Albus Potter and the Lost Legacy

Chapter 1: Camping and a Vampire

“Ouch, that was my foot!”

“Shush! You're going to wake them up!”

“It's your fault for stepping on my foot!”

“They're heavy sleepers, don't worry.”

Albus Severus Potter sighed to himself as he and two of his best friends neared the tent. John, whose foot had been trodden upon, was carrying a spray can of whipped cream, and Kaden, the one who had stepped on John's foot, was brandishing a large owl feather. It had been Kaden's idea to pull a prank on his nine-year-old sister, Bethany, while she slept, and John had been all too eager to participate. Albus personally thought it was stupid to prank someone whose parents were in the same tent, but Kaden had assured him that both of his parents could sleep through anything.

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

“Happy Birthday, by the way,” Albus said.

“Is it midnight already?” Kaden asked.

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

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

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

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

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

With one last glare at her brother, Bethany stalked off to the tent she shared with her parents, went inside it, and zipped it closed. Albus turned to his two sticky friends and burst out laughing. They were both sitting on the ground covered in a mixture of whipped cream and dirt that was just visible by the light of Albus's torch. The two rarely had a prank backfire on them like that.

“Bloody little sister,” Kaden muttered as he scrubbed the whipped cream off in the bathroom a few minutes later.

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

“I think it's their job,” Albus mused. “Lily would've done the same thing.”

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

“I've got enough cousins to make up for it,” Albus said.

“Matt's the lucky one, then,” John said as he pulled his head out of the sink and shook the water out. “He hasn't got any little sisters or little cousins.”

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

“We never could've convinced him,” John replied. “Remember his face when you invited us?”

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

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

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

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

The boys made it back to their tent and climbed into their sleeping bags. Albus wasn't in the least bit tired, so he didn't bother turning off his torch. John pulled out a pack of Exploding Snap cards, figuring that since it was the dead of night, no Muggles would notice.

“What should we do tomorrow?” John asked.

“Canoeing?” Albus suggested.

The other two boys glared at him. “Only if you promise not to steal our paddles,” John muttered.

“What? It wasn't a bad swim. And you asked for it by putting that nosebleed nougat in my food.”

“It was cold!” Kaden shouted indignantly.

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

“Well, it's my birthday, so I say we hike up to that field and play football,” Kaden decided.

Albus and John both groaned loudly, but knew they'd be spending their last day playing football with Kaden. It was his birthday after all, so it was only fair that he pick the day's activities. Albus only wished that they didn't include football.

******

The two weeks that separated the camping trip and the Quidditch World Cup seemed to drag on forever. They reminded Albus of History of Magic and he was sure that length of time was longer than two weeks, but his calendar told him otherwise. Nothing particularly exciting happened during that span of fourteen days; the highlight being three Hogwarts letters being delivered to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. All three letters contained book lists and to nobody's surprise, James's did not contain a Prefect's badge. Cedric and Ben had not received the badge either, but James's friend Nathan had. James supposed Neville had to pick someone and Nathan was the least mischievous of the fifth year Gryffindor boys.

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

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

Albus spent most of the two weeks at Rose's house, although it was not Rose whom he was spending time with. Hugo was planning on trying out for the available Keeper position on Gryffindor's team and needed Albus to throw Quaffles at him while he tried to protect the goals. Unfortunately Hugo was not very good, but he was improving, even if it was at a very slow rate. Hugo was also quite sore with Lily over her choosing Ashtyn to take to the Cup, which somehow caused him to want to practice Quidditch nearly twenty-four/seven.

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

“When is Matt getting there?” John asked Albus as they sat in Albus's room, packing for the trip. John had arrived the previous day and somehow all of his stuff had been scattered throughout Albus's room despite his only having been there for twenty-four hours.

“He's already there, I think,” Albus answered, remembering the letter Matt had sent him the previous week.

“Didn't you say everyone who goes to the Cup has to camp?” John asked as he inspected a sock to determine whether it was his or not. “How come his parents will go to the Cup but they wouldn't let him camp with us?”

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

“Oh,” John replied. “I thought international Apparition was illegal.”

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

“Are any of your other cousins going?” John asked.

“I think Georgia's going with her teammates, but other than her, no. James picked Nathan because he didn't want to choose between Cedric and Ben.”

“Is Hugo still angry with Lily?” John asked. “Ashtyn said he wasn't speaking to either of them.”

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

“Is he going to be Gryffindor's next Keeper?”

“Only if the rest of the people who try out play Quidditch like Matt and Kaden do,” Albus answered.

“So I'm guessing the new Keeper won't be a Weasley?”

“Nope, I don't think so.

“Are you boys ready?” Harry asked as he popped his head into the room.

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

“Not far, just outside of London,” Harry replied. “There's an Apparition and Floo station nearby, so we won't have to walk much.”

A few minutes later the Potters were congregated in the sitting room, along with John, Ashtyn, and Nathan. Everyone was going to Floo because Harry and Ginny couldn't side-along Apparate six kids between the two of them. Harry had been right; the Portkey was only a short ways away from the Apparition and Floo station, and in no time they were standing in a small clearing searching for the Portkey. Lily was the one who found it, hiding behind one of the lone bushes. It was an old deflated football that looked to have teeth marks in it.

“When's it leaving?” Lily asked.

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

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

They landed in another small clearing and once Albus steadied himself, he could see a fleet of tents in the distance. Directly in front of them was a small wooden building that bore a sign that read 'Lakeside Park- Camping Office'. He looked around for a lake, but didn't see one.

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

“Yeah, and perhaps we'll get a decent Defense teacher this year,” John replied. “There's no bloody way I'm canoeing with you ever again.”

“And maybe you won't put nasty sweets in my food anymore.”

“Can't make any promises,” John grinned.

Albus and John followed everyone else towards the little wooden building. Once inside, Albus noticed that it was being manned by a very confused looking Muggle, who was staring off into space. He didn't even seem to notice when they walked in.

“Memory charm,” Harry whispered to the boys. He walked up to the bloke and set a piece of paper down on the desk. “Campsite reservation for Potter. Two nights.”

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

“Thanks,” Harry replied.

Campsite 43 didn't seem to be anywhere near the little wooden building so Albus and the others had to walk through most of the camping area to find their site. A minute into the walk Albus realized why the Muggle in the building needed so many memory charms. It didn't seem like anybody was trying to conceal magic. The Cup was between Russia and Italy and it was very obvious who was rooting for whom.

The Italians had red, green, and white tents, some of which had the actual flag design on the sides. One group had a cauldron boiling over a green and red fire and there was a wizard pouring pasta into it.

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

The Russians weren't any better since their tents were also adorned with flags and some had even littered the surrounding ground with magical fake snow. Since it was at least seventy-five degrees, Albus thought that was slightly strange.

Albus only saw a few other people he knew. Damien and Kate Waverly from the Ravenclaw Quidditch team were at campsite number 35 and he also saw a Hufflepuff whom he recognized but didn't remember the name of. Most of the people appeared to be Russian, Italian, Canadian, or American. Albus figured that was since the Cup was so far away from Britain. Most British people wouldn't go see the Cup in Canada if they didn't really support Russia or Italy. Albus didn't support either team, but his dad had gotten free tickets.

