Part 10
46. Progress
In the weeks following Burke’s death Albus’s life seemed to reach an uneasy state of equilibrium. He hesitated to call it “normal,” but for the first time that year nothing huge hovered over him. Kaden gradually came to terms with Burke’s death and while he never spoke about his former mentor, he slowly returned to his usual excitable self. James gained no additional hand function, but he didn’t lose any either. He still had a great deal of trouble recalling spells, but he began spending more time with his friends and less time wallowing in the library.
Albus had heard nothing for weeks about the secretive investigation of Sheldon’s murder, which was both unsettling and a relief at the same time. He wanted to ask Dawlish about it every time he saw him at Auror Headquarters, but knew any attempts would be fruitless. By telling Dawlish about Elsie and the cave, Albus had done everything he could save for going back to the cave, which if he did so would be dangerous and stupid. Not that that had stopped him in the past, but something held him back this time. Perhaps he was simply growing up.
It was a relief when the last Quidditch match came and went without much fanfare. The general mood of the team was much more subdued than normal, but Albus didn’t take it personally. Nor did he take it personally when they lost by 80 points and were thus out of the running for the Cup. Instead, Albus felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The Quidditch season was over, and most likely his stint as captain was over as well. He had yet to broach the topic of his not returning as captain next year to James, but at this point he doubted anyone could convince him to continue.
John popped his head into the captain’s office after the match, his hair drenched with sweat and a trace of mud across his left cheek. “You coming back to the castle, Al?”
“In a bit,” Albus said. While the Gryffindors wouldn’t be throwing a party after the loss, Albus didn’t feel much like sitting in the crowded common room, no matter how subdued it was.
John nodded. “See you up there.”
John disappeared and soon the quiet chatter of the rest of the team disappeared as well. Albus heard the door to the changing rooms close and then he was left in silence. The silence felt good; it was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Albus wasn’t sure how long he sat lost in thought, but the sound of the door opening and closing jolted him out of his thoughts. He craned his head to see outside the captain office and saw James walking through the changing room.
“It’s not your fault the team lost,” James said as he walked into the office and leaned against the desk. Over the past few weeks James had regained a bit of his color and had put on a few of the pounds he’d lost after the accident. He wasn’t back to normal, but it was a start.
“I know it’s not,” Albus said.
“Come on,” James said as he stood up straight again. “I want to go fly.”
Albus snapped his head up and stared at his brother. “You what?”
“I want to fly. The pitch has emptied out. Let’s go.”
Albus didn’t move. “But…you’re not allowed to fly.”
“I’m not allowed to play Quidditch,” James said, with a gleam in his eye Albus hadn’t seen in months.
“But-“ Albus began, thinking back to the time he found James flying alone at night shortly after the accident.
“The weather is perfect. You will be with me. And I can fly one handed when the conditions are decent. I need to fly, Al. Plus, Healer Norlam said I need to do things that make me happy. Flying makes me happy. You can come with me or you can sit here and wallow.”
“I’m not wallowing,” Albus said as he stood up. “I swear.”
“Then why are you sitting in the captain’s office after the team lost, assuming the position of so many team captains before you?”
Albus didn’t say anything, but followed James out to the pitch. On the way, he grabbed his broom. James had his own broom with him, which meant this was a plan he had thought out at least since this morning before the match.
Once they were on the pitch, Albus waited while James mounted his broom and gripped it tightly with his left hand, his right held tight against his chest. He then kicked off the ground and soared into the air with more grace than most people with two working hands. It was a shame, Albus thought, that James’s Quidditch career was ruined. He was a fantastic flyer.
Albus quickly mounted his own broom and caught up with James near the far end goal posts. He had to tell James he wasn’t going to captain next year and somehow this seemed like the right moment.
“I’m going to resign as captain,” Albus said once he reached James. “That’s what I was thinking about in the changing room.”
James said nothing for a full minute. Then he turned to Albus, his expression unreadable. “Is this because Gryffindor lost today?”
“No,” Albus said quietly. “It’s because this was never my thing. It was your thing, and I finished out the year for you because you asked me to. And I’m glad I did, but I can’t keep doing it next year. Not with N.E.W.T.s and not with captaining the dueling team.”
“I forgot about dueling,” James said. He sighed. “Thanks…for finishing out the year.” James turned his broom and began to slowly drift toward the stands.
Albus followed. “Are you upset?”
“No. I know Quidditch isn’t your life. Janie will make a good captain.”
They flew in silence for a while. Albus hadn’t realized how worried he was about telling James his plans to resign until now that he’d done it. But now that was one less thing to think about. And with only a little over a month left of the year, he’d have to tell Professor Longbottom soon.
“Do you know what you’re doing yet, for N.E.W.T.s?” Albus asked.
James stopped flying and turned to look at Albus. “The Ministry has agreed to extra time and letting me use a self-writing quill for the theory. I have to take them in a room by myself because of that. They’re getting me my own proctor. No one knows what to do about the practicals. I won’t be able to do Charms or Transfiguration or Defense because I can’t remember the spells. And Herbology generally requires two hands. I might be able to do a bit of that. Not that it matters much anyway. I’m only sitting them because Mum and Dad want me to.”
“What if they gave you a list of all the possible spells and you could read it during the practical? You’d recognize them, right?”
“Yeah, it’d be like when I write them on my arm,” James said. “They’re considering that, but the Ministry has to decide whether that’s considered giving me an unfair advantage or reasonable accommodation.”
“They’ve got to see that it’s reasonable accommodation,” Albus said.
“As I said, Al, I don’t really care,” James muttered. “I’ll wind up working at Uncle George’s shop either way. There’s not much else I could do.”
Albus tried to think of another job that wouldn’t require James to do incantations on a regular basis, but he couldn’t. Every job in the wizarding world, from a waiter straight up to the Minister of Magic required magic.
“Maybe Rose could think of something,” Albus suggested.
James shook his head. “This is too big a problem even for Rose. It sucks, but it’s my life now. Nothing to be done.”
Albus hated that that was true.
***
The final week of May brought the final week of internships. It was sprung on the sixth years that they would have to submit an essay to their head of house explaining how their internship experience would help their career decisions the following year, due in a week. Albus had a feeling this was an essay all of them except for Rose would save for the night before it was due.
Albus spent his last day at Auror Headquarters hoping Dawlish would walk in. He’d decided since it was his last day of his internship he would ask Dawlish about the murder investigation. What did he have to lose? But the older Auror was nowhere in sight. Johnson wasn’t there either. Thus Albus was spending his last day sorting through paperwork supervised by Teddy, who was writing up late reports.
“I can’t believe you’re going to be a seventh year,” Teddy said as he handed Albus another stack of files. “When did that happen?”
Albus shrugged. “It just did.”
Teddy laughed. “So, are you going to join the ranks and become an Auror?”
“Going to try,” Albus said. “I want to wind up in the Department of Mysteries, though.”
Teddy let out a low whistle. “Harry’s going to be so proud.”
Albus felt his cheeks redden. He knew his father was already proud of him, just for his aspirations, but that put a lot of pressure on him as well. And he knew it wasn’t logical, but he now felt even more pressure now that James’s future was uncertain.
There was a sudden commotion in the doorway. Albus looked up and saw not only Dawlish walking into Headquarters, but Johnson as well. Behind them were a tall, blonde woman and none other than Elsie Willinson, looking terrified.
“Is this whole ministry incompetent?” the woman demanded. “My daughter’s done nothing wrong. Someone needs to tell me why we-“
“As I mentioned no less than five times, we will explain once we are in private,” Dawlish said.
Daughter, Albus thought. Daughter. The woman was Elsie’s mum. And if they were here to speak with Dawlish and Johnson, did that mean Elsie’s false testimony was finally coming to light?
