A/N: I do not own any of the characters except for: all the first years bar Rose, Albus and Scorpius; Edward Wood, Holly Willow, Darren Sloper, Connor Jordan and any characters that you do not recognise. If you are not sure, then message me or leave me a review :)

Chapter 10

"'Speaking from the crime scene, Auror Harry Potter made this statement on the case: "like the previous murders, the murderer has left few marks on the victim and a note simply saying: You'll be next Mudbloods. I will find it, whatever it takes. It is unclear at the moment what this person's aim is, but is suspected to be linked to the mass murder of goblins at Gringotts Bank earlier this year. We are unsure what think link is but the Auror Office is doing its best to prevent further spilling of magical blood." More on the case is published on page 13.'"

Rose finished the article. It was a week after she had been sent and nine days after the Quidditch tryouts. Halfway through a piece of toast, Albus had been dropped a large and bulky package by Tonks and three other owls that had carried it from London. Inside the package, to Albus' delight, was a Nimbus 5000, more cupcakes and a letter with a newspaper article, many people were gathered around the table, admiring the broom and trying to sneak a bit of cupcake. Downing his last piece of toast, Albus grabbed his bag, present and all the wrappings, he made his way out of the Great Hall. As he left though, another boy blocked his path in his year. He had an unpleasant smirk on his face and was flanked by a boy and a girl with equally unpleasant facial expressions.

"Adams." Albus nodded curtly.

Hubert Adams, already known as the first-year bully and was in Slytherin. He grabbed Albus' broom. "Nice broom Potter."

Rose and Scorpius came up behind Albus. "I'd like that back Adams." Albus said evenly.

"What's going on Al?" Scorpius asked.

Hubert looked up from examining the broom. "Ah, a blood traitor and a son of a death eater. What a match."

Scorpius stepped forward. "Let me hex him."

"No don't, this doesn't need to be settled with a duel."

"Aw, look at ickle Potter giving instructions to his friends." Hubert mocked, his voice like a baby.

Albus was beginning to get wound up. "I'm no older than you Adams. Now give me back my Nimbus."

Hubert's smile broadened. "I don't think so. You see Potter, not all of us have famous parents and have no need to share their possessions."

Albus could see where this was going. He motioned to Rose who got out her gold Galleon and sent a message. Hubert saw the Galleon. "Holding your last precious Galleon Weasley? From what I've heard about your family, it's probably the only one you have in your possession."

Albus drew his wand. "Right Adams, that is it. You give me my broomstick and leave my friends and me alone now. Or else."

"Or else what? You'll summon me? Turn me into a snuff box?"

"Or we'll hex you. With no points docked." James' voice came from behind the trio. Albus turned to see his brother, Fred and Dominique with their wands raised and pointed at the three Slytherins. "Now Adams, that broomstick please."

Seeing defeat, Hubert dropped the broom, which Albus promptly picked it up and checked it for scratches and dents. Flanked by his own cronies, Hubert left the group of Gryffindor students.

"He may seem big and act it because it was a fair match. But bullies are always cowards when they know they are in the minor. Don't forget it." Fred advised.

"Wood asked me to remind you four that you've got Quidditch practise tonight. I think he'll want to test out the skills of your new broom Albus." Dominique informed those to whom it applied. 'Can we have a look Albus?"

Albus handed it over a lot happier. Even Dominique who knew little about broomsticks was impressed. The broom was five feet and was made of sleep, dark oak wood, with places for you feet that could be adjusted with ease. The tail was aerodynamic and the handle was snug and easy to grip. It went from 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds, which was faster than the Firebolt 4 by 0.2 seconds. Realising they had three minutes until History of Magic, Rose, Scorpius and Albus ran to the Gryffindor tower, threw their belongings down and ran back down the staircases. Professor Binns was there as usual as soon as they were sitting down, started to drone. Within 10 minutes, most of the class was asleep.

The next few days passed lazily and happily. One day, Albus settled down, after the final lesson, in the Gryffindor common room with Theodore and Harry to do homework, all three boys were far behind. Not half an hour had gone by, when Scorpius burst into the common with his broom. He tried to speak to Albus but there was nothing coming out. Albus was confused. Scorpius was making strange arm movements as if he was trying to say something but couldn't. Then Albus understood. Scorpius had been hit with a silencing charm. The other students were laughing but Albus scanned his Charms textbook to his left and performed the counter curse.

"What happened to you Scorpius" Albus asked him.

"Got cornered by a group of third and fourth year Slytherins. I was on my way up to get you."

"Why me?"

Scorpius rolled his eyes. "We've got Quidditch practise. You were supposed to be there twenty minutes ago!"

Albus jumped up. "I'm such an idiot! How could I forget?"

"Well you did. We don't have time to change, just grab your Nimbus and we'll go from the window by your bed."

