Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent most of the Clarence Day preceding Christmas at rosebush 's theater. James was determined to use all of his spare time for Quidditch exercise, and he had to go to blush wine 's star sign for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Hugo would help St. James the Apostle practice while Rose read.

Harry had to practically carve up James from his broom by magic on Xmas Eve so they could go to Godric 's hole. James II wanted to stay at Rose 's house and maintain practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The trip-up was quieten since William James was rather sullen the entire time.

"professor Patil says I 'm a natural at Transfiguration,"Lily bragged to Albus as they walked towards the burrow afterwards.

"That 's good,"Albus replied.

"Yeah, so I 'm going to become an Animagus eventually. I want to be a cat."

"You do n't get to choose what kind of creature you transform into,"Albus told her.

"Oh,"Lily said,"But I think I 'll become a cat."

Albus nodded as Lily began to describe in neat detail what kind of cat she would transform into.

Everyone else was already at the Burrow and Albus felt an immediate warmth come over him as he stepped inside. It had naught to do with the fact that it was so cold and snow-white outside, either. There was something so comforting about being at the tunnel surrounded by all his family. He was able to forget all the government issue with the Quidditch tournament and professor Killigan. All he could think about was how ravenous he was and how dear some of his grandmother 's cooking would be right about then.

rosiness sat down following to Albus as he tucked into a large roll of onion soup with a side of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and Aunt Katherine are going back to Romania this summertime,"Rose announced.

"To tame more Draco ?"Albus asked. His uncle and aunt had n't done that since Sir Henry Morton Stanley started Hogwarts, but they often talked about how they wanted to go back.

"Yeah,"Rose nodded,"They might quell even after the summer 's over, but Heather and chump will amount back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

"Yup. Stanley and Eddie are going, too. Stanley 's quitting his job for it. He 's definitely staying in Romania after the summer 's over. He wants to get into tartar training."

"Wow,"Albus replied,"They 're golden. I guess it 's proficient that Stanley decided what he wants to do."

Stanley had been working at the Magical zoological garden since he finished Hogwarts, but knew he did n't want to do that his whole life. He just did n't fuck what he did want to do.

"I wish our parents would adopt us to some other country,"Albus sighed.

"Me, too,"pink wine agreed,"Imagine the history we could learn."

Albus personally had decent of account from prof Binns, but he supposed learning account by traveling would be fun.

"Christmastime Quidditch tomorrow ?"slip asked as he sat down next to Rose.

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

"I would n't count on it, Teddy,"molly said as she handed Albus another lump of bread,"We 're supposed to get the snowstorm of the decade tomorrow. The Muggle electricity is already out in town."

"Is it really ?"King Arthur popped his header into the elbow room,"Fascinating ! I may let to go see it tomorrow !"

"You 'll do no such thing !"Molly shouted,"It 's come on impossible to Appparate during such a storm. Not to mention the fact that it 's Christmas and you should be here."

"We do n't call for electricity to play Quidditch !"teddy bear exclaimed,"It 'll be perfect training conditions ! If you can entrance a sneaker in the middle of a rash, you can overhear one in any weather. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

"We 'll see tomorrow, Teddy,"Molly sighed.

Albus finished his soup and he and Rose went into the den, where they were greeted by a aloud chorus of 'Odo the poor boy', sung by George VI, Alicia, Charlie, and Ron. Bill and Fleur were laughing while Hermione shook her head. Albus had a feeling the sole understanding why Fleur approved was because the singing was drowning out Celestina Warbeck.

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven Sickles for that !"Percy said to Katherine, who was only kind of paying attention,"And the bloke looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that much for a enlistment of a questionably historical old construction. There really should be regulations on such affair. It 's one matter I 'll vary if I 'm ever Minister."

Albus stifled a joke. His Uncle Walker Percy had been talking about running for curate for the past ten twelvemonth, but still had n't done it. near of his uncles and aunts got sick of hearing him talk about what he would and would not change.

"Hey, Albus, Rose,"Victoire waved at him from across the room.

"Hi Victoire,"Albus made his way over to her,"How is healer grooming ?"

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to figure out which part of the hospital I want to do the rest of my training in by Sept. We 've been rotating throughout all the trading floor, but now we have to pick one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until September,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a long meter to him.

"I know,"Victoire replied,"But Amy 's known where she wants to polish off training since we were in fourth year."

"You 're not in Amy 's situation,"Teddy appeared and put his arm around her,"And I think you 'll do not bad anyplace you decide."

"Thanks, teddy,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the Maternity ward or Spell Damage."

"There 's a busy hospital ward,"Teddy grinned,"Spell terms. You 'll get all the funny harm there."

"That 's not a skilful reason to pluck a specialisation,"Victoire groaned.

"Good a cause as any,"Teddy shrugged.

The clock time grew later and after Albus played numerous rounds of Exploding Snap with his cousin-german, his grandmother announced that it was fourth dimension for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no point. Everyone, including the other adult, knew that arguing with molly Weasley was useless.

Albus trudged up the stairs to the gamey sleeping accommodation that he shared with James, Ben, and Cedric. He climbed into bed and then realized just how big this impending rash was. The wind was howling louder than he 'd ever heard before.

The wind was so powerful that Albus could experience it through the interruption in the window. Every once in a while, the mansion would creak and shake off. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his spike to try and drown out the howl.

Albus did n't finagle to drift off to sleep until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no magic outside of school prescript to put a silencing magic spell on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his annual Christmas wake-up call, Lily. She breezed through the door shouting about how they all needed to wake up and open their present tense.

"And there 's three feet of snow outside,"Lily said as she left the room,"I checked."

"Merlin !"James II jumped off the top meaninglessness and looked out the window,"There is ! And it 's still coming !"

"Whoa, you ca n't see anything !"Cedric added.

"We could make the world 's biggest snow star later,"Ben suggested.

"We could build an entire snow wizard army,"Albus said.

"present tense first,"James said as he located his mass of presents.

Albus descended upon his own voltaic pile of present and began opening them. There were the usual sweet and Weasleys'Cartesian product from his aunt and uncles. Another Weasley sweater, this one scarlet and Au striped. He pulled it on over his jammies and opened the residuum of the presents from his aunt and uncles. His Aunt Hermione had gotten him a few books he 'd probably never read, including one about the chronicle of house elves at Hogwarts.

Albus saved his parents'present tense for last, although he doubted they could top finish year 's. There really was n't anything in the world that was practiced than the Invisibility Cloak.

"Al, did you afford Mum and Dad 's yet ?"James shouted.

"I 'm opening it now,"Albus said as he ripped the paper off the small box.

"You 'll never guess what they got us !"

Albus opened the box and saw two tickets. Two tickets for the Quidditch humanity Cup that was taking place this summer !

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"World Cup tag !"

"I did n't even know they were on sale this former !"James said.

"You two get the best presents,"Cedric said.

"Hey, I got two tickets,"James replied.

"Yeah, two,"Ben sighed,"You can only pick one of us to go."

Albus suddenly realized he had the Lapp problem. Two ticket. Five Quaker he would require to take. Who was he going to prefer ? Not rosebush. They may experience been friends since they were babies, but she just did n't make a warmth for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to cross off the lean. John and mat were the Quidditch fans. He 'd have to pick out between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't fall out a team or anything.

"Those are confine edition tickets,"Ben said,"They do n't screw who 's playing yet, so they do n't sell very many slate ahead of time."

"They 're for the top box, too,"James said in awe.

Lily burst into the room with a big grin on her fount. She was holding two tickets as well."Did you get Quidditch just the ticket ?"

"Yeah,"Albus and James said at the like time.

"This is going to be brilliant,"Lily said and then ran out of the room.

Albus 's parents were already in the kitchen by the time Albus went downstairs. They were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Albus gave them each a huge hug and then sat down.

"How did you get the slate ?"he asked.

"They were a endowment from the Minister,"Harry replied,"The Cup is in Canada this yr and he 's good Quaker with their government minister. Got him a lot of justify tickets."

Albus grinned as he began to eat breakfast. Somehow his parents had come close to topping last year 's present. Now not only was he going to get to see the World Cup, he would get to trip to a different country.

pink wine came downstairs a little while later and was impressed with the tickets. She had no desire to go to the Cup and had no proposition on how Albus was going to choose between toilet and Matt.

"Anyone up for Quidditch later ?"shift announced as he sauntered into the kitchen.

"Not under my watch !"mollie shouted,"You ca n't see a ft in front of you out there ! And it must be close to 15 below !"

"Maybe after tiffin, then,"Teddy shrugged.

mollie shook her point and sighed as she set a few more platters of eggs and toast onto the table.

There was a knock on the door that could only just be heard over the ululation malarky. Molly glanced at Arthur, who shrugged and got up to see who it was. Albus followed, very odd to see who would visit on Christmas break of day in the middle of a Brobdingnagian blizzard.

"Xeno, is that you ?"Arthur shouted outside.

"Yes !"Xenophilius Lovegood shouted back. Arthur stood aside as the man walked in and then shut the room access behind him."Quite the storm we 're having ! Just thought I 'd stop by and see if this stead was still standing."

"Quite the storm, yes,"King Arthur agreed,"I heard the Muggles lost electricity. Fascinating. I wonder what they do without it. But yes, the house is still standing."

"Good, but if you feel it 's too rickety, just let me know and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy industrial plant. The leave-taking do wonders on old building. build them like new. I just put a bunch into my place and it 's a good thing, too. Of course, they tend to attract Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's phonation trailed off.

"I 'll keep that in intellect,"Arthur smiled,"Are you spending the holiday alone ?"

"Yes, yes,"he replied,"Luna and Rolf are with his family line this Christmas."

"Then you must ride out here a while. molly 's wangle far too much food, like usual,"Chester Alan Arthur lead Xeno into the kitchen.

Albus followed them. He always found Xenophilius Lovegood to be an interest superstar, if not a little mad. Always going on about Nargles or Nom-Noms or something.

Molly was more than glad to cater Xenophilius with a large platter of breakfast and he settled down to talk about the storm with the adults.

Albus spent nigh of the morning playing Exploding gingersnap, genius 's chess, and Gobstones with his cousins. They tried to fiddle pelt and go seek, but the house was too crowded to play it properly.

slip and James I kept looking out the window, willing it to stop snowing. Both of them were just itching to go play Quidditch. Albus would throw gladly gone and played if it would stop snowing so much. He was dedicated to the plot, but not enough to play in this violent storm.

Lunchtime came and the Baron Snow of Leicester was still falling. Saint George went outside to assess it and came back with the news that it was three and a half metrical unit.

Teddy went upstairs after lunch and came back decked out in three jump shot, a chummy cloak, and a duad of boots. Under one arm was his Scots heather and under the other was a box of Quidditch testis. Jesse James was good behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus lupine !"mollie shouted,"I suppose I ca n't stop you from going out there and catching death of a cold, but I will not let you get behind James I with you !"

"He 's not dragging me, Grandma,"James II rolled his eyes,"I want to go !"

"Just let them, Molly,"Harry said,"They 'll get cold soon enough and come back inside."

"Fine,"Molly replied and went back into the kitchen.

"Excellent,"Teddy grinned,"Anyone care to bring together us ?"

GA, Fred, and Heather suited up in quick clothes and joined Teddy and James. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't want to freeze out when he could stay inside and be warm.

The Christmas Quidditch lasted a one-half an hour. shimmy, James, Georgia, heather, and Fred all stumbled back into the planetary house shivering with their faces red and covered in snow and ice. Molly immediately descended upon them with mugs of hot chocolate and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

"C-ca n't find the Sn-Snitch,"teddy bear muttered.

Harry laughed."That does n't surprise me. You 'll get it when the violent storm calms down. You put the charm on it to stay in the yard, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"Teddy replied.

Christmas dinner came and went in its common pandemonium. Xenophilius stayed for it and Saint James snuck sneezing powder into his soup, which he found incredibly rum. mollie was not as impressed and gave King James I quite the tongue-lashing. How she found out it was James was beyond Albus.

The storm continued throughout the dark and Cedric had to put the silencing charm back on their room in club for any of them to get any sleep.

******

cypher left the tunnel until two days after Christmas Day. That was when the Baron Snow of Leicester finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half pes, which was a new record for Albus 's lifetime. The Burrow 's yard had been decorated by dozens of snow hag and adept, along with hippogriffs, bird of Minerva, and a variety of former magical creatures.

When Albus found out what his family was doing after they left the Burrow, he wished the Snow would own kept coming. They were going shopping for wearing apparel robe for the New Year 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old dress gown ?"James whined as they walked down Diagon Alley towards madam Malkin's.

"Because they 're five inches too short,"Ginny replied,"They 're even too modest for Al."

"Yeah, Hugo 's the favorable one,"Saint James the Apostle muttered. Hugo was wearing Epistle of James 's old dress robes to the party and therefore did not have to go shopping.

"Mummy, I want purple robes,"Lily announced.

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the first pair of dress robes he found, so long as they were n't rap or empurple. The Oklahoman they were done robes shopping the better.

Rose and Lily made a beeline for the girls frock robes as soon as they walked in the threshold. Albus stood awkwardly next to James while their mother found various robes for them.

"Here, try these on, Al,"Ginny handed him a pair of emerald green robes.

"Very Slytherin,"King James snickered.

"Shut it, James,"Albus muttered.

"They 'll bring out your eyes, Al,"Ginny told him,"Now go try them on."

Albus reluctantly tried on the Slytherin colored gown and then left the dressing way for his mother to see.

"Too short circuit,"she announced,"But the semblance is perfect. I 'll feel a adult size."

Henry James wound up with a navy low-spirited pair of robes, which Albus would have preferred. Lily found her purple robe and pink wine got a sky puritanical pair.

"Next time you 're getting Green River gown,"Albus muttered to James, who was still making fun of the coloring material of Albus 's robes.

"No I wo n't. I do n't birth green heart,"James grinned.

"Then we 'll get you a nice red set,"Ginny said,"They 'll clash horribly with your hair."

"I do n't worry. They 'd be Gryffindor colored,"St. James laughed.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome mass who have read and reviewed this ! Also, for anyone who read In Moon 's shadow, the commencement chapter of the subsequence, Beyond the phantasma, is now up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The party was at the Minister 's Mansion, the house where all the Ministers of trick had lived. Albus had been there a few multiplication before, but not in a twosome twelvemonth. Usually all the parties the Minister held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few hr before the company, Ginny made Albus, James, and Lily all take showers and comb their hair properly. She spent a right 15 bit trying to get James 's hair to lie two-dimensional and another fifteen minutes putting Lily 's up in some sort of expatiate bun character thing. Albus was very happy his own hair was far too short for that kind of thing.

Before they left, Albus 's parents sat him, Henry James, and Lily down on the lounge and proceeded to tell them the rule for the evening.

"Absolutely no making trouble !"Ginny stared at Henry James as she said this,"None at all ! This is the government minister 's house ! I will not have you wreaking havoc in it."

"We 're trusting you to retain yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to have to amalgamate with everyone and we wo n't be able to check you every second,"Harry added,"You 're all at Hogwarts now. You 're old enough to not be glued to us for the evening."

"Do n't occupy,"James said,"I know when mischief is n't appropriate."

"Let 's hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his family Apparated to the Minister 's house, which meant side-along phantasma for Albus. He hated side-along Apparition. It felt like he could n't breath. It was worse when the person who was Apparating him was also Apparating another soul, which was always the sheath in his family. It was the curse of being the midway child. He was either with James IV or Lily. This meter it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

When Albus had regained his ability to breath properly, he looked around at where they had landed. He was standing on the front lawn of what was the most exuberant mansion he had ever seen. It could n't be considered a home ; it was just too monstrous.

A long and winding pavement, framed with bushes and luminousness on either side, lead up to the front door. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

The residence seemed to get bigger as they got closer. It was painted brown with a blackness roof and reminded Albus of a castling. It was n't nearly as big as Hogwarts, of course, but it was still huge.

Harry rang the bell when they arrived at the door and it was answered by the Minister himself."Harry !"he shouted,"Come in !"

Minister Langston Hartwell was the 3rd minister since the fall of noble Voldemort. He was a tall, rotund man with very little haircloth left on his headspring. He did sport a rather large moustache, which caused Albus to think of him as a much magniloquent version of Professor Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very enlightened sensation who spoke using very big Good Book that Albus could n't really read. He was long-winded and most of his language could be condensed down into a few sentences, according to Harry, that is. He was a very courteous man, though.

"rightfield this way,"Hartwell motioned for them to follow him.

Hartwell lead them through the house, which was just as impeccable as Albus remembered, and into what could only be described as a K ballroom. It was the Sami dance hall all the parties Albus had been to were held.

The room was decorated with silver and black and was already filling up with people. Albus spotted rose and matt in the dorsum of the elbow room and left his family in the doorway to go see them.

"Some station, huh ?"Albus said once he reached them.

"This is the biggest sign of the zodiac I 've ever seen,"blush wine agreed,"I see you 're wearing your Slytherin robes."

Albus rolled his eyes."Shut it."

"What do you think, Matt ?"Rose turned to Matt,"His mum says they couple his eyes, but Henry James says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"lusterlessness said immediately.

"Then yours are Ravenclaw,"Albus pointed out, gesturing to lusterlessness 's blue robes.

"I do n't care,"matt shrugged,"So, did you just get here ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

"I 've been here for two hour already,"matte said,"We were the firstly 1 here. Dad keeps introducing me to people and they all think I 'm a first year."

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you know most of these masses ?"

"Some,"Matt said,"That 's the bloke Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very big champion,"McVicar."

"Right,"Albus said,"I 've heard of him. Dad 's always said he would never retire."

"Dad never thought he would either,"matt laughed,"Then we 've got your Uncle Harry Hotspur, I think you probably know him. Those people are a few of Dad 's confrere,"mat gestured to a few more witches and wizards,"Then there 's a bunch of people from other departments, but I do n't remember any of their names."

"Looks like it 's going to be a fun night,"Albus said sarcastically.

"Oh, it will be,"Matt grinned,"When I was really little, we went to parties like this a few times a month. You make your own fun."

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the wine and champagne. It 'll still savour exactly the Saami,"Matt grinned mischievously,"By the meter midnight rolls around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not intoxicated. It 'll be funny."

"You 've done this before ?"rosiness raised an eyebrow.

"Amy has,"Matt said,"She 's here somewhere and she 's going to do it soon."

"I have to admit, that 's really creative,"blush wine giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the intellectual nourishment. captivate the coffee to taste like vanilla, charm the serving utensils to travel every time you go to pick them up, that sort of stuff,"flatness explained.

"My parents gave us this address about how we ca n't play clowning here,"Albus said,"She was saying it mostly for James, but I think she should 've given it to you."

"My parents never say that stuff to me,"Matt laughed,"They never suspect me of anything. The bit they find out the alcoholic beverage 's been charmed out of the drinkable, they 'll find Amy."

"She is the one who 's going to do it,"rosiness pointed out.

"It was my idea, though. She was n't originally going to do it at this party,"flatness explained.

"alcoholic beverage 's gone,"Amy said quietly as she came up behind matte,"This is going to be interesting."

"What exactly happens when you use this appeal ?"rose wine asked.

"Oh, it 's big,"Amy grinned,"showtime, only a couple people notice and they make a very quiet mention to another person and then that individual agrees that there 's something awry with the potable. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will test the drinks, discover the alcohol 's been charmed away, supersede it, and then everyone will cheer. But some of them will act drunk because they think there 's alcoholic drink in the drinks."

"Are n't your parents going to be upset ?"rosiness asked.

"They might enjoin me they wish I had n't done it, but there 's not much they can do,"Amy shrugged,"That 's why I 'm doing it and not Matt."

"I could n't see your parents yelling at you anyway,"Albus laughed.

"You never know,"lustrelessness shrugged.

"I bet James I and Cedric are going to do something,"Albus said as he scanned the crowd. James and Cedric were sitting at one of the mesa, promontory close together like they were plotting something.

"I 'd be shocked if they did n't,"Rose smirked,"Aunt Ginny has no hope of stopping James."

"And I 'd bet my cobbler's last Galleon that GA and Bradley are talking about Quidditch,"Albus gestured to his other two cousins, who were standing near the buffet.

"That 's all they talk about,"Rose said,"And Lily looks bored. Five reaping hook says she 's over here in about ten transactions or so."

"I would n't bet against that,"Albus said,"And Samantha and Lindy will sneak out of the way the next fourth dimension Aunt Corrine looks away."

Albus 's aunt Corrine was talking with two witches Albus did n't know and his counterpart cousin were chasing each other around the room.

"Are any of your early cousins coming ?"Amy asked.

"Nope,"Albus shook his top dog,"None of my early aunt and uncles work for the Ministry."

"Let 's go get something to eat,"flatness said.

Albus and Rose agreed. Amy left to go talk to someone else and the three friends walked over to the buffet. There was already a small queue in front of it.

"There go Samantha and Lindy,"Rose said as they waited. The Gemini ran out one of the doors and Corrine quickly followed.

The queue moved quickly and soon Albus was in front. He grabbed a plate and piled it gamey with just about everything. There was always the best intellectual nourishment at this sort of party.

They found an empty table far enough away from King James I and Cedric. Albus did n't desire to be anywhere near them when they did whatever they were planning on doing.

"I do n't even know what half this stuff is,"Matt said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

More and more people arrived as Albus ate his dinner. He recognized a few of them, but did n't remember any name. He also noticed that nonentity was acting strangely due to Amy 's charm. They were all acting perfectly convention for adults who had had a few drinks.

Albus, Matt, and rose wine wandered around the room once they finished their food. A few grownup stopped to shout how big they 'd gotten and to enquire what yr they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't want to be associated with James and Cedric 's mischief.

"Hello, everyone !"Minister Hartwell shouted from the ambo at the front of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to watch him. Albus, pink wine, and Matt were somewhat close to the podium.

"Thank you,"he smiled,"I assume you all know why I 've thrown this party, and it 's not just to unlade the large amount of money of wine I was given for Dec 25 !"

The adults all chuckled at Hartwell 's try at a joke and then quieted down once again.

"Yes, yes, well, this political party is in honor of none other than Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the position of foreland of the Department of regulating and ascendancy of Magical Creatures. There is no one else whom I would trust with such a job ...."

Hartwell 's spoken communication soon descended into one of his usual speeches, which Albus could not translate. It was long, drawn-out, and Albus could 've sworn he saw his dad yawning at one point.

Albus clapped loudly when Hartwell finally finished and turned the podium over to McVicar.

"Thank you, Minister,"McVicar began,"That was quite an occupy manner of speaking. I, too, would wish to congratulate Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am trusted at least half of you were quite surprised to hear that I was retiring. I myself was surprised. In fact, I probably would n't have done it if it were n't for the fact that my wife has been begging me to for the past ten twelvemonth.

"However, the main reason for my lack of an earlier retirement was because there was not a single someone employed in the Ministry whom I would have trusted with this job. nobody had the capabilities to carry out this view in the way I would like. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my motto up until five days ago, that is.

"A piffling over five years ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He applied for a job in Werewolf Support serve, a lieu that had been capable for well over a year. I was prepare to hire anyone who walked through the door at that peak, but I had no melodic theme what was to come when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may jazz that Bruno Walter has experience in this field. He was the promontory of the Department of regulating and Control of Magical Creatures in Commonwealth of Australia for three years before leaving the lieu in order to move to England.

"Walter revolutionized lycanthrope Support help as soon as he started. The ideas he had were ones that even I had n't thought of. In five shortstop years, he has bettered life for those plagued with lycanthropy More than anyone else in the department have in their entire careers.

"It took only six months for me to realize that I wanted Walter to take over for me when I retired. Not only does he hold the experience and intelligence for the job, but he also has dedication that I have never seen before. I even have to acknowledge that his loyalty surpasses my own. I have never seen anyone battle as hard for wolfman rights as he has.

"The only matter left for me to do was convince myself it was time to retire,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did take in the in force voice of five years to do that. But now, I feel very surefooted as I script the reins over to Walter."

Everyone clapped as McVicar stepped away and flatness 's dad took the pulpit."That was quite the speech,"Albus muttered to Matt.

"I 'll say,"Matt agreed,"And McVicar does n't usually extolment people like that."

"Well,"Matt 's dad began,"Thanks for your vote of confidence, Rob. I certainly hope I can live up to your expectations.

"I have to start out by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no intentions of becoming the headland of the intact department again, no matter which country I was living in. Werewolf Support Services has been such a great spot to work these past few years. It truly is my passion.

"However, when Langston and Rob approached me about taking over when Rob retired, I found it unmanageable to say no. In the end, I said yes because I want to produce more of a difference.

"Of course, I could not suffer gotten to this topographic point without the avail of my wife, Julie,"he gestured to Matt 's mum, who was standing near the dais,"And my daughter, Amy, and my son, lusterlessness.

"I 'm not one for long spoken language, so I 'll just say that I look forward to starting the job and I truly Leslie Townes Hope I can be at least one-half of the head of the department Rob has been."

"I just hope none of them find out why my dad 's so commit,"Matt whispered.

"They 're too drunk to think much on it,"Rose smirked.

"They 're not really drunk,"Albus reminded her.

"They 're certainly acting like they are,"Rose pointed out.

A serious portion of the grownup were acting very drunk. In fact, if Albus had n't known about Amy 's appealingness, he would say they all really were inebriate. The weird thing was that everybody was acting drunk. There did n't seem to be anyone who was thinking there was something incorrect with the drinks.

"Let 's go ask Amy about it,"mat suggested.

Amy was standing nearby, so Albus, Matt, and Rose squeezed their way through the bunch to get to her.

"Amy,"matt whispered,"Why 's everyone acting pattern ?

"I do n't know,"she whispered back,"Let 's go aspect at the drinks."

James and Cedric were also standing near the drinking table, looking nearly as confused as Albus felt about this appealingness. That was kind of strange.

Amy grabbed a meth of wine and tried it."Well, it tastes very well, but it 's supposed to."

"You 'll make to fuddle a lot to a greater extent than that to get properly drunk,"Matt grinned.

"I 'm not doing that,"Amy rolled her eyes.

"Actually,"James I grinned mischievously,"That might get you drunk."

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some supererogatory alcohol to that wine-colored,"Epistle of James whispered.

Albus, rosiness, Matt, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not believe it. All of their japery had backfired. The wine was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so comic ?"Cedric asked.

"Amy pulled a prank, too,"Albus said.

"I put a charm on all the wine to absent the alcohol, while keeping the gustatory perception,"Amy explained,"I did it right when the party started."

"So much for that prank,"James I groaned.

"Now you wo n't get in trouble,"Albus pointed out,"Mum 's been watching you two."

"I know,"James muttered,"That 's why we ca n't do it again."

"What do you need to do now ?"Albus asked as Epistle of James, Cedric, and Amy left.

"Want to search the government minister 's mansion ?"flatness suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"Rose asked skeptically.

"I do n't see why not, I mean, this is my dad 's party,"lusterlessness pointed out,"Plus, we 'd just be walking around."

"Let 's go,"Albus said and lead them out of the ballroom.

It was very much quieter in the rest of the house. They started wandering through any rooms that had open doors.

"This place is so fucking fancy,"Albus said.

"It reminds me of my grandparents'house,"Matt said.

"Their sign is this big ?"blush wine asked.

"Nearly,"Matt replied,"They 've got a ballroom and everything."

The three friends wound up in a very large living elbow room filled with antique piece of furniture. There was an Oriental carpet on the primer and oak board and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the table were fancy vas of heyday and watch glass sculptures.

"We 'd better be careful in here,"rose said as she walked into the room,"If we break any of this hooey, our parents would remove us."

"Cinda 's got one of these,"flatness pointed to a quartz glass swan.

"Do n't touch it !"Rose hissed.

"I was n't,"mat assured her,"I broke Cinda 's once, but Mum fixed it."

"spirit at all these leger,"Albus gazed up at one of the bookcases,"gentlewoman Pince would love to get her hands on these."

"They 're all about political relation, though,"Matt pointed out,"Pretty boring."

"Mum would like them,"rose wine said

"I wonder how old this piece of furniture is,"matt said as he looked at a rather uncomfortable looking armchair.

"Probably older than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, Matt, come here,"Rose said as she looked out the window.

Albus and Matt walked over to the window and leaned over the mesa that was in front of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"spirit, there's-"

Matt leaned farther over the tabular array and knocked one of the lechatelierite sculptures off. pink wine gasped and managed to pick up it before it crashed onto the floor.

"Merlin,"Rose whispered as she set it back on the board,"Be careful."

"Sorry,"Matt replied,"What were you saying ?"

"There 's individual sneaking around out there,"rosebush said.

Albus peered out the window into the darkness. He could just barely make out a shadow lurking around the President George W. Bush. It did n't face like the somebody was walking up towards the house to go to the party. Plus, why would he picture up three hours late ?

"There 's definitely someone out there,"Matt said.

"Let 's go find out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't have a clue as to who it was, but he wanted to receive out. There was no reason for person to be sneaking around the Minister 's Mansion at this time of night.

"Albus Severus Potter, are you crashing insane ?"Rose exclaimed,"I think you are !"

