A/N: Here's the next chapter… and remember to please review and enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I still do not own Harry Potter, it is wholly and truly J.K. Rowling's.
A Secret to Keep:
Albus got out of the Hospital Wing early the next morning, and it was a relief, too. Madame Perks was a complete nightmare when it came to motherly instincts, but she thankfully let him go regardless of what she thought since his dad had said it was okay. Sometimes it paid off to have a famous dad.
Albus just about sprinted to the Great Hall, where he came to sit in his usual spot next to Rose and across from Scorpius and Lena.
"Al! You're out," Rose exclaimed.
"I told you that I was getting out today, yesterday," Albus said, looking at his cousin incredulously.
"Of course, I know! But I didn't expect you to get out so early."
"I convinced Madame Perks to let me out in the morning so I could attend lessons. Thank Merlin, too. She was getting on my nerves with all of her protectiveness."
Rose chuckled then began to eat. The foursome quickly devoured their breakfast then scurried off to Defense Against the Dark Arts, where Professor Teddy Lupin was readying himself for class. His hair a spring green, he had inherited his mother's talent, so Albus could never be sure what color the Professor's hair would be each day.
"Albus Potter! You're out of the hospital," Professor Lupin beamed.
"Yes, Teddy," Albus answered, smiling widely, too.
"That's Professor Lupin to you," he said sternly but he gave Albus a wink. "I'd like to see you after class."
Albus gaped; he never got in trouble with Teddy. Not even the troublemaker, James, had gotten in trouble with him.
"Don't worry, Al. I just want to catch up."
Albus nodded then took a seat with Lena, Scorpius, and Rose. The rest of the class came in lazily, each one taking their own seats. That day they had Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws, which was fine with Albus. They were far from better than the Slytherins.
"Alright, class, today," Professor Lupin began, "we will be working on Patronus Charm. Okay everyone turn to…"
He quickly taught everyone the theory behind the Patronus, but Albus didn't pay attention. He didn't need to, he could already cast one, and so he just peered out the window, day-dreaming of the Quidditch Tryouts he would be holding that Saturday. Rose poked him a few times, trying to tell him he should pay attention. But Albus just rolled his eyes and waited for her to win Gryffindor another five more points like always.
A half an hour past, they were going to practice the Patronuses then. "Alright, everyone the incantation is Expecto Patronum, and remember, focus as hard as you can on the happiest memory you can think of. Don't let go of it… and on three we try, okay?"
The class gave a shared moan of agreement. The Professor smiled and said, "I'll need more enthusiasm than that weak groan. Come on, is that okay?"
This time everyone yelled an excited yes before quieting and letting the Professor start to count. "One… Two… Three… Go!"
There was a rush of the words Expecto Patronum around the room, but few got anything to come out of their wands. Lena, Rose, and a few others got strong wisps of silvery substance to come out but none got a real corpeal Patronus. Albus, however, whispered the odd sounding incantation and a silvery doe burst from the tip of his wand. The class became silent immediately, staring at the beautiful doe as it cantered around the room.
Professor Lupin pushed his way through the class to where Albus stood in the middle of the classroom. Teddy's hair had turned a bright yellow, as if it, too, was awed by the boy with green eyes and messy black hair.
"That's amazing, Albus," Professor Lupin cried out in excitement. "Your father would be proud… is this your first time doing it?"
"No," Albus answered, trying to sound nonchalant. "My dad taught me the theory or whatever and when I was at school I just wanted to experiment so I tried. I practiced for awhile, but it didn't take long to master. I think it was in my fourth year that I could cast a corpeal one."
Professor Lupin beamed. "Ten points to Gryffindor for an extraordinary Patronus."
…
The rest of the class went by without much excitement and then finally Defense Against of the Dark Arts was finished. Albus stayed behind, telling his friends that he would meet them in Herbology. They left, then he went to Professor Lupin's desk and looked at the teacher expectantly.
"That was a fantastic Patronus," he said to begin with. "I don't know why I'm surprised, considering Harry's always been good at that spell."
"Yeah, Dad's got a knack for that one. Anyway what did you want to talk about?"
"I was just wondering what happened Saturday? McGonagall told the teachers, but I was just wondering if you had something else to add."
Albus scowled. Of course, Teddy would want to know what happened. Albus was getting to be really thick lately. "I'll tell you about it, but you've got to tell me something in return."
Teddy smirked and said, laughing, "You play well, mate. Okay, I'll tell you something."
So Albus told him all that he could remember from that night, though it wasn't much. Afterward, Teddy's usually happy and joking expression had disappeared and was replaced with a grimace.
"Tricky business," he said finally. "I bet Harry was none to happy to hear about the Death Eater."
"Nope," Albus confirmed, wrinkling his nose at the horrified expression his father had tried to hide.
Teddy shook his head then smiled slightly. "Now for my news, but you have to promise to keep it a secret."
"Of course, Ted."
"So I…" Teddy looked a bit nervous. "I'm going to ask Victoire to marry me on Christmas!"
Albus grinned. "Merlin, have you told anyone else?"
"Well, I talked to your Uncle Bill but that's it. I doubt he would tell anyone."
"What did Uncle Bill say?"
"He was happy, of course. He thought I was quote 'the best man for the job' unquote."
Albus smiled. His Uncle Bill was right, Teddy and Victoire were made for each other. He remembered the first time he had rid on the Hogwarts Express when his brother had said that he saw the two snogging. Ever since then they'd been basically joined at the hip, except for that summer two years ago when they'd separated for a whole summer. It had been kind of awkward, but they were back together by the time everyone was going back to Hogwarts.
"It's about time," Albus told Teddy. "Anyway I better go; Professor Longbottom won't like it if I'm too late."
"Alright, see you, kid," Teddy ruffled his hair, winked, and sat back down at his desk. Albus waved to the Professor and then sprinted out to the corridor, making his way to Herbology.
Albus thought of Victoire and Teddy and felt happy for them. He hoped one day he could find his other half… though he was sure he already had.
A/N: Aww! Reviews would be lovely! By the way I wasn't sure how to spell corpeal or if that's even the right word for it… so I'm terribly sorry. Anyway I'll update soon!
