"Come on, get up boy. They called you the Prodigy of the Century, did they now? Well, I call you a weakling, an idiot."
His eyes flashed dangerously. "I'll prove that I am not."
"Not what? Does your pride reject that, huh? After so many years of being called brilliant, of being a prodigy does this hurt? Let's try this again. Try to stay up this time. Crucio!"
The spell zoomed at the fourteen year old boy once more. But he did not falter, did not fail to stand up. He bore the pain in silence.
"Good," he said mockingly.
The hot burning July sun bore down over Albus as he went over his Hogwarts letter. He slit the envelope in a deft movement and more letters than usual slid out. Albus ignored the usual mail and looked at the new letter.
Dear Albus Severus Potter,
You have been chosen for two prestigious positions for your fifth year of Hogwarts. One, you've been chosen for prefect for the Ravenclaw House by the administration of Hogwarts. Secondly, your application for advanced classes for your last three years of Hogwarts has been accepted as well. The former position is very prestigious and shall be an important part of your being able to attain an excellent job no matter what it is. The second, despite your choice to be skilled in most areas of magical study, will tell your employer that you prefer to be in a more rewarding job for your skills, if all goes well.
It will be very hard for you to keep up with your studies if you choose advanced classes and to be a prefect. In that case, it will be better for you to choose one over the other. However, if you feel you are able to keep up with everything it is your choice. In any case, whatever you decide, we would like you to inform your Head Of House.
Sincerely,
Professor McGonagall
Headmistress
Albus looked up at his mum, who was going through his letters. He handed her the letter silently and she dropped the Ravenclaw prefect badge in his hand. She looked up as she finished reading the letter. She looked proud. Ginny hugged him tightly. "I am so impressed with you, Albus. Prefect as well as advanced classes. "I think I am going to choose both. It'll be a challenge-"Al's words were cut off as James stampeded into the room and saw the badge and assumed the worst. "Ickle Albie, prefect. I thought there was some hope but it turns there is no hope now. I think I will have to be careful with my pranks now with you on the loose. If you were in Gryffindor, I would have to stop pranking altogether." James said thoughtfully. "I think you will be more effective in stopping than all the prefects put together, even if Rosie and Scorpius have swelled their ranks. Well, it seems I have to go to WWW. Bye, Albus, Mum.
Albus and Jane stepped out into the windy, summer night. Jane looked full of life as always and Albus was the picture of contained energy and the purpose. "Well, congratulations on prefect, Sev." said Jane softly. Al smiled and sat down by a tree, beckoning for Jane to do the same thing. She sat. He put his arm around her. "You do know you and Rose are just like Lily to me. You guys are my sisters like Scorpius is my brother. I just realized that. Oh, and congrats on making the advanced classes with me." Jane laughed, a delightful sound to hear. "So that is where the reflection came from, Sev."
"Yeah, pretty much,"
They both went into the party like brother and sister, not realizing the tragedy that their fifth year held for them.