The Enchanter's Princess

Chapter 24: A Question of Ancestry

A/N: Hi! Ok, first off, sorry for the long wait. Horrible insomnia and I simply could not update. I know I've been very slow lately and this is because I am always preoccupied or else suffering insomnia. At this point, I am well enough to update and hopefully the next chapter will be updated in five days as usual.

Beyond that, I've been asked quite a bit now how long this story is likely to be. Till now, I have not been too sure but I am positive now that you are all more than half way through it. The number might be around 37-40 chapters. Definitely not more unless you count updates where I answer questions and reveal the title of the next book (and gosh darn it, it's uncertain right now). I am not sure if other books will reach this length, there is a possibility and a strong likelihood as of now that like Order of the Phoenix, this will be the longest book. At the end of this chapter, I have another announcement concerning the update of books so stay tuned. Without further ado…

Albus and Alexis had very little time together after the time they spent alone in the Hogwarts Guard room. Alexis woke up and they both stayed for an hour to just talk. She had been very tired and Albus knew why. Teachers were working them to the bone and both of them also had Quidditch to worry about. They left as the evening fell to go to dinner. The next day would be a return to work, study and Quidditch and Albus had Career's Advice to worry about almost immediately after the game with Hufflepuff and he had no choice but to train his team just as hard as the teachers.

The next weekend, the game was finally upon them. Albus turned to his team before the game to give a last minute talk. Scorpius looked more or less with them and Seth a bit less pale from the frequent Quidditch practices Albus scheduled. "Alright… Hufflepuff is weak. They got Nimbus 2000's and Cleansweep Sevens, all of which are so outdated, our brooms outmatch them by far but they are not stupid. They'll be expecting us to underestimate them so… forget their colors. Play as if we're playing Gryffindor."

"What if I can't forget those colors?" Gabriel asked, smacking his bat against his palm. "I mean, yellow is pretty bright, you know."

"Just, forget them"-

"But"-

"Fine!" Albus sighed. "Gryffindor lost all their robes and Hufflepuff, being such good sports lent them their robes to play in. Better?"

"Alright, guys, Gryffindors are dumb for losing their robes!" Gabriel yelled happily. "Let's make sure they lose the snitch too!"

Lucy cleared her throat, "Um… we need a certain amount of points too"-

"Right, Scorps," Albus said suddenly, turning to his quiet best friend. "No snitch until we've got at least 160 points. Hufflepuff is low enough to disregard their scores… unless they make a hundred… unlikely… If we can catch the snitch when we've got more than 160 points, we avoid a match with Ravenclaw and go straight up against Gryffindor in the finals. We'll keep the game going all weekend if we have to. All month if that's what it takes. No snitch. Block their seeker. It can't be hard"-

"Their Seeker is flying the slowest broom on sale," Scorpius said with a familiar grin. "If I can't block him, I resign. Fair?"

"I'll hold you to that," Seth shrugged.

"And here come our heroes!" Alex's voice blared. "The Hufflepuff team! Hoping to make a comeback after the abysmal loss against Ravenclaw, their hopes are still down due to the Slytherin side's formidable broom selection. And Albus Potter put together a strong team this year. Give it up for Potter, Scamander, Weasley, Dagger, Mold, Lean and… Malfoy! The players take off, respective positions as our favorite Quidditch Master Cantharis opens the box… and releases the Bludgers! And look at that, they nearly hit Stumbleway! That's not a good omen. The Quaffle is released and we begin! Scamander takes possession of the Quaffle"-

Funnily enough, the game was not as long as Albus feared. Albus frequently played defense, stopping the Hufflepuffs from going anywhere near Seth and when they did, he blocked the goals with ease. Seth had gotten much better since his first game against Gryffindor. Meanwhile, Lorcan and Lucy were cooperating, passing to each other, and scoring goals every five minutes or so. Sometimes, they even scored two goals in five minutes. They took advantage of the slow Hufflepuff brooms to do long passes without worry of interception. An hour in, Slytherin was up 160-40. Hufflepuff started playing closer together, passing over short distances and maneuvering around with rolls and kicks, and this managed them four goals.