After passing a contingency of Russians, Albus noticed a few people who looked oddly familiar. He paused to watch them for a minute or so and then realized that they were the Quidditch team from the Adirondack Academy of Magic.

“James,” Albus said as he poked his brother. “Look, the New York Quidditch team.”

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

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

“My dad had tickets,” Albus replied.

“Oh, right,” the boy said, craning his neck to see Harry, who was a few meters away. “Your dad's Harry Potter. Learned about him in History of Magic a few years ago.”

“Shame about the match,” James said, clearly wanting to steer the conversation away from Harry. “That Australian headmaster is dirty cheater.”

“Sure is,” the boy replied. “It sucks.”

“I wish they would've let us play each other,” James said mutinously. “Exams? Really? That was a stupid excuse.”

“I'll say,” he agreed. “Hey, you'll never guess who else is here.”

“Who?” James asked.

“Linda, you know, the vampire,” the boy said excitedly. “Saw her a few hours ago, but she turned the other way when she saw me.”

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

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

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

“I suppose so,” Ginny said. “But be careful, and be back in time for dinner.”

“We will,” Albus assured her.

Albus and John set off down the path, both keeping an eye out for Linda. “This place is huge,” John said. “How in the name of Merlin are we going to find her?”

“I haven't the slightest idea, but I suppose if we keep walking we might find her,” Albus replied. “Maybe we'll find that lake as well.”

“I am not canoeing with you.”

“Suit yourself.”

Albus and John did not find the lake, but after walking around the campsites for about an hour, they eventually came upon Linda. She was at a smallish campsite that contained a blue tent that actually looked like it could belong to a Muggle. Linda was reading a book at the picnic table while another witch was bent over a fire and she turned when she heard the boys arrive. She was quite beautiful, with long dark hair like Linda's.

“Can I help you?” she asked. Her accent was not Australian and Albus couldn't place it.

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

“Do you know them?” the other witch asked.

“They're from Hogwarts,” Linda replied. The witch raised her eyebrows. “It's fine,” Linda said. “I'll be back soon.”

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

“I just want you to know that I'm sorry about the match,” she said quietly. “I didn't want to do it. I don't even normally go to school. It's rather pointless since I've been through school three times already. The headmaster insisted I play and said if I didn't he'd get some sort of law passed to make my life miserable.”

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

“Oh, your friend Matt?”

“Yeah,” Albus answered.

“Is he here?” Linda asked.

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

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

“My mother and I are living here, in Canada. Another province, though, one that's even less inhabited than this one. We can't live in Australia after that Quidditch disaster. The headmaster blamed me for everyone finding out what I am. Said I didn't hide it well enough.”

“That's insane,” John replied.

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

The conversation moved from Killigan to the upcoming match and who they thought would win. Linda, like Albus and John, was rooting for Italy and they all agreed that Russia didn't stand a chance. They circled the campground and made it back to Linda's campsite. Her mother was talking with a wizard who was camping in the next site over.

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

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

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

Chapter 2: Italy's Chimeras

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

The next day was similar to the previous day and Albus and John spent it trying to find the lake, but had no luck. John was lamenting the fact that the campground was called “Lakeside” when there clearly was no lake around so often that Albus wished there was a lake just so he could push John into it. Both boys begged Harry and Ginny to let them go to New York to see Matt, but had no luck. Harry and Ginny said they could see Matt later that night at the match.

Dusk finally arrived and people began to trek through the woods to the pitch. Albus didn't have the slightest idea how far away it was, but it seemed farther than the walk from the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack or from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Once they finally did arrive, it seemed amazing that Muggles didn't notice it. The pitch was huge; that was the only word for it. There were more witches and wizards congregated in one place than Albus had ever seen in his life and more were coming up behind him.

John had brought two pairs of his omnioculars but the group had to stop while James, Nathan, and Lily each purchased a pair. Ashtyn had stolen a pair of John's, apparently without him knowing. Ginny quickly steered them all away from a couple wizards who were taking bets.

A young wizard standing near the entrance asked to see their tickets and then lead them higher and higher in the stands until they reached one of the top boxes. There were fourteen chairs lined up in two rows, six of which were already occupied. Matt and his parents took up half of those chairs; in the other three sat two wizards and a witch Albus did not know.

“Matt!” Albus shouted. He and John immediately took the two seats to Matt's right while Harry and Ginny greeted his parents.

“Albus, John!” Matt replied. “This is brilliant!”

“Yeah it is! Look how high up we are!” John said excitedly. “Best seats ever!”

“Oh, this is my Uncle Jack,” Matt said, gesturing to one of the wizards Albus didn't recognize. He looked a lot like Matt's dad, only with less grey hair and far fewer wrinkles. “Uncle Jack, this is Albus and John.”

“So you're the ones who keep getting Matt into trouble.” Jack grinned.

“That's more Kaden and John than Albus,” Matt pointed out.

“Hey, Albus was the one who got Kaden and I stranded in a lake a few weeks ago,” John muttered.

“What?!” Matt exclaimed.

“He stole our canoe paddles. We had to swim back.”

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

“Makes sense to me.” Matt shrugged.

About a half hour later, during which Albus was introduced to the other witch and wizard in their box (Canadian Ministry officials) and then promptly forgot their names, the match finally began.

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

“What the bloody hell is that?” John asked as he got up and put his omnioculars to his eyes. “It's a goat!”

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

“Looks as old as Aberforth Dumbledore,” Matt muttered.

“Probably belongs to him,” John pointed out.

“Let's give a warm welcome to Murphy the Mouflon!” the commentator shouted. “Murphy has been with the Russian Quidditch team for nearly twenty years and is beloved by the entire team. Murphy has been trained to do a variety of tricks....”

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

“What in the name of Merlin is a mouflon?” James asked.

“It's a wild sheep,” Lily explained. “Although this one is obviously not wild. In fact, it seems kind of awful to make him perform tricks like that at his age.”

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

“Bloody hell!” John exclaimed.

“How can they bring chimeras into a Quidditch match for Merlin's sake?” Ginny shouted. “They're dangerous!”

“They're being handled by professional chimera handlers,” Mr. Eckerton explained. “And the Canadian Head of the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures is here. They had to clear it with all the Ministries of major countries first.”

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

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

The adults in the room (with the possible exception of Jack) let out a collective sigh of relief when the chimaeras were put back in their cages and moved to the sidelines while James, Nathan, Albus, John, and Matt groaned. Even Ashtyn and Lily seemed slightly disappointed with their disappearance.

However, Albus soon nearly forgot about the chimaeras (it was impossible to completely forget about them as they roared every time a player got near them) since the match started right after they left. The commentator announced the names of the players, but Albus couldn't keep any of them straight because they were flying far too fast. This Quidditch was intense, far more intense than any of the League matches he had been to.

