Sink a Boat, Swim Ashore


When James Potter Jr. entered Hogwarts, all the Hogwarts' professors knew that they were in for a combination of Fred and George's mischief and the unstifled sense of adventure of Harry Potter combined. What they weren't prepared for was the quieter's Albus Severus entrance into the school.

Harry had decided not to, on the urging of his wife, and a few others (mostly Hermione admittedly) not to release the famous stories of the various late, confusing and chaos ridden entrances that they had made over their school years. Rather, the focused on the sorting, reassuring their son and letting him think about the various wonders.

Albus, commonly called Al, was a red curly-mop of curiosity, was always asking questions, and was slightly timid. All those who knew his father tell he would soon take on his father's leadership, if unknowingly; he possessed the charm and the outright skill that his other brother made up in forwardness and creativity.

Combined, they were a perfect duo, one leading the other into planned mayhem, with a little bit of caution. What James would just go do, Albus would stand behind making alterations to the plan to get them out alive, and it worked dangerously well, most of the time.

With a little prodding James convinced Albus to carry some things from Georges Shop in a sack to the Hogwarts, because his parents, loving and kind, had searched his bag of school supplies before hand to make sure he didn't have anything too dangerous, not that his uncle wouldn't have sent him stuff through the owl-post anyway. But, of course, the first week of school is the best time to leave a shocking, or booming in this case, impression, and that's exactly what James had in mind.

Unfortunately, the explosives never made it to the castle- and this was Albus's problem, and one he'd be known for his entire stay.

The first-years left the carriages onto the boats, staring in wonderment at the large castle in the distance. The sky was clear, and Hagrid, large and tall (but undaunting to Albus, who had met the half-giant before Albus could even walk). Onto the boat he went, clutching his (as his brother called it) sack-o-surprise. He was on the rickety swaying boat, the first years in whispering about what was going to happen, where they would be sorted etc. The tension and the swampy atmosphere left a sense of eerie fascination, and he stood back listening to the chatter. He really didn't want to introduce himself; the second people knew his name he ended up with strange looks, and he would just wanted them not notice him at all. This, was a task that was not to happen at his stay at Hogwarts, and like his father, he would eventually just have to adjust.

The boat swayed strongly, and he lost his balance, and instinctually he reached out his hands to break his fall, and this ultimately was the biggest mistake.

The inconspicuous brown sack fell to the ground with a thump.

And then it started Buzzing.

His second mistake was that he didn't know exactly what was IN the bag, because he decided it would be better not to know exactly what his brother had planned (probably with the scheming help of Uncle George) and so he just let it go. But now the bag was buzzing louder and louder, and second later, it was on fire.

In a mostly wooden boat. In a swamp full of magical creatures. With first years who couldn't do a lick of magic and were now panicking.

Wide eyed, Albus stuttered, watching as the fire burned a nice wide circular hole, and then proofed out of existence, just in time to let the dark water rush in.

The boat started to sink.

"Hagrid!" Albus screamed- seemed like the appropriate time as his ankles were being covered by murky swamp water. The other first years clamored to the other side of the boat, wide eyed and grabbing the things they carried from the quickly rising water.

He heard Hagrid say something in his deep voice, that could probably be only identified as some sort of Giant curse word, if it had any meaning at all, and then the boat sank, (rather quickly to all's astonishment)

The mermaids helped those who couldn't tread water, chucking to one another in mer-speak. Albus grinned sheepishly. "Hi," this seemed as good a time as any, sense all his former boat-mates, now current swim mates were all glaring at him with this shocked look "My name is Al." He'd let them figure out the Potter part later. A few were elated by this strange unfortunate turn of events, until floating on a broomstick was their worst nightmare, or rather, the most frightening thing a first-year can see before the school year even starts. A very, very angry Headmaster McGonagall.