Albus was already racing up the stairs. When Scorpius reached the dormitory, two minutes later, Albus was in his robes and unlocking the window. Stepping up on the window ledge, Albus half got out of the window and climbed onto his broom. He kicked off, the wind whistling in his ears. The broom was as amazing as his dad had said. He was very quickly, very far from his window. Re-tracing his steps, he found Scorpius sitting on his broom in mid-air, amazed. Coming to his senses, Scorpius raced ahead of Albus who caught him up easily. The pitch was soon looming up in front of them and Albus saw a group of students flying around the pitch. The duo flew over the stands and Scorpius flew off to where James and Holly were practising their passes. Albus flew down to where Wood was fighting to get the Bludgers back in the box.

"Sorry I'm late Wood. I forgot we had practise."

Wood turned to face him, panting. 'Well it's a good thing you are a quick seeker. In a bit, we'll release the balls and have a full blown one-sided game of Quidditch. Practise with the golf balls for a bit and try to dodge the chasers. We're going fast today."

Albus nodded and took the golf balls from beside the box. Tucking all of them in his right pocket of the robes, Albus flew up to where the chasers were flying. He retrieved one of the balls and threw it is hard as he could. Watching it speed away, eh urged his broom and soon had the ball safely in the palm of his hand. Albus soon realised what Wood had meant by a fast pace in the session. With six weeks until the match against Slytherin, training was getting more frequent and sub-sections were less so.

An hour and a half later, the end of training shattered Albus. He still had three pieces of homework and food to eat. Trudging his way up to the castle, with Scorpius, made it seem a lot longer time then it should have been. Despite his mind saying no, Albus climbed onto his broom and kicked off. This was definitely the best way to travel. He could hear Scorpius coming up behind him and Albus went round the side of the castle to the Gryffindor tower. The light was fading and more and more castle lights in the windows were appearing. Finding the dormitory window, the only open one; Albus and Scorpius flew in and climbed off their brooms. Their hair windswept and wet, they hurriedly tried to flatten their hair as they changed back into their school robes. As they pulled their robes back on, Scorpius gasped in pain as his arm went through the sleeve of his shirt.

"Are you okay Scorpius?" Albus asked worriedly.

Scorpius furrowed his brow. "I think so. I must have bruised my arm in practise."

"Let me see." Scorpius pulled the sleeve off gently and Albus gasped. "You need to see Madam Pomfrey as soon as dinner is over." Scorpius had a huge bruise on his arm that was already starting to show. It was covering up most of his arm. "On second thoughts, you need to see her now. You wont be able to move it, let alone eat. We'll take the brooms back afterwards on our way to dinner."

Nodding numbly, Scorpius put his shirt half on with great difficulty. Taking his broom, Albus lead the way down the staircase, through the common room and down two flights of stairs to the hospital wing. There was only one other person there and Madam Pomfrey was just coming out of her office. She took one look at Scorpius' arm and indicated the bed nearest the boys. Albus held Scorpius in and watched as he took off his shirt to show Madam Pomfrey the growing bruise. She was not impressed and quickly applied a white cream that immediately reduced the red around the bruise and swelling. Even the bruising seemed to get smaller and less angry.

"Well Mr Malfoy, I don't think that you've broken any bones, just had a nasty bump. That bruise will be gone within the hour and the pain just as soon. You two can go down to dinner."

Murmuring their thanks, Albus and Scorpius left the hospital wing. "My arm does feel a lot better." Scorpius mused.

"Good, it looks it. We can't have you injuring yourself again. Don't scare me." There was a pause. "Scorpius, how did you actually get that bruise?"

Scorpius looked away embarrassed. "You'll laugh at me."

"No I won't. I promise not to."

Scorpius sighed. "Well I was practising my speed flying and I didn't brake in time and crashed into one of the goalposts, arm first. I wasn't going the fastest I have ever gone. It was just one of those times when you are so distracted by something else, that you don't pay attention to where you're going."

Albus couldn't help but smile. "I've done that so many times, just walking. I nearly crash into the ground every time I do a Wronski Feint. If I get it wrong by a couple of centimetres, I could be seriously injured."

Scorpius smiled. "Very true. Could you teach me how to do it? For like when you caught the Quaffle in our first flying lesson. Just in case. It looks so much fun. Have you tried it out on your Nimbus yet?"

Albus shook his head. "No I haven't tried it yet. It would be a good idea though. Speed is everything in a Wronski Feint as is timing. Maybe when I've mastered it on the Nimbus and when I have time. They give us so much homework."

"I know."

They had reached the broom cupboard and quickly shoved the brooms back in. There was now an extra hook for Albus' Nimbus at the back so it was hidden from sight. Closing the door, the boys continued to the Great Hall and made their way to where Harry and Theodore were sitting. The food was already on the table and Albus found it difficult to find an empty seat as so many students were milling around. Eventually he found a seat near Harry and Rose, who were eagerly discussing the Transfiguration homework. Huge dishes of spaghetti and bowls of bolognaise sauce sat in front of Albus and he had to stand to reach the ladle inside the dishes. Platters of vegetables and cheese were also scattered and Albus was ravenous so started to pile up immediately. The smell was almost too much to bear and made him even hungrier than before. Hoping for a quiet and uneventful evening, Albus joined in the Transfiguration conversation between mouthfuls of food, hoping to pick up a few tips. But halfway through the meal, in a lull in the general noise, the main doors were flung wide open and Victoire burst in, her eyes wild with fear and she was shouting at the top of her voice.