Five, Albus thought as a Quaffle soared past his ear, over Seth's head and into the middle hoop. "160-50 for Slytherin house. And Malfoy sees the snitch! He is not going for it of course, hoping to see their score climb higher to avoid a match with Ravenclaw. He blocks Hufflepuff Seeker Terrence Stephens and stalls. The snitch is still waiting… WHAM! There goes a Bludger right in the hand! Wow, that must hurt! And Stephens is taking advantage. Down he goes! Hufflepuff may yet with this game! Down they go… Malfoy seems to be going for it too. Ending it on his terms perhaps… Malfoy catches the snitch! Slytherin wins the game 310-50!"

The Slytherin side cheered half-heartedly. Albus pat Scorpius on the back as Madam Pomfrey rushed onto the field, muttering under her breath as she repaired Scorpius' bad hand. Scorpius was sitting up, grinning all over though, for the first time since the Curse. "Had to do it. Guess we're facing Ravenclaw, huh?"

"Rest of the games are on our terms," Albus said happily. "If we make enough points against Ravenclaw, we might avoid Gryffindor completely and take the cup."

"Fat chance," Walter mumbled. "Your girlfriend is too good."

"Shut it," Albus grinned, but went red all the same.

Slytherin's win was celebrated in the Common room but it was not much of a celebration. Most of the students were taking the time to study, especially because Professor Sorrow chose the day before to set them five rolls of parchment on Ancient Egyptian Runes and what they may mean to today's Wizards. Albus found little time to study because everyone wanted his personal insight into their chances at taking the Cup. One person was not joining in the festivities though. Lorcan Scamander, Albus' best Chaser was nowhere to be seen. Then again, Gabriel claimed to have seen him stay behind at the Quidditch pitch.

The game was just one thing off Albus' plate. He announced to his team before going to bed that he would lay off Quidditch practices for a week while he focused on his studies. Of course, studies were not the only thing on his mind. The following Tuesday, in the middle of his next Defense Against the Dark Arts class was his Career's Advice with Professor Era and this, he mused would be the first time talking to Era one on one for a very long time. Albus had only two careers in mind but when he asked his dorm mates, he found he was better off than all three. Riley was not sure of one, Walter had no real idea and Scorpius was confident of just one job. Law Enforcement.

Albus got to skip half of Defense Against the Dark Arts for his advice session with Era. At the beginning, Soot had taken to lecturing them on ways to avoid facing Dark spells by teaching them elemental curses. "You usually do not manage these until sixth year but what's early blooming anyway? To move or split the earth is a spell, simple to use but only as effective as the caster himself. You move your wand, in a fluid motion and command the earth to move, Terra Permoveo. Your homework will be to practice the spell over the weekend and report your first attempts. Now we move to the more irritating splitting of the earth, you"-

Albus' watch clicked silently, signaling his session. Scorpius wished him luck as Albus left down the stairs to Era's office. Just as he was about to knock on the door, it opened. Riley was walking out, having finished his session. He nodded at Albus in an acknowledging way as Albus walked in.

Waiting for him was Professor Era, looking as white and gothic as ever. She was wearing all black with her long black hair falling to the back, parted at the front to reveal black eyes staring at Albus in an almost cold way. "Sit down, please, Mr. Potter," Era said, motioning with her head at the comfortable looking sofa chair directly in front of hers. It was like a therapy session.

Potion phials lined the shelves surrounding the office. Above the small shelves were pictures of different people. They all had the same pale face as Era, except one, who blinked down at Albus through bespectacled eyes. "Have you had any thoughts on what'd you'd like to do when you finish Hogwarts?"

"Erm… yeah, I have," Albus said, and with some effort looked Era in her cold black eyes.

"Well, I've had two ideas, really," Albus said, formulating his thoughts in his head. "My first was… being a Curse-breaker. Deciphering runes and- and adventure. Seeking trouble, basically," he said, echoing Alexis.

"I see," Era said, face unfathomable as she took a leaflet from her own pile. "Well, it will require very high grades. Curse-breaking is a profession that requires adventure and a knack for danger. If you choose to work for Gringotts, it will also require Arithmancy which you did not take and that is, I'm afraid the deciding factor. Requiring top grades in Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology, and a minimum of six NEWT's. Unfortunately, Mr. Potter you lack one of them and as we're dealing with banking and numerical values of gold, it is impossible for you take the profession on immediately. May I ask what your second idea was?"

"Teaching, at Azkam Academy?" Albus offered.

