Wow. I'm such a procrastinator. Sorry I haven't updated in a few months...Enjoy the chapter? And please review too!

Chapter 7: Not-so-lazy Summer

Summer was dragging by slowly, much to Albus' irritation. He was reading through one of the dark arts books that Rigel had given him on Christmas. There were positive things said about Lord Voldemort and Albus was trying to argue against them, but with little success.

Whenever Albus was bored during the summer, he did this. He did it with the other most feared dark wizards as well, but he didn't know much about the other dark wizards. He knew Voldemort the best despite the fact he never met the man.

"Voldemort's views can be argued," Albus read aloud, "Did he really believe that muggle-borns had stolen magic? Or was this just a reason to round up muggles? Was it even Voldemort who decided for this to happen?"

The book made one question their own beliefs, Albus realized. To not try to take one side, but see the bigger picture. Albus continued reading sentences he had read over and over, trying to make sense of them.

Followers stated that the Dark Lord contained a good sense of humour and never forgot his niceties. Examples such as followers receiving credit when due and not forgetting manners.

The first time Albus had read this he nearly laughed. From what he had heard, this wasn't the case. Then again, it's not like Albus' father would want to show Voldemort in a good light. Albus then continued reading information about why people had followed him. Some of the death eaters claimed they had been under the imperious curse, been tortured, threatened or blackmailed. Other's, however, claimed the dark lord was the leader the world needed. He possessed the correct qualities to be able to govern the world correctly.

Albus skimmed down the pages until he came to one particular sentence.

His executions were all justified.

Albus puzzled over that one. How could there be a reason for killing his grandparents and attempting to kill his father so many times? If he could ever ask Voldemort, he would.

Albus suddenly heard footsteps coming up the stairs and he quickly jumped off his bed and went over to his bookshelf. He put the book back in and then bent down to the lowest shelf and looked through the pile of comic books.

He heard the door creak open.

"Hey, Al," he heard his father say and Albus turned to the door pretending to be surprised as if he hadn't heard him coming.

"Hey, dad," Albus said standing up, "How was work?"

"Same old, same old," Harry replied, "You're mother wanted me to come up and tell you that dinner's ready."

There was a small pause before Harry continued, "What are you up to?" It wasn't an accusation, but he could tell his father sounded concerned. Albus had his door closed, which was odd for him as he always had it open. He had an argument yesterday with James and felt it was better to have his door closed.

James had complained about his Slytherin banners and Albus had gotten annoyed. Why shouldn't he be allowed to show house pride? James had Gryffindor banners up in his room. James was angry because every time he walked past his brother's room, he would see the Slytherin banners and he asked Albus to move them, but Albus refused and instead decided to close the door.

At least he wouldn't be interrupted continuously by his two siblings walking past.

"Just reading," Albus said, walking to the door to go downstairs. He walked down with his father.

"What did you do today?" Harry asked his son.

"Did a bit of flying," Albus said, "wrote back to Scorpius. Can I see him this summer?"

"James will be going to Dave's place soon for the rest of the holidays. If you want, you can invite Scorpius over," Harry told him.

Albus smiled at his father and nodded, at the same time understanding what he was saying. If Scorpius came over when James was around then James would make sure to give him hell. It was better if Scorpius came over when James wasn't there. But Albus thought about why he couldn't go over to Scorpius' place. He had asked previously, but both his parents suggested Scorpius come to Potter Manor. Albus was confused about this for a while, until he realized why. His parents must be worried about the Malfoy's influence on him. The fact they were death eaters (even though they defected) probably made his parents think he should avoid them as much as possible. This had made Albus angry. Just because they had been death eaters doesn't mean they're bad people, which they weren't. He then thought back to the book about Voldemort, about how he can't be that bad, and clutched his hand tightly into a fist.

"Something wrong, Al?" Harry asked, noticing his son suddenly tense.

Albus, for a moment, considered asking his father everything about Voldemort. Why did Voldemort's followers believe he was good? Was he actually good? Had it all been a misunderstanding? Of course not, Albus thought, killing his grandparents had been cold blooded murder. They hadn't done anything. Had they? What about his father? His father had just been an infant when Voldemort wanted to kill him. He definitely hadn't done anything.

"Nothing's wrong," Albus lied. He had so many questions buzzing through his head, but he wasn't sure what his father would say about them. He assumed Harry wouldn't be happy if he realized Albus was wondering whether Voldemort was truly that bad. Thus, Albus decided to stay silent not wanting to be lectured or, even worse, taken to a psychiatrist.

Albus went down to dinner, excited by the prospect of having Scorpius visit, and James being gone for the rest of the summer. And he couldn't help but realize that his summer really wouldn't be that bad.

"Also, tomorrow we're going to the Dursley's," Harry said at some point during dinner and Albus felt his stomach drop.


Whilst Albus enjoyed his summer, Nigel Browndragon had successfully received the position of the Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This made Tom nervous, however, as he wasn't sure whether the previous Professor leaving was a coincidence; or now that he was back alive would any jinxes and curses he cast in his life time come back?

