"Oh, come on! This is ridiculous!" Rose yelled and booted the wall, which, judging by the sudden surge of pain that crossed her features, she instantly regretted.

"You're right. Trolls in tutu's is ridiculous," Albus remarked, walking up the seventh-floor corridor and pointing to the large portrait next to him.

"You're hilarious," Rose groaned, rubbing her foot. "Why did our stupid parents have to tell everyone about the room of requirement?!"

"Well, it wasn't just them. There were about forty other people camped out in that room when Voldemort laid siege to Hogwarts."

"I know, but that was Dumbledore's Army! They could have kept it too themselves. Now everyone knows about the room and so it's always occupied. I wanted to go in there to practice my Transfiguration homework but somebody is in there every time I try!"

"And you know, most of the people who use it aren't in there studying," Albus said adding insult to literal injury.

Rose shot him a scathing look.

She knew it was true and was completely against it. Not just because of her academically inclined nature but also because she was head girl. A lot of Hogwarts students would sneak off the room of requirement for private snogging sessions and anything else they could get away with. In Albus's fifth year, his brother had believed that he could use the room to get around the castles strict rules regarding sex. That had been a mistake.

While male students would simply be ejected from the girl's dorms by either a sliding staircase or moving wall, if underage students attempted anything beyond groping their genitalia would suddenly and horrifyingly develop the wizarding equivalent of Herpes which was much worse. Apparently, it would vanish after a day or two but in the meantime, they were given a very memorable lesson about the old school traditions of Hogwarts. They also received zero sympathy from Madam Pomfrey.

The founding four's trust in the male populace only went so far.

Not that any of this was a problem for Albus, who had never even kissed a girl, let alone had a girlfriend that would want to be intimate with him.

"Listen, I know for a fact that Slytherin have booked the Quidditch field tomorrow evening. You know when your team has practice so just consult with Dom and that Hufflepuff captain, what his name, Peakes or something and find out when the field is free. You can practice Transfiguration there," he said quickly.

Rose looked a bit stunned for a second. "That's…a really good idea."

"Yes, I do have them occasionally, but don't tell anyone. They'll think it's a sign of the apocalypse or something," he smiled.

"Nobody thinks you're an idiot, Albus," Rose stated.

"The suits of armour do," he mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing. Probably my imagination. It just seems like the suits of armour and the statues are being very judgemental about me all of a sudden," Albus said realizing how stupid that sounded. "Anyway, gotta run, got Astrology in ten minutes. See ya."

Astrology was one of the few classes he actually did enjoy even though he disagreed with Professor Sinistra on just about every single that was taught. Last year, before his first lesson had even began, Albus had pulled out a sharpie and changed the plaque on door to the Astrology tower to read: Astrology and Astronomy.

Instead of reprimanding him, Professor Sinistra have given an approving nod and permanently changed the plaque with her wand shortly after while the rest of the class simply looked confused.

Best of all, Astrology and Astronomy provided a much-needed way of keeping his mind off a certain other Professor. He had actively avoided Professor Bonde, stopping himself for even looking at her during breakfast and dinner and even occasionally hiding behind trees when he saw her coming around during her twelve-mile morning runs. It had made the week very difficult at times but tomorrow that would change since he would have to see her in their defence against the dark arts class. Despite all that effort, he still couldn't get her out of his mind.

After the lesson, he spent the rest of the evening with a large tomb about Lethifolds and Dementors in his lap. The only reason he had picked that one was because it was big enough to conceal the real book he was reading: Death by Blackhole: And other Comic Quandaries by Neil Degrasse Tyson.

Eventually, he went to bed and woke up at his usual time but had a far less cheerful time feeding the Hippogriffs and Thestrals. He was dreading the defence against the dark arts class more and more. The only reason for dreading it was that he didn't want to be subjected to disapproving looks from Bonde the whole time. He really didn't care when anyone else did it, but because it was her, the idea that she wasn't pleased with him was monumentally bad.

At least two of the statues turned their heads to look at him as he and Scorpius made their way down the hall towards the classroom. Albus had the sneaking suspicion that they were eager to watch him crash and burn. Stupid things! Why can't you be inanimate, like normal statues?!