"Teaching advanced courses?" Era asked, taking a second leaflet. "I see. Now, this is slightly easier. As it requires advanced knowledge, they ask for five NEWT's and an Outstanding OWL in at least one subject. The 'O' you get will likely determine which subject you will be giving advanced classes in. That said, Mr. Potter, you are well positioned to achieve just that in three subjects. Professor Macmillan believed you an exceptional student and one of the few capable of casting a Patronus. Professor Soot himself believes you just need a little nudge and an Outstanding OWL should not be too difficult. Any questions before we continue?"

"Yes, erm… well, is there any way I can choose to go into Curse-breaking later in life?" Albus asked. "I mean, I don't want to spend my life teaching, do I?"

"No, and it is possible," Era said, looking at the first leaflet again. "As the exams are standardized, it is possible for you to sit the OWL for Arithmancy at a later year. This will require additional studies as you take up the teaching position and we will need to look at the subjects mentioned before. If you prefer to pursue this adventurous career later in life, you'll need quite the education here at Hogwarts. You are passing Defense Against the Dark Arts well and are perfectly positioned for an Outstanding. As for Ancient Runes; I must warn you, Potter, Professor Sorrow sadly refuses to take students with less than a coherent passing grade of E in her class, and while that may seem a fine feat, Runes is known to be difficult."

"I'm doing fine in Charms, I think," Albus guessed.

"Yes, you are," she agreed. "Charms is also a must and Professor Ackerly refuses to take any student with less than an E. You're averaging slightly higher, between the margin of E and O so your performance there is fine and I see no reason why you should not manage an O. As for Herbology, Professor Longbottom had no issues with A students but with Professor Vulneroman taking the subject, he only takes those with an O. So, I'm afraid you may have to work extra hard on that subject and bring it up to scratch. You're managing A at the moment. Professor Redgrow acknowledges that while Transfiguration work is difficult, she will only accept students with an E and you need to work extra hard, Potter because your performance there has been slipping since last year. You're averaging a P there so you must work very hard. Professor Scamander on the other hand is perfectly willing to take students who average at least an E. Professor Hagrid, before his passing graded you with an O so you're fine there. I must say, Mr. Potter, with these subjects and your grades in them, you are well positioned for a range of options in the Wizarding world. Any more questions?"

"Yeah… you said six NEWT's but we've mentioned seven courses including Arithmancy," Albus pointed out.

Era seemed unfazed. "This is because you are allowed to drop a certain course provided you get an Outstanding in that subject," she said, unfolding the leaflet. "Yes, provided you achieve Outstanding in Care of Magical Creatures, you can pass it off during NEWT level. Assuming all goes well, your sixth year will see you taking five subjects with Arithmancy coming later in life. Is that straight?"

"Yeah- yeah, I suppose," Albus said, sensing the session was at an end.

"That concludes our consultation," Era said, pointing him out the door.

Albus sighed in relief as he left. He could not believe it. When he put it all in perspective, he was looking forward to teaching with Alexis if that was where he ended up but more and more, he felt the calling of Curse-breaking. He knew he would have to study Arithmancy for a few good years before sitting the examination. He lamented his second year where he did not sign up for the course despite Aunt Hermione advising him to do so. Albus sat down in the Great Hall for an early start on dinner and he did not notice a little friend sitting beside him. If he could call him a friend. Seth Lean had taken a seat.

"Well, Malcolm's gonna die," Seth said calmly, taking a bit of toast and spreading jam on it.

"What'd he do this time?" Albus yawned.

"Nothing," Seth shrugged. "I just happen to remember events and hold them against people if I stand to gain one day."

"What do you gain this time?"

"The pleasure of pain," Seth said simply and Albus could not tell if he was joking or not. Seth never joked but there was something different about him that day. He did not seem completely serious. "Of course, it doesn't help that Malcolm is Arsenal and I don't like them too much." He finished spreading Jam on a fourth piece of toast and handed two of them to Albus. "Here, let's go to the lake. I need to talk to you and I prefer privacy."

"Oh, no," Albus moaned, getting up. "What message does your father have for me now?"

"Nothing, but he does ask that you quit acting so hung up over the events of last Christmas," Seth said calmly. "Seriously, Al. Ridge is dead. Get over it."

Albus did not dare respond while in earshot of anyone so he kept quiet, instead speculating what Seth would want to talk about. They walked outside, Albus consciously aware that he was seeing more and more of Seth and all pertaining to events outside the castle. The bank of the lake was almost empty. James and Fauna Redgrow were sitting away but they could not possibly hear what they would discuss. And a part of Albus did not care. "So, you read the exams, what do you think?"