Dawlish and Johnson led Elsie and her irate mother through the sea of cubicles, right past Teddy’s, and into Johnson’s study.
“What is that about?” Teddy asked. “Isn’t that the girl who witnessed the Sheldon murder? The one who wasn’t supposed to be in Hogsmeade?”
“I don’t know if she witnessed the actual murder, but she claims she saw the murderer fleeing the scene. She claims she saw Professor Young fleeing the scene, but that was really Boone.”
“Are you saying she didn’t?” Teddy asked quietly.
“She’s protecting someone,” Albus said, figuring it was okay to tell Teddy this since he was an Auror. “I don’t know who, but I think they’re related to her. And I think that person might be the real murderer.”
“I hope she cracks soon,” Teddy said. “Anyone with half a brain knows Boone couldn’t have murdered anyone.”
“You don’t seem surprised.”
“I knew there was something more to that murder. And the Willinson family? They’re dark. They’re dark and they’ve got secrets. So no, I’m not surprised.”
“I wish I knew what they were saying,” Albus said.
As if on cue, the door to Johnson’s study burst open and Elsie’s mum came storming out. “Elsie! Come with me. Now.”
Elsie, still silent, joined her mother.
“Mrs. Willinson-“ Johnson began.
“I will not have you interrogating her without my attorney present!” Elsie’s mum said. “You’re going to have to wait.”
“A man is in Azkaban!” Dawlish shouted. “Wrongfully accused, because of your daughter’s testimony!”
“Back down, Dawlish,” Johnson growled. “She’s right. She can have her attorney present. You’ve got half an hour, Mrs. Willinson.”
Mrs. Willinson and Elsie stormed out of the room. Johnson and Dawlish returned to Johnson’s study, shutting the door behind them.
“What will happen to Elsie?” Albus asked Teddy. “Assuming they find out she lied?”
“She won’t go to Azkaban, if that’s what you’re asking,” Teddy said. “She’s underage. Her parents will probably have to pay a huge fine and she might have to do some community service hours.”
“That’s it?” Albus asked, outraged. Boone spent months in prison because of her.
“A lot of things slide when you’re underage,” Teddy said. “I’m not saying it’s right-“
“What if she’s also harboring a fugitive? The real murderer.”
Teddy’s eyes grew wide. “What do you know, Albus?”
“Nothing I haven’t already told Dawlish,” Albus said. He briefly told Teddy about the cave in Hogsmeade and what he overheard there back in December.
Teddy shook his head once Albus finished. “You’re always tied up in these things, aren’t you? I don’t really know what will happen to her if it turns out she is hiding the real murderer.”
Albus set down the file he was holding. He looked at his watch. It was five o’clock. His time as an intern in the Auror Headquarters was over.
“Looks like you’re done,” Teddy said. “You survived. Congratulations.”
Albus smirked. “I think Johnson forgot about me. Should I tell him I’m leaving?”
“Probably,” Teddy said. “Just knock on his door.”
Albus did as he was told. A minute later the door opened and Albus walked in. Johnson was seated behind his desk and Dawlish was pacing in front of him. He stowed his wand, which he must’ve used to open the door, in his robes.
“I’m done, sir,” Albus said as he walked toward the desk. “Today was my last day, and it’s five….”
Johnson nodded. “Right. You did an excellent job, Potter. I mean that. I’ll look forward to seeing your application to the Auror Academy.” He stood and shook Albus’s hand.
“Thank you, sir,” Albus said.
“I’ll walk Potter out,” Dawlish said.
Once they were outside Johnson’s study, Dawlish turned to Albus and gave him a wry smile. “You’ve done good, kid.”
“Thanks,” Albus said. “I, er, couldn’t help but notice-“
“Elsie Willinson?” Dawlish said. “Yeah, we got her. Had to clue Johnson into what’s been going on to make it official. With any luck we’ll have Boone out of jail within the next few weeks.”
“What about the cave?” Albus asked.
“Nothing yet, but we’re searching it on a regular basis,” Dawlish said. “Just remember, Potter, stay out of trouble and let us handle this. You’ll have your chance soon enough.”
Albus nodded, and for the first time it felt like he would have his chance soon. One more year at Hogwarts and then it would be him at the Auror Academy, helping to solve crimes.
***
“I wonder how many people are going to try and go into the same field as their internship,” Amanda mused as they sat in the library working on their internship papers the night before they were due. “Other than us.”
“I’m not,” Matt said. “Mr. Weasley already told me there’s no chance of the Ministry hiring him an assistant.”
“Would you want to?” Amanda asked.
Matt shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t fancy working for the Ministry, but I liked working with Mr. Weasley. And it wasn’t exhausting work.”
“You should do something you’re passionate about,” Rose said as she reread her completed essay for what must’ve been the tenth time.
“You know I might not have that option,” Matt said.
“Back to my question,” Amanda said loudly. “I heard Justin Brink really liked Gringotts.”
“As long as Malfoy doesn’t go into the Werewolf Control Unit, I’ll be happy,” Matt said. “Although I really doubt my dad would ever hire him.”
“I heard he hated it anyway,” Rose said. “I’ve already started my application to the School of Healing.”
“Of course you have,” John said. Albus already knew John planned on applying to any available jobs at any Quidditch team once he finished Hogwarts. He wanted to be a strategist, but knew he’d probably have to work his way up the ranks. It was exactly the sort of thing Albus’s parents wanted James to do, before they knew about James’s issue remembering spells.
“Can you lot shut it?” Kaden asked, looking up from the pile of books and notes in front of him. O.W.L.s were only a week away and Kaden, like John the previous year, was trying to fit in a year of studying into a few days.
“It’s not just us,” Albus pointed out, gesturing to the crowded library around him. “Half the school is here. It’s not going to be quiet. Miss Walsh doesn’t demand silence like Madam Pince did.”
Kaden sighed and closed his books. “I’m going to the Den. Nobody bother me unless the castle’s on fire.”
“He’s going to be fine,” Rose said after Kaden left. “He gets good marks.”
“He’s worried because he needs so many O.W.L.s for the Brewing Academy,” Albus said.
“Who’s going to the Brewing Academy?” James asked as he slid into Kaden’s vacated seat next to Albus. He sat a large binder with color coded tabs on the table. He looked worried and his right hand, still in the smaller brace, was twitching slightly.
“Kaden,” Albus said.
“Oh, right,” James muttered as he opened the binder.
“What’s that?” Albus asked.
“Book of spells,” James said, sighing. “Every spell I’ve ever been taught at Hogwarts, compiled by Aunt Hermione. She then organized them by subject and year I learned them. It’s got what each one does and the wand movements as well.”
Albus nodded. The binder was at least three inches thick. He’d never realized just how many spells they’d learned. “Did you hear back from the Ministry about your practicals?”
“Yeah,” James said. “Yesterday. That’s when Aunt Hermione did this.”
“And?” Albus prompted. “Are they letting you use that binder?”
James let out a short laugh. “That’d be nice, wouldn’t it? Then I might have a chance of passing, but no. This is for revising and to use once I’m out of Hogwarts. The Ministry is going to give me a list of incantations for each practical, but only spells I was taught in that specific subject will be on the list. And only spells I’ve learned at N.E.W.T. level.”
“But-“ Albus began.
“I know. I haven’t a chance in hell,” James said quietly. “Spells overlap a lot at N.E.W.T. level, and they often rely on incantations from O.W.L. level. Messed up, isn’t it?”
“Very,” Albus agreed. “Do they just not get that you won’t pass if you don’t have a list of all the spells?”
“Healer Murdock wrote a letter, but they still think it’s cheating and unfair to the other students,” James muttered. “Dad said we could appeal but it wouldn’t be done in time for next week, so there wouldn’t be a point.”
