to the next question. In light of the recent Azkaban break-out, what do you palpate pauperism to be done to ensure it does not go on again ?"

Laurentis gazed out over the crowd. Albus felt like she was looking directly at him, but assumed she just had that ability to come out to be looking every mortal in the eye at once. She then turned to Percy and gave him one of those creepy grinning that seemed to have become her signature facial nerve formulation. Albus turned to rosiness, who raised her brow and shrugged.

"I am well mindful that I have remained restrained on the content of the break-out,"Laurentis began,"and I have done that on function. I see that all of the reporters in the back have their Quik-Quotes Quills poised and ready to drop a line down my every Good Book on this subject. Surely you 're all hoping to be the first to publish my thoughts.

"You 're probably all assuming I will traverse that there is anything haywire with the security measures at the prison and that the break-out was a simple trematode and it wo n't happen again. I am not going to say either. There is a problem and if we do not fix it, it will pass off again. Every single one of those escaped prisoners is highly dangerous and if we do not recapture them soon, who knows what will materialize. When they are captured, we will need to have better security measure in space. After all, what is more important that the safety of our nestling ? With those five prisoner roaming destitute, every person in this elbow room, in this palace, in this rural area is in danger.

"Fortunately, I have a solvent. It is a controversial solution, but I feel we need to go to extremes to protect our class, especially our children. That is why if elected Minister, the first thing I will do is reestablish the dementors as Azkaban guards."


Sorry about the cliff hanger ! I did n't want to do it but the chapter was twice as long as they normally are and there really was n't a good position to split it. Thanks for all the lovely reexamination !


Albus let out a pant, as did everyone else in the room. The Great Hall was suddenly in bedlam. Everyone was whispering and a few mass had let out cries of outrage or excitement. Albus could practically hear the reporters'quills scratching across pealing of parchment, and Laurentis was grinning again. Hotspur stood behind his pulpit, his mouth seeming to be frozen in a astray, gap locating. Farleigh was attempting to gain order, and failing.

"That is literally insane !"rosiness exclaimed."Reinstate the dementors ? Is she mad ? Is she throwing the election ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."But she must be mad. Will multitude actually approve of this ? Will she even be able-bodied to do it ?"

Rose nodded."Whoever she gets to substitute herself as header of Azkaban will surely need the dementors back, too. Then she 'll sanction it as curate and it 'll pass."

"But it would be stupid to get them back,"Albus said.

"It would,"pink wine agreed."They 're grievous and their allegiance changes so easily. But to be honest, I 'm not sure everyone will feel that way. Not with those captive on the loose."

"Quiet, quiet !"Professor Kendrick shouted. The crew finally settled down.

"Mr. Weasley, it is your round to speak,"Farleigh said exasperatingly.

Percy shook his headland to find his calmness. He 'd lost his cool, calm, and collected politician look and now he looked more like he did after arguing with GA about her Quidditch calling.

"well, I, er, do not believe that dementors are the resolution to the security trouble in Azkaban,"Walker Percy said."What we need are more skilled sentry go in charge of high security prisoners as well as a revamp of the spells and enthrallment currently keeping prisoners inside. It will also help to go over the organisation of the guard schedule because at the meter of the escape, only three guards were maintaining that office of the prison. That was surely an oversight that could hold been prevented."

"Human mistake,"Laurentis said."It happens and it will happen again. Can we really risk the lives of our child in the chance that another fault will come about ? Dementors were leaven guards who did not allow captive to escape. During their sovereignty in Azkaban, before their allegiance changed, only one person managed to escape. Since their removal we have had numerous escapes."

"Clear evidence that we need to vamp prison security,"Percy said."But dementors are not the answer. They are grave brute and as you said, their commitment changed. What 's to say that wo n't happen again if, God forbid, another Voldemort were to rise to tycoon ? If anyone offered those dementors a better heap than we did they 'd have a whole prison of dangerous felon at their disposal to do their dictation. It 's not deserving the risk."

"Another Voldemort is not going to rise to office,"Laurentis said with a joke."We have learned from our history and it wo n't happen again."

"You ca n't guarantee that,"Hotspur said."Even if there is a very minuscule chance of it happening, it is not Charles Frederick Worth risking having dementors guard Azkaban."

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Laurentis,"Farleigh said."It is time to move on-"

"You are talking about a divinatory !"Laurentis exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air."I am talking about what is happening now ! Five dangerous malefactor have escaped, four of whom were on Voldemort 's side during the war, and are out there, wreaking havoc as we speak. If the dementors were guarding Azkaban this never would give birth happened."

"Now look who 's talking hypotheticals !"Hotspur shouted back, ignoring Farleigh 's vain try to get both nominee to stop talking."For all we know they would 've escaped anyway !"

Laurentis let out a abstruse gag."Five prisoner escape when the dementors are allied with the Ministry ? That 's funny. Only one person was able to do that and it was because he was an Animagus. None of the prisoner are Animagi. We test for that before admitting anyone to the prison."

"Be that as it may, dementors are dangerous wizardly brute. Not to mention the moral philosophy of subjecting captive to their effects-"

"Prisoners have no rights,"Laurentis said."They give up their rights when they commit crimes-"

"Basic human rightfield !"Percy exclaimed."There are basic human rightfulness that everyone deserves ! Talk about learning from our story. story tells us what happens when individual believes they are above others. Or do you not remember the reign of Voldemort ?"

"I lost my mother to that war !"Laurentis said."Do n't you tell me that I do n't think back it."

Albus was on the edge of his seat. His uncle was so red in the side that he was starting to reverse purple and resemble Kaden 's grandfather. Laurentis 's hair was breaking free from its tight bun and there was a vena popping out in her frontal bone. Farleigh was still trying to get both prospect to stop talking and failing miserably, while every other person in the Great student residence sat completely still, staring at Harry Hotspur and Laurentis.

"secrecy !"prof Kendrick shouted in a magically overdraw voice.

Both Percy and Laurentis immediately quieted. The vein on Laurentis 's forehead continued to throb, and Percy still looked like an overripe tomato.

"I think we 've run out of sentence,"Farleigh said, in a voice barely more than a close call."Thank you all for coming."

"pupil, please return to your commons rooms,"Kendrick announced."tiffin will be in an hour. As a reminder, there is no question and result session today."

The whispering rose up immediately after Kendrick stopped speaking and since everyone was whispering the racket stratum rose very senior high school. Albus, Rose, and Amanda joined the queue of people ambling to go out the Great Charles Francis Hall, and without even talking about it, went immediately to the vulture 's Den, where they found trick and Kaden.

"What the bloody hell is she trying to do ?"John asked as soon as Albus shut the threshold.

"She 's lost her psyche !"Rose shouted as she began pacing around the way."She has legitimately lost her mind. That 's the only explanation."

"fountainhead there 's no way she 'll win now,"Albus pointed out."Dementors ?"

"It 's a bit convenient, do n't you think ?"Rose asked."This break-out happens and then she announces she wants the dementors back ? It did n't sound like a plan she 'd just come up with."

"We 've got to find out if she 's tried to get them back before,"Albus said."If she has it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"Dementors ..."Kaden murmured."They 're what sucked all the happiness out of us when we were in Australia last year, right ?"

Albus nodded."They 're awful creatures."

"And they used to guard the prison ?"Amanda asked incredulously."That 's just wrong."

"It is,"Rose said darkly."That 's why after Voldemort they stopped using them as guards. That and all the dementors changed allegiance and let Death feeder escape."

"Would they even come back, though ?"Kaden asked."I mean, if they switched dedication so easily ...."

"They 'll go wherever they 're offered the most humans to feed off of."Rose shuddered."Voldemort offered them far more than even Azkaban could propose. But right now they do n't experience a goodness root. They just travel around, feeding. They 'll defend if given the opportunity."

"Should n't people be against it ?"Amanda asked."It 's so ethically wrong."

"That 's why it was dull of her to foretell it,"Albus pointed out.

"She would n't annunciate anything if she did n't recall it would get her suffrage,"blush wine said."Most people our parents'age and older, who lost loved ace in the war, will have absolutely no sympathy for Death Eaters and would n't like if the dementors were brought back, especially if Laurentis could then guarantee no one would escape."

Albus had n't thought of that and apparently no one else did, either, because the way grew quiet. Albus sank onto one of the couches and started counting the telephone number of Bertie Bott 's Every-Flavor noggin that were scattered on the storey. He got to twenty-three before anyone said anything.

"I wonder what Malfoy thinks of all this,"St. John mused."Was n't his dad a Death Eater ? So he should n't require the dementors back in Azkaban, but the way he was talking in the Three broom handle a while back made it seem like he 's very against your uncle."

"Of form he 's against my uncle,"Albus said."His whole family unit disfavor my whole menage and it goes the former way, too. But his dad was never found hangdog of his crimes so he never did metre in Azkaban."

"Surely his dad 's got protagonist there,"John the Evangelist said.

Albus shrugged."Probably."To be honest, he did n't really care what Malfoy thought about Laurentis and Uncle Percy.

"We should go to lunch and then chew the fat matte,"Rose said."Catch him up on all this."

Albus had completely forgotten that Matt was still in the hospital extension, in the midst of Laurentis 's announcement. He felt vaguely hangdog about it, but at to the lowest degree pink wine had remembered.

Everyone gathered for luncheon in the Great Hall was talking about Laurentis 's desire to bestow back the dementors. Percy, Laurentis, and the Ministry functionary were still there, having tiffin with the professors at the stave tabular array, and all were deep in discussion. Albus would 've loved to be able to mind in on their conversations, but wearing the invisibleness Cloak in the crowded Great Hall was n't a honorable musical theme.

"wagerer get used to the idea of your dad being government minister,"one of the seventh class was saying to Thomas Bradley."No one 's going to vote for Laurentis now."

Bradley muttered something under his breathing time that Albus could n't hear. Albus took a rump a few people down from his cousin and began to pass water a sandwich.

"She 's got my unscathed syndicate 's votes now,"one of the other seventh years said."Both of my grandparents were killed by Fenrir Greyback. If the dementors will catch him and sustain him in there forever, it 'd make all of us sleep better."

There were a few nods from other older students sitting nearby. Albus was slightly shocked. If this many student approved of her estimation, a lot of adults probably did, too. And these were seventh years ; they could vote.

"Wait, the dementors find criminals, too ?"Kaden asked."I thought that 's what Aurors did."

"Only the really frightening escaped prisoner,"Albus said."My dad 's Godfather, Sirius, when he escaped, the dementors were given permission to give him the Dementor 's Kiss if they caught him."

"What 's the Dementor 's Kiss ?"Amanda asked.

Albus shuddered."It 's where they suck out someone 's soul."

"And they die ?"Amanda asked quietly.

Albus shook his head."No, they live without a psyche. Everyone says it 's unfit than dying."

"And they were going to do that to Sirius ?"Kaden replied.

Albus nodded."He was the number one to lam Azkaban. He 's the one Laurentis was talking about and at the time everyone thought he murdered 13 Muggles and gave my grandparents up to Voldemort."

"That 's absolutely horrible !"Amanda exclaimed. She turned to the few one-sixth and seventh class who had said they 'd vote for Laurentis."How can you wish that on individual ?"

"If your grandparents were murdered by expiry Eaters you would, too,"one of the girls snapped.

"Albus 's grandparents were murdered by Voldemort and he does n't want the dementors back at Azkaban,"Amanda pointed out.

"wellspring, Voldemort 's absolutely,"the female child said."Maybe if Limnodromus griseus were dead I 'd feel differently. But he 's not so I want the dementors back."

"I do n't think she 's going to lose as easily as we thought,"Amanda said quietly.

"Of course she 's not,"Rose said."This is probably better for vote than digging up dirt on Uncle Percy."

"It 's absolutely barbaric,"Amanda said, shoving her scale forward."Sucking out someone 's somebody ? And they just take in your happy remembering out ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered, thinking back to the previous June. He shuddered."You 're forced to relive your worst memories."

"That 's all you can recollect about ?"Amanda asked."Just the bad ones ?"

Albus nodded."My dad said it makes you go mad after a while."

"Of course it does !"Amanda shouted."That 's just not right ! Are you lot done eating yet ? I ca n't sit here anymore."

Albus was surprised Amanda had had such a firm reaction to the dementors, but he supposed coming from the Muggle reality, where she had n't even known such fauna existed, it would be a bit of a electrical shock. He was even more surprise that she 'd nearly gotten into a shouting catch with a seventh year over them, when she was normally so quiet.

"I 'm done,"Rose said.

"Me, too,"Albus said as he got up.

John Lackland and Kaden each grabbed the remaining half of their sandwiches and followed the others out of the Great Hall. Amanda lead the way, stomping her groundwork a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

"It 's just unseasonable on so many levels !"she said as she led them to the infirmary Wing."It 's torture, honestly. That 's what it is. Emotional torture. Ca n't they just be killed off or something ?"

"They do n't die,"rosebush said."They ca n't. They just sort of ... exist. Once my mum gets word of this, well, she 's not going to stay quiet."

"And she should n't,"Amanda said."Can she stop Laurentis ?"

"Not if Laurentis is parson,"Rose answered."Right now Mum 's the Senior Assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, so if Laurentis tried to get this to fall out now, my mum could avail turn back it. But minister Hartwell would never put something like this through."

"They 're foul wight,"Amanda continued."Having them ward anything or anyone is a terrible idea."

Albus decided now would not be a good time to tell Amanda that when his dad was a third yr Hogwarts was guarded by dementors.

"A dementor went after my dad once,"Kaden announced as they continued to the hospital fender."Albus 's dad saved him with a Patronus. Then he nearly got expelled for doing underage magic trick in the presence of a Muggle."

"You 're kidding,"Amanda said."God, the Ministry really was screwed up when your parents were at Hogwarts. This is the variety of thing Embry should be using as examples."

"I doubt it 's a long-familiar fact,"Albus said."That the famous Harry Potter nearly got expelled."

"It 's a unplayful exemplar of unfairness,"Amanda said.

"You sound just like my mum,"Rose said."It 's creepy. Does n't she ?"

Albus agreed."You do fathom just like her mum."

"Your mum has the ripe musical theme,"Amanda said as they reached the hospital Wing.

mat was the only patient in the ward. The pall were n't drawn around his bed and he was sitting up and eating a bowl of soup, which was a good signal. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, working on charts, and muttering to herself about something.

"Hey, how are you feeling ?"Albus asked when they got to his bed.

"Fine,"matt said."leash cracked rib and a lot of tight slice, but I 'm fine. Listen, I heard the disputation. gentlewoman Pomfrey had it on on the wireless. How insane is Laurentis ? ! You should experience heard madam Pomfrey ranting about her earlier."

"You 're not to repeat what you heard,"madam Pomfrey said."But Albus and Rose, you can tell your uncle that he 's got my vote. Always thought he was a little pompous when he was at Hogwarts but at to the lowest degree he 's not dumb enough to engage dementors as sentry go of Azkaban."

"Amanda 's on a violent disorder,"Albus said.

"It 's kind of funny,"whoremonger added.

"It is not funny !"Amanda exclaimed."It 's serious."

"It 's just that you 're so quiet, but you got into it with that one-seventh year."

"I did not get into it with a seventh yr !"Amanda shouted and turned to lusterlessness."John Lackland 's exaggerating. She announced that she and her family were all going to vote for Laurentis because her grandparents were killed by Johnny Reb and she wants to make sure he stays in prison."

flatness toyed with his blanket and did n't meet Amanda 's eye.

"What ?"she asked."Do n't severalize me you want the dementors in Azkaban."

