Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up correctly before the hex started flying. Realizing that he dropped his sceptre when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the ground. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby chaparral and watched.

Jarrett did n't wedge around long. He sent one pathetic Stunner at Harry, who easily deflected it, and disappeared on the spot. Harry immediately disarmed Lubar before he could do the same.

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safety device of the George W. Bush and shakily stood up. He reached the fire and was able to see who the other two genius next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with shock all over again.

The shorter of the two was lustrelessness 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone glare at anyone else with such hatred and loathing as lusterlessness 's dad glared at Lubar. And that included when his Uncle Ron talked about the Malfoys, or his mum when somebody mentioned Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

It was the other wizard that nearly caused Albus to pass out in shock. He was none other than professor Balladanis. What in the public figure of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and mat 's dad. But why ? Did n't matte 's dad hate Balladanis ?

"Eckerton, what a pleasant surprise,"Lubar smirked.

"Lubar, if we were n't in the presence of an Auror and a Presuler I 'd rip you limb from limb, Muggle style,"Mr. Eckerton growled.

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's choice of words, but remembering what Matt had told him at the beginning of the year, all surprise left him.

"Lucky for me Potter and Balladanis are here, then,"Lubar replied and snatched Washburn 's sceptre off the ground.

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different spells at Lubar at the Lapp fourth dimension, but it was too recently. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still conscious but not completely aware of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring deviation between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly by Quinton and Washburn to gain Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

Harry looked up from Kaden 's unconscious class and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his arms around his dad and the two of them hugged each other tightly.

"Al, thank pigeon hawk,"Harry said.

"Dad, what 's Balladanis doing here ?"Albus asked immediately,"And Lubar, what 's going to happen to him ? And Willinson ?"

"I 'll explain it all once we get you back to Hogwarts,"Harry assured him.

Balladanis had a house hold on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a rugged plastic cup. A few arcsecond later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with matte in his arms."Can you take toilet, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will come with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of trick 's arm before pulling his own broken plastic cup out of his pocket. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly confused, but did not have clock time to ask his dad anymore dubiousness before feeling the comrade jolt behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thud in the middle of the Hospital Wing. The interrogative of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts ground was the least constrict doubt on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both Matt and whoremaster on the nearest beds while brothel keeper Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

"Look at the state of matter of them !"the nurse exclaimed,"Always this lot, too ! You 're a bad influence on them, Harry, I swear !"

Harry looked slightly shamefaced as he set Kaden down on the bed next to matte 's and then turned to Albus.

"I 've got to talk with prof Kendrick and go to the Ministry-"he began.

"But Dad !"Albus interrupted,"What was Balladanis doing there ?"

"I promise I 'll severalize you all of that and more,"Harry replied,"But I need to secernate everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to need you to order me everything that happened."

"But-"

"No buts !"gentlewoman Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need breathe !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his point was bleeding and he was still quite vertiginous, felt that the last thing he needed was rest period. He needed to know what was going on.

"I 'll explain once you 've gotten some sleep,"Harry assured him.

Albus muttered under his breath and got into bed. Once madam Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping Draught, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight off the quietus he knew was coming.

******

The Montgomery Ward was quiet when Albus woke up. It was completely blue outside, although Albus did n't deliver the slightest clue as to what day it was. privy, lusterlessness, and Kaden were either still unconscious or sound asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since Madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in chairman next to mat 's bed. It did n't look like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the Lapplander Ministry robes he had been wearing before.

Albus sat up and put his hand to his heading. There was a patch on the back of it. Another bandage was wrapped around his right arm, although he could n't return when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt exhausted.

The door to the ward opened, letting in a small flood of light from the corridor. A physique stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

"Dad,"Albus replied, recognizing his father,"Are you going to severalise me about Balladanis now ?"

"Yes,"Harry chuckled,"Perhaps we ought to go to the way of Requirement."

Albus shook his school principal, remembering something he had been debating for the preceding class. He had waited long enough. It was time.

"No,"Albus said,"I know somewhere better."

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and lead his dad out the door and up to the fifth floor corridor. Harry did not ask a one interrogative sentence as Albus pulled the arm down on the conquer knight and turned to look the inverse wall.

Albus located the paw photographic print and touched his hand to them, turning it into a doorknob. He opened the door and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from live year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a red ink for words.

"There was more to it. instruction on how to get into this way. It was theirs, the vulture'. Their secret usual elbow room,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't respond. Instead he walked slowly around the way. Albus stood near the door and waited. He was n't sure enough how long he stood there, watching as his dad investigated the room that had once belonged to his grandfather.

"This,"Harry began,"This is just incredible, Al. How long have you known about it ?"

"About a year,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend sentence here ?"Harry asked.

"Probably more than we do in the common room,"Albus answered.

"Then it is the thoroughgoing shoes to mouth,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down following to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll tell you that,"Harry said,"But low gear I want you to excuse to me what happened."

Albus took a deep hint and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the palace and ending with throwing the Resurrection Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a woodland in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to bring in, the affaire d'honneur, the fact that the Resurrection Harlan Fisk Stone did n't work to bring Voldemort back.

"Why did n't it crop ?"Albus asked,"I mean, I 'm glad it did n't, but why ?"

Harry thought for a few minute and then looked at Albus."There are a few grounds that might explain it. The Resurrection Stone brings back the great unwashed we love, but it does not take them back completely. It 's almost as if their soul is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But standardized. It 's possible that since Voldemort split his somebody so many sentence, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The Stone may take the soul to be intact to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved 1 can be brought back with the rock. Washburn and the Willinsons did not love Voldemort ; they did not screw him. They wanted to lend him back for their own agenda,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to find out which it is ?"Albus asked.

"No, I do n't think so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the Isidor Feinstein Stone is once again gone. Which is something I 'm very grateful that you did."

"Well, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden Forest for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it best if nobody had that Stone."

Albus nodded."Yeah, that makes sentiency. But what was Balladanis doing there ?"

Harry laughed."You 're not going to let that go, are you ?"

"Nope, you said you 'd assure me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you have intercourse what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling lessons he gave me,"Albus explained.

"Well, that makes my explanation easier,"Harry said,"A minuscule over a yr ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to engage a Presuler to help find Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

"Yes,"Harry muttered,"The Minister believed the Aurors needed some help."

Albus thought he heard bit of contempt in his dad 's voice.

"When I realized that Washburn and the Willinsons were most likely working with Ralph Lubar, I had to get hold of Balladanis and let him know. He came with us, and I have to take on that he was very helpful. We would not accept found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

"But why was he teaching here ?"Albus asked.

"The Minister, Professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be good strategy to let him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would return to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of track, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to treat teaching.

"This is all quite tightlipped, Al. I 'd prefer you did n't severalise anyone. I will be telling matte, john, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right to know, but I do n't want anyone else knowing about it."

"What about blush wine and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

"I suppose I 'll tell them as well, otherwise Kaden is sure to tell them,"Harry said.

"What 's going to pass to Lubar ?"Albus asked,"Is Balladanis going to be after him now ?"

"No,"Harry shook his headland,"That 's going to be tricky situation. Lubar is n't a British citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial or contribute him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not sure they 'll do either."

"But that 's not fair !"Albus stood up angrily,"Look what he did ! Look what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like zero more than to collapse him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the practice of law do n't bring that way."

"He and Balladanis get along anyway,"Albus said,"Balladanis probably would n't require to go after him."

"I do n't know about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes the great unwashed to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry tie, he does not have to hire a case if he 's offered it."

"He told me I 'd make a near Presuler,"Albus said quietly as I sat back down,"Malfoy, too."

Harry sighed."What do you think about that ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus shrugged,"I mean, I like dueling, but I do n't really want to adjudicate what I want to do right now."

"You do n't bear to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't want to tell you what to do, but I am going to recount you something.

"Being a Presuler is a hard job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with respective Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can take a crap it difficult to take a menage. It 's not an comfortable track to go down. Not one I 'd select for myself."

Albus had n't even thought about that. He did n't think he 'd require to rarely ever see his friends and family.

"There 's muckle of other thing you could do that would put your dueling skills to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no motivation to resolve now."

"I know, I do n't design to,"Albus replied.

"fountainhead, you should probably get back to the Hospital Wing before Madam Pomfrey placard you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

Harry stood up and gave his son a hug. They left the way and walked back to the Hospital offstage, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, dame Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the Hospital annex with his dad, she was running about the Barbara Ward shouting at the top of her lungs. lustrelessness, Saint John, and Kaden were all awake, staring at her.

