I am sooooo sorry guys for such a long update on this chapter. The past school semester has been tiring and I have been really busy. It took me a while to write this chapter and might take just as long for the rest of this story. If you don't like long updates, then you might get angry with me. I hate when I am following a good story and the person takes forever to update as well.

If you want to stick with me then thanks, if not, I completely understand. Without further ado, here's chapter 12.

Chapter 12

HORKLUMPS

The school term returned to normal. Students were always talking about the holidays and what they had gotten for Christmas. For Albus, the term seemed the same as he left it. Classes, exams, and being recognized as Harry Potter's son seemed like an endless cycle. The only thing great about the new term was the fact that Herbology was the last class of the day. Even though Albus wasn't good with plants, loved that he could end each day with Professor Longbottom.

"Albus, hurry up! Today we're learning about horklumps," Rose said.

Rose was always excited for Herbology class, well…any class really. Her excitement hadn't stopped since the first day they arrived at Hogwarts.

"Rose, what are horklumps?"

"Plants of course. Well, they are a certain type of plant. Why are you asking me so many questions when we can learn more about them in class, now let's hurry!"

With Rose tugging on his robe, Albus and her sprinted down the staircases. When they reached outdoors, Albus looked up at the sky. It was a gloomy grey color and had an ominous look to it. While walking toward the greenhouses, Albus kept on admiring the scenery of Hogwarts. He had never actually taken the time to see how beautiful it all really was. All the while, Rose was talking non-stop about how she was so thrilled that her mother would be teaching Muggle Studies. Frankly, Albus wanted her to shut up. He had to admit that he was a little jealous of the fact that Rose's mom would be at school grounds, while his father would still be at the Ministry; probably doing boring paperwork. Albus thought his father took his job too seriously, but considering the Wizarding War his father faced; Albus sort of understood why. Suddenly, Albus's thoughts were interrupted.

"Albus! Watch out!"

Albus heard the last part of Rose's warning, and he stopped in his tracks. He looked down at his feet and saw a giant oval shaped mushroom. Suddenly, purple spikes shot out of it. Albus jerked back and fell to the ground taking Rose with him.

"What was that?"

"That was a horklump. They have defense mechanisms, if you get near them they-"

"Well, you could have explained that part first," Albus said rather rudely.

"I did tell you. Weren't you listening?"

Suddenly, Albus saw Professor Longbottom and a few other students rush out of one of the greenhouses. Albus and Rose both got up from the ground.

"Are you two all right," Professor Longbottom asked.

The pair shook their heads.

"Who put my horklumps out here?"

Some of the students snickered at this remark. Professor Longbottom turned around with a serious look in his eyes.

"I want to know who did it and who did it right now!"

All the students jumped. One timid Ravenclaw raised her hand.

"I've heard rumors that it was some fourth years."

At the sound of "fourth years," Albus thought of James and Hugo. They sounded like the pair that would pull such a prank. Well, Hugo would.

"Well class I'm sorry but class is dismissed. I need to put these horklumps back inside the greenhouses, and I don't want you students to get hurt," Professor Longbottom said with a hint of anger to his voice. "I'm going to talk to the headmaster about these supposed fourth years."