Albus considered Seth. Was it smart to throw the idea to him that the Princess was more of an ideal than a person? He stared at Albus, eyes betraying nothing and his face very impassive, very cool like it did not matter to him either way. Slowly, Albus nodded. "I did. But… I've been thinking…"

"Oh, yeah?" he asked. "That's progress. Anything new in that area?"

"Well, we know that the Guard doesn't believe the whole Heirs thing…"

"Actually, half of them do but go on," Seth said, sitting against a beech tree. Albus sat across from him.

"And we know that the Heirs are very shaky with Hufflepuff a mystery and Ravenclaw only recently popping up," Albus started. "So, it gives rise to the sort of idea that the Princess does not really exist. She's… an ideal of unity more than an actual person."

Albus could see Seth seriously considering this. He was thinking about it very hard, nodding to himself something before looking up. Albus thought he would ask additional questions when instead he just asked, "Al, are you stupid?"

Albus flinched in surprise, "Wh"-

"So, who proposed that idea to you?" Seth asked pressingly. "Surely it wasn't your idea."

"Well, it mak"-

"Whoevber proposed it is a suspect," Seth shrugged. "I told you I was Slytherin's Heir, you know more than they do," he said bluntly.

"Actually," Albus got up, looking him in the eye now. "I think you were lying, Seth. Slytherin's Heir is dead. The Gaunts were loveless. You can't come from them. Either your father lied to you or you lied to me."

"Loveless? Well, that disproves the Dark Lord's existence. Lying." Seth repeated, getting up. "Very well." And in a flash, a python popped out of his wand. Albus backed away but before he could withdraw his wand, he heard Seth hissing something, something completely different, a different language, Parseltongue. The python he conjured hissed back and swished its long, powerful tail at Albus. Albus barely avoided it and Seth raised his wand again, making the python disappear. "Do you believe me, now, Al? Enough proof? Or shall I demonstrate again?"

But Albus' wand was on him yet again, this time on Seth's neck. Seth gulped, "This is the thanks I get?"

"That is the second time you tried to kill me," Albus snarled. "What the bloody hell are you playing at?"

"The first time I only tried modifying your memory," Seth said simply, eyeing Albus' wand bemusedly. "This second time was a tail swipe. It wasn't even that big. It would've barely hurt you."

"You set a snake on me!"

"You live with them all the time," Seth yawned, like it was just another talk they were having, like his life was not on the line. "Besides, it proved my heritage to you, didn't it?"

Albus was on the point of lowering his wand when out from behind the tree, another wand was pointed at Seth's neck. Before Albus could exclaim in surprise, James Potter appeared, signature grin gone, replaced by a frown. Albus had never seen Seth like this before. He was backing up, eyes now a little wider. They betrayed nothing still but there was a hint of worry in them. He still moved easily and found himself pinned against another tree, surrounded by James, a tree and the lake. Albus wished James did not appear but there was nothing he could do now. Seth looked around. "So, you heard everything, eavesdropper?"

"Al, how long did you know?" James asked seriously, eyes still on Seth, glittering with intense dislike.

Albus did not need to ask what James was referring to. He could see James' string coiling itself into his pocket and knew he had used an Extendable Ear. Stupid, Al. Muffliato was invented for a reason. "Quite a while," Albus said truthfully, trying to be as impassive as Seth. He was not sure if he wanted James to curse Seth just yet.

"Well done," James breathed. "Discovered something before I did… Merlin's pants. How do you even trust him?"

"I… just do," Albus sighed. "Take your wand off, I need to talk to him."

"No," James snarled. "After what I saw him do… setting a snake on you, and that's after the Shack fiasco! Don't trust him, Al. Whatever he tells you, don't trust him! He's playing you for a fool!"

"Yeah, beware of me, Al," Seth said with an even, sarcastic voice.

Albus could see. James was furious. Furious as not being told something this big. Albus felt half guilty that he did not tell James about Seth before. James was his partner in this more so than Seth was. But still. Seth had information. Surely, James understood that. Before anyone could react to anything, Simon Far rushed James and pushed him right into the lake. The piece of water James had been about to land in froze solid and he fired a Disarming Spell at Simon.