"Professor Scamander! Professor Scamander! Code Red! Code Red!"

The hall fell silent and Professor Scamander stood up. Only a few students knew what Code Red was, the signal that the castle could be under siege and there was a protocol if it was warned. Albus and Rose looked at each other in horror. What could have happened? "What's going on Miss Weasley?"

Victoire had stopped and shaking. "Its Beauxbatons, there's been an explosion. Both the Junior and Senior Section. The whole castle has been blown to pieces. We need to initiate the protocol for Code Red."

There was silence and then everyone started to scream. Albus and Rose looked at each other. "Louis!" they both cried.

Louis Weasley was Bill and Fleur's youngest son and the brother of Victoire and Dominique. He was in his final year at Beauxbatons Academy Junior School. There was a commotion as students started to panic and it took a good five minutes for Professor Scamander to calm the whole hall down.

"Code Red," she started, "for those of you who are unaware, has been in place since the Battle of Hogwarts nineteen years ago. As of now, until the area is deemed safe, no one is allowed to enter or exit the castle or grounds. There are sixteen designated areas in the castle for specifics groups of students. A teacher who will remain with them until the area has been deemed safe will escort each group there. Food will be delivered to the areas as will sleep arrangements. Everyone sit down." Not wanting to disobey the headmistress at a time like this, everyone hastily took a seat. "Could the seventh year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs now make their way with Professor MacMillan to the Gryffindor McGonagall sub-section room?" the mentioned students stood up silently and left immediately. "The seventh year Ravenclaw and Slytherins go to the Slytherin Riddle sub-section room with Professor Zabini." The sixth year Gryffindor and Ravenclaw to the Ravenclaw Lovegood sub-section room with Professor Flitwick." Slowly the room started to empty until a handful of second years and the first years were left. "The second year Gryffindor and Hufflepuffs please go to the Gryffindor common room with Professor Longbottom." Albus watched as James got up, gave Albus a reassuring smile and left with the other second year Gryffindors. "The first year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws please go to the Ravenclaw common room with Professor Thomas."

As if automatically, Albus stood up and followed Rose and Professor Thomas out of the Great Hall and up to the bronze eagle knocker where Albus had met Dominique on his first meeting at Hogwarts. That seemed like an age ago and yet it was only a month or so ago. Giving th password, Professor Thomas opened the door and let the students in. the Ravenclaw common room was huge, at least twice the size of the Gryffindor common room. There were many squashy armchairs like in the Gryffindor but they were blue rather than red and gold. The walls were a sky blue and were decorated with famous witches and wizards who had been members of Ravenclaw. At the end of the common room stood a statue of Rowena Ravenclaw. She stood, immortalised in bronze, towering above the students.

"For the Gryffindors, welcome to the Ravenclaw common room. The food will arrive shortly, as will sleeping bags for you all to sleep in tonight. None of you are allowed to leave the room so the dormitories are out of bounds. As of now, nothing but patronus' can penetrate the protection around this room."

With that, Professor Thomas turned his back on the students, drew his wand and started to murmur some unknown spells. Albus spotted Rose over by Eleanor Davies and a girl he vaguely recognised. Harry and Scorpius were already in a heated battle of Gobstones and all over the common room, he now saw games and pots of food beginning to appear. His stomach grumbling loudly, Albus went over to Rose and grinned.

"Hey."

The trio made their way over to where Harry and Scorpius had just finished their game with a win for Harry. Pulling on Rose's sleeve, Albus dragged them over to the food. Many students had already got their food and were settling down to eat. They piled up their plates and found a cluster of armchairs near the fire. Exhausted, Albus collapsed into the nearest armchair with his plate and began to eat. The evening dragged on and even Albus had to admit he could do his homework with the time he now had spare. Breaking away from his fourth consecutive win at Exploding Snap, Albus dragged his bag back to an armchair, grabbed a handful of chocolate brownies and wearily collected his Astronomy homework. Fully absorbed in his homework, Albus didn't notice the time until Professor Thomas broke the quiet that had settled over the first years, who had followed Albus' lead and were all curled up in armchairs, reading or doing their homework.

"First years, it is time for bed. The restrictions have not been lifted and so, you will spend the night in here. Get a good night's sleep, I doubt there will be very much happening."

He waved his wand and 22 squashy purple sleeping bags appeared. Grabbing the nearest sleeping bag and hastily putting away his homework, Albus found a spot near Scorpius and settled down. One by one, the other first years fell asleep, but Albs kept tossing and turning. He kept thinking about Louis, the happy little redhead cousin who had only turned 11 three days ago. Could he have survived? He had inherited his parents' exceptional magical talents. He was sweet natured and tempered which meant that he could get out of chores easily, apparently much to the annoyance of his sisters. Would be ever see him again? Worrying and panicking slightly for the sake of his cousins, Albus fell into a dreamless and restless sleep.

A/N: big cliff hanger! what do you think? Is Louis safe? Please review! Thank you to all who have been reviewing so far!