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

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

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

“He's not going to catch the Snitch with that posture,” James muttered before looking through his omnioculars.

As it turned out, James was right. An hour later the Italian Seeker pulled into a dive and came back up with the struggling winged ball in his grasp. The entire box stood up and cheered, especially John who didn't like Russia's Quidditch team. Albus didn't follow either team, but he supposed if he had had to choose, he would've chosen Italy. Italy won with 520 points. Russia had 430. Both teams had played incredibly well.

“I knew it!” James shouted as they made their way back to the campground. “I knew he wouldn't catch that Snitch! A Seeker can't sit up so straight on his broom and expect to catch the Snitch!”

Albus ignored him. James would be bragging about this for the next two months.

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

“Can we Mum?” Albus asked. “Please?”

“I don't think that's going to work, Al,” Ginny replied. “They're flying back on an airplane and you two don't have tickets.”

“Aw, Merlin,” Albus groaned. “I guess we'll see you on the train, then.”

“Yeah, definitely,” Matt replied.

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

It was very late, but the campground was far too loud for anyone to get to sleep. The Italians were celebrating and even the Russians seemed to be very loud and boisterous, despite their loss. Instead of going to bed, Harry lit another campfire and everyone sat around it, roasting whatever sweets they had over the fire and discussing the match.

“And when that mouflon got onto the pitch!” Nathan shouted. “And the chimaeras went nuts? I thought they were going to escape!”

“Didn't stop the players, though,” James pointed out. “That was when one of the Russian Chasers got hit by that Bludger. He could have dodged that if he had been paying more attention to the match and less to the chimaeras.”

“I think I'd sooner pay attention to a possible chimaera escape than a Bludger,” Ashtyn muttered.

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

“I'm just trying to expand my knowledge of the other positions because I'm going to be Gryffindor's captain next year after Fred graduates.”

Albus snorted. “What makes you so sure?”

“I've been on the team since second year, I'll be the oldest next year, and I'm a good leader,” James replied.

“They don't always pick the oldest,” Albus pointed out. “And Bradley and Ryan are older than you.”

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

“Boys,” Ginny warned.

“I don't want it,” Albus said.

“No point in you getting it,” John chimed in. “After all, you're going to be Prefect next year.”

James laughed. “Yeah, that'll happen.”

“You're not one to talk, James,” Ginny said. “Notice your letter did not contain a Prefect's badge this year.”

“Well, yeah, because Kendrick would be stupid to make me a Prefect,” James said. “But he'd be stupid to make you-”

James was interrupted by a loud crack that sounded like someone Apparating or a branch breaking. Lily shrieked and Harry stood with his wand out. There was a rustling in the woods behind them and a figure lumbered out.

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

“'Arry Potter,” he croaked. His voice didn't sound like it had been used in recent history, either. His accent was not Canadian, nor was it British or Australian. “A word.”

“Wand out where I can see it,” Harry replied.

“Don' 'ave a wand,” he muttered.

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

“Yer in trouble, Potter,” he said. “An' not just 'bout what 'appened two months ago.”

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

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

“Who are you?” Harry asked.

“Not important,” he said and turned to go back into the forest. “Good luck, Potter,” he said before disappearing completely.

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

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

Harry laughed. “Definitely not. I reckon that bloke is off his rocker. I wouldn't worry about it.”

Ginny insisted they get to bed shortly after the strange bloke left since they had to get up early the next morning to catch their Portkey. Albus laid awake thinking about the stranger long after John, James, and Nathan fell asleep. His dad may have said not to worry about it, but isn't that what all fathers say when they don't want their sons to worry about something, even if it is worthy of worry?

******

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

John spent two more days at Albus's house, during which they went to Diagon Alley, along with Kaden, and spent most of their time speculating on who the new Defense teacher would be. Harry told them that he would not be returning, much to their displeasure, but he was sure Kendrick would find a suitable replacement. Albus was not too sure about this since Kendrick's last replacement turned out to be insane yet still capable of catching evil wizards. John left the day of the annual before school Weasley family dinner because his family was going to visit his cousins, much to John's dismay.

The before school dinner was one of two times that Albus's entire extended family got together for a meal. The rest of the year everyone was either in school or too busy to undertake the event. However, Albus's grandmother, Molly, insisted that they all spend an evening together before all the kids went off to school. Albus loved it because there was always delicious food and multiple games of Quidditch. Albus was not sure how much longer everyone would attend, though, now that his older cousins were graduating and getting jobs. Victoire was still in Healer training and Teddy was in Auror training. Stanley was in Romania studying dragons, just as his father had done. Georgia of course was busy with training for the Kenmare Kestrals and Albus was sure it wouldn't be long until she was playing for England. Gabriella, much to her parents' dismay, said she did not know what she wanted to do with her life and was spending her days painting pictures of the sea in front of their cottage rather than working at the internship Bill had secured for her at Gringotts. The following year, Fred and Heather would graduate and it wouldn't be long after that more of the Weasley cousins were out of Hogwarts than were in Hogwarts. Angie, Fred's little sister, was just starting Hogwarts that year.

This was not the year that people began to not be able to show up, though. Each and every member of the Weasley and Potter families were going to be there, else face the wrath of Molly Weasley. Albus almost felt sorry for the first of his cousins to have to work on the day the dinner was scheduled. It certainly wouldn't be him because he still had more than half his Hogwarts career left.

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

James immediately hailed Ben and the two of them disappeared up to one of the bedrooms, no doubt to plan some sort of prank. Heather was in the backyard, already on a broom, with Eddie trailing after her on an old broom that was lagging. Gabriella and Mark were sitting in the den pretending to listen to Arthur's commentary on whatever he was taking apart. Albus, who really had nothing to do until Rose arrived, wandered around the house and yard with Lily, until his mother hailed him to chop carrots, the Muggle way of course.

Everyone else arrived while he was chopping, except for Victoire who didn't get off work until five. With what must have been at least five pounds of carrots finally chopped, Albus escaped outside, where most everyone else was congregating.

Percy was donned in very fancy midnight blue robes which struck Albus as very odd since everyone else was wearing casual robes or Muggle clothes. But Percy was always slightly odd.

“Why's Uncle Percy dressed up?” Albus asked Rose, who had just appeared by his side.

“No idea,” Rose said. “But he's quite excited about something and he won't tell anyone else what it is.”

“He probably came up with some new type of cauldron bottom,” Georgia muttered.

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

“Nope,” Georgia replied. “Nothing he says is going to change my mind, though. I've even gotten a flat with one of the other players. I'm moving out tomorrow, but he doesn't know it yet. I don't get it. He's more angry about this than Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur are about Gabriella not interning at Gringotts.”

“I don't see what's wrong with a Quidditch career,” Albus agreed. “I mean, so long as you're good. And you are.”

“Thanks, Albus. He just doesn't get Quidditch, and in two years he's going to have to deal with it all again when Bradley graduates.”

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

“No idea, but I know he doesn't want to get into the Ministry. He hates politics,” Georgia explained. “And Merlin knows Cedric would never work in the Ministry. He causes far too much trouble.”