As they shuffled into the class and took their seats, Albus immediately noticed that Professor Bonde was avoiding eye contact with him.

"Hello everyone. Welcome back to another exciting class of talking and reading," she said making sure everyone knew exactly how sarcastic she was being. "I promise, they won't all be like this, we will get to the good stuff later."

The bustle of moving chairs and bags died down and once again the entire room was almost hypnotically focused on the breath-taking woman in front. Except Albus, who had taken to reciting passages in his head by Dr. Tyson in a hopeless attempt stop himself from staring.

"So, let's find out who did the reading," Bonde said.

"So, you're made of detritus [from exploded stars]. Get over it. Or better yet, celebrate it. After all, what nobler thought can one cherish than that the universe lives within us all?" Dr. Tyson said happily.

"Miss Zabini, what is a theoretical way of checking for possible elemental conflict?"

"Err…study the purpose of the spell and whether or not it is a modified version of a pre-existing spell," she said nervously.

"Very good," Bonde grinned.

"Some mornings, while you're eating breakfast and you need something new to think about, though, you might want to ponder the fact that you see your kids across the table not as they are but as they once were, about three nanoseconds ago." Neil said helpfully.

Why can't you be teaching Astrology Dr. Tyson? Albus thought.

"Mr. Malfoy," Bonde said.

Albus's stared at his desk as forcefully as he could. He had just become very aware that she was now standing right in front of him.

"Give one of the rules that Caradian's Principle holds to no matter what spell being studied," she asked.

In about three billion years the sun will start dying and kill everything in the solar system. Yes! Keep thinking about mass extinction! God, she smells good. No! Stop it!

"The natural ability of a witch or wizard shouldn't be a factor because even a very small elemental conflict can cascade into a much larger one," Scorpius said confidently.

"Excellent, good work," she beamed.

Albus dared to look up and just as she turned away, he noticed her eye caught his. He suddenly jolted in his seat. It felt as if someone had just flick him in the face and there was a very distant ringing in his ears.

What the hell was that?! Did a blood vessel just pop in my brain?

What that really the level of effect that she had on him. He looked again, half expecting the same thing to happen but she had her back to him now, writing on the board with her wand. Unfortunately, today she had chosen to wear of formal trousers that seemed at least one size too small for her and the second he caught sight of her ass he suddenly felt like he was a snake being charmed out of a basket by an Indian man with a Pungi.

Err, Dr. Tyson, a little help please.

A sudden discharge of Oxytocin, often referred to as 'the love hormone' from the pituitary gland can sometime cause other chemical changes in the brain with varying results, either that or you are just a hopelessly horny teenager. Dr. Tyson responded.

Shut up Neil! What do you know? You're an astrophysicist not a biologist!

Then what the hell are you asking me for? Dr. Tyson snapped.

And now he was having an imaginary argument with muggle scientist that was representing part of his own thought process.

It was official. Albus was losing his mind.

Whether it was through will power, terror or just plain confusion, Albus seemed to become invisible for the rest of the class because Bonde didn't look at him again and managed to keep his eyes away from her. A wave of relief washed over him when the bell sounded but that was very quickly snuffed out.

"Mr. Potter, could you stay behind for a moment?" she said suddenly.

That wasn't going to be a problem because he had just become frozen on the spot. His mind darted back and forth between half-formed imaginary scenarios in which she was either mounting him on his desk and kissing him fiercely, screaming obscenities while using the cruciartus curse on him or telling him to get naked then laughing at what she saw.

Scorpius gave him a sympathetic look as he shuffled out with the rest of the class. Bonde gave a flick of her wand and the door closed then gave a second flick and a piece of parchment appeared out of thin air and landed in his lap.

"I think you dropped that," she said emotionlessly.

"Yes! Thank you, me and Scorp have been trying to finish that crossword puzzle for ages –"

"Don't insult my intelligence, Albus," she warned.

"I don't mean to offend," he said carefully.

"You also don't want to stand out," she said with a note of accusation in her voice. "I checked some of the Hogwarts records. Last year, Slytherin house received ninety-five points because of Scorpius Malfoy but didn't receive any because of you. Exactly how often to you hand him the answers?"