"I do n't,"Matt said quickly."It 's not that. It 's the whole Johnny Reb affair, I can sort out of see where she 's coming from. It 's got to be scary, knowing he 's out there when he killed her grandparents .... I mean, I guess I 've always been variety of lucky. The bloke who bit me is in prison house and has been since he bit me."

Albus had never heard Matt talk about the wolfman who bit him, except for mentioning that he 's in prison.

"He gets out succeeding year,"matt said quietly."He can get paroled."

"Do you sleep with much about him ?"Albus asked.

"Just his epithet and how old he was,"matte said."My parents know a bit more but they 've never told me and I 've never asked."

"Is the Aboriginal Australian prison guarded by dementors ?"Amanda asked.

Matt shook his head."No, and it never has been. And I do n't think prisons should be guarded by dementors. But Greyback ... he 's shivery. He 's worse than Silas Humphrey, that was the bloke who bit me. Humphrey 's onslaught on me, that was an accident. Greyback bit people on purpose. He 'd bite people and then produce them in his pack. That 's why he liked going for Thomas Kid. slip 's dad ... Limnodromus griseus bit him and tried to get his parents to give him up. They did n't, of path, but a lot of parents did."

Albus swallowed hard. He had n't known that about slip 's dad and was n't even surely if teddy bear knew that. chemise 's dad 's parents died tenacious before slip was born and Albus doubted his nanna knew that.

"How 'd you detect that out ?"Albus asked.

"When we first moved here Amy learned about shimmy 's dad when she was catching up on Brits history of Magic. She told me all about him and how successful he wound up being just to make me feel better. But then I decided to enquiry other wolfman and found out about Greyback in one of my dad 's Word. It talked about his whole thing with biting kids. It never said slip 's dad specifically was one of those kids but I figured he must 've been."

"That 's horrible,"Albus said quietly. The others nodded.

"He had a totally pack of werewolves to do his bidding,"Matt said."And now he 's out. What if he wants to do that again ?"

"snack hoi polloi and prepare a pack ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."That or find people who 've already been bitten."

Albus saw where this was going now."He 's not going to find you. Hogwarts is safe."

"That 's what everyone always says, but the past few years it really has n't. Remember lowest class ?"

"Technically we were n't in the castle when we got taken to Australia. We were in the Floo. So if we just stick around in the rook ..."Albus pointed out.

"It 's still not a guarantee,"flatness said."I wonder how many the great unwashed he bit conclusion night."

Albus did n't do. There was no way of knowing what Fenrir Greyback did during the full moon, just like there was no way to undertake that Hogwarts would be safe. All Albus and his Quaker could do was go for that it would be safe and that the loose Death Eaters would be recaptured soon. Albus still thought having dementors guard Azkaban was an absolutely terrible estimation, but after listening to flatness talk of the town about Silas Humphrey and Fenrir Greyback, he form of understood why some people might desire the dementors back at Azkaban and thus voter turnout for Laurentis. She might even get elected just because of this. And that, when it came down to it, was what scared Albus the most.


A/N : No cliffhanger this prison term ! Thanks for all the marvellous reexamination ! If you like marauder era, please curb out my New novel, Between Here and Somewhere !


"I guess Laurentis has been trying to get the dementors reinstated in Azkaban for age,"Albus said the undermentioned break of the day at breakfast, as he set down a copy of the Prophet.

The article on the argumentation had been a long one, taking up nearly the total front end Page. It featured a photograph of Harry Hotspur and Laurentis arguing with each other, and Albus was able-bodied to see his uncle 's face turning steadily more purple, despite the fact that the video was in Black person and white. The article that followed detailed Laurentis 's apparently years-long campaign to bring the dementors back. She had put the suggestion up for vote four clock time and it was shot down by Minister Hartwell each fourth dimension.

"Of course he shot it down,"blush wine said after skimming the article."It 's a poor fish idea. Oh, look, they 've quoted my mum. I 'll take it. 'Hermione Weasley, Senior help of Magical Law Enforcement, when asked about Laurentis 's proposal, said, 'It 's absolutely barbaric. Everybody, including prisoner, have basic human right that can not be broken. I thought we 'd moved past the days when the Ministry sanctioned emotional abuse of its prisoners and the cerebration that a woman running for Minister is proposing this is quite frankly horrifying. It is my sincere Leslie Townes Hope that the citizenry of wizarding United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will think long and hard about the effect this will have, not only on prisoners, but on our lodge as well, before they cast their voter turnout in April. ''"

"Always one to speak her psyche, your mum,"Albus said.

"I could n't check to a greater extent,"Amanda replied."Although if Laurentis wins I bet she gets sacked."

"She ca n't,"rosebush said."Her job is n't appointed solely by the parson. If she were foreland of the department, then yes, but she is n't manoeuvre yet. It 's confusing."

"Good,"Amanda said."We 'll need some sane people in there if Laurentis is elected."

"What are you lot doing today ?"John asked, steering the conversation away from the election."Kaden and I are going to spend the day plotting our new prank."

"I do n't want to know,"Rose said, holding up her hands."I 'm probably going to go to the library."

"I 'll go with you,"Amanda said."I want to inquiry dementors and their use in Azkaban."

"Quidditch practice,"Albus replied."All day. We 've got to get ready for the equal on Saturday against Ravenclaw. After the last match, we 've got to make sure we we win by a enough amount of point in time if we 're going to takeover Slytherin 's billet for the Cup."

"Oh yeah,"Kaden said."Whatever happened with that Olivia girl ? She had a huge crush on James, did n't she ?"

Albus laughed."I 've no idea."

"She sent Henry James a box of chocolate for Christmastide,"Cedric, who had been sitting next to Albus, whispered."But you did n't hear that from me."

"I was there when he opened his present tense,"Albus said.

"She gave them to him before we went nursing home for the holiday,"Cedric explained."She hijacked our thestral carriage and twist up riding to the power train with us."

"How awkward was that ?"Albus asked, still giggling.

"Very,"Cedric said as he glanced over his shoulder."She stared at him the whole time."

"Creepy,"Albus said.

"Shh,"Cedric said."He 's coming over."

"I think I 'm going to go visit Matt before Quidditch practice,"Albus said."I 'll see you later ?"

"Sure,"blush wine said."You know where to rule me."

"And us !"privy announced."Marauder 's Den. japery planning."

"I do n't need to be involved,"Albus said as he got up.

John shrugged."Suit yourself."

Albus hurried up to the hospital wing and managed to get inside without Madam Pomfrey noticing, although the nurse would n't have minded him being there. But she was very taken up with two students who had somehow fused their left wing arms together. matte was already awaken and much cheerier than he had been the premature day, when talking about Limnodromus griseus. He was pretty sure enough gentlewoman Pomfrey was going to let him out that Night, so they agreed to play in the Marauder 's Den just before dinner.

Quidditch pattern went very well and Albus was fairly certain they would puzzle Ravenclaw on Sat. No one mentioned the election or Laurentis 's wanting to fetch back the dementors, which was a sure preindication that things were getting back to normal at Hogwarts. Albus spent the rest of the day in the Marauder 's Den working on his homework with matt while trying to quash hearing any region of John and Kaden 's new prank.

The calendar week went by quickly since Albus spent every second he was n't in grade on the Quidditch delivery. But the conditions remained decorous so it was gratifying. The merely day Albus was n't on the pitch was Thursday, when he had dueling praxis.

"When 's the following tournament ?"Amanda asked as she and Albus walked into the Transfiguration classroom, where they were were scheduled to practice. Heather was there to supervise, sitting in a corner. A few of the team members were there already, including Malfoy.

"Weekend after this one,"Albus said."I think we 'll do well."Albus glanced over to Malfoy, expecting some form of snarky return from him. But he was n't even paying attention. Instead he was hunched over a yearn firearm of parchment."Wonder what he 's doing ?"

Amanda shrugged."terminal second homework ?"

Suddenly, Malfoy sat up straight and crumpled the objet d'art of sheepskin. He shoved it into his pouch and stood up, staring at Albus as he did so. He looked dour and averted his eyes after only a few seconds.

"I do n't mean that 's homework,"Albus said.

"Wyrd,"Amanda said.

"Very,"Albus agreed."Let 's get started ! I think we should pattern blocking."He took a sidelong coup d'oeil at Malfoy, expecting him to scoff and claim that they already knew how to block, but instead Malfoy just turned to the pupil nearest to him and began to do as Albus said. What was even weird was that the scholar he partnered with was a second gear yr Hufflepuff. Albus blinked to make for sure he was n't seeing things and then began shooting enchantment at Amanda while she blocked them.

The exercise session got stranger as the Night went on, in price of Malfoy 's behavior. Not once did he second guess what Albus said and he did n't say one Good Book to anyone that was n't directly related to dueling. Heather raised her eyebrows at Albus on numerous occasions since she had supervised Albus 's pattern before and have a go at it how much Malfoy usually tried to be the captain. He ran out of the elbow room as soon as the practice was over, looking vaguely upset, as he had at the argument.

"That was the foreign matter ever,"Amanda said as she and Albus walked back to the Gryffindor vernacular room."And I witnessed my brother attempt to brew a potion this past summer and drink it, thinking that it would turn him into a wizard."

Albus burst out laughing."Was he really disappointed that he did n't get a Hogwarts alphabetic character ?"

Amanda nodded."I never thought he would but did n't tell him that. But do you have any idea why Malfoy did n't argue with you tonight ?"

"I 've no idea,"Albus said."But I really hope he stays this way."

"I bet it had something to do with whatever he was reading when we walked in."

"I wonder what it was."

Amanda shrugged."No approximation, but I wish I did. It 's just so odd."

"Whatever it is, I hope it keeps him like this during next week 's tournament."

"Albus ! What if it 's something really awful ?"Amanda asked.

Albus had n't thought about that."Well, we do n't know that it is, so I do n't have to think about it."

"Albus, I doubt anything in force would stimulate Malfoy close up like that,"Amanda reasoned."I 'm just saying, it might be something awful."
***


Gryffindor 's disposition to roleplay Quidditch during really bad atmospheric condition came up in full military group on Saturday, when the unseasonably quick temperatures decided to abandon Hogwarts. In its shoes were freezing moth-eaten temperatures and a howling snow storm that probably should have resulted in the match being canceled. But since Hogwarts never canceled Quidditch, Albus was preparing himself for a pathetic match. He wished they could have gracious weather, like they had when they played Slytherin in November.

The finis clip Albus had played in a tempest this bad he 'd been in his second year and wrap up in the infirmary backstage with the flu afterward. He certainly did not want a repeat of that so he was hoping that William James would catch the Snitch Oklahoman rather than later.

"Fred, this is dotty,"Ryan said as they stood in the room access of the changing way, waiting for the match to get down."There is literally no way to see the stool pigeon in this."

"There 's nothing I can do about it,"Fred snapped. Everyone could tell he was stressed about this equal, since they 'd lost to Slytherin."We have to play unless Kendrick calls it off."

Ryan was good. Albus stared out onto the slant and all he saw was Edward Douglas White Jr.. The snow was swirling and blowing and Albus could n't separate if to a greater extent snow was actually falling or if it was all just getting blown around. But either way, finding a stoolie in it was going to be well-nigh impossible.

"I 'll view it,"Epistle of James said confidently."Do n't worry."

"We 're not going to be capable to take heed the commentary,"Fred said."Just becharm it as soon as you can. Do n't worry about catching it after we 're up a sealed number of distributor point. We just postulate a win at this point."

There was a very damp, quiet roar of applause and Fred led the team out onto the pitch. The balls were released and Albus flew up into the raging storm. Soon, he did n't know which way was up or down, let alone where the Quaffle was. After about ten proceedings of meandering around the pitch shot, not knowing where he was going, the Quaffle suddenly appeared. Albus caught it, but had no idea where the end posts were.

Albus flew straight ahead, hoping it was in the right direction, but instead of reaching the end postal service, he reached the standpoint. Groaning, he turned and headed toward the goal posts. At least he now knew where they were. He managed to score, mostly because Ravenclaw 's Keeper did n't see him.

The mates continued in chaos, with no one knowing where anyone else was. Albus did n't see a single Bludger the unit metre and assumed the Beaters were just trying to hold open cut of them rather than trying to get them to hit the opposite team 's instrumentalist. Fred had been right about the commentary ; Albus could n't hear a word of it.

It felt like he was playing a couple by himself. The only early players he saw were the Ravenclaw seeker, Fred, and Heather. They had given up chasing as a team and instead, when one of them got the Quaffle, they flew it down to the goal posts as right they could.

"Albus, Albus !"mortal shouted.

Albus turned and squinted, but he could n't make up out anyone flying near him.

"Albus !"

Albus continued flying in a roundabout trying to figure out who it was. He did n't even recognize their voice, but it could have been distorted by the confidential information. Finally, he began to make out a figure flying toward him. It was Heather.

"Albus !"she shouted once she reached him."The match has been canceled. We 're all to retrovert to our usual room aright now."

Albus nodded, figuring that Kendrick finally came to his signified. It was just impossible to play a well secret plan of Quidditch in a violent storm like this.

When Albus and Heather finally reached the changing room they found the repose of the team sitting in their wet Quidditch gown, their faces pale. Albus noticed that even Heather looked slightly afraid.

"What 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"You were flying so high, you probably did n't listen,"Fred said as Albus sat down."The lucifer was n't canceled because of the weather."

"But it 's so bad out there,"Albus said."That match was pointless."

"One of the Ravenclaw initiatory year,"Fred continued, ignoring Albus,"she was late to the match and on her way down she saw-"Fred paused, swallowing hard."She saw Fenrir Reb on the grounds."

"What ?"Albus exclaimed, suddenly feeling nauseous."But it 's so snowy. How could she possibly know for sure ?"

"She ca n't, of course,"Fred said."But she went running to Professor Longbottom as soon as she reached the rake and told him. That 's when they canceled the peer and sent everyone back to the castle."

As if he heard Fred mention his name, Professor Longbottom walked into the changing room, looking scared himself."I 'm going to escort you all back to the common way. Wands out as we walk."

Albus drew his wand and followed the rest of his teammates out of the changing rooms. They were all repose on the base on balls back to the castling since the violent storm was still raging. No one would feature been able to take heed anything anyone said, even if anyone felt like talking. Albus felt too ill to talk. The thought of Fenrir Reb being free was bad enough, after hearing what Matt knew about him, but the thought process of him being here, on the Hogwarts grounds, was too frightening to even remember about.

As they walked up to the castle and then up to Gryffindor tug Albus kept telling himself that it was fully possible that the Ravenclaw young lady had n't seen Fenrir Greyback. She was probably just thinking about the loose prisoners and imagined something. Albus had n't even been able-bodied to create out his own cousin when she 'd been calling his figure in this tempest. What were the hazard of a start year being capable to pick out Fenrir Greyback ?

But still ... what if it had been Greyback ? He had to be somewhere, so why not Hogwarts ?

The common room was buzzing with chatter when the squad entered a short spell later. Albus avoided everyone, including his friends, until after he went up to his dormitory to take a shower. He was shivering and felt awful and did n't want to tattle to anyone until after he was in dry clothes.

To his surprise his friends were all gathered in his dormitory after he got out of the shower. Bilius and Ethan were n't there, and the room access was shut.

"We ca n't go to the predator 's Den,"mat explained."We 're not allowed to leave our common rooms until further notice."

"Are they doing an investigating ?"Albus asked as he sat down on his bed."And what exactly happened ? Fred only explained a petty before Longbottom came to take us back to the castle."