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

“He better not,” Georgia muttered. “They're too young to have his dreams forced upon them. They're not even in Hogwarts yet.”

“How is training?” Albus asked, changing the subject.

Georgia's eyes lit up. “Oh it's wonderful! I mean, I haven't gotten to play in a real match yet but it's really something to be able to play Quidditch every day of your life and get paid for it. One of the Beaters, the girl I'm getting a flat with, says I'm a shoe-in for a permanent Keeper position once their Keeper gets drafted for England. There's been talk that he will be and I wouldn't be surprised since he's the best player on the team.”

“Oi, Georgia!” James shouted as he crossed the yard, followed by Ben and Cedric. “Want to get a match going?”

“Definitely!” Georgia replied. “Interested, Al?”

“Sure,” Albus answered.

Albus set off towards the house to locate his broom, which he had brought, the whole time thinking how lucky he was that Harry would support whatever career he chose to get into. He liked his Uncle Percy well enough, but he couldn't imagine being told he shouldn't do what he most wanted to do with his life.

Chapter 3: Percy's Announcement

Molly Weasley didn't dare serve dinner until after the Quidditch match had been completed because even she didn't have the ability to drag Weasleys away from Quidditch. Teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out James's grasp and then everyone was off their brooms and sitting at the large crowd of tables in record time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very good mood as he had been on Teddy's team.

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

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

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

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

“Things are pretty calm, Percy,” Harry replied.

“Of course they are. I would've heard if they weren't,” Percy decided.

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

“Well, it's an election year,” Percy pointed out. “Things never stay calm during election years. Party announcements come first week of September and after that things will be chaotic around the Ministry. Loads of work to do. Let me tell you, when I run for Minister-”

“Oh, here we go again!” Ron said loudly. “When Percy runs for Minister. It's never gonna happen, Perce. Honestly.”

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

“Gran, really,” James muttered. “We're going to be hearing this from the teachers. Uncle Percy, why don't you tell us more about your running for Minister?”

“Well, as a matter of fact.” Percy stood up. “I have a rather exciting announcement to make and I feel I must tell my family first, before the rest of the Wizarding World.” He paused, presumably for dramatic effect. “I will be formally announcing on Monday, September second that I will be running for Minister for April's election.”

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

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

“Mum!” Ron groaned. “It's not like your other sons haven't done anything. I'm an Auror for Merlin's sake!”

“And you're a fine good one, Ronald, but I can't ever see you being Minister. You just don't have the ambition Percy does,” Molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

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

Albus was personally stunned. He of course had been on the receiving end of many a Percy rant about what he'd do when he ran for Minister, but he had always believed Percy wouldn't ever do it. If Albus was honest with himself, he didn't really want Percy running. His family was famous enough without having an actual Minister in it.

“Honestly, Mum, do you think he's really going to win?” Ron exclaimed. “I mean, don't get me wrong, Percy, I'll vote for you, but what about the rest of the wizarding world?”

“Percy, do you really think you're cut out for this?” Harry asked skeptically.

“Why wouldn't I be? I've been involved with the Ministry for decades!”

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

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

“We are supporting you,” Molly assured him.

“Boys,” Arthur warned. “Percy's right. If he wants to run for Minister he can without any of us making it difficult for him. You don't have to vote for him, but I won't have you arguing during dinner. You'll upset your mum.”

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

“Do you know who else is running?” Hermione asked.

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

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

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

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

“Moving out. You know, leaving the nest. I've got a flat with a friend closer to the pitch. It'll be more convenient, for work.”

“Work,” Percy muttered. “If Quidditch can be considered work.”

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

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

Albus turned to Rose and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to make Percy's running for Minister work to her advantage.

“Rose, have you heard from Linda yet?” Albus asked, deciding not to join the rest of his family in political conversation.

“Not yet.” Rose shook her head. “Her mum might have wanted her to wait a bit after they settled in Canada, though. Have you heard anything about what the Ministry's doing about Lubar?”

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

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

“You're robbing a bank?” James shouted.

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

Albus and Rose didn't risk talking about Lubar for the rest of the evening. Sure, the rest of their family knew about what had happened but neither of them wanted to discuss their theories with any of them.

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

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

Percy was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were smaller and he had to pretend he was interested in what they were saying, when Albus's parents decided it was time to leave. For the first time in his life, he was actually happy to leave and get back to Grimmauld Place. The before school dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to have fun all together before school started, and this time it hadn't been that. It had been about Percy.

******

By some stroke of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the Potters before, James had packed his trunk the night before they left for school. Albus was sure that some sort of apocalypse was going to arrive soon because Percy running for Minister and the Potters arriving early for the Hogwarts Express were two events that nobody ever thought would happen. Albus didn't question it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at Platform 9 ¾ prior to going through the barrier, was not early, so the Potters went through without him. Rose and her family were already there of course, so Albus said a quick goodbye to his parents before getting on the train to find Rose. With any luck his friends wouldn't be there yet and he could talk to Rose alone. Usually there was nothing he wouldn't talk to his friends about, but the strange feeling he had had about his family was something he only wanted to talk to Rose about.

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

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

“James packed last night,” Albus answered.

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

“It's definitely odd,” Albus agreed. “Listen, do you get the feeling things are changing?”

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

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

“I guess,” Albus replied. “But I wasn't really getting at that. I was thinking about our family.”

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

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

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

“What do you think will happen if he wins?” Albus asked.

“I don't know. I don't think things will change political-wise but I think it's going to be really weird for Georgia and Bradley and Cedric. Even the twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most important person in the wizarding world has got to be stressful.”

“Tell me about it,” Albus muttered. “Can you imagine if my dad ran for Minister?”

“Percy wouldn't stand a chance.”

“Dad'll never run, though,” Albus pointed out. “I just think that things are already different from last year. Everyone's going to be focused on Uncle Percy's campaign.”

“Things never stay the same, Al,” Rose said.

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

“I think we'll just have to deal with your murder, John, because that mark is not getting any higher,” Rose replied.

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

“Nothing,” Rose said quickly.

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

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

“Excellent,” John replied. “Now I don't have to buy your dungbombs for you.”

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

“Just for the Slytherin common room,” John assured him. “Our goal is to figure out how to get a few in there.”

“Not going to work,” Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the other side of Rose. “You can't get into someone else's common room unnoticed.”

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

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

“Told you we should have just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,” John told Kaden.

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

“Fine.” Albus took a deep breath. “Well, my Uncle Percy's running for Minister.”

“Seriously?” John replied.

“Cool!” Kaden exclaimed.

“Why?” Matt asked.

“Isn't he the one who's been talking about doing that for years?” Amanda asked.

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

“Why doesn't your dad run?” Kaden asked.

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

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

“Haven't a clue,” Albus said. “They're supposed to be announcing the candidates on the second.”

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

“It's our family,” Rose said quietly. “Uncle Percy is so focused on the election and it hasn't even really started yet. Georgia's got it all figured out. Percy's going to pretend he's completely happy with her Quidditch playing just to make himself seem like a family man, which he's really not. He's always been focused on work.”