"There you are !"she shrieked,"Where have you been ?"

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to babble out to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

"You should give asked me first !"brothel keeper Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs rest !"

"I 'm his father,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't care if you 're the Minister of Magic !"brothel keeper Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing stage !"

"How long has she been shouting ?"Albus whispered to matte as he got back in bed.

"fifteen transactions or so,"Matt answered.

gentlewoman Pomfrey returned to her desk and Harry strode over to where the Eckertons were sitting.

"Could I have a watchword in buck private ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to brothel keeper Pomfrey."Do I call for your license for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"dame Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to sleep a little while later and when he next woke up it was light out and Madam Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

"Er, what day is it ?"Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey set his tray down.

"It 's Dominicus, dear, but it 's afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to receive breakfast."

"Only Billy Sunday ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than twenty-four hours since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

"Time zona modification are difficult to adjust to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"Australia 's quite a few hours ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was wolfish. When he thought about it, it must have been at least a day since he 'd exhaust anything.

"I wonder how the Quidditch match went,"Kaden mused as he shoved toast in his mouth.

Albus choked on his eggs. He 'd forget about the match !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

"Is your dad going to tell us why Balladanis was with him when he came to save us ?"bathroom asked,"I mean, he 's had mass of time."

"He will,"Albus said,"He already told me. You lot were asleep."

The doorway to the Hospital Wing banged clear and Rose and Amanda came running in. dame Pomfrey made a move to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

"William Tell us what happened !"Rose demanded as she skidded to a halt in social movement of Albus 's bed,"When did you get back ? Where did you go ?"

"Who won the Quidditch mates ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"Rose groaned,"I 'm not saying a Scripture about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the figure of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"misfire Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't bring down your part, you 'll have to give !"

"Sorry,"Rose turned back to Albus,"But you lot have got to tell us what happened !"

Albus launched into the stallion tale, which took the in force part of a half hour to tell. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the whole thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the time Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"Rose asked.

"My dad 's going to tell you,"Albus said,"He 's already told me. He 'll probably separate the rest of you today."

"Merlin, Albus,"pink wine sighed,"How very much trouble can you get into ?"

"It 's not my fracture,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you tell us about the match ?"

rose exchanged glimpse with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me secernate you,"Amanda said.

"nonentity won, Al,"pink wine said.

"What ?"John interrupted,"How can nobody win ?"

"About 45 instant into the match, Fred and broom ran onto the pitch-"

"The compeer lasted that long ?"matte asked.

"Yes,"Rose said,"I do n't recognise why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo traveling salesman and started talking to him. cipher could hear what they were saying. Then Bagman blew his whistle and they went into a time-out.

"commercial traveler left the pitch shot and had a really long talk with all the master and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the match was called off and told everyone to return to their common rooms.

"Everyone was really angry of course. Amanda and I were already worried because you lot had n't shown up yet. We thought something bad had happened and that was why they called it off."

"Why did they promise it off ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"I 'm getting to that,"rosiness said,"We got back up to Gryffindor and everyone was gathered around Fred and Heather. Linda was n't there, and neither were any of her mate who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the front of the gang and find out what Fred and Heather were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"fountainhead, they were,"lustrelessness muttered.

"I know,"Rose agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and Heather. I 'm sure as shooting they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told someone Sooner. They found out Linda 's a vampire and now the entire school knows."

"How did they picture it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and Heather were sixth years, they would n't have heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

"They 've been trying to figure it out all year,"Rose explained,"And since they 're impertinent, they figured it out."

"But what about the friction match ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to offset the tourney, Albus,"Rose said quietly.

"natural the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"natural the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole twelvemonth on that tournament ! Do you make out how a good deal fourth dimension I 've spent on the Quidditch pitching this twelvemonth ? Thomas More prison term than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to cancel the bloody tournament ?"

"I do n't make love, Al,"blush wine said shortly,"And if they do it 's not my fault."

"Sorry,"Albus mumbled,"It 's just a fiddling aggravating."

"I know,"Rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

"Gone,"rose sighed,"Without a word. I have n't seen her or any of the Aussie since the mate. Killigan 's gone, too."

"Wow,"flatness replied,"Ca n't say I blame her, though."

"I guess,"rosebush said,"Anyway, they 'll probably make an promulgation about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome hoi polloi who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one to a greater extent chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to tell everyone else about Balladanis later on in the good afternoon. brothel keeper Pomfrey flavorless out refused to let any of them leave the hospital backstage, so she agreed to lock the doorway and go to her study while Harry explained. lustrelessness 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the parts about why it was not all that advisable to go a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to take that Balladanis had been hired to help trance Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. News that was not all that welcome.

"As of right field now, he 's completely loose and in the clear,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to extradite him, and they wo n't prosecute him in Australia either. To them, it 's like null 's happened."

Albus noticed that Mr. Eckerton looked positively maddened with this. Harry looked quite angry as well, but it did not come close to how Mr. Eckerton looked.

"We 're not going to pay up,"Harry said,"We 'll keep negotiating with them."

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous night, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first year, when lusterlessness had told them about his dad 's Lester Willis Young adult dreaming of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside table, where Madam Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the former nighttime. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

"Merlin 's whiskers,"he muttered,"It 's the Cloak."

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

"Unbelievable,"Mr. Eckerton whispered as he fingered it.

He spent a few minutes trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the case of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is amazing. I would love to share the narration with my buddy. Perhaps I could stick in you to him at the World Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be o.k.. Perhaps I will eventually tell him as well."

******

Albus wanted nothing more than to be allowed out of the hospital offstage in time to go to dinner that night. He was sure prof Kendrick would reach some sort of proclamation about the tournament and he did not need to miss it.

After a full ten mo of begging on his part ( helped out by Matt, bathroom, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit Department of State to leave the ward. Albus thought this was ludicrous because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a slingshot ? That should n't break off him from eating dinner with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a tranquillise meal in the Hospital extension and wait anxiously for Rose and Amanda to tell him what Kendrick said.

The girls showed up right after dinner ended. Albus immediately asked them what Kendrick had said.

"Tournament 's canceled,"pink wine sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The kids from New York are staying to terminate out the yr, but the tournament 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the prophet tomorrow."

"merlin !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to call off it ? Could n't they just disqualify Australia ?"

"No,"blush wine shook her head,"To do that Hogwarts would feature to represent New York in another final."

"Why do n't they do that ?"John asked.

"Too close to exams,"rosiness shrugged,"It 'll mess up up everyone 's studying."

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you feel better, I 'm pretty surely Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't have been here,"rosebush pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred house points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the houses had hoi polloi on the squad, so that does n't really help,"Albus muttered.

"Well,"rose grinned,"I know one matter that 'll cheer you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was null that could cheer him up.

"There were Quidditch sentinel at that equal,"pink wine told him,"And even though the equal was disastrous, they did find somebody they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Empire State of the South !"Rose exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to play for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

"That 's brilliant !"Albus replied. rosiness had been right, that did recreate him up. There was no one he thought who belonged on a professional Quidditch squad more than than Georgia.

"Yup, she 's their unexampled reserve custodian,"Rose said,"She says Uncle Walker Percy 's not imprint. He wanted her to work at the Ministry. She does n't care what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Percy 's got plenty of other kids to turn at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Empire State of the South working in government.

"Kenmare ?"John said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"mat grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the cannon,"St. John the Apostle groaned.

"She 's just happy to be on a team,"rose wine shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be capable to work her way up to a better one."

"Merlin, I hope so,"St. John shrugged.

"Is she the only one who got drafted ?"Albus asked.

"Only one I know for sure of,"Rose said,"I heard a rumour that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle bat, but I do n't have sex for sure."

Albus nodded, feeling slightly better about the tourney. It was n't pointless now that he knew his cousin had been taken on by a master Quidditch team because of it. However, that did n't take all the disappointment away.

******

Madam Pomfrey reluctantly let the boys leave the next day after breakfast. She did n't really have a choice since exams began that day. Albus felt perfectly fine and was quite happy to entrust the lieu.

Rose handed him a copy of the Prophet as soon as he and the early male child reached the common room. Albus took it, happy that he had a few second before his low exam to translate the article that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL CHEATS- tournament CANCELED

After a startling discovery made by two Hogwarts
students, the Quidditch and Dueling tourney
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack academy of
Magic, and the Aussie School of black art
has been canceled.

The tournament 's final Quidditch friction match was
interrupted this past Sat by two Hogwarts
sixth old age, Fred Weasley and Heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the full
tournament.