"It was Weird,"Rose said."No one really know what was happening because it was so snowy and the wind was so loud. We could n't see the match, so we were just standing there using a lot of heating magical spell and hoping things would be over soon. But then we started hearing susurration about Greyback on the grounds. Then, probably two minutes later, Kendrick magically amplified his voice and told us all that we 're to report back to our rough-cut elbow room immediately and to walk back with our wands out and in heavy groups.

"So then, even though Kendrick never said for sure, we knew that someone had seen grayback on the basis. It was so shuddery. Eventually we found out that one of the Ravenclaw first years thought she saw him on her way to the match and told professor Longbottom. But besides that we do n't know much. No one 's told us anything for for sure and we 've just been hanging out here and talking."

"But what 's he doing here ?"Kaden asked."And I thought there were Aurors guarding Hogwarts."

"It was planned,"Matt said."Do n't you see ? That violent storm out there is so bad that no one can see three ft in front of them and the idle words is so loud no one can hear anything either. It was the perfect day for him to sneak onto the grounds, and if that young woman had n't seen him who knows what he would 've done."

"So you think she really saw him ?"Albus asked skeptically."You said it yourself, no one can see anything."

"For all we know he said something to her,"matte said."No one knows the wide-cut story yet."

"But why ?"Kaden asked."Seems really stupid to me. If he escaped he should be hiding out in the mountains, not going to Hogwarts where there are Aurors."

"Remember what I said after he escaped ?"lusterlessness asked quietly."This just confirms it. He 's going to try to produce his own wolfman army again. He was insane before Azkaban ; suppose how crazy he is now. They do n't want dementors in prison to make people go insane."

"And you think-"

"That he came to try and visualize out how to best view himself to seize with teeth kids during the full synodic month ?"Matt interrupted."Yeah, I do."

Albus shuddered."That 's sick."

"That 's what he does,"lusterlessness said. He looked more worried than everyone else."But what I do n't get is why it seems like he 's trying for Hogwarts kids. Last time he went for really Edward Young kids."

"But we do n't even know for certainly that 's what he 's up to,"can pointed out."I mean it makes sense, but we still do n't know."

"Still,"Matt said."You have to promise me you wo n't go outdoors during the fully moon. I do n't want any of you joining me in the Shack."

St. John the Apostle looked skeptical."There 's other reasons why he could be here."

"Promise me,"matte repeated, staring directly at Saint John the Apostle."It 's not deserving the risk."

John shrugged."Yeah, I promise."Everyone else nodded.

"What about the rest of them ?"Amanda asked."Do you think they 're working together ?"

"I do n't bonk,"Albus began."I 'm sure the Carrows are together and Umbridge might be with them. But I doubt Willinson and Greyback are with them. The Carrows were Death Eaters, but Limnodromus griseus was n't technically a Death Eater. Voldemort used him, but always thought he was scum because he 's a werewolf. The Carrows probably agreed. And Willinson, he 's got no connectedness, which is why I 'm still confused as to why he broke out with them."

"For all we know they left the door out-of-doors and he followed,"John said with a laugh.

Amanda groaned."Everyone 's got their own cell in high security."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose you 're correct,"lavatory said.

"Two dying Eaters, a war criminal, a werewolf, and Willinson,"Albus said."It 's so random. Why them ?"

"Sounds like the commencement of a joke,"John said."Two Death Eaters, a war crook, a werewolf, and Willinson walk into a pub ...."

Matt groaned."Do n't even go there. I just really hope they catch him before the next to the full moon. There was n't anything in the vaticinator about him biting anyone this concluding full moon, but I do n't think he 'd go two moonlight without biting. And there 's no way he 'd go on wolfsbane, even if he could get some."

"I wonder where the others are,"Rose mused."You think they 're just hiding out ?"

"They must be,"Albus said."There have n't been any sightings."

There was a knock on the door and then it opened. William James walked inside and sat down on the end of Albus 's bed.

"Longbottom just came to talk to us,"he said."We 'll be allowed to leave the vernacular room for dinner, but not before that."

"Did they trance him ?"matt asked anxiously.

"No,"William James said."But, Longbottom said the owner of Madam Puddifoot 's also saw him, so the Ravenclaw girl probably did see him. They 've scoured Hogsmeade and there 's no signaling of him, though."

"Are they rescheduling the match ?"Albus asked.

James nodded."following Sabbatum. thoroughly affair, too, because I do n't guess that one would 've ever ended. Do n't secernate Fred, but there 's no way I would 've seen the Snitch."

"One upside to Calidris canutus being on the grounds, I guess,"Albus said.

"Lucky he did n't attack that daughter,"mat said as James II left."He attacks masses even when he 's not transformed."

"He did that to my uncle Bill,"Albus said.

"Really ?"Matt asked.

Albus nodded."At the end of my dad 's sixth year, the Nox Dumbledore was killed. He does n't transform, but he likes really rare meat. Like hardly cooked at all meat."

"Eww !"Kaden exclaimed."That 's earthy. wait, flatness, do you like really uncommon meat ?"

lusterlessness grinned."Yeah. I hardly ever get it, though. Mum refuses to let me eat it because she thinks it 'll earn me ill. And they do n't serve it here."

"My uncle eats it all the metre,"Albus said."Aunt Fleur likes her steaks pretty rarefied, too. So does Teddy for that matter."

"I like mine well done,"Kaden said.

"Now that 's what 's stark,"Matt replied."I should ask the house elves to make me rare steak."

"They probably would,"Rose said."They make you pretty a great deal whatever you want."

"Let 's go tonight,"Matt said."We have n't been down there in ages."

Kaden groaned."So we 're going to have to find you eating a piece of raw sum ?"

"Not raw,"matt said."Slightly cooked, bit of blood dripping out."

"Oh, gross !"Kaden shouted."I 'm going back down to the common room."

Albus laughed and Matt grinned as Kaden ran out of the room. There was nothing like a tripper to the kitchens to get their minds off of grayback and the other escaped convicts.


A/N : Sorry for the of late update ! I totally forgot it was Fri. Thanks for all the wonderful brushup ! Please look into out my piranha fic, Between Here and Somewhere.


The beginning year who saw Greyback on the terra firma became an trice Hogwarts celebrity. By the next day her full level had spread throughout the student consistence like wildfire, and every single person in the castle knew her figure. She was Quinn Gregory of Nazianzen, a lilliputian young lady who looked like she belonged in the Weasley clan with her retentive red fuzz and spray of freckle across her aspect. Quinn seemed to be enjoying her newfound celebrity and always had a crowd of masses around her, asking her to recite the story.

Albus, himself, had heard the account at least five sentence. Quinn had been running to the auction pitch, late, because she 'd spent a half hour trying to convince one of her roomy to go to the couple, but in the end her roomy had decided she did n't require to brave the tempest. Quinn then spotted person lurking near the greenhouses and went to investigate, but instead of finding another student, she found Fenrir Greyback. Apparently Greyback had said 'hi, trivial miss'to Quinn, who then took off running even faster for the Quidditch pitch. Greyback then escaped to Hogsmeade and who knows after that.

As the week progressed Quinn 's news report grew until it ended with her disarming grayback after a twenty minute duel and running to the Quidditch delivery in purchase order to admonish the rest of the student, rather than because she was scared. Albus was very happy that, for once, this had n't happened to him or one of his supporter.

"Guess what I heard today,"Kaden said as he entered the marauder 's Den Friday evening, after dinner.

"What ?"Albus asked, looking up from the marauder 's Map, which he 'd spent the terminal ten minutes studying. John and Matt were in the room as well, Matt studying and john sorting drinking chocolate Frog cards. Rose was tutoring Elsie Willinson again and Amanda had gone with her.

"Quinn,"Kaden said as he sat down next to Albus."She 's now saying that knot stole her wand and she got away from him by kicking his kneecaps."

Albus burst out laughing."That 's nonsensical. She 's still got her wand."

"She claims Ollivander 's sent her an precise replication,"Kaden replied.

"But no two wands are the same,"John pointed out."Everyone knows that."

"She 's Muggle-born,"Kaden pointed out."She might not."

"But still,"Albus said."She 's taken it too far. No one 's going to believe her now and it 's all going to die down."

Albus laughed as he looked back at the Marauder 's Map. He 'd been checking it, both the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts surgical incision, looking for Greyback every so often since last Saturday. He 'd yet to rule anything remotely interesting on it, to the lowest degree of all Rebel or one of the other break loose convict.

"Scorpius is leaving the castle,"Albus said, noticing the dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'was no longer in the Slytherin common room, but instead slowly making its way across the footing.

"What ?"mat asked, closing his book."But it 's eight o'clock. And it 's snowing."

"It 's him all right,"Albus said."Come see."

Matt, John, and Kaden all crowded around Albus and they watched Scorpius 's dot travel further and further from the castle. There were no other dots on the evidence, except Hagrid 's, and his was remaining stationary behind his hut. It did n't appear that Malfoy was meeting anyone outside, nor did anyone go with him. It was odd, especially in light of his other odd behavior.

"I wonder what he 's up to,"Albus mused.

"We should follow him,"John said."See what he 's up to."

"I agree,"Kaden said."No one goes outside at Night during a storm for no understanding at all. He 's up to something."

"We 'd get caught,"Albus pointed out.

"And it 's freeze,"matte added.

"We 'll take your Invisibility Cloak,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"I do n't think we all fit anymore,"Albus said, not taking his public figure off Malfoy 's dot.

"Then Kaden and I can go,"St. John replied.

"No way,"Albus said."It 's my cloak and I do n't require you having it when Filch catches you. He 'll confiscate it."

"Who says we 'll get caught ?"Gospel According to John asked.

Albus laughed and turned to look at John."Of course you 'll get caught. And then my cloak will get taken away and I 'll never see it again and my dad will murder me."

"Your dad 's Harry Potter,"john said."He 's not going to murder his own son."

"If he did Laurentis would have intercourse it."Kaden laughed."I can see the newspaper headline now. 'Harry ceramicist slaying Own Son, Clearly Unfit For tariff. Weasley Still Supports Him .'”

"Oh shut it,"Albus muttered.

"time lag,"Matt said, staring at the map."He 's going to the Whomping Willow."

Albus looked back at the map and saw that Matt was right. Malfoy 's dot was slowing down and circling the tree, giving it a wide berth."What 's he doing ?"

"You do n't cerebrate he 's figured it out, do you ?"Matt asked.

"Well now we have to go after him,"can said, standing up.

lusterlessness nodded."Come on, Albus, let us take your cloak."

"Fine,"Albus said, knowing that the battle was lost. Malfoy was at the Whomping Willow, which meant that this was now personal for Matt, and therefore, for all of them."But I still do n't bed if we 'll all fit."

Albus walked over to his bed and located the cloak in one of the drawers beneath it. He rarely kept it in his residence hall anymore, since he and his friends spent far more time in the Marauder 's Den than they did in the common elbow room.

"Let 's try it,"Albus said as his Quaker walked over to him. They stood last and Albus threw the cloak over them.

"Half my body is showing,"lavatory said, turning to depend at his still visible arm.

"And all our animal foot are showing,"lusterlessness pointed out.

"That 's because Albus and John are titan,"Kaden asked, glancing up at the five inches of space that separated his head from the top of the cloak.

"Both of you are going to give to crouch down,"matt said.

"But what about the fact that half my consistence is showing ?"trick asked, yanking on the cloak.

"Now I 'm not under it at all,"Matt said, yanking it back.

"I wish we could do Disillusionment charms,"Albus muttered."Too bad we do n't learn those until seventh year."

"Rose could probably figure them out,"John said."We should have her read them."

"Well we do n't sustain time for that now and we 're wasting sentence arguing. Malfoy could be in the burrow by now,"lustrelessness said.

"There are wards,"Albus pointed out.

"Still ..."matt muttered.

"Fine,"John said."Albus and matt can go and Kaden and I will detain here."

"What ?"Kaden shouted."Why 'd you offer me to persist ?"

"Well, Albus is n't going to let anyone remove the cloak without him going and mat has to go since Malfoy 's by the Whomping willow,"John Lackland said."That leaves you and me. I do n't think more than two of us are going to fit."

"Let 's go, then,"matte said, yanking the cloak off of lavatory and Kaden and repositioning it over himself and Albus."See you in a bit."

Albus nearly had to run to keep up with flatness and prevent himself crouched down enough to stick around obscure, and that was saying something since usually Albus was much immobile than Matt. The two of them said nothing on their way down to the front threshold and were n't noticed by any of the student or professors they passed.

"Remember, we 've got to be back before curfew,"Albus said once they shut the front line threshold."We do n't want to be locked out like back in bit year."

"This is total deja vu,"Matt added."Two years ago we caught Kaden messing with the Whomping willow. That 's when Kendrick added the wards."

"But unlike with Kaden, I do n't intend we 'll wind up ally with Malfoy after,"Albus pointed out.

The grounds were very quiet, the only strait being the crunching of their animal foot in the snow. Albus carefully vanished their footprints as they walked, while Matt led them down the course to the Whomping willow. It was very cold and snowy, which reminded Albus even more of the time they got locked out of the castle after sneaking into the screeching Shack.

"Is he even still there ?"matte asked quietly when they were halfway to the tree diagram.

Albus paused and pulled the marauder 's Map out of his pocket. Scorpius 's dot was still walking methodically in a rophy around the tree."Yeah, he 's there."

Matt nodded and they continued walking. Neither of them had lit their sceptre, so they slowed down in order to not be hit by the willow tree 's large offset. Finally they reached it and stood just outside its striking range, waiting for Malfoy to get back around.

The Slytherin boy was wrapped in a thick cloak and pacing with his head always turned toward the tree. He had his wand out and did n't seem to notice that he had been joined by Albus and lustrelessness. Albus glanced at Matt as Malfoy walked past them, unsure of whether to call his attention to their comportment. Since they were invisible, they could just stand there and follow him.

"There 's got to be a way,"Malfoy muttered."Every Mary Augusta Arnold Ward has a weak point. They do n't all terminal forever."

Albus could now see that Malfoy was sending respective hexes and jinxes into the Aaron Montgomery Ward, but they were all deflecting away. As he rounded the tree once more, a hex bounced off the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward and nearly hit Albus, who had to climb up out of the way to avoid it. His leg slipped out from underneath the cloak in the process, but Malfoy did n't see it.

"It 's got to work,"Malfoy said."There 's no early way in ...."

"Into where ?"lustrelessness mouthed. Albus shrugged.

They waited for Malfoy to make another roundabout around the tree and this time one of the hex reflected off the wards and toward Matt, who jumped to get out of the way, but tripped over a partially buried tree root instead. He fell over, yanking the cloak down with him, leaving both himself and Albus exposed. matte let out a stream of bane and a cry of pain in the neck. Albus heard a sickening crunch as he fell and hoped it was the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ascendent and not Matt 's leg.

"Who 's there ?"Malfoy shouted, aiming his wand at Albus and matt. He lit it and his face visibly paled."What are you two doing here ?"

Albus lit his own wand. Matt was still sitting in the snow."I could ask you the Sami thing, Malfoy,"Albus said.

Albus pointed his wand at flatness and reached down to assist him up. He was clutching his wrist and his side was as pale as Malfoy 's, although for different reasons.

"I said, what are you two doing here ?"Malfoy repeated, not sounding very confident.

"Following you,"Albus said simply, thinking honesty would be the honorable policy here. After all, all three of them were breaking the normal. Not lots point in denying it or making up excuse.

"How did you know I was here ?"Malfoy asked. His wand arm was now trembling, although Albus did n't know if it was from the cold or fear.

"Saw you leave the castle,"Albus said."Figured we 'd see what you were up to."