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

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

“He's right, you know,” Amanda said.

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

“You, Rose, and Matt aren't the only ones of us who have family in politics,” Amanda said.

“But you're a Muggle,” John replied.

“I never said the Ministry of Magic, John. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle's the prime minister.”

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

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

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

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

“Wow, that seems so wrong,” Rose muttered.

“It's politics from the other side. The public wants people in power to have a certain image.”

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

“My cousin Leanne went a little wild at university her first year, our first year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photo of her and put it on the cover of some tabloid, but that was the only one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up.”

“But it's not like Georgia's partying. She's got Quidditch skills and is using them to make an honest living,” Rose pointed out.

“I'm not saying that's bad. I'm just saying your uncle won't want the public to know he's not happy with her career choice so he's going to make himself look like a devoted father.”

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

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

“It's true, Albus,” Matt said. “Amanda's completely right. It's the whole reason why my dad got sacked. The public didn't like that I was a werewolf, which is part of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, nobody wanted him in politics anymore.”

Albus nodded, but didn't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but Matt was right. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before Matt mentioned that. And now the same thing was happening with his family. Percy was going to pretend and while that didn't really directly effect him, how long would it take before the public didn't like the image he and the rest of his cousins were presenting?

Chapter 4: The Opposition

There was no mention of politics or Ministers throughout the remainder of the train trip. Amanda didn't say anything else about her uncle being the prime minister and how it had affected her family, but Albus was still really curious about it. How had she managed to keep that a secret for three years? Judging by Rose's reaction, she didn't even know about it. Matt hadn't even managed to keep it a secret that he was a werewolf for a year. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the best secret keeper in their group.

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

As the train neared Hogsmeade station, Albus and his friends changed into their robes and prepared to exit the train for the bumpy carriage ride up to the school. The journey was now so routine that they did so with little chatter and transferred to the carriages with none of the fanfare of the previous two years. They were fourth years now and Hogwarts was familiar territory. As fourth years, they were well on their way to being the older students of the school.

The Great Hall was filled with laughter and excitement as the students found their seats at their house tables. Albus and his friends quickly found seats together at the Gryffindor table and all five glanced up to the staff table to find the new face that would be their Defense teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar face they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

“Which one's the Defense teacher?” Kaden asked.

“Haven't the slightest,” Albus replied.

There were two new wizards sitting at the table. One was deep in conversation with Professor Kendrick and the other was glancing around at the room, his eyes never resting on the same thing or person for more than a few seconds. The former was wearing what looked to be Ministry robes, which made Albus wonder if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from last year standing off to the side in his usual spot. The second new wizard was dressed in plain black robes and had nearly no hair atop his head, but instead had a large beard and mustache, as if he was trying to compensate.

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

“That's not a good sign,” John replied. “What's the Ministry doing here on the first day?”

“It's not necessarily a bad thing,” Rose pointed out. “Maybe they just want to make sure everything is back to normal after the competition last year.”

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

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

It remained there for all of three seconds before shouting “Gryffindor!” Angie ran from the stool to the excited shouts of the Gryffindors, her brother Fred's whistling ringing over the rest. Everyone at Hogwarts would have bet money on Angie being a Gryffindor, but everyone still liked to cheer.

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

“The Ministry's sent someone to observe,” James said confidently. “Look at the past three years. Every single one at least one of Al and his friends have gotten kidnapped by insane wizards. Clearly the Ministry doesn't think the teachers can protect us enough.”

“That's what the Aurors are for,” Rose pointed out. “What's some Ministry bloke going to do that an Auror can't do? I really don't think that bloke is another Auror.”

“I bet he's here to recruit people for the Ministry,” Fred suggested. “You know, spend a year with us seventh years and try to convince us that we should take on boring Ministry jobs. Bet Uncle Percy's the reason for it. Probably doesn't want anymore of his kin to take up Quidditch professionally.”

“That's ridiculous,” a seventh-year girl replied. “He's probably just the new Defense teacher.”

“Then who's that other bloke?” Matt gestured to the bald man sitting next to Slughorn.

“Slughorn's long lost twin?” Kaden suggested. “Seriously, shave his beard and he'll look just like Slughorn.”

“Maybe Kendrick just wanted to invite someone to the Welcome Feast,” Amanda pointed out. “It could be as simple as that.”

Albus doubted it. Nothing was ever simple when it came to life at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the puddings disappeared and Kendrick stood to give his usual start of term speech.

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

“First, I would like to welcome Professor Elliot Young to Hogwarts. Professor Young is going to be taking over the Defense teacher position.” Kendrick gestured to the man with the beard, while scattered applause was received from the students and other professors.

“Professor Ancient if you ask me,” John muttered.

“Many of you may be aware and quite a lot of you I'm sure are not aware that this is an election year for the Ministry of Magic. Tomorrow the candidates running for Minister of Magic will make their speeches announcing their candidacy, which will begin a seven month campaign period. At the beginning of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the winner shall be announced. The fact that this is an election year is a wonderful educational opportunity and I wasn't about to let it pass us by. Therefore I have decided to add another class to the curriculum. It will meet once a week and in it you will learn the ins and outs of our political system and its history.

“This is Professor Richard Embry.” Kendrick gestured to the bloke sitting next to him, who then stood up. “He is from the Ministry and has agreed to teach this new class that we have designed. The class will appear on your schedules that you will receive tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as classes begin bright and early in the morning. Prefects, please escort the first years to the common rooms.”

Kendrick and the Ministry bloke both resumed their seats while Albus and his friends rose. The joined the mob of students making their way out of the Great Hall and towards the main staircase. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins broke away from the pack to descend to their dormitories and then the Ravenclaws left for their tower. Soon, Albus and his friends were only amongst fellow Gryffindors.

The common room was abuzz with discussion about the new professors when they arrived. Most of the younger students had gone to bed, but the older students were making no move to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up sheet for Quidditch try-outs on the notice board while Heather watched. Albus predicted that the two of them would act more like co-captains since there was no way Heather was going to let Fred make all of the team decisions this year.

“So now we have another class,” John muttered as they sat down at a table near the fire. “More homework. More exams.”

“It's only once a week,” Rose pointed out.

“But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to take a class about politics?” John asked.

“Never,” Albus replied.

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

“Yeah, it's not like there's going to be an O.W.L. for it,” Rose said. “Can you believe that we'll be taking O.W.L.s next year?”

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

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

“Well, I think I'm going to turn in,” Rose said as she stood up. “Classes start tomorrow.”

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

Rose and Amanda left for the girls' dormitory a little while later. Albus and the other boys stayed up a while longer, but soon realized they were quite tired. They said goodnight to Kaden when they reached the third years' dormitory and then continued on to their own. It had been a long day and Albus was ready to go to sleep, just so he wouldn't have to think about politics or the election anymore.

******

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

“When do we have that politics class?” Matt asked as he scooped a heap of oatmeal onto his plate.