“My mum said special education is really lacking in the wizarding world,” Rose commented. “It’s nearly impossible to get accommodations and even when you do get them they aren’t that great.”
“It’s true,” Matt said. “My parents worked everything out with Kendrick and didn’t bother going through the Ministry.”
“With official tests you have to,” James said. “Kendrick has no say in this.”
“What are you going to do?” Albus asked.
“Try to memorize as many as I can and hope they stick,” James said as he peered over the binder.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Rose asked. “I mean, if there really is something wrong with your memory, and clearly there is, this isn’t going to work.”
“What else can I do?”
Rose sighed. “Could you appeal and then take your N.E.W.T.s next year?”
“I won’t do that,” James said. “I have two more weeks here and then I’m done. I’m not staying any longer than I have to. I just can’t do it.”
After the past few months, Albus couldn’t blame him.
47. A Squib
Ever since Albus’s last day at the Auror Headquarters he’d been obsessively checking the Prophet for news of Boone’s release from Azkaban, but even almost two weeks later there was still nothing. Nor did Elsie Willinson seem any different. She still went about Hogwarts as quiet as she could be, but with much more confidence than she’d had as a first and second year. Albus hadn’t approached her since chances were slim she’d say anything to him if he questioned her.
Albus hadn’t told any of his friends about seeing Elsie and her mum at the Auror Headquarters. As far as they knew, he had dropped his suspicions of Elsie. Albus couldn’t wait until Boone was released and he could tell them everything that had been going on. He’d be able to give Rose the biggest ‘I told you so’ yet, which would be extremely satisfying.
Kaden was now two days into his O.W.L.s and James had his first N.E.W.T. exam the following day. Exams wouldn’t start for the rest of the students until the following week. The library was the most popular place after dinner and Kaden continued to use the Marauders’ Den instead. Albus and the rest of his friends chose the library rather than be subjected to Kaden’s endless shushing. It was strange how exams had changed Kaden’s view on revising.
That night Albus sat in the library with James, Rose, Amanda, and John. It was a full moon and Matt had been in the hospital wing since before dinner due to a high fever that refused to break. Albus, John, and Amanda were all working on the final Transfiguration essay of the year. Rose, who had already finished the essay, was quizzing James on incantations.
“The spell for turning an animal into a goblet,” Rose said as she showed James the proper wand movement.
James mimicked the wand movement with his new wand in his left hand and screwed up his face in thought. “Er…haven’t the slightest.”
“Veriverto,” Rose said quietly. “I’ll give you an easier one. Summoning charm.”
“Oh, come on, I know this one,” James said as he furrowed his brow. “I swear I know it. It’s there, but I just can’t….” He sighed and sat back against his chair. “This is hopeless.”
“I told you this would be pointless,” Rose said. “And it’s Accio.”
James groaned. “Accio! Why can’t I even remember Accio?”
“It’s not your fault,” Rose reminded him. “You have brain damage. And pushing yourself like this is only going to make it worse. You have to let it come back naturally. Didn’t Healer Murdock mention that?”
James nodded. “Yeah, a few times. But my Charms exam is tomorrow.”
“I think the best thing you can do is turn in early,” Rose said. “It’s nine now. Don’t stay up much later.”
“Quiz me a little longer,” James said. “If I could just get…dammit! The summoning charm. That one…to stick.”
“Accio,” Rose said quietly. “And no, James. It’s not a good idea. Go to bed.”
“Fine,” James said, resigned. “Good night.” He closed the binder, hoisted it into his arms, and walked slowly out of the library.
“He’d be better off just sitting the theory,” Rose muttered once he was out of earshot. “Attempting the practicals is just going to leave him dejected.”
“He’s only doing them at all because Mum and Dad want him to,” Albus said. “He doesn’t really care.”
“If he really didn’t care, he wouldn’t be trying to memorize incantations he knows he can’t,” Rose pointed out.
Albus sighed. “You’re probably right. But I don’t think there’s anything we can do. In two weeks he’ll be graduating and that’ll be it.”
“And that’s when it’ll get really hard,” Rose said quietly. “I still can’t think of any jobs that don’t require him to have at least basic incantations memorized. The only one that comes close is a stock boy at a shop and that would require him to have full range of motion in his hands. And even most shop boys have to do basic cleaning spells.”
“Uncle George will hire him,” Albus reminded her.
“I know that, but that takes all the choice out of it,” Rose said.
“Maybe he can work there a while until his memory comes back.”
“Al, I’m not sure it will,” Rose said, barely loud enough for Albus to hear.
“It might,” Albus said, not wanting to think about what would happen if it didn’t. “You don’t know.”
“Neither do you,” Rose said.
It had to come back, Albus thought, because otherwise what would James do? He’d be a fully qualified wizard dependent on a binder of incantations.
“Er, Albus,” John said, pointing to a spot just to Albus’s right, a funny look on his face.
Albus turned and saw Felix Willinson standing just behind him. The boy looked apprehensive and exhausted. His dark hair was a mess and sorely in need of a cut, and judging by the bags under his eyes he hadn’t slept much the past few days.
“Albus?” Felix asked hesitantly. “Can I…er…speak with you? In private?”
“Er…” Albus began. He turned to Rose, who looked just as confused as he felt. Albus hadn’t spoken to Felix in years. Not since the incident in the Chamber of Secrets at the end of fourth year.
“Please,” Felix pleaded.
Albus nodded. “Okay. There’s an empty classroom next door.”
“Thank you,” Felix said quietly.
“If you’re not back in ten minutes I’m going after you,” Rose warned. She looked very uncomfortable with the idea of Albus going off with Felix.
Albus led Felix to the empty classroom, his mind racing. The only thing this could possibly be about was Elsie. Albus thought back to the conversation he overheard in the cave, where Felix tried to convince Elsie not to do something stupid.
“Well, what is it?” Albus asked as soon as he shut the door behind Felix.
Felix sat on the nearest table and stared at Albus. He looked utterly terrified. “I’m sorry, Albus, for everything. Back when I was a first year, and then again in third year. I was stupid, really stupid and-“
“Forget about it,” Albus said. “It was years ago. Yeah, it was stupid, but it’s done. What’s going on now?”
“It’s my sister,” Felix said, barely above a whisper. “She’s done something stupid this time. Something even stupider than what I did. And she’s terrified of you finding out, but I need you to find out because I think your dad and the other Aurors are the only people who can help.”
“My dad’s not an Auror anymore,” Albus said.
“Your dad will never stop being an Auror, no matter what the Ministry says,” Felix said.
He had a point, Albus thought. “Okay. What did Elsie do?” He had a sneaking suspicion this had to do with the person who actually did murder Sheldon.
Felix wrung his hands together, not unlike the way Matt did when he got really anxious. “We have a cousin…Elsie and I. Quinton’s older brother, actually, and he’s….he’s a squib. My parents would kill me if they knew I was telling you. No one’s supposed to know…pureblood family and all. But that isn’t the point. The point is…that cousin, my squib cousin…he killed Michael Sheldon.”
Albus’s eyes grew wide, even though he knew something like this was coming. “And you knew this? All along?”
Felix nodded.
“And you let Boone go to Azkaban, knowing this?” Albus shouted.
Felix flinched. “It wasn’t just me. It was my family. You don’t understand. I would’ve been disowned if I told anyone.”
Albus groaned. He knew pureblood family dynamics were something he’d never truly understand, but he didn’t think there was any way of rationalizing the sending of an innocent man to prison. “A squib. That’s why Sheldon’s throat was sliced. What about the Quidditch player?”
Felix nodded. “That was my cousin, too.”
“And what exactly is Elsie up to?”
“She’s hiding him in the cave near Hogsmeade. He got there tonight That’s why I had to find you, so you can tell your dad.”