"What do you want with the Tree ?"lusterlessness demanded. His part sounded pained.

Malfoy 's mouth turned up in a sly grin."Once again, you just confirmed my suspicions. This tree diagram 's how you get into the shriek hovel. I did a little more research, and turns out this thing was planted the like year the Shrieking Shack was built. The Lapp year Remus lupin started going to Hogwarts. That shack 's all boarded up so I figured there must be some sort of tunnel leading to it and what best way to hide a tunnel than to put a homicidal tree diagram above it ? difficulty is, I ca n't invalid the cellblock. Bet you can, though."

"Why ?"mat asked. Albus heard him breathe in sharply and began to wonder if his wrist was broken."Why do you need to get in there ?"

"Ca n't tell you,"Malfoy said.

"Well, I 'm not disabling the ward,"mat said.

"I 'll cypher it out eventually,"Malfoy said.

Albus wanted to ask him about his demeanor at dueling practices so badly. They 'd had another practice the previous day and again, Malfoy had n't said two intelligence to anyone. It was just strange. Bur Albus figured that even if he asked, Malfoy would n't answer.

"It 'd be dull, you know,"lustrelessness said."Going into the screaming Shack."

"Well I would n't go in on a replete moonshine, moron,"Malfoy said."Believe it or not this has naught to do with you or your evil side of meat. I could n't care less that you 're a foul werewolf. I have better things-"

Albus jabbed his wand into Malfoy 's breast, nearly knocking him over in the process. His middle was pounding and he could feel warmth rising up in his dead body."You. Take. That. Back,"he seethed.

"Albus, do n't,"Matt said.

Malfoy scowled."No. I wo n't, because it 's true. I do n't wish. It was the mystery that I liked and nothing more. You do n't know the half of what 's going on or why I want that shack. He only uses it one night out of twenty-eight. I want it the former twenty-seven. I do n't get why that 's such a huge deal."

"What 's going on over there ?"a loud voice boomed over the solid ground."Eh, what 're yeh doing ?"

Albus quickly moved his wand and pointed it elsewhere. It was one thing to get caught on the land after iniquity but another to be caught threatening another student. He pointed his wand in the direction of the spokesperson and saw Hagrid making his way toward them, his magnanimous Newfoundland dog, Fetch, at his side.

"Albus ?"Hagird asked as he drew nearer."Matt ? What 're yeh doing out here ? And Malfoy ?"

"Er, nothing,"Albus muttered.

"Well, yer breaking the rules so I 'm going to have to remove yeh to Longbottom,"Hagrid said and then turned to Malfoy."And you 'll give to see Slughorn."

"hospital wing,"flatness said."First."

Hagrid turned to matt and looked at his wrist joint."O'path,"he said."What did yeh do ?"

"Tripped over a ascendant,"Matt said."Landed on a rock."

Hagrid nodded and clapped Matt on the cover, a gesture clearly meant to ease him but instead nearly knocked him over again. After he recovered they set off for the castle, walking adjacent to Hagrid. Malfoy followed at a short aloofness. Hagrid did n't ask them what they were doing by the Whomping Willow again, although Albus had a notion he probably knew. After all, he knew why the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree was there and the fact that Matt was a werewolf.

The castle was much empty-bellied when they returned than when they had left. Albus only saw a few prefects doing their turn and realized that curfew must have passed. So much for not getting in trouble.

Hagrid walked them to the hospital extension and left Albus and lusterlessness there while he then escorted Malfoy to Slughorn 's field. Malfoy had remained quiet during the full walk, but lost the sneer he 'd worn when he insulted Matt.

"I thought you lot had grown out of this,"Madam Pomfrey said as she examined matt 's carpus."This sneaking about in the dead of dark, following people. At to the lowest degree you did n't get locked out this sentence.

"Yes, your wrist is definitely soften. But I can mend it quickly."

gentlewoman Pomfrey took her baton out of her gown and pointed it at matte 's carpus. She muttered a while and instantly, his wrist was healed.

"Thanks,"Matt said, bending his wrist.

"You 're welcome,"the nurse replied. She hurried over to a cabinet and returned with a goblet of potion."Take this for the bother and you 'll be goodness as new. No pauperization to stay the night. I know you stay here enough as it is. You 're to wait here until Professor Longbottom comes to amass you."

mat nodded and downed the potion in one large gulping. Albus sat down next to him on the bed and they waited for Longbottom. Albus did n't think Hagrid had seen him with his wand pointed at Malfoy, so his punishment should n't be too bad.

"You do n't think he 'll make you miss Quidditch tomorrow, do you ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought of that."I hope not. Fred would kill me."

The room access to the ward opened and Professor Longbottom walked inside. He looked pall and slightly annoyed. He sighed and shook his oral sex when he saw Albus and Matt.

"You two again ?"he asked."Hagrid said you were on the grounds after curfew ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied. He always felt uncanny calling Professor Longbottom 'sir', but figured it could n't hurt in this berth.

"Should I bother asking why ?"Longbottom replied.

Albus shook his head, knowing that telling Longbottom why would n't get them any fewer hold, nor would it hold back Malfoy from trying to figure out how to get into the shrieking Shack.

"I 'll cook this easy, then,"Longbottom said."Ten percentage point from Gryffindor, each. And you 'll both serve detention tomorrow, immediately following the Quidditch friction match. Lines, in my office. I 'll see you then."Longbottom turned to impart. He nodded to dame Pomfrey as he walked to the door."honest dark, Poppy."

"Good night, Neville,"Madam Pomfrey said.

Albus and lustrelessness said good night to the nanny and then left the ward, both automatically going back to the common room rather than the vulture 's Den. If they were caught outside of Gryffindor tower twice in one nighttime they 'd get a lots worse punishment than twenty dollar bill lost points and a detainment. Albus thought they 'd gotten off well-to-do, to be honest. He wondered what Slughorn had set for Malfoy.

John, Kaden, rosebush, and Amanda were waiting for them when they got back. lavatory and Kaden were smirking.

"Do n't say a word,"Albus muttered."I knew whoever followed him would get caught."

"Figured you did, seeing as you 've been gone for over an minute,"John said."What 's your penalty ?"

"Detention tomorrow after Quidditch and we each lost ten degree,"Albus said.

"You got off easy,"Kaden replied."If it had been me and privy we would 've gotten three detentions."

"I think Longbottom took shame on us because matte broke his wrist while we were out there,"Albus said.

John laughed."Of form he did."

"Shut it,"matte said."It really hurt. I was dodging a curse that Malfoy sent to the willow tree that reflected off the wards."

"Did you find anything useful out ?"Rose asked."Not that I approve of this."

Albus and matte explained what had happened, including the part where Malfoy insulted Matt and Albus nearly hexed him.

"Very odd,"Rose mused."What can he possibly want the hut for ? And what did he mean when he said he had other stuff going on ? What early poppycock could he possibly have going on besides school ?"

"Whatever he 's got going on with Willinson ?"John suggested."Surely Felix knows what his cousins are up to and Malfoy 's always involved with that."

Albus shrugged."Maybe. But why would he need the Shack ?"

"Who knows,"John said.

"I bet it 's got something to do with that letter,"Amanda said."And why he 's acting so strangely lately."

"Speaking of acting strangely, Elsie Willinson is still acting Weird,"rose wine said."I thought she would 've adjusted by now, but she has n't. She does n't seem to have any friends."

"Does her buddy still pick her up from tutoring ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah,"rose replied."It 's very odd. I asked her if she wanted to hang out with me and Amanda until curfew, but she said she could n't. So I said maybe another time and she said probably not."

"That 's odd,"John said."Clearly they 're up to something."

"They 're always up to something,"Albus pointed out."I 'd do it to know what it is, though. I wonder if they 've been in contact with Quinton."

"They 'd be unintelligent to be,"blush wine said."Kendrick did n't punish Felix for what happened to Kaden two yr ago, telling him if he did it again he 'd get expelled."

"I still say you 've got to forecast out what 's up with Elsie,"John said.

"I 'm trying,"rosiness insisted."It 's not as easy as you 'd opine. She hardly talks at all."

"Just stay fresh trying,"John said.

"team !"Fred suddenly shouted from across the coarse room."Off to bed, all of you ! We 've got a second chance at this and let 's not ruin it by staying up all night."

Albus did n't argue. Turning in early was a practiced approximation and he was actually quite tired after his expedition to the Whomping willow. He bade good nighttime to his Quaker and went up to his quiet, empty dormitory. It did n't assume him long to descend asleep and he dreamt of playing Quidditch with Malfoy while the two of them dodged the Whomping willow tree on brooms.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! I am doing Camp NaNoWriMo again this calendar month ( probably not a salutary musical theme ... ), and I 'm writing this for it, so hopefully I 'll terminate it !



The weather for the rematch was vastly different from the premature Sat 's atmospheric condition. The sky seemed to be all out of snow and the sun was shining. Although it was still bitterly cold, there was little jazz. Albus hoped the catch would be a long one since as soon as it was over, he had to serve custody with professor Longbottom.

Albus went down to the Great Hall by himself for breakfast. His early night had given way to him waking up far sooner than he normally did. It was nice being capable to mess about over breakfast, though, and concentrate on the upcoming friction match rather than interact with his friends. As he ate, the Great Hall slowly filled. He had just finished the concluding of his eggs when the post owls arrived.

Albus observed the owls and did n't spot any of them. Clearly he was not receiving any mail today, which was a estimable thing because he was fairly certain Longbottom had owled his parents about his detention. But then he noticed a very large owl holding a red envelope in its mouth ; it was a howler and the owl was heading toward the Slytherin table. Albus continued watching it and saw it set ashore right in front of Scorpius, who yanked the gasbag off the owl 's leg and tripped over the bench in his hastiness to go out the room. Albus actually sympathized with him ; it was terribly opening a howler in world. From the sound of it, Malfoy did n't quite make it to a loo or vacuous classroom. Muffled shouting could be heard coming from the ingress Hall.

Malfoy did n't turn back to the Great Hall. Albus figured it must have been a particularly awful sidesplitter and was wondering what it could possibly throw said when his supporter sat down next to him.

"Malfoy got a howler,"John said as he started loading his plate with bacon.

"I know,"Albus said."Saw him get it."

"wellspring, we heard the tail end of it,"John the Divine said.

"It was awful,"Rose replied.

"What did it say ?"Albus asked."Who was it from ?"

"His dad, I 'm guessing,"John said."It was a man 's voice. We crouched down on the stairs when we saw him. Basically his dad was yelling at him for getting in trouble for stupid things when he should be studying and concentrating on his schoolhouse work and keeping his fountainhead down. Then he said something about how Malfoy knows that they, meaning his parents, have far more important things on their creative thinker than worrying about Malfoy getting in trouble in schoolhouse. And how they ca n't worry about him at school when they 're in use worrying about former things."

"That 's vague,"Albus said."He did n't say what the early matter were ?"

"Nope,"John said."But Malfoy obviously knows what they are because he was shaking and he ran for the keep after the belly laugh blew up."

"I told you the missive he read at exercise was about something bad,"Amanda said.

"And now we know it 's got something to do with his family unit,"Albus said.

"Maybe they 're going to join up with Willinson and the Carrows and all them,"Matt said."His dad was a Death eater, was n't he ?"

"sort of,"Albus said."His grandpa was, but his dad sort of got caught up in it and he got off. So did his grandfather, actually. No one really knows why, but my dad vouched for them at their hearing."

"Now that is unearthly,"Matt said."Maybe his gramps is planning on joining them."

Albus shrugged."Maybe, but it just does n't sound right. Listen, I 've got to get to the pitch. I 'll see you after."

"Yeah, for detainment,"Matt muttered."Going to be a blast."

Albus 's wish for a foresighted match came on-key. Since the atmospheric condition was cooperating, James I put off catching the Snitch until Gryffindor was up by 200 point in time, instead focusing his exertion on faking honkytonk to keep Ravenclaw 's Seeker away from the Snitch. It worked, and three and a half hours later James caught the fink and won the catch for Gryffindor. Albus was sorely disappointed that he 'd hold to miss the resulting company in the commons way, but figured that 's what Longbottom was going for when he scheduled detention for right after the match.

matte was waiting for Albus in the Great Hall and the two of them grabbed a quick lunch before hurrying to Longbottom 's office. They spent the adjacent two hours writing'I will not filch out of the rook after shadow'over and over again. By the prison term they were done Albus wanted to curl up and take a nap, since the Quidditch match itself had exhausted him. He and matte decided to spend the afternoon in the vulture 's Den, just relaxing if not actually sleeping.

When they arrived they found John and Kaden in the middle of plotting their new prank. rose and Amanda were in the library, apparently avoiding John and Kaden and their prank.

"Are you two sure you do n't desire to be involved with this ?"John asked."It 's going to be legendary."

"It wo n't be worth the hold,"Albus said.

"Seriously,"Matt agreed."If it 's fabled it 's going to intend a lot of detentions."

"Fine,"John said.

John the Divine and Kaden lowered their spokesperson, but Albus distinctly heard the words 'Weasleys '', 'itching powder ,''Slytherins ,'and 'alarm alfileria .'At that point, he really did n't want to know. He and lusterlessness decided to get down a plot of cheat and attempted to tune out John and Kaden 's whisperings.

"I was thinking the other night and realized if my dad loses his job when Laurentis is elected it 's going to be just like Commonwealth of Australia,"mat said as he captured one of Albus 's pawns.

"I had n't thought of that,"Albus said."Does that mean you 'd move again ?"

"I do n't know,"Matt said quietly."I really hope not. I guess I do n't guess so because the very reason we moved here was so I could go to school day, not for Dad to get a new job."

"Then you probably wo n't,"Albus replied, taking one of lusterlessness 's bishops.

"But if he does lose it, it 's going to probably mean Laurentis disagrees with him on loup-garou matter,"flatness pointed out."That could be really bad."

"You never know,"Albus said."There 's early things your dad deals with that they might disagree on."

"But my dad 's the most vocal on lycanthrope rights. Everyone knows that,"flatness said."If they 're going to take issue on something, that 's going to be it."

"I guess you 'll cause to waitress until the debate,"Albus said.

"I 'm thinking of going,"Matt said quietly."It might be terrible, but I want to know what she says firsthand, not from the Prophet."

"That makes sense,"Albus said."When is it ?"

"In three workweek,"Matt said."Feb 15th. That 's the only if thing ; it 's the day of the Hogsmeade trip."

"That happened last Hogsmeade weekend,"Albus said,"when Rose went. suck that they do that."

flatness nodded."I think I 'll go anyway. I mean, it is the Valentine 's Hogsmeade trip. speech production of that, is James still going out with that Hufflepuff girl ? I forgot her name."

"Gabby Ellis,"Albus said."I 've no theme, to be honest. I guess we 'll find out when the Hogsmeade trip comes."

"Just as long as Fred does n't schedule Quidditch practice for that day again,"mat pointed out.

Albus laughed."He wo n't. None of us minded too very much since the weather was so nice, but I think if he did it again the entirely team would hate him."

"That would make an awkward family dinner, considering over half the team are your cousin-german,"flatness said.

"Family dinner party with my house have become awkward by definition,"Albus said."Luckily the next one wo n't be until far after the election."

"Only a little over two months to go,"flatness said."You can pass water it."

"I hope so,"Albus replied, as he moved his queen in the address transmission line of matt 's king."Checkmate."
***


"Rufus Scrimgeour was the last curate of deception to be appointed by the Wizengamot,"Professor Embry said as he strolled around his classroom. It was the first off hebdomad of February and the class had finally gotten to the point in time where they were beginning to discuss the second war."He was appointed quickly, after Cornelius Fudge resigned.