19 years had not done her much of a change, she was still the powerful, patient and very commanding woman she had been during Harry's stay at Hogwarts. Grey hair still stayed in a tight bun, glasses still on her face. Over the years she had become and remained Headmaster, enforcing discipline and guiding the students among there way. Even though she was headmaster, her robes had a deep green trim, that symbolized her prior head-of-house status. This, she counted as another first, and she assumed, with the bunches of Weasley's and Potter's that were going to make it through these gates in the next ten years that there would be many more originals. She scanned the crowd, her eyes saw familiar faces, but the one that stood out was the sopping wet, Albus Potter, treading water slowly and looking sheepish. She'd seen that look on James Potter's face, Harry's and now James Potter Jr's, and she knew, he'd done it, but for kicks and all important intimidation purposes, she said in her loudest principle voice:

"Which one of you sank the boat?"

There was immediate silence. And then a synchronized pointing of hands to Albus, who wished he could become a Mer-person and never enter the famed school of magic.

He timidly waved, as if it would defer her anger. "Albus Potter! I expected better of you. Which-ever house you are apart of, 20 points from it."

All the students who understood the point system groaned and stared, half between in wonderment of being a Potter and half in disappointment if he was in their house, they'd already be down in points the semester.

With a flick of her wand, McGonagall floated all of the overboard first years to shore, where they met the rest of their class.. The rest of the events went on as scheduled, Potter becoming a Gryffindor (and his brother immensely jealous at his unplanned entrance because it was more creative than his own) and immediately hugged his brother with a "I CANNOT wait to write to Dad about this!"

Albus's eyes went wide. If dad knew, MOM knew, and if Mom knew, he'd imagine he'd be the first student of the year to receive a howler. His brother hugged him and grinned "Welcome to Hogwarts!"

In fact, he was the first student to receive a howler. He was also the first student to fly on his broom, and cast a charm. Over the semester he did excel in his own quiet way, though his papers and homework seemed to be average, but that was perfectly ok with him. He had his trouble, potions was the bane of his existence, even though the potion's professor was a nice cheerful woman who encouraged his every move. Its just that, his every move seemed to cause a boil when there needed to be a simmer, a off colored green when he needed blue, a sulfur smell when he needed something that smelled of roses. He was, very skilled at being unskilled, he couldn't even mistake himself into being right and it drove him batty.

There was something that bothered him. His older brother had mentioned it, and he felt it to- the Rune's professor, a man from America whose claim to fame was he'd traveled the world, would watch them. He didn't have a class- Runes' were for upper levels only, but James would see him staring at the lunch table. Observing him.

He was once stopped in the hall, with the explanation that he was an old friend's of their fathers, and wondered how he was doing. This was normal, but his probing questions were…how many brothers and sisters did he have, where did they work, how was the house, where did his little sister go to wizzarding school. It didn't seem weird until later, but he couldn't have felt that he gave a little to much information.

The first half of the year came and went without any further major events, but the boat was never forgotten. Spring came along, and the Rune's professor began to try and befriend him. He seemed nice enough, genuinely interested in his school work, the things Albus was interested in. He offered to teach him a little about Runes (and when Albus wrote to Aunt Hermione about this, she wrote back adamantly encouraging him to) and to help him with his nightmare potion grade.

He agreed, maybe, his instinct was wrong. He put it into his head to ask his father about it later- it was true that his dad knew some crazy people… Luna confounded him when she came to visit, always talking in riddles and occurrences that made no sense to him, and Ginny had told him that she'd calmed down over the years off-handedly. Maybe that was it- he just had little tact, it wasn't like the entire world didn't know his father, at least by name.

Besides, the Rune's professor was very eloquently spoken, and smart- maybe he could help bring up those paper grades that he struggled with so much.

Unbeknownst to Albus, Rune's Professor Lockley was a member of the American Magical Association, the AMA, as it was called for short, advocated the advancement of American Magicians throughout the world. They're mission was to send Americans around the world, to pick up different positions and announce that American Magicians did have standing in the worlds magical power. With the leading magicians around the world mostly coming from Europe, American Wizzarding schools had a lot to do to educate their young wizards to help them be the best. Professor Lockley was among these, scouted out by the Society to bring forth education around the globe, to stand as a showing point that America was important to. It was a noble goal, filled with the cause of bettering education and bringing fame to unknown magical schools that littered the North American Continent.

