-Chapter Ten-

A Visit From Mr. Potter

It was mid October, now, and already Albus could see many students were starting to leave Hogwarts. Most of these were first years, but it was sad to see some third years and fourth years leaving too. The appearance of the tower had forced parents to take imidiate action, and they didn't want their children attending a school in the shadow of a Dementor-guarded tower.

The Ministry was making frequent visits now, continuing to inspect the tower. Yet none of the Aurors or Ministry officials wanted to actually touch the tower, or enter it.

Al's dreams were continuing, but were less frequent now. It was because he had other things on his mind, he thought.

Albus, Scorpius, and Rose made their way to Transfiguration with the Hufflepuff Head of House, Professor Whitby. They were discussing Qudditch, and how Rose and Al's cousin Fred Weasley would be trying out the following day for the Gryffindor team. Like his father and his namesake, he wanted to be a Beater.

"Obviously," said Scorpius as they turned a corner and approached the Transfiguration classroom. "Beater's the best position! So much action and violence." Laughing, Al argued that Chaser was the best position while Rose rolled her eyes. "It's all violence and action," she muttered. Al turned to his cousin and cocked his head. "Rose, I wouldn't be so critical," he said with a grin. "Uncle Ron was a really good Keeper, so maybe he passed it on to you."

Rolling her eyes and taking a seat at her desk between Al and Scorpius, Rose replied, "Oh, I'm sure. You've seen Hugo on a broom, he's far better than I am. Mum and I have never really liked Quidditch, anyway."

"Have a seat," said Whitby as they all quieted down. "We'll be Transfiguring rats into bats today, in the Halloween spirit."

Al remembered that Halloween was fast approaching; he hoped it would be far better than last year's Halloween, at which time Albus and Scorpius witnessed the smuggling of a Basilisk egg into Hogwarts.

"Now, remember," said Whitby sternly, "These are living creatures we're transfiguring, so no more repeats of what happened last time-- that means you, Dobson! Don't think I forgot about that toad."

Class flew by for them, and around the end of class Albus had transfigured his rat into a bat perfectly, along with Rose and Scorpius. They headed to the dungeons, where Potions class would be.

They were early, so only the professor was in the classroom. It was Professor Wrightmore, the Muggle-born witch and Potions Master.

She wasn't alone, however; sitting across from her was Professor Retskope, looking very uncomfortable. He was very pale, and had dark rings around his eyes, as if he hadn't slept much the night before.

"…And I didn't want him to see, but he--" Retskope stopped abruptly when he saw Al and his friends enter. "Albus. Rose, Scorpius," he murmured, making his way out the door hastily. "I'll-- I'll talk to you later, Theresa."

He left the classroom, and the three students took their seats. "Er, sorry for interrupting," said Albus, but Professor Wrightmore shook her head. "Not at all, Albus. Now, since you three are early, please take out your copy of Potion Making for Beginners."

A.S.P.

Harry Potter hadn't looked so under the weather since he was a teenager; he was pale, thinner than usually, and had lost a good few pounds in the passed months. He had dark rings under his eyes and a lot of dark stubble. His glasses were slightly crooked on his face, and His mouth was dry behind his chapped lips. He looked almost underfed; when in reality, he hadn't been eating much of Ginny's roast beef dinners or chicken and potatoes.

Clearing sleep from his eyes, Harry made his way from the small bunk-bed he shared with Ron. Ron snored loudly from up top; Harry had been awakened by the loud hoot of the owl clock on the wall of his office.

He spat a wad of phlegm into the gargoyle sink behind his bed. The office had been magically enlarged; it now fit a small kitchen and the bunk bed, which Harry felt was from the 1950's. He nudged the lump of covers and blankets that was his brother-in-law, and muttered, "Ron. Ron, get up."

"Five more minutes, mate," was the groggy reply he got. Rolling his eyes, Harry said in a louder whisper, "Oi! It's four o'clock, we should've been up half an hour ago."

Ron sat up, looking equally under the weather. His hair was overgrown, in need of a full on haircut. His eyes were so bloodshot, he reminded Harry of Hagrid's bloodhound, Fang. Ron actually sported a ginger-coloured beard, and had been called a tramp by Hermione just a few days prior. He stood up, and muttered, "Where are we off to today?"

Coughing and checking the tiny cupboard in the kitchen, Harry grabbed some wrapped up bread. He ate it quickly, washing it down with some cold coffee that sat on the table.

Ron entered the kitchen behind him, drinking half a carton of orange juice and eating some bruised fruit. Harry looked at him and said, "We should try to make ourselves look presentable; we're going to Hogwarts today. I'm leaving McMillain in charge of Teddy's case for the day."

Choking on a lumpy piece of bananna, Ron replied, "What? Hogwarts? Why in the bloody hell are we going to Hogwarts?" Harry took awhile to answer. "Thomas O'Leary contacted me via flew powder awhile back. Said Al's having dreams about the tower. They think its trying to get in his head, like Riddle tried to get in mine. Caleb's teaching him Occlumency on Snape and Dumbledore's orders."

Ron shook his head in awe. "How's that going for him?" Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't seen or written to Albus, James or even Lily back home since September. I barely see Ginny anymore."

They shaved, made themselves look a little bit better and got into their travel robes. Then, Harry pocketed his phoenix wand and the two made their way out the office door. They were in the Auror department of the Ministry; it was almost completely deserted because it was early in the morning. Once in the Atrium, they stood side-by-side in an emerald green fire and the flames whooshed to life as Harry said clearly, "Hog's Head Bar in Hogsmeade!"