How long would it take for Potter to notice? Maybe he'll believe it's a Voldemort copy-cat. Either way, Tom had good reason to be nervous and worried. What he was doing was more dangerous than he first realised.

Tom came to the end of the hallway where a man was standing and the man asked, "Here for the Auror Training Entry Exam?"

"Yes, sir," Tom said in an excited tone, "My name's Thomas Browndragon."

"Well then, through this way Mr Browndragon," the man said, gesturing to the door, "May I remind you that an anti-cheating quill is provided and is located on each table, along with the exam paper. You start at exactly 1100 and will have 60 minutes to complete it. Don't touch the exam paper until you are told."

"Yes, sir and thank you, sir," Tom said before turning the handle and entering the room. There were already some people at their desks, but not everyone had arrived. There was an instructor at the front, but they weren't paying any attention to the people at the desks. Tom took a seat at one of the middle tables.

This was an exam for anyone wanting to train to become an auror. It was just a short theory exam to make complete sure that anyone wanting to train may actually be capable of doing so. If Tom passed this, then he would be accepted into the auror training. If he then passes the tests after the training, he would be a full fledged auror.

He was sure he would do just fine.

"Please turn over the paper and fill out the information," the instructor spoke, their voice travelling across the room clearly.

Tom flipped over the paper, filling out his name and other information. He felt as though he was at school again and he hadn't been to school in over seventy years. It was an odd sensation. Tom smirked as he thought about it. He graduated over seventy years ago and here he sat appearing to be no older than 20.

"You may start the exam," the instructor said and quills started scratching.


Tom was certain he did just fine. He did do fine, right? He hadn't been to school in so long, but he was sure he still knew everything. It's not like he could have failed, right? Tom nervously rubbed his hands together as he walked down the corridor thinking about his exam. He couldn't think of a question which he answered wrong.

Tom wasn't looking in front of him as he walked, and consequently bumped into someone carrying a box.

"Sorry," Tom said, looked up and froze at the sight of Harry Potter.

"No worries," Harry replied, "You didn't touch any of the bracelets did you?"

Tom had no idea what Harry was talking about until he looked down at the box that he was carrying. It was filled with bracelets made of small stones. They were all different shades of colours from blue to red and purple to green.

"Uhh...no," Tom replied, "I don't think so."

"You'd probably know now if you have," Harry said with an exasperated sigh, "Just got them from the Law Enforcement Patrol. They're cursed."

"What do they make the wearer do?" Tom asked curiously.

"We're still trying to figure that out. Where ever a person touches it a burn appears and it spreads like wild fire. The healers are doing their best, but no burn remedy is helping," Harry explained, "We think there might be something more to it."

"So the victims are in St Mungo's," Tom said to himself as he bent down to get a closer look at the bracelets. "Who's behind it?"

"Some hit wizards are on it," Harry replied, "and a couple of Aurors."

"Well that's good," Tom straightened up, "I've wasted your time enough. You probably want to take a better look at them."

"Yes, I should get going," Harry side-stepped around Tom, "It was nice talking to you Tom."

"Likewise, Mr Potter," Tom said and he was going to continue walking down the corridor, when he turned and said, "Don't be so sure the victims are burning. Sometimes looks can be deceiving. It may be something else entirely."

"I'll keep that in mind," Harry said before turning around and walking off.

Voldemort watched as Harry Potter disappeared around the corner and then smirked.

Sometimes what he was doing seemed like a very dangerous idea. Other times, it just seemed so easy.


Tom still had other important business to attend to as he waited for his test results.

He didn't care much for the Browndragon house in the middle of nowhere and had decided to try and find a place to live in in Hogsmeade.

He wasn't sure why he wanted a place in Hogsmeade though. The Browndragon house was ideal - it was private, it was large and contained many of Nigel's works and potions around the place. However, the idea of being close to Hogwarts seemed satisfying. Not to mention constantly being around the magical world and actually feeling as though he was part of it.

He never really had a place to call his own, either. He'd have his own home and a job, it was the perfect cover. No one would assume that the Dark Lord would be living in a cozy house hunting down dark wizards.

Tom was indeed happy when he had opened up the letter from the Auror department to find out he had passed the test with a perfect score. The letter also explained when his training times were and what he would be doing.

However, he was much more surprised by the extra piece of parchment in the envelope which was a personal letter from Harry Potter himself.

Dear Tom,

I would personally like to thank you for your advice with the cursed bracelets. As it turned out, the victims were not burnt, but paralyzed The burnt areas were an indication on where the victims body had been paralyzed. The healers were able to save all their lives, all thanks to your idea.

I'm overjoyed to hear you received top marks on the exam and will begin your training within the week. I hope you do well as I'm sure you would be a great asset on the team.

I hope to see you around,

Yours sincerely,

Harry Potter.

Tom threw it to the side and laughed.

Yes, sometimes it was just so easy.