“Tomorrow, right before dinner,” John replied. “Merlin, that would've been free time if we didn't have that bloody class.”

“It could be fun, John,” Rose said.

“I haven't got it until Friday morning,” Kaden lamented. “I think it will be fun. Muggle politics are boring but magic makes everything better.”

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

“Of course,” Matt muttered. “Wouldn't expect anything different. And we've probably got potions with them again, right?”

Albus glanced at his schedule. “Yes.” They had had potions with the Slytherins every year now. Surely that couldn't be accidental. Albus would have preferred they have no classes with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in Defense the previous year. The last thing he and Matt needed was more contact with Scorpius Malfoy.

“Good news is that we've got Defense with the Hufflepuffs this year,” Amanda pointed out.

“Bet Kendrick did that on purpose after last year,” John said. “He'd have to be an idiot to give us that class with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in agreement. After the scene that had developed between Albus, John, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in Defense class together again. Albus was grateful. He'd spent the last few weeks of his third year avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to avoid him for the remainder of his Hogwarts career. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling team.

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

Everyone was slightly wary of the new Defense professor and thus the seats in the back of the room were in high demand. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had Transfiguration beforehand and had a much shorter walk, so they claimed all of the far seats. Albus, Matt, and John had the misfortune of having to sit at one of the front tables and all three boys were on edge.

The professor ambled into the room just as class was scheduled to start. He had a very large stack of parchment, which he set on the desk before beginning to call roll.

“I am Professor Young,” he began after he finished with roll. “And welcome to fourth year Defense Against the Dark Arts. This year we will focus on Dark curses, hexes, and general spells, all of which are detailed out in your textbook. You can take your books out now if you haven't already done so.”

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

“Please read the first chapter of your books and complete the worksheet by the end of the class,” Young said as he walked back to his desk. He said nothing more and began to read what appeared to be a novel while stroking his beard.

Albus glanced at John and Matt, unsure of whether Young would yell at him if he spoke in whispers to his friends. Actually, Young might not even hear him. He did appear to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the first day of class. Wouldn't a lecture make more sense? Albus couldn't remember a time when a professor hadn't lectured on the first day of class.

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

Albus began to read the first chapter, which was dreadfully boring. It was about the most mundane of Dark hexes, if a Dark hex could be considered mundane. The chapter didn't even mention unforgivable curses, which while horrible, were far more interesting than the basic principles of what made a curse Dark.

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

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

“Someone who just wants to read their book all day,” John replied. “Works for me, since he didn't give any homework.”

“Still, it was horribly boring,” Albus replied.

“Honestly, I'm happy it's boring after dealing with Balladanis last year,” Matt said.

“Somehow I don't think this bloke is going to be bringing any Anamateks to class,” Albus said.

“An Anamatek would probably finish him off,” John replied. “I don't think he could handle one.”

“Not many people could,” Albus pointed out.

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

“What's wrong?” Albus asked, extremely confused as to why Georgia was at Hogwarts.

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

“What time is it happening?” Albus asked.

“One,” Georgia replied. “Which means we're already going to be later than Dad wants. It'll be in the Evening Prophet.”

“There is no way Georgia's going to be able to pretend everything is fine between her and Uncle Percy for the whole election,” Rose said once Georgia and her brothers had left. “She looked annoyed already and he hasn't even announced he's running yet.”

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

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

“Of course they are,” Albus agreed. “Matt's dad is probably there, too.”

“He is,” Matt said. “Hasn't got a clue as to who's running, though.”

“Guess we'll find out tonight,” Albus said.

******

Albus didn't see Bradley or Cedric until dinner. He had been hoping to catch one of them in between classes, but either their schedules didn't permit them to cross paths or the announcement had gone until dinner. The noise in the Great Hall wasn't any louder than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he wasn't quite sure how much the rest of the students cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor table, all of Albus's cousins were clustered at one end of the table, their heads leaned in to one another.

“Looks like a family meeting or something,” Albus said.

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

Albus followed Rose to the far end of the table, where everyone else had already gathered. Albus squeezed his way in between Hugo and James while Rose found a seat next to Lily.

“Finally, you're here,” James said. “Bradley and Cedric won't say a word until everyone's here.”

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

“Well, go on,” Fred encouraged.

“It was basically a huge fancy party with a bunch of boring speeches,” Bradley began. “A bunch of Ministry people and their wives or husbands and Dad was the center of attention, of course. Everyone knew he was running even though he hadn't made his official announcement yet. It didn't get interesting until Dad and the witch he's running against made their announcement-”

“Dad's was pretty boring,” Cedric cut in. “Talked about how he's seen the Ministry through so many changes and how we need strong leadership to keep the magical community together and loyal. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of course. Then everyone clapped politely and the opposition stood up.”

“The witch who's actually running looks like she was a hawk in a former life. Her nose is as pointy as a nose can get and she's got this sleek black hair that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a crowd of people who she introduced as her campaign team,” Bradley said. “But it was her speech that got the crowd riled up. She kept putting holes in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding world was a strong united front but she talked about how rifts are forming and the Ministry is slipping and change is needed again. She made all these subtle mentions of how the Aurors aren't as on top of things and how if we don't do something the magical world will fall apart.”

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

“I thought they were just making their announcements that they were running,” Rose said. “Speeches don't start yet.”

“Neither of them are going to waste an opportunity to get votes,” Heather pointed out. “So do you two have to make anymore appearances?”

“Yeah,” Bradley answered. “Dad wants us all there for his first speech this weekend and he said there are going to be some debates here, so we have to sit up front with Mum at those.”

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

“What's her name?” Rose asked. “And what does she do in the Ministry?”

“Patricia Laurentis,” Cedric replied. “She's some sort of adviser to the current Minister. Her title's just as confusing and long as Dad's.”

“Weird that both the candidates were working under the current Minister,” Rose said.

“Well the parties chose them.” Cedric shrugged. “I should get going, though. Have to go see Slughorn about what I missed earlier.”

“Me too,” Bradley said as he stood up. “Patil probably won't be pleased that I missed the first lesson.”

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

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

“Maybe Uncle Percy is the right person to be Minister,” Heather said quietly. “The Ministry has been working the same way since the Final Battle, hasn't it? And there haven't been anymore Voldemorts trying to gain power.”

“But things can't always stay the same,” Rose pointed out.

“Do you really think the Ministry needs to change that much?” Heather asked.

“I don't know,” Rose said quietly. “I just don't think people are as united as Uncle Percy thinks.”

“I'm going to the common room,” Albus said as he pushed his plate away. He wasn't hungry anymore.

Footsteps behind him told him that Rose was following, just like he hoped she would. “What were you getting at? People not being united?” he asked once they were in an empty corridor.

“Not everyone agrees on everything, Albus,” Rose said. “Far from it. I think Uncle Percy's slightly delusional about that. And remember what you told me about that odd bloke who gave your dad a warning at the Quidditch World Cup?”

“That bloke?” Albus laughed. “He was insane!”