"I help him out, he helps me out. It's mutually beneficial. There is nothing in the Hogwarts rules that say students can't work together," Albus reminded.

"You're right. But in some instances, it is imperative that individuals understand what is being taught because in the real world they may not be able to ask for help."

"He does understand. I didn't tell him the answer earlier, he did the reading, just like you asked. I know why it's important."

"I'm not sure you do!" her voice was rising and starting to get angry. "I know Caladain's Principle may seem boring or confusing but I can't stress how important it is! All it takes is one mistake and a simple enchantment that you thought would be easy turns into something that can kill you! Do you want that to happen to him?!"

"I…" Albus paused. He was looking into her eyes, at the panic and despair behind them and suddenly it became clear as to why she was acting this way. "Who did you lose?"

The look on Bonde's face said that Albus might as well have slapped her. "What?!" she gasped.

"I'm sorry, you're right, it's none of my business," Albus back peddled quickly but it was no use. "I promise, it won't happen again."

Now, Albus was frightened. He clearly touched on something he shouldn't have. He back away heading for the door but just as he put his hand on the door knob he was struck by something that felt like a white-hot poker being jammed into his temple. He grabbed the sides of his head and hissed in pain but a second later the feeling was gone.

He turned to see Bonde staring intently at him. Her wand wasn't raised, it was just sitting in her shaking hand at her side but it didn't matter. Albus knew exactly what she had just done. What she had tried to do earlier when she'd asked Scorpius the question at the beginning of the lesson.

She had just tried to use Legillimency on him and the collision against his mind vault was what had caused him so much sudden pain. The fear inside him was instantly replace by seething anger.

He had never had a choice about being in the spotlight. He was the son of Harry Potter and he had barely been left alone since the day he was born. The public, the press, in the street, at quidditch games, he had been hounded everywhere. His head was the only real privacy he had left and now she was trying to violate it.

"You're an Occulmens?" she gasped in shock. Her face had now turned to panic and unless Albus was mistaken, guilt.

He didn't care. His anger was in control now. Gone was the overwhelming attraction and awe that he felt whenever he saw her, it has been replaced by cold, hard rage and an impulse to do something violent.

He still had enough control not to act on it. "Stay away from me!" he hissed, ripping open the door and charging out of the class.

As he left he heard her call after him. "Albus, wait! I'm sorry!"

He ignored it and kept moving until he was in the library. The unconscious thought that had brought him there had risen to the surface and even though he would like nothing better than to start breaking apart the tables and ripping up the books, the urge to prove his theory was stronger.

He returned to the Slytherin common room twenty minutes later with an old copy of the Daily Prophet in his hand.

"Whoa!" Scorpius said seeing the look on Albus' face. "You look like lightning is about to start coming out of your ears, what happened?"

Albus, using very aggressive details, repeated his conversation with Bonde which left Scorpius slightly worried.

"You're sure? She didn't just jinx you with a minor migraine or something?"

"I know when someone is trying to break into my mind vault, Scorp!" Albus yelled, no caring if anyone heard him.

"Shh!"

"They don't know what a mind vault is!" Albus hissed back.

"Yeah, but Bonde probably does! If she knows you're an Occelmens then she is probably going to find out that I am too and then she'll start asking all sorts of questions that nobody is allowed to answer!" he said keeping his voice low. "Why the hell did she use Legillimency anyway? Teachers aren't supposed to do that."

"She probably wanted to know how much I knew about her," Albus said.

"What do you mean?"

Albus threw the Daily Prophet to him. "Page seven, column three, fourth paragraph. That's from about three months ago, just before the duelling tournament started, they did a background on all the people that were entered."

"…tragic loss of her father at age fifteen when an enchantment became unstable and exploded, killing him instantly…That's why she's been teaching us about elemental conflict. No wonder she got angry when she thought you were giving me all the answers," Scorpius said folding up the paper.

"Yeah. Can't believe I missed it. Luna Lovegood's mother was killed the same way. That should have tipped me off," Albus growled, annoyed at himself.

"I don't care how much information you've got stored away in that vault of yours, your bound to overlook a few things," Scorpius said trying to calm him down. "Maybe we should talk to the headmaster. He knows what happened at the start of our forth year is off limits, even he doesn't ask questions about it."