Both Albus and Seth reacted at the same time. Seth Charmed a sphere of water to crash over James just as Albus fired a Shield Charm to defend the first year boy. The water drenched James Potter and Simon backed away, but wand out. Albus was not finished though. Seth fired another Curse at James, who barely avoided it and tripped Simon with a Jinx before casting a binding spell on him. James' wand returned to Seth's neck, "Wand down. Put it down, sucker or you get a one-way trip to St. Mungo's."

Seth sat down and set his wand beside him, eyes staying on James, not meeting Albus' at all. Albus knew Seth was cornered this time. Simon was his only help and he was easily beaten. Well, Seth had Albus as backup but Albus could not act yet. James was standing over him and Simon sat up, eyes widening. "Guys. Please, leave him alone."

Albus' heart sank. Simon's pleas were too innocent to ignore. He never had his wand on Seth but he still turned to Simon. James kept his wand on Seth but it was clear he was listening too. "Simon," Albus said in what he hoped was a kind voice. "Can I ask you something?" Simon did not say anything just yet but Albus kept going, "Why do you like Seth so much?"

Simon was silent still, eyes fixed on Seth. Seth looked back at him and he actually had a smile on his face. Like they both knew ahead of time what they were supposed to say in such a situation. Simon turned back to Albus, "I was with my sister in the park and I met him. He was just a classmate of mine at Muggle school but when we met in the park, he told me that the stuff I- we- my sister and I could do was magic. He showed me everything after that. Diagon Alley, Hogwarts… why wouldn't I?"

"Answer me this," James said in a forced calm voice. "Do you know Seth's heritage?"

Simon nodded, going red, "I know he's Slytherin's descendant."

"And it never bothered you?" James asked.

"Why would I? I was a Muggle! Still am according to Mold!" Simon said angrily. "What did I know about houses and your crummy divisions?"

James kept his wand on Seth who made no move for his wand during the talk. He was fixed by Simon, staring at Simon like he never saw him properly before. Or maybe Seth just loved what Simon said. James turned back to Seth, "Talk, Lean, or you're off to the hospital. We'll make it two-way, though. Just for your friend."

"Talk what?"

"YOU KNOW WHAT!" James screamed.

Simon flinched but Albus jumped up. He thought he heard rustling by the bushes to the left. He peered at them but saw nothing. He had a feeling they were being listened on but he didn't dare raise the alarm. Not now. Not yet. Albus turned back to Seth. "You expected this, didn't you, Seth? That we'd corner you eventually? After the shack, it was sort of coming."

"Yeah, I knew you'd betray me," Seth mumbled, not daring to take his eyes off James' wand. "Only there I was fantasizing about being allied with my father or the Goblins by that time. But this soon…"

"With someone like you," Albus said. "This isn't betrayal. You work for yourself, what do you expect us to do?"

"To defend your family," Seth smirked. "You want to know the truth?"

"You God-damn right I do," James said through gritted teeth. "I wasn't at the Shack but I knew everything that happened thanks to Lily. She was shaken up for days! What was your game? You brought her there!"

"Your sister was never in any danger," Seth said again.

You forget that however dangerous things got in the shack, your sister was never truly in any danger.

Albus breathed out slowly. Seth continued, "Dad asked me to take her to him during the Hogsmeade weekend. I put in Nate's mind to sneak himself and your cousin and sister into Hogsmeade. But I had a condition."

"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," James growled.

"What was the condition?" Albus asked calmly, ready, more ready than James to forgive him now he knew the truth.

"He keep Simon and Sophie safe from any harm," Seth said honestly. "And he doesn't let them witness harm. He was forced to be very nice… by me. I cushioned it all. I was the one who stopped that fiasco from evolving to more than it was."

The words might have sounded like lies but Albus knew there was truth in them. He remembered Seth's movements in the shack. He could verify this all. You'll have to forgive my son. He lacks proper etiquette. And a taste in friends now I think of it. And what was it Soto had told Seth before Harry or Hagrid had show up? A promise is a promise, Seth. Take your friends to the Hogs Head. All of that? All of it was done by Seth? Just to keep Simon safe?

"And by my dad's group," Seth said, eyes looking up. "The Purifiers."

"Their game?"

"What is their game?" Simon asked, moving up to join them.

"They're called the Purifiers, guys," Seth said over rolled eyes. "They Purify things. They- they believe in disowning their Muggle family, to make their blood Pure