Disclaimer: I don't own anything relating to the Harry Potter series.

My sincerest apologies as I know there was no update last weekend. I accidentally saved the beginning of chapter eight over this chapter and so had to rewrite it. When I finished rewriting it, my internet was down and then my laptop malfunctioned, why I still don't know. Alas, here we are and the story continues. Enjoy.

7: Anonymous

September drew to a close in much the same manner with which it had passed. The teachers had gotten over the easing in phase of the first week and had really driven forward since. Potions continued to be Albus' best subject. Not only was it his best subject but he always enjoyed Professor Kelly's classes. Professor Fulton had indeed started anew. She had become one of the fairest teachers in the school and while Albus wouldn't say he liked her he would say that she wasn't the worst of the teachers in the school. Professor Flitwick was not different than ever and Albus had really started to excel in the class but he was still some way off the very top of the class. Professor Goyo was full of praise for Albus 'natural' ability in Airthmancy. Albus was nearly always surprised by his own success in the class. He liked the subject, there was no doubt about that but he still didn't think he was as good at it as Professor Goyo made out.

They had started learning about unicorns in Care of Magical Creatures. The older the unicorn, the less fond they were of the male touch. The youngest foal sometimes approached the boys in the class, the gold glimmering in the autumn sun. The silvery short horned four years old rarely approached the boys. It had just started growing its horn and it was about half the length of the adult's horn. The pure white creature was impressive; white fur with a long white mane running down its neck. The oldest never ventured past the girls and the boys had to watch from a distance, taking notes. They spent most of their time with the golden foal, writing their notes and drawing their diagrams based on that. Albus enjoyed the class, mostly because they had very little to do and they got to get some fresh air. Claustrophobia could come onto Albus if he didn't venture outside every once in a while. It, he felt, had something to do with the common room being located under the lake.

History of Magic continued to be as boring as ever. Albus rarely knew what Professor Binns was talking about in class; he often caught up on sleep in the class and even when he was awake his mind was elsewhere. Muggle Studies was much less enjoyable than it had been the previous year. Professor Woodward spent a lot of time talking about Muggle technology or ways that Muggles have managed to cope without magic. They spent every class in the classroom and Albus had liked being outside the previous year a lot more. However, he still enjoyed the class and his grades weren't bad but they weren't exactly excellent either.

Professor Longbottom was his usual self. He just loved Herbology and he intended to instil that into every student. Albus felt obliged to do well in the class because of his parents' close relationship with the professor. His grades were in the middle of the road; he wasn't failing but he wasn't top of the class either.

Since the start of the year, Professor Williamson had been talking about cross-species transfiguration. The entire class was now looking forward to beginning it. They had changed chairs and tables into rabbits last year but that was an easy exercise; this year they would be changing guinea fowl into guinea pigs and that was a whole different exercise; it was much more difficult, according to Professor Williamson anyway.

The first weekend of October opened with a strange delivery to Albus, Luke and Scorpius. They were eating breakfast before the Quidditch match. Albus and Luke were among a small crowd left in the Great Hall. Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff was starting in fifteen minutes and so everyone was done at the Quidditch pitch, waiting for that game to begin. The only people left were a few stragglers from Slytherin and Gryffindor. The mail had already arrived. Albus and Luke were surprised to see a large brown barn owl enter the Great Hall. The owl swooped high in the enchanted ceiling for a couple of seconds before flying towards the Slytherin table. The owl dropped a later between Albus and Luke who were sitting on opposite sides of the table. They both peered sideways to look at the name on the envelope.

Albus S Potter
Luke C O'Brien
Scorpius H Malfoy

Albus tentatively picked up the letter and opened it. One sheet of parchment fell onto the table. Albus once more picked it up slowly and unfolded it. He began to read. He leaned forward and Luke did the same. Albus whispered.

Dear Al, Luke and Scorp
I have information that you want to hear. It's extremely important. It's about Parker, the Enforcer, Lucius Malfoy and more. I can't say any more right now but I want to meet you three to tell you this face to face. I'm not going to risk putting it into a letter. There will be another letter containing the when and where I want to meet

That was it. There was no name at the bottom, nobody signed and they had absolutely no idea who sent it. Albus read it over in his head quickly once more still trying to comprehend exactly what this letter was about. It was then that Ashley entered the Great Hall and Albus put the letter into his pocket. "You coming?" she asked. "You said to be down there for the start of the game"

"I know" Albus replied. "I was just finished eating now"

"Great. I just left the common room and I think everyone is already down there or at least on their way" Ashley told him. Albus, of course, had the key to the changing rooms so the team would not be able to get into them until he arrived. Luke, Ashley and Albus began the walk out of the Great Hall, out the doors and towards the Quidditch field. The teams were probably just coming out of their respective tunnels onto the pitch because the cheer of the crowd could be heard from where the three were. Albus told Ashley that he would catch up with her in a minute and he handed the letter over to Luke.