"Minister Fudge is commonly known as the to the lowest degree competent government minister ever to declare office,"Embry continued."He refused to conceive evidence that was laid out plainly in straw man of him, for fear of being known as the Minister who held office when Voldemort returned. Somehow, he thought that if he ignored what was right in front of him, it would just simply go away. This backfired, of grade, because he is now known for being the least competent government minister.

"Scrimgeour is seen in a slightly better light than Fudge, although he was rector when the Ministry fell to Voldemort in August of 1997 ...."

Albus knew all of this, of course. He 'd mature up listening to his parents laugh at the incompetence of Fudge and the pointlessness of Scrimgeour being considered a minister at all. Nevertheless, he listened to Embry and took detailed short letter since the essays Embry set were often long and hard.

"The time of the second war was a time of fear and Chaos,"Embry said as he reached the straw man of the room again."No one knew what was going on or who to believe. Many people heartily believed Fudge and what he said, believing Albus Dumbledore to be a fraud or even senile. When this realness was shattered for them in June of of 1996, they did n't know what to do or who to turn to, or even what to believe. They 'd been fooled for a total class, believing what their Ministry and newspaper told them. Now that they knew they 'd been lied to for a year, what were they to do ? They did n't trust anyone, let alone the Ministry. Most the great unwashed 's goals were to protect their family and friends and that was it.

"It was the fear and chaos that allowed Voldemort and his followers to take control of the Ministry. Without the musical accompaniment of wizarding UK, the Ministry was weakly and susceptible to a coup d'etat. It was simple for Voldemort to slue in and takeover in a matter of weeks."

"Excuse me, professor ?"Olivia Price said, raising her hand.

"Yes, Miss Price ?"Embry replied."You have a question ?"

"Yes, sir,"Olivia replied."I was just wondering, and you do n't ingest to resolve, but what were you doing during the bit war ?"

If Embry was surprised that Olivia asked him a question about his personal life, he did n't demonstrate it. Instead he gave a slight smile and began to walk around the schoolroom again.

"I do n't listen answering that,"Embry said."Many of your parents were involved with the war elbow grease, so of course you 're curious. When the Ministry fell I 'd been working there for about six year. I got a job as an undersecretary in the Department of Magical Transportation when I was just out of Hogwarts and worked my way up the social station.

"I 'd received a advancement shortly before Minister Fudge resigned and worked to draft laws, but I quit after Scrimgeour got appointed because I saw that the Ministry was weak and corrupt and no longer wished to align myself with it. After Voldemort 's defeat, I was approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt asking if I would like to be involved with rebuilding the Ministry, and I said yes."

Albus was impressed. Embry had n't mentioned what kind of job he did at the Ministry and Albus had had no idea he had been so involved with its rebuilding after the war.

"So you can see why I believe it is so important to educate all of you about the history of the Ministry and how it is organized now,"Embry finished."face like we 're out of time for today so please write an eight inch essay on Rufus Scrimgeour 's term as curate for prep, due next Tuesday."

Albus packed up his bag and headed back up to Gryffindor towboat with his friends. When they arrived, there was a crowd around the notice plank, which was strange. The Hogsmeade weekend day of the month had already been announced and rarely did other notification garner such a bunch around the notice board.

Albus shrugged at his friend and they squeezed through the crowd until they could read it. It was a large poster, covering the legal age of the board, imposing an early curfew Sunday night. Everyone, first through seventh years, were to be back inside the rook by five in the evening, no exceptions. Below that it warned that Filch was going to lock the presence doorway at exactly five and that everyone was to cover to their common way at five-thirty.

"That 's Wyrd,"Albus said as he and his friends retreated."I do n't intend they 've ever imposed a curfew so early on before, and for everyone ?"

"It 's because Greyback has n't been caught,"Matt said quietly."Lord's Day 's the full moon."

"They must think he 's going to come back,"Albus replied.

"Scary,"John added."Do you really think he will ?"

"I do n't know,"Matt said."But I 'd bet my parents'totally Gringotts hurdle that he 's going to burn person Billy Sunday night."

"waiting,"blush wine said."You do n't usually go to the shrieking hovel until six or seven."

"They 're probably doing it early just to be safe,"lusterlessness said."In casing some the great unwashed do n't follow it or something. It says on there that the prefects are going to do a foreland reckoning. That 's why we all have to occur back to the common room at five-thirty."

Rose nodded."Then you 'll have to leave later, after the doors are locked."

"Either that or brothel keeper Pomfrey will induce me go too soon,"Matt replied."I really hope not, though. I hate sitting out in the screeching Shack."

"I hope not, too,"Albus said quietly.

Albus and his friends were probably the but pupil who knew the reasonableness why a curfew had been imposed on Sunday. Even the prefects seemed clueless, since Albus overheard a few of them trying to figure it out. more than a few students were tempestuous about it, although Albus had no idea why since it was n't green for scholarly person to take a perambulation on the grounds on a William Ashley Sunday dark in Feb. He supposed they liked the choice, though.

As Dominicus drew unaired lusterlessness became quieter and even more closed off than he normally was. In fact, it reminded Albus a lot of the way he was in first year, before rose figured out why he disappeared once a calendar month. Both Albus and rose wine tried to get him to afford up about it, but he shrugged them off and insisted he was o.k.. Gospel According to John and Kaden did n't appear to notice any dispute in lusterlessness, and Amanda was n't one to ask about it when he closed himself off.

Saturday 's Dueling tourney proved uneventful. Albus spent the full few hr worrying about matte because he had elected to skip the tournament in order to sleep, which was odd since he 'd normally at least try to participate. At least Malfoy made Albus 's life light by remaining lull throughout the tournament and not blaming Albus when the team came in third shoes. Albus himself won both of his duel, as did Malfoy.

On William Ashley Sunday Albus and his supporter spent the day in the piranha 's Den, working on homework and playing games. Matt slept for much of the day and he still was n't saying anything. While Albus was worried, he was fairly certain the reason matt was so quiet was grayback. When a one-fourth to five rolled around, they had to return to Gryffindor to prove they were in the castle. mat was still asleep, so Albus told everyone else go to on ahead and that they 'd follow.

"Matt,"Albus whispered as he shook his Quaker awake."We 've got to go back to the vernacular room."

"This is stupid,"flatness muttered."They 're counting everyone to puddle sure no one gets attacked by a werewolf when they 've got one living in the castle."

"Is that why you 've been so quiet this week ?"Albus asked as Matt got up. He did n't answer."You and Greyback are n't the same."

"I know,"Matt said as they left the room. The corridor was empty, so he continued to sing."It 's just the fact that we 're both werewolves. That 's the same. What if they start doing this curfew thing every full phase of the moon moon, all because of me ?"

"They wo n't,"Albus said."You 're not life-threatening because you 're in the screech hovel. It 's all certain up."

"I guess, but it 's still possible."

"You and Limnodromus griseus are different because he wants to bite people. He purposely transforms near people, not on Wolfsbane, so he can infect hoi polloi. You hide yourself away to protect everyone. That 's a huge difference."

"But what if he does descend to Hogsmeade,"lustrelessness continued."He 'll hear me howling and know there 's a werewolf in the scream shanty and he 'll try to get in."

"But he wo n't be able to,"Albus pointed out.

"And then if he does bite someone, and let 's present it, he will,"lustrelessness said."It 's going to look bad for all werewolves. All it 'll take is a few flack and people will start believing we should sustain our rightfulness taken away. That 's what happened in Australia."

"You 're getting ahead of yourself,"Albus said as they reached the coarse room."Right now you do n't know that any of that 's going to fall out. Wandering banshee."

"You 're nearly late,"the Fat peeress said as she swung her portraiture open.

Albus and lustrelessness climbed inside and found the common room the most push they 'd ever seen it. Prefects were milling about attempting to get everyone to quiet down, but everyone was still trying to figure out why such an other curfew had been set. The room was so crowded that Albus and Matt could n't encounter the rest of their friend and since being in a crowded way was not the best idea for Matt right before the full moon, they quit searching and instead sat down near the dorm doors.

"Everyone, pipe down, delight !"broom announced in a magically overstate voice. The room finally quieted down."I know you 're all worried about the curfew but they have n't even secernate us prefects why it 's been imposed. It 's not that big a hatful since it 's Feb, iniquity, and freezing external. None of you would be exterior anyway. Now just remain calm while we take rolling wave so we can all get downstairs for dinner. After we 're done you 'll be allowed to cast the palace until your pattern curfew."

broom began calling out names in alphabetical lodge by class. It took her fifteen or so hour to get to the fourth years and after that Albus tuned her out. fifteen minutes after that she finished and all the Gryffindors had been accounted for. The common room emptied out quickly, since everyone wanted to get to the Great Radclyffe Hall for dinner party. flatness had fallen asleep and after Albus prodded him arouse, he went up to the residence hall to sleep until he had to go to the hospital wing.

When Albus and his Quaker returned from dinner Matt had already left for the hospital wing. They decided to just stay around the coarse room since it was fairly empty and spent the evening working on their essays for professor Embry.

"Any opportunity you lot know why we 're stuck inside ?"James asked as he snagged the conclusion hot seat at Albus 's table."Cedric, Ben, and I are asking everyone."

Albus exchanged a glance with pink wine. He supposed it could n't hurt to tell James I the reason why, just so long as he did n't severalize him why they knew. Of trend, as soon as he told James it would spread around the castle like tartar pox at a wizarding nursery schooltime, but again, that would n't really bruise anything.

"We 've got a hunch,"Albus said."Remember how Quinn Gregory of Nazianzen saw Johnny on the grounds during the Quidditch lucifer ?"

"Yeah,"St. James said.

"Well, tonight 's a good lunation,"Albus said."Put it together."

James I was mute for a moment and then his eyes grew big."You think Kendrick thinks he 's going to come here tonight ?"

"That 's our surmisal,"Albus said and his friends nodded.

"Makes sense,"King James said."Can you reckon what variety of fuss Kendrick would be in if someone got bitten by a lycanthrope on the soil ?"

Albus did n't want to think about it. He doubted flatness wanted a companion in the screaming Shack.

"Scary,"James I said,"thinking about Greyback transformed while wandering around the undercoat. I wonder why they did n't just tell us. No one would be angry about it if they 'd secern us the reason."

"Probably did n't want anyone to panic,"Albus said.

"shot so,"Saint James agreed."But still, everyone 's going to have it off now."He grinned and then got up to go find Ben and Cedric. The fact that the curfew was due to Rebel would be common noesis in the castle within ten minutes, Albus guessed.

Albus managed to finish his essay and decided to call it a night shortly after. He did n't sense like talking, not with the opening that knot was either running around the Hogwarts terra firma or setting himself on some unsuspecting village, wanting to infect small children with lycanthropy. It was awful to think about. Albus laid awake for hr, trying not to think about it, but try as he might, he just could not push the thought from his mind.


It was a rare occasion that Albus witnessed the sun rise. Being fourteen-years-old, Albus preferred to catch some Z's until the very lately dawn or ahead of time afternoon, but this particular morning he was up before the sun. He had n't slept much that Nox due to his headache about Fenrir Greyback and matt, and decided that it was pointless to try and sleep when he 'd just have to be up in an hr anyway.

Albus sat at the window and watched as the sun slowly rose over the view. The soil looked peaceable, and not at all like the place where a werewolf could 've been roaming just a few time of day before. The moon had set and both Matt and Calidris canutus would be back in their human being forms by now. Whatever had happened was over now and there was cypher anyone could do to change it. Albus wondered just how foresighted it would take for the Prophet to publish some sort of article on any blast Johnny might 've been the case of.

Bilius and Ethan awoke before bathroom did and busied themselves with talk of the Balycastle and Kenmare mates that had taken place Sat, completely unworried about Calidris canutus. Albus was n't surprised since neither of them had any sort of personal connecter with the escaped lycanthrope. But they at least love that the previous night had been a full moon, since Henry James had spread that information around the palace.

privy finally rose shortly after Bilius and Ethan left for breakfast. Albus was relieved since they could now speak freely.

"What prison term is it ?"whoremonger asked as soon as he sat up."Have we got time to visit Matt before Herbology ?"

"Just after eight, so not really,"Albus said."And there 's no point in visiting him now as he 's probably unconscious mind or sleeping. The moon just set two hours ago."

"Yeah, but he might know something,"Gospel According to John said as he closed the hangings on his bed while he dressed."He might 've heard Rebel end night."

"He never remembers anything about full moons,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's still Charles Frederick Worth a snap,"whoremaster replied.

Albus thought it would be kind of pointless, but they did n't birth time before Herbology anyway. After trick finished, the two hurried out of the dormitory room and down to the Great manse for a quick breakfast before course of instruction. Rose, Amanda, and Kaden were already there.

"Anything in the Prophet ?"Albus asked as he grabbed a flock of toast.

Rose shook her psyche and swallowed her Viscount St. Albans before answering."No. Absolutely nothing, but that does n't stand for much. It could just be too soon for enough details to have emerged."

"well, we 've got a free period this afternoon, so we can go ask Matt,"John Lackland said.

"I told you that he 's not going to screw anything,"Albus reminded him.

toilet shrugged."You never know."

The rest of the student body seemed to give birth already forgotten about the early curfew and the full moon. Albus did n't hear anyone discussing it on his way to Herbology or at lunch later that day. Since there had n't been anything in the theme about an flak, it was old tidings for the Hogwarts students. Everyone that is, except for Albus, John, Rose, and Amanda.

Albus, john, and Amanda were still discussing it on their way to Care of Magical fauna that afternoon. When they arrived they found Hagrid surrounded by Cage filled with small-scale, black-market, fluffy creatures.

"'ello !"Hagrid shouted."I 've got nifflers for yeh today. Can anyone assure me what makes nifflers unique ?"

Albus raised his hand.

"Albus,"Hagrid said.

Albus grinned."Nifflers find treasure. They like bright things."

"Tha 's right hand,"Hagrid said."So if you 've got watch or jewellery on, take it off. I 've buried a load of leprechaun gold and your job for today will be to use the nifflers to find it. Everyone pair off and then come get a niffler. Whichever duo finds the most gold gets a ingroup of umber Frogs."

There was a flurry as everyone hurried to take off their jewelry and witness a niffler that looked like it would be a particularly treasure hunter. Albus took off his watch, shoved it into his pocket, and followed John and Amanda over to the nifflers. With matt in the hospital wing, Albus was without a partner and decided to just get together whoremaster and Amanda.

John grabbed the niffler with the longest snout and held the end of the lead while they followed it around the evidence. Every so often the niffler would give up and dig through the snow, revealing a small pile of coins. Albus collected them and shoved them into a bag Hagrid had provided.

The intact procedure was rather entertaining. Albus enjoyed watching not only his niffler, but the relief of the category 's nifflers as well. They were adorable, funny animate being. At one point, Janie Creevey and Karina Jordan-Bell 's niffler managed to sniff out a set of graduated table in Bilius 's bag resulting in all three of them playing tug-of-war with the niffler.

"Why 's he got his scale in there anyway ?"St. John asked as they watched."We have n't got potions today."

Albus shrugged."No idea."

"Albus, privy, facial expression !"Amanda shouted, pointing toward the castle.

Albus turned around and saw two material body walking toward Hagrid 's hut. It took a few second, but he soon realized that he knew both of them. One Albus recognized as a untried Auror from his dad 's section. His figure was Cardinal Newman and he 'd been one of the Aurors to help oneself when Kaden was kidnapped two eld ago. The second man was none early than Matt 's dad.

"What 's mat 's dad doing here ?"John asked.