Something about this didn’t sit right with Albus. Why was Felix coming clean now? Why was he so worried about Elsie? Why did he no longer care about protecting his family’s secrets? “Wait…why are you telling me all this? I thought your parents wanted you to keep this secret.”
“They do,” Felix said.
“Then why?”
Felix took a deep breath. “Aren’t you curious why my cousin would murder seemingly random people?”
“Well, yes,” Albus said.
“He’s not well,” Felix said. “He hasn’t been for as long as I can remember, but he refuses to get help. Nothing he says is rational. He’s paranoid all the time. He’s dangerous. I don’t want him alone with Elsie, but she won’t listen. She thinks she has to help him because he’s family. She buys into the pureblood sanctions more than I do.”
“Then why was it always you hovering over her? And her not doing much of anything or hanging out with anyone other than you until this year?”
Felix sighed. “I’m her older brother. Much more than that, I can’t tell you. But you have to trust me on this. Get your dad and tell him to go to the cave. I’m heading there now.”
“Are you sure-“
“I have to go now. She’s my little sister. I have to. Just get your dad.” Felix hopped off the desk and hurried out of the room.
Albus stood frozen for a full minute, trying to process everything he’d just heard. Then he hurried to his dad’s study, wondering why, year after year, he always wound up involved with something like this at the end of term.
***
It took Albus’s father almost five full minutes to answer the door when Albus knocked. He would’ve barged right in, but the door was locked. When Dad finally did answer, he looked exhausted and not ready to go capture a murderer.
“What’s going on, Al?” Dad asked as he stepped aside for Albus to enter. “Is James okay?”
“Fine,” Albus said quickly. “This isn’t about James. Dad, are you okay?”
Dad nodded. “Just tired. Haven’t been sleeping well. What’s happened?”
“It’s Elsie Willinson,” Albus said. “Her brother thinks she’s in trouble.” Albus quickly explained everything Felix had told him and by the time he finished, Dad no longer looked ready to fall asleep. He was wide-eyed and alert. What Felix said was true: Harry Potter would always be an Auror.
Dad strode over to the fire, grabbed a handful of Floo Powder, threw it into the flames, then stuck his head in while shouting “Auror Headquarters!” He remained there for a few minutes, then pulled his head out and turned back to Albus.
“Stay here,” Dad said.
“Are you going to the cave?” Albus asked.
“Yes,” Dad said as he took his cloak off a nearby chair and put it on. “Dawlish and Johnson are on their way. I can no longer arrest anyone, but since students are involved I need to get there as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll go with you and show you where the cave is,” Albus said. “There are a lot of caves up there. I swear I’ll stay out of the way.”
Dad sighed. Albus could tell he was torn. “I’ll be of age in two weeks,” Albus pointed out.
“And that doesn’t make a difference when you’re my son,” Dad said. “But you’re right about the cave. I don’t know which one it is. Do you have your Invisibility Cloak?”
“Yeah,” Albus said as he pulled it out of his bag. He’d taken to carrying it around with him all the time.
“Put it on. Do not take it off for any reason,” Dad said quietly. “Leave your bag here. And Albus, you must do whatever I tell you to do. No questions.”
“Yes, sir,” Albus said.
“Let’s go,” Dad said.
It was strange walking alongside his father while wearing the Invisibility Cloak. They passed a few older students on their way to the Entrance Hall, all of whom said, ‘hello, Professor Potter,’ but didn’t even realize Albus was there. Other than those few students, the corridors were deserted, which made sense since it was nearly 9:30.
Outside, the weather was perfect. It was warm, with only a slight breeze, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Millions of stars dotted the inky blackness and the big, bright full moon lit up the entire grounds. Seeing it reminded Albus that Matt would be in the Shrieking Shack at that very moment.
“Light your wand,” Dad muttered once they reached the path to Hogsmeade.
Albus did as he was told and they continued down the path. The village itself seemed closed for the night, with only the Three Broomsticks still showing signs of life. As they walked past, a man stumbled out of the pub and into the alley, where Albus heard the unmistakable sound of retching. Other than that, the only noises were owls hooting and a faint howling that Albus pretended not to hear.
As they neared the Shrieking Shack, the howling grew louder and Albus could no longer ignore it. He swallowed hard and stared at the ramshackle building as they passed. Albus hated thinking about Matt’s transformations and how horrible they were.
They turned to take the winding path up to the mountain. Albus picked up his pace, holding his wand toward the ground to try and keep himself from stumbling. As they neared the top, Albus could see faint light emitting from the cave where he spied on Elsie and Felix in December.
“Is that it?” Dad asked.
“Yeah,” Albus confirmed.
Dad stopped once they reached the mouth of the cave, gesturing for Albus to crouch down out of the way. Albus could hear whispering coming from inside the cave. He watched as his father drew his wand, pointed it at the cave, and muttered a spell under his breath.
“Anti-apparition spell,” Dad explained. “The moment I walk in there, he’ll try and escape. I’m going in. You stay here and stay out of the way. Do not inform Dawlish or Johnson of your whereabouts when they arrive. Keep your wand out. You have my permission to do whatever spell you feel necessary, if something happens.”
“He’s a squib,” Albus reminded his father. “He can’t apparate.”
“All we have is what Felix Willinson told us. We don’t know if he’s been truthful.”
Albus hadn’t thought of that. He needed to start thinking like an Auror.
Dad stood, held his wand out in front of him, and walked into the cave. As soon as he was gone, Albus shifted positions so he could see into the cave. Next, he reached into his pocket, pulled out an Extendable Ear, and inserted one end into his own ear.
Elsie Willinson was perched on top of a rock, glaring at her brother, who stood in the center of the cave with his wand pointed at a tall man who looked like an older version of Quinton Willinson. The man turned around at the sound of Dad’s footsteps and Albus noticed he had the run-down look of someone who had spent weeks or months on the run.
“Who the hell are you?” he shouted. Those were probably words Dad hadn’t ever heard in his life, Albus thought.
Elsie jumped off the rock and stepped toward her brother. “You! You told Professor Potter?”
“Yeah, I did,” Felix said, his wand still pointed at his cousin. “You’re in over your head, Elsie. This has gone far enough.”
“Mum and Dad are going to kill you,” Elsie growled.
Felix paled, but stood his ground. “I don’t know, Elsie. I seem to remember them telling you not to contact Paul. I remember them telling both of us that Paul was abroad and was to stay there.”
“That was before that Boone bloke got convicted!” Elsie shrieked. “It’s safe now!”
“Are you kidding, Elsie? It’ll never be safe.” He jabbed his wand toward Paul. “He murdered two people. Boone was only convicted of one murder. And how do you know he won’t do it again?”
There was definitely something wrong with Paul Willinson, Albus thought. The man hadn’t moved a muscle since turning toward Dad and wasn’t showing any reaction to his own cousin accusing him of murder. Albus knew his father had suspicions as well, since he wasn’t making any moves toward Paul.
“And it’s not like Professor Potter can do anything,” Elsie continued. “He’s not an Auror anymore.”
Albus heard footsteps and turned to see Dawlish and Johnson walking stealthily toward the cave. Both had their wands held out and both had looks of grim determination, although Albus thought he saw a glint of excitement in Dawlish’s face.
“Luckily he’s not alone,” Dawlish said as he and Johnson stepped into the cave.
Paul Willinson snapped out of whatever trance he’d been in, yanked Elsie toward him, and held her against his chest with his right arm, while he reached into his pocket with his left. Elsie screamed just as Paul pulled a small knife out of his pocket and held it against Elsie’s neck.
“Let her go!” Felix shouted as he ran toward Paul and Elsie. “Petrificus-“
Dad blocked Felix’s spell with a flick of his wand and sent Felix falling over backward. Dawlish and Johnson, neither of whom showed any shock at what had just happened, stepped closer to Paul.
“Stay back, Felix,” Dad said quietly.