"Look, I just want to go see if we can find out who it is. I 'm not saying we should go duel them. Plus, there 's a whole room wide of Ministry official in casing whoever is out there is someone bad,"Albus said.

"That 's a good point,"Matt replied,"Why would someone sneak around a theater that 's full of Ministry official, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

"I do n't bonk,"Albus said,"But I want to find out who it is."

Rose reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and mat, muttering under her breath. They found the nighest door and went out into the cold night, drawing their sceptre as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll stop dead to decease,"blush wine muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the theatre and tried to keep himself concealed in the George Herbert Walker Bush as he looked for the figure. However, he could n't see or hear anything.

"Do you hear anything ?"he whispered to Matt.

"No,"Matt replied,"It 's like they disapparated or something."

"Good,"Rose muttered,"Now let 's go back inside."

"They could 've just moved,"Albus pointed out,"Let 's keep going."

Albus continued creeping around the planetary house, with his wand out in front of him. His heart was beating fast and his hands were sweaty despite the cold. He did n't want to stop, though. Figuring out who this blighter was was exciting and boldness wracking at the same time.

"Do n't locomote !"individual shouted and all of a sudden there was a bright light in Albus 's eyes. Wand light.

pink wine screamed and grabbed hold of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own sceptre, his hand shaking.

"Who are you ?"the someone shouted.

"Wh-who are y-you ?"Albus stammered.

"He sounds associate,"Matt whispered,"Hang on. Bloody hell, that 's prof Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a second and the vocalism did sound a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the government minister 's residence ?

"Albus Potter, is that you ?"the man shouted.

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The verge lightness lowered and Albus heard the man measure through the Charles Percy Snow towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed Professor Balladanis. He breathed a sigh of stand-in as Rose let go of his arm.

"Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis said and then waved his sceptre around,"And Miss Weasley, Mr. Eckerton. Oh, I suppose this party is for your founder, Mr. Eckerton ?"

"Y-yes, sir,"lusterlessness replied.

"What are the three of you doing sneaking around outside in the dead of night ? I thought I 'd taught you undecomposed than that. You 're just asking for worry,"Balladanis said sternly.

"Told you,"Rose whispered to Albus.

"Er,"Albus began,"We saw someone lurking around out here and went to investigate. I guess that soul was you ...."

"And you 're favorable it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could have been short if that person had been a dreary mavin. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

Albus nodded and followed Balladanis through the Baron Snow of Leicester and towards the door."Sir,"Albus said,"If you do n't heed my asking, what were you doing outside ?"

"If you must know, the minister of religion asked me to turn back the grounds in order to make sure nobody was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did zip but flicker Albus 's curiosity even more. He knew better than to exhort further, though. Balladanis was not one to explain his motives.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


It was nearing midnight when Albus, Matt, and rose wine re-entered the construction, escorted by Professor Balladanis. Albus had been hoping the professor would just see them to the door and then keep on his hunting of the perimeter, but instead he went back to the ballroom with them and marched them right up to Harry.

"Potter,"Balladanis interrupted the conversation Harry had been having with some necromancer Albus did n't recognise,"I found your son, your niece, and their friend wandering around outside."

"Albus,"Harry groaned,"I thought we made it clear that you were to delay inside."

"I 'll go forth them with you,"Balldanis said,"Happy New Year."

"Happy New class,"Harry replied,"And thanks."

Balladanis disappeared into the crowd and Albus shifted uncomfortably as his dad stared at him for a few moments.

"Care to explain ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

"We were just, er, exploring,"Albus muttered.

"Do n't do it again,"Harry sighed.

"We wo n't,"Albus assured him.

Harry went back to his conversation and Albus lead his friends back to the snack bar.

"I hope you 've learned your lesson,"Rose muttered,"I am not doing that again."

"We wo n't do it again. Not tonight, that is,"Albus grinned.

"10 !"someone shouted.

Albus looked at the nearest clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their crank of bubbly in the air. Amy joined Albus, Rose, and Matt.

"3, 2, 1, Happy New year !"Albus shouted along with everyone else.

The bunch began to thin out out a little while later. Most of the mass Albus did n't know left, along with his Uncle Percy, aunty Corrine, and his cousin. Albus 's parents did n't look like they were in any haste to leave, so he got a home plate of the leftover afters and at them with his friends.

Rose 's family and Amy left, and then it was just the ceramicist, Matt, his parents, the Minister, and his wife left. All the grownup were talking, James I was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and Matt were finishing off the last of the desserts.

"Do you consider there 's any way for Hogwarts to win the Quidditch tournament ?"Matt asked as he polished off a piece of chocolate cake.

"Only if Linda 's unbalanced the day of one of the matches,"Albus sighed.

"Maybe that 'll happen,"Matt said,"You never know."

"Al, we 've got to go,"Ginny tapped him on the shoulder.

"Ok, Mum,"Albus replied and then turned back to matte,"I 'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you on the train,"Matt said.

Albus waved goodbye and then joined his mum, dad, St. James, and Lily. They all said congratulations to Matt 's dad and then left the minister 's star sign. Albus peered into the bush as he left, but there was no planetary house of professor Balladanis.

******

The residual of the Yuletide vacation went by very easy for Albus. He did all his homework, which was quite boring, and there was nothing to do after that. rosebush was visiting her former grandparents and King James was at Nathan 's theater. Even Kaden was in use visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and Petunia ). He sent Albus a varsity letter complaining about it, since the visit was also with aunt Marge. Albus was very thankful that he did n't have to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and Petunia again.

Finally the day to return to school arrived and the Potters made it to Platform 9 ¾ just in time. Albus found all his admirer in one of the compartments and once they kicked Lily, Ashtyn, and Hugo out, they told each former about their holidays.

"auntie marge has got to be the most horrible aunt in the integral world,"Kaden fumed,"My dad told her about magic a few months ago and she 's been awesome ever since. I mean, she was always kind of horrible, but now she 's worse. She just hates magic so much. She 's speculative than my grandparents."

"Wow,"Albus replied,"Glad I 've never met her."

"Consider yourself lucky,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had best holidays ?"

"We found professor Balladanis lurking around the curate 's Mansion,"Albus announced.

"What ?"John, Kaden, and Amanda shouted at the same time.

"I saw someone sneaking around alfresco and Albus insisted we go investigate,"Rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the Minister had apparently asked him to check the primer for trouble."

"Did he notice you ?"John asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"He was n't to happy either."

"Told us we could 've been killed,"lusterlessness explained.

"wellspring, we could 've,"blush wine muttered.

"Wyrd though,"whoremaster said,"Why would the diplomatic minister think individual would be hiding around his house ?"

"Does n't he have guards around anyway ?"Amanda asked,"The Muggle Minister does."

"Again, that 's why it 's weird,"John replied,"He does have guards."

"Why would he ask Balladanis anyway ?"flatness asked,"Why not ask an Auror ? Balladanis is a professor."

"He has n't always been,"Albus pointed out,"He had some sort of orphic job before."

"Again, Weird,"John said.

"Yeah, there were a bunch of Aurors at the party, not to mention Albus 's dad,"Matt pointed out.

"That settles it,"can announced,"Albus, you 've got to find out what he did before he started teaching Defense ?"

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

"Because you 've got those special dueling lessons with him. He likes you for some reasonableness. Of course, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a good duellist, too,"John explained.

"I 'll try,"Albus sighed,"But I really do n't cerebrate he 'll tell me."

"You never know,"John the Divine said.

******

"Quiet, quiet !"Balladanis shouted the pursual Tues, their first day of Defense after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to flatness and John and turned to confront Balladanis. He was really hoping that the prof would say nothing about what happened at the party and so far Balladanis was showing no recollection of it.

"I trust you all had superb holidays,"Balladanis said,"But the holidays are over and although I am for certain none of you thought a bit about defensive illusion during said vacation, it is now time to commence that thinking once again.

"starting time, I 'll say that there is no meter to not be thinking about defensive deception, as the iniquity arts do not take breaks for trivial things such as holidays.

"minute, in this terminal figure we will begin to research fauna far more dangerous than hinkypunks and kappas. In this term we shall see about those terrifying creatures such as acromantulas, basilisks, loup-garou, tartar, and vampires."

Albus could n't help but peek at Linda when Balladanis said vampires. Balladanis had glanced at her as well, and he also glanced at Matt when he said werewolves. Of line, he had looked at Albus when he said basilisks, so it did n't necessarily mean anything, but Albus had a feeling it did.

"As the headmaster would recover it highly inappropriate for a flying dragon to attest itself in this schoolroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this terminus,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few multiplication. You will find that there are more public lecture in this term, much to my dislike. There is nothing I would like better than to teach you about acromantulas and werewolves with practical lessons, but there are both laws and school day rules that prevent such lessons."

Albus and Matt glanced at each former. It was functionary. Professor Balladanis was insane. What kind of teacher would want to learn about firedrake with live Draco ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the same as Balladanis.

"Take out some parchment,"Balladanis said,"We 're going to set about learning about acromantulas today ...."

The rest of the day went by relatively quickly. Albus actually did not possess Quiditch recitation that night, so everyone went to the Marauder 's Den after dinner.

"foretelling is such a joke,"John said as he tossed his bag onto the storey and collapsed onto a sofa,"We started crystal musket ball gazing today. All I saw was a load of fog."

"I told you not to take it,"Rose said as she pulled a stack of books out of her own bag.

"I did n't remember it would be this bad,"John groaned,"There is no way anyone could see anything in a crystal ball."

"Palmistry was better,"Amanda said,"And Trelawney makes the whole thing worse."

"Trelawney could make denial bad,"Albus replied.

"Balladanis told us that he wished he could teach us about dark creatures using the anamatek,"blush wine said,"Seriously, he wanted a basilisk to appear in the middle of the classroom."

"That would be pudden-head,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a Chocolate frog,"Those can kill you with their eyes."

"I know,"rosiness said,"Balladanis is insane."

"Do you mean that anamatek could call on into a werewolf if the moon was n't full ?"Gospel According to John asked.

"Probably not,"flatness answered,"It would just be a wolf. I think it would just be a Wolf any early time of the month, too, because there 's no way it could turn individual into a werewolf by biting them."

"That 's good,"Albus said,"Because he did say that he 'd use the anamatek a few time this term. Wonder if he 'll have it turn into a vampire."

"No motivation,"Saint John laughed,"We 've got Linda."

"If you think of it that way, there 's no point to birth it reverse into a fake werewolf either,"rose wine pointed out.

"Good point, I guess,"John Lackland muttered.

******

The rest of the week went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch praxis Thursday evening, and woods informed the unhurt team that they 'd generate rusty over the holiday. He also told them that the next match was in two weeks and they 'd be playing New York. If they won, they 'd be in second property.

Albus had a dueling object lesson with Balladanis the following eve and he had absolutely no idea how he was going to ask what Balladanis 's premature job had been.

Albus arrived at Balladanis 's way before Malfoy and entered to regain Balladanis clearing all of the desks from the middle of the room.

"Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis turned around and greeted Albus,"Is it secure to assume that you did not go wandering about late at night alone after New year 's ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus muttered as he felt his face turn red. He was quite glad Malfoy was n't there yet.

"Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis said as Malfoy walked into the room,"Now we may get down. I have decided that your understanding of the Protego charm is satisfactory so we are going to move on to something else.

"This particular charm, when performed correctly, manages to disarm and disorient a someone at the same time. The sensation is often described as vertigo. Can either of you tell me what why this charm would be more useful than a standard disarming spell ?"

"Because it 's easier to duel someone who 's airheaded than mortal who is n't,"Malfoy said.

"More specifically than that,"Balladanis said,"Mr. thrower ?"

"Er, because you can get the person tied up while they 're disoriented ? If they 're a drab champion you 're trying to get,"Albus replied.

"Another good ground, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to walk slowly around the room,"Wizards who are expecting to have to duel early wizards often keep multiple wands on their mortal. There are spells that can be performed on these wand to keep them attached to your robes or your actual body, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't overcome easily. However, these turn require invariant compactness.

"If a whizz is hit with the charm I am about to learn you, they will lose the concentration essential to restrain their extra wands affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the extra wands."

"Can you teach us that appealingness to go on extra wands in our robes ?"Malfoy asked.

"Perhaps towards the end of the year. It takes immense assiduousness and magical get-up-and-go to simultaneously perform that charm while dueling somebody,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will study the charm to unarm and disorient a person at the same time.

"The incantation is 'Confundo-Expelliarmus'. A combining of Confundus and Expelliarmus. Mr. Malfoy, you will go first. When I say so, perform the charm against Mr. ceramicist. Mr. Potter, you may try and stop him using the Protego charm I taught you earlier."

Albus nodded, wishing he had been chosen to perform the new magical spell first, and faced Malfoy. He held his sceptre up and muttered 'Protego'under his breathing spell. He focused all of his density on holding the carapace up.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis muttered.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted.

Albus felt the good luck charm hit his cuticle, but it did n't break through. He gripped his wand harder and stared at Malfoy.

"Keep going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The charm hit Albus 's shield a piddling harder this time. Albus could find beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five times to break through Albus 's shield. When it happened, Albus felt his wand depart his deal and was overcome by a undulation of dizziness at the same clock time. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the premature year, only without the fever.

Albus did n't pay any attention to what Malfoy and Balladanis were doing. He felt like he was going to pass out and he had to sit down. He sat down right on the floor and was vaguely aware of Balladanis standing over him.

Then, all of a sudden, the giddiness was gone. Albus shook his head and then looked up and saw Balladanis and Malfoy standing in battlefront of him. Malfoy looked shanghai and Balladanis looked like he always did.

"You did quite well with that shell,"Balladanis said as Albus stood up,"And I think it 's safe to assume that you could n't experience held concentration for any while after Mr. Malfoy succeeded in breaking your shield."

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

"Normally the charm 's effects would give lasted longer, but I performed the counter-curse because it looked like you were ready to pass out,"Balladanis explained,"When you 're ready, you can try the charm."

"I 'm quick,"Albus said as he took his wand back from Malfoy.

Balladanis gave Malfoy a few seconds to get his shield up and then nodded at Albus to do the charm.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted. As he expected, the magic spell did not break Malfoy 's shield.

Much to Albus 's delectation, he managed to break the buckler on the twenty-five percent try. One to a lesser extent try than Malfoy had needed for Albus.

The charm hit Malfoy in the chest and his wand soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy hang over and fell to the ground, much like Albus himself had done.

Balladanis gave Albus one of his uncommon smiles and then pulled out his own wand. He waved it at Malfoy and Malfoy looked up.

"That was unearthly,"Malfoy muttered.

"It 's supposed to be,"Balladanis said,"Now get up and we 'll do it again."

Balladanis kept them at it for the secure part of an hour, past tense when Albus would give liked to quit. It was exhausting to be hit with that while time after prison term while trying to maintain up a shell appealingness. Malfoy did n't seem to be faring lots better and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to stop after a one-half 60 minutes, but Malfoy closed his mouth, obviously thinking better of it.

The practice was n't for nothing, though. Albus managed to contain Malfoy off longer and longer each time and although Malfoy was getting full at the shield charm as well, Albus broke through it a few more times.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must own been the 10th time that Nox,"I 'll see you in stratum on Tuesday."

Malfoy made a beeline for the door, but Albus turned to Balladanis instead. He might as well just get it over with. There was no good way to ask Balladanis what his previous job had been. He just had to do it.

"Er, Sir,"Albus began,"I was just wondering, what did you do before you began teaching here ?"

Balladanis gave Albus the unusual look he had ever seen. It was a mixed bag of anger, sadness, and even regret. For a moment, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should have just told John they would n't be able to incur out.

"Now is not the sentence,"Balladanis said quietly,"All in proficient meter, I will tell you."

Albus was taken aback. That was more than he had expected. He had thought Balladanis would have told him to mind his own business and get back to Gryffindor Tower before curfew. Albus was going to find out, he was just going to have to be affected role.

Albus left the room as quickly as he could in his deplete country, before Balladanis could change his mind about eventually telling Albus about his former career. The walking back to Gryffindor Tower seemed longer than usual and all Albus wanted to do was prostration into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his Quaker. All five of them looked shocked and Amanda looked like she was going to be sick. He looked around the common room and saw that most people looked traumatise and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even St. James was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

"What happened ?"Albus whispered as he followed them back to their usual table.

rose opened her mouth to speak and then closed her oculus, ineffectual to do so. Albus turned to St. John and raised his eyebrows.

"You know that gent who owns Dervish and Banges ?"Saint John the Apostle asked quietly.

Albus nodded, having seen the man on numerous occasions when he was in Hogsmeade. He was slightly old than Albus 's parents, with greying hair and a very vivid personality. He never hesitated to cook his vox populi known

"Someone killed him,"bathroom said in barely more than a whisper.

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to look at all his acquaintance in number. lustrelessness nodded ever so slightly and then put his head on his hands.

"moldiness 've just happened,"Saint John said,"They just found him. brothel keeper Rosmerta heard a disturbance and Flooed here, to get the Auror on duty. By the time they got back, his shop was a complete good deal inside and he was laying dead on the floor. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the forest, the grounds, and the school day. cipher 's allowed out of their common room and dormitories."

"We thought Balladanis would land you back here when it happened,"blush wine said.

"Nobody even came in to evidence us,"Albus replied, still in shock.

multitude were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That sorting of matter just did n't happen anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. Well, Professor Torro had been killed back before his first year and then that one enchantress from the Ministry had been killed over Christmas, but their killers had never been found and naught had happened since.

"Why would anyone kill him ?"mat wondered aloud.

"Why would anyone bolt down anyone ?"Rose replied.

The portrait hole opened and all the whispering stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was Professor Longbottom, looking worse for the wear. His robes were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the castle and the undercoat,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some sleep. The search will be long over by sunrise, so you will be free to leave the commons room then."

Albus and his admirer looked at each former after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their residence hall, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the secondly old age'dorm. Nobody said anything as he curled up on the story with one of Albus 's spare blankets. Albus got into bed and stared at the ceiling. He had been so eject earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get much quietus that night.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome subscriber and reviewers !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Lunch was very subdued the next day. to the highest degree people had slept quite deep since it was a Saturday. Every student of Hogwarts had their nose in a copy of the oracle, be it their own or a friend 's. The staff mesa looked the like, with every professor either reading the Prophet or whispering with another professor, no doubt about what they 'd record.

Albus was reading Georgia 's Prophet as she had finished with it and made a mental note to start subscribing himself. All of his friends were peering over his shoulders. Even Linda was hovering around them, a foot or so away.

HOGSMEADE SHOPKEEPER MURDERED

A disturbance in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
resident to Hogwarts to feel the Auror on
duty confidential information to the discovery of the death
of a storekeeper.

Leroy Wisander, 42, the ten-year owner of
Dervish and Banges was pronounced stagnant
on the scene by Ministry Aurors yesterday
eve. His shop had been broken into
and it showed polarity of a struggle.
Wisander was discovered in the middle of
destroyed merchandise with his wand
laying a few substructure away. Aurors confirmed
that he was killed with the killing curse.

An extensive search of Hogsmeade, the
timber, Hogwarts, and its grounds turned
up nix despite the 60 minutes Aurors spent
searching. No fingermark were found on
the scene.

Aurors will be devoting time to finding
Wisander 's killer and a possible motive.

Leroy Wisander had owned Dervish and Banges
for a minuscule over ten age, when he
purchased the shop from its old owners
who retired. However, Wisander is more
known for the scathing editorials he writes
for this very newspaper.

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very strong opinion and did not hesitate
to let others fuck his opinions. His most
recent newspaper column have explored the theme
of werewolf, vampire, and other so called
'half-breeds'rights. Aurors have declined
remark on whether they believe Wisander 's
editorial are a possible motive for his
murder. Wisander 's necrology can be found
on page five.

Albus set the paper down and his champion all resumed their prat. cypher said a word for a few minutes. Albus did n't know what to opine. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his notion. However, it did n't exactly say what his belief were. Albus had n't ever read any of his editorials, so he could n't say either.

"What sort of editorials did he drop a line ?"lustrelessness asked quietly.

"I have no mind,"Albus replied, looking at his Friend whose boldness was quite sick,"Want to go to the room ?"

"Yeah,"flatness nodded,"I 'm not really hungry."

Albus got up and was followed by all of his friends. Saint John the Apostle and Kaden each grabbed a stack of goner before leaving. Even rose wine and Amanda went with them instead of going off to study with Linda.

"Have any of you read his editorial ?"flatness asked as soon as they were in the Marauder 's Den.

Nobody had read them. Not even Rose. Matt sighed and collapsed onto one of the couch."I 've got to happen out what they were about. I do n't even know which would be expert, him being for or against werewolf right wing. If he 's for them, that means some fellow is on the liberal killing hoi polloi for wanting werewolf rights."

flatness did n't even ingest to retain for Albus to know why that worried him. matt 's dad was possibly the big advocate of lycanthrope right hand in all of Britain and everyone knew it. If someone had been killed just for writing about werewolf rightfulness, what would happen to someone who was actually passing law of nature for them ?

"That might not be why Wisander was killed,"Rose pointed out.

"Why else would someone cause killed him ?"matte asked,"He was just a shop proprietor in Hogsmeade."

"Why did someone kill Professor Torro ?"trick replied,"He was n't even writing any editorials or anything."

"To scare people,"Albus said quietly,"The Defense teacher perspective used to be cursed, back when our parents were in school."

"wellspring, I do n't think you should worry until you find out what the editorial are about,"Rose said to Matt.

"The other option is n't very much better,"matte muttered,"If he did n't publish editorial for werewolf rightfield, then he wrote them against them."

Albus thought Matt had a point, but he kept his sass shut. Any way you looked at it, this murder pointed to the fact that things were changing. Aurors had been patrolling Hogwarts for month, but Albus had quickly adjusted to that and did n't really think much about it, but maybe there was more occur outside of Hogwarts than Albus was aware of.

"Let 's go to the library,"pink wine said as she stood up,"They 'll induce old transcript of the Prophet there."

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the library. When they arrived, they were surprised to find how crowd together it was. Usually Saturday were the Day everyone put off their homework and then Sundays were spent in the library.

Once they stepped inside, Albus saw that everyone was looking through old written matter of the prophet. Nearly every table had a few newsprint on it and a few pupil poring over them. Madam Pince was bustling about, no incertitude worrying about whether the students would rip her valued newspapers.

"mightiness not be any left,"John Lackland muttered.

"This is commodity,"Albus replied,"Now it wo n't take care wary for us to be investigating."

King John was almost right. There was a very small stack of newspapers left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded table towards the backbone of the library. Albus, matte, and rose wine each took a newspaper while John the Divine, Kaden, and Amanda played tic-tac-toe on a spare bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two old age old, until he got to the newspaper column section. In the very center, in the fully grown font, was an editorial by Leroy Wisander.

therapist, brewer TO rap, NOT MINISTRY OFFICIALS

As I was locking up my shop last night,
I noticed that it was a full-of-the-moon moon. I
could not facilitate but think of the poor
masses plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

Now, I know what you all are thinking.
wolf's bane. The stuff works miracles
if taken correctly. However, it does
no good if it 's sitting in St. Mungo 's
and not being used by witches and
adept with lycanthropy.

The poppycock is expensive. I myself did
the calculations and discovered that
it would be extremely difficult for
anyone with a low income to afford it.

And what kind of jobs are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
ones. The jobs where they make hardly
enough money to pay the rent and buy
food, let alone buy a potion that
could alter their aliveness for the better.

I am absolutely shock that Healers
and potion beer maker charge for this
important potion. They must be making
a nice net profit. They can use the winnings
to lease extravagant vacation while the
poor Wiccan and wizards who buy it
struggle to afford it.

There is only so much Ministry official
can do. read/write head of Werewolf financial support service of process,
Walter Eckerton, says he would love to
give away unblock wolfsbane, but there just
is n't room for it in the budget.

What do I propose ? I propose that Healers
and potion brewers give it away for free.
They have the ability to brew it, not
the Ministry. to the highest degree Healers claim to love
helping the great unwashed, but often it is those who
need it most, such as those with lycanthropy,
are often forced to go without, all because
those with the abilities to brew it like
to make a trivial extra outlay money.

"null in this one,"Rose said as she shoved hers aside.

"This one 's got one about lamia,"flatness said as he set his paper on top of Rose's.

"Read this,"Albus handed Matt his paper,"Wisander even mentions your dad."

Matt took the paper and he and Rose began to read it. John the Evangelist, Amanda, and Kaden peered over as well. Albus sat and waited while they read.

"Let 's go back to the room,"Matt said as soon as he 'd finished reading it.

Albus nodded and they returned the newspapers and walked as fast as they could back to the predator 's Den.

"Bloody the pits, that bloke must have had so many foe !"John shouted as soon as they were back.

"I know,"Albus agreed,"And that one 's from two years ago. Imagine what he 's written recently."

"Why did he birth to mention my dad ?"Matt groaned,"He made it sound like my dad agrees with that newspaper column and he definitely doesn't."

"He was just trying to touch something up,"rosebush replied,"And appear where it got him."

"Healers are n't like that. Most of the ones I 've met would give away free Aconitum lycoctonum, but it 's more refine that that. The ingredients are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to mention how unmanageable it is. There are n't many Healers who can brew it and even about brewers ca n't brew it,"lusterlessness explained.

"That bloke did n't recognise the half of it,"John agreed,"My dad 's a healer and he 'd love to pay away complimentary potions. It just does n't make that way."

"My dad 's linked with that gent,"Matt said quietly,"And now that he 's top dog of the total department, he 'll be passing to a greater extent laws. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really effective wizard, though,"Albus pointed out to his worried friend,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are loads of Aurors milling about. And your home is more protected than any other house I 've seen, well, except the Minister 's Mansion."

"I know, but it 's still not upright,"Matt sighed.

Albus could n't debate with that. Something was going on outside of Hogwarts. Something far more important than the Quidditch tournament and the dueling tournament.

******

Albus and his friends scoured the Daily Prophet every morning the following calendar week. Every day there was an article about Wisander, the probe, or both. So far the investigation had turned up nix. The Aurors had questioned quite a few citizenry, namely those very outspoken against wolfman and vampire right wing, but the hunt had proved fruitless.

The articles about Wisander were far more interesting. It seemed that his editorial about Aconitum lycoctonum Potion was one of the tamer ones. Each day footling pieces of his various editorials were being published. In one, he stated the grounds why werewolf should n't be locked up on full moons. The reasons were quite absurd, but the Prophet had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampires should be allowed accession to human beings to bite. He suggested using captive and allowing vampire to go down on them dry. Thus helping vampires and reducing prison house price at the Lapp time.

"I reckon this bloke was off his rock 'n' roll musician,"John announced at breakfast the following Sunday. He had just finished reading an article about how Wisander spent a twelvemonth living with a vampire folk in Turkey when he was Brigham Young. They were some of the few hoi polloi actually up at an early hour, as Albus had Quidditch practice and St. John the Apostle had a morning custody with Filch for putting dungbombs in the privy in Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom the former day.

"That 's a courteous way of putting it,"Albus said as he served himself more eggs.

"What are you doing after Quidditch exercise ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"After Quidditch ?"Albus laughed,"You mean, I 'm going to get to give eventually ? Wood wo n't ready us practice for the next workweek ? I thought he was going to keep going until the actual equal on Saturday."

"He 's got to let you out for year,"King John grinned.

"What a pity,"Albus rolled his centre,"Anyway, I 'll probably get to do homework, since exercise will go until late. How about you ? Any programme for after custody ?"

"thought I might realise another detention,"John grinned,"But Kaden 's busy with Bromus secalinus cabaret this afternoon-"

"Wait,"Albus nearly choked on his juice,"Kaden joined the chess club ? Kaden ? Kaden Dursley ?"

"Know any former Kadens ?"privy laughed,"Rose said they want to teach him how to take on properly, you know, like a challenge of sorts."

"I 'll tell Rose good luck with that,"Albus said.

"Yeah, so both Kaden and rose will be meddling with that. Not that Rose would need to earn detention with me anyway. And Amanda 's doing something with Linda today, homework, I think. And I doubt matte will be up for doing anything,"John continued.

"right,"Albus said, remembering that the full lunar month was that night,"But you did the dungbombs on your own."

"But it 's not as fun,"John sighed,"I guess I 'll just cling around the den with Matt. I can have a courteous one-sided conversation."

"You can do your prep,"Albus told him.

"Nope, I 'm waiting until you get back for that,"Saint John said.

"Well, have fun in your detention. I 've got to get to practice session,"Albus said as he got up.

There were a few selection words Albus had for practice session that day. Long, grueling, and acute. Grant Wood was in his finest bod as he ordered the team to do Mandrillus leucophaeus minute after time of day. He seemed to get more and more stressed as the day wore on.

James River did a lot of one-on-one training with shimmy and Albus was more than a little envious. Teddy was a much more affected role captain than Wood was and yelled a whole lot less. Tyler freeway mostly helped Wood.

Wood let them induce a inadequate recess for lunch, making sure they knew to come back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the team talking about skipping out of the quietus of practice, but they were back on the pitch at the time Grant Wood told them to be.