"Yeah, and who 's that former bloke ?"Amanda asked.

"He 's an Auror,"Albus said."But why are they here ?"

The two star walked past Albus, John, and Amanda without making any sort of eye link, acting as if they 'd never seen them before. By now, the rest of the class was looking at them strangely. Matt 's dad and Newman kept walking until they reached Hagrid, and they began speaking with him in low voices.

"C'mon,"Albus said as he began walking toward Hagrid.

Saint John tugged the niffler 's lead and he and Amanda followed Albus. Albus stopped once they were within earshot, hiding behind a bush. John and Amanda crouched down on either incline of him.

"I s'ppose I did hear some funny noises las'Nox,"Hagrid said."More'n common, that is. Always funny haphazardness from the forest. A bit more howling than normal las'night, coming from Hogsmeade. Could 've been a werewolf, but I don'know for sure."

"And did you see anything roaming the soil ?"mat 's dad asked. His voice sounded serious.

"No,"Hagrid said."Wasn'out of doors late. What 's this about ? greyback ?"

lustrelessness 's dad and Newman glanced at each other."Yes,"Matt 's dad said."We have reasons to believe Reb was in the orbit live night and we 're looking for anyone who might 've seen something."

Hagrid shuddered."Wish I could help yeh. But yeh know, that howling from Hogsmeade could 've just been-"

"Yes, I know,"Mr. Eckerton cut him off, with a spry glimpse at Cardinal Newman."We 've had reports of more cruel, louder howling. Howling that seems to change location."

"Oh !"Hagrid exclaimed."Yeah, well, again, wish I could help oneself. I 'll pay a bit more attention next wax moon."

"We 'd appreciate it,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thanks for your time."

Matt 's dad and Cardinal Newman turned and left, without a endorse coup d'oeil at Hagrid or the course of instruction. The relief of the class had hanker since returned to their nifflers and all had base of atomic number 79 far orotund than Albus, whoremonger, and Amanda 's. But Albus no longer cared about winning the Chocolate Frogs. It seemed that something did take place last nighttime, but nobody knew exactly what.

At the end of the form, Albus, John, and Amanda came in dead endure for sum of money of coins collected. Hagrid seemed disappointed, but said that their niffler must 've just been tired. After returning it to its batting cage, the three hurried back to the castle, uneasy to stow their base and go visit Matt.

"If Calidris canutus is n't on wolfsbane should n't he be easy to detect after the full moon ?"John asked as they walked to the infirmary wing."Would n't he be injured ?"

"Not necessarily,"Albus said quietly."Matt only bites and attacks himself because he has null else to attack. If Greyback 's out roaming the countryside, he can attack animals and people."

"But what about the actual transformation ?"John the Evangelist replied."Even werewolves on Wolfsbane are achy the next day because of that, right ?"

"I think so, yeah, but I bet if you 're being chased by Aurors that 's the finis matter on your intellect,"Albus pointed out."I 'm not indisputable. matt would probably know."

Matt was the only patient in the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey was busy in her work, so Albus and his admirer were free to discuss whatever they pleased. Albus was happy to see that Matt was awake, although he did expect slightly unsettled.

"Was there anything in the Prophet ?"lustrelessness asked as soon as Albus, John, and Amanda had taken seats on his bed."And I 'm mulct, so do n't bother asking."

"Er, no,"Albus said."Why ?"

"Last night was weird,"mat said.

"Told you he 'd eff something,"John said to Albus.

"But I do n't,"matt replied."It was just Wyrd. I do n't experience how else to name it."

"What happened ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't know,"Matt said quietly as he pulled his hand out from under the blanket. They were completely bandaged."Look. My hands are the only portion of me that 's injure. I mean, I ache all over from the transformations, but I did n't bite myself at all last night."

Albus looked at the bandages."But your men. You did n't seize with teeth them ? Then why are they bandaged ?"

"Splinters,"lustrelessness said."Madam Pomfrey thinks I spent the night scratching at the door and trying to get out. I 've never done that before. I never remember anything from when I 'm the wolf, but I do sometimes remember feelings. Like if the beast was really angry or something. shoemaker's last night it was do-or-die, although I have no idea what for. I guess to get outside, if Madam Pomfrey is right."

"And your wolfy self has n't done that before ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Matt shook his head."I 've been transforming in the screeching hut for three and a one-half years and the wolf has never done that before."

"I 'll evidence you something weirder,"whoremaster said."Your dad was here earlier."

"What ?"lustrelessness exclaimed."When ?"

"Just now,"John said."During guardianship of Magical Creatures, he and some Auror came to talk to Hagrid. We listened in-"

"Of course,"mat cut in.

"Your dad and the Auror, they were asking Hagrid if he 'd seen or heard anything uncanny last night. Hagrid said he did n't see anything, but he thought he heard more noise than usual from Hogsmeade. Then he said that it may have just been you, but your dad cut him off, probably because of the Auror. Then your dad said that there had been reputation of more vicious howling than usual."

"They definitely think that Johnny was in Hogsmeade last night,"Albus said.

"What would 've happened if you got out ?"Amanda asked.

"Out of the Shack ?"Matt asked."Nothing good. But now he knows that I was there. He 'll keep coming back until he 's captured. I wo n't actually be able to run from the hutch. The wards are too good."

The door to the ward flew candid and Matt 's dad came striding inside, still looking as serious as he had earlier. After a warm glimpse around the room, he strode over to Matt 's bed.

"Dad,"mat said.

"You do n't see surprised to see me,"Mr. Eckerton replied as he gave his son a hug."How are you feeling ?"

"I 'm all right,"Matt said with a shrug."Albus, St. John the Apostle, and Amanda saw you talking to Hagrid. well, they heard you, too. Where 's the Auror ?"

Mr. Eckerton let out a abruptly laugh and then turned to Albus."I saw you in the Bush. future time you 're trying to hide, do n't obliterate with a niffler. They 're notorious giveaway. Yours was trying to whiff out Newman 's pocket watch."

"I missed nifflers ?"flatness asked, clearly disappointed.

"Yeah,"Albus said."I bet Hagrid would let you see one after you 're better, though."

"I need to utter with you about last dark, mat,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."In private, perhaps ?"

lusterlessness shook his drumhead."I already told them about last Night, so they might as well stay."

"All right,"Mr. Eckerton said."I need you to try and remember if you heard or saw anything strange final stage night. I know you never retrieve anything, but try."

Matt held up his bandaged script."madam Pomfrey thinks I tried to get out of the Shack last night. That never happens. Whatever was outside kept the wolf occupied all night. I did n't attack myself."

Mr. Eckerton 's eyes grew tumid and Albus noticed that the good look had dissipated. It was replaced with a aspect Albus had seen quite often on his own father. It was a father 's shock and worry.

Matt explained the rest, including the part about the Hugo Wolf feeling desperate. Mr. Eckerton seemed to speculate this for a few minute before sighing and shaking his head.

"What 's going on, Dad ?"lusterlessness asked.

Mr. Eckerton sighed once more."I suppose it could n't spite to tell you. It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow anyway. Two children were attacked in Little Shingleton utmost Nox. It 's a townspeople about five miles away, on the other English of that batch next to Hogsmeade. We 've been trying to visualize out whether it was Greyback or not, since he left immediately after biting them."

"Were they Muggles ?"lustrelessness asked.

"No,"Mr. Eckerton said."Which makes me trust that this was a carefully planned flak. minuscule Shingleton is a Muggle village, with these two minor and their parents being the only beldame and wizards in the surface area. It 's too coinciding. And why fire both child ? Most werewolves take off immediately after biting soul, their inherent aptitude telling them to get as far away as potential, as quickly as possible."

"And did they ... survive ?"lustrelessness replied.

"They 're both in horse barn condition at St. Mungo 's. Once their chomp heal, they 'll be exquisitely, save for the fact that they now have lycanthropy. The insect bite were clean and small, not normal werewolf bites. These bites were inflicted just to infect. Another sign toward Greyback."

"But what about Hogsmeade ?"Albus asked.

"Five international nautical mile is not an out of the question journey for a werewolf in a night,"Mr. Eckerton explained."Most likely Greyback heard Matt 's howling last night and followed the auditory sensation. Once there, he probably spent the rest of the Nox attempting to get inside the Shrieking shanty, which is impossible."

"So you really think it was him ?"lustrelessness asked.

"I do, and Auror Newman agrees with me. I left him in Kendrick 's study, after telling him I needed to bring down you since we were already here. But what you 've told me just solidifies it."

"But ca n't you just go get him ?"can asked."He ca n't be that far. No offence, Matt, but if you were outdoor you would n't get very far."

"None taken."

"The thing that makes lycnathropy so unmanageable to learn, and also most in all probability the reason why Aconitum lycoctonum does n't put to work for all werewolves, is that each person 's lycanthropy is vastly different from others. Its issue depend a lot upon a person 's prospect toward their own lycanthropy. Fenrir Greyback has spent his biography embracing his lycnathropy and living for that one night a month where his honest nature emerges. He embraces his wolf side so often that he even attacks hoi polloi when the moonlight is not full.

"You, Matt, on the other hand, key nearly with your human being side. As you should, considering you 're only a skirt chaser one Nox out of twenty-eight. Therefore, you resist the transformation. You fight it with your every roughage, every month. grayback embraces it, and probably shifts a lot leisurely than you do. His transformation most likely do not cause him the same pain."

"I guess that makes sense,"lustrelessness said.

"But still,"John said."They should be combing the forest for him."

Mr. Eckerton chuckled."They are. Trust me. They have the entire werewolf Control building block searching for him, along with six Aurors, and a handful of Junior and trainee Aurors. They do n't normally complete Aurors to capture varlet werewolves, as that 's usually the wolfman control Unit 's job. And it 's not usually my job to enquire werewolf onslaught. But this is a eminent profile pillow slip, so they want many multitude on it, including citizenry in charge. We 'll get him."

Albus wondered if Teddy was on the case. He was a Junior Auror now. Knowing shimmy, he 'd want to be on the case since Greyback had turned his dad into a lycanthrope.

"I 've got to get back to the Ministry and sate out a written report,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up from his chair."If you think of anything else, Matt, ask to use prof Longbottom 's Floo. bird of night are easily intercepted."

lustrelessness said goodbye to his dad and soon the boy and Amanda were alone in the hospital wing once more. Albus did n't know what to say. Fenrir Calidris canutus, it seemed, was up to his old fast one and somehow lusterlessness had gotten involved.
***


Fenrir Greyback 's flack on the two tike took the whole nominal head page of the Prophet the postdate morning. The entire Great foyer was talking about it, professors, scholar, and ghostwriter. written matter of the paper were being passed faster than disc of bacon. Albus managed to snag a copy from his cousin Ben.

FENRIR knot onslaught IN LITTLE SHINGLETON

Fenrir Greyback, escaped convict and werewolf,
was sighted last Nox in Little Shingleton,
Scotland. Little Shingleton is nearly an
entirely Muggle settlement, save up for one
wizarding family. The fellowship, whose
epithet have not been released due to the
Underage loup-garou security Law,
suffered an extreme catastrophe last Night,
when Fenrir Rebel attacked both of
their child. Both children are
reportedly in horse barn shape at St.
Mungo 's.

An investigation, organized by both the
Auror Department and the department for
the Regulation and Control of Magical
Creatures, headed by head of that department,
Walter Eckerton, concluded late yesterday.
'We 've interviewed several eyewitnesses
who saw or heard a loup-garou in Hogsmeade
during the to the full moon. Hogsmeade is only
about five geographical mile from Little Shingleton .'
investigator said that numerous early
clues led them to believe that the approach
was by Fenrir Greyback, despite not having
actually seen him in Little Shingleton.
'We are not organize to disclose all details
of the investigation. But we are confident
that this was an attempt by greyback. A squad
of Aurors and Werewolf command Unit employees
are working around the clock to charm
greyback .'

The clause was followed by a recap of Greyback and the crimes that had landed him in Azkaban in the world-class station, along with a nasty photograph of him. Even in his human sort he looked rather wolf-like, which was such a drastic line compared to mat, who did n't resemble a wolf at all, save for his optic. Albus glanced up from the article and his eyes fell on Matt 's. They had a yellowish tint to them, with flecks of gold amidst their natural blue color. They were indeed the only wolf-like trait he possessed when the moon was n't full-of-the-moon.

"This is why people want stricter loup-garou control Torah,"Matt said quietly.

"evening those could n't have stopped this,"Albus pointed out.

"People wo n't cogitate about that. All they 'll cerebrate about is how their youngster are n't safe, and they 're right. It 's just stinky timing. Laurentis is going to use this to her advantage."

Albus wanted to ensure Matt that everything would be all right, that Laurentis would n't brag everything out of proportion, but he could n't. He knew that mat was right, that Laurentis would once again use a terrible calamity to draw to a greater extent backing from the wizarding Earth. If his uncle Percy was going to stand a chance against her, he was going to have to drastically change his campaign scheme.


A/N : So I just realized that I uploaded the wrong chapter last Friday. This is the existent chapter 25 and the one I uploaded last Fri is chapter 26. Sorry about that !


The thing about werewolf attacks was that they were only able to happen once a calendar month. There was absolutely no prospect of a lycanthrope attack during the rest of the month, so it was easy for the Hogwarts bookman to soon draw a blank about Fenrir Calidris canutus, or at to the lowest degree push him into the furthest corners of their psyche. After the initial article about greyback 's attack on the two Pres Young children, the paper returned to its usual election coverage, although both candidates were being very quiet about the attack. Neither Sir Henry Percy nor Laurentis made a statement, which did n't surprise Albus. The debate on rule of wizard animate being was scheduled for Saturday, so both campaigner would make statements then. There had been a few editorial in the newspaper publisher written by people pushing for stricter werewolf laws, but that had been it.

Sat was also the day of the next Hogsmeade trip, and this gave the Hogwarts scholarly person a much needed distraction from the out-of-door world. countersign spread amongst Albus 's full cousin that James was once again taking Gabby Ellis to Hogsmeade, and quite a few of his former cousins had dates as well. Albus himself did not, and was planning on spending the day with John, Kaden, Rose, and Amanda. Matt had arranged to attend to the debate with his dad, and would miss the trip.

"Are you sure you want to go to this argumentation ?"Albus asked mat as they played Bromus secalinus in the piranha 's Den.

"What ?"Matt asked, turning to Albus. He 'd been staring at the wall under the guise of taking his bend for the past tense five minutes.

"You were zoning out,"Albus said."I asked if you 're sure you want to go to that debate Saturday."

Matt had seemed distracted all calendar week and whether it was from Greyback being so near during his transformation or the upcoming public debate, Albus did n't have intercourse.

"Yeah, I 'm surely,"lusterlessness said."I 'd rather hear it straight from her than show it in the Prophet."

"What about your dad ?"Albus asked."Is he going to speak out against her if she wants stricter laws ?"

Matt shrugged."I do n't know. That did n't work too well in Australia."

The door to the Den salvo loose and John and Kaden came barging in, both wearing monovular grin. It was slightly uncanny, how similar they looked.

"We 've finished,"John announced.

"Finished what ?"Albus asked. He was slightly worried. It was never a estimable sign when John and Kaden were that well-chosen about something.

"Our caper,"Kaden answered."We 've finished provision. We 're not quite sure when to do it, though."

"Yeah, any trace ?"St. John the Apostle asked."Or are you two still being all prefecty on us ?"

Albus burst out laughing and turned to mat, who smirked."Prefecty ?"Albus repeated.

"Yeah,"john said."Everyone knows it 'll be one of you who makes prefect next year. And you 're getting started early by not liking our pranks."