“But-“ Felix began as he stood up.
“I said, stay back!” Dad shouted.
Felix paled and backed up until he reached the cave wall. He held his wand out in front of him, his wand arm trembling violently.
Elsie was crying and shaking. All the blood had gone from her face and Albus suspected if Paul weren’t holding her up, she would’ve collapsed.
“Paul, please let me go,” she whimpered. “Please, please….”
Felix had been right. His cousin was unstable. Very unstable. Albus wasn’t surprised, considering Paul murdered two people seemingly without cause.
“The family will disown you for this,” Elsie wailed. “You have to let me go. Please, Paul.”
“They’ve already disowned me,” Paul growled, “for being a squib.”
“They haven’t!” Elsie said. “They’ve been tr-trying to p-protect you!”
Paul laughed. “They’ve been trying to protect their name. What would happen to the great pureblood Willinson name if the world found out they had a squib in the family?”
It said a lot about pureblood society that having a squib in the family was seen as worse than having a murderer in the family, Albus thought.
“Paul,” Johnson began. “Let the girl go.”
“Why?” Paul demanded. “So you can arrest me?”
“Because she is your cousin,” Johnson said quietly. “She is your family. Whatever happens, nothing can change that.
No one said anything for a full two minutes. Then, without speaking, Paul released Elsie. She slid to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Dad rushed forward and pulled Elsie away from Paul, taking her to the far left side of the cave and sitting her down on a rock.
With a flick of his wand Johnson relieved Paul of the knife and floated it into an evidence back which he’d taken from the pocket of his robes. Almost simultaneously, Dawlish conjured a set of handcuffs, rushed forward, and slapped them onto Paul, who put up no fight.
“Paul Willinson,” Dawlish growled. “You are under arrest for the murder of Michael Sheldon.”
After a heated argument between Johnson and Albus’s father about whether Elsie needed to go directly to the Ministry (Johnson thought she did, whereas Dad thought she needed the hospital wing), Albus found himself yet again in the hospital wing at the end of term. Dad won the argument and brought Elsie and Felix to Madam Pomfrey immediately, while Johnson and Dawlish took Paul Willinson to the Ministry for questioning.
Elsie cried the entire walk back to the castle, keeping a tight hold on Felix’s left arm as they walked. She continued sobbing uncontrollably until Madam Pomfrey settled her into bed and gave her a Calming Draught. Felix declined the nurse’s offer of his own Calming Draught and then took up post in a chair next to the sleeping Elsie. He looked mostly relieved than anything else, but then again he hadn’t been the one with the knife to his throat.
Albus had dozens of questions for his father, but sat silently on Matt’s usual bed while Madam Pomfrey ranted and raved about students getting in over their heads and then suffering emotional trauma because of it. In between her rants, Dad tried to fill her in on what actually happened, but she seemed to be having none of it.
“And what about you?” Madam Pomfrey said, turning to Albus after she checked on Elsie for the fifth time. “What did you do?”
“Nothing!” Albus said. “I swear!”
“He’s fine,” Dad added. “He brought the situation to my attention. Going to make a fine Auror.”
Albus smiled. With the exception of Elsie being held at knifepoint, the entire situation had gone relatively smoothly. Albus supposed that was because Paul Willinson hadn’t been armed with a wand.
“Let’s go back to my study, Al,” Dad said quietly. He turned back to Madam Pomfrey. “I’ll be back in about half an hour to speak with Elsie’s parents.”
Madam Pomfrey nodded. “They said they’d be about twenty minutes when I Flooed them.”
Dad didn’t speak as he and Albus walked back to his study. The exhaustion was back on his face and Albus suspected all he really wanted to do was sleep for a full 24 hours. Once they were back in the study and the door was shut, Dad collapsed into an armchair and rubbed his face with both hands.
“Sit down, Al,” he said, yawning.
Albus sat in the other armchair. “Do they have proof? Johnson and Dawlish?”
Dad nodded. “Let me explain. You know that we’ve been investigating the murder ourselves, right?”
“Yeah. Dawlish told me all that.”
“Right,” Dad said. “Well, we thought it was at a bit of a standstill until a few weeks ago. All we had to go on was what you told us, about the cave and Elsie’s eyewitness account from the Sheldon murder. None of that was enough to bring her in for questioning. Dawlish searched that cave every week since you first told him about it, but he found nothing, until a few weeks ago. Then he found a knife-”
“You don’t mean-“
“The murder weapon,” Dad said. “It was stuck in a crack in the cave wall, a crack that was most likely sealed with ice until shortly before Dawlish found it. Dawlish suspects, and I agree, that Paul Willinson stuck the knife in that crack after he murdered Sheldon. We both suspect he hid out in that cave for at least a day, then fled the country, most likely with the help of his family.
“Dawlish had the knife sent out for testing and the results showed two different people’s DNA. Sheldon’s and Willinson’s. Paul Willinson’s DNA was already in the system for a prior offense, which made it easy to match. That was enough for a warrant for his arrest and to bring Elsie Willinson in for questioning. Unfortunately she refused to speak, even with her attorney present.”
“But now that doesn’t matter, does it?” Albus asked.
“No, it doesn’t,” Dad said. “Even if Paul Willinson doesn’t confess, the knife says it all. But this is far from over.”
“What do you mean?”
Dad sighed. “Paul Willinson is a squib, which means he essentially lives in limbo between the Muggle and wizarding worlds. I assume that is where his problems stem from. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be growing up a squib in a pureblood household. Not that that in any way excuses what he did. But it means it will be very hard to try him. Is it fair to try a squib in a wizarding court for a crime that was committed without magic? Should he be turned over to the Muggle police? Even though he murdered a wizard?”
“Possibly two wizards,” Albus added. “And how did he even manage to do it? Sheldon could’ve easily taken him with his wand.”
“Possibly. But right now we only have evidence for Sheldon’s murder. Anyway, it’s an issue that his attorney will bring up and there is no clear answer. It will not surprise me if this goes straight to the minister herself. It’s possible it will even be brought to the attention of the Muggle Prime Minister.
“As for how he did it, only Sheldon knows. But I suspect he caught Sheldon off guard and Sheldon didn’t have time to get his wand out. Not everyone carries their wand in their hand anymore. It was common back when I was in school, but people have let their guard down since the war ended.”
“You carry yours in your hand all the time,” Albus pointed out.
Dad sighed. “Most of the time, when I’m not at Hogwarts, that is. But I’m in the minority.”
Albus nodded. He knew that minority mostly consisted of those who were heavily involved with the war, such as his father and his uncles. Aunt Hermione didn’t, but she tended to be more rational.
“But this means Boone will be released, right? Even if Willinson can’t be tried right away?” Albus asked.
Dad nodded. “Yes, Boone will be released. He most likely won’t even have to fill out his sentence for identity theft, considering he was wrongly convicted of murder.”
“Good,” Albus said.
“Things are about to get very complicated in the Ministry,” Dad mused. “This now means that under Laurentis’s control, two people have been wrongly convicted of the same murder. Boone has grounds to sue the Ministry for discrimination and to be honest, I hope he does.”
Albus hoped so, too. His story was tragic and a huge settlement from the Ministry could supply him in Wolfsbane for the rest of his life. It wouldn’t bring back his hand function, but it would certainly be life changing nonetheless.
“And what about Elsie?” Albus asked.
Dad took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering. “Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable. Only Elsie knows what she really saw and we have no way of knowing for sure if she was truthful. It’s possible she even constructed a false memory in response to such a traumatic event. We don’t know. She won’t get in trouble for that.”
“What about harboring a fugitive?”