“I'm not denying that, but he did have a point. In an election year everything matters. Uncle Percy's aligned his beliefs with the current Minister's, which means if he's elected he's going to continue doing things the same way. The Ministry hasn't caught Willinson for good in the three years they've been searching and he's slipped out of their grasp numerous times. It's not going to be difficult for that Laurentis lady to convince people we need to change tactics, even if her tactics aren't great either.”

Albus said nothing for a few moments. “How do you know all of this?”

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

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

Rose laughed. “I never said that and it's far too soon to tell. They haven't even debated yet. All I'm saying is, Uncle Percy needs to open his eyes a bit.”

Albus didn't reply. He knew that his Uncle Percy's political views were slightly different than the rest of his family's, but they were still quite similar. If what Rose was saying was true, that meant that his whole family needed to open their eyes and Albus wasn't sure how he felt about that.

Chapter 5: Basic Wizarding Politics

“You know, this politics class is taking away from our free periods,” John said the following morning at breakfast. He shook his head as he loaded his plate high with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for Rose's reply about how they needed to take advantage of any learning opportunities, even if they meant less free time, but it didn't come. Albus turned to look at her, thinking she might be ill. She wasn't. Instead she was piling her own plate high with eggs and toast. Albus raised his eyebrows at her.

“What?” she demanded. “Girls get hungry, too.”

“Not that,” Albus replied. “John just complained about having another class and you didn't groan and tell him off.”

“I kind of agree with him.” Rose shrugged.

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

Rose pushed his hand away. “Stop it, Al. I'm not saying I won't enjoy the class. I'm just saying that we're fourth years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the time we can get to study. Not that John would use the time to study, mind you.”

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

“I think it'll be a nice change,” Matt put in. “Something different. Notice they gave us History of Magic on two consecutive mornings. Wonder who the idiot was who did that.”

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

“Why not both your arms and legs?” Amanda asked.

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

“I only had one class with the Slytherins last year,” Kaden said. “You lot must have terrible luck. I'd better be off. Defense this morning.”

“Good luck. That professor is weird,” John said.

“Can't be worse than last year,” Kaden replied as he got up and left.

Albus, Matt, Rose, and Amanda waited for John to finish his pile of eggs before setting off for the dungeons. When they arrived the door was already open and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpius Malfoy was sitting at one of the front tables, looking rather smug. Albus averted his eyes and continued to the back of the classroom, where he sat down in between Matt and John.

“Wonder what he's so happy about,” Albus muttered as the rest of the students entered the room.

“I don't know. But I don't like it,” John said.

Slughorn chose that moment to waddle into the room so Albus and John could not continue their conversation. “Welcome, welcome! Ahh, my two favorite houses together again! What luck. Well, well, welcome to fourth year Potions. This is the year that things get difficult since you'll be sitting your O.W.L.s next year...”

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

“...Since today is a double class I thought we'd set about brewing the first potion in your textbook and see where your skills lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to read your text books over the summer!”

Albus glanced at Rose, who was sitting next to Amanda at one of the front tables. She seemed to sit up higher in her seat.

“Let's get started, then. You can work in pairs of your choosing. The pair that produces the best potion will win a bar of Honeyduke's chocolate.”

John set off to work with Janie Creevey who lacked a partner while Albus and Matt set up a cauldron at their table.

“Remember your gloves,” Slughorn announced. “If you touch the finished product your hand will immediately freeze.”

“Does it seem odd to you that we have to concoct a Freeze Solution with fire?” Matt asked as he stuck his wand under the cauldron to light the flame.

“Very,” Albus agreed. “So now that we've had Slughorn for three years, have you noticed that he always starts the year with a contest?”

“Yeah. I bet he uses the same curriculum every year,” Matt added. “Can't imagine that much changes in terms of potion brewing.”

“I bet our parents brewed the same potions,” Albus said.

“I wonder if it's possible for this potion to explode,” Matt mused as he tossed a few pieces of chopped beetroot into the cauldron.”

“Well, I suppose we'll find out,” came a drawling voice from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few bottles he must have gotten from the supply closet. “I'm sure you two will manage it, if it's possible.”

“Shut it, Malfoy,” Albus replied.

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

“Weird of him to leave so soon,” Matt said, as if reading Albus's mind.

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

Matt let out a laugh. “Yeah, right. If anything he's finally realized you're a better dueler than he is and he's got to watch out. Speaking of which, you think you're going to be captain of your dueling team this year?”

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

With everything else that was going on that year, the last thing Albus needed was to be captain of his dueling team, but he did not want Malfoy as captain either. He'd take the extra work if just to keep Malfoy from being in charge. Malfoy needed power like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flame thrower.

Albus and Matt did not blow up their potion by the end of the class. In fact, their potion had the same consistency that it was supposed to and while it was slightly off-color, it did manage to freeze the quill Slughorn stuck in it. Rose and Amanda won the chocolate, which was no surprise to anyone.

Rose and Amanda shared their chocolate with the boys as they walked up to the Great Hall for lunch. Albus and Matt told the girls and John about Malfoy's bizarre behavior and Rose told them that they should just be happy he's backing down, rather than analyze his motives.

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

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

“This morning's Prophet. The owls were late delivering it. Something about a storm in London,” Heather explained.

Albus set down his roll and opened the paper. There on the front page was a picture of his Uncle Percy, smiling wide, in elaborate robes, shaking hands with a very tall woman, who was also smiling wide and wearing elaborate robes. Above the picture was the title, “Candidates for Minister of Magic Announced.”

By this point Rose and Matt had crowded on either side of Albus, while Amanda and John hovered behind him, all trying to read the article. Albus's eyes traveled down the page so he could do the same.

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

Weasley, Senior Undersecretary for the
Drafting and Editing of Laws, has been
chosen to run for the Merlinus Party,
which is the party that current Minister
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, Senior
Advisor to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
Official has been chosen to run for the
Paracelsus Party.

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

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

“Guess so,” Albus replied.

“She looks a little like this maths teacher I had before I came to Hogwarts,” Amanda said. “She was a scary lady. I remember once I forgot to do my homework so I spent the entire morning in the loo before someone came looking for me.”

“You can tell they both hate each other,” Matt said as he gestured to the picture. “Sure they're shaking hands and acting nice but clearly they both want to hex each other.”

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

“Maybe she switched parties?” Amanda suggested. “It happens in the Muggle world.”

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

Albus couldn't help but have the same feeling. But all he could do was hope that his uncle won the election and Laurentis would not have the chance to change everything.

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

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

Transfiguration seemed to drag by since it was the same as it was every year. Professor Patil explained about that year's curriculum and how they needed to start thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased workload. It was all rather monotonous and all Albus wanted to do was get to politics since it was something new.

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

“We better not have this with the Slytherins,” John muttered as they neared the doorway.

Albus peeked in the door. “Nope, Hufflepuffs.”

John let out an audible sigh of relief and Albus pushed the door open as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the back, and the professor was nowhere in sight. Rose immediately claimed a desk in the front and Amanda chose one next to her, while Albus and the other boys headed to the group of Hufflepuffs in the back.