A few months ago, allegement were brought upon
the Australian team after their quester, Linda
esprit de corps, 14, flew at an exceptionally loyal speed.
An investigation found nothing. The tourney
continued.

Fred and heather Weasley accused Linda Morales
of being a vampire. vampire are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch squad due
to the unfair advantage they have.

The catch was immediately stopped while all three
headmasters questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

Headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Aussie
School of Sorcery admitted to allowing Morales
to be the seeker of his team in order to win the
tourney. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, morale, and the eternal rest of the Australians
participating in the tourney left Hogwarts late
on Saturday, declining to speak with any of our
reporters.

tourney officials as well as the other two
headmasters have decided to cancel the tourney,
and not declaring a winner.

'It is regrettable that the tournament turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told reporter, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few years .'

"Killigan is an idiot,"Albus said.

"looking at at the future clause,"pink wine replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON BACK IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final Quidditch equal was ending in calamity
at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and genius, Harry
Potter 's middle tiddler, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus ceramicist, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and Saint John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, Head of the department of the Regulation
and Control of Magical wight in Australia.

The four Hogwarts educatee were taken to Australia
where Harry Potter and Bruno Walter Eckerton found them.
It is unclear what the convict were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four son have recovered from the ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the class examinations
at Hogwarts. Harry thrower has declined comment.

"Well, that 's not a very informative article,"Albus said as he tossed the paper onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can report much,"rose said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to keep quiet about Lubar in return for giving him some variety of punishment.

"It wo n't matter,"matt said,"They 're not going to do anything to him."

Albus was forced to push Lubar into the back of his mind as exam began. They were all significantly harder than the former year 's had been, but he was sure he at to the lowest degree passed all of them.

There were short articles in the Prophet about Lubar everyday, but they all said the same thing. Australia refused to extradite him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The week after exams was a strange one for Albus. There was nothing left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. rosiness and Amanda went back to spending all their metre with the boys, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

Things were different, though. Both rose and Amanda were a lot tranquil than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no idea whether she had said goodbye to them, or even if she 'd had the chance.

Matt was lost in his own thoughts most of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went integral eventide without saying two password to anyone, something that usually only happened around full Sun Myung Moon. However, the succeeding full moon was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was certainly this was because of what had happened in Australia. He never talked about it, but Albus knew that getting kidnapped by Lubar again had scared the daylight out of him.

John and Kaden remained as boisterous as ever and did not seem to be fazed by what had happened in Commonwealth of Australia. They spent their week pulling pranks and playing endless secret plan of Exploding Snap that Albus occasionally joined in on.

Albus himself was quieter. His judgment was racing with thought process of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the articles ever mentioned Balladanis, but he knew that was because Balladanis 's job had to remain a secret. He wished more than anything that Lubar would get thrown in prison, whether it was Azkaban or Australia 's prison.

******

The train drive back to British capital was subdued, the only noise being John and Kaden 's Exploding Snap carte du jour. Albus and lustrelessness both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a missive last night,"rose wine said, breaking the silence.

Albus lifted his headway up and looked at her."What about ?"

"She told us she was good-for-nothing, and wanted me to tell you that she was sorry about the tournament,"Rose told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a different country."

"To go to school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her head,"She 's been through school a pair off clip already. She was n't even a scholar at the Australian schooling. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing quester for them. He 's a really cruddy chap. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

"Where will they go ?"Albus asked, surprised that he was actually intuitive feeling sorry for Linda.

"No idea,"Rose shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

"This whole year has been so messed up,"John Lackland sighed,"I hope next class 's better."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"We 've got the existence Cup to look forward to, though,"Albus smiled.

"Oh, yeah !"privy grinned,"Owl me as soon as you find out when we 're leaving for it."

"Definitely,"Albus said,"Your Sister 's going, too. Lily told me she 'd invited her. Hugo 's not really happy about that."

"Neither am I,"John muttered,"I do n't want Ashtyn going."

"fountainhead, I 'd prefer Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! nothing can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"trade good point,"bathroom agreed.

"Let me get it on when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

"Why ? So you can convince your parents to guide you ?"John smirked.

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can know when to ask for you lot to my house. My dad said he 'd have us camping."

"Excellent !"Saint John grinned,"Camping like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"life in tent, no electricity, no magic trick either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"Matt said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"lustrelessness answered,"That was the time I got bitten."

"Oh,"Kaden looked a little taken aback,"Sorry."

"It 's ok,"lusterlessness shrugged,"Just do n't go during a full moonshine. I do n't want any of you having to join me in the screaming Shack succeeding year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did sense bad that Matt would n't get to go, but he kind of thinking Matt would n't require to go anyway.

The balance of the trip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like thing were sort of returning to normal. It was almost nice to pick up John and Matt arguing about the carom again and Kaden arguing about football.

The string arrived in London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying good-bye to his friends, Albus left the station with his family feeling that just maybe life story would be rule from then on. Well, maybe the summer would be at to the lowest degree be rule. Albus could n't get his Bob Hope up too high.


A/N : Hard to believe it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awesome people who have read and reviewed this ! You bozo are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the fourth part story but it 'll be a while before the outset chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every early week at first, jump workweek with Beyond the Shadow. In the tight time, if you want something new to take, I suggest checking out Remember the cannon, which is a collab I worked on in conclusion twelvemonth and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley shank and their downfall. It 's under the username The Golden stoolie and is also in my favorite chronicle so you can get it that way.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.

annotation : This is the fourth story in a serial publication. I suggest reading them in order, but it 's not necessary.



"Ouch, that was my foot !"

"Shush ! You 're going to wake them up !"

"It 's your fault for stepping on my foot !"

"They 're heavy sleepers, do n't worry."

Albus Severus ceramist sighed to himself as he and two of his outflank friends neared the tent. John, whose foot had been tread upon, was carrying a spray can of welt cream, and Kaden, the one who had stepped on John 's substructure, was brandishing a large owl feather. It had been Kaden 's melodic theme to pull a prank on his nine-year-old Sister, Bethany, while she slept, and John had been all too eager to enter. Albus personally thought it was stupid to prank somebody whose parents were in the Sami tent, but Kaden had assured him that both of his parents could sleep through anything.

It was their 3rd and final night of camping with Kaden 's family unit which was in Kaden 's view, the perfect time to pull a prank. After three days of being on their best behavior, the boys had successfully lured Dudley and Christina Dursley into a imitation sense of security. Well, a mistaken sense of security system when it came to them and Bethany, that is. The boys had pranked each other constantly throughout the trip. Albus had been pushed into the lake three times already, been snuck up upon in the woodwind instrument twice, and had a nosebleed nougat hidden in his dinner party. He had gotten revenge by stealing both Kaden and John the Evangelist 's canoe paddles, leaving them stranded in the middle of the lake for a half hour.

"Happy Birthday, by the way,"Albus said.

"Is it midnight already ?"Kaden asked.

A twig snapped behind them and Albus jumped."What do you three think you 're doing ?"someone shouted in a creepy tone.

Kaden shrieked and King John jumped backwards, bumping into Kaden and causing both of them to fall over. John 's finger slipped and the whipped emollient came shooting out, covering both of them in the sugary substance. They were both shouting profanity and Albus smirked despite the fact that his heart was still hammering. Who was that ? He turned and saw none other than Bethany, standing with her sleeve folded across her pectus, glaring at all three of the boys.

"And just what were you planning on doing with that whipped cream ?"she demanded.

"Nothing,"Kaden muttered."What are you doing out here ?"

"coming back from the bathroom,"Bethany replied."And I know you were planning on squirting that on my hand and then tickling my nose with a feathering. Honestly, you 're so predictable."

With one last glower at her brother, Bethany stalked off to the tent she shared with her parents, went inside it, and zipped it closed. Albus turned to his two sticky friends and burst out laughing. They were both sitting on the soil covered in a mix of rack up cream and soil that was just visible by the luminance of Albus 's torch. The two rarely had a put-on backfire on them like that.

"Bloody picayune sis,"Kaden muttered as he scrubbed the whipped cream off in the privy a few moment later.

"Yeah,"can agreed as he tried to get the whipped cream out of his hair by sticking his head in the sink."Why do they have to be such a pain ?"

"I think it 's their job,"Albus mused."Lily would 've done the Lapp thing."

"You two are lucky you 've only got one,"John pointed out."Try living with three."

"I 've got enough cousin-german to realise up for it,"Albus said.