"We just do n't want detention again,"matt explained."Honestly, I could n't care less if you prank the Slytherins. Malfoy 's a git. Prank him all you want."

"Are you sure you do n't want to know what it 's going to be ?"John the Evangelist asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Not a prospect,"lusterlessness said.

John shrugged."All rightfulness. But when should we do it ?"

"Let 's just wait and see when the sentence smell right,"Kaden suggested."It 's not, er ... time-sensitive ...."

John and Kaden burst out laughing."Sure,"whoremaster said."Not time-sensitive at all."

Albus and matt exchanged a glance.

"We could tell you why that was so funny,"John said.

"Or you could just wait and see like the rest of the castle,"Kaden added.

"We 'll waitress,"Albus said. He was curious about it, but not curious enough to possibly wind up with another week 's custody.

Whatever the prank was, John and Kaden did n't implement it before the following day. Saturday brought dispirited skies and bitterly frigidness temperatures and Albus put on two Weasley jump shot in preparedness for walking around Hogsmeade.

Matt left ahead of time for the argumentation, Flooing from professor Longbottom 's study. Albus and lavatory slept late and met Kaden, Rose, and Amanda in the Great mansion for a quick lunch before setting off for Hogsmeade.

The February Hogsmeade tripper was always an interesting one. The village became filled with new mates either snogging passionately in forepart of the workshop or staring awkwardly at each other across a table in the triplet broom handle or ma'am Puddifoot 's. Having never been on a date before in his life, Albus found it really good story to follow. John and Kaden found it amusing as well, but rose wine and Amanda seemed to gaze wistfully at the couples and did n't observe them at all comic.

"Where to first ?"Albus asked.

"Not Madam Puddifoot 's,"John said immediately, grimacing as a few love-struck couples headed toward the place.

"I plan on never setting infantry in there,"Kaden said."I do n't like how many little girl ask me to go there with them."

John laughed."You 'd stimulate to get a girl to like you first."

"Shut up,"Kaden said."Let 's just go get some Butterbeer."

The rest of the group agreed and they were soon crowded around one of the only empty tables in the Three Broomsticks. Albus was hoping to catch a glance of St. James because despite the fact that James II had been out with Gabby Ellis before, Albus could n't get over the fact that his brother was going out on engagement. It was just Wyrd.

After finishing their Butterbeer, the grouping went to Honeyduke 's and Weasleys'in parliamentary procedure to stock up on Skiving Snackboxes and drinking chocolate Frogs. By then it was nearly dinner time and they decided to holler it a day. The malarky was picking up and none of them fancied being caught in a storm.

"Albus !"John shouted just as they were setting off on the path back to the castle.

"What ?"Albus asked, turning to see what Saint John the Apostle was pointing at.

"James and Gabby Ellis,"John the Evangelist said.

Albus squinted and just made out his sidekick, leaning against the outside of Honeyduke 's, his mouth attached to Gabby Ellis 's. They were so close that they almost looked like one person.

"Oh my God,"Albus said quietly.

"That is disgusting,"Rose added."I could 've gone my intact life-time without seeing someone snog James."

lavatory and Kaden were both laughing."feeling like they 're enjoying it,"privy said.

"Oh utter !"Albus exclaimed as he turned back to the route."Let 's go."

"I think it 's good to say they 're together,"Amanda said as they walked back.

"What she could possibly see in St. James ..."Rose muttered.

"Well, he does play Quidditch,"Amanda pointed out.

"So do over half my cousins,"Rose said."So does Albus."

"Can we change the topic ?"Albus asked."Please. C'mon, let 's hurry up. I bet flatness 's back from the debate."

That seemed to get his friends'minds off of James River 's romantic life. Albus himself wanted to put the persona of his brother kissing someone out of his intellect forever. At least she was a Hufflepuff and he 'd never have to see them kissing in the common room. If he did he may let to spend all of his clock time in the vulture 's Den.

dinner had n't started yet when they arrived at the rook, so the mathematical group decided to go find Matt first. They found him right where Albus figured he 'd be, in the Marauder 's Den. Albus was slightly nervous about what had happened at the debate, but matt was sitting on the lounge casually reading his spell record, seeming hardly upset at all.

"How was Hogsmeade ?"lustrelessness asked as he set his book down.

"Disgusting,"Albus said as he sat down next to lustrelessness. John, rosebush, and Amanda pulled up chairs.

matt raised his brow."Disgusting ?"

"We saw James snogging his new girlfriend,"Rose said with a shudder."trustfulness me, there 's nothing pleasant about seeing the boy you remember eating a mud pie kissing a fille while pressed up against Honeyduke's."

lustrelessness laughed."I have n't got any cousins, so I 'll demand your Word of God for it."

"Consider yourself favourable,"Albus muttered."But what happened at the disputation ?"

"It was n't as bad as I thought it would be,"lusterlessness said."Well, okey, parts of it were n't as bad as I thought they 'd be. It was at the Ministry, in one of those court suite in the basement. Mostly it was people who work at the Ministry there, but there were some other mass there, too, because the room was so big.

"I 'm not sure how much you know about the section for the regulating and Control of Magical beast, but every creature is divided into one of three categories. Beings, spirits, and Beasts. feel are ghosts and poltergeists and boggarts. organism are creature that are n't man, but have human intelligence. animal are everything else. The cuss who was running the debate started by asking Percy and Laurentis how they feel about the rights given to beingness. You know, goblin, house-elves, centaur, those sort of fauna. They did n't have much to argue about that because neither of them think any of those creatures should stimulate their rights taken away. And rose 's mum has worked so hard to get them right.

"Then they moved on to the look division and there was n't much contestation with that, either, since there 's not often that can be done about smell. They 're just variety of there. Ghosts do n't harm anyone and poltergeists it all depends on the specific poltergeist. Laurentis brought up the subject of Peeves, which was odd, but Percy did n't seem to hold an public opinion on Peeves."

Albus had n't expected much disputation with the organism part. There had been a lot of argument back and forth about the right wing of being back when his parents had been in shoal and his aunt Hermione had dedicated her work life toward giving right to Beings, especially house-elves. Over the long time she 'd done a very in force job with it and had n't met much foeman. As for the flavor sectionalisation, Albus did n't cerebrate there had ever been often disputation there. ghostwriter were just ghost. They pretty much did as they pleased.

mat paused."Then there was the Beast class. Throughout story both werewolf and vampires have sometimes been in the Being division and sometimes been in the savage sectionalization. Classification in the savage sectionalization is the reason why wolfman have been stripped of their right field and how the Ministry can get away with it. If they 're not seen as organism, then legally, they do n't have got to be given the Saami rightfield as humans. It 's a technicality, really.

"A farseeing metre ago werewolves were in the Being division, but they got reclassified in the 1950s, after a huge werewolf attempt on an full townspeople. It was ugly. But ever since then, no one has wanted to sort out them as existence again. My dad has been an exponent for categorization as organism ever since he started in Australia.

"The thing about classification is that, for the most persona, Ministries all over the world have to fit in. That 's why reclassification is such a time-consuming and difficult thing to do. Someone has to bring it up and coordinate negotiations between countries and it requires a lot of effort. When Voldemort came to great power no one in Britain had the clock time or DOE to put toward the reclassification of wolfman. Not to mention they could n't part with the citizenry to put the time into it. Since the savage plan of attack in the 50s happened in England, the other countries have n't wanted to touch the musical theme. Although I 'd wager that Australia would put up a good fight if it was ever brought up again.

"So, basically, my dad has been trying to do this for ages, but he does n't hold the support. Even Minister Hartwell has n't wanted to come to it since it 's such a controversial proceeds and he does n't have a lot prison term left."

"Wow,"Albus said."Binns did n't teach us any of that in History of Magic."

"And he probably wo n't,"mat said."It 's not a long-familiar emergence since most people probably do n't handle to put in the effort to reclassify werewolves. The only if masses who 'd want to are werewolves."

"That 's awful,"Amanda said."But what happened at the disputation ?"

"The sensation in charge of the argumentation dodged the question of Johnny Reb for a spell, asking doubt about other creatures like thestrals and dementors and the like. But he finally brought up the topic of Greyback and Laurentis basically said that it was n't a matter of werewolf control natural law, but a subject of Azkaban security-"

"Well, that 's in effect,"Albus said. He would n't have expected that of Laurentis.

"sort of,"Matt replied."I have n't finished. Anyway, your uncle agreed with her, but he of course said that putting the dementors back would be stupid person. Laurentis said that if the dementors had been there then Greyback would n't let escaped and those kids would 've been safe. Then they started arguing about Azkaban and dementors again. But the feller in charge cut them off.

"Then he finally brought up the fact that my dad 's been pushing for the reclassification of werewolves as beingness for class and how he 's got the financial support of pink wine 's mum and asked what their opinion of it was."

"But if my mum was able to help house-elves and goblin, then why could n't she do it for loup-garou at the same time ?"rosebush asked.

"House-elves and goblins have always been classified as existence,"Matt explained."They were being denied right wing that they technically already had. It was just a matter of reworking the laws and enforcing them properly. None of the werewolf right wing jurisprudence can be changed unless their classification is changed-"

"But that 's just stupid,"john said.

Matt shrugged."It is, but there 's nothing anyone can do about it."

"Well, what did Laurentis say ?"Albus asked.

"Laurentis said that reclassifying lycanthrope as beingness would render the stream werewolf control police force unenforceable and that it would reach the Ministry far less control over werewolves. Which is on-key,"matte said."Not that it would be a bad thing."

"Of class not,"Albus agreed.

"Then she said that if lycanthrope were currently classified as Beings it would attain it hard to even fascinate knot and prosecute him for what he 's done, which is n't true at all. My dad was turning purple at this dot. She really knows null about the way his section works."

"What about Uncle Percy ?"blush wine asked.

flatness did n't say anything for a full minute."He was n't as bad as Laurentis, but well, your uncle does n't desire to change anything. I 'm trusted you 've noticed that he says everything 's fine the way it is and we do n't need to change anything, whether it 's Azkaban or Hogwarts. He thought the same about werewolves."

"What do you mean ?"Albus asked."He thinks that-"

Matt averted his gaze, looking at Kaden rather than Albus and Rose."He thinks that 'putting Energy Department into reclassifying werewolves as beingness would be a misfortunate idea, given the other yield facing the greater wizarding community .'And that is a direct quotation mark. I ca n't ever block that."

Albus wished he was surprised. He really did. But the fact remained that Uncle Percy did n't care to stimulate the cauldron, so to utter. If things were working the way they were, he would n't modify them. He 'd rather keep thing the same then speak out openly either for or against anything, if it would cost him corroborate or votes.

"Then he went on to excuse,"flatness continued."He said that werewolf classification does n't affect a large issue of witch and wizards and that it 's very complicated and would require a lot of exertion, which is true. But it 's like he did n't think it was Charles Frederick Worth it, just because it would n't affect a lot of people."

"It does n't surprise me,"Rose said quietly."The election is so soon. I do n't intend he 's going to say anything too controversial."

"Honestly, it was almost big than Laurentis,"Matt said, turning back to Albus and Rose."Sorry. I know he 's your uncle-"

"Do n't apologize,"Albus said, suddenly glad he was n't of age and would n't take in to take between the two nominee.

"It 's like he does n't even consume a potent legal opinion on it. He does n't need to let a strong persuasion on it,"flatness added."Laurentis at least has a reason. Your uncle does n't even ingest that. Honestly, Albus, I 've no thought who my parents will vote for now. Same with Amy."

"I do n't know who I 'd vote for now,"Albus said quietly.

"But either way, I do n't think werewolf will get reclassified,"Matt replied."Nothing will happen without financial support of the British people minister of religion at this point."

"That 's just not bazaar,"Amanda said."What exactly does the law say now ? What are you not allowed to do ?"

flatness averted his gaze once more. This was another topic that lustrelessness had n't ever spoke of before and Albus had n't dared ask.

"Well, technically,"Matt began,"I 'm not allowed to be at Hogwarts."

"What ?"Albus shouted. The residue of his supporter let out similar ecphonesis of shock.

"But Teddy 's dad-"rose began.

"Not legal,"mat said."Dumbledore frequently broke the law and that was no dissimilar. Professor Kendrick follows the law a bit more but he liked the idea of allowing me to attend. It 's kind of murky, to be honest. It 's in the law that werewolves can not attend Hogwarts, but at the Same clip, Hogwarts headmasters have everlasting control over who they admit. So as long as it 's go along quiet-"

"But what about Malfoy ?"Rose asked."If he were to let it slip-"

"Then Kendrick would expel him,"Matt explained."And he 'd be allowed to, since it would be prejudicious to another scholar 's education for him to uncover my term. I told you ; it 's very murky."

"What else ?"Amanda asked.

"The rest has mostly to do with employment,"Matt said."Well, that and the Ministry is allowed to keep werewolves for questioning about full phase of the moon lunar month attacks without actually arresting them. Werewolves as prisoners have virtually no rights.

"But anyway, exercise. I 'm legally obligated to inform any likely employers of my consideration. If werewolves were classified as Beings, that would n't be required, because lycanthropy would be seen as a aesculapian consideration and exercise can not be terminated based on a someone 's checkup conditions."

"That is the most confusing thing in the humankind,"Albus said. His head was spinning."How do you prevent all that straight ?"

matt shrugged."It 's my life. That 's the other thing, Albus, your uncle really has no melodic theme how things are run in the section for the Regulation and controller of Magical Creatures. He 's not really modify to say what effect the reclassification would experience on everything. Because, honestly, it would only impress werewolves."

"That seems obvious,"Albus said.

"So someone can not hire you just because you 're a loup-garou ?"Amanda asked incredulously.

matte nodded."Does n't even weigh if they 're on wolfsbane or not, either."

"What will you do after Hogwarts ?"Amanda asked.

"No idea,"Matt said."I 'm trying not to consider about that. But this whole pretending to be pattern thing that I 'm doing at Hogwarts ? It 's temporary worker. That 's all there is to it."

No one quite knew what to say after that. Albus certainly did n't. He wished more than anything that his uncle would support the reclassification of werewolves as Beings, despite the fact that it might mislay him a few balloting. It might even be him a few not to have spoken up, because now, flatness 's parents and Amy might not vote for him. But this had such a larger effect than just the election. lustrelessness was right ; this was his sprightliness, and Uncle Percy and Laurentis were just seeing it as a way to thrum up more suffrage. Maybe Uncle Percy was n't the right man for the job, after all. But Laurentis certainly was n't, and since no one else was running, what would happen after the election ?


A/N : Thanks for all the awful reviews !


The debate on the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures did not seem to be a hot topic of discourse amongst the Hogwarts students. Unlike the disputation on teaching, this particular debate did not relate directly to Hogwarts scholarly person, and thus there was n't very much discussion beyond a few vox populi at breakfast the adjacent day. The clause on the disputation was much more tame than the former articles, most likely because Percy and Laurentis had n't disagreed on the matter. In fact, the article mostly focused on the dementor issue.

Albus and his friends kept snug picket on the oracle in case there were any updates on the run away captive, but the rest of February passed without any sightings or gaining control. It was kind of strange since the prisoners had to have been hiding out somewhere. Yet they 'd been loose for nearly two calendar month and the alone one who had been sighted was Limnodromus griseus. Willinson, Umbridge, and the Carrows were nowhere, it seemed.

In the lag, Laurentis used the want of captures to her advantage, by publishing a new statement every few days declaring how incompetent the Auror Department was. These argument were usually followed up with another declaration of how the prisoners would n't experience escaped if the dementors had been in control of Azkaban.