The afternoon was very similar to the morning and Albus found that he could tune out Ellen Price Wood 's yelling quite easily. It was standardized to tuning out his mum 's shouting.

practice session finally ended at three, when the New York team walked onto the pitch and demanded they leave, because they had booked the auction pitch for three o'clock that day.

"Remember, practice Tuesday even !"Wood shouted as the whole squad rushed to get off the pitch.

Albus trudged back to the palace tired and shivering. He went straight to Gryffindor towboat and took a very long, hot shower and then set off to find his friend.

rosiness, Amanda, and Linda were in the common room, but the boy were n't. Albus figured they were in the marauder 's Den and set off to look for them after saying a quick hello to the girls.

bathroom and Kaden were in the heart of a heated biz of Exploding Snap when Albus walked into the Marauder 's Den a few hour later. whoremaster 's font was wide of ash, but Kaden 's was quite a clean. There was also a big smile on his side which contrasted the scowl on bathroom 's face. lusterlessness was laying on the cast facing them, like he had been watching the secret plan, but he was sound asleep.

"Albus !"Kaden shouted,"How was exercise ?"

"Grueling. Grant Wood 's ten times forged than Georgia. Five 60 minutes we were out there. Five bloody hours in the cold !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the other couch.

"punter than scrubbing Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom with a toothbrush,"trick muttered,"I do n't know what was speculative, the scrubbing or listening to Myrtle."

"All three of you are so sunny today,"Kaden said,"So many complaints."

"Can you blame us ?"Albus muttered.

"No, not really,"Kaden shrugged.

"How was chess ?"Albus asked.

"I got beaten by every single person in the Bromus secalinus club,"Kaden shook his head,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"John said as the cards blew up in his fount again,"Have you done that refutation examine ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

"I need your help,"King John said as he got up and started digging around in his bag.

Albus groaned again and fished around in his own bag for his Defense book. Balladanis wanted a groundwork long essay about basilisks, which were the current grim creature of the week.

lavatory sat down at the tabular array while Albus lay on the sofa. He just could n't bring himself to get up and do his essay. Instead, he mumbled answers to King John whenever he asked a question.

"Do you hatch the volaille egg under a batrachian or a toad ?"John asked.

"Toad,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could pull in a Rose and tell you to do your essay,"privy replied.

"Do n't even bother,"Albus said. Even pink wine would n't be able-bodied to get him off the couch.

"Quidditch seems less grueling than football,"Kaden commented,"I mean, you fly, you do n't run."

Albus lifted his caput up and glared at Kaden."Wood had us doing push-ups and running laps."

"Really ?"Kaden sounded surprise,"Why ?"

"To get us into shape after the holiday,"Albus answered,"So yes, Quidditch is a lot of work."

"Ok, ok,"Kaden muttered as he located some of his own homework.

Albus managed to get in a somewhat comfortable position on the couch and wrote his essay with his book and parchment perched on his knees. It beat sitting at the board ; at least he was able-bodied to classify of lie down.

A few hours later both Albus and can had their essays completed. Kaden was still scribbling furiously on whatever preparation he was working on.

"We should probably arouse him up,"Albus gestured to matte, who had not moved one muscle since Albus had came back from practice.

John got up and began to prod lustrelessness 's arm. It took a serious two mo for matt to open his eyes.

"It 's nearly six,"St. John told him.

"Then I should probably go,"Matt mumbled,"Oh, Albus, you 're back from practice."

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"It was really long, though."

"I 'll go with you to the hospital wing,"John Lackland said and Matt did not object. Albus assured him they 'd confab him the next day and then they left, leaving Albus and Kaden alone in the room.

John returned a little while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the piranha 's Den afterwards and John the Divine and Kaden continued working on their homework while Albus slept on the couch.

******

"Albus, get up !"

Albus mumbled something incoherently and rolled over in his bed. It felt far too ahead of time to wake up.

"Albus !"Whoever was shouting was now prodding him in the side.

Albus opened his center and saw chemise standing over his bed. A glance at the clock told him that, yes, it was far too early to inflame up. It was six in the morning. On a Saturday. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch equal against New York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a backlog player anyway.

"Albus, you 'd improve get up now. Wood 's in the plebeian room,"shift whispered.

That got Albus 's attention. His center shot back unfastened and he sat up."What ?"

"Fielding 's sick,"teddy told him,"You 're playing today."

Now Albus was all-embracing awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the other reserve Chaser, a one-seventh year Slytherin.

"She 's cat, too,"chemise explained,"The two of them are going out, so it does n't storm me."

Albus took that to mean that shift thought they were snogging and one got the former sick.

"I 'll be down in two minutes,"Albus muttered.

chemise nodded and left. Albus threw on a t-shirt and a pair of jean before running down to the vulgar room, where he found Oliver Sir Henry Joseph Wood tempo in front of the empty fire.

"Albus,"he said as soon as Albus stepped into the vernacular elbow room,"You 're playing Chaser today."

Albus nodded and sat down for what was surely to be a very long voice communication. Wood paused and then launched into an explanation of tactic, which Albus had already heard during practices that week. He could n't project out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. Sir Henry Wood could have accomplished the same thing at ten.

woodwind instrument and teddy left after Wood finished lecturing Albus and Albus considered going back to bed, but as he was encompassing awake, it would be pointless.

Part of Wood 's language had been on the weather, which was common cold and slightly snowy. Could be worse, Albus thought. At to the lowest degree there was n't a snowstorm. The consideration were very similar to those they had been practicing in all week.

Albus sat in the common room reading a Book he found laying around until his friends got up around ten.

"There you are,"Matt, who was looking significantly better than he had a few days ago, said,"What time did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"slip got me up. woodwind had to tell me I 'm playing chaser today."

"What ?"matte shouted,"That 's brilliant !"

"This is great, Albus !"John grinned,"But why ?"

"fielding 's sick and so is the former modesty chaser,"Albus explained,"I 'm just glad we 're playing New House of York and not Australia."

Albus went to the Great Hall to eat lunch with his friends, but he was n't really hungry. He did n't think he had ever been more unquiet for a Quidditch match. This was a really crucial catch, as woods had pointed out numerous times. If they won by a all-inclusive enough margin, they 'd be in indorse place.

Word had gotten around that Albus was playing in the equal and numerous people came over to the Gryffindor table to wish Albus fate.

"Al,"Harry sat down future to Albus.

"Dad,"Albus smiled. He had n't been certainly if his dad was coming to the match or not.

"I 'll be watching the whole meter. I 'm for sure you 're going to do enceinte. Just think of it as a friction match against another house. Ravenclaw, I guess, since their gown are aristocratic,"Harry grinned,"Good luck."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the residuum of the Hogwarts team a few minutes later. All his friends wished him good luck as he left the Hall.

Nobody talked much as they changed into their robes. Everyone sat down afterwards, ready for Ellen Price Wood 's pre-match speech.

However, Grant Wood seemed to be all speeched out. He merely said that they 'd trained well and to give it their all. Albus was a little shocked by the shortness of the address, but quickly got over it as he walked out onto the tar.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome people who have read and reviewed this !

Also, I wrote a new song fic ! It 's from Snape 's point of view, as I wanted to try something different. It 's on my generator page if you want to control it out !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Ten proceedings into the equal, Albus decided there were four type of Quidditch in the humanity. Casual Quidditch, like what he played with his cousins ; schoolhouse Quidditch ; professional Quidditch ; and then there was the type of Quidditch he was playing now.

It was a compounding of school Quidditch and professional Quidditch. The crowd was louder, the players more make up one's mind, and the stakes were higher than a normal school Quidditch equal.

Albus dodged one of the New York Chasers and flew up to pick up the Quaffle, which had been dropped by Waverly as he had been hit by a bludger. As soon as Albus had the Quaffle, he was flanked by the former two New York Chasers.

Albus pushed his broom to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his breast. Then he plunged down to the ground, where nobody else was flying. He was back up high two moment later when he had reached the New House of York finish posts. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the left finish post. The Keeper was too slow and the Quaffle soared through.

"thrower of Hogwarts has scored !"Todd Kate Smith shouted,"40-30 Hogwarts !"

Henry James grinned at Albus as he flew past. Albus smiled to himself and joined Waverly and Reilly, who were waiting for New York 's steward to throw the Quaffle out. That had been his number 1 goal of the match.

The Quaffle continued to exchange hands quickly as the match went on. An time of day later there was still no preindication of the stoolpigeon and both squad were neck in neck opening as far as detail went. New York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few Sir Thomas More end and he began to make relaxed a little. The match began to feel more like a schooling match and less like a professional person match, even though the stakes were still heights.

Mrs. Henry Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least fifty tip when King James caught the Snitch, or they would n't be able-bodied to sweep over New York as far as overall points went.

"New York 's searcher has seen the Snitch !"Captain John Smith announced.

Albus, who had been following one of New House of York 's chaser ( the one who had the Quaffle ), turned around and saw that their seeker was making a beeline for the top of Hogwarts'middle goal.

James noticed as well and flew straight at the wicket. He had been significantly closer than New York 's Seeker and flew away from the hoop with the struggling Snitch in his hand.

The crowd roared and William James held the Snitch heights above his top dog. Both squad flew to the land and Albus saw the pain look on forest 's face. They had n't won by decent to be in minute place overall.

"I had no choice !"James shouted to him,"She was going to get it !"

woods nodded in agreement, but he still looked disappointed. Albus chose to ignore this and helped the relief of the team to hoist St. James the Apostle onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the point in time, the Australian School of Sorcery is in initiatory place. New York and Hogwarts are currently tied for second. The next friction match will take place at the end of February !"Smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't meet up with his friends until they were back in the common room. teddy had gone to Hogsmeade and a party was currently underway in the Gryffindor common way. shimmy informed everyone that the three other home were hosting parties as well. The educatee from New York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their searcher, were sulking in a corner.

"I think that was your honorable friction match yet,"John said to Albus as they settled down at their usual table.

"I think so, too,"Albus agreed,"I sort of like I could play in the next match."

"Maybe fielding will still be sick,"privy said.

"Doubt it,"Albus replied,"plus, I 'm for sure O'delle will get first dibs on the following couple if any of the other Chasers get sick."

"At to the lowest degree you got to represent in one match,"rosiness pointed out.

"Anyway, the next couple you 'll probably be playing Commonwealth of Australia,"matte said.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"If we win that one, it 'll be a miracle. But we 're not even playing in the next one. Next catch is New York versus Australia."

The party continued until dinner time, when multitude began to allow as nobody had snuck down to the kitchens to get intellectual nourishment. Harry came in to congratulate Albus and James shortly before Albus and his friends left for dinner. He was also scheduled to patrol the school for the remainder of the weekend and wanted to let his Kyd know.

******

Life at Hogwarts returned to convention shortly after the Quidditch match. The prophesier printed fewer and fewer articles about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to forget about his death. Everyone except lustrelessness, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

However, the bookman at Hogwarts were reminded again of the unsolved murder when the side by side Hogsmeade slip arrived two days after Valentine 's Day. A portion of the scholar were too lovesick to notice the boarded up workshop of Dervish and Banges as they made their way to gentlewoman Puddifoot's.

Neither Albus, can, or matt were too preoccupied to notice the abandoned building, though. The three of them stopped to look at it for a patch despite the biting wind. rose and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

"Who owns it now ?"John the Evangelist asked as they looked at the abandon building.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"The oracle never mentioned any family."

"It 's probably still part of the investigation,"mat pointed out,"Plus, who would need a building that soul was killed in ? I do n't even want to go in it."

Albus did n't think it was a good clock time to remind Matt that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the Shrieking Shack.

"good degree,"Albus said,"But so far they have n't found anything."

"They wo n't obtain who it was,"John Lackland said quietly,"They never found out who killed Torro."

"I really hope they find who it was,"Matt replied.

"They will,"Albus said,"They 're still focused on it."

Albus, Matt, and John went to the Three broomstick a little while later because all three of them were frozen. They warmed up with Butterbeer and were just thinking about heading back to the palace when Albus heard someone whisper his name behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

Albus turned around, but no one was there. The spokesperson sounded familiar, though. Albus slowly reached his hand out and it touched something solid, but it looked like no one was there.

"Kaden,"Albus groaned,"Is that you ?"

"Yeah,"Kaden whispered back,"I stole your cloak."

Albus immediately stood up and motioned for lustrelessness and John, who were both looking confused, to follow him. He assumed Kaden would succeed as well. Albus lead them up High Street until they reached the shrieking hutch. nobody was hanging around it that day.

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do actualize how stupid this was."

"Yes,"Kaden replied as he took off the cloak.

"Bloody hellhole !"King John shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"matt asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a dependable fourth dimension, but there was a reasonableness I changed my mind and told you not to sneak in today. nearly of the teacher come to Hogsmeade for the Feb trip. My cousins told me. They want to make sure no one does anything dazed because they 're in love or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"matte asked.

"One-eyed witch statue,"Kaden replied,"Leads right into Honeyduke's."

"Kaden, do you bed how unmanageable it 's going to be to get you back unnoticed ?"

Kaden 's fount turned flannel and his sass dropped open. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met face to face with Professor Balladanis.

"Quite difficult, I 'd gestate,"Balladanis replied,"semen with me, all of you."

Albus groaned inwardly as he followed Balladanis down the street. They had gone all year without Kaden getting them into trouble, but Albus should have known practiced than to imagine they could go the whole year.

Nobody spoke until they were shut in Balladanis 's written report. Balladanis sat down in his chair and looked at Kaden.

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

"They had zip to do with it,"Kaden said quickly,"Albus was just telling me how stupid I was."

"Then it would appear that Mr. Potter and I agree on something,"Balladanis replied,"Where 'd you get that cloak ?"

"It 's Albus 's,"Kaden said quietly,"I took it. He did n't impart it to me to sneak in or anything."

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, Mr. Eckerton, and Mr. Brickston, you may retrovert to your coarse room. Mr. Dursley will fall in you after I arrange his detention."

Albus, Matt, and John could not get out of there quick enough. They walked straight back to the common room, talking about how prosperous they had been. It must experience looked like all three of them had helped Kaden swipe into Hogsmeade. goodness thing Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned XV minutes later, looking quite unhappy. He collapsed onto a hot seat and stared mutinously at the table.

"Detention every Saturday for the side by side month,"Kaden muttered,"Plus he gave me a lecture about how dangerous it was for me to sneak out and if I did it again I 'd get a bad punishment than detention. Did n't lucubrate on that, though."

"He 'd probably get you kicked out,"John commented.

"Did he say what you have to do for detention ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Kaden said,"surmisal it 'll be a surprise."

******

Kaden discovered what his detention was that dark. Balladanis decided to have him alphabetize his secret depository library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the predator 's Den rant about the amount of Word of God Balladanis had.

"He 's got more Scripture on iniquity creatures than your dad 's got,"Kaden said to Matt.

"That 's impressive,"Matt replied.

"Wish he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his detention alphabetizing those book of account. He almost did n't manage to stop and if that had been the example, Balladanis would have given him a fifth detention.

The next good moon came and went, as did the next Quidditch match. Albus was beginning to distrust that the full moons were becoming worse for Matt, although he did n't know why.

New York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch peer. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the stool pigeon a half hr in. Ellen Price Wood insisted that this was a soundly thing, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to score a good amount of finish before Linda caught the sneaker in their following match, they would have more boilersuit points than New House of York. Wood seemed to have lost any hope that Jesse James could beat Linda in quest, something James River fumed about on a near daily basis.

border district arrived and with it a three day rain tempest that left the terra firma completely flooded. Both Herbology and Care of Magical puppet had to consume place inside, which resulted in incredibly ho-hum moral. Wood continued to take for Quiditch practice and Albus returned to the castling completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

All of the teachers were piling on the homework and prof Patil had even gone so far as to mention the O.W.L.s even though they were a whole two years away. The only teacher who was n't talking about the end of term exam was Professor Balladanis.

Balladanis conducted his lessons as if end of terminus exams did not survive. He changed nothing about his moral except the dark creature they were learning about.

"We 're starting vampires next week,"Balladanis announced at the end of class on Thursday,"Please read the chapter on them by Monday."

Albus could n't help but look at Linda before he began packing up his things. He wondered if Balladanis would be teaching them sufficiency about identifying lamia for anyone to figure out that Linda was one.

"So,"trick said as he flipped through his Defense book the following evening. Albus, Matt, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden were in the marauder 's Den and John was just finishing the chapter on vampires."Look what 's after vampires.

Albus looked through his own book."werewolf,"he said quietly and then looked at Matt.

"Yeah,"mat muttered,"It was bound to happen eventually."

"I wonder if Balladanis is going to construct you go in for spear carrier help during that unit,"trick grinned,"I 'm sure you 'll need onus of extra help in identifying werewolves."

Matt rolled his eyes."He better. It 'll look untrusting if I do n't go in for supernumerary help. Speaking of extra help, we 're due to go in for it in fifteen minutes."

"We 'd better go then,"toilet said,"See you two later."

Albus managed to finish his Herbology homework while john and lusterlessness were gone. Then it was metre for him to go in for his dueling lessons.

The desks were n't pushed to the face of the classroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a stone washstand sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silvery drawing string of something out of his head and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the string were memories, Albus realized. For a present moment, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to tell him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

"Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis said quietly,"cum in."

Albus stood awkwardly next to one of the front tables while he waited for Malfoy. Balladanis stared into the pensieve and acted like Albus was n't there. When Malfoy arrived, he looked up and stared at the two male child for a few minutes before speaking.

"We 're not dueling today,"he said,"Instead, I am going to evince you something."He motioned for them to join him at his desk.

Albus glanced nervously at Malfoy. Balladanis was n't one for account, but Albus would have appreciated one right then.

"This is a pensieve,"Balladanis said,"It is used to explore computer storage. That is exactly what we 're going to do. Albus, lean forward and put your head into the pensieve. Your consistence will observe. Scorpius, you will espouse. I will come after you."

Albus 's heart rate sped up a little bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a poor fish estimation ? He did n't even know what he was getting into. But it was just a memory. Nothing could spite him in a memory, right ?

Albus took a deep breath and plunged his face into the pensieve. He had never been in one before. He landed on the intemperate grass and looked around.

It was dusk and very quiet. There was a small business firm in the distance, atop of a jolting hill. In fact, the all area was mostly rocky. Albus had landed on the one lone part of grass in the hale place. It did n't look like any seat in Britain.

He stood up as Malfoy landed next to him, followed quickly by Balladanis. Balladanis landed on his feet and they waited for Malfoy to get up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis said quietly.

Albus did so, but he still felt like he deserved an account. Where were they ? Why were they there ? Whose memory was this ? What did it receive to do with dueling ?

"excuse me, Sir,"Malfoy said,"Where are we ?"

"Greece,"Balladanis replied.

This did nothing but increase Albus 's curiosity. Why were they in Greece of all places ? But he did n't ask. It did n't seem like Balladanis was in an explaining temper, judging by his short, one tidings resolution to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the lowly house. The only noise was their step. There were n't even any owls hooting or dogs barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

The house must have been their name and address. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the broken down wooden fence surrounding it. The house reminded Albus of the Shrieking Shack, only littler. It was form of busted pour down and did n't see like a place that would be right to last in.

someone lived there, though. A sparkle was on upstairs. It remained on for a few more minute of arc and then somebody turned it off.

Balladanis made no move towards the house. Instead, he seemed focused on the wood that lay just beyond it. Albus decided the forest was as proficient a post as any to watch.

They watched the forest for a half an hr before anything happened. Then five hooded figures practically flew out of the forest. They were at the house before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His face was hardened.

All was quiet for two minute of arc. The figures entered the household, but did not plow on any Light Within. Then the screams started. Albus jumped at the audio of the first base one.

They were agonizing, prospicient screams. Albus wanted nothing more than to go in and help whoever was screaming, but he knew he could n't. It was null more than a memory. Instead, he looked again at Balladanis.

His professor 's face showed zero. nil but the same hardened look he had seen on it so many metre. Malfoy on the other deal, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The screaming was coming from two different people. There was a high-pitched one that must have been coming from a woman, and a lower one that must have been coming from a man.

Then, they stopped. First the cleaning woman, then the man. The hooded figures left the house as quickly as they had entered and returned to the forest.

Balladanis, however, made no move to go forth. Instead he stared at the house. Two minute of arc later, mortal fled from it.

They ran from the firm, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew closer, Albus could see that the person was a boy who looked no older than Albus himself. His expression was etched with a sadness Albus had never seen before. It was too dark to recite, but Albus was sure there were rent running down his face.

The boy obviously did n't find the three mass watching him. He ran right past them, up the rocky hill in the distance. It occurred to Albus after he passed that the boy looked somewhat familiar. There was something about his face that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite place it.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all of the awesome mass who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Professor Balladanis did n't say anything for a tenacious time after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the Defense schoolroom. Albus landed next to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in front of Balladanis 's desk. Balladanis landed behind his desk, facing the rampart, and did n't turn around for a few minutes.

Albus glanced nervously at his prof as he thought of motion he was just burning to ask. In fact, there was nothing about the view he had just witnessed that did n't piss Albus curious. Everything about it had been confusing.

Malfoy looked just as confused. They kept looking at each other and it was variety of strange. They were on the like English. Both of them wanted Balladanis to explain.

Balladanis finally turned around and looked at them. He put his men on his desk and leaned forward, looking both Albus and Malfoy in the eye.

It happened in a break up indorsement. Albus looked at his prof and immediately thought back to the grimace of the boy in the scene. That was why he looked comrade. The boy was Balladanis. Then, Balladanis shifted slightly and the likeness was gone. But Albus knew it. That scene had been from Balladanis 's childhood.

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

Albus and Malfoy sat down quickly at the table in strawman of Balladanis 's desk. They were sitting right next to each other and Albus did n't deal. At the minute, finding out what that scene was was more important than staying away from Malfoy.

"A few weeks ago you asked me what I did before I started teaching here, Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis began,"I have always had the aim of telling you, of telling both of you. I was merely waiting for the right instant. I feel that that second is now."

Balladanis paused and walked around to the front of his desk. He began to pace in front man of it.

"There is a reason why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my classes what I did before commandment. The understanding is that you two are incredible duelist. Both of you have skills beyond your yr that I have never seen before, and think me, I have seen great deal of exceptional dueller in my time. This may be a good clip to tell you how rare it is to have two such skilled dueller in the same class at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to look at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the start of some sort of home unity speech or something.

"I know the two of you are n't the secure of booster,"Balladanis continued,"But I must say how impressed I am that you seem to put the bad blood behind you when you step into my classroom for your lessons."

The sole understanding for that, at to the lowest degree for Albus, was because of Balladanis himself. Albus doubted he would brook Albus and Malfoy bickering with each early during lessons.

"Back to what I was going to tell apart you,"Balladanis said,"That prospect that I just showed you, in pillowcase you have not figured it out yet, took place while I was a boy of only thirteen. It was the summer before my third year at school.

"I grew up in Greece, in that very house we just saw. My parents, although they loved me deeply, were very poor and could barely yield to put solid food on the tabular array. I think they were thankful when I went away to schooltime, the only reason being that they would n't have to worry about me getting sufficiency to eat.

"I had two blissfully innocent and fun days at the Grecian School of legerdemain. I returned home during summertime full of stories about my friends and all the mischief we 'd set out into."

Albus found it difficult to imagine Balladanis getting into fuss at school or doing anything fun in general.

"Everything changed the summer before my one-third twelvemonth. It changed on the night you just witnessed. A coven of vampire entered my house that night. They attacked my parents and drank them dry. I hid in a closet, too scared to do anything. Then, once the vampire left, I fled. I ran until I could not run anymore. I wound up at the sign of one of my booster. His parents took me in, but things were obviously never the Lapp. I changed on that night."

Balladanis stopped talking and Albus sat in concluded jounce. Balladanis 's parents had been murdered by vampires ? That was one matter that had never crossed Albus 's intellect.

"I returned to school that September hardened. zero was fun anymore. Nothing was funny. It was then that I decided to devote my animation to ridding the creation of such immorality. Vampires, gloomy wizards, wolfman, anyone and anything that murders viciously."

Albus could n't serve but glare at Balladanis when he mentioned werewolves. Balladanis seemed to mark this and gave Albus the slightest of smiles.

"However, I did recognize that not all vampire, werewolves, goliath, and former beings are inherently evil. Not all of them want to kill. It was for this intellect that I did not wish to be employed by the Hellenic Ministry. The Greek Ministry prefers to deal with magical creatures as a whole and not distinguish between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very orotund population of vampires.

"Thus, becoming an Auror was out of the question. Instead, I chose to enter a more closelipped professing. One that you will not find pamphlets on when you get career advice from your heads of house. One that no one except me is going to propose to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

Albus 's heart sped up at this. Balladanis was going to give them career advice ? They were only xiii. But at the same time, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a good enough dueler for this vocation, whatever it was.

"I am a Presuler,"Balladanis said,"I am trusted neither of you have heard of one. A Presuler is somewhat like an Auror, in that we seek out dark superstar and sinister magic. However, we not only seek out dark wizards and glum magic, we seek out dark and dangerous creatures as well.

"The bragging difference is that Presulers are not employed by the Ministry. There are very few Presulers in the world and we are often sought out by respective Ministries and hired on an as-needed basis. We travel from country to nation, whenever we are needed. It is quite secretive. I suppose Presulers are a combination of Aurors and private investigators."

Balladanis was right in that Albus had never heard of a Presuler before. The idea intrigued him, though. A secretive kind of Auror who did not work for the Ministry.

"I never caught the lamia who killed my parents. I have met one vampire who knew them, but she is not like them. I am still searching for them, however."

Balladanis stopped pacing and leaned up against the front of his desk. He looked at Albus and Malfoy, but did not say anything else.

"Why are you teaching here, then ?"Malfoy asked.

"That is one matter that is between myself and prof Kendrick,"Balladanis replied.

"Are you coming back following year ?"Malfoy asked.

"As of rightfield now, I have no idea,"Balladanis answered,"It is getting late. I 've kept you here much longer than normal. If you think of anymore question, do not waver to see me. I 'll walk you back to your usual rooms."

Albus walked alongside Balladanis in silence on his way back to the Gryffindor tower. His idea was racing with what he just learned. He did n't have intercourse what to make up of it. It was just so much information at once.

The common way was nearly empty when Albus climbed through the portraiture pickle. It must have been really belatedly, since it was Friday night. Albus really did n't make out what time it was.

"There you are !"Rose shouted,"Falco columbarius, you 've been gone for hours !"

"What did he ingest you doing ?"flatness asked.

"I 'll severalise you tomorrow,"Albus muttered, realizing that all he wanted to do was lay in his bed and think about what Balladanis had just said.

Albus was vaguely aware of his Quaker sighs of dashing hopes as he went up to his dorm room, but he did n't feel like talking about it right then. He was tired and his mind was racing at the same clip.

Albus tossed and turned the integral nighttime. He alternated thinking about what he had seen in the pensieve and about becoming a Presuler himself. Then he wound up thinking about Linda and what Balladanis opinion of her. He had said he did n't declare a score against lamia that did n't kill hoi polloi, but who knew what he really thought.

Was Linda the vampire he had met who knew the vampires who killed his parents ? It was possible since vampire never aged. Or maybe she was a completely different lamia. Albus wondered how many vampires Balladanis knew.

Eventually Albus fell into a restless sleep, but his dreaming were plagued by what he had seen in the pensieve.

******

"merlin, Albus, get up !"

Albus rolled over in his bed and put his pillow over his brain. After waking up drenched in stew at four in the morning after a nightmare in which his whole crime syndicate had been killed by vampires, he had finally drifted off into a somewhat decent eternal sleep. One that he wished he was still in.

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

"He 's like you are after wide moons."

"Shut it. Seriously, Albus, get up."

"Yeah, we want to know what happened last night."

mortal pulled the mantle undefended and took the pillow off Albus 's promontory. He looked up and saw John and Matt.

"Did you lose to Malfoy or something ?"John asked,"Because that would make me need to hole out up in bed for the day."

"No, it 's not that,"Albus muttered,"I 'll differentiate you, but I 'm only explaining it once, so one of you adept find pink wine, Amanda, and Kaden. And I 'll recite you in the piranha 's Den because there is no way Linda can be around to hear this."

The girls and Kaden met them in the predator 's Den after Albus, John, and Matt had tiffin. John kept pestering Albus all through dejeuner, wanting to know why Linda could n't get a line about it, but Albus said nothing. He was n't even surely if he was allowed to severalize his friends about this, but Balladanis had n't really forbidden him.

"Albus, what in the name of Merlin happened concluding night ?"Rose asked as soon as they were all in the Marauder 's Den.

"Balladanis told us what he did before he started teaching at Hogwarts,"Albus said quietly.

"And you neglected to tell us until now ?"John gaped,"I 've been wanting to know for the integral yr !"

"I know, Gospel According to John,"Albus snapped,"But it 's not anything what you 'd think."

"Sorry,"John the Evangelist muttered.

"Balladanis took us into a pensieve last Night,"Albus began.