"mat 's the favourable one, then,"can said as he pulled his pass out of the sink and shook the water out."He has n't got any short babe or little cousins."

"Wish he would 've came with us,"Kaden said as they left the bathroom.

"We never could 've convinced him,"Gospel According to John replied."Remember his face when you invited us ?"

"Do you blame him ?"Albus said."I mean, it was probably a nighttime like this when, you know, when it happened."

The night was very quiet. The boys made the exclusively noise as they walked back to the camping area. The only sparkle visible was the light from Albus 's blowtorch. He let out an involuntary frisson. It probably had been a night just like this one. No wonder he had n't wanted to go camping again.

"Only, you know,"Kaden said as he looked up at the sky."There would 've been a moon."

Albus smiled. Leave it to Kaden to manoeuver out the obvious. Yes, there would 've been a moon. Currently the Moon was in its new lunar month phase and was not visible in the sky.

The male child made it back to their tent and climbed into their sleeping udder. Albus was n't in the to the lowest degree bit tired, so he did n't bother turning off his torch. lav pulled out a gang of Exploding breeze bill, figuring that since it was the dead of night, no Muggles would notice.

"What should we do tomorrow ?"john asked.

"Canoeing ?"Albus suggested.

The other two male child glared at him."Only if you promise not to steal our paddles,"John the Evangelist muttered.

"What ? It was n't a bad swim. And you asked for it by putting that nosebleed nougat in my food."

"It was cold !"Kaden shouted indignantly.

"It 's summer ; it 's supposed to be refreshing,"Albus pointed out.

"well, it 's my birthday, so I say we hike up to that field and play football game,"Kaden decided.

Albus and John both groaned loudly, but knew they 'd be spending their last day playing football with Kaden. It was his birthday after all, so it was only average that he blame the day 's action. Albus only wished that they did n't let in football.
******


The two weeks that separated the camping trip-up and the Quidditch humankind Cup seemed to drag in on forever. They reminded Albus of story of illusion and he was certainly that length of metre was longer than two workweek, but his calendar told him otherwise. Nothing particularly exciting happened during that span of XIV days ; the highlight being three Hogwarts letters being delivered to phone number 12 Grimmauld Place. All three letter contained playscript inclination and to nobody 's surprisal, James 's did not curb a Prefect 's badge. Cedric and Ben had not received the badge either, but James 's friend Nathan had. Saint James supposed Neville had to blame mortal and Nathan was the least mischievous of the fifth yr Gryffindor boys.

The most stir news of the two weeks arrived at Albus 's cousin Fred 's house informing him that he had been made Quidditch captain for Gryffindor. James was quite excited about this since while Fred was fanatical about Quidditch, he was n't nearly as bad as Georgia. Scots heather was disappointed, but Fred assured her she would be his second-in-command.

Speaking of GA, she had begun her training with the Kenmare Kestrals shortly after graduation and planned to move into a apartment close to their pitch very soon. Apparently Sir Henry Percy had been dropping not-so-subtle hints about getting her an internship at the Ministry instead of playing professional Quidditch and she was sick of it. It was still a touchy subject with both Percy and Empire State of the South, so much so that Albus was n't even sure if Georgia was going to go to the one-year before school Weasley dinner. Albus thought it was rather pillock of Harry Hotspur to be arguing about it since it was Georgia 's life and she was beneficial at Quidditch.

Albus spent almost of the two weeks at Rose 's menage, although it was not pink wine whom he was spending fourth dimension with. Hugo was planning on trying out for the uncommitted Keeper emplacement on Gryffindor 's team and needed Albus to throw Quaffles at him while he tried to protect the destination. Unfortunately Victor Hugo was not very good, but he was improving, even if it was at a very slowly charge per unit. Hugo was also quite sore with Lily over her choosing Ashtyn to take to the Cup, which somehow caused him to desire to practice session Quidditch nearly twenty-four/seven.

By the time the day finally arrived to leave for the Cup, Albus was getting quite sick of throwing Quaffles at Hugo and was even nursing a sore arm. He was very grateful for the break that going to the Cup would allow. Albus 's family was scheduled to arrive at the campsite near the slant the day before the couple, which was not bad at all. Some masses had to get as much as a week beforehand.

"When is lustrelessness getting there ?"Gospel According to John asked Albus as they sat in Albus 's way, packing for the trip. John Lackland had arrived the previous day and somehow all of his stuff had been scattered throughout Albus 's room despite his only having been there for two dozen hours.

"He 's already there, I think,"Albus answered, remembering the alphabetic character Matt had sent him the previous week.

"Did n't you say everyone who goes to the Cup has to camp ?"can asked as he inspected a drogue to square up whether it was his or not."How come his parents will go to the Cup but they would n't let him camp with us ?"

"He 's not tent,"Albus said, deciding that the sock can had was his and snatched it away, stuffing it in his bag."His uncle lives in New York, so they 're staying there and Apparating to the Cup right hand before."

"Oh,"privy replied."I thought outside Apparition was illegal."

"Not from the United States to Canada and back,"Albus explained."If you Apparate to the edge, they let you Apparate into Canada if you 've got the right identification."

"Are any of your other cousins going ?"John asked.

"I think Empire State of the South 's going with her teammates, but other than her, no. James picked Nathan because he did n't want to pick out between Cedric and Ben."

"Is Hugo still angry with Lily ?"John asked."Ashtyn said he was n't speaking to either of them."

"Yeah,"Albus nodded as he rubbed his sore arm."And because of it he 's had me practicing with him for the past two weeks."

"Is he going to be Gryffindor 's next Keeper ?"

"Only if the rest of the mass who try out play Quidditch like Matt and Kaden do,"Albus answered.

"So I 'm guessing the new steward wo n't be a Weasley ?"

"Nope, I do n't think so.

"Are you boys make ?"Harry asked as he popped his head teacher into the room.

"Just about,"Albus said as he stuffed one last shirt into his bag and zipped it closed."How far do we have to go to get through the Portkey ?"

"Not far, just outside of London,"Harry replied."There 's an apparition and Floo place nearby, so we wo n't have to walk much."

A few min later the Potters were congregated in the posing room, along with John, Ashtyn, and Nathan. Everyone was going to Floo because Harry and Ginny could n't side-along Apparate six kids between the two of them. Harry had been right ; the Portkey was only a curtly ways away from the phantom and Floo place, and in no clock time they were standing in a diminished clearing searching for the Portkey. Lily was the one who found it, hiding behind one of the lone bushes. It was an old deflated football that looked to have teeth soft touch in it.

"When 's it leaving ?"Lily asked.

"In about five arcminute,"Harry said as he checked his watch."Remember, Lake Ontario, Canada, is five hours behind us, so when we get there it will be around eleven o'clock in the morning."

Nobody else had been assigned to this particular Portkey, so five minutes later the potter, John, Ashtyn, and Nathan disappeared from the landing field. Albus thought the journey lasted much longsighted than a pattern Portkey trip, but that made sense since they were going all the way to Canada.

They landed in another humble clearing and once Albus steadied himself, he could see a fleet of collapsible shelter in the distance. Directly in front end of them was a lowly wooden building that bore a sign that read 'Lakeside Park- encampment Office'. He looked around for a lake, but did n't see one.

"If we find the lake, we can go canoeing,"Albus said.

"Yeah, and perhaps we 'll get a decent defending team teacher this year,"John replied."There 's no bally way I 'm canoeing with you ever again."

"And maybe you wo n't put nasty sugariness in my food anymore."

"Ca n't make any promises,"John grinned.

Albus and whoremonger followed everyone else towards the petty wooden building. Once inside, Albus noticed that it was being manned by a very confused looking Muggle, who was staring off into infinite. He did n't even seem to find when they walked in.

"Memory magical spell,"Harry whispered to the boys. He walked up to the fellow and set a musical composition of paper down on the desk."Campsite qualification for Potter. Two nights."

"ceramist, Potter,"the bloke muttered as he began to type on something that Albus was pretty sure was called a computer."You 're site 43. Be heedful, mind you, there 's a lot of odd people camping this week."

"Thanks,"Harry replied.

Campsite 43 did n't seem to be anywhere near the petty wooden building so Albus and the others had to take the air through most of the camping area to regain their site. A arcminute into the walk Albus realized why the Muggle in the building needed so many memory charms. It did n't seem like anybody was trying to conceal trick. The Cup was between Russian Federation and Italy and it was very obvious who was rooting for whom.