When March arrived, the Prophet began putting a countdown until the election at the top of the front page, every single day.

"Apr Fool 's Day,"whoremaster commented as he pointed to the countdown, which read '29 days .'“ Does n't that seem a bit weird, to do an election on that day ?"

"A short,"Albus said."But I doubt the Ministry cares."

"We should do our trick that day,"Kaden said.

"Do n't,"Rose said."Hogwarts is a polling office. You 'll mess it up."

"No, we wo n't do it then,"John said as he exchanged a puckish grin with Kaden."Want to recognise why ?"

"Not really,"Albus said.

"They 'll find out soon enough,"Kaden said.

"Does this have anything to do with why you two disappeared all evening yesterday ?"Matt asked.

"Possibly,"John said."Oh, face at the time. We 've got to get to potions."

Kaden burst out laughing."Oh, yes, looks like it 's meter for me to go to Divination."

Albus looked at Matt and shrugged. Saint John and Kaden had been laughing at every honorable mention of 'time'or 'clocks'for the past few hebdomad, but had yet to ploughshare why. Albus could only assume that it had to do with their frivolity.

Albus, mat, John, pink wine, and Amanda said bye to Kaden and headed for the dungeon. Since it was a double category, Slughorn gave them a potion to brew and sat at his desk grading essays while they worked.

Albus and Matt partnered on their potion and worked quietly, chopping and mixing. Halfway through the second year they were chopping asphodel when Matt suddenly stopped.

"Did you hear that ?"he asked Albus.

"Hear what ?"Albus replied. He had n't heard anything.

"Never head,"lusterlessness muttered."Could 've sworn ... guess I 'm hearing things."

A few minutes passed and matte stopped again."I swear there 's something ringing extraneous. It sounds like an warning signal clock."

Albus glanced around the classroom, but nobody else seemed to have heard it. Everyone was working quietly, except John, who was staring at the door for some unusual grounds. Then Albus heard it. The faintest sonorousness.

"Do you hear it now ?"mat asked.

"Yeah,"Albus said. It was becoming louder, too. The residue of the division was beginning to notice as well, and St. John suddenly turned around to look at them. He grinned widely and then returned to his potion.

"It 's their prank,"flatness hissed."It 's got to be."

Nobody was paying any attention to their potions now and a few of them were boiling over. Slughorn got up from his desk and left the room, without saying a word to the class. He returned a few minutes later.

"bottleful your potions as is,"he said."It seems there is some sort of alarm going off all over the castle. After you 're done cleaning up you may result early."

Albus and Matt worked quickly, wanting to spill to John as soon as they could. They met him, along with pink wine and Amanda, outside the classroom a few moment later, and headed to the Great Hall. John still had n't said anything.

Kaden was already there when they arrived."Trelawney let us out as soon as the warning signal started. I think it was driving her mad. I mean, More mad than she already is."

"Are you going to tell us what you 've done ?"Albus asked as he began making a sandwich.

"Yeah, we might as well,"John said."We put an alarm clock inside every unity cause of armor and charmed them to go off at five minute intervals."

Albus started laughing."That 's brilliant !"

"That 's actually really good charm work,"blush wine said, clearly impressed.

"It gets better,"Kaden said."The instructor wo n't be able to ferment them off with one charm. We charmed them so they have to be manually turned off. It 's going to contract them ages."

"I feel bad for whoever 's got Transfiguration following,"James IV said as he sat down next to Albus."There must be 20 case of armor across the corridor from the Transfiguration Day elbow room. It 's so loud in there you can barely learn yourself think."

"Damn,"Albus said."We 've got Transfiguration next."

"flavor, Kendrick 's standing up. Bet he cancels classes."John pointed to the staff tabular array.

"Quiet !"Kendrick shouted."Very amusing prank. It would seem that the warning signal redstem storksbill have to be manually turned off, so I am canceling form for the afternoon while the staff and prefects turn off all the alarms."

There was a forte cheer as Kendrick resumed his ass. The staff mesa was only half-full, as the sleep of them must own been already turning the alarms off.

"He does n't seem turn over,"Albus said."This is actually kind of tame. I thought you were going to get revenge on the Slytherins."

John grinned."Oh, we are. That 'll come another day."

After lunch Albus and his friend went to the predator 's Den with the intention of spending the day there, but the ceaseless alarm clock quickly grew too annoying. Despite the cold, they decided that outside would be preferable to inside. The snow had melted, so they were able to find a dry spot to sit.

"I still hear the vibrancy,"Matt said as they settled down under a huge beechwood tree by the lake."It 's like my head is an alarm clock. I think if you had done this around the full moonlight I would 've murdered you."

"That 's why we did n't do it around the replete Sun Myung Moon,"King John said.

"Really ?"mat asked skeptically.

lav laughed."No. Had n't even thought of that, to be honest."

"We did it today because I had a history of Magic exam this good afternoon,"Kaden said."I 'm hoping Binns will forget about it."

"It 's soon, though, is n't it ?"whoremaster asked.

"The broad moon ? Yeah, it 's Monday,"Matt answered."I 've been thinking about it. About Greyback. He 's probably going to come back unless the Aurors catch him before."

"Probably,"Albus agreed.

"I had an idea,"lustrelessness said quietly."I think we can help beguile them, using my wolfy side."

"As come-on ?"Albus asked, shocked."Then you 'd be in danger."

"No, I would n't,"lusterlessness said."I would n't be doing anything different. I 'd just be in the shrieking Shack like usual. Albus, the Marauder 's Map labels Animagi as their human name calling, right ?"

Albus nodded."Yeah, of path. That 's how Teddy 's dad found out about Pettigrew."

"well, should n't it be the same for lycanthrope ?"matte asked.

Albus had n't thought about that before. In all his time of having the second edition vulture 's Map, he 'd never checked the screech hutch during a full-of-the-moon moon."I think it should."

"Then all the Aurors have to do is take in the new version of the marauder 's Map during the full moon, hold for grayback to show up up, and then fascinate him."

Albus thought for a few moments. It seemed so simple, almost too childlike to work."flatness ... that 's brilliant."

"When did you consider of this ?"Rose asked.

"Few weeks ago,"Matt answered."Greyback was there by the screech hutch for nearly the entire Nox. It would 've been easy to trance him if someone just knew he was there."

"wait,"Rose said, looking at Albus."You are n't proposing that you do this, are you ? Because that would be stupid."

"Of class not,"lustrelessness said."It would be my dad and Albus 's dad."

"I do n't call up my dad 's in charge of the Calidris canutus gaining control,"Albus pointed out."It 's that other Auror, Newman."

"If I 'm going to go along with this and recite them my program then it 's got to be your dad,"lustrelessness said adamantly."He already knows I 'm a wolfman. Newman does n't. I do n't hump what he 'd do if he knew there was a loup-garou at Hogwarts."

Albus thought back to what matte had told them about how it was n't clear whether admitting werewolves to Hogwarts was legal or not."All right. That make sense."

"But why are you so surely he 's going to come back to this Lapp spot ?"Amanda asked."If he were smart he 'd transform someplace completely different."

"He 's got a hangup about werewolves pretending to be human,"Matt said quietly."He thinks that we 've all got to embrace our wolf-selves and bouncy together in packs. I do n't retrieve he 's going to hold up easily on finding me. He did the Saami thing with Teddy 's dad."

"Then he might be transforming near those kids he attacked lastly month,"rose pointed out."They should place Aurors there, too."

Matt nodded."Let 's go transmit some owls."
***


Albus and Matt did n't say much in their letters to their fathers, wanting to save virtually of the item for later. Both of them replied saying they would cope with the boys at Hogwarts Fri eventide in order to make for out the contingent.

The calendar week went by very slowly and Albus noticed that Matt drew quieter and quieter as it progressed. He never said it out loud, but Albus had a flavor he was incredibly dying about the architectural plan and his part in it, despite his saying he would be fine. By the time Friday arrived he was completely silent, except for the few fourth dimension he snapped at John and Kaden for being irritating.

"You know if this plan actually works and Greyback is captured it 's going to ready Uncle Harry take care very salutary,"Rose said."Which will be effective for Uncle Percy."

"I thought of that,"Albus said."And since the election is only three weeks away, it 's sodding timing."

"When are you meeting your dad ?"john asked.

"sevener,"Albus answered as he glanced at his watch."We should probably go."

Albus shoved the conclusion sharpness of his cake into his mouth and left the Great vestibule with flatness at his side. Professor Longbottom had leant them his study for the meeting, so Albus and Matt walked up to the fourth floor.

Professor Longbottom was n't there when they arrived but the room access was partially open. Albus led mat inside and they sat down on a put to wait. Albus had always loved Longbottom 's study. It was filled with all sorts of exotic plant that you never wanted to extend to because some of them bit. The piece of furniture was mismatched and the whole station was pleasantly cluttered. It felt very safe.

Harry and Bruno Walter walked in a few minutes later and shut the threshold behind them. Both looked very intrigued and slightly confused.

"Al,"Harry said as he gave his son a flying hug."What 's going on ?"

Albus glanced at Matt, who had just been let go of by his own Fatherhood. This was his plan to explain.

"I know how you can grab Reb,"Matt said quietly, and then proceeded to explain the integral plan."See ? good design, right ?"

Harry and Walter exchanged coup d'oeil. Bruno Walter looked incredibly worried."lusterlessness, flavor, I know you want to help and I know the fact that Greyback 's out there scares you out of your mind-"

"I 'm not that scared,"flatness interrupted, but everyone in the room knew he was."Look, he 's going to come to Hogsmeade anyway. You might as well be there waiting for him."

Walter sighed."Yes, I suppose you 're right-"

"So what 's the job ? I 'll be in the scream Shack with all the wards up."

"There really is n't a problem,"Bruno Walter said."It just sounds bad on the open, me using my son as bait. What do you retrieve, Harry ?"

"I think it 's up to you,"Harry said."You 're in charge of this search. I 'm not even on it. I assigned it to Newman."

"Paul Newman ca n't be there,"lustrelessness said quickly as he turned to his dad."He ca n't be. He does n't know about me."

"He 's right,"Walter said."It 's got to be you and me if it 's going to be anyone. Whoever works this is going to find out there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts."

Harry sighed and began to pace the elbow room."I had n't thought of that. But there 's got to be more of us. I 'll bring Ron in, and Teddy."

"Ron ?"lustrelessness asked.

"rose wine 's dad,"Albus explained."My uncle."

matt breathed a sigh of relief."Oh, all right then."

"They 'd be fine,"Walter said."Four of us should be able to handle it. What about those shaver in Little Shingleton ?"

"I 'll assign Newman to them,"Harry decided."And you can pick a few citizenry form your section to go with him."

Bruno Walter nodded."What about the villagers ? We ca n't hang around the Shrieking Shack all Nox. It 'll appear suspicious."

Albus suddenly remembered the map. He pulled it out of his pouch and handed it to his dad."Use the map. Then you can watch until he gets there."

Harry grinned."I 'd bury about this."He turned to Bruno Walter."Map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, created by my dad, Sirius inkiness, Remus lupine, and Saint Peter Pettigrew. It shows where everyone is, so it should exhibit us when greyback turns up. We can waitress at the Hog 's straits until then. No one there will pay us any attention."

"And in the study ? In the paper the succeeding day ?"Walter asked.

"No mention of lusterlessness or his being in the scream shack,"Harry said."We 'll say we got an anonymous tip that he 'd testify up in Hogsmeade."

"Can I wait with you ?"Albus asked.

Harry laughed."Absolutely not. You 'll stick around in the castle, where it 's safe. I believe they 're doing a mandatory former curfew again ?"

Albus nodded. They 'd put up posters in the green rooms a few twenty-four hour period ago. This meter, no one seemed upset about it.

"I wish they 'd do it in Hogsmeade,"Walter said."But getting something like that set up takes weeks."

"Well, if people are smart they 'll abide inside with wards up,"Harry pointed out.
***


Never before had Albus heard so many people talking about the full phase of the moon moon. All weekend, everywhere he turned, he heard someone mentioning either the full moon or knot or both. Suddenly, wolfman were the hot topic of give-and-take at Hogwarts.

near the great unwashed, from what Albus could gather, did n't have a substantial opinion on loup-garou one way or another. But a few masses, near having had a relative murdered by Fenrir Greyback, told anyone who would listen how happy they were that neither candidate wanted to exchange the categorization of werewolves from Beasts to Beings. It only took matte overhearing one of these conversations to decide to spend the rest of the weekend in the vulture 's Den.

"It 'll all be over in three week,"Amanda said."Once the election takes place no one is going to like as a great deal. But these past few workweek have certainly made me wonder if I should go into the Department for the regulating and Control of Magical Creatures."

It was Sunday night and Albus and his admirer were in the marauder 's Den, yet again, working on their homework that was due tomorrow.

"You could work with my dad,"lusterlessness announced from the lounge."That 'd be weird."

"Well, it 's just terrible,"Amanda said."And it does n't fix sense. Why should goblin and house-elves be Beings but not loup-garou ? You 're More human than a house-elf."

matt laughed."Tomorrow night I wo n't be, and that 's what it comes down to. House-elves are n't that dangerous. Werewolves are."

"I do n't be intimate,"Albus began."When my dad was a second year a house-elf charmed a Bludger to fracture his arm. That 's fairly dangerous."

"What about vampires ?"rosebush asked."I ought to owl Linda."

"Vampire are beingness,"flatness explained."It 's because they do n't make to drink man lineage to go. It 's a alternative. lycanthrope, when we bite someone, it 's not a choice. We ca n't see it."

"Except with wolfbane,"blush wine pointed out.

"Yeah, and maybe if someone invents Wolfsbane that works for all werewolves we might get reclassified,"lustrelessness said.

"What about vampires who bite citizenry ?"Amanda asked.

"They 're put in prison,"Matt said.

"So can vampires go to school and hold Book of Job ?"Kaden asked.

"I suppose they could. Linda went to school. But they live forever so most do n't want to go to school day or already have, because well-nigh lamia are old. As for problem, they do n't stimulate to recite employers what they are, so yeah, they could."

"It 's so bloody confusing,"lavatory said."Does n't make believe a bit of sense."

"It really does n't,"Matt said with a yawn."But it 's life."

mat slept the remainder of the evening and most of the adjacent day, not attending any of his division. Albus could n't pick him, what with all the werewolf public lecture that was going around the school. Albus himself found it difficult to concentrate on any of his classes or homework since there was the distinguishable possibility that Fenrir greyback would be captured that Nox.

Albus and his friends reported to the common room at five, as per the curfew, and then went to dinner. matte did n't join them. He was gone when they returned. Albus gave up on prep for the night and played a few half-hearted rounds of Exploding Snap with bathroom and Kaden before deciding to go up to his dormitory room early. He knew he would n't sleep, but figured it would be slightly more productive than cleaning ash off his face.

Instead of sleeping, Albus sat in the windowsill and watched the sky. It was clear, giving him a very good view of the stars. After locating a few constellations Albus watched the skyline and the faint glow that was above it. Then, the moon rose.


A/N : So, some of you may have noticed that I screwed up finally hebdomad 's update. I accidentally skipped chapter 25 ( Full moon flak ) and went right to chapter 26 ( Spirits, being, and animate being ). If you have n't already done so, go back and take the real chapter 25. The story will make much more than sensory faculty after that.

I am pleased to announce that I have finished this story ! It topped out at 37 chapters. I may start updating this twice a workweek, but have n't quite decided yet. A lot of you are asking in reviews when the next update will be, so I 'll repeat that I update every Friday. The exact time will diverge. Thanks for all the reviews !