"Really ?"rose wine looked impressed,"What was that like ?"

"Not that big, to be honest,"Albus said,"Probably would have been adept if it was a safe memory board.

"Anyway, he took us without any account of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down house in Greece. Kind of looked like a smaller more decrepit version of the screaming Shack."

"In Hellenic Republic ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the house for what seemed similar minute and then these figures broke into it and we heard this awful screaming. Then the figures left. Then this feller who was about our age came running out with this atrocious affright look on his case. Then we left."

"What does that have anything to do with what Balladanis does for a living ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Everything,"Albus sighed,"That had been his house. The screeching were his parents. The boy was him. He told us this after. His parents were killed by a coven of vampires."

Nobody said anything for a foresighted clock time. Albus looked at his admirer and they all wore equal looks of shock.

"And you watched it ?"Matt asked.

"From a space,"Albus replied.

"Merlin, no wonder Balladanis is so blooming insane,"whoremaster let out a low whistle.

"He decided to devote his lifespan to ridding the world of evil, whether it be vampires, dark wizard, or other darkness wight,"Albus continued.

"So he 's an Auror ?"rosiness asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"He 's a Presuler."

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's like an Auror, only they go after dark puppet, too. And they are n't employed by the Ministry. They 're hired by Ministries all around the earth. They 're investigators as well. Apparently it 's all very secretive,"Albus explained.

"Wow,"St. John said,"I thought he was an Auror or something."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed,"Instead he just hunts down vampires. And, werewolves."

"Only ones that kill citizenry,"Albus assured his lycanthropic friend.

"All werewolves have the capability of killing people, Albus,"matt said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

"Whatever his horizon on vampire and werewolves truly is, it 's going to be worry to see how he teaches us about them,"rosiness mused.

"Guess this is why you did n't desire Linda to pick up about this,"John the Evangelist said.

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Apparently he still has n't found the lamia who killed his parents, but he knows a vampire who knows them. That lamia does n't kill people. I wonder if it 's Linda."

"Who knows ?"blush wine shrugged,"I doubt we 'll ever get hold out."

"Oh, I 've got to say you what he said after he told us all of this,"Albus took a deep breath,"He thinks Malfoy and I should become Presulers."

"Seriously ?"Matt asked.

"Yeah, because we 're unspoilt dueler,"Albus explained,"But I do n't know."

"You do n't have to cognise. You 're only long dozen. And Albus, do n't decide anything until you 've read about this. Do n't just go on what Balladanis is saying. I think we 've finally discovered why he 's so passionate about fighting the nighttime Arts, but it might cloud his perspicacity sometimes,"Rose warned.

"I know, that 's what I do n't get,"Albus said,"Why is he telling us this now ?"

"Maybe because he does n't design on staying,"lustrelessness replied,"Why would he stop searching for the vampires who killed his parents to teach here anyway ?"

"Malfoy asked,"Albus told him,"But he would n't enjoin us. He said it 's between him and Kendrick."

"Because that 's not mistrustful or anything,"John rolled his eyes,"There 's still something funny about Balladanis."

"What are you going to do, Albus ?"lustrelessness asked.

"I 'm not deciding anything now,"Albus replied,"I 'm just not going to call up about it."

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be well-situated said than done, especially since Defense class was soon devoted to learning about vampire. Balladanis seemed to teach that picky whole with a great deal more enthusiasm than usual, a feat that nobody thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than common, but nigh just attributed it to the fact that he was flaming insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about vampire was scarf out Albus already knew due to what matt had told them earlier in the school year. It was still fairly interesting, though. Albus found that the more dangerous the animate being they were learning about, the more interesting it was. Not to cite the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every student was grateful for.

However, partway through their second week devoted to vampires, the anamatek 's trunk reappeared in the Defense schoolroom. There was an audible groan from every scholar who stepped into the room.

"If that thing turns into a vampire, I think I 'm going to get up and lead,"Saint John the Apostle seethed as they took their seats.

"Maybe we 're moving onto another creature,"Albus suggested even though he knew the chances were slim to none.

"That would n't be any skillful. We 're doing loup-garou next,"Gospel According to John reminded him,"And mat said that affair could n't change state into an factual werewolf. Speaking of Matt, he 's lucky he 's missing this."

"I think he 'd say otherwise,"Albus replied. The full moonlight had been the former Night.

"serenity,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our vampire lesson today. Today I wish to show you what a vampire looks like, which is why I have brought back the anamatek. However, you will not be fighting it. None of you have the skills necessary to campaign a vampire."

"He 's mental,"John muttered.

Balladanis drew his verge and pointed it at the bole. It snapped exposed and out stepped a very pale man with chiseled feature article. He did n't act, but merely stared out at all the students.

"lamia are the perfect predator,"Balladanis announced,"They 're incredibly fast,"he pointed his wand at the lamia and it disappeared.

It reappeared in the dorsum of the classroom, but it had not Apparated. The vampire had moved so fast that Albus had missed it in the wink of an eye.

"They 're quick,"Balladanis continued,"They 're good looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are dead. The option is not great, either. From the moment their dentition develop your skin, you begin to transform into a vampire as well. You will become one if they do not suck you dry. There is no way to intercept it, no potion to weaken it.

"Vampires James Henry Leigh Hunt at nighttime when their vision is still first-class, but when human visual modality is compromised. However, that is not the only grounds. Does anyone make love the other ?"

rose raised her hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, Miss Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"lamia are in burden allergic to the sun,"Rose explained,"When the sun hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them head ache and makes them feel sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rarified smile,"There is no potion to counteract the effects of the sun on vampires. Therefore they tend to dwell areas that see lupus erythematosus sun and areas of dense afforest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United States, piece of Canada, and parts of Soviet Russia. However there is also a important vampire population in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his scepter at the vampire again and it retreated back into the trunk. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. The lesson continued until the chime rang. Balladanis made no mention of moving onto the next unit, nor had he assigned the common end of the whole essay.

Albus and his champion went to visit Matt late that Night after Albus got out of Quidditch drill. They only had a half minute or so until curfew, but they had n't visited at all yet.

"You missed an excellent vindication moral today,"John said once gentlewoman Pomfrey had gone back into her report after leaving to see who had entered her ward.

"Was it any unlike from the usual I ?"Matt asked tiredly. He looked ready to come down asleep at any moment.

"Balladanis brought back the anamatek,"Albus told him.

"He what ?"Matt shouted, although since his voice was hoarse it was n't very flashy,"We 're still doing vampires, are n't we ?"

"Yeah, he had it turn into a vampire,"John said,"We did n't take in to struggle it. He just used it to evince how debauched lamia were and what they looked like."

"That is weird,"Matt replied,"He assign the vampire essay yet ?"

"Nope,"St. John the Apostle shook his foreland,"I think we 're in for a few more than days of vampires."

"Well, the longer we spend on vampires, the More clip we have before we start lycanthrope,"Matt said quietly,"I really hope he does n't drop as a good deal time on them as he has on vampires."

"I do n't recollect he will,"Albus said,"His parents were n't killed by werewolves."

"Thank Merlin for that,"mat yawned.

"You 're tired,"Rose said,"We should leave."

"We 'll be back tomorrow after lunch,"Albus told him,"Good night."

"'Night,"flatness said.

They left the cellblock just as Madam Pomfrey was coming out of her study, presumably to secernate them to leave and give Matt more potions. Albus and his supporter headed straight for the common room, where they got started on all the prep that had been piled on them that day.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's full cousin had begun to take up bets on how tenacious Balladanis was going to spend teaching the 3rd age about vampires. Fred was sure as shooting he 'd spend the remainder of full term, but Bradley was convinced he 'd move onto the next unit partway through April. None of the third years were actually participating in these bet because they were all afraid Balladanis would find oneself out.

The lamia unit was still well underway when the succeeding Quidditch equal came along. This one was the second Hogwarts versus Aussie School of Sorcery match, which meant Wood was in his blossom when it came to drill. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing rooms since he spent more of his time on the Quidditch auction pitch than in the Gryffindor unwashed room.

Albus awoke the day of the match to John 's tatty swearing instead of teddy bear, which told him that he did not bear to play during that match. He could n't assist but find slightly disappoint. Figuring there was no point in going back to sleep, he got up and asked John what happened.

"Tripped over Matt 's bloody caldron,"John muttered, holding onto his right foot,"Why ca n't he just put that stupid thing away ?"

"Like you always do ?"Albus smirked and gestured to Gospel According to John 's own cauldron, which was sitting only a few foundation away from Matt's.

St. John muttered something identical and shoved his cauldron under his bed. He went into the bathroom while Albus woke flatness up. The three of them met Kaden in the vernacular room a little while later and then went down to the Great hallway to get something to eat.

A few hours later the son were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the match to set about. pink wine and Amanda were with them.

"Wonder how foresighted it 'll get hold of Linda to find the stoolpigeon this sentence,"Albus mused.

"I 'm betting on ten transactions,"King John said,"Hey, remember that time we eavesdropped on Killigan ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Was n't Linda supposed to start flying slower after that ?"

"That 's what I thought,"St. John shrugged,"But she did n't during the last match."

"She probably wo n't this time, either,"matte put in,"I mean, think about it, if James could fly that fast, would he really slow down down to a normal f number ?"

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

flatness 's prediction proved correct. Linda did not slow up down in the slightest. She flew at her usual abnormally fast speed, beating James to the Snitch by a few yard. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Australia at that power point and only wound up losing by forty points.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New York as far as Quidditch gunpoint went. Australia was still in the lead, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tournament. As of the most Recent tournament, Hogwarts was winning. Australia was in last place and New York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty sure that if the Quidditch and dueling tournament point were added up, Hogwarts and Commonwealth of Australia would be neck in neck. Whatever the resultant of the remaining qualifying tournament and compeer, the finals for both were going to determine the winner of the competition. The decimal point were just too close.

Although there was obviously no solemnisation in the Gryffindor commons room after the match, nobody was particularly cast down either. Albus figured this was because nobody had really expected Hogwarts to win anyway.

******

Two weeks into Apr, Omar Nelson Bradley along with quite a few other quondam Gryffindors, were able to immediate payment in on their bets about Balladanis. Fred and a few others grumbled loudly about it as they handed over Galleons to the winners.

Balladanis had assigned the long awaited essay on vampires on Thursday, officially making the vampire unit the farseeing unit they had done. They had spent an full month and a half on it. The essay seemed to match this length, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a half feet.

Albus, flatness, and John saved their essays for the live on possible minute, settling down to work on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly severe essay because Balladanis had given them so much information on the study. It was just a very long essay to write. Rose and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't assist but be slightly jealous of them because doing the essay with an actual vampire would induce it the easy essay ever.

"Bet Linda 's gladiola this whole 's over,"Albus said as they worked on their essays in the vulture 's Den Monday evening.

"She is,"rose answered,"She hated every minute of those lessons. Ca n't say I blame her."

"How long is your essay, Rose ?"John asked as he measured his own essay.

"triplet feet,"Rose answered.

John groaned."Do you intend Balladanis will note if mine 's three inches short ?"

"Yes,"Rose said,"If there 's any essay he 'll be extremely picky about, it 'll be this one."

"Maybe if we do n't fetch up it we can just skip over class tomorrow,"lustrelessness muttered,"After all, I would n't desire to show up in class without the essay done."

"But it 'll be spoiled when you finally do go to class,"Rose pointed out.

"I still do n't particularly desire to go to class tomorrow,"Matt said,"Whether I 've finished the essay or not."

"You 're going to land up it,"Rose told him,"You 've got two inches left."

"Finished,"Albus announced.

"Excellent,"privy said as he grabbed Albus 's essay,"I 'll re-create moment of yours."

"You know,"Albus said quietly,"Nobody found out about Linda being a lamia even after we 've spent a month and a half on them. I do n't suppose anyone 's going to find out you 're a werewolf just because we 're learning about them."

"I know, I 've just got a bad feeling about it,"lustrelessness sighed.

"aspect on the bright side,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the wolfman essay, you 're sure as shooting to get a 100."

"I do n't really care about the essay,"matt said flatly.

Both matte and bathroom managed to finish their essays before curfew and they returned to Gryffindor tower, and they soon went to bed. Albus did n't cogitate Matt slept much, though. He heard him tossing and turning all night.

Albus, Matt, and whoremaster got a later jump since whoremonger had misplaced his vampire essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was sure how it go there ), the three boy rushed down to the Great manor hall to grab piece of music of pledge before running to Defense.

They walked into the elbow room right on prison term and barely had a chance to beguile their breath before Balladanis asked for everyone to hand in their lamia essays. Albus passed his essay up and pulled out parchment and a quill.

"Well, our unit on vampire is over,"Balladanis said once everyone had handed in their essays,"I trust you have all read the chapter on werewolves for today ? If you had for some reason decided not to do that, I highly suggest doing it tonight."

Balladanis began his usual pacing in front of the classroom. He stopped in front of Rose and Linda 's table and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would begin with werewolf history,"he announced,"Nobody is sure when the first werewolf came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding civilization. Not only that, but even ancient Muggle cultures have lycanthropy in their histories.

"century of years ago, before the Muggle field of psychology came about and yearn before Muggles had any intellect of the man nous, they tried to make sentience of multitude whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to assign the insanity to the moon. Over the years, the myth of werewolves came about. Thus, werewolves have had a substantial role in Muggle stories. In world, the people Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from schizophrenic psychosis or bouts of insanity."

Albus frantically tried to write everything down. He knew absolutely nothing about the Muggle view of lycanthropy. He glanced at Matt and saw that he was n't writing anything down, but his hired man was shaking.

"Muggles of track know nothing about real werewolves,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created werewolves have footling in green with the real thing.

"wolfman are plagued with the illness lycanthropy. Does anyone know what that means ?"

Rose was the only one who raised her manus. Balladanis nodded to her."It comes from the Greek password 'lykos'and 'anthropos',"rosiness explained,"Lykos means wolf and anthropos means man."

"Very good,"Balladanis replied,"Lycanthropy refers to the disease and those who have it are called lycanthropes.

"lycanthrope have been shunned by wizarding social club for as long as history has told us about them. In late years, there has been lots speculation about whether this is necessary or even a good estimate. However, it is hard to transfer the minds of the majority when we have been taught to fend off loup-garou and eschew them from wizarding society for so long.

"It has not been for no reason that this general prejudice has came about. When in wildcat form, werewolves can not command their actions and thus attack helpless people. This has long been construed as loup-garou wanting to attack people, wanting to infect them with the horrible disease.

"This can not be farther from the instance when it comes to most wolfman. Most do not wish to attack others. Within the past hundred years, loup-garou have begun locking themselves up on the full-of-the-moon moon in society to annul attacking others. However, there is one significant drawback to this for the werewolf. Does anyone have sex this ?"Balladanis 's eyes rested on lusterlessness, but he continued staring down at his discharge parchment.

Rose and Linda raised their hand. This time Balladanis called on Linda."When lycanthrope do n't feature anybody to attack, they attack themselves,"Linda said,"They do n't birth a choice and they often wind up really injured because of it."

Balladanis took Linda 's thought further, but Albus did n't hear what he said because Matt had knocked over Albus 's ink. He looked incredibly neural and Albus was happy that the class was almost over. He quickly cleaned up the ink and tried to pay attention to the rest of the lecture.

"We 'll piece up following class with what happens before, during, and after full moons for a person with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the Vanessa Bell rang,"If you have not register the werewolf chapter, please do so for future time. Mr. Eckerton, if you could delight add up see me."

Matt looked, if it was potential, even more anxious at this prospect. The rest of the class left and Albus tried to put away his things as slowly as possible, but Balladanis shooed him, along with bathroom, out of the room.

Malfoy was standing outside the classroom when Albus and John left. He had a slight smirk on his face.

"Interesting example, ceramist,"Malfoy said quietly,"Very concern indeed."

"What do you need, Malfoy ?"Albus asked, knowing perfectly well what he wanted.

"Oh, nothing. Just a very crystallise lesson. I 've learned so practically,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"merlin,"lav muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll know after next deterrent example. He 's onto it, that 's for certainly,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"John replied,"That 's a nice way of putting it. The whole school 's going to know in two days, after the succeeding class."

"What are we going to do ?"Albus groaned,"If we tell him what Malfoy said, he 's going to be too scared to do anything. I mean, did you see him during this object lesson ?"

"Yeah,"Saint John the Apostle nodded,"We ca n't secern him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether lustrelessness knows about it or not."

"I agree,"Albus nodded,"We wo n't tell."

"What are you two talking about ?"Matt appeared behind them, looking no comfortably than he had before.

"Nothing,"whoremonger said,"What did Balladanis want ?"

"Told me I did n't receive to go to the extra avail during this unit of measurement unless I wanted to,"lusterlessness told them.

"What are you going to do ?"bathroom asked.

"I do n't have sex,"Matt said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll look untrusting if I do n't, but I really ca n't involve many more deterrent example like that. Falco columbarius, Th 's lesson is going to be awful."

Albus saw no compass point in denying that. Matt did n't have a clue as to how awful it would be. They said zilch more about it the all way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so glad about having ridiculously long Quidditch practice as he was Tuesday and Wed evenings. He was perfectly well-chosen to spend all his free time on the Quidditch pitch and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so unmanageable for him to restrain what Malfoy said away from Matt. He wanted nothing more than to warn his supporter about it, even though he knew that would accomplish nothing. All it would do was make Matt worry even more and then act even more queasy during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's mind off of what would happen after Malfoy 's suspiciousness were confirmed. It would n't be anything like when Albus found out or even when Kaden found out. No, Malfoy was going to use this to his advantage. Albus was nearly one hundred percent for certain Malfoy would annunciate it to all of Slytherin. Then, watchword would spread and the entire school would chance out. Merlin only knew what would happen when students'parents found out.

Albus knew that werewolf rights had come a farsighted way since Teddy 's dad was in school, but he also knew that most people would not be felicitous if their minor were going to school with a werewolf, especially one that did not take wolfsbane. Not to note the field day the military press would own with it. lustrelessness 's dad had just become Head of the section for the Regulation and mastery of Magical creature for pigeon hawk 's sake. It would be a repeat of what had happened when Matt and his family had lived in Australia.

Not to mention what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a slim chance that Malfoy found out about the passage under the Whomping willow. He had nearly had a affright onset. What would occur if Malfoy found out he was a wolfman ?

It did not help that the full moon was that Fri. Matt barely spoke during the legal brief times that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch. He sat in the Marauder 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into quad or slept.

Yes, Natalie Wood 's long Quidditch practice took Albus 's mind off of all of that, but they did not cease Th from arriving and Oklahoman than Albus would have liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and John exchanged neural glance as Malfoy walked in with a very smug aspect on his face. Albus was so focused on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's bole was back in strawman of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked John in the side.

"What ?"John seethed. Albus gestured to the trunk."pigeon hawk 's beard,"John exclaimed,"I do n't even desire to know what he 's going to do with that."

"Quiet down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll continue our lycanthrope word today by talking about what happens to a wolfman when the moon waxes.

"Werewolves, in a similar way to vampires, are somewhat allergic to the moonlight when the moonlight waxes. For the few dark before the genuine full moon, when exposed to moonlight lycanthropes will finger ill. The moonlight gives them headaches and when exposed long enough, causes them to misplace consciousness."

Albus did n't discommode writing any of this down, as he knew first hand what happened when a werewolf was exposed to too much moonshine shortly before the full moonshine. Instead he stole quick glance at Malfoy and Matt. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing quick glance at Matt himself. Matt was staring down at his parchment and Albus was sure as shooting he was trying to ignore everything Balladanis said. He was sick and ill, but Albus was n't sure if that was because of the object lesson or because the full moon was the next day.

"lycanthrope are often too ill to go about their daily natural process the day of the full moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the real translation, I wish to establish you what a individual with lycanthropy flavor like the day of the to the full moon."

For a brief second, Albus thought Balladanis was going to forebode flatness to the front of the way, but then realized that as a professor, Balladanis must make promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the trunk and a small man stepped out of it. His lividness looked exactly like lustrelessness 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces calibre scars and had a sickly looking at to them.

Balladanis began to speak about what the anamatek looked like, but Albus paid no attention. Instead he looked to Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the anamatek for a minute or so with shock and then he glanced at Matt. Finally, he met Albus 's gaze and Albus saw the bighearted smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's face. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The remainder of the lesson passed by in a sort of fog for Albus. He and John had exchanged glance and the look on privy 's face told him he had noticed Malfoy 's realization as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's lecture, but he did n't treat it.

The lesson seemed to drag in on and speed by at the like time. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the same metre he did not want to know what was going to befall after.

"Next lesson will focus on Aconitum lycoctonum Potion and the burden it has had on werewolf right hand,"Balladanis announced at the end of the example,"Class dismissed."

Albus and Saint John the Apostle looked at each other. Albus did n't cognise what to do. Should he face Malfoy ? Or should he tell matte what happened ? matte seemed unmindful to the whole thing.

They silently decided just to leave the classroom and determine what to do after. Rose and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no estimation what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the elbow room and Albus was not certain if this was a beneficial or a bad matter. He had the sudden itch just to hex Malfoy aright then and there.

"Another enlightening lesson,"Malfoy smirked,"Oh, Eckerton, feeling a bit ill ?"

"None of your business,"Matt muttered. Albus and John Lackland both stepped a bit closer to him and Albus clenched his hand around his wand.

"Bet you 'll be feeling even forged tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that time of the calendar month, is n't it ? Tomorrow night ?"

That got lusterlessness 's attention. His principal snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to John Lackland with the most panic-stricken look on his face Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun entire moon, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just loud enough for Matt, Albus and John to hear.

Matt did n't say anything. He shook his head and then ran. He pushed through the gang, much to the dislike of the scholarly person who were trying to get to class, and disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Albus suddenly felt more hatred for Malfoy than ever. Not only had he worked out Matt 's orphic, but he had used it to scare away him. In essence, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the mop up things he could bear done.

Ignoring all the other scholarly person who were going to class, Albus pulled out his wand and had it against Malfoy 's breast in two seconds.

"If you tell anyone,"Albus growled,"I will personally make trusted you 're so indistinguishable that even your own parents wo n't recognize you."

"Is that a menace, Potter ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to spell it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to find out just how practically better I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the Saame time.

"Expelliarmus !"John shouted.

The crowd moved away so that there was a rophy of onlooker surrounding the affaire d'honneur. Albus ignored them. It was just him, King John, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected John 's disarmament spell and shot another magical spell at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's cuticle and hit a nearby portrait. The portrait 's occupant shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbour 's frame.

Albus concentrated on his shield charm and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling example, Albus watched as his carapace held up while the hex jibe at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a tickle jinx at John.

This one hit John and he collapsed onto the floor in a fit of giggles. Albus shot another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his face. Malfoy 's nose started bleeding and he rounded on Albus.

"What is going on out here ?"Balladanis shouted.

Albus did n't lower his baton and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't fire off anymore hexes either. Albus let his shield down and noticed that the crowd had dispersed. John was still rolling around on the ground.

Balladanis pointed his wand at whoremaster and bathroom immediately stopped giggling and stood up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three boys followed Balladanis into his study. Albus looked nervously at John. Of all the professor to catch them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of grade, the one good matter about this was that Malfoy could n't announce Matt 's lycanthropy to the entire school while Balladanis was lecturing them.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the amazing people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and trick sat as far away as possible from Malfoy in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis just stared at them before speaking.

"I can not begin to severalise you how defeated I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. ceramicist and Mr. Malfoy. I am sure enough I taught you serious than this. The two of you especially should know how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling acquisition and what sort of responsibility lies with them. I have half a judgment to discontinue our grooming seance. However, I am willing to hear all slope of this story before laying out any kind of punishment. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to class and thrower pulled out his wand and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to fight down myself,"Malfoy said.

Albus had to try hard not to huff. He and John looked at each former and John rolled his eyes.

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, if you please."

Albus took a deeply breathing space. He was going to tell the write up. The completely news report."Malfoy was threatening flatness, sir,"Albus began.

"Mr. Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked,"I did not see him anywhere."

"He left after Malfoy threatened him,"Albus continued,"You see, Malfoy has figured something out about mat, after listening to your lecture on werewolves."

Balladanis 's eyes widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that true, Mr. Malfoy ?"

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the right to be intimate if I 'm in school with a werewolf."

Malfoy said 'werewolf'with disgust and it made Albus want to hex him once more.

"Mr. Eckerton has the right to keep his medical issues to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His wellness is none of your business whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After matte left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go tell the whole shoal about lusterlessness 's lycanthropy,"Albus explained,"And I guess we just wound up dueling."

"Just wound up dueling ?"Malfoy scoffed,"You had your sceptre on me."

"You sent the kickoff hex,"Albus muttered.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Brickston ?"Balladanis asked.

"No,"bathroom replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

"Very well,"Balladanis replied,"I see this affair goes much further than a duel. All three of you will receive four nights'custody starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten breaker point from your respective houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the headmaster. There are things more important to discuss than detentions,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew full well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and King John said nothing as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's subject field. Malfoy walked a few feet behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's written report since his offset twelvemonth, when he went to peach to Dumbledore 's portrait. The place had n't changed in the svelte. Everything seemed to be in the exact same place. Both Dumbledore and Snape were arouse and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, John, and Malfoy stood near the door while Balladanis strode forward.

"We have a trouble,"Balladanis said,"These three have been dueling."

"I trust you to hand out detentions, Tethys,"Kendrick replied,"I am busy at the moment."

"It 's not the dueling,"Balladanis said,"It 's what they were dueling about."

"And what would that be ?"Kendrick asked.

"Mr. Malfoy has discovered that mat Eckerton is a werewolf,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. Potter and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his quill and looked up."I 'll take this from here. I believe you have a lesson to teach."

"I believe I do,"Balladanis replied and left the room.

Kendrick conjured a few president and gestured for the three boys to unite him at his desk. Albus sat down in the middle chair and waited for Kendrick to begin. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying rapt attention.

"wellspring, well,"Snape said,"Deja vu."

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. potter, perhaps you can assure me if anyone else knows about flatness 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"Rose Weasley, Amanda tagger, and Kaden Dursley."

"I knew that Dursley kid knew something,"Malfoy muttered.

"Not now, Mr. Malfoy,"Kendrick said,"I 'll need to address with them, as well as Matt. I imagine they 're all in class."

"Sir,"Albus interrupted,"I do n't think Matt 's in class."

"You may be right,"Kendrick sighed,"Do you have any idea where he might be ?"

"Yes,"Albus answered.

"Very well. Please go find him,"Kendrick said,"And Mr. Brickston, please go find the others."

Albus nodded and he and john left the subject area. Albus went straight to the marauder 's Den while John went to the dungeons as pink wine and Amanda would be in potions.

lustrelessness was sitting on his bed in the Marauder 's Den, staring at the wall and not moving a muscle.

"I suppose Malfoy 's told everyone,"mat said without turning to see at Albus. His voice was hollow.

"No,"Albus replied,"He has n't had the chance. John and I dueled him after you left. Balladanis gave us all four dark of detention and took points away."

"He 'll tell everyone soon,"lustrelessness replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to end schoolhouse. That 's not even the rack up part. It 's going to be all over the Prophet. My dad 's going to lose his job again. We 'll probably stimulate to motivate to New York."

He finally turned around and looked at Albus. He no longer looked nervous. He looked absolutely terrified, yet sad at the same time.

"Why did Balladanis have to be such a good teacher ?"matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sort of awful instructor then maybe Malfoy would n't have found out. He 's just so thorough ! He left zilch out ! Even the way he described the transformation. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that stupid anamatek !"flatness sat up and looked at Albus,"That thing looked just like me, only older. No wonder Malfoy found out."

"You 're not going to get kicked out,"Albus assured him.

"How do you have a go at it ?"Matt shouted,"How do you really know ? I know Teddy 's dad got to appease after Snape found out, but this is dissimilar. That was when Dumbledore was here ! Everyone says Dumbledore was barking mad. Kendrick is n't. Kendrick 's perfectly sane and he 's not going to need to deal with this."

Albus did n't really know what to say to that. Everything mat said was honest. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. Nobody could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his bailiwick. He wants to talk to all of us. Me, whoremaster, rosebush, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't want to go up there,"Matt said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to stay here. Merlin, my head is killing me."

"I think you have to go,"Albus said quietly.

"I know,"Matt groaned and got up off the bed,"This just is n't fair. I hate it. I hate this unit thing. I do n't want to be a fucking werewolf anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how miserable Matt was at that present moment. Albus had never once heard him kvetch about being a wolfman. Not when he was too fatigue to do anything because of the full moon or when he was laid up in the infirmary extension for solar day afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's study. Albus muttered the parole, that he had overheard Balladanis say, to the gargoyle and they ascended into the study.

Everyone else was already there and they all turned to Albus and matt when they walked in. Matt froze in lieu and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"Take a posterior,"Kendrick gestured to the two empty hot seat, one of which was following to Malfoy's.

Albus took the butt next to Malfoy 's, but did n't depend at him. Matt took the other one.

"commencement, I want to ascertain you that you do not have to leave Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to matte,"Nobody else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

Matt did n't look reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My father wo n't agree with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your father has no say whatsoever in which student I admit to this schooling,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I point out that his emplacement is not very high."

"flatness,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"Energy Department anyone else acknowledge ?"flatness shook his straits."And did you tell the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. flatness nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

matt seemed ineffectual to verbalise. After a few moment of secrecy, Kendrick turned to Albus."How tenacious have you known, Mr. potter ?"

"Two years,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this question with Rose, Gospel According to John, and Amanda, who all gave the same response as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus charm. He shared one horrified glance with Rose and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His mouth was agape and he looked a small terrified.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"Fine,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"Professor, Sir,"rose wine began,"We sort of put this charm on Kaden, so he would n't distinguish anyone. He can only talk about it with us. He wo n't be able to say a matter about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's reply, but before the headmaster could say a Bible, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus charm,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"Rose answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an incredible Wiccan, young lady Weasley."

"Too smart for her own unspoiled, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the amazing feat, Miss Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you enjoin me how long Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a yr,"rosebush said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some thing to discuss with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in secret. The rest of you may go to the Great foyer. I believe there is still a half time of day or so left of lunch."

Albus did n't really want to lead without finding out what was going to bechance to Malfoy, but he knew lusterlessness would evidence him.

flatness never showed up in the Great vestibule for tiffin, nor did he go to antediluvian rune or Charms. Albus could not concentrate on either of those classes and was very happy when charm was over and he was able to leave.

Wood was not very happy that Albus had acquired four custody. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty dollar bill arcminute telling Albus how he should n't be picking engagement with other student so close to the next Quidditch match, especially in front end of teacher'classrooms. The talk had only ended when Albus told him he was lately for magical spell. Albus had run into Wood in in between Ancient Runes and Charms.

"What do you think Balladanis is going to attain us do ?"John asked as they walked towards the vulture 's Den.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"King John agreed.

Rose, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go find Matt before they went to dinner. They had to wait a while for the corridor to unclutter out before they were actually able-bodied to get into the room, though.

Matt was fast asleep on the couch when they entered."estimable thing he does n't suffer detainment tonight,"John pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

John gently shook Matt 's shoulder until he cracked his eyes open."Wake up,"John said,"Or you 'll omit dinner."

"I 'm not thirsty,"matt muttered.

"What 's Kendrick doing about Malfoy ?"Albus asked as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

"He should put that magic spell on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"mat sighed,"All he did was distinguish Malfoy how crucial it was not to mention anything. He said telling his Church Father would do cipher. Then he told him that if he ever did tell anyone, he would face up expulsion for revealing another student 's checkup data. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did forebode he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? Sure, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't take it back. I 'd still have to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't think he 's going to say anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy kinsfolk, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified genius. Malfoy wo n't need that."

"I guess you 're right,"matte sighed,"It 's just so strange, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you want to go eat dinner party ?"

"No,"matte shook his pass,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to send an owl to my parents, let them roll in the hay about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. john and I have got detention tonight."

"Oh, right. Good luck with that,"matt replied.

******

Balladanis 's detainment was a bit anticlimactical. Albus had been expecting him to remember up some really creative and taxing hold, but instead he assigned them lines. line were possibly the most irksome hold ever thought up, but they were preferred to cleaning the bathrooms or something.

"ceramicist, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten transactions,"Your dueling lesson is canceled for tomorrow nighttime due to your detention. detention will be at nine, after my extra helper school term, something I 'll anticipate you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said zilch more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three male child, which Albus did n't really mind. He just wanted to get his pipeline done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on entire Sun Myung Moon, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a werewolf used to teach here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the full demurrer teacher any of our parents ever had."

"Quiet !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was thankful for Balladanis 's scolding. Malfoy stopped asking dubiousness and went back to his lines. Albus sighed and went back to his own. How far was Malfoy going to go ? Why could n't he just be satisfied with having worked out matte 's secret ?

A half time of day into their line writing, when Albus was contemplating switching workforce despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his right paw, there was a knock on the threshold. Albus looked up and saw Professor Kendrick standing in the room access, along with none other than lusterlessness 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to John. John had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last thing they needed was for Balladanis to remember they were there and differentiate them to get out so he could have whatever conversation he was about to have in private.

"Aplysia,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John. Matt 's dad knew Balladanis ? How ? Matt had never mentioned that before.

"That 's his dad ?"Malfoy whispered.

"Shush !"Albus said again.

"I wish to talk to you about what happened in the first place today,"matt 's dad said quietly.

"What about it, Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked.

"My son told me about your lessons,"Mr. Eckerton said,"How, informative they are."

"I teach my student what they 'll call for to know in edict to defend themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"pigeon hawk, showing them exactly what a werewolf looks like before a transformation with an anamatek ? Do you realize how dangerous those are ?"

"Of course of action,"Balladanis said, raising his voice a bit,"You 're not the lone expert on witching creatures. I have perfect command over my anamatek."

"nonentity has everlasting control over an anamatek !"Mr. Eckerton said.

"The headmaster has already told me I 'm not allowed to use it anymore, so you really do n't call for to be lecturing me about this,"Balladanis seethed.

"Oh, it 's not only that,"Mr. Eckerton stepped a bit closer to Balladanis,"It 's how much you taught the third gear years about werewolves. The details about their transformations, how to pick one out of the general population, what happens before, during, and after translation. Your lesson was far more detailed than a 3rd year school text book."

"You 'd find that all my lesson are like that,"Balladanis replied,"Text books do not give plenty details."

"I think giving enough details about identifying a lycanthrope so that a third year would be able to work out that someone not even in their same menage is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should have got been a bit more cautious with your lesson."

"withholding information from an entire division because of one student is not a adept method of precept,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be grievous for that one student,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the greatest good for the heavy number, are we ?"

"There are multiplication when that is a good philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll agree to take issue, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your lesson are putting my son in danger anymore, you may find that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll instruct however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three male child, none of whom were writing origin any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the table Albus, whoremaster, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded hello to Albus and John before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the headmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the need to duplicate that there will be consequences if you make public my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"Good,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the castle tomorrow to search your work and schoolroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take aim it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his hint as lusterlessness 's dad left the elbow room with Professor Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with John. He wanted zero more than to go away, so he could mouth about what had just happened.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow night at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his haste to get up. He ran out of the way as fast as he could with John following. Malfoy made no move to try and sing to them again, so they headed straight to the Marauder 's Den.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the lovely citizenry who have read and reviewed this ! You guy rope are awesome !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John burst into the Marauder 's Den a little while later to detect that lustrelessness and Kaden were the exclusively ones there. Matt 's face was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the midriff of a plot of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four wins for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the add-in,"Oh, Albus, toilet ! How was your custody ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down next to mat,"Matt, did you know your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"matt nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talk of the town to Kendrick. I went with him."

"wellspring, do you know where he went after ?"John asked.

"base, I guess,"mat shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our detention,"toilet said.

"He what ?"Matt replied.

"Yeah, it was really odd,"Albus said,"He came in with Kendrick and Kendrick introduced him to Balladanis. Only Balladanis said 'we 've met'. You never told us your dad knew Balladanis."

"I never knew,"Matt shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really angry,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too much about how to figure out if mortal 's a werewolf and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how dangerous it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"lustrelessness said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the rationality he came here, to tell Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to scrutinize Balladanis 's room tomorrow to take a leak sure he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's didactics puts you in peril again, the Ministry 's going to investigate him."

"It 's really not a expert thought to get on my dad 's bad side,"Matt said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to learn however he wanted,"Albus explained,"Honestly, he did not look felicitous that your dad was there. I think something happened between the two of them."

"But what ?"Matt asked,"Dad 's never mentioned him before."

"Think he 'd tell you if you asked ?"John wondered.

"Probably,"matte said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd better not evidence anyone you 're a wolfman,"St. John said,"He looked pretty scary, too. I do n't intend Malfoy 's going to tell anyone."

******

It did not claim very long for word to spread that Balladanis had gotten in difficulty for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the next dawning at breakfast, as a few older students had bet on how long he would birth it. Somehow everyone knew that flatness 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the previous Night and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had Defense Department that break of the day and reported to Albus at dejeuner that Balladanis was even rigorous than usual and seemed incredibly angry. That did not omen well for Albus 's detention that evening.

"He 's downright scary,"Kaden said as he piled steak and kidney pie onto his plate,"Yelled at one of the Ravenclaws in my social class for spilling her ink. She was nearly in crying. But I 'd detest to be in your class, Albus, he 's going to be savage. I mean, it 's pretty much because of matte that he got in trouble."

matt had gone up to the vulture 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in lunch. Albus knew that Kaden was right wing. Balladanis was going to take this out on matt, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't recognise why he cares so much,"John shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could have just taken that matter away. He 's favourable he just had to take it back to his theater or whatever."

"I do n't consider he likes the politics,"Albus said,"That 's the feeling I got after listening to him talk about what he did before teaching here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"Well, I think it 's a honorable idea for the Ministry to make him look at that thing home,"John said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a manticore next."

Kaden went to class after tiffin while Albus and John went up to the piranha 's Den with Rose and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"John asked as he gestured to Matt, who was asleep in his bed.

"dubiety it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"Falco columbarius, I just want to know what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"privy groaned.

"You 're so impatient,"rosiness commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to wake him up,"John muttered.

The end of the good afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his detention later and lav complained loudly about how he had to go to the special aid seance about werewolves when he already knew so a great deal about them.

Albus woke Matt up shortly before dinner party and he looked much regretful than he usually did the day of full moons. They all escorted him to the hospital extension, where Madam Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to will the hospital wing, the door opened and in take the air flatness 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to check if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

John nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"John whispered.

"He 's not going to tell us now,"Albus muttered back,"flavour at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to matte 's bed and talking to brothel keeper Pomfrey in hushed whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detention for nothing. He entered the room before Malfoy and toilet was already doing his lines. Balladanis said absolutely nothing to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a little while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not blab out either. He did not ask anything about mat and did n't even notice that the replete moonlight was that night.

Balladanis let them leave at half by ten. Albus and St. John found Kaden in the Marauder 's Den and spent the remaining time left until Astronomy playing Exploding Snap and hotshot 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to have this division with the Slytherins ?"John groaned as they made their way to the astronomy tugboat,"If Malfoy does n't make a single commentary about the wide moon, I 'll eat an full cauldron."

"I 'm going to make you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't think you 'll have to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his telescope up next to Albus 's. Professor Polo spent ten second telling them that they were to plot the locating of Mars, Venus, the synodic month, and a handful of sensation before turning them lose to actually do so.

"The Sun Myung Moon is so undimmed,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... full ...."

Albus looked at lav."Looks like I wo n't be eating my cauldron tonight,"John muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the Head of the Department for the Regulation and control of Magical puppet ? Yeah, he must be, because he 's the one who made Balladanis get rid of the anamatek. Ca n't say I 'm really upset about that,"Malfoy said quietly,"But how ironic."

"Just stop talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, come on, Potter. Even you have to appreciate the irony,"Malfoy said.

"Will you just shut up,"Albus seethed.

"Quiet over there,"Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more time before going back to his telescope. The rest of the example passed without anymore comment from Malfoy and Albus was quite glad when he was able to refund to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in number one twelvemonth,"Albus sighed,"Remember when ma'am Pomfrey locked the infirmary flank ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"rosebush said.

"well, she did n't engage us out this time,"John pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his friends had slept late on Saturday morning and after grabbing a promptly bite to eat, had gone to claver flatness in the hospital offstage. ma'am Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the Marauder 's Den, trying to figure out why.

"She always lets us in,"John groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad night,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"blush wine wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the wax moons have been spoilt the past few months ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us become Animagi,"lav muttered.

"John, I honestly do n't call up you could get an Animagus,"rosiness replied,"You 'd wind up with a permanent wave hind end affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"lavatory grinned,"Always thought it would be assuredness to have a tail."

"You 're not helping,"Albus sighed,"What are we going to do ?"

"I think all we can do is just keep going back to the hospital flank,"John Lackland shrugged,"Until ma'am Pomfrey lets us in."

Their efforts proved fruitless, though. They went to the hospital wing twice that afternoon and then right wing before Albus and John had to go to detention. Madam Pomfrey told them 'no'each time.

Sunday, the in conclusion day of Albus and John 's detention, was the Saami. ma'am Pomfrey was quite ashen when they showed up for the 3rd sentence that day.

"Nothing 's changed !"she shouted,"seminal fluid back tomorrow evening ! I 'll give the lot of you detention if you come back any sooner than that !"

With that, she strode back into the ward and slammed the threshold."Can she even give detention ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and John broke away from the group to discharge their last detention. Balladanis gave them lines, just like he had the past three nights. Albus sat quietly completing them, very grateful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two Son to him since Astronomy.

"You may block up,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an 60 minutes and a half.

Albus threw his quill pen down and leaned back in his chair. Finally, it was over.

"I hope you learned something,"Balladanis said, which shocked Albus. He had been expecting Balladanis to continue his secretiveness."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the effect will be much more hard than detention and lost points.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should continue giving you extra lessons. I have decided to devote you one more chance. moral will continue this Fri at their formula fourth dimension. However, if either of you disregard my rules again, I will no longer hold them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in course of instruction on Tuesday."

"Merlin, I 'm glad that 's over,"John muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be dreaded in year, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't concentrate at all in his year the adjacent day. All he wanted to do was go to the hospital flank and find out how Matt was, but ma'am Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

Rose and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, John, and Kaden near the infirmary wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very rushed dinner due to Albus 's Quidditch drill at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the door to the hospital annexe, half expecting Madam Pomfrey to yell at them again. He walked quietly inside, followed the the others. madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk and she visibly sighed when she noticed them.

"Go ahead,"she gestured to the solitary occupied bed, which had the curtains pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the mantle back. flatness looked worn-out and there was a rather large patch wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd come in visit me,"mat gave them a one-half smile.

"We 've been trying !"whoremaster said,"Madam Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"matt smirked,"I 've heard her cry at you. It 's form of amusing."

"wellspring, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't lady Pomfrey let us derive visit ?"

"Because I did n't fire up up until yesterday afternoon,"Matt answered.

"But that was-"John began.

"Nearly two days later ?"Matt cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"rose wine asked.

"A cluster of things, really,"lusterlessness sighed,"First, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always high-risk when I 'm care about something. back, I hit my head really surd at some spot that night. It still hurts. Third, the transformations in world-wide are getting forged, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's mind. Albus and all his friend were obviously getting older and that brought deal of changes, but he had n't even thought about how the woman chaser would interchange when flatness got older.

"So, are all of the wax moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"Matt shook his foreland and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really know what 'll materialize in the future, but this one was just a combination of bad things."

"That 's good, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to give ?"

"Tomorrow night at the other,"flatness sighed,"Although that means I 'll drop Defense."

"Wish I could neglect Defense,"John the Evangelist muttered,"speechmaking of Defense, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"John, he just woke up yesterday,"rosiness pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"Matt said,"But he came to see me earliest and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"John grinned,"And ?"

"And,"Matt said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really surprised that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed fountainhead of the department for the regulation and Control of Magical tool in Australia, he hired Balladanis to entrance a band of lamia who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too leisurely on them."

"What did he do to them ?"John asked.

"Sent them to prison. I think they got 20 years. Balladanis thought they should give birth gotten aliveness prison term. Dad and Balladanis got into this immense contention at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Aboriginal Australian Ministry did n't lease him after that,"matte explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would fit in on penalisation. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"matte replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issues. Oh, and he wanted me to warn you not to mind to everything Balladanis says during those dueling object lesson you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a dissimilar incline of Balladanis during the past week."

******

Tuesday aurora dawned quickly and Albus trudged to denial with can. Neither of them really knew what class would be like, but judging from what he heard about Holocene Defense classes in the vernacular room, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug self now that detention was over. He sat next to Goyle wearing a smirk on his face. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the way a few bit later. He waved his wand at the door and it slammed shut with a bang loud enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell twins, who had been sitting faithful to it, to jump.

"offer your preparation questions forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the tabular array in social movement of him and waited for Balladanis to roll up it. He paused in battlefront of the table in front of Albus's.

"Potter,"he began,"You can tell Eckerton that his homework is previous and therefore I will not admit it. If he wished to get credit for it, he could have graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him glares from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the preparation unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"wolf's bane potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the figure of Oliver Belby. He finished the creation in 1991. For to the highest degree wolfman, the potion was a life belt. Who can explicate what it does ?"

nonentity, not even Rose and Linda, raised their mitt. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't call on him.

"cipher ?"he said,"Pity. Wolfsbane potion renders a lycanthrope harmless during full phase of the moon lunar month. The lycanthrope turns into a beast, but a harmless one. One that will just sleep until the moonshine sets and will not hold the urge to prick and kill.

"The potion is a life belt to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to establish you what a werewolf would look like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the palace,"Balladanis said with malice,"Therefore you will have to go without the ocular. It seems that sealed parents, Ministry officials, and the headmaster do not approve of my methods of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't call it suffering,"lavatory muttered.

"Quiet, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to contribute to the class."

"No, sir,"John replied.

"Good,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore appearances in this classroom and your Department of Education is going to get for it. zilch, and I repeat nothing can interchange hands on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the line at having what was in burden a live mantichora in front of him. There were some clock time when reading sufficed.

The lesson continued with Balladanis talking about Wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't mould for all lycanthrope and Albus found his mind drifting. All in all, the lesson had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his legal brief bombast about his anamatek being banned from the castle, he had been pretty normal. formula for Balladanis, that is.

"Next lesson will be the end on lycanthrope,"Balladanis announced at the end of course of study,"We will watch about lycanthropy 's effect on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. Matt would be out of the hospital wing by then. Why could n't Balladanis just finish the werewolf unit already ?

"He wo n't be back next twelvemonth,"John muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just wonder who we 're going to get instead."


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all the lovely the great unwashed who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"Place your bets here !"Fred shouted the next day as he walked around the rough-cut room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrait hole with Georgia and Jesse James after a particularly difficult Quidditch practice. woodwind instrument was getting them prepared for the match against New House of York, which was to take lieu in a little over a week.

"Georgia, James, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"Care to come out a bet ?"

"What are you taking stake about ?"Georgia asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on clobber, your mum is bound to bump out."

"She wo n't care,"Fred shrugged. He was probably right. Albus 's Aunt Alicia was the least strict out of all of his aunty. She 'd probably place a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just better hope Grandma does n't find out,"GA smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't blame him. Molly Weasley would probably commit him a sidesplitter if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And Heather and I are taking wager on how much longer Balladanis is going to conclusion. Care to take up a guess ?"

"I suppose,"Sakartvelo said as she pulled out some atomic number 79,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a workweek. I heard he had three first yr in rip today."

"He nearly had half of my class in tears,"Fred said as he took Georgia 's gold,"King James I, Al ?"

"trinity Galleons says he 's gone in two weeks,"James said as he tossed Fred some Au and then left to go find his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his top dog.

"Suit yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his walk around the common elbow room,"stake here, identify your stakes !"

Albus found his acquaintance crowded around their usual mesa in the common room. Linda was with them. All three girls were working on homework. John and Kaden were trading Chocolate Frog cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in fuss,"Rose muttered as Albus sat down,"You did n't bet anything, did you ?"

"No,"Albus shook his head,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten reaping hook he wo n't last the twelvemonth,"John the Evangelist said.

"You should make love exactly when he 'll leave, what with your taking Divination,"Rose smirked.

"Divination 's a joke,"John muttered,"I ca n't wait to drop it after fifth part year."

"Told you so,"Rose grinned,"Sick of making up stuff and nonsense ?"

"It 's just so wasted,"John groaned,"We 're still doing crystal Lucille Ball. I just secernate her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking Divination,"Kaden announced,"Bloody wastefulness of a class."

Kaden had chosen his classes for next twelvemonth a few days prior. He decided on care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy.

"Easy homework, though,"John sighed,"I just keep reminding myself about that."

"What 's got easy preparation ?"matt asked as he sat down in the chair next to John 's. He looked a bit better than he had the previous day, but still worn out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"John asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in clock time for Defense tomorrow,"lusterlessness groaned,"I 'm tempted to use a Fainting illusion to get out of it."

"I think half the first years are going to do that on Friday,"Kaden said,"I overheard them talking. Apparently Balladanis completely flipped out on one of them today, all over one uncompleted homework question. Made her cry."

"That 's what Sakartvelo was saying,"Albus replied,"shuffling me want to use a Fainting Fancy. Two weeks. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd hold him."

******

John filled his pockets with Puking pastille before he set off to Defense the next morning. Albus did n't bother. His curiosity always trumped his disapproval for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and sleep with exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"loup-garou,"Balladanis said as soon as the toll rang,"When the term is used, to the highest degree people conjure up figure of speech of lonely adult, condemned to a poor life that revolves around the moon.

"However, there is a wholly group of werewolf that are mostly overlooked. Children. Ah, yes, tiddler do get attacked by werewolves. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too deep. Even fewer survive the initial transformation. Werewolf translation, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few children are strong enough to make it through."

Balladanis paused and began to pace the elbow room."Parents are faced with a decision after their child is bitten. They have three choices. Number one, they can take with it. look at with the monthly transformations and try and take a crap life as rule as possible for the youngster. Number two, they can abandon their child. Force them to hold up with a hazardous pack of werewolves, to grow up to kill. However, there is a thirdly alternative. Does anyone aid to venture as to what it is ?"

nobody raised their hand. Balladanis looked at his course until his eyes rested on matte. A very creepy-crawly smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, care to tell us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to bet at Matt throughout the deterrent example, stole a quick glimpse at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in hand, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"matte stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The tertiary choice is to put the child down. Not a pleasant pick, but one that a few parents select anyway. This option used to be readily suggested by Healers, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the beginning option, to continue to elicit their baby, are in for a very tough life. wolfman nipper are hard to raise. It is a vast adjustment for parents and siblings if there are any. The raciness affects the whole folk. It changes life, it can rip families apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects children and Albus looked again at Matt. His hand was shaking even harder and his aspect was as white as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a look with John and bathroom reached into his air pocket. He slid a vomiting Pastille across the board towards Albus and then slid one to Matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to jostle it into his mouth. trick and flatness did the same. Albus clutched his stomach as the afters began to hold affect.

"Lycanthropic children rarely, if ever, get to serve school,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"John shouted,"I do n't feel so well. May I go to the Hospital Wing ?"

"I do n't sense too well either,"Albus added.

"Shut it, you two,"Balladanis shouted,"And no you may not go to the-"

Balladanis was cut off by the sound of all three son vomiting at the Lapplander time. Albus leaned over his table and vomited right onto the story. The class erupted into shouts and Balladanis tried to keep order.

"mulct !"he seethed,"Get to the hospital wing, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the itch to vomit again as he ran for the door. Matt and John followed. All three of them shoved the Orange River end of the sweets into their backtalk as soon as they shut the doorway behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's iniquity !"John shouted,"How could he teach that ?"

"Not here,"Matt muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the piranha 's Den."As I was saying,"John began,"What is wrongfulness with that bloke ?"

"I think a lot of things,"Albus muttered,"He 's a raving lunatic."

"He 's only doing it because you 're in the class,"can said to Matt as he paced around the elbow room,"None of what he said today is actually in the book. I mean, did you read the book ? There 's not much in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his stupid anamatek,"Matt muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to make you poor because of what your dad did with those lamia years ago."

"It 's just not sightly,"Matt groaned,"I mean, did you listen to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it honest ?"

"Yes,"Matt said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the Healers did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more cast than he had when he ate the vomit Pastille. How could a Healer, someone whose job it was to attain people goodly, actually suggest that to a child 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"John the Divine asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle shit hexed him at the Saame time,"Matt gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own hospital bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really care to contact your Uncle jack,"John grinned,"He sounds like a nifty bloke."

"He is,"lustrelessness smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a while ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"John sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"Matt said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to have to do anything."

"Three days,"john said after Matt left,"I give Balladanis three More days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't waste any time,"Rose said to Matt as she unfolded her copy of the vaticinator the adjacent morning at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and read the composition over Rose 's shoulder.

HOGWARTS PROFESSOR TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The section of Magical Education received an inquiry
late yesterday afternoon, requesting an investigation
of Hogwarts defence force Against the nighttime prowess professor,
Tethys Balladanis. The inquiry was submitted by none
former than the newly appointed caput of the department
for the rule and ascendance of Magical tool,
Bruno Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

Professor Aplysia Balladanis has been teaching Defense at
the schooling since September, when he replaced Head Auror
Harry ceramicist. Potter had taught the bailiwick for two
years and wished to focus solely on his Auror life history,
resulting in his surrender at the end of death school day
year.

The impending investigation comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this week Walter Eckerton visited Hogwarts
after receiving a tip that Balladanis was holding an
anamatek in his classroom. This proved to be true and
Eckerton ordered him to absent it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's possession, so all he had to
do was withdraw it from school premises. Eckerton told
newsman that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the prof
repeatedly put student in danger and humiliated them
in forepart of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told reporters,
'I 'm filing this query as a parent, not as a Ministry
official. First and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigation will start out today and be carried out
by officials from the Department of Magical Education,
a department that was set up for this intention after
the downfall of Lord Voldemort. Officials will call in
the school and consultation both student and faculty as
a portion of their investigation.

Tethys Balladanis will continue to teach Defense Against
the nighttime Arts during this time.

"He 's still going to learn ?"whoremaster said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to defence anymore,"Matt said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't break off him from teaching until they do the investigation,"rosiness explained,"Only Kendrick can stop him from teaching at the moment."

"Then why does n't Kendrick do that ?"Albus asked as he looked up at the stave table.

Kendrick was talking with Neville and there was a written matter of the Prophet laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't have intercourse,"Rose said quietly,"But Defense is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"mat said adamantly.

For once, rosiness did not chastise him about skipping class. Albus could n't blame him. He himself was half tempted to skip, but he knew his oddity would get the honorable of him.

"Somehow, I do n't think you 'll experience the chance to skip,"Rose muttered,"We do n't give birth Defense until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"bathroom grinned,"Now I wo n't have to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"Rose replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"looking, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the stave table.

"May I have your attention !"Kendrick shouted and the chatter in the hall immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or discover about the article on the front varlet of the Prophet.

"Ministry officials will be visiting the school today and tomorrow to conduct their investigation. They will be selecting students to interview. If you are selected, I advise you to answer their motion truthfully.

"As of rightfulness now, prof Balladanis is still your teacher, therefore you need to treat him with respect and attend his classes. This is, at the moment, an probe and nothing more. Now, you 'd best be off to class."

"Albus,"pink wine whispered as they made their way out of the Great Hall to account of magic,"You 're not going to that dueling lesson tonight, are you ?"

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged. He had n't really thought about it until then.

"I do n't think you should,"Rose told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't require to go, but he also did n't want to find out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't show up that evening.

nobody fell asleep during History of Magic. It must have been a new disc, one that was previously set back when Binns was still alive. However, the lack of fatigue was not due to Binns 's speech. No, that was just as slow as usual. The student remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The classroom was filled with the hushed voicelessness of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw third years and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six students in the rook who knew the particular ground why matt 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, Rose, Gospel According to John, Amanda, Kaden, and Matt himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not bonk that it had been Balladanis 's lecture on lycanthropic kid that pushed Mr. Eckerton to submit the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the schooling put the blame on the anamatek, even though flatness 's dad had come out and said that was n't the genuine intellect. The Prophet had only glazed over the reasons, not getting into particular. The Hogwarts pupil wanted specifics. They wanted to get laid what had pushed Matt 's dad to defer an inquiry when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The understanding the scholar fabricated ranged from plausible to outrageous. A few 7th years, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his extra help sitting and perhaps victimised matt as an example of someone who did not own the acquirement to overcome dark mavin. immix that with an overprotective parent ( what the 7th age claimed flatness 's dad to be, which was not actually an magnification ), and the probe was born. They believed that the investigation would bollix up over and within two calendar week everything would be back to formula, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited low twelvemonth were the on the opposite word side of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a chimera loose in his classroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin third yr. Apparently they overlooked the fact that nobody had turned up injured after course of instruction and the fact that Balladanis would experience been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

flatness had become somewhat of a fame inside the Hogwarts walls. There was n't a exclusive person, bread and butter, ghost, or portraiture, who did n't have it away it was his dad who launched the research. He was stopped no lupus erythematosus than six times on the way from History of magic to Herbology by the great unwashed wanting to know the details of the enquiry. It was something Albus could recount Matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"Merlin, when will they acquire that I do n't desire to verbalize about it !"matte groaned as they made their way back to the rook after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second class had just run up to matt, demanding to know why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just stand up on the Gryffindor table and make an announcement during lunch,"John suggested.

"Definitely not,"matte said,"I 'm just glad we do n't have social class this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, face, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking multitude striding up towards the castle. There were two witches and a wizard.

"Probably,"privy said,"I wonder who they 're going to interview ?"

"Ten Galleons says they consultation me,"Matt replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those buck private lessons."

"Let 's just hope they do n't interview those two Ravenclaws,"John said.

Albus, matt, and trick continued their trek to the Great Hall, where they ate a very fast tiffin. None of them wanted to stay very long since everyone was still asking matte about the question. After they finished, the male child went to Gryffindor Tower to deposit their bags before going to the piranha 's Den to put off their homework.

The common elbow room was mostly empty when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the board.

"Do n't you three have socio-economic class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got vindication and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's nothing you can do to defecate me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your class where Balladanis made person cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't like if we get detention either. Oh, and whoremaster, you 'd better not tell Mum."

"I wo n't,"Saint John the Apostle said,"The three of us used Puking Pastilles to get out of Defense yesterday."

"You should have just skipped from the beginning,"Ashtyn told them.

"fountainhead, you three love your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, believe me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The boys quickly stowed their bags in their student residence and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portrayal muddle and ran straight into Gabriella.

"There you are, Al !"Gabriella exclaimed,"I 've been looking for you. Kendrick wants to see you in his study. Oh, hang on."Gabriella consulted the art object of parchment she was holding."He wants to see Matt, too."

"tone like you two are getting interviewed,"St. John said as Gabriella went into the common room.

"Guess so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving private example with Balladanis, he probably would own been interviewed. It was one of those affair that happened when your begetter was the most famous maven in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"Saint John replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his center,"Loads."

Albus and lustrelessness left for Kendrick 's survey while Saint John the Apostle continued towards the vulture 's Den. Albus had no musical theme what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that whoremonger would be bored within 15 minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April tomfool 's Day Prank ! The staff really outdid themselves this year. Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this fib !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing next to the gargoyle that concealed the entranceway to Kendrick 's cogitation. It was apparently his job to gnarl the watchword to the gargoyle to set aside all the students being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and flatness ascended into the study and found three other students waiting in front of Kendrick 's come together door. A very bored looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in sixth or one-seventh year, Scorpius Malfoy, and much to Albus 's dismay, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the grounds earlier.

Albus was not at all surprised to see Scorpius Malfoy there. After all, he had individual lessons with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to snub Malfoy 's presence and leaned against the bulwark to begin the long wait.

What had been the spot in sending them all to Kendrick 's sketch at the same time ? They were obviously only interviewing one person at a prison term. Why could n't they get just summoned Albus later, when there were less people waiting ?

Kendrick 's room access opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor first twelvemonth walked out. She hurried out of the study and one of the Ministry functionary motioned for the Ravenclaw to enter.

The Ravenclaw was in Kendrick 's study for about fifteen proceedings. Then it was Malfoy 's turn. He took a bit More time, but finally came out and left without so much as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the mingy prison term, two more bookman had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the Chasers from the Slytherin Quidditch team. The former was a youthful Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must let been at to the lowest degree an hour, Albus was finally called into the room.

Kendrick was not in his study. Only the three researcher were. Albus was now capable to see them up close. The one who had called him into the way was quite marvellous and wore a menacing glare. Her gown were perfectly pressed, without a single seam, and her hair was pulled into a blind drunk bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The other witch was the complete opposite word. She was myopic and quite a bit stoutness. Her frizzy brown hair stuck up at all sorts of odd angles and she had a modest pair of glasses perched on her nose.

The remaining research worker was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a calamus in hired man. He looked a bit bored by the entire matter. He was gazing about the elbow room and had the feel of mortal who was n't quite paying attention.

Two people who were paying rhapsodic attention, or should he say portraits, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The tall witch gestured for Albus to take a seat in front of the desk. Albus did so.

"My public figure is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lorraine Smyth,"the tall witch gestured to the short beldam,"And that is herbaceous plant Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No wonder he was so bored, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please United States Department of State your full name, age, twelvemonth, and planetary house for the record,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his eyebrows. Would n't they already know all of that data ?

"It 's communications protocol, lamb,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus thrower, thirteen, third year, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can tell us what goes on in an mediocre deterrent example with professor Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"fountainhead, he comes in and William Tell us all to stop talking. Then he 'll call for the prep. Oh, and you have to get the homework in on sentence, no matter what. He does n't take deep study, even if you 've got a goodness excuse. You could be sick in the hospital wing and he would n't bring late homework.

"Then he 'll teach us a new spell or about some new wight. Then we 'll have to execute the spell."

"What happens if you do n't perform it properly ?"Smyth asked.

"He makes you do it again, and again, until you get it,"Albus answered,"If you do n't get it, he makes you go to extra assistance sessions."

"Has this caused distraint to any of the students in your class ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my socio-economic class, but I 've heard of other students crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"Have you attended any spare service Sessions ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"professor Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling lesson by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you state us a bit about them ? What do they consist of ?"

"Most clip he just teaches me new charm, spells that are heavily than the single we learn in class. Scorpius Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each other with the patch,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he bear you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his chair,"One clock time he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by vampire,"Albus said after a legal brief wavering. He doubted Balladanis would be happy about this, but Kendrick had said to be truthful.

Both Torenzo and Smyth looked horrified. Cletus was writing away furiously on the parchment. Snape was smirking and Dumbledore 's face had seemed to harden.

"We did n't actually see it,"Albus said quickly,"We stood outside the family as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the house. Then we watched Balladanis, in the memory board, run away from the sign of the zodiac. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't severalize you ahead of prison term ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his principal,"He just told us to go in the pensieve."

"Did he explain why he wanted you to see this ?"Torenzo asked.

"Yeah. He wanted to show us why he became a Presuler,"Albus said.

"He told you he 's a Presuler ?"Torenzo raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, he thinks me and Malfoy should get Presulers,"Albus explained.

"Very well,"Torenzo said as she walked towards Albus,"I have one final question. Would you feel well-to-do if Professor Balladanis continued to teach here ?"

Albus thought about it for a moment. Balladanis was certainly a motivated teacher and one Albus could larn a lot from. But on the other paw, he was n't the variety of star Albus felt comfortable around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please homecoming to your common room. You are not to mouth of this consultation to anyone until after the investigation is completed."

Albus got up from the president and Torenzo followed him out of the elbow room. She called Matt in as Albus left. Albus muttered a tranquility 'good hazard'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just say us ?"Saint John lamented as the boys sat around the vulture 's Den after dinner. Rose and Amanda were currently in the girls'dormitory with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry beldam said we could n't mouth about the interview."

"But how would they know ?"John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the whole schooling about it."

"Neither will I,"Kaden added.

Albus snorted."I 'll state you about it after Balladanis is sacked, or is n't sacked. I do n't opine it 's going to take recollective for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"lusterlessness said adamantly and then turned to John,"You 're not going to his spear carrier help seance tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid 20 Galleons,"privy replied,"wellspring, ok, maybe if I was paid twenty Galleons, but not for less than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling lesson ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to know was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz down to the dungeons, barge into the Slytherin common room, and ask.

"No idea,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"mat said,"If you go, I 'm going to depart worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you want to go ?"trick gave Albus a strange look.

"I might find out something about how the investigation is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

John opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the door. A loud squawking noise had seemed to let loose from it.

"Did you hear that ?"St. John asked.

Albus nodded and got up from his place. He walked over to the door and paused next to it. The squawking noise was repeated.

One thing Albus loved about the Marauder 's Den was that it was always very quiet down. No noises could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard noises from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the door and instead of the flakey bird he had expected to see, rose wine was standing there with her wand out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never amount to the door."

"rosebush ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"Rose said hurriedly,"I had to get you to come out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the coarse room. I told him I 'd rule you."

Albus turned around and told Matt, whoremaster, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the way, that he would be back soon. He had no theme what his dad wanted, but it must cause been authoritative for him to go to the castle on a day he did n't have to patrol it.

Harry was sitting in one of the pulpy armchairs in nominal head of the ardor when Albus arrived. GA and Fred were both talking with him, most probably about Quidditch judgement by their excessive use of hired hand gestures, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portrait hole.

"Let 's public lecture outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrait hole and down the corridor a little ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"Nothing,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"fountainhead, I 'm no longer a teacher here, so I wo n't say a word about you causing trouble, if that 's what you were doing,"Harry told him,"But anyway, what I wanted to ask you is whether you were planning on going to professor Balladanis 's dueling deterrent example tonight ?"

That seemed to be the question of the eve, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the decision is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would advise you not to go. prof Balladanis is under a considerable amount of tenseness, of which you do n't know the one-half of. I 'd say the probability are high that he may demand out this stress on you and Scorpius."

"Do you know if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no mind,"Harry answered,"But I tend to believe he won't."

"I do n't retrieve I will either,"Albus said.

"A Stephen Samuel Wise decisiveness,"Harry smiled.

Harry said honest night to Albus and then Albus went back to the Marauder 's Den. Kaden was in the middle of showing lustrelessness and John how to make a proper newspaper publisher airplane.

"What did your dad require ?"bathroom asked without looking up from the parchment he was folding.

"To severalise me it was n't a good idea to go to Balladanis 's lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the empty couch.

"And ?"lusterlessness asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"Good,"Matt replied.

"You know what was unearthly, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of emphasis, near of which I do n't experience about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Weird,"Kaden shook his top dog,"I 'll be well-chosen when he 's sacked."

"We do n't hump for trusted that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to battle a beautiful char,"John smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't conceive I did n't put that together sooner. It was n't a beautiful woman ; it was a lamia. It 's so obvious now that we know what happened to his parents, too."

"Yeah, that does seem fairly obvious,"mat agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his stress ?"

"Probably nothing,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"trick began,"This is the number one Friday we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're right,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And spend the Night here,"matt added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The boys snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many sweets and puddings as they could carry by the house elves. Then they stayed up lately eating all of it and playing several games. Albus was even able to forget about Balladanis for a while, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry officials remained a permanent fixture at Hogwarts throughout the end of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of pupil mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including John 's cousin-german Isabelle, one of the chaser on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and Gabriella.

professor Balladanis did not show up up at a single meal. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. cypher saw him, which raised the question of whether he was even still in the castling.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a chance to make their decision. Albus was Thomas More than a little anxious about going to Defense on Tuesday and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday break of day that all the Hogwarts pupil knew a verdict had been reached. prof Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something important happened. He was flanked by the two crone from the Ministry. The wizard was no thirster there.

The Hall immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's impending declaration, since there had not been a 1 mention of Balladanis in that morn 's Prophet.

"A conclusion has been reached about professor Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"lady Torenzo will inform you of it. The Prophet has kindly agreed not to publish the article about it just yet, as I wished to inform you of it first."

"He 's sacked,"John Lackland muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"commodity degree,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the students with a neutral look on her boldness."Upon extensive investigation of Professor Balladanis 's teaching method and thorough interviews of choose students, the Ministry has seen it fit to remove him from his teaching emplacement here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. prof Balladanis packed his thing late last Nox and no longer resides in the castle. Professor Kendrick will inform you about what will happen with Defense socio-economic class for the remainder of the class. I would wish to thank all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and continued eating her breakfast like zilch had happened. The Great Hall immediately erupted into susurration, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts year will not take place until encourage notice. I will try and procure a suitable substitute for Professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, delight use the time to study for your upcoming test,"Kendrick said and then resumed his seat. He began to blab out with Torenzo and the student representative rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"lustrelessness exclaimed,"C. H. Best news I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Georgia shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"pigeon hawk !"St. James the Apostle groaned,"Why 'd they have to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to exchange hands throughout the Gryffindor table as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you think Kendrick 'll find a transposition ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to set about with."

"gladiolus I did n't do that werewolf essay,"John grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't find a replacement,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd have one less exam."

"That would be smart as a whip,"John the Evangelist replied.

The atmosphere in the castling for the quietus of the day was incredibly offbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few students asked matt to give thanks his dad for them. It seemed that the solitary pupil upset by it were those who had lost bet because of it.

Argus Filch was another who was unhappy. The general excitement of the castle caused him more oeuvre. Peeves destroyed the United States Department of Defense classroom in celebration ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), James and his ally set off a few Weasley fireworks, and then there was the general mess that was associated with educatee celebrating by playing outside in the miry grass. Plus, Moaning Vinca minor flooded her bath when a few scholar told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not match. For some odd reason it reminded her of her death.

One person who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the castling with a big smile on her fount. Albus could only ascribe this to the fact that Balladanis had taught so extensively about vampires. But he never taunted her the way he 'd taunted mat. Perhaps that was because his biggest reverence was vampires.

There was even a party in the Gryffindor rough-cut room that night. blush wine thought it was a little ridiculous, to lionise the discharge of a instructor, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an splendid thing to celebrate.

"Just cogitate,"John Lackland said,"We do n't ever hold to heed to him go on and on about how bad the dark arts are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"Matt added,"I could 've gone my whole lifetime without seeing one of those."

"What do you opine he 's doing now ?"blush wine mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some place far, like Madagascar or somewhere."

"Yeah,"Matt agreed,"I bet he 's not even in Great Britain anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd bother to stick around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the Night to avoid anyone seeing him."

"want we could 've seen him leave,"lav grinned mischievously,"Would 've been nice to consecrate him a proper send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"Rose muttered,"Maybe now you lot can concentrate on test. And maybe the palace will get back to normal."

"formula ?"Albus raised his eyebrows,"This place will never be convention. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Saturday. It 's the concluding match before the final."

"When 's the final ?"Rose asked.

"outset of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Commonwealth of Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, toilet, matte, and Kaden all sent scathing facial expression at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New York in this couple,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Wood is in full manakin this week. I 'm practicing every night starting tomorrow."

"Joseph Oliver Grant Wood is mad,"rose muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch pitch shot,"john grinned,"I would make love to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can take my place."


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight and everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not have Defense Against the iniquity Arts the next dayspring, Albus was down in the Great Hall bright and early because he wanted to interpret rose 's Daily Prophet. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's discharge was one affair, reading it in the oracle was entirely different.

Rose was already there when Albus, Matt, and John the Evangelist sat down at the Gryffindor table. Amanda and Linda were on either slope of her and all three young woman were reading the article. Albus drummed his fingers impatiently on the table while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, blush wine handed him the report without saying a word and Albus read it, with Matt and St. John the Apostle looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS teacher REMOVED FROM POSITION BY MINISTRY

In an event that causes much of the wizarding Earth to recall
back to Voldemort 's reign, Hogwarts Defense Against the night
Arts instructor, Aplysia Balladanis, has been removed from his
emplacement by the Ministry of Magic 's Department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's reign, defense lawyers teacher rarely lasted more
than a year at the school day, a mystery that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two age
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense instructor since that
fateful May day.

prof Torro taught at Hogwarts for years until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three eld ago. He was
replaced by Head Auror, Harry potter, who is rumored to
have only taken the position after cypher else agreed to
fill it.

Harry ceramicist left the position this by fall and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two days ago, when he was removed
from his posture. Approximately a week and a one-half ago, a
complaint was lodged by Head of the Department for the
ordinance and Control of Magical Creatures, Bruno Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The ailment included harsh teaching method acting, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching dick, singling pupil out for lack of
accomplishment, and embarrassing students in front of their peers.

An investigation by Ministry officials ensued and included
the interviewing of select pupil and staff. The department
concluded their investigation late Billy Sunday evening and informed
both Balladanis and headmaster Fabius Kendrick of their decision.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
conclusion. When asked for a command on the issue, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the tidings, Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very happy
with the decisiveness and that the investigating was concluded in
a well-timed mode. I am not happy that it came to this, but I
feel that nothing should be put ahead of children 's prophylactic .'

Hogwarts students will not attend Defense classes until a surrogate
is found. As of rightfulness now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd stick your dad in there somehow,"John announced once they 'd finished reading.

"There was n't anything in there that we did n't already know,"Albus muttered,"I was hoping Balladanis would 've said something or we 'd see out what happened when he left the castle."

"Maybe he really did go quietly,"Matt shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"incertitude it,"rosebush answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

living soon returned to normal for the Hogwarts students, as it often does after something exciting happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the clause was published, but soon there was nothing left to say and the students focused on the upcoming Quidditch lucifer, which was mere days away.

Albus had an slowly fourth dimension forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch practice. He was out on the lurch every evening and was soon hearing Mrs. Henry Wood 's instruction in his heading as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed normal. Albus was almost beaming that the year was drawing to an end because once the tournament was over, he would n't have to trade with woods anymore. Thinking about that made Albus realize that Gryffindor would have a new maitre d'hotel the next year since Georgia was graduating. Albus was indisputable it would be either Fred or heather mixture, but he was n't sure which.

Albus trudged into the Great Charles Martin Hall on Thursday morning sorely wishing that John the Evangelist had n't woken him up. They did n't have a course first gear affair, so why 'd he bother doing that ? Albus was already running on little sleep.

"I 'm going to stir up you up at five in the morning time this Sabbatum,"Albus muttered to John as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"John grinned,"I need you to help me terminate that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the reason for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't originate assist you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"John muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not have accidentally set ardor to her Potions greenback last night,"John said.

"And I should have to stomach because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you manage that anyway ?"

"It was n't an fortuity,"matt put in,"bathroom and Kaden were tinkering with those A-one strength dung bombs last night in the Marauder 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the table right where rose wine 's notes were. The droppings bomb exploded and Rose 's notes caught fire."

"See, an stroke !"Saint John the Apostle exclaimed.

"No, stupidity,"matt said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't evoke going in the marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't give birth metre to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch recitation again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this week ?"King James I asked.

"I do n't live, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"James pointed to the stave table.

Albus looked up and saw that his dad was talking with Neville. Except he was n't wearing his Auror gown, he was just wearing normal robe. Albus glanced back at James I who shrugged.

"May I have your attention ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just wish to inform you all that Harry potter has kindly agreed to take over Defense class for the residuum of terminal figure. Because of this, Defense classes will resume today."

"Good thing I woke you up,"whoremaster grinned.

"Guess you wo n't be able to finish that essay,"Albus barb back.

"pigeon hawk,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he care that much. He 'd already had his dad teach for two years and it had n't been bad at all. Plus, his dad was a far better teacher than Balladanis.

Albus walked with mat and whoremonger to Defense. Rose was still not speaking to John and she walked with Amanda and Linda a little ways ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't wrick into what happened earlier in the year.

The total class erupted in clapping as soon as Harry entered the elbow room and Albus noticed that this caused him to blush. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"fountainhead, I did not guess I 'd be back here. I do have to continue with the course of study, so I must ask that you complete the werewolf essay for next Thursday. However, it only has to be one foot of parchment."

There was a corporate moan from the entire family."Great,"bathroom muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that hard,"Matt rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be time consuming,"John replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a calendar month and a half of term left and I ca n't just let you have this time to mess up around."

The class was the most enjoyable Defense grade the third years had had in quite a while. Harry lectured for the entirety of the class, but it was n't ho-hum. Albus did not mind in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the meter Saturday arrived, virtually no one in the castling was talking about Professor Balladanis. Quidditch was on the forefront of everybody 's creative thinker and the tension ran higher than they had all year. The result of this match would determine who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly worried. Hogwarts had already beaten New York once and they could easily do it again. The integral squad was in good health and none of the surrogate were needed. Albus was perfectly content to sit in the stands with his friends and just watch the match, rather than have to play in it.

It was a warm leaping day with a slight wind and cloud cover, utter performing status. Wood had spoke of the conditions during the previous night 's practice, telling the team that a magnanimous violent storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The mate commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the crowd. Hogwarts scored five goals within the kickoff 15 minute of the match and New York scored two. The teams remained neck in cervix for the remainder of the match, until James pulled out of a nosedive clutching the favourable Snitch in his result hand.

The crew erupted into sunshine and St. James the Apostle was soon hoisted onto the articulatio humeri of some of the older students.

"I have an announcement to produce !"Professor Kendrick shouted over the crowd,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the last Quidditch match, scheduled to take seat on the beginning of June !"

The common after Quidditch political party ensued in the common room and everyone rehashed their preferent part of the peer. No one talked about the concluding couple, although Albus was certainly it was in the spinal column of everyone 's head. Australia seemed impossible to beat.

Once the excitement from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts students seemed to realize that exams were quite most. The program library soon became a pop place to be and fifth and seventh twelvemonth in particular could be seen there all hours of the day.

As the centre of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a calm common way in the evenings, much like her baby had two years prior. Albus and his friends spent more meter in the Marauder 's Den after that, usually without rosebush, Amanda, and Linda. The three young lady seemed to like the tranquillity of the coarse room.

Rose did forgive can for messing up her notes, but she became more tense and snappish as exams drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a variety of end of term custom with Rose.

Defense deterrent example took a drastic turn for the better. Albus and all of his friend got double-dyed marks on their wolfman essays, to the surprise of no one. After that, the form bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, Merlin !"John shouted at breakfast one Friday in the middle of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as Defense teacher or something.

"England did n't produce it into the World Cup net,"John sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did make it ?"Albus grabbed the paper from John, suddenly remembering the slate he 'd develop for Christmas. He had n't picked who he was going to invite to go with him. Actually, he had n't even separate his protagonist about the tickets.

"Portugal and Russia,"St. John the Apostle groaned,"Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic ! They 've got a rubbish Quidditch team !"

"Obviously not,"rose wine smirked,"Albus, did you pick who you 're going to carry when you go to the Cup ?"

"Wait, what ?"St. John gaped at Albus,"You got ticket ?"

"Er, yeah, for Christmas,"Albus said.

"And you did n't tell me !"lavatory exclaimed.

"wellspring, I only got one extra and I did n't know how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and Matt. Mind you, if you hate Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, I 'll just peck mat,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Russia,"John said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to beak then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't have to,"lustrelessness said as he sat down next to Albus.

"Nice to see you come alive,"John grinned. Albus and John the Divine had attempted to waken Matt up before they went down to the Great entrance hall and had no luck. The full moon was the next day, so Albus had n't even been sure if matte was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad clock time of the calendar month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"matt shook his head,"It 's just that my dad got tickets, so you can just give your extra one to John."

"Oh,"Albus grinned,"That makes things easy."

"Where is the Cup ?"Amanda asked.

"Canada,"Rose replied.

"How are we getting there, Albus ?"John asked,"Are we going to take a Muggle airplane ?"toilet looked excited at that prospect.

"No estimation,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's oil production,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"compliments I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"John asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're weird, Kaden,"John laughed.

"So are you. Airplanes are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"lustrelessness said,"I 'd make a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for exams and Quidditch praxis, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squeeze in time to inflict matte in the hospital wing on Sunday, but only briefly before he went to Wood 's day long Quidditch practice.

The succeed weekend was the final match of the Junior 's Dueling nightspot, something Albus had been forced to miss due to Quidditch pattern. After begging wood and a bit of help from Teddy, Albus was able-bodied to take care the final. Albus 's team won, lots to the joy of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with prof Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a news to Albus, or any of his friends. Malfoy remained mysteriously quiesce around the full moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or lustrelessness. It was foreign, but not something any of the boys were going to plain about it.

Three days before the Quidditch final, the Great Hall was filled with whispering voices that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. transcript of the oracle were being passed back and Forth and quite a few students looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked Rose as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"Rose whispered, her aspect completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the penny-pinching copy of the Prophet. Matt and John crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN BREAKOUT

functionary have reported that three prisoners
broke out of Azkaban late last dark. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban guards
have refused to speak with reporters, and the
Ministry does not bid to divulge info
at this time.

The public figure of the break away prisoner have been
released and anyone with information reguarding
any of them are asked to adjoin the Ministry.

The Prophet then gave detailed information about all three of the miss prisoners. Albus only recognized Willinson. The former two had been imprisoned for more petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an idiot !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"rose wine said.

Any Bob Hope Albus had of getting homework done that week was gone. He was lucky he was able-bodied to boil down on Quidditch recitation. Willinson was out of Azkaban. He was galavanting about England, doing whatever he pleased. That in itself was not necessarily that bad, due to Willinson 's betise. If he somehow met up with his father and Washburn, then it could be quite bad.

What worried Albus the most was the fact that he would be after the Hallows, all of which still resided somewhere in or around Hogwarts. Willinson was bound to get back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the dark before the Quidditch final arrived and wood called the team into the changing room after ending practice session.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to bring off this team,"Wood said as he began to gait in front of them,"There were difficulties in the beginning,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the team,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a team wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a group of educatee from all four houses can come together and meet together on the Saame team. I am not certain this could have been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a long way over the class. You 've all made immense improvements in your skill. Quite a few of you are seventh years and I am very felicitous to tell you that there will be scouts from a couple Quidditch squad watching tomorrow 's mates. I have high hopes for the lot of you, when it comes to Quidditch.

"I can not say whether we will win tomorrow. Australia is good, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and give it your best. Now, I think you should all rick in early and eat a proper breakfast tomorrow before the catch. teddy, Tyler, anything to add ?"Mrs. Henry Wood turned to the boys.

shimmy and President Tyler both shook their heads and Wood turned back to the squad."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. unspoilt night."

Wood, shift, and Tyler stayed behind to talk about tactic while the squad left. Albus and James I were the last two to leave. Georgia had left with the other seventh years, excitedly discussing the prospect of scouts.

"You think Peach State 's going to sign with one of the professional teams ?"Albus asked James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"James said,"I just hope it does n't ache her fortune when we lose."

"We might not turn a loss,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to lose,"James muttered,"Linda 's too unspoiled of a Seeker."

Albus said nothing. He wished he could just tell St. James the Apostle that Linda was a lamia. It would be so much easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own thoughts. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a gimcrack crack in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a branch breaking,"James answered.

"It was too tatty,"Albus said as he looked into the forest,"It sounded like someone Apparating in there."

"I do n't think you can Apparate in the forest,"Epistle of James pointed out,"And it did n't sound that loud. You 're just tired from all the Quidditch practice."

"I guess,"Albus said as he and James kept walking,"But what if it was person Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too much, Al,"James groaned,"This shoes is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here wide-cut sentence now. You 'd experience to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is dolt enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"James laughed,"If he 's pudding head enough to do that, he 's going to get caught and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be poor fish, but he did negociate to kidnap Kaden the old spring, and he had been on the run for a year prior to that. He may be a scrap duellist, but he was certainly goodness at not getting caught for the most part.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the terrifically awful citizenry who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The atmosphere in the Great hall the next morning was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts team was sitting together at the Ravenclaw board, surrounded by students from all four houses. Teddy and President Tyler seemed to be in the thick of it and were loudly discussing manoeuvre.

The Aboriginal Australian squad was sitting together at the Hufflepuff table, with a large aloofness between them and the Hufflepuffs. A small crowd of Australian had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to join the remainder of the Hogwarts team at the Ravenclaw table. Nobody was ineffectual to play that day, so Albus 's days on the team were pretty much over. To be honest, he was sort of relieved. There was just so much pressure.

"I think this tournament has been thoroughly for Hogwarts,"Rose mused,"Look at everyone. cipher seems to care who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to rule once the equal is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"rosebush shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't know, rose,"Matt said,"I do n't imagine one year can commute centuries of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"Rose said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't cerebrate this has helped International magic cooperation,"John gestured to the Australian squad. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"Competition rarely does that,"rosebush muttered.

"Well, they 'll all be going home soon,"Matt said cheerfully.

Rose shot him a dirty face and then looked up at the faculty board. Albus 's gaze followed. The staff table was quite overcrowded that dayspring. There were scouts from Quidditch teams, Ministry functionary including Albus 's Uncle Walker Percy, and a variety of people from Australia and New York.

"look at that witch,"Saint John the Apostle pointed to a very tall, beautiful witch with picket white skin and long dark hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"blush wine told them.

"Is she-"trick began.

"Yes,"Rose whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"John the Divine said without taking his heart off the witch.

There was a loud cheerfulness from the Ravenclaw table and the Hogwarts squad began to leave the mansion house. Their entourage followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at various tables.

The Aussie squad followed shortly. The excitation only seemed to increase now that the teams had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few minutes later multitude began to go out for the pitch. The crowd at the staff table left first and the scholar followed.

"Albus,"St. John said as they got up from the table,"I 've got a few pairs of omnioculars in my trunk. I want to see it up close when Linda catches that Snitch."

"Let 's go get them, then,"Albus replied.

blush wine rolled her eyes."Meet us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the threshold as the boys ran up the grand staircase.

"Why did n't you just take them to breakfast ?"Matt asked.

"Forgot,"Saint John said.

The rook was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

John had to empty out his entire bole in order to ascertain the omnioculars. He had four pairs and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to miss the first of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running game in the corridors rule as he made his way through the castle. There was n't anyone to scold him anyway. The footsteps behind him told him his friend were n't far behind.

Albus turned a corner and ran smack into something. He fell down onto his back and looked up, only to see that it was soul. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with Matt 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would ingest manifested itself into what Albus was nearly afraid of. At that bit, it probably would birth been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to depend at his friends.

Matt had turned gabardine and looked far Thomas More afraid than Albus had ever seen him before, including when he had faced the boggart and when Malfoy had found out about his lycanthropy. whoremonger was looking from mat to the man, an obvious horror on his brass. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his friends, pulling them into the nearest classroom. He slammed the door and pulled out his sceptre, putting every lockup charm he knew onto the knob.

Matt collapsed onto the penny-pinching president and put his head in his paw."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the hell is he doing here ?"John ranted,"He 's got no job here !"

"Why 's he in the castle anyway ?"Albus began to step around the room,"If he 's here to view the Quidditch mate, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to determine the Quidditch ?"John said darkly.

"Who the bloody hell is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at Matt before looking at Kaden. matte did n't appear to have heard Kaden 's question.

"His name 's Lubar. He 's the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in Commonwealth of Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the reason why Matt had to move here, amongst other things."

"He 's a sickish and twisted evil git,"whoremaster muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the threshold and peered out the pocket-sized window at the top. Lubar was no longer in sight.

"I 've g-got to go to the Ministry,"flatness said,"I 've got to t-tell my dad. L-Lubar, he ca n't be here."

Albus paced back and Forth River in front end of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? Brooms ? No, that would make too long. They 'd have to use the Floo Network, but none of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to have to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll abstract into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

mat nodded."You guys do n't stimulate to number. You can go to the match."

"Are you mental ?"John exclaimed,"That bloke out there is probably worse than Willinson. We 're not letting you do this alone."

Albus nodded in understanding before waving his sceptre and undoing the locking magic spell. He cautiously looked out into the corridor before leaving. It was empty.

Much to Albus 's rilievo, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd will them. He shoved them into his robes and ran back to the classroom. flatness, John, and Kaden were all talking quietly. flatness did n't look any less scare off, but at least he did n't appear to be in shock absorber anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"John said immediately,"I 'm tallest so I 'll bring up the most room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the best liar."

Albus could n't argue there. Both he and mat were horrible prevaricator and Kaden still had n't gotten over his inability to retain secrets.

"You take the map, then,"Albus handed the map to lav,"We 've got to get to the one-eyed beldame statue on the third floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, Matt, and Kaden, and the three of them followed John out of the elbow room. The corridor was still empty, much to Albus 's alleviation.

John set a very truehearted pace and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would cave in away his presence. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the to the lowest degree amount of noise possible.

The boys made it down the two trajectory of stairs necessary to get to the third gear storey and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and stuffed it into his pocket. With a fast tap of his wand, he statue 's hump opened and the boys climbed inside.

Albus lit his wand and took off down the humble passageway. Matt, John, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"lav asked as they ran,"Does n't he know what he did ?"

"Yes,"mat answered,"I do n't think Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't think he came here to see you ?"Albus asked mat,"I mean, remember when Killigan saw us that one time and he seemed so interested in finding you ?"

"Of course I do,"Matt muttered,"And it really would n't surprise me if that 's why he 's here. But I 'm betting there 's another reason."

"What did he do ?"Kaden repeated, a bit louder.

"Why else would he be here ?"Albus asked,"The match ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"Matt replied,"I do n't recognize for sure enough, but it seems too coincidental for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he want to see you ?"

lustrelessness stopped running and wheeled around to search at Kaden."It 's a tenacious story. Lubar 's got a grudge against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Australia for six years,"lustrelessness paused,"He passed a bunch of laws against werewolves and I wound up having to transmute with a gang of other loup-garou. It was bad."

lusterlessness resumed walking and did n't work out on the subject. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"flatness shrugged,"Maybe talk to Kendrick or something."

There was no doubt in Albus 's judgement that lustrelessness 's dad would be able-bodied to get Lubar to leave Hogwarts, possibly even leave the country. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this year, but now he knew that you did not desire to be on his bad side. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The passageway finally began to rise until it came to an precipitous stop at a knotty wooden door. Albus pressed his ear to the door, but heard nothing. He carefully pushed it unfastened, wincing as it creaked.

Seeing cypher in the storage room beyond, Albus beckoned his ally forward. The elbow room was dimly lit, enough for Albus to see a huge measure of boxes littering the floor. On the far bulwark he could see a fireplace.

The boys climbed over the various loge and stood in strawman of the fireplace. Albus located a pocket-size sack of Floo Powder and then lit a ardour. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into soul 's study at the Ministry. We 're going to have to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a fistful of powder and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the powder into the attack and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of illusion !"

Albus stumbled out of a different fireplace mo later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, save for a few wizards striding towards the lifts, clearly too engaged to notice Albus.

Matt landed rather ungracefully on the floor. He picked himself up, brushing stray ash off his robes.

"Place is deserted,"Matt said as he looked around.

"It 's a Sat,"Albus pointed out,"Energy your dad oeuvre Saturdays ?"

"Yeah,"flatness nodded,"At least mornings."

John was future to step out of the flaming, doing so more elegantly than Matt had. He stood in front of the fire, staring around at the Atrium. His eye rested on the fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more fancy than I imagined,"John said.

"Bloody hell !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"Matt said quickly,"But we have n't got sentence to research. Let 's go."

Albus followed mat towards the desk in the social movement of the Atrium. There was an old whiz leafing through a copy of the Quibbler, forgetful to his environment. Albus almost thought they 'd be able to sneak around him, but he looked up just as they were about to pass.

"Where do you call back you 're going ?"he asked and then his eyes rested on Albus,"Albus Severus Potter. Why are n't you in shoal ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a picayune unnerved that the man knew who he was.

mat stepped in front of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the Head of the department for the Regulation and restraint of Magical creature. It 's variety of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your wand up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed wooing. They waited impatiently as the old whizz tested their scepter and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the point of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can recount whose wand did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the elevation arrived, the boy piled in and Matt pushed the number four. nonentity said anything as the face lift creaked its way to the fourth part floor.

mat took off at a run down the corridor after they left the lift. Albus had never been to this finicky story. It looked rather standardized to the Magical Law Enforcement 's floor, with nondescript sets of double doors on one side.

lustrelessness skidded to a freeze in front of the exclusively door that was single and banged his deal loudly on it. When there was no answer after a few seconds, he banged again.

"clutch your hippogriffs !"called a voice from the inside,"I 'm coming, I'm-"matt 's dad said as he opened the door.

Mr. Eckerton seemed to freeze at the sight of his son and the early three boy. He gaped at them for a back before shaking his head.

"Matt ?"he asked and rubbed his eyes, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in school ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and John, Kaden ?"

His eyes rested on Matt again."Matt ? What 's wrongfulness ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the boys into his study. He shut the door quietly behind them.

The study reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were boastfully windowpane on the incline opposite the room access, although the fit outside was not substantial, nor was the gentle rain that was pattering onto it.

There was a large leather covered chairperson behind the huge oak desk and a few smaller chairs in front of it. Along the other two paries were shelf with loads of record. well-nigh of them were about various magical creatures.

Albus, flatness, and Saint John the Apostle took the seating that were in front of the desk while Kaden wandered around the subject field looking at affair. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the front of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"Matt said in barely more than a voicelessness,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch final,"Matt said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody hell !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his clenched fist loudly against his desk,"Did Professor Kendrick allow this ?"

"I do n't know,"lusterlessness replied,"B-but everyone else was at the equal and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's boldness hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with Professor Balladanis earlier in the term."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to have a Christian Bible with Professor Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his study and down towards the lifts. lavatory 's walking speed was nothing compared to Matt 's dad 's. The boy had to run to go along up.

"Where did you Floo from ?"Mr. Eckerton asked once they were in the lift.

"Honeyduke 's,"Albus answered.

"We 'll Floo there now,"Mr. Eckerton replied.

The wizard at the welcome desk looked at them curiously as they rushed towards the fireplaces, but did n't say anything.

Mr. Eckerton handed Albus a bit of Floo Powder and gestured for him to go first. Albus stepped into the fervor and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to spin faster and faster. He saw glimpses of people 's houses, shop class in Diagon bowling alley, and a variety of former places he did not recognize. Then, out of one of the hearth, came a script. Everything seemed to slow down, but Albus was n't sure if it actually did or not.

The hired hand grabbed him. Albus fought against it, but it was too unassailable. All of a sudden he was laying on a dusty wooden base, one that was not at all like the one in Honeyduke's.

Albus coughed and stood up. His heart was beating fast. What had happened ? Why was n't he in Honeyduke 's ? Where was he ? Whose hand was that ?

Albus grappled for his wand and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, Potter,"a frigid voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching following to the fireplace with his hand inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank room than he did in Hogwarts.

The fireplace glowed green and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. John came tumbling out of the fire and scrambled too his understructure, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breath and stuck his script in the fire again.

"What the ?"John whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody Hades !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the room. It looked vaguely intimate, but Albus could n't put his finger on it. The windowpane were boarded up, but it was definitely not the Shrieking Shack. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo Network anyway.

The open fireplace glowed common yet again, this fourth dimension sending Kaden onto the floor. This earned another call from Lubar, who stuck his hired hand in the fervency again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his animal foot and stood next to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid eyes on Lubar.

Albus wanted naught more than to run from the room, but he did not get it on where the building was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably bedaze him or something.

Green light filled the room as the fireplace glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that Matt would be the one to next decline out of the flames. Mere seconds later, that hunch was confirmed.

matt coughed and scrambled to his feet. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the fervour and lit his wand, which illuminated his sinister grimace. He began to pace slowly in front of them.

"wellspring, well, you went crying to pappa just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do love when things work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could feel Matt shaking next to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and unarm Lubar.

"Any approximation where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. pin-up shop, pity about the owner. Yes, a real shame."

Lubar did n't seem at all upset about what happened to the shop possessor. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"Well, let 's not waste our meter here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few people who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his fingers three metre and Albus heard footfall on the stairs.

Three wizard descended the stairs and strode into the elbow room. They lit their wands at the same sentence and Albus gasped when the Christ Within showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three people Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As good a dueller he was, he was up against four fully qualified wizards. Three of them did not possess the skill to duel, but Albus had no thought what Lubar was capable of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a lovely reunification. Unfortunately we have n't got time to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his wand pointed at his neck. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his Fatherhood had John. Matt, seeing his friend restrained, made a run for the nearest window.

"Not so fast, Edward Young werewolf,"Lubar caught him by the rachis of his robes and wrapped one of his sleeve around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robes with his free hand and pulled out an old tea kettle hole. He held it out to the early three men and each one put a discharge hand on it. Albus knew what was going to materialise right before it did. He shared a frightened glance with mat before feeling a jerked meat behind his belly button.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : I decided to do section of this chapter from Harry 's point of view. It begins in his peak of survey and then switches back to Albus 's. star indicate where the point of view switches.


"Spectacular save by Georgia Weasley !"the commentator shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into play. It was immediately taken into will power by Hogwarts, and all three chaser threw it back and forth as they flew to the Australian end of the pitch.

"Score ! Hogwarts has scored against Australia, bringing the total to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as loud as the students. One thing he loved about the Quidditch tournament was that he did n't take in to try and hide his upheaval when Hogwarts scored. During business firm matches, he had to try and pretend he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As well-chosen as Harry was about the Hogwarts Chasers being very skilled, he did not deliver Leslie Townes Hope that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's quester, Linda esprit de corps, was the best seeker Harry had ever seen outside of professional Quidditch. He knew that his son, James I, was unspoilt, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his finger on it. Her speed on a broom just did n't seem cancel. Professional Quidditch actor would kill for her speed.

"I 'm surprise she has n't found the Snitch yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the slant. James was doing the Saame,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the eternal rest of the staff who were sitting around him. Most of them were quite reserved. nobody seemed to be showing the enthusiasm Harry was. He did n't care. Harry did n't share their belief that teachers could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few professors stood up and then sat back down again as someone squeezed their way past them. Harry craned his head and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't know the man well. They 'd met on occasion at the Ministry, although Harry had a feeling he 'd be seeing more of him now that he was drumhead of the department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than master storey. Harry had never met a male parent who was more protective of his son than Walter Eckerton, although he did bear good ground. Never a more commit founder, either.

Bruno Walter continued his way past the early professors until he stopped in figurehead of Harry. Harry was even more shocked to see the expression on his face. trouble was etched in every part of his face, bringing out the wrinkles, but there was anger in his eyes.

"Walter,"Harry shook his paw as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Walter muttered,"I need a word in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be proper back and he followed Walter out of the outdoor stage. They continued walking until they were a poor aloofness away from the pitch shot and then Walter stopped.

"The male child have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"Wait, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and Matt ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Bruno Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the Head of the department for the Regulation and Control of Magical beast in Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the change of subject."Yes, not a very tolerant bloke, is he ?"

Walter 's aspect hardened."That 's a Nice way of putting it. The fella is vomit and twisted and he 's got a score against me. Very retentive write up and I have n't got time to tell it. brusk interlingual rendition is that when Matt was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to transmute in a edifice with other werewolves, older werewolf. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever reason, Lubar decided to visit Hogwarts today, possibly under the make-believe of attending the Quidditch match.

"The son saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. mat 's absolutely terrified of him, which is why they came to me. I came back with them. They Flooed before I did, but when I arrived at Honeyduke 's they were n't there. I 've already spoken with the owners of the store as well as a few other Hogsmeade residents. No one 's seen them. We 've got to find them."

Harry 's heart sank."You do n't guess Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not dangerous, is he ?"

"To matt, yes, but I have n't the little mind as to why he 'd want the other boys,"Bruno Walter said.

"Even if he did only want mat, he 'd have to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him contract Matt sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every available Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to shift himself from Washburn 's grasp as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the location was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instantaneous, but this time there was a pregnant lag. Albus had time to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The second clue that their destination was far away was the fact that it was very dark when Albus finally landed on the earth. Not nighttime like an impending storm either. darkness as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his feet. Loud clump around him told him that his Friend had landed as well.

The background was mute and voiceless and the leaf around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some sorting of woods. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that seemed to stretch towards the starry sky.

There was no moonlight to clear up the forest. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yards away from the boys and were whispering to each other. All four had lit their wands, but it was n't enough wand light to give Albus a respectable persuasion of his surroundings.

Matt, John, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their wands out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't dare light it.

"Why is it dark ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the Scheol are we ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"We 're in Commonwealth of Australia,"matt said in awe, as if he was just coming to term with that fact.

"We Portkeyed across an sea ?"Kaden gasped.

When Albus thought about it, it made sensation. Lubar was from Australia, so why should n't he contract them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't work sensory faculty was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could order, the four wizards seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the world. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old family ?"John asked.

"How should I do it ?"matt snapped,"Australia 's a Brobdingnagian country !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could enshroud there,"Saint John the Apostle muttered.

"You would n't want to,"flatness said,"My stupid person cousin owns it now."

"You have a cousin ?"Albus asked.

"Not significant,"lusterlessness said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying aid,"John whispered, gesturing to where the four sensation stood huddled in a circle,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right there,"mat pointed to the tea timpani, which was a few infantry away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the numeration of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to find fault it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the other three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you expect ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you realize how much more difficult this is going to be now ? We only needed thrower ! But no, you had to go and insist on bringing that werewolf kid as well."

"You would n't even have managed this if it were n't for me !"Lubar growled,"So do n't go telling me what I should and should n't suffer done."

"well, now we 've wound up with two extra one as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're kids, how a good deal trouble can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't cognize this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the rationality we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your incredible imbecility,"Lubar said.

Albus was very intrigued. Lubar was arguing with them as if he knew them well. Had Lubar really been working with them all along ?

What did they need him for anyway ? What had Willinson meant when he said 'we only needed Potter'?

"Shut it, Lubar,"Jarrett said.

"I 'll say what I like,"Lubar replied,"This is my chaparral, not yours."

"You own the forest now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a matter of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to Matt,"So many years have passed. Tell me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprise, it was lav and not Matt who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed lav with a lazy wave of his wand, leaving Saint John the Apostle stunned in front of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better dueler than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing John Lackland 's verge, Lubar turned back to Matt, who was shakily holding his scepter up.

"It does n't count what country you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the same affair no issue where you live. The police force do n't change what you are. feign as practically as you like, but it wo n't shift a thing."

Now Albus wanted to go after Lubar. The anger was boiling up inside of him and he did n't think he had ever felt more angry in his entire life, and that included every face-off he had had with Scorpio Malfoy. Malfoy was like a fluffy kitten compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. trick was already wandless. It would do them no good if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to wait, to wait until he could view them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the header of the department in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"hypothesis it 's just a issue of clip until the same thing happens. You 'll have to flee again."

Matt was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his brain, trying to figure out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for pigeon hawk 's sake !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping affair ? Did we really risk Portkeying a bunch of tyke to Australia just to waste time taunting one of them ?"

"tranquillity !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"alibi me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the name of Merlin do you live them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breathing spell, waiting for Lubar to put some sort of jinx or condemnation on Kaden. Sometimes his cousin was quite heavy. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a clip not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprise, Lubar smiled. It was a twisted kind of grin, but a grinning nonetheless.

"I think that 's a average question,"Lubar said."My first cousin married this changeling,"Lubar pointed at Jarrett.

"You 're married ?"Kaden gaped at Jarrett, causing Albus to groan. Why would n't Kaden just shut up ?

"Not for much foresightful,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we delight just get on with this ?"

"Patience, cousin-german,"Lubar said as he began to take the air slowly around the other three,"We mus n't do this hastily. rushing is the reason you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The only thing Albus could remember of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their plan, they would n't have taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at Matt, who still looked scared out of his mind. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed smart, much overbold than the other three, and that scared Albus more than than anything else. There was a big remainder between dueling mortal who was smartness and dueling someone who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a short piece later. Harry had briefly questioned the possessor of Honeyduke 's, but they had not seen any of the boys.

Harry and Walter ran towards the aerodynamic lift at top speeding, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the bloke at the welcome desk. The lifts could not go fast enough for the two men. Harry nearly pulled the room access open when they finally arrived at Magical Law Enforcement 's floor.

The Auror position was slightly more lively than the rest of the Ministry, but not much. Three Aurors were inside, two of whom hastily shoved away a down of Exploding Snap card and stood up upon seeing Harry get. The early Auror, a rather brusk but stocky witch, shoved the book she was reading in the draftsman, and joined the other two.

"ceramist, sir !"the beldam said,"We thought you were at Hogwarts today !"

"I was,"Harry said darkly and explained the situation.

The three Aurors looked downcast as they waited for Harry to give them instruction.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the wizards,"Brighton,"he looked at the witch,"Get started with an extensive search of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't engaged with anything else. Tiburon and Oswald are on duty in Hogsmeade today, inform them of the situation."

Dabney and Brighton nodded before dashing out of the room. Harry turned to the remaining Auror."Lewster, you will be searching the Forbidden forest as soon as soul else arrives."

Harry pulled out his baton and muttered a magic spell. An enormous silvery stag flew out of his wand and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the room and Harry leaned against the close desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the door just as Ron was running through, followed by half a dozen early Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a worried tone.

Harry rehashed the entire situation again. Ron 's cheek paled."What about pink wine, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his caput,"It was just the boys."

"Thank pigeon hawk,"Ron whispered,"But Harry, what about Willinson ? D'you think he 's got anything to do with this ?"

"It 's crossed my mind,"Harry muttered,"But I have n't got a hint as to how Lubar would screw him."

"With coloured thaumaturge, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the lookup of the Forbidden woods. Lewster 's going with you. And take Daniel and John Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the elbow room, followed by Lewster and two former whizz. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The rest of you can look the castle and flat coat. Be discrete. I do not wish to disturb the Quidditch match unless it is absolutely necessary,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the elbow room and Harry turned to Walter. He slowly shook his head. Why was it always Albus ? This was the third twelvemonth he had gotten into worry. Albus 's years at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd better go Floo dwelling and recite Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to fall apart."

Harry nodded as Walter left the elbow room. Ginny. Harry snapped his chief up. She was going to be watching the match, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the room. How was he going to separate his married woman that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't have a cue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go wrong ? We 're center across the world from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your betise,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the human beings ? Harry thrower 's son ! You have n't a clew as to how matter work in the Ministry !

"I can assure you that at this very bit, the total Auror Department is looking for them. Harry thrower 's probably got every Auror on this case. It wo n't take them long to realize that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to Matt,"He 's got the most meddling parents in the humans. They 'd sooner kill everyone in the humans before letting something take place to him. Very irritating. They wo n't perch until they find him. Not to advert the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry official. We 've got two kids of two of the most prominent Ministry functionary of Britain. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be measured !"

"well, you 're the one who wanted to take the werewolf, too,"Jarrett growled.

"And you 're the one who insisted we take Potter 's son !"Lubar shouted,"Why do we even need him ?"

"We just do !"Jarrett shouted back.

"If both of you idiots had n't wanted to bring the kids, we could 've done this whole thing without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the same time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't have a chance to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only hope that the genius would have enough to debate about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the firm ?"

"wealthy person you learned zilch ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the first property they 'll look is the house."

"Got any in effect ideas ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a secret slight shack somewhere in this area ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. plenteousness of places to hide, not very inhabited. Perfect place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a frailty hold again. Matt was once again in the clutches of Lubar, and John the Divine and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very little about the Aboriginal Australian outback, just that it was n't suitable for much human being inhabitation. However, the one piece of entropy he did know about it was that it was where most of the dementors that used to guard Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat pop place for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two irregular to realize what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sensation of side-along Apparition.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all of the awesome people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the late chapter, this one goes back and forth between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking free of Jarrett 's grasp. He tripped over a rock'n'roll and landed cheek first in the sand. Spitting the grittiness out of his back talk, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too dark to see anything but the outlines of passel in the distance. The outback seemed very discharge and very tranquillise. There was a very small-scale clump of Dubya and trees nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see much else in the way of plant sprightliness.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a abandon place in his liveliness. There was absolutely nothing around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't have gotten very far. As dangerous as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would take in no chance of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to know that Albus and the others would n't run away. He neglected to use any variety of ropes to tie them up or put any trance around them. Instead, he walked a curtly distance in the direction of the mountains and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to comply them.

"What are we going to do ?"St. John seethed,"Has anyone got any idea where we are ?"

"The outback 's vast,"matt replied,"I bet we 're ripe in the midriff of it. The cheeseparing culture 's probably miles away."

"So we 're done for,"King John groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No idea,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not have to find out."

"Do you really retrieve your dads are going to be capable to find us ?"John asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's right,"Albus said,"The solid Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll get hold us."

"Does block like this happen every year ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, hold out year I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll find next year ?"

"Hopefully nothing,"Albus said.

"If there is a next year,"St. John the Apostle muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the son,"I did n't tell you to babble !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the aloofness,"There 's people gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his pith leapt a bit. There was a small gather of figures a few yards away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just vampires. They wo n't annoy us. I know that coven. They know better than to mess with me. I 'll make life pretty woeful for them if they do."

"Cutting deals with lamia now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's promise sank once again. Lubar seemed more jumble than ever. He cut pile for lamia but passed restrictive laws on werewolf ? It did n't make believe sense.

The men lowered their voices again and Albus wished he had a few extendable Ears with him. He did n't dare talk to his champion, just sent them anxious glance every now and then.

A cold flatus blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the sort of frigidity that chilled him to the bone. Hoping that it was n't going to rain down, or snow ( was n't it winter in Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no clouds, but what Albus saw was a great deal worse than clouds.

Five or six mask shape were slowly circling above them. Although he had never before seen one, Albus recognized them as dementors immediately. Despite the dark, Albus could clearly draw out their forms. As they got closer, he could even hear their rattling breath.

The creation in movement of him began to drown. He felt like he was going to pass out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the felicity out of him. Albus was left with all his unhappy thoughts.

His dad was n't going to find them. They would be stuck on the Aboriginal Australian outback until Lubar and the others did what they were going to do. Then who knew what would chance ?

"No, no, no !"Matt shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to await towards his supporter. lusterlessness was kneeling on the solid ground, shaking violently. Both John and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of course the dementors would affect matte the uncollectible. He had gone through things that Albus, John, and Kaden could n't even imagine. It probably did n't help that Lubar was actually portray, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his wand out of his robes. He 'd heard the incantation for the Patronus charm before and figured it was worth a stab. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his scepter at the sky. nix happened.

A happy thought ! How could he accept forgotten that ? It was difficult to recall of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to mat shouting on the ground.

When the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his wand to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the incantation while using versatile happy computer memory. zilch was happening, but Matt 's cheering was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the priming coat. It looked like matte had passed out.

Thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his wand at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his baton and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few endorsement. He had kind of done a Patronus spell !

"Bloody Hell,"John whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"someone shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar running at them with his wand pointed at the dementors. A silvery squirrel was floating ahead of him and the dementors scattered as it reached them.

Albus 's misty brainiac immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his wand in his gown before Lubar thought to disarm him.

"Leave him,"Lubar growled at John and Kaden, who were set to the ground trying to get matte to wake up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a flaming glorious place to come."

Lubar paid no attention to Washburn 's comment. His centre were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very curious look. Albus took a spooky footstep back, but Lubar did not ward off his gaze. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"ceramist, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up High Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some good news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the centaur,"Lewster said,"They saw three sorcerer in the forest a few time of day ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my last Galleon the former two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the centaurs know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the forest floor for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't surprise him. The Resurrection rock was someplace in the woods."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his oral sex,"And the Centaur are pretty certain they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can find out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't retrieve that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no doubt in my mind,"Harry answered,"It 's just a matter of finding them. hear, I 've got to go search Dervish and Banges. I 've got this hunch about the lieu. Seems like the unadulterated billet for Washburn to get hold of them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go catch the end of the match. I wo n't mention anything to James and Lily yet."

"Good,"Harry said,"I 'll be in affect soon."He kissed her lightly on the forehead."We 're going to find him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"Stay safe."

Ginny turned around to walk back to the Hogwarts grounds while Harry picked up the rate and walked the brusk length to Dervish and Banges.

The building looked utterly abandoned. The windows were still boarded up, the grass overgrown around it. It certainly did n't look like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his wand, he crept cautiously to the door. He carefully pulled the boards off of it and quietly wrenched the door surface. Without lighting his verge, he walked inside.

The place had the olfactory sensation of a recent fire in the hearth. person had been there. However, there was not a auditory sensation from anywhere in the building. Harry lit his wand and saw that it was deserted.

After a exhaustive check of the entire building, in which Harry found no sustenance creatures, he returned to the independent room. The fireplace was filled with nearly dead coal and there was a small-scale pile of Floo powder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an incantation that would secern him where the finis soul to use the fireplace had Flooed from. He waited for the incantation to work, his pith hammering.

Soft red smoke emitted from his wand, curling together to form the Holy Writ 'Ministry of conjuration .'Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a uncertainty, Harry knew that Albus and the other boys had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The lonesome question was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, ceramicist ?"Lubar asked.

"Thirteen,"Albus replied, still a bit nervous as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the second dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus Charm to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his chief, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may induce taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the first clip I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't tell me you were skilled at defensive magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is Potter 's aptitude for Patronuses really relevant to what we 're doing ?"

"It matters if they decide to try and hex us !"Lubar snapped,"I think it might be better if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his wand harder. He glanced at Matt, who was still unconscious. John did n't have his sceptre. Kaden was n't very commodity at dueling. It would be up to him, to Albus, if this came to a duel.

"The alone one who 's got any skill is thrower,"Jarrett said,"The other three are n't going to be difficult."

"Fine,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to speak to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few yard away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where Matt had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing spell or two."Matt, Matt,"he whispered,"wake up."

After a minute or two, Matt 's eyes fluttered open and he sat up."What happened ?"he asked, looking around confusedly.

"You passed out,"Albus told him,"When the dementors were here."

"But Albus cast a Patronus !"John said excitedly.

"You what ?"lusterlessness gaped at him.

"It was just silvery mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his saki,"lusterlessness shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The early three son shook their heads."material body,"Matt muttered.

"You need some burnt umber or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"Might,"Kaden began fishing around in his sac. He produced a drinking chocolate batrachian and handed it to mat, who took it without saying a word.

"Listen,"Albus said,"Whatever it is that they want to do here, they 're doing it soon. Do you think you can get up ?"

Matt nodded and Albus helped him to his feet. Lubar and the others were walking towards them again. Albus slowly pulled his wand out of his robes and held it to his face, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a pile of woodwind and set fire to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the male child. Albus was now clearly able to see the twisted expression on Lubar 's face.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"Fire 's going to attract attention !"

Lubar laughed."fervour 's going to see to it that those vampire stay away and we 've got to see what we 're doing !"

Albus glanced towards where the lamia had been congregating. They were currently walking farther away from Albus and the others. Thinking back to Linda 's boggart, he remembered that vampires are destroyed by fire. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his hand, but Albus could n't make out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you fuck what this is, ceramicist ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to sound too nervous.

"It 's the Resurrection Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly hide his gasp as he peered close-fitting at Jarrett 's outstretched hired man. There was a very small rock sitting in it. The Resurrection Stone. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three objects he had been after for years. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to fathom confident.

"antediluvian magic is a beautiful thing, ceramist,"Jarrett answered,"There are long forgotten turn, tour that workplace very nicely with long bury magical objects such as this Stone. It was merely a matter of finding the correct spell, getting to the Forbidden timber, and putting it to use. Quite simple now that I look back on it."

"Only because you did n't do any of the work,"Lubar muttered,"It was I who found the piece !"

"The former Hallows will prove to be well-fixed to obtain with the aid of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the sound of that. The Lucy Stone itself did one thing and that was bring back the spirits of people who had passed on. How would that help Jarrett get the other Hallows ?

The invisibility Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his robe. He really hoped Jarrett would n't make that.

"Another matter that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot cares who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the fire and strode skinny to Albus. Albus took a tone back as his heart started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, Potter. You should be afraid,"Jarrett 's gaze swept over all four son,"You should all be afraid."

"Quit taunting them and just do it,"Washburn said impatiently.

"With this stone,"Jarrett said a bit louder,"I will add back Lord Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the door completely off its flexible joint as he did so. He had to line up Bruno Walter. He had to find Bruno Walter and then go to the Ministry. The fireplace did not establish signs that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop. That left either phantasm or a Portkey, both of which would let left ghost that he 'd want the Department of Magical exile for.

Harry rounded a street corner as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a Wiccan. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a unusual look of confusedness and impact, commingle with mingled fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a trouble,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the friction match over ? How badly did we lose by ?"

"Only a hundred head,"Ginny said,"But we might not make actually lost. Listen, did you know Australia 's Seeker is a vampire ?"

"waiting, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to wrap his mind around that fact while still focusing his mind on Albus.

"I 'll explain after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"Right,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead. Someone was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm sure it was Al and the others. I 've got to find Bruno Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not sure where that will direct us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be careful,"Ginny said as she gave him a buss,"And bring him back."

"I will,"Harry said as he kissed her back,"I 'll see you soon."

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Bruno Walter striding out of Honeyduke 's. With one endure look at Ginny, Harry met Walter half-way.

"We 've got to get to the Ministry,"Harry said immediately, and explained about what he had found at Dervish and Banges and what Lewster had learned from the centaurs.

Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the spot. They reappeared a trivial while later in a little apparition sleeping room in the Ministry.

Passing the perplex looking security measures safety device for the third time that day, Harry and Bruno Walter ran to the lifts. Neither of them said a word as the lift clattered to the department of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, deliver for one very bored looking crone sitting at a desk.

"Mr. ceramicist, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her feet off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to know if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that Saami position. And if you 're able to, I need to know where they went."

"Of course, Mr. Potter, of course,"the witch said as she got up. She disappeared into another room, shutting the room access behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the nearest chair. Walter sat down in the adjacent one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll find them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Bruno Walter replied,"However, that is not the only thing I am worry about. The final stage fourth dimension lustrelessness had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for months afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not bed much about therapy, except that wizards did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must have been bad.

"Do you heed if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not sure if he was overstepping some kind of boundary.

Walter did not speak for various seconds."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't have to explain."

"I will,"Walter said quietly,"Shortly after Matt was bitten, I became the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia. cipher outside of the section knew about his condition, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my old stead of headland of the Werewolf Control building block, and was quite green-eyed that I was given the point position. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a grudge he held against me for many years, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it slip that mat was a werewolf. A bit of lawmaking had been passed that required all places of transformation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected matt 's and it failed on a triviality. Ministry sum were set up for wolfman to transform in, together. Matt was required by law to transform there since his safe room did not offer. I refused to have him transubstantiate there. The papers were all over it. I lost my job. Lubar was appointed to the principal position.

"More legislation was passed. A law that stated that Ministry functionary could physically ram loup-garou into the transformation shopping center. On the day of the full moon, Lubar Flooed into our house and took Matt to the center. By the clip I figured out which center it was, the moon had risen. It was too late.

"lusterlessness spent calendar week in St. Mungo 's. By that time we were nearly ready to move here. He was so shock, it took calendar month for him to get over it. To be honest, I do n't think he 's fully over it.

"The only reasonableness Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so macabre and bend,"Walter finished as he put his question in his hands,"I swore I 'd never let him near mat again. Swore I 'd kill him if he went near Matt again.

Walter gave an odd form of laughter."Listen to me, I 'm telling the Head of the Auror Department that I 'd invest murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go keep the male child,"Harry said, still processing what Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so reluctant to let Matt out of their sight, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One thing that Harry could tell was that Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to St. James, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your fault,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't consume mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no estimable to dwell on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my buddy said when Matt was in St. Mungo 's,"Walter said wryly.

"Mr. Potter !"the witch came bustling out of the room she had gone into, brandishing a musical composition of parchment, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the parchment. His middle scanned the sheepskin. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few short hr ago. That in itself did not shock Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Walter, who had visibly paled at the word,"They 're in Australia."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome people who have read and left such cover girl recap !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the previous chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so hard that he could Apparate. Why did you give to be seventeen to get your phantasma license anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical exile, he would alter that law. Apparition would 've enabled him to get out of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to bring in back Lord Voldemort with the resurrection Stone.

Albus could not remember being more scared in his lifetime. This was far worse than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two years ago, far worsened than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the previous year. Lord Voldemort was far chilling than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort looking like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Stone could n't actually bring people back to lifespan. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a ghost. But would he be able-bodied to do magic, to do the hex and jinx he did when he was alive ?

Albus held his breath as he watched Jarrett turn the Edward Durell Stone over in his helping hand. Albus had no idea how it worked, but judging by how silence all of the grownup were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the stone. He did it for so longsighted that Albus had to let out his breath. The excited gleam on Jarrett 's face slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it work ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you positivist this is the right Lucy Stone ?"

"Of row I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the Stone,"The while said it was !"

"well, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a suspiration of relief. Either they had the amiss stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the stone over in his hands. On the one-third number, a strange sort of mist appeared in forepart of him. Albus 's spirit sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to exonerated and a public figure was standing in front of Lubar. The form was not Lord Voldemort, though. Albus had no theme who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This person was a womanhood, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging curious glances. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the chassis, his face contorted with something Albus could only assume was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped closer to the woman.

"You idiot !"Jarrett shouted,"That 's not Voldemort !"

"I know that !"Lubar snapped and the looked back to the adult female, who was apparently his mother,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the woman replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his friends, who were all staring in muddiness at Lubar. mat in particular was giving Lubar a very foreign look. Apparently the stone was the Resurrection Stone and it did indeed body of work, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's female parent agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very lofty of you, son."

Albus had to brood his sassing to conceal his snort. What sort of mother could be majestic of what Lubar had done ?

"I 've tried,"Lubar said,"I swore I would after, after what happened."

"You have,"Lubar 's mum replied,"You 've done me proud."

"Oh for Merlin 's sake !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to have forgotten that there were early the great unwashed around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's mother began to fade as soon as Jarrett took the rock. Running towards her, Lubar held out his hands trying to hold on her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's mother completely disappeared, Lubar had his wand out and was holding it up at Jarrett. Jarrett had taken out his own wand, but neither man was hurling curse. Washburn and Quinton had taken a few stairs back.

"You arse !"Lubar shouted,"That was my female parent !"

"I know !"Jarrett replied,"That 's why I did it ! We 're trying to take back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not affront my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his wand.

Jarrett fell to the reason, completely ineffective to move. Lubar stood over him with his wand directed at his chest.

"My mother was a lovely person,"Lubar growled,"You 're grim to be speaking ill of the dead like that."

Albus did n't really think Lubar should be talking about who is sick and who is n't. Nor did he cerebrate his mother was particularly lovely. Never before had Albus thought he 'd check with Jarrett Willinson on anything, but when it came to Lubar 's mother, he did.

"better they hex each other than us, right ?"John muttered.

"Good point,"Albus replied.

"Can we delight just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the impression that that 's what we were here for, not to affront each other 's mothers."

Lubar turned his scepter on Washburn."Have you anything to say about my female parent ? wellspring, do you ?"

Washburn hastily pulled out his own wand."Er, no, she seemed quite lovely."

"commodity,"Lubar said manically,"Keep it that way, or you 'll end up like him."Lubar gestured to Jarrett, who was still laying paralyzed on the ground, his middle darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Bruno Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll require you to copy that Portkey,"Harry said to the witch, who nodded and left the room again.

"Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred percent sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly positive degree that they are with the male child in Australia."

"Right,"Bruno Walter agreed,"The grounds surely points that way."

"There is something about that investigating that hardly anyone in the Ministry knows,"Harry lowered his voice,"Nearly a class ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror Department needed some assistance with capturing the other two. The government minister hired a Presuler."

Walter let out a low whistle and then actualization dawned on his typeface."delay, you do n't mean-"

"Tethys Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the pretense of teaching Defense Against the night Arts."

"Bad melodic theme on the minister of religion 's part,"Bruno Walter muttered.

"It was my musical theme to station him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not know that he would be such an awful teacher."

"I wo n't take it against you,"Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a part of this investigation, I have to get through him and he will have to go with us to Australia. I understand that you have had your differences, but-"

"If he helps to discover lusterlessness, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. potter, Mr. Eckerton,"the witch returned holding a misshapen charge card container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore assistance, let me know."

"That 's it for now,"Harry said as he took the container,"Thanks."

******

Albus stood frozen as the four men dueled each other. all unsure of what to do, yet very happy that they seemed to have momentarily forgotten about the boy, Albus just stood there watching. lustrelessness, lav, and Kaden did the Saami, although John looked more than a bit discerning, most in all likelihood due to his want of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to claim the Stone from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not take kindly to this and hexed Washburn. In the imply sentence, the Stunner had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing curse at each other while dodging the fire. Albus was form of hoping one of them would stumble and sunburn their weapon system or something. Or even better, maybe one or to a greater extent of them would spend their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely worse for wear. All three of them were sporting injuries. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's left arm was being held at an odd slant.

Lubar seemed amercement and even though it appeared that the other three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to accept that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red light at Washburn, who went flying over the fire and landed with a sickening thud in presence of the boys. He did not move. Albus looked down and saw a small stone succeeding to Washburn 's head. He bent and picked it up. It was the Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all modern towards him. Three verge were pointed at his thorax, being held by three the great unwashed with maniacal glimmer in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own verge, his arm shaking slightly. Matt and Kaden had done the same. John tried to hide behind lusterlessness, but was abortive since he was a salutary head teacher taller than him.

"Hand it over, Potter,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant look at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Isidor Feinstein Stone into the pocket of his robes and held his wand up higher.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each other. Balladanis had Flooed to the Ministry shortly after receiving Harry 's Patronus. Harry had filled him in on what was going on, but the man had n't taken his eyes off of Walter the entire time.

"We have n't got meter for this,"Harry muttered and held out the plastic container,"Let 's just go."

Bruno Walter agreed immediately and laid his mitt on the Portkey. Balladanis did so as well, with a little hesitation.

With a intimate jerk behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey stumble was a bit longer than 1 Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his feet and held out his wand as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was sky black and after he lit his wand, Harry knew they were in the middle of a forest.

The woodland was disappointingly calm. The merely sounds were those of creature and the occasional rustling of trees, brought about by the jazz. Not a bingle auditory sensation caused Harry to believe that there were people about, let alone his son.

"ranch out and search,"Harry announced. The place may seem deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some decimal point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the maven said a give-and-take as they combed the country. Harry left no stone unturned as he looked for the modest tincture of evidence of where his son had gone. If only it was n't Nox. baton did n't cater nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a trace of anything that showed anyone had been in that area of the forest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was good at this, that was for sure enough. Harry swore as he returned to the Same lieu he had started from.

Walter returned a few minutes later, looking even more anxious than he did before."nothing,"he muttered,"Not a rive piece of cloak or a single Canute the Great. They did n't stay here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the flat coat with his shoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to render.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a small metal tool in his deal and an unusual sort of excited smirk on his face. He skidded to a halt in front of Harry, holding out the instrument. Harry recognized it as an shadow detector. They were quite uncommon. The Brits Ministry only owned one, for the entire Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Walter muttered,"Any idea where ?"

"A general idea, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Walter 's sarcastic tone,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am aware,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his paw on the metal instrument. It would be capable to manoeuvre them to the relative area they needed to go.

Walter put his hand on the instrument as well and with an exceptionally loud crack, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The ground was moth-eaten and sandlike and there was hardly any plant life lifespan in sight. In the distance there were improbable mountains and dissemble trope floated above them. Harry suppressed a shudder and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a roaring bonfire blazed in the aloofness. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were more familiar with the area.

"Only vampire and dementors ever speculation out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to lead the belittled radical towards the flickering lightness in the distance.

******

"script it over, ceramicist,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to maintain his wand more steady. His scepter arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't seem to be able to hold it steady. His nitty-gritty was thumping hard in his chest. Albus was trusted everyone was able to hear it. However, he did not need to give up the endocarp. That was one thing he was sure enough of. The only way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put retiring him.

"Maybe you should just give it to him,"King John whispered,"I mean, it did n't bring to get Voldemort back."

"No,"Albus seethed, surprised that can had suggested it. He probably would n't sustain if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to bear to duel me, ceramist ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't have got a baton. Not in force odds, if you ask me."

"And do you see that those two are horrible duelers ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that stone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his wand and sent a jet of orange tree Christ Within at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a shield charm, concentrating on making it big enough to shield him and his ally. It worked and the orange igniter bounced harmlessly off the shield and hit the ground.

"check behind me, Saint John the Apostle,"Albus muttered,"Matt and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever spells you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his buckler up while casting former spells, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling object lesson. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to keep the shield up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's shell, but he quickly recovered and began sending hex after hex, nonverbally, at Albus and privy. Concentrating hard, Albus sent a looker at Lubar, but he flicked his sceptre and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone bush, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a coup d'oeil at matte and Kaden. Matt was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was variety of pathetic as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus feel better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus good luck charm at each former and missing every time.

The shield emitting from Albus 's sceptre faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his tightness, but the shield was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able-bodied to send any while through the shield now.

"Your shield is weakening, potter,"Lubar smirked as he sent another stunner at Albus, which shook the shield.

"Falco columbarius !"Quinton shouted to the rightfulness of them. He was hopping on one invertebrate foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some form of hex, although Albus was n't sure what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the primer coat. Albus gasped and his shield disappeared.

"Albus !"lavatory shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the cuticle back up before Lubar shot a hex at John, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be easier just to give me the gem ?"Lubar asked as he sent a lulu at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and flatness were still dueling. Both were sporting a few injuries, but naught too serious. Neither seemed to have noticed that King John and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a trip hex, which gave him a few seconds to catch his breathing time while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a slice across his left cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the slope and the spell hit a nearby careen. Lubar resumed his nonverbal spells and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any other jinxes.

"You ca n't proceed dodging them forever, ceramicist !"Lubar grinned manically.

"Watch me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of row knew that Lubar was right. The odds had not really changed. St. John the Apostle and Kaden were both out of the fight and while John was easily the best dueler after Albus, his absence did not put Albus greatly behind. Washburn was out as well and both Willinsons were injured. Quinton was currently on his knees panting, not in any flesh to keep dueling. Matt was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both puzzle and delighted by.

No, Albus was not trying to have the best Lubar. He knew that would n't be possible. Albus was merely biding for time. He tried to picture out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spells. It must feature been at least three or four time of day, although the darkness Australian sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the lunar month had been out so he could have monitored its head trip across the sky.

How long would it carry his dad to find them ? Longer than formula, Albus thought. They were in the middle of a foreign commonwealth, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, Potter, and you do n't want to see me when I 'm pestered !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red light at Albus.

Before Albus even had time to record what kind of hex it was, Matt gave a shriek of pain to Albus 's right and collapsed to the earth. Jarrett wasted no time and pointed his wand at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a second to digest the fact that he was now utterly alone, facing two fully big whiz. The two maven shot monovular jets of blue light at Albus and he managed to pull up a feeble shield.

The military unit hit him like a dozen Bludgers to the belly. He lost his footing and landed prostrate on his back, his brain hitting a particularly sharp rock.

"I told you not to press, Potter,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the rock,"Albus said, forcing away the lightheadedness. He reached into his robes and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to grab the Stone.

With all the force-out Albus could muster, he threw the Stone as far as he could to the right. In the darkness, it disappeared in a carve up second and Albus did n't even discover it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"scepter where I can see them !"someone shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his head slightly and caught a glimpse of his dad, along with a few other hotshot. He breathed a suspiration of relief. They were saved.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the lovely people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up properly before the hexes started flying. Realizing that he dropped his sceptre when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the priming coat. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby bush and watched.

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

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

The shorter of the two was Matt 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone public eye at anyone else with such hatred and loathing as flatness '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 along out in electrical shock. He was none other than prof Balladanis. What in the figure of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and Matt 's dad. But why ? Did n't lustrelessness 's dad hate Balladanis ?

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

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

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's option of words, but remembering what matt had told him at the beginning of the twelvemonth, all surprisal left him.

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

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different enchantment at Lubar at the Saami time, but it was too lately. 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 difference between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past Quinton and Washburn to reach Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

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

"Al, thank Merlin,"Harry said.

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

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

Balladanis had a house postponement on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a broken charge card cup. A few seconds later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with Matt in his weaponry."Can you subscribe John, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will do with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of John 's arm before pulling his own broken credit card cup out of his air pocket. They disappeared.

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

Albus landed with a clump in the heart of the hospital Wing. The head of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts grounds was the least pressing interrogation on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both Matt and bathroom on the skinny bed while lady Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

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

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

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

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

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

"But-"

"No buts !"dame Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need reside !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his head was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the finish thing he needed was rest. He needed to know what was going on.

"I 'll explicate 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 draft, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight off the sleep he knew was coming.

******

The Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth was quiet when Albus woke up. It was completely dark outside, although Albus did n't have the slightest clue as to what day it was. John, Matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious mind or profound 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 married woman. Both of them were nodding off in chairs next to lustrelessness 's bed. It did n't see like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the Lapplander Ministry robes he had been wearing before.

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

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

"Hey, Al,"they said.

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

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

Albus shook his mind, remembering something he had been debating for the past year. He had waited long enough. It was time.

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

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and top his dad out the doorway and up to the fifth storey corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate knight and turned to face the reverse wall.

Albus located the paw prints and touched his hired 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 last yr ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a release for words.

"There was Sir Thomas More to it. Instructions on how to get into this room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their secret vernacular elbow room,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't reply. Instead he walked slowly around the room. Albus stood near the door and waited. He was n't sure 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 twelvemonth,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend prison term here ?"Harry asked.

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

"Then it is the utter place to babble out,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

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

"I 'll severalise you that,"Harry said,"But first I want you to explicate to me what happened."

Albus took a deep breath and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the castle and ending with throwing the resurrection Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a timber in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to spend a penny, the affaire d'honneur, the fact that the Resurrection gem did n't work to take Voldemort back.

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

Harry thought for a few moment and then looked at Albus."There are a few reasons that might explicate it. The Resurrection Lucy Stone brings back people we love, but it does not wreak them back completely. It 's almost as if their soul is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's possible that since Voldemort split his mortal so many prison term, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The gemstone may need the soul to be entire to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved ace can be brought back with the Edward Durell Stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not love Voldemort ; they did not fuck him. They wanted to bring him back for their own agenda,"Harry explained.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you jazz 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 deterrent example he gave me,"Albus explained.

"Well, that makes my explanation easier,"Harry said,"A short over a year ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to take a Presuler to help receive 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 probably working with Ralph Lubar, I had to get hold of Balladanis and let him have intercourse. He came with us, and I have to take that he was very helpful. We would not have found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

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

"The minister, prof Kendrick, and I believed it would be good strategy to bear him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would generate to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of course of study, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to handle teaching.

"This is all quite tightlipped, Al. I 'd opt you did n't differentiate anyone. I will be telling Matt, John Lackland, and Kaden, because I feel they have the rightfulness to experience, but I do n't want anyone else knowing about it."

"What about Rose and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

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

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

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be slick spot. 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 afford him to us to put on tryout. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not surely they 'll do either."

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

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like zip more than to have him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the legal philosophy do n't shape that way."

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

"I do n't know about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes people to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry affiliation, he does not sustain to take a case if he 's offered it."

"He told me I 'd ca-ca a good 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 decide what I want to do right now."

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

"Being a Presuler is a heavily job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can make it difficult to own a family unit. It 's not an easy way to go down. Not one I 'd opt for myself."

Albus had n't even thought about that. He did n't retrieve he 'd want to rarely ever see his protagonist and family.

"There 's plenty of other things you could do that would put your dueling skill to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no need to decide now."

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

"wellspring, you should probably get back to the hospital fender 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 elbow room and walked back to the Hospital flank, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, Madam Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the Hospital annex with his dad, she was running about the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward shouting at the top of her lungs. Matt, 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 talk to him in secret,"Harry answered for him.

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

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

"I do n't care if you 're the parson of illusion !"gentlewoman Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing arcdegree !"

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

"Fifteen proceedings or so,"matte answered.

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

"Could I have a intelligence in private ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to brothel keeper Pomfrey."Do I need your permission for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"madam Pomfrey muttered.

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

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

"It 's Sunday, honey, but it 's good afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd favour to have breakfast."

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

"Time geographical zone changes are difficult to adjust to,"lady Pomfrey explained,"Commonwealth of Australia 's quite a few hour ahead of us."

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

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

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

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

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

The door to the Hospital Wing banged undefendable and Rose and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a motion to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

"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 compeer ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"rose wine groaned,"I 'm not saying a word about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the name of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"Miss Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't frown your voice, you 'll have to get out !"

"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 dear part of a half hour to tell. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the whole matter. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the time Albus concluded.

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

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

"Falco columbarius, Albus,"rosebush sighed,"How very much trouble can you get into ?"

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

blush wine exchanged glance with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the couple, let me tell you,"Amanda said.

"nonentity won, Al,"Rose said.

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

"About 45 minutes into the match, Fred and Heather ran onto the pitch-"

"The mates lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"rosebush said,"I do n't bed why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo commercial traveler and started talking to him. Nobody could hear what they were saying. Then Bagman blew his whistle and they went into a time-out.

"commercial traveler left the lurch and had a really foresightful public lecture with all the headmasters and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the peer was called off and told everyone to return to their unwashed 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 call it off ?"John asked.

"I 'm getting to that,"Rose 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 teammates who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the front of the crowd and heard what Fred and Heather were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the unharmed time-"

"Well, they were,"Matt muttered.

"I know,"pink wine agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and broom. I 'm sure 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 schoolhouse knows."

"How did they figure it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and Heather were 6th years, they would n't have heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

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

"But what about the couple ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to strike down the tournament, Albus,"rose wine said quietly.

"Cancel the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"Cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole year on that tourney ! Do you have a go at it how much clock time I 've spent on the Quidditch pitch shot this class ? to a greater extent time than I 've spent in course, probably ! And now they 're going to offset the bloody tournament ?"

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

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

"I know,"blush wine replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"flatness asked.

"Gone,"Rose sighed,"Without a word. I have n't seen her or any of the Aboriginal Australian since the match. Killigan 's gone, too."

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

"I guess,"rose wine said,"Anyway, they 'll probably make an announcement about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the amazing the great unwashed who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one more chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to tell everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. madam Pomfrey flat out refused to let any of them leave the Hospital Wing, so she agreed to shut away the door and go to her field while Harry explained. Matt '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 become a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to learn that Balladanis had been hired to avail appropriate Washburn and the Willinsons.

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

"As of rightfield now, he 's completely absolve and in the clear up,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to deliver him, and they wo n't prosecute him in Australia either. To them, it 's like nothing 's happened."

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

"We 're not going to open 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 nighttime, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first year, when mat had told them about his dad 's young grownup aspiration 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 late Night. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

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

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

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

He spent a few instant 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 baffle. I would lie with to part the narrative with my crony. Perhaps I could enter you to him at the mankind Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be OK. Perhaps I will eventually secern him as well."

******

Albus wanted zero more than to be allowed out of the Hospital Wing in time to go to dinner that night. He was sure Professor Kendrick would make some sort of declaration about the tournament and he did not want to miss it.

After a replete ten instant of begging on his piece ( helped out by lusterlessness, John, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state to result the Montgomery Ward. Albus thought this was silly because he felt alright. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a sling ? That should n't stop him from eating dinner with the relaxation of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a unruffled meal in the Hospital Wing and wait anxiously for rose wine 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,"Rose sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The small fry from New York are staying to finish out the year, but the tournament 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"pigeon hawk !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to strike down it ? Could n't they just disqualify Australia ?"

"No,"Rose shook her head,"To do that Hogwarts would bear to bet New York in another final."

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

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

"That 's stupefied,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you feel better, I 'm pretty sure Hogwarts would 've won if Commonwealth of Australia had n't have been here,"Rose pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred business firm compass point to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the theater had people on the squad, so that does n't really assist,"Albus muttered.

"Well,"rosiness grinned,"I know one affair that 'll cheer you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was nothing that could hearten him up.

"There were Quidditch scouts at that compeer,"Rose told him,"And even though the catch was disastrous, they did find someone they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"rose wine exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to play for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

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

"Yup, she 's their fresh backlog Keeper,"pink wine said,"She says Uncle Sir Henry Percy 's not yarn-dye. He wanted her to operate at the Ministry. She does n't deal what he thinks, though."

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

"Kenmare ?"Gospel According to John said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"Matt grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the carom,"whoremaster groaned.

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

"Merlin, I hope so,"John shrugged.

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

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

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

******

madam Pomfrey reluctantly let the boy leave the adjacent day after breakfast. She did n't really have a choice since exam began that day. Albus felt perfectly exquisitely and was quite happy to leave the billet.

rosiness handed him a written matter 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 minutes before his first exam to read the article that was inevitably there.

Australian SCHOOL CHEATS- tournament CANCELED

After a jump discovery made by two Hogwarts
scholarly person, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack academy of
deception, and the Australian School of black art
has been canceled.

The tournament 's final Quidditch match was
interrupted this retiring Saturday by two Hogwarts
sixth twelvemonth, Fred Weasley and Heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Aussie squad
had been cheating throughout the entire
tournament.

A few calendar month ago, allegement were brought upon
the Aboriginal Australian team after their seeker, Linda
Morales, 14, flew at an exceptionally fast speed.
An investigation found naught. The tournament
continued.

Fred and broom Weasley accused Linda esprit de corps
of being a lamia. Vampires are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch teams due
to the unfair advantage they have.

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

Headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Australian
School of black art admitted to allowing Morales
to be the searcher of his team in ordering to win the
tournament. The Aboriginal Australian squad was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, Morales, and the rest of the Australian
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts late
on Saturday, declining to speak with any of our
reporters.

Tournament functionary as well as the other two
headmaster have decided to scrub the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

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

"Killigan is an imbecile,"Albus said.

"looking at at the next article,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON binding IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final examination Quidditch match was ending in tragedy
at Hogwarts schoolhouse of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry
ceramist 's halfway child, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus Potter, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, question of the Department of the Regulation
and mastery of Magical Creatures in Australia.

The four Hogwarts students were taken to Australia
where Harry ceramist and Bruno Walter Eckerton found them.
It is indecipherable what the convicts 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 boys have recovered from the ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the year examinations
at Hogwarts. Harry ceramist 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 coming back for giving him some kind of punishment.

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

Albus was forced to tug Lubar into the back of his idea as exams began. They were all significantly grueling than the premature twelvemonth 's had been, but he was sure he at least passed all of them.

There were short clause in the Prophet about Lubar everyday, but they all said the Lapplander thing. Australia refused to deport 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 zero left for them to do. No studying, no preparation, no Quidditch. rosebush and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the son, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

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

Matt was lost in his own thought most of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went full evenings without saying two words to anyone, something that usually only happened around entire moonlight. However, the adjacent 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 daylights out of him.

John and Kaden remained as knockabout as ever and did not look to be fazed by what had happened in 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 psyche was racing with view of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the articles ever mentioned Balladanis, but he knew that was because Balladanis 's job had to stay 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 London was subdued, the only noise being St. John the Apostle and Kaden 's Exploding Snap cards. Albus and lustrelessness both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a letter endure dark,"rosiness said, breaking the silence.

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

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to evidence 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 unlike country."

"To go to schooling ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her head,"She 's been through schoolhouse a couple clip already. She was n't even a student at the Aussie school day. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing searcher for them. He 's a really cruddy bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

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

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

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

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

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

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

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

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

"Well, I 'd opt Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! Nothing can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"commodity point,"John agreed.

"Let me bonk when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

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

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can live when to invite you lot to my house. My dad said he 'd take us camping."

"Excellent !"St. John grinned,"tenting like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"bread and butter in tents, no electricity, no deception either since we 're all underage."

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

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"Matt answered,"That was the metre I got bitten."

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

"It 's ok,"matte shrugged,"Just do n't go during a wide-cut lunation. I do n't desire any of you having to bring together me in the Shrieking Shack next year."

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

The residue of the trip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were variety of returning to normal. It was almost nice to hear St. John the Apostle and Matt arguing about the cannon again and Kaden arguing about football.

The train arrived in London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying goodbye to his friend, Albus left the station with his house spirit that just maybe lifetime would be rule from then on. well, maybe the summer would be at to the lowest degree be normal. Albus could n't get his Hope up too high.


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

I am working on the one-quarter report but it 'll be a while before the first-class honours degree chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every other week at first base, alternating week with Beyond the Shadow. In the mean sentence, if you want something new to read, I suggest checking out Remember the cannon, which is a collab I worked on stopping point year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley shank and their precipitation. It 's under the username The Golden Snitches and is also in my deary stories so you can bump it that way.