The Italians had red, green, and Theodore Harold White tents, some of which had the actual flag design on the sides. One group had a cauldron boiling over a super acid and red fire and there was a necromancer pouring pasta into it.

"Who cooks pasta on a camping trip ?"Harry muttered as they passed."No wonder that bloke thinks something funny 's going on."

The Russians were n't any better since their tents were also adorned with masthead and some had even littered the surrounding dry land with magical sham snow. Since it was at least lxxv degrees, Albus thought that was slightly unusual.

Albus only saw a few early masses he knew. Damien and Kate Waverly from the Ravenclaw Quidditch team were at campsite number 35 and he also saw a Hufflepuff whom he recognized but did n't remember the name of. near of the people appeared to be Russian, Italian, Canadian, or American. Albus figured that was since the Cup was so far away from United Kingdom. most Brits hoi polloi would n't go see the Cup in Canada if they did n't really support Russia or Italy. Albus did n't support either team, but his dad had gotten relieve tag.

After passing a contingence of Russians, Albus noticed a few hoi polloi who looked oddly associate. He paused to watch them for a second or so and then realized that they were the Quidditch team from the Adirondack academy of Magic.

"James I,"Albus said as he poked his buddy."Look, the New York Quidditch team."

The New Yorkers had noticed Albus and James as well. They abandoned their fire and strolled over to the walkway.

"You came a long way for the Cup,"the tallest of the lot said. Albus recognized him as one of the Beaters.

"My dad had ticket,"Albus replied.

"Oh, right,"the boy said, craning his neck to see Harry, who was a few meters away."Your dad 's Harry ceramist. Learned about him in chronicle of illusion a few years ago."

"ignominy about the match,"James said, clearly wanting to steer the conversation away from Harry."That Australian headmaster is colly cheater."

"Sure is,"the boy replied."It sucks."

"I wish they would 've let us take on each other,"James said mutinously."Exams ? Really ? That was a stupid excuse."

"I 'll say,"he agreed."Hey, you 'll never gauge who else is here."

"Who ?"James asked.

"Linda, you know, the vampire,"the boy said excitedly."Saw her a few minute ago, but she turned the former way when she saw me."

Albus exchanged looks with John, and the two of them silently agreed to go look for Linda as soon as they could creep away from King James I, Nathan, Lily, and Ashtyn, plus Albus 's parents.

The New Yorkers went to eat lunch and Albus and the others continued their trek to campsite 43. It was situated in a low clarification of tree, next to a grouping of Canadian wizards and a rather yob group of Italians. Harry and Ginny had the tent up in no clip with help from Nathan, who was Muggle-born. James and Nathan each made a quick sandwich and then went off to explore. Lily and Ashtyn begged to be allowed to do the same, but both Harry and Ginny insisted that they stay at the campsite.

"Can we go explore ?"Albus asked as he polished off his lunch.

"I suppose so,"Ginny said."But be careful, and be back in sentence for dinner."

"We will,"Albus assured her.

Albus and John set off down the path, both keeping an eye out for Linda."This plaza is huge,"John the Divine said."How in the name of Falco columbarius are we going to encounter her ?"

"I have n't the slightest musical theme, but I suppose if we keep walking we might find her,"Albus replied."Maybe we 'll detect that lake as well."

"I am not canoeing with you."

"suit of clothes yourself."

Albus and bathroom did not find the lake, but after walking around the campsites for about an hour, they eventually came upon Linda. She was at a smallish campsite that contained a blueness tent that actually looked like it could belong to to a Muggle. Linda was reading a Quran at the picnic table while another crone was bent over a fire and she turned when she heard the son make it. She was quite beautiful, with hanker dark hair's-breadth like Linda's.

"Can I help you ?"she asked. Her accent was not Aussie and Albus could n't place it.

Linda looked up and her oculus rested upon Albus. She got up from the table and walked over to the boys.

"Do you bonk them ?"the former beldam asked.

"They 're from Hogwarts,"Linda replied. The beldame raised her brow."It 's exquisitely,"Linda said."I 'll be back soon."

Albus was very surprised that Linda so willingly decided to take the air with them and he shared a look with John before they set off along the path. All three were quiet for about ten minutes before Linda spoke.

"I just want you to hump that I 'm gloomy about the match,"she said quietly."I did n't want to do it. I do n't even normally go to school. It 's rather unpointed since I 've been through school day three times already. The headmaster insisted I play and said if I did n't he 'd get some sort of law passed to make my biography miserable."

"It 's not your fault,"Albus said."The Aussie headmaster is a git. We 've known that for years."

"Oh, your Quaker lusterlessness ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered.

"Is he here ?"Linda asked.

"He 's going to the Cup but he 's staying at his uncle 's house in New York."

Silence fell upon them once again until John spoke a few minutes later."So what are you doing now ?"

"My mother and I are living here, in Canada. Another province, though, one that 's even less inhabited than this one. We ca n't live in Australia after that Quidditch cataclysm. The master blamed me for everyone finding out what I am. Said I did n't enshroud it well enough."

"That 's insane,"St. John the Apostle replied.

It was strange, Albus thought, how the previous year none of the boys had really liked Linda because they were afraid she would disclose that Matt was a werewolf, yet she was being blackmailed by Killigan the whole clock time. Now, she seemed nice.

The conversation moved from Killigan to the coming catch and who they thought would win. Linda, like Albus and Saint John the Apostle, was rooting for Italy and they all agreed that Russia did n't endure a chance. They circled the campground and made it back to Linda 's camping site. Her mother was talking with a sorcerer who was camping in the following site over.

"William Tell pink wine and Amanda that I 'll owl them soon,"Linda said."Mum did n't want me to owl anyone until we 'd successfully gotten away from Killigan. But she thinks he 's given up and we should be safe in Canada."

"Ok,"Albus said."Maybe we 'll see you at the match tomorrow."

Linda bade them so long and joined her mum. She turned and smiled at Albus and whoremonger as they left to go back to their campsite.



A/N : And so the 4th storey begins ! I 'm hoping to update this once a month. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed the late stories !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Neither of the male child slept much that nighttime. This was partly due to excitement about the match and partly due to the fact that Harry and Ginny sent Lily and Ashtyn to the son'tent after the two of them refused to settle down down. Albus, John, King James, and Nathan complained loudly about the addition of the girls in their tent, but Harry and Ginny were adamant. James and Nathan decided to differentiate scary stories in a vain attempt to scare Lily and Ashtyn back into the grownup'tent, but both girls were now too old to get that scared.

The side by side day was similar to the previous day and Albus and John spent it trying to chance the lake, but had no destiny. St. John the Apostle was lamenting the fact that the campground was called"lakeshore"when there clearly was no lake around so often that Albus wished there was a lake just so he could push John into it. Both boy begged Harry and Ginny to let them go to New York to see lustrelessness, but had no luck. Harry and Ginny said they could see matte later that Night at the match.

Dusk finally arrived and people began to trek through the woods to the pitching. Albus did n't have the slightest idea how far away it was, but it seemed farther than the paseo from the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack or from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Once they finally did come, it seemed amazing that Muggles did n't observe it. The lurch was huge ; that was the only word for it. There were Thomas More Wiccan and ace congregated in one place than Albus had ever seen in his aliveness and more were coming up behind him.

John the Evangelist had brought two pairs of his omnioculars but the group had to discontinue while St. James, Nathan, and Lily each purchased a twain. Ashtyn had stolen a brace of John 's, apparently without him knowing. Ginny quickly steered them all away from a couple thaumaturgist who were taking wager.

A young wizard standing near the incoming asked to see their slate and then top them high-pitched and higher in the stands until they reached one of the top boxes. There were 14 chairwoman lined up in two quarrel, six of which were already occupied. matte and his parents took up half of those chairs ; in the other three sat two sensation and a hag Albus did not know.

"lusterlessness !"Albus shouted. He and toilet immediately took the two behind to Matt 's right wing while Harry and Ginny greeted his parents.

"Albus, John !"Matt replied."This is brilliant !"

"Yeah it is ! expression how high up we are !"John said excitedly."C. H. Best seats ever !"

"Oh, this is my Uncle Jack,"Matt said, gesturing to one of the virtuoso Albus did n't agnize. He looked a lot like Matt 's dad, only with to a lesser extent greyness hair and far fewer wrinkles."Uncle seaman, this is Albus and John."

"So you 're the one who keep getting Matt into trouble."squat grinned.

"That 's to a greater extent Kaden and lavatory than Albus,"Matt pointed out.