Dad smirked. “You’re talking like an Auror already. Elsie is only thirteen and Paul Willinson is her cousin. She’s not going to be convicted of anything. She’ll be asked to give testimony at Willinson’s trial, if he ever has one, and that will be it. It’s more likely that her parents will be arrested for harboring a fugitive, assuming they helped him escape abroad like Felix implied. The Aurors will investigate that. But Felix and Elsie will not get in trouble.”
“I’m still surprised Felix came to me,” Albus said.
“I’m not,” Dad said. “His sister was in danger and he did what he had to to protect her. You would’ve done the same for Lily. Or for James. You’ve been doing it for James since his accident, just not on such a dramatic scale.”
Albus nodded. He hadn’t seen the two as similar, but he supposed they were. Albus would do anything to protect James and make his life easier, and that’s all Felix was doing when he came to Albus for help.
Dad stood up. “I need to get back to the hospital wing to speak with Elsie’s parents. And I imagine someone from the Auror Department will be coming to take them in for questioning soon. And Al, none of this can leave this room until it’s printed tomorrow morning in the Prophet.”
Albus shuddered. He did not want to be present for that conversation. “Good luck.”
***
It was extremely difficult for Albus to keep what his father told him to himself when he got back to Gryffindor, especially since Rose nearly hexed him when he arrived. She was livid with him for not returning to the library ten minutes after he left with Felix and Albus couldn’t tell her why he’d worried her so much. Rather than stay in the common room and endure Rose’s raving and his friends’ questioning, he went immediately to his dormitory and feigned sleep, hoping everything would be in the paper the next morning.
Much to his luck, there were numerous articles in the Prophet the next morning. When Albus arrived at breakfast the entire Great Hall was whispering and passing copies of the paper around. Quite a few people turned to watch Albus as he walked to the Gryffindor table, although he couldn’t imagine why. For once, he hadn’t been involved in a spring term altercation. All he’d done was been the bridge between his dad and Felix Willinson.
Albus sat next to Rose and pulled an abandoned copy of the Prophet onto his plate. There on the front page was a picture of Paul Willinson, looking sullen and gaunt.
“Goddammit, Albus!” Rose shouted, setting down her own copy of the paper. “Is this why you didn’t come back last night?”
“Er, yeah,” Albus said as he flipped the paper open in order to read the article. “Hang on, let me read this.”
“Hang on?! Hang on?!” Rose shouted. “After all you put me through last night, all you have to say is hang on?!
Albus ignored her and read the article.
SQUIB ARRESTED FOR SHELDON MURDER
An arrest was made late last night in relation to the presumed
solved Hogsmeade murder. According to Aurors assigned to
the case, a murder weapon was found in a cave just north of
Hogsmeade village three weeks ago. DNA testing revealed two
different samples: One belonging to Michael Sheldon and the other
belonging to a man by the name of Paul Willinson.
After receiving a tip from a Hogwarts student, Aurors converged
on the same cave late last night and found Paul Willinson. After a
brief altercation, Head Auror Robert Johnson arrested Willinson
on the spot and brought him to Auror Headquarters, where he was
questioned about the Sheldon murder.
‘Willinson has not confessed,’ Auror Johnson told reporters, ‘but
we are fairly confident the evidence speaks for itself.’ Former Head
Auror Harry Potter was also at the scene of the arrest, but declined
to comment.
Aurors suspect Willinson has been hiding abroad with the help of
family members. Willinson’s aunt and uncle, Isadora and Alexander
Willinson have been arrested for harboring a fugitive and obstruction
of justice.
Paul Willinson, a squib, is the elder brother of Quinton Willinson,
who is currently serving a term in Azkaban for kidnapping. Their
father, Jarrett Willinson, also resides in Azkaban on similar charges.
Willinson is due to be arraigned later today and is currently being
held in Azkaban without bail.
The article below it was much shorter and detailed Boone’s release from Azkaban in light of Willinson’s arrest.
“Felix and Elsie’s whole family are going to be in Azkaban,” Albus said as he set down the paper. “And Rose, I told you Elsie was involved with this.”
“And good riddance,” John muttered. “Bloody insane, the lot of them.”
“Shut up, Albus. I’m still pissed at you. Their parents won’t do much time,” Rose said. “They’ll pay a load of Galleons and maybe do a few months. Or they’ll be under house arrest. That’ll be it.”
“Who’s under house arrest?” James asked as he sat down across from Albus. He had the binder of incantations with him and set it in front of his plate.
Albus tossed the copy of the Prophet onto his plate, but James didn’t open it. He looked exhausted and anxious, similar to the way Matt did right before a full moon.
“Just do the best you can, James,” Rose said. “No one can fault you for having a brain injury.”
James nodded. “I just ran into Lisa Galivant in the Entrance Hall.”
Albus stomach knotted up. He had a feeling he knew what James was about to tell them.
“She got recruited. By Tutshill.” James sighed and closed his eyes.
“Did you sleep at all last night?” Rose asked.
“Not much,” James confessed. “It’s just…I knew Lisa would be recruited. Why wouldn’t she? She’s good. Really good. But-“
“Not as good as you,” Albus finished. “It should’ve been your spot.”
“Exactly,” James said. “But that’s really arrogant of me to say.”
“Yes,” Rose agreed. “But it’s true. You are better than her.”
“Used to be,” James muttered as he stared at his right hand. He curled his fingers into a partial fist and his arm twitched and knocked over a mostly empty glass of orange juice.
Rose vanished the juice with a flick of her wand and looked at James. “You can’t focus on that now. Read the article Albus just gave you. That’ll distract you.”
James read the article while eating half a slice of dry toast. When he finished, he set it down and stared at Albus. “Let me guess. You were involved somehow?”
Albus groaned. “All I did was go get Dad when Felix Willinson told me his cousin was in the cave.”
“Felix Willinson is the kid who gave the tip?” James asked.
Albus nodded. “Although I suppose it could be me.”
“They mean you,” James said. “Of course they mean you. I should get going. Exam starts in five minutes.”
“We all should go,” Rose said, glancing up at the head table. “Looks like they’re starting to clear people out for today’s O.W.L. Good luck, James.”
“Yeah, good luck,” Albus said.
James nodded. “Thanks.” He looked like he was about to be sick.
***
Elsie and Felix Willinson were still in the hospital wing when Albus went to visit Matt after classes let out for the day. Elsie was asleep and Felix was studying next to her. Presumably he left earlier in the day to sit his O.W.L.s and then came back.
“What’s going on, Al?” Matt asked as soon as Albus sat down on the foot of his bed. “There’ve been no less than ten people in and out of here today and they’re all whispering about…” He nodded toward Elsie and Felix, who were five beds down from Matt.
Albus pulled a copy of the Prophet out of his bag and handed it to Matt. He waited in silence as his friend read.
“Let me guess,” Matt said as he set down the paper. “You were the one who gave the tip?”
“How is it that the whole school seems to know that?” Albus asked. He’d been fielding questions in every single class about this, despite the fact that only his friends, Felix, and Elsie knew he was the one who alerted his dad.
“Because you’re you, Al,” Matt said, grinning. “You’ve been destined to be an Auror from first year on.”
“What’s been happening here?” Albus asked as he cast Muffliato around the bed.
“A lot of chaos,” Matt said. “It started as soon as Felix left for his O.W.L.s. Elsie’s been asleep and I’ve been pretending to sleep so that they’ll speak freely.”
Albus laughed. “If only you could be an Auror, too.”
Matt shook his head. “Even if I could, I wouldn’t want to. Anyway, Professor Kendrick and your dad have been in and out a few times. Auror Johnson was here, as was Dawlish. And another Auror I didn’t recognize. They’ve all been discussing whether or not to take Elsie in for questioning. Madam Pomfrey has been very adamant about not taking her, or even talking to her here. Kendrick and your dad agree with her. Then there’s the issue of her parents being in custody, so neither of them can be present for the questioning. Since Elsie’s underage, they’re required to have a parent or guardian present.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” Albus said. “I wonder who their guardian is if their parents are in custody.”