“Do you think there will be homework in this class?” John asked as they sat down.

Albus raised his eyebrows. “Is that a serious question?”

John shrugged. “Well it's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably won't even have this class next year. So why would there be homework?”

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

The rest of the class filed in, filling in the seats that remained in the middle of the classroom. As the bell rang, Professor Embry entered, walking with an air that this class would be all work and no play.

“Good afternoon,” Professor Embry began as he shuffled a few papers on his desk. “Welcome to Basic Wizarding Politics. I am Professor Embry and you will address me such.”

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to pace the length of the classroom. “I understand that most of you know absolutely nothing about politics and assume that the Minister of Magic is born the Minister and laws just magically come into existence. A select few of you,” his eyes rested on Albus, and then on Matt, and on two Hufflepuff girls, “have parents in the Ministry and may have slightly more knowledge than the rest, but that would be rather generous of me to assume.

“Hogwarts has not put much stake in political education before now, something that I feel is lacking in today's education and wish to rectify this year. The curriculum will include history of how our government came to be the way it is today as well as how the government is currently run.”

The class let out a collective grown at the word history. Albus glanced at Rose, who was on the edge of her seat.

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

Embry let out a short laugh. “With Professor Binns? If I may be frank, that man died before most of the history happened. Along with that, he'll put a rock to sleep.” Embry chuckled. No one in the class dared to laugh. “I'm going to give you a proper history of our modern government, starting with a brief overview of what the government was like before the reign of Voldemort and a more comprehensive overview of what it is like today.

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

Embry flicked his wand and stacks of books flew out of a nearby cupboard. They landed softly in front of the students. Albus glanced down and read the title. Politics and Government in Modern Wizarding Britain by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the cupboard it had come out of.

“Very good. Now, get out parchment and quills. I'm not going to let the rest of this class period go to waste,” Embry said as he tapped his wand on the board. Notes immediately appeared on it.

Embry lectured for the remainder of the class about how the first government was formed in Britain. It was incredibly dry. The only reason Albus stayed awake was because he had to take notes. Literally had to. Embry caught a John not taking notes and threatened him with detention this Saturday if he didn't start.

“That's all for today,” Embry said after the bell rang. “Next class we'll fast forward in time and learn about the government pre-Voldemort. Read the first chapter for homework and come up with three thoughtful questions to pose to the rest of the class. Dismissed.”

“How does Hogwarts attract the most bizarre teachers?” Albus asked once they were out of earshot of the classroom.

“Kendrick must put it on the list of job requirements,” John replied. “Must be out of your freaking mind to take this position.”

“I think he's professional,” Rose piped in. “It seems like we'll really learn stuff.”

“Why bother?” John asked. “It's not like we're old enough to have a say in the government anyway.”

“But we will one day,” Amanda pointed out. “And to be honest, I'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, John. Muggles get politics classes in school. It makes sense that we should, too.”

“She's got a point, mate,” Matt said. “Who has the power in your country matters. If you elect the wrong people, things can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their leaders, either. We don't even get to do that fully. The positions that Albus's dad has and my dad have? In the United States, those are elected positions. Not here.”

“And before Voldemort, we didn't even elect our Minister,” Rose said.

“How do you lot even know this stuff?” John asked as they drew closer to the Gryffindor common room.

“Parents.” Amanda shrugged. “It's amazing what you pick up when your parents think you're too young to care to eavesdrop.”

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

Albus grinned sheepishly. “Guess so.”

John groaned. “This is insane. Why couldn't I have picked normal friends?”

“Normal is highly overrated,” Matt said as they reached the Fat Lady.

******

The rest of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus's opinion. Everyone, students and teachers, fell back into their usual Hogwarts routines and by the time Friday arrived Albus had a stack of homework as high as his bed and was more than ready for a few days off. But when he saw the notice board in the common room when he got back from Charms on Friday afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

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

“Eight!” Albus exclaimed. “In the morning? Is he thoroughly insane? It's the first week back! Even Georgia wasn't crazy enough to do that.”

“Tough luck, mate,” John said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby couch. “Eight in the morning. Let's see, I'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, Matt? What will you be doing at eight in the morning? Flying through the rain? Trudging through the mud to the pitch?”

“Course not.” Matt grinned. “I'll be cozy in bed, having an amazing dream where I'm playing for the Cannons. In perfect conditions of course.”

“The Cannons are the only team you'd ever have hope of playing for,” John replied.

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

“Speak of the devil,” John said as Fred entered the common room.

“You!” Albus shouted as he got up. “Why in the name of everything Merlin owns did you schedule practice at eight in the morning on a Saturday? Not everyone's a seventh year taking four classes. We can't all sleep in every bloody day.”

Fred shrugged. “Had to. Pitch is booked solid all weekend except for Saturday morning and evening. All the other houses are having try-outs. We can't even hold our Keeper try-outs until next weekend because of it.”

“Why not the evening then?”

“Bradley's got to make an appearance at Uncle Percy's speech.” Fred rolled his eyes.

“Then why have practice at all? We don't need to train anyone new until we get a new Keeper,” Albus pointed out.

“It's been a whole summer. We're rusty. We've got to start training early. I want that Quidditch trophy.”

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

“Look, Al, I'm not changing it. Just deal with it,” Fred said as he continued up to his dormitory.

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

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

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

No one looked happy. James was nodding off on the couch while Ryan attempted to tie his shoes without opening his eyes. Heather's hair was sticking up at odd angles while she tried to tame it into a ponytail. Bradley was sulking in an armchair. Even Fred looked a little worse for wear. But they trudged through the castle, only seeing Peeves loosening a few door hinges and Filch's cat skulking behind a suit of armor.

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

Without going up to his dormitory to change, Albus headed into the Great Hall hoping there would be something good for lunch. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his friends halfway down the Gryffindor table and after stowing his broom underneath the bench, he sat down and grabbed the nearest dish.

“You could at least shower first, Al,” Rose said. “You stink.”

“Too starved,” Albus replied.

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

Albus groaned as he read the letter. “That gives me about four hours to relax and possibly do homework.”

“Are you going to have to go to every debate?” Rose asked.

“Hope not,” Albus replied in between bites. “You don't have to go?”

“Haven't gotten anything about it. Dad probably doesn't even want to go himself so he won't make us. And Mum probably expects that it would just take away from my studies.”

“This says I have to wear dress robes,” Albus muttered.

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

“And what about you? Your dad's high in the Ministry. Why aren't you going?” Albus asked, desperate to find someone else who could keep him company.

“He already told me over the summer that I'll only have to go to ones at Hogwarts. And then whatever parties the candidates will throw for the officials. Doesn't think an election should have much effect on my life,” Matt explained.

“Lucky,” Albus replied.

Albus made the most of the rest of the day. He and his friends took homework down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beech tree while they sat by the edge of the lake and dangled their feet in. Kaden swore the Giant Squid tried to eat his foot, but nobody believed him. Rose and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the edge of the forest, insisting that none of the boys follow.

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