"Hey, Albus was the one who got Kaden and I stranded in a lake a few week ago,"whoremonger muttered.

"What ? !"flatness exclaimed.

"He stole our canoe paddles. We had to float back."

"This was after John and Kaden pushed me into the lake multiple times,"Albus said.

"make sense to me."Matt shrugged.

About a half 60 minutes later, during which Albus was introduced to the other witch and virtuoso in their box ( Canadian Ministry functionary ) and then promptly forgot their names, the equal finally began.

The Russian mascots were up first. Albus, after hearing about the leprechauns and Veelas at the World Cup his parents attended, was quite looking forward to the mascots. Unfortunately, he was disappointed in the Russian mascots. Or should he say 'mascot .'There was only one. The total Russian team walked onto the pitch accompanied by what looked like a very slow, very hairy goat.

"What the bloody hell is that ?"trick asked as he got up and put his omnioculars to his eye."It 's a Capricorn the Goat !"

Albus and Matt followed John and watched the goat. With the omnioculars, Albus could see that the goat 's fur was greying giving it a very old look.

"spirit as old as Aberforth Dumbledore,"mat muttered.

"Probably belongs to him,"John pointed out.

"Let 's yield a warm welcome to Irish potato the Mouflon !"the commentator shouted."potato has been with the Russian Quidditch team for nearly twenty years and is beloved by the entire team. Murphy has been trained to do a kind of tricks ...."

The commentator droned on as Murphy slowly climbed through what looked like a goal Emily Post not on the post and caught a Quaffle in his mouth. Albus thought the whole show was kind of odd and the mutter in the box by the rest of its occupants told him his impression was shared.

"What in the public figure of Merlin is a mouflon ?"Saint James the Apostle asked.

"It 's a wild sheep,"Lily explained."Although this one is obviously not wild. In fact, it seems sort of painful to make him perform illusion like that at his age."

The Italian mascots were the complete opposite. As soon as the Russian squad left the pitch with Murphy the Mouflon, a very large number of wizards dressed in what looked like armored robes stepped onto the field. As they stepped aside, they revealed a cage containing three chimeras.

"Bloody Hell !"can exclaimed.

"How can they bring chimeras into a Quidditch match for pigeon hawk 's sake ?"Ginny shouted."They 're dangerous !"

"They 're being handled by professional chimaera handler,"Mr. Eckerton explained."And the Canadian Head of the department for Regulation and control of Magical Creatures is here. They had to authorize it with all the Ministries of John R. Major rural area first."

All the disappointment about the mouflon disappeared when Albus saw the handlers taking the Chimaera out. Each one was attached to a thick metallic element chain and controlled by two animal trainer. They roared and lunged at each other and at the diverse officials and referees standing on the sidelines.

Albus 's eyes were glued to his omnioculars during the stallion performance, which must not have lasted more than than ten minutes. During those ten minutes the Chimera tried to belt down no less than five of the handlers and had scared one of the referees into the changing rooms. Meanwhile the commentator was keeping up a steady current of chimaera information and history. Apparently chimera had a long chronicle in Rome.

The adults in the room ( with the possible exception of diddly-squat ) let out a collective sigh of relief when the chimera were put back in their cages and moved to the hobby while King James I, Nathan, Albus, lav, and mat groaned. Even Ashtyn and Lily seemed slightly disappointed with their disappearance.

However, Albus soon nearly forgot about the Chimera ( it was impossible to completely draw a blank about them as they roared every fourth dimension a player got near them ) since the mates started right after they left. The commentator announced the names of the players, but Albus could n't keep open any of them straight because they were flying far too fast. This Quidditch was intense, far more intense than any of the League equal he had been to.

The Quaffle exchanged hands faster than the observer could say the names of the Chasers and the Bludgers were being sent after player after player. The searcher were staying out of the way, which seemed like a goodness idea to Albus since one of the Italian chaser was injured only fifteen minutes into the match.

James kept up his own running commentary as well, much to the pain in the neck of Albus and everyone else. He constantly named the plays and critiqued the way the Russian searcher sat on his broom.

"Shut it, St. James,"Albus finally said."He 's the one playing in the Cup, not you. He can sit on his broom however he likes."

"He 's not going to catch the canary with that stance,"King James I muttered before looking through his omnioculars.

As it turned out, James was right. An time of day later the Italian searcher pulled into a dive and came back up with the struggling winged formal in his range. The entire box stood up and cheered, especially John who did n't like Russian Federation 's Quidditch team. Albus did n't be either team, but he supposed if he had had to take, he would 've chosen Italy. Italian Republic won with 520 breaker point. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had 430. Both teams had played incredibly well.

"I knew it !"James shouted as they made their way back to the campground."I knew he would n't enamor that sneaker ! A searcher ca n't sit up so straight on his broom and require to watch the Snitch !"

Albus ignored him. Epistle of James would be bragging about this for the future two months.

"You should come stay with me in New York,"Matt said as they reached the campground.

"Can we Mum ?"Albus asked."Please ?"

"I do n't think that 's going to work, Al,"Ginny replied."They 're flying back on an airplane and you two do n't experience tickets."

"Aw, Falco columbarius,"Albus groaned."I guess we 'll see you on the geartrain, then."

"Yeah, definitely,"Matt replied.

Albus and John said goodbye to matt and watched as he left with his parents to go Apparate back to the border.

It was very later, but the camping site was far too loud for anyone to get to catch some Z's. The Italians were celebrating and even the Russians seemed to be very loud and rumbustious, despite their exit. Instead of going to bed, Harry lit another campfire and everyone sat around it, roasting whatever confection they had over the fire and discussing the compeer.

"And when that mouflon got onto the pitch !"Nathan shouted."And the chimaera went nuts ? I thought they were going to get away !"

"Did n't block off the musician, though,"James II pointed out."That was when one of the Russian Chasers got hit by that Bludger. He could have dodged that if he had been paying more attention to the match and less to the chimaeras."

"I think I 'd sooner pay attention to a possible chimaera leakage than a Bludger,"Ashtyn muttered.

"Are you the leading expert on Chasing now, too ?"Albus asked James.

"I 'm just trying to expand my cognition of the other stead because I 'm going to be Gryffindor 's chieftain next yr after Fred graduates."

Albus snorted."What makes you so sure ?"

"I 've been on the team since bit year, I 'll be the oldest future year, and I 'm a good drawing card,"James replied.

"They do n't always pick the oldest,"Albus pointed out."And Bradley and Ryan are previous than you."

"What, you think you 'll get it ?"James asked incredulously.

"Boys,"Ginny warned.

"I do n't want it,"Albus said.

"No detail in you getting it,"john chimed in."After all, you 're going to be Prefect next year."

James laughed."Yeah, that 'll happen."

"You 're not one to talk, James,"Ginny said."Notice your varsity letter did not turn back a Prefect 's badge this year."

"Well, yeah, because Kendrick would be stupid to make me a Prefect,"Epistle of James said."But he 'd be stunned to make you-"

King James was interrupted by a loud pass that sounded like someone Apparating or a outgrowth break. Lily shrieked and Harry stood with his wand out. There was a rustling in the Ellen Price Wood behind them and a figure lumbered out.

He stepped forward and the light from the fire illuminated his typeface, which was old and wrinkled. There was barely a hair on his school principal and he walked with an obvious hobble. Adorned in a very old, very disgusting looking brown cloak, he did not look to have showered in recent history.

"'Arry Potter,"he croaked. His voice did n't sound like it had been used in late history, either. His accent was not Canadian, nor was it British people or Australian."A word."

"Wand out where I can see it,"Harry replied.

"Don''ave a wand,"he muttered.

"Make it quick, then,"Harry said, his own wand still pointed at the stranger.

"Yer in fuss, Potter,"he said."An'not just 'bout what 'appened two calendar month ago."

He sounded a bit like Hagrid, Albus thought, except this bloke seemed to have nothing but that in coarse with the favorable half-giant.

"Oh, no."The bloke smiled slightly."Election year, ai n't it ? Oh, yes, you 've more to worry 'bout than that Willinson bloke."

"Who are you ?"Harry asked.

"Not important,"he said and turned to go back into the forest."in effect portion, Potter,"he said before disappearing completely.

"That was weird,"privy said."How in the name of Merlin can an election be bad for you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus agreed."Are you running for Minister or something ?"

Harry laughed."Definitely not. I reckon that fella is off his cradle. I would n't vex about it."