"Talk to Scorpius about this" Albus replied. Albus and Luke went their separate ways. Albus made his way to the changing rooms while Luke made his way into the stand. Albus opened the trap door and pushed it upwards climbing the last few steps in the dressing rooms. The team followed closely behind him and he told them to get ready now and watch the game from the Slytherin tunnel. They had fifteen minutes after the end of the first game before they had to be on the pitch for the start of their game. They all pulled on their robes and the group stood, or sat, looking out at the game. Hufflepuff were dominating, nine goals to the good but it was Ravenclaw that won the game. They caught the Snitch and it was then that Albus turned around and headed back into the dressing room to put on his pads and gloves. The other six did likewise.

"Let's go out there and pick up where we left off. We all know what we have to do" Albus said calmly. The team was relaxed but also ready to go. Albus trotted at the front of the line, eager to return to the air, and he had mounted his broom almost the instant he saw light. The green glad seven did a lap of the pitch as one before landing back down. "This might be the first time that two brothers have captained opposing side in Hogwarts' Quidditch Cup. Someone needs to check that one out" Rory Davis said from the commentary box. Albus walked forward on Oliver Wood's call for the captains. He stared at James, who had a smug smirk on his face as he did so. Albus watched as James almost swaggered forward. Albus reached the middle first.

"The very best to both teams." Wood said. "You know what I expect from you and your teams. Enjoy and SHAKE HANDS!" Wood emphasised the last two words, saying them a lot louder than the rest. Neither Albus nor James flinched. "SHAKE HANDS!" Wood shouted once more. Albus reached his hand to James who quickly took it. The pair smiled at each other as they gripped the other's hand as tightly as possible.

The game started and it was evenly matched. The Chasers matched each other, goal for goal and the keepers save for save. The game went on this way for some time and after about an hour's play, the score was tied at ninety apiece. Slytherin began to pull away. They accelerated into a forty point lead and Gryffindor appeared to have no answer. They were being pummelled. That, however, was until the Snitch finally made an appearance. Albus and James were side by side in the race. They each had one hand outstretched, Albus' left beside James' right. Their hands were so close that they could probably intertwine their fngers. Suddenly, James crouched as low as he could over his broom. A second later a Bludger came over James' back, just clearing him, and smashed into Albus. He was thrown off course and James was able to fly onwards and eventually capture the Snitch. James was elated on his broom. He had his hands raised above his head and he was screaming loudly. It was the first time since James' first year that Gryffindor had beaten Slytherin.

The Slytherin common room was quiet and an air of disappointment hung around the room. Not even the sight of the Quidditch Cup could cheer them up. Albus went to bed early, partly from disappointment and partly because his shoulder and head were sore after taking the hit from the bludger.


Albus recovered from his sore shoulder and head as the week passed. Classes were all going well; except for History of Magic (as one would expect) and Astronomy which Albus struggled to stay awake during. His friendship with Scorpius, however, had yet to recover. Lucius Malfoy had been given a date for his hearing; October the thirtieth. Albus knew that that day could ultimately decide his future friendship with Scorpius.

It was the middle of the month, the fifteenth or sixteenth of the month, when another letter arrived addressed to all three boys very similar to the previous one. Luke had talked to Scorpius and he had said that Scorpius might be interested in the meeting. "He said that he wanted to see how his granddad's hearing goes first." Luke had told Albus. "He said he would prefer to know who it was but he would like to know what they have to say." It was a different owl that delivered this letter. The owl was much smaller with black feathers. It swooped around once more before eyeing Albus at the breakfast table. He was sitting by himself and he opened it, glancing left and right to make sure no one was reading it over his shoulder.

Dear Al, Luke and Scorpius
I want to meet you at the next Hogsmeade visit at Halloween. I'll meet you in the Quidditch Supplies shop. I can't say anymore in a letter, it's too risky and it might get intercepted. I'll tell you everything on Halloween

And that was it. Once again, nobody signed off the letter and Albus quickly read over it once more and put it back inside his robes. Albus ate his breakfast quickly and then left the Great Hall. He returned to the common room and up to the dormitory. Albus read the letter once he was back in the dormitory and it was only a few minutes later that Luke entered. Albus gave him the letter and, throwing his back over his shoulder, left without speaking.

The day passed quickly for Albus and it wasn't until that evening that Albus spoke to Luke. "Are we gonna go for it?" he asked.

"Yeah" Albus replied. "I think so. Like, I want to know what this guy has to say and I'm also curious as to who it is. I think if there is three of us, we should be safe enough" Albus said.

"Yeah, I'll ask Scorpius about it but a lot, I think, will depend on the outcome of Lucius' trial" Luke said.

Albus spent much of the time in the coming days and weeks, thinking about things that were outside school. Lucius Malfoy's trial and the boy's impending trip to meet an unknown in Hogsmeade loomed as the month passed. The letters they received were unsigned but Albus always found more reasons to go than not to go.

This anonymous figure could potentially, as they say, throw a spanner into the works. Albus often lay awake at night wondering what was to come. A lot, he felt, was going to be revealed.