"No, I'm just going to stay away from her so she can't try it again," he sighed. "I'm definitely not going back to that damn class!"

"Albus, you can't drop defence against the dark arts! They'll –"

"They'll what? Expel me? Good! You know I don't even want to be here anyway," he huffed. That was an exaggeration. They wouldn't expel him, they just tell him that not getting his N.E.W.T. would damage his future prospects in the wizarding world but consider he had no intention of staying in the wizarding world, that wasn't much of a problem. "I'm going to go and practice some Buddhist meditation techniques I read about once to try and calm myself down and if that fails, I'm going to steal some booze from Professor Trelawney's office."

"You hate sherry," Scorpius pointed out.

"Beggars can't be choosers," Albus said skulking away.

Neither the meditation or the sherry worked (mainly because he wasn't able to get any) and he woke the next more still feeling agitated. He had decided to alter his morning routine so that he could avoid Bonde although and decided to have breakfast in the kitchens before heading out to feed his winged friends. He managed to time it so that the Professor was running around the other side of the lake when he left and could make it back to the castle before she completed the lap.

He didn't come to the great hall in the mornings or evenings and took alternative routes to get to the rest of his classes that specifically avoided the DADA class room and the staff room. Dom and Melissa seemed a little concerned by his sudden desire to be even more anti-social and tried to talk to him a few times but he just lied and said he found it much easier to concentrate when he was away from everyone else.

Scorpius delivered the message to Professor Bonde before the next lesson that Albus wasn't feeling well and wouldn't be attending. Since no letter from Bonde or any other teacher arrived enquiring about his 'illness', Albus assumed the she had gotten the message and shouldn't expect him to return any time soon.

The days passed with the usual goings on. No great battles against giant snakes or dementors. Most of the excitement and gossip came in the form of public break-ups or magical accidents. It wasn't until the first Quidditch game of the year began to draw closer that everyone's attention shifted. And on the day it was to be played, everyone's school uniforms had added red and yellow or green and silver decor.

"You gonna watch the match?" Scorpius asked him.

"Probably, there is isn't much else to do, is there?" Albus said.

"Still wish I was playing," Scorpius said wistfully.

Despite being an excellent flyer, he hadn't been allowed on the house team for a verity of pathetic and untrue reasons. The real reason was because his last name was Malfoy.

"I still don't get why they endorse it so much. You'd think after two wizarding wars about segregation and elitism they'd be trying to promote unity and equality. Instead they allow the old rivalries to play out in front of the whole school with the added bonus of serious injuries and violence," Albus said thoughtfully. "If that doesn't teach houses to hate each other, I don't know what does."

"You say that like it's ever going to change," Scorpius snorted.

"Change is not something wizarding world is good at," he sighed. "Don't look at me like that!" Albus had suddenly snapped at one of the statues that had turned to look at him again.

"They are definitely getting nosier," Scorpius scowled.

The two walked on but only got a few feet before something hit Albus in the back of the head. He reached up to feel what it was and his hand came back covered in dark blue ink. For a split-second he thought the statue might have done it, but ink pellets were often Peeves' weapon of choice. But when he turned around it wasn't the poltergeist either.

Aiden Finch-Flechley and a few other Gryffindor's (none of them Rose) were laughing as they walked away. Yep, the Quidditch spirit was definitely in the air.

"What a mug," Scorpius growled and used his wand to siphon off some of the ink. "I thought it was Peeves. At least you don't get into trouble when you jinx him."

"Yeah, well…"

Something, a bit like bucket of cold water seemed to wash though Albus's insides. He was replaying all the memories he could at high speed trying to locate something specific, but it wasn't there.

"Scorp…when was the last time you saw Peeve's?"

"Err, I don't know. He made a big racket outside the great hall on the first day."

"When was the last time you saw the Bloody Baron? And as we're on the subject, when was the last time you saw any of the ghosts?" Albus asked very steadily.

"Err…" Scorpius clearly couldn't remember seeing any of them either.

In fact, Albus couldn't remember seeing a single one of them since the first day back. He needed the find Filtch. He saw more of the ghosts than anyone else in the school but if he hadn't seen them either, it could mean only one thing.

All the ghosts were gone.