Ginny insisted they get to bed shortly after the strange bloke left since they had to get up early the next first light to catch their Portkey. Albus laid awake thinking about the stranger long after John the Divine, Saint James the Apostle, and Nathan fell asleep. His dad may get said not to vex about it, but is n't that what all sire say when they do n't require their sons to concern about something, even if it is worthy of worry ?
******


Early was an understatement for the meter they had to get up the next morning. Ginny was waking them up when the sun was barely above the horizon. Apparently everyone had to leave the camping ground before Muggles checked in, which meant everyone in the intact camping ground was rushing about resulting in oecumenical topsy-turvyness. Eventually the Potters managed to locate their Portkey and get back to London. When they arrived it was five minute later because of the sentence change, yet all Albus wanted to do was grovel back in bed, which is exactly what he did. John fell asleep right on Albus 's floor without any sort of blanket or pillow.

John spent two more than days at Albus 's firm, during which they went to Diagon Alley, along with Kaden, and spent most of their time speculating on who the new defense teacher would be. Harry told them that he would not be returning, much to their displeasure, but he was certainly Kendrick would notice a suitable replacement. Albus was not too for certain about this since Kendrick 's last renewal turned out to be insane yet still subject of catching evil wizards. John left the day of the yearbook before schooling Weasley family dinner because his family was going to visit his cousins, much to John 's alarm.

The before school dinner was one of two prison term that Albus 's entire extended family got together for a meal. The remainder of the twelvemonth everyone was either in school day or too in use to undertake the event. However, Albus 's nanna, Molly, insisted that they all spend an evening together before all the kids went off to school. Albus loved it because there was always toothsome food and multiple games of Quidditch. Albus was not sure how much longer everyone would serve, though, now that his one-time cousin were graduating and getting occupation. Victoire was still in Healer breeding and Teddy was in Auror training. Stanley was in Romania studying dragons, just as his Father-God had done. Empire State of the South of course of study was interfering with training for the Kenmare Kestrals and Albus was certainly it would n't be long until she was playing for England. Gabriella, much to her parents'dismay, said she did not know what she wanted to do with her life and was spending her Clarence Shepard Day Jr. painting icon of the sea in straw man of their bungalow rather than working at the internship Bill had secured for her at Gringotts. The following class, Fred and Heather would graduate and it would n't be long after that More of the Weasley first cousin were out of Hogwarts than were in Hogwarts. Angie, Fred 's niggling baby, was just starting Hogwarts that year.

This was not the year that people began to not be able to demo up, though. Each and every appendage of the Weasley and Potter families were going to be there, else face the ire of molly Weasley. Albus almost felt sorry for the get-go of his cousin-german to accept to work on the day the dinner was scheduled. It certainly would n't be him because he still had more than half his Hogwarts calling left.

Dinner, of course, was a relative full term. People started showing up at the tunnel shortly after lunch time and did not entrust until ten or eleven at nighttime. Albus 's parents chose to express up around two, so that Ginny could assist Molly with the cooking. When they arrived they found that bank bill, Fleur, Charlie, Katherine, and their kids were already there. Fleur and Katherine were helping in the kitchen while bank bill and Charlie set up tables in the backyard. Chester A. Arthur was tinkering with some sort of Muggle device in the den.

James immediately hailed Ben and the two of them disappeared up to one of the bedrooms, no incertitude to plan some sort of harlequinade. heather was in the backyard, already on a heather, with Eddie trailing after her on an old broom that was lagging. Gabriella and marker were sitting in the den pretense to listen to Arthur 's commentary on whatever he was taking apart. Albus, who really had nil to do until rosiness arrived, wandered around the firm and yard with Lily, until his mother hailed him to chop carrot, the Muggle way of course.

Everyone else arrived while he was chopping, except for Victoire who did n't get off body of work until five. With what must have been at least five pounding of Daucus carota sativa finally chopped, Albus escaped outside, where nigh everyone else was congregating.

Percy was donned in very partiality midnight blueing gown which struck Albus as very odd since everyone else was wearing casual gown or Muggle clothes. But Walker Percy was always slightly odd.

"Why 's Uncle Percy dressed up ?"Albus asked rosebush, who had just appeared by his side.

"No idea,"rosebush said."But he 's quite excited about something and he wo n't tell anyone else what it is."

"He probably came up with some new type of cauldron bottom,"GA muttered.

Albus turned around to see Georgia, still in practice Kestral gown, with her arms crossed glaring at her beginner."He 's still not keen on the Quidditch thing, is he ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"Georgia replied."Nothing he says is going to change my mind, though. I 've even gotten a prostrate with one of the other players. I 'm moving out tomorrow, but he does n't love it yet. I do n't get it. He 's to a greater extent wild about this than Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur are about Gabriella not interning at Gringotts."

"I do n't see what 's wrong with a Quidditch career,"Albus agreed."I mean, so long as you 're in effect. And you are."

"Thanks, Albus. He just does n't get Quidditch, and in two eld he 's going to have to conduct with it all again when Thomas Bradley graduates."

"You think Tom Bradley 's going to get into Quidditch, too ?"Rose asked.

"No idea, but I know he does n't want to get into the Ministry. He hates politics,"Georgia explained."And Falco columbarius knows Cedric would never function in the Ministry. He causes far too a great deal trouble."

"I suppose he can hope Samantha or Lindy will try for a Ministry career,"Rose joked, pointing to the two very red-haired young lady playing tag with Eddie, who had abandoned his broom.

"He better not,"Sakartvelo muttered."They 're too immature to have his dreams forced upon them. They 're not even in Hogwarts yet."

"How is training ?"Albus asked, changing the subject.

Georgia 's eyes lit up."Oh it 's wonderful ! I mean, I have n't gotten to bring in a real catch yet but it 's really something to be able to flirt Quidditch every day of your life and get paid for it. One of the Beaters, the girl I 'm getting a flat with, says I 'm a shoe-in for a lasting steward position once their keeper gets drafted for England. There 's been talk that he will be and I would n't be surprised since he 's the respectable role player on the team."

"Oi, Georgia !"King James I shouted as he crossed the G, followed by Ben and Cedric."Want to get a mates going ?"

"Definitely !"Georgia replied."Interested, Al ?"

"Sure,"Albus answered.

Albus set off towards the planetary house to locate his broom, which he had brought, the whole clock time thinking how lucky he was that Harry would stomach whatever career he chose to get into. He liked his Uncle Sir Henry Percy well enough, but he could n't reckon being told he should n't do what he most wanted to do with his life history.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I will be responding to all of your lovely reviews soon.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
Weasley kinsperson Tree is in the writer 's notation at the bottom.


molly Weasley did n't defy serve dinner until after the Quidditch match had been completed because even she did n't bear the power to drag in Weasleys away from Quidditch. Teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the canary out James 's clench and then everyone was off their brooms and sitting at the magnanimous bunch of tables in phonograph recording time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetency. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very serious mood as he had been on chemise 's team.

Albus and rosebush sat next to each other in the middle of the mathematical group of tables and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Percy due to his riding habit of talking politics during dinner, something that even bored Rose. The two of them looked at each other as Percy sat down and Albus readied himself for political conversation rather than Quidditch talk.

"I 'm telling you,"Sir Henry Percy said to no one in particular as he served himself some carrot,"something 's going to happen. I guarantee it. It 's been too quiet down in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought things would get a bit riled up final stage year when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had exchangeable sight. more exchangeable than I expected anyway ..."

Leave it to Percy to try and chance something wrong with the Ministry when all was fine, Albus thought. He reached over Rose to take hold of a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping portion onto his plate.

"What do you think, Harry ?"Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting next to him."Any inspiration in the Auror department that I may not suffer heard about ?"

"thing are pretty calm, Walker Percy,"Harry replied.

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

Albus was n't exactly indisputable what his uncle Sir Henry Percy actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the pastor, but his existent title of respect was so foresightful and complicated that Albus never bothered to remember it.

"Well, it 's an election year,"Walker Percy pointed out."affair never stay tranquillise during election years. party promulgation come first workweek of September and after that things will be chaotic around the Ministry. Loads of work to do. Let me separate you, when I run for Minister-"

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

"I would vote for you, Percy,"mollie assured him."You would make a wonderful parson. But this dinner is supposed to be about the nestling. James II ! 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."

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

"wellspring, as a issue of fact."Percy stood up."I have a rather exciting annunciation to prepare and I feel I must secernate my phratry first, before the rest period of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for dramatic effect."I will be formally announcing on Monday, September second that I will be running for Minister for April 's election."