Ginny's job, or current assignment was to investigate (spy) on three members of the AMA, three who took a leading role in promoting this cause for good. People in the ministry of Magic had heard disturbing reports from various unidentified sources, stating that children were being taught idealistic goals of power, and dark magic to be able to over-power weaker magicians. It sounded creepily like an organization aimed at creating a single rule of all wizard kind, and it rang to much like Voldemort for the British Wizzarding World's good. There was an unspoken vow among those at the ministry- what happened before could not happen again.

And Ginny, bright as an animagus cardinal had been sent to spy on these dangerous men, to find more about the real motives and goals of the organization. She had heard much of the positive rigmarole that was written on pamphlets at introductory meetings, but had also heard private conversations between board members that were questionable in the very least. She'd even ventured into a meeting, quiet, and sat in the back and watched. she had to admit, it was quite moving and powerful, she could feel her heart being swayed into this dream of American Wizzardry, and she wasn't even American! Though the small sneak-a-scope she'd borrowed from Harry's desk had gone off widely the whole night. The pieces weren't fitting together- everything seemed like an ideal goal.

After further discussion with the head of the Ministry of Magic, it had been decided that she should join.

The problem, she needed to live in America, set up a different identity and enter a potentially dangerous situation, all without her husband knowing, the husband who when wanted to know something, had more favors to pull than countable, and in a desperate moment could probably just use magic to get what he wanted.

Ginny bit her lip, as much as a bird could anyway, she couldn't investigate without becoming closer, but she couldn't become closer without betraying her families trust.

The Minister had said "You'll know what to do." But the truth was, she didn't. Her heart yearned for adventure, for solving mysteries, for casting a curse or two, and for battle. Her body missed missed action, while Harry would probably more content lounging around the house- she needed to be out and about. But at the same time, Harry would give her 'the look' if he found out she was entering dangerous situations without even telling him. That she'd break his trust, and then he'd, worst of all, hover -like she was four instead of the capable 34 she was. And, she'd been ordered to…Harry knew about duty.

She sang a bird song, little in tune tweets only capable by an animangus, flying along trying to relax. She needed to make a decision soon; the induction ceremony was coming at the end of the month, after a detailed interview and selection process.

They only wanted the best to represent. It was sort of an American honor from what she gathered, so she definitely needed to have a concrete back story to be accepted. She sighed, she was going to have to tell Harry, despite direct orders.

At least she knew he would keep it secret, even if he was more likely to treat her like a china doll. Even after all these years of yelling and well placed glares, there were moments where he hovered in a protective manner she most positively disliked. And, she let him know each and every single time.

Harry Potter was admittedly a wonderful husband.

But how to break the news?

She paused and landed on a high tree branch. Below she could see the fountain, near dusk, the blue water becoming a bright orange hue due to the reflected sunlight. It was beautiful here; she had to admit that the AMA had good choice in location. The park was slightly out of place, nuzzled in the middle of a murky downtown, but the park remained well kept and looked like it would be nice place to take an afternoon stroll.

As clockwork, the water flashed green and there were the three men, though this time they spoke in hushed hurried voices.

"Is it done?"

"We are all set for when the time is right. Our numbers are strong."

"Are they strong enough to move? Don't we need more time?"

"By a single display of our power, we will have more time. Fredrick, we have got to move soon, or they'll catch on. There are roomers that their Ministry of Magic in Britian has heard that something is amiss, our cover story seems to be failing at higher levels, though I'm not sure why. We need to move before they shut down our operation, and besides, if legend has it right, this plan will only make us stronger."

There were nods. "How long?"

"A week, max. We need to hear back from a few over there to organize the final plans."

"What about retaliation?"

"If all goes well, they won't have time. If not we have the portkeys and we'll meet up to regroup. This isn't our only plan. We must be careful though, if we get caught on our own, we may have trouble getting them all away."

The tallest of the group paused looking around, staring directly at the red cardinal, who apparently had been still for just a little to long. Ginny decided it was time to flutter away, before she was jinxed, and her cover fully blown.

All the conversation did was leave a lot of questions- and urge her to move immediately. They needed to figure out what was going on and fast.

It seemed she was joining sooner than she thought. Now, all she needed to do was tell the ministry and Harry, whom would probably be more of a challenge.