“That’s what they’re trying to figure out,” Matt said. “Felix doesn’t know and the parents aren’t talking because they know once there’s a guardian, the Aurors will question Elsie.”
“Smart,” Albus said. “They probably suspect they’ll be released before term is over and then it won’t matter.”
“Johnson wants to appoint a temporary guardian from the Ministry,” Matt said. “Last time he was in here he said he was going to mention that to the parents. They might crack.”
Albus nodded. “They probably would. I doubt they’d want an Ministry guardian with Elsie-”
“Shh,” Matt interrupted. “I just heard the door open.”
Albus shifted positions on the bed, so his right ear was practically touching the curtains. He heard at least two sets of footsteps walk into the ward.
“Again?” Madam Pomfrey exclaimed. “I thought we agreed to wait a day.”
“We are,” Johnson muttered. He did not sound pleased. “Ms. Willinson won’t be questioned until tomorrow. I’ve just spoken with her parents and they named someone to be guardian of her and Felix until they are released from Ministry custody.”
Albus heard softer footsteps walk across the floor, toward the door. Felix. “Who is it?” Felix asked.
“Your aunt. Selena Willinson,” Johnson said. “Personally, I feel it’s a conflict of interest, but that’s who they named.”
“Paul Willinson’s mother,” Albus whispered to Matt.
“Yeah, I’d say that’s a conflict of interest,” Matt said.
“Paul Willinson is being arraigned as we speak,” a new voice said. Dawlish. “Selena Willinson wished to be present at her son’s arraignment and will be coming directly here afterward. She wishes to see her niece and nephew.”
“Good,” Johnson said. “Then we can at least question the boy.”
“You have to question me?” Felix asked.
“Yes,” Johnson said. “You were present at the incident. You had prior knowledge of your cousin’s movements.”
“Right,” Felix said quietly.
“Do you have to be questioned?” Matt asked Albus.
“No,” Albus said. “The Aurors don’t know I was there and Dad saw no reason to inform them of that fact.”
48. “We need to get back to the Ministry,” Johnson said. “We’ll be back in half an hour to question Mr. Willinson. Professor Kendrick secured an empty classroom.”
There was a shuffle of robes and the sound of footsteps, then the sound of the door opening and closing. Then it was quiet.
“Did you see they released Boone?” Albus asked, gesturing to the paper, now sitting abandoned on the bed between them.
Matt nodded. “I wonder what he’ll do. He’s got no family. Nowhere to live.”
“Your dad will help him,” Albus said. “My dad thinks he’s got grounds to sue the Ministry.”
“Good,” Matt said. “I hope he does. You know what the weird thing is, though?”
“What?”
“As bad as it was for him to be wrongfully imprisoned and as awful as Azkaban is, the Ministry legally had to provide him with Wolfsbane there. And now, he’ll be back to not having any.”
“That’s messed up,” Albus said. “But if he sues and wins, he’ll have enough Galleons for it for life.”
“That’ll take months, Al,” Matt said quietly. “He’ll have to find an attorney willing to take the case for free, then there will be months of preparing the case, getting it approved by a judge, then the possible offered settlements. Then a trial if he doesn’t accept one of the settlements.”
“But still,” Albus said. “He’s out of Azkaban. And they finally have the right bloke.”
Matt nodded. “Certainly took them long enough.”
49. One More Year
The last week and a half of sixth year flew by in a flurry of exams and pick-up Quidditch matches on the grounds. After Matt left the hospital wing Albus no longer had any reason to go in and eavesdrop on whatever conversations transpired between Felix, Elsie, and the various Aurors who went in and out. The only information he was privy to was what was published in the Prophet, which wasn’t much after that initial day. What he did find out was that Paul Willinson was arraigned on one count of murder, one count of evading capture, and one count of holding an underage child hostage. He would remain in Azkaban without bail until his trial, which would most likely take months to begin. Felix and Elsie’s parents spent one night in Azkaban and were then released after Selena Willinson posted their bail. Rose suspected they would take a plea deal and would never face trial or spend anymore time in Azkaban.
Kaden survived his O.W.L.s, but developed Rose’s habit of continually discussing how well he thought he did and what marks he suspected he got. James did the complete opposite after taking his N.E.W.T.s and refused to discuss with anyone how well he thought he did. He did mention once to Albus that he had a feeling he did poorly on all his practicals, except perhaps Herbology.
It threatened to storm the morning of that year’s Leavers’ Ceremony, which Albus saw as very fitting. Albus’s family, who took up many rows of the folding chairs set up on the grounds, were much more subdued than they usually were at Leavers’ Ceremonies. Albus suspected it was because the future was so uncertain for James and because everyone knew if it hadn’t been for his accident, he would’ve been drafted by the Tornadoes.
Albus sat with Rose, a few rows off from their parents. Teddy and Victorie sat on Rose’s other side, whispering together before the ceremony started. Albus turned away from his cousins and looked to the group of seventh years, seated on the raised platform behind the podium where Professor Kendrick would speak. James sat between Cedric and Ben, looking much more subdued than the rest of the seventh years. Albus hoped he wouldn’t develop a migraine during the ceremony.
Albus had now been to enough Leavers’ Ceremonies to know exactly what they entailed. It had gotten to the point where he could practically recite Professor Kendrick’s speech, as the headmaster only changed his speech slightly each year.
Professor Kendrick stood, welcomed the crowd, and started in on his speech. He spoke of the many talents possessed by the class that sat behind him and all the wonderful things they would surely do after they took their final train ride home. Normally hearing this made Albus want to roll his eyes because it was so flowery and over the top, but today it made him feel slightly ill.
“Poor James,” Rose whispered as Professor Kendrick finished.
Albus watched at his brother, who looked very uncomfortable and like he wanted to disapparate on the spot.
Next came the speeches from the heads of house. They were all short and to the point. Albus dozed off during Asher Carmichael’s head boy speech and was prodded awake by Rose once he finished.
“It’s Meg’s turn,” Rose said.
Albus was suddenly wide awake. He watched as Meg Johnson walked to the podium, a long sheet of parchment clutched in her hands. James was watching her, too, and seemed more alert than he’d been the entire ceremony.
“Hello, family, friends, and professors,” Meg began, smiling at the crowd. “For the past seven years we’ve had it relatively easy. Our parents buy our supplies and clothes. House Elves cook our meals three times a day. Professors watch out for us and make sure we’re learning what we need to learn. Madam Pomfrey is always there to patch us up after an unfortunate duel. We can look back now and say, ‘yes, we’ve had it easy.’
“But the thing is, it wasn’t easy at the time. The classes we took were hard. Our O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s seemed like life or death. That fight we had with our best friend was the end of the world. There was no possible way we’d survive that horrible breakup. The loss on the Quidditch pitch was the worst thing that could’ve possibly happened-“
“She didn’t,” Albus whispered.
“Shit,” Teddy said.
“I don’t think she was thinking,” Rose said.
“That’s the problem,” Albus said.
Albus looked to James, but he either hadn’t noticed or wasn’t giving Meg the satisfaction of knowing she said something that bothered him.
“-Life after Hogwarts isn’t going to be easy. We’re not going to get the first job we apply for. Not all of us who applied to the Auror Academy or the School of Healing got in. We’ll fall behind on our rent and have to move back in with our parents. We’ll forget to buy tea before our grandmother comes to visit. We’ll drink too much at the pub when we have to work the next day-“
“Cheerful, isn’t she?” Teddy muttered. “James is better off without her.”
It was depressing, but at the same time it was invigorating after hearing all the speeches about how wonderful the seventh years were and how many amazing things they were going to accomplish. It was a dose of reality.