There was downright silence for about five seconds before a whole lot of things happened at once. Ron, George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her supercilium as far as they could go. Ginny, government note, and Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her head slightly and then jumped up from her chair, running towards Hotspur and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

"Oh, Percy !"she exclaimed."I 'm so proud of you ! You 've been talking about it for years 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 other Logos have n't done anything. I 'm an Auror for Falco columbarius 's sake !"

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

Gold was exchanging workforce at the other end of the mesa. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some sorting of bet involving when Hotspur would run for Minister. That bet must sustain been in the works for years.

Albus was personally stunned. He of form had been on the receiving end of many a Walker Percy harangue about what he 'd do when he ran for Minister, but he had always believed Percy would n't ever do it. If Albus was honest with himself, he did n't really want Hotspur running. His class was notable enough without having an actual government minister in it.

"Honestly, Mum, do you cerebrate he 's really going to win ?"Ron exclaimed."I mean, do n't get me incorrect, Sir Henry Percy, I 'll vote for you, but what about the eternal rest of the wizarding cosmos ?"

"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,"vizor pointed out.

"I am not !"Percy shouted."And I would 've expected more than support from my own family."

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"boy,"Arthur warned."Percy 's rightfulness. If he wants to run for minister he can without any of us making it unmanageable for him. You do n't consume to vote for him, but I wo n't have you arguing during dinner. You 'll disconcert your mum."

Everyone resumed their seats but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Sir Henry Percy running for Minister. They just continued to do so in turn down voices. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a seat near Percy.

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

"Not sure,"Percy replied."Hartwell 's not running again, if that 's what you 're getting at. He 's had enough. But I 've got his support. After all, I am the Senior Undersecretary for the draftsmanship and Editing of Torah to the Minister."

So that 's what Walker Percy 's title was, Albus thought. He had no estimate if that was a position that had a lot of power or not, but apparently it was enough to welcome support for a government minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"Georgia shouted from a little ways down the table."I figure this is as good a time as any to tell you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

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

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

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

"Look, I know how these elections work. You 're going to require to make yourself calculate like a family man, so you 're not going to want to believe me your loony daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd break pop out thinking of me as your girl who 's the newest reserve Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll vocalize better to the press."

Harry Hotspur stared at her with his backtalk agape. He shook his head slightly and resumed eating, without another word to Sakartvelo. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that little argument.

Albus turned to rose wine and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to hit Percy 's run for Minister body of work to her reward.

"Rose, have you heard from Linda yet ?"Albus asked, deciding not to join the repose of his family line in political conversation.

"Not yet."rosiness shook her head."Her mum might have wanted her to wait 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 still about it,"Albus answered.

"It 's so damage, though, that he can completely get away with what he did,"Rose muttered."It 's like I could go to French Republic, rob a bank, get back to England, and I 'd get away with it."

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

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

Albus and pink wine did n't gamble talking about Lubar for the rest of the even. Sure, the ease of their family sleep together about what had happened but neither of them wanted to hash out their theories with any of them.

The rest of the eve was rather out of character for usual Weasley family dinners. All the old class'dinners had consisted of talk 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 carnival 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 former first cousin were placing bets on whether he 'd win or not.

Stanley was the firstly to get out as he had to go back to Roumania the following morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their twelvemonth in Rumania and had returned to England permanently the previous month. Victoire and Teddy left shortly after that since they both had to act the following day.

Percy was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were minuscule and he had to make believe he was concern in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was prison term to allow. For the first time in his life, he was actually felicitous to leave and get back to Grimmauld Place. The before school dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a clip to own fun all together before school started, and this clock time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some slash of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the ceramist before, James II had packed his proboscis the nighttime before they left for school. Albus was sure that some sort of Revelation of Saint John the Divine was going to arrive soon because Harry Hotspur running for diplomatic minister and the ceramicist arriving early for the Hogwarts express were two events 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 wine and her family were already there of course, so Albus said a straightaway goodbye to his parents before getting on the train to find rose wine. With any luck his friends would n't be there yet and he could talk to turn out alone. Usually there was aught he would n't talk to his protagonist about, but the foreign belief he had had about his family was something he only wanted to talk to Rose about.

blush wine was alone in a compartment about halfway down the power train, reading one of her new textbooks. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't have the little melodic theme what any of the symbolisation in it meant. He chose the buns side by side to her and waited for her to be done interpretation whatever it was she was deciphering.

"I 'm witnessing a miracle, apparently,"Rose said after setting her book down.

"James River packed last nighttime,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is lucky if James packs earlier than five mo before you leave."

"It 's definitely odd,"Albus agreed."Listen, do you get the spirit 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 Lapp metre. I know they 're really stupid when it comes to dueling but I think they 're fresh than anyone 's giving them course credit for. affair are going to vary, Al. The creation 's getting scarier,"Rose said quietly.

Albus swallowed unvoiced. That was in the back of his mind of row, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to blab out to arise about.

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

"Oh,"was all Rose said. Both first cousin 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 Walker 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, Sir Henry Morton Stanley, and Georgia. We talked about Walker Percy for Merlin 's sake !"

"What do you call back will pass if he wins ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't know. I do n't call up thing will change political-wise but I think it 's going to be really weird for Georgia and Bradley and Cedric. Even the twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most authoritative person in the wizarding Earth has got to be stressful."

"Tell me about it,"Albus muttered."Can you imagine if my dad ran for government minister ?"

"Walker Percy would n't stand a chance."

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

"Things never stay the same, Al,"rose 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 fortune telling mark, pink wine, because my parents nearly murdered me this past summertime when they saw it."

"I think we 'll just have to look at with your murder, John, because that target is not getting any higher,"Rose replied.

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

"cipher,"rosiness said quickly.

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

"This is going to be the best year ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a composition of parchment out of his bag."Look, it 's my Hogsmeade permission slip !"

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

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

"Just for the Slytherin common elbow room,"Gospel According to John assured him."Our goal is to cipher out how to get a few in there."

"Not going to put to work,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the other English of Rose."You ca n't get into someone else 's park room 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 make just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,"St. John told Kaden.

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

"Fine."Albus took a late breath."Well, my Uncle Sir Henry Percy 's run for Minister."

"Seriously ?"John replied.

"aplomb !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"Matt asked.

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

"Yes,"Albus answered."He 's seriously endure, it 's not that cool, I 'm honestly not sure why, and yes he 's been talking about it for years."

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

Albus and rosebush both burst out laughing."Because that 's the go thing he 'd ever want to do. He would n't want anymore big businessman 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 kinfolk,"rose said quietly."Uncle Percy is so focused on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Sakartvelo 's got it all figured out. Harry Hotspur 's going to sham he 's completely glad with her Quidditch acting just to make himself seem like a family man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

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

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

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

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

"You, rosebush, and Matt are n't the only single of us who have family in political science,"Amanda said.

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

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

Albus continued to stare at her. Amanda was always rather placid and rarely talked about her kinsfolk. He always figured that was because she was so lull and never guessed that it might be because her menage was just as influential in the Muggle world as his was in the wizarding world.

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

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

"He 'll meet my Uncle mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, GA does have it all figured out. If word gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch performing, it 's going to hail off haywire in the printing press and lose him ballot. So, he 'll keep it to himself and will be in the front row of every ace one of her matches, pretending to be a immense Kenmare Kestrals fan."

"Wow, that seems so legal injury,"Rose muttered.

"It 's politics from the former position. The public wants people in power to take a certain image."

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

"My cousin Leanne went a lilliputian raving mad at university her first year, our number one class 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 cover of some tabloid, but that was the solitary one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not same Georgia 's partying. She 's got Quidditch accomplishment and is using them to make an honest bread and butter,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't require the world to roll in the hay he 's not happy with her calling choice so he 's going to make himself look like a pay father."

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

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

"It 's true, Albus,"lustrelessness said."Amanda 's completely correctly. It 's the whole ground why my dad got sacked. The public did n't like that I was a lycanthrope, which is part of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, nobody wanted him in politics 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 thing was happening with his family. Harry Hotspur was going to pretend and while that did n't really directly force him, how long would it claim before the public did n't like the image he and the rest of his cousins were presenting ?


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

Here 's the Weasley-Potter family Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree !

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

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

Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Georgia- 18
Bradley- 6th year
Cedric- 5th class
Samantha & Lindy ( counterpart ) - 9

George- Alicia Spinnet
Fred- 7th twelvemonth
Angie- 1st twelvemonth

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

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

*All in Gryffindor*