“As we leave this place,” Meg continued, “not all of us are going on to our dream career. Not all of us even know what we’re doing next week or next month, let alone next year. And you know what? That’s okay. We’re seventeen and eighteen. We’re still kids. And one day? One day we’re going to look back on our time right after Hogwarts and think to ourselves, ‘hey, we had it pretty easy back then.’”
As the crowd applauded, Albus could’ve sworn he saw Meg look back at James. It was then that he knew she wrote that speech for James. Despite the flub about Quidditch, she wrote it for him, because she knew he wouldn’t be able to stand hearing another speech about success.
Albus let his attention wane as Professor Kendrick and the heads of house began to pass out the diplomas. He only snapped to attention when Lisa Galivant’s name was called. He noticed she didn’t look as happy as he would’ve expected when she accepted her diploma and shook Professor Kendrick’s hand.
“James Sirius Potter,” Professor Longbottom called a short while later.
Albus clapped as his brother walked across the raised platform. So far James had received the loudest applause. James accepted the diploma with his left hand and shook Kendrick’s with his right, which was still covered in the brace.
Cedric was the last to receive his diploma. By that point the crowd had grown restless and the sky had begun sprinkling. Quicker than he normally would, Professor Kendrick directed the seventh years toward the boats on the lake, where Hagrid stood waiting.
The seventh years climbed into the boats, taking up much more space than they had as first years. Once they were all in, Hagrid climbed into his own, and raised his pink umbrella just as the sky opened up and the rain poured down in buckets. The boats surged forward, disappearing into the growing fog.
***
“Can you believe this time next year we’ll be on our last Hogwarts Express ride?” John said as the train sped through the English countryside.
“Seventh year,” Albus said, shaking his head. “Bloody hell.”
“I’m ready,” Rose said, turning away from the window. “I want to do something, especially now that I did that internship.”
“I’d rather not think about it,” Matt said as he fished through his box of Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Beans.
“You will find something,” Rose assured him.
“But I doubt it will be anything I want,” Matt said. “I don’t want to talk about it now.”
Albus knew Matt was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he would be leaving Hogwarts in a year. But Albus himself was excited about it. He loved Hogwarts, but was ready to move on. He knew he had a good shot at getting into the Auror Academy and couldn’t wait to start.
The door to the compartment slid open and James walked in, no longer dressed in his robes. His hair was dry, which meant he found someone to perform a drying charm on him after the rainy boat ride.
“Here, Al,” James said as he tossed Albus a packet of Chocolate Frogs. He then sat down next to Rose, opposite Albus.
“Thanks,” Albus said as he caught the frogs. “What’s this for? You never buy me chocolate.”
James shrugged. “Just to thank you…for taking over the team and all. Did you tell Longbottom you don’t want to do it next year?”
Albus nodded. It had been an awkward conversation, but Professor Longbottom had understood. He turned to John. “I recommended you for next year.”
“What about Janie?” he asked. “She’s been on the team longer.”
“Janie’s not as dedicated as you,” Albus said. “She’s a great player, but she’s like me. Quidditch isn’t her life. Gryffindor’s been relying on brilliant Seekers for years, but we don’t have that anymore. The team needs someone who can strategize in a way that will get us to win even without a brilliant Seeker. That’s you, John.”
“I did pick up quite a bit interning for Puddlemere,” John said.
“Exactly,” Albus said.
“What are you going to do now, James?” Amanda asked.
James sighed and leaned against the back of his seat. “I don’t know. Work for my uncle George, I suppose.”
The awkward silence that followed was interrupted by a knock on the door. Albus looked at his friends, confused. No one ever knocked on the compartment door; they just barged right in, like James had. Albus got up and opened the door. Lisa Galivant stood on the other side, looking vaguely uncomfortable. She had also changed out of her robes.
“Er, hi,” she said. “Is James in here?”
“Yeah,” Albus said and stepped aside so she could come in.
Since all the seats were taken, Lisa stood awkwardly in the middle of the compartment. She turned to James, who was looking at her strangely.
“Hi, James,” she said quietly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
“Lisa,” James said.
“I…I just wanted to say that I’m sorry,” Lisa said. “For-“
“You didn’t do anything,” James said. “You weren’t even playing that match-“
“I just mean for the way things turned out. I know I didn’t do anything. But we both know if you hadn’t gotten hurt the Tornadoes would’ve taken you, not me. And I hate that. I didn’t want to be their second option-“
“No one could’ve predicted it,” James interrupted. “And don’t feel bad. You’re a great Seeker and the Tornadoes will be lucky to have you. I’m not mad at you.”
Lisa seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Do…do you know what you’ll do instead?”
“No,” James said. “When do you start?”
“In two weeks,” Lisa said. “If…if you ever want tickets or anything, send me an owl.”
James nodded. “Good luck…with training and everything.”
“Thanks. You, too, with whatever…” Lisa said. “It was good playing you all these years. You know, in Quidditch. You’re the only one who was any competition.”
James smiled. It was small and gone in seconds, but it was a smile. “You, too.”
Lisa nodded, muttered a quick goodbye, and hurried out of the compartment.
“That was awkward,” Kaden announced once she left.
“Yeah, well, I don’t want her to think I’m mad at her,” James muttered. “Not her fault my hand is useless. I think I’ll go find Ben and Cedric.”
The compartment fell into silence once James left. Rose went back to the book she’d been reading while Matt and Amanda both dozed off. John and Kaden collected everyone’s leftover Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Bean and began mixing them together to create disgusting combinations. Albus watched, declining all their offers of eating some.
“Has Felix Willinson talked to you at all since that night?” Rose asked a while later, after she finished her book.
“No,” Albus said, turning away from John and Kaden. “I’m not surprised. The only reason he came to me is because he was afraid for Elsie and didn’t know what else to do. It was a last resort. He’s still a Willinson and his family is still heavily into the Dark Arts. That doesn’t disappear overnight.”
“True,” Rose said. “Still…I hope it’s a sign he won’t follow in their footsteps. I know it’s hard to turn away from your family like that, but-“
“Burke did it,” Kaden interrupted.
“Good thing, too,” Albus said. “Can you imagine that kind of genius working in the Dark Arts?”
“He wasn’t completely moral,” Rose reminded them.
“I know, but it’s not like he was cursing children,” Albus said.
“Felix was very quiet at O.W.L.s,” Kaden said. “But then again, so was everyone.”
“Bet you’re glad those are over,” Rose said.
“Yeah,” Kaden said. “And next year I get to lay about while you lot study for N.E.W.T.s.”
Rose laughed. “You’ll still be a N.E.W.T. student, which means you’re going to have extra homework.”
Kaden groaned. “I’ll try not to think about that this summer.”
The train began to slow, which jerked both Matt and Amanda awake.
“We almost there?” Matt asked, peering out the window.
Albus craned his neck to look. He saw the countryside giving way to the buildings and traffic of London. “Looks like it.”
They spent the remaining minutes of the ride collecting their things and stowing them in their trunks. By the time the train squealed to a stop at King’s Cross, the corridor in their car was filled with chattering students. Albus and his friends joined the throngs and hurried off the train onto platform nine and three-quarters. Albus spotted his and Rose’s parents in the crowd. Matt’s parents stood nearby.
“My mum’s over there,” John said, pointing to the far end of the platform. “I’d better go. Dad’s on call and she won’t want to spend forever getting back. Owl me so we can figure out what we’re doing this summer.”
They said goodbye to John, and then to Amanda and Kaden, who hurried off to the brick wall so they could meet their parents on platform nine. Albus, Rose, and Matt walked slowly toward their parents.
“One more year,” Albus said.
“One more year,” Rose repeated.
“We’ll make it a good one,” Matt added.
Albus nodded. They would. They had one foot in Hogwarts and one in the real world. They’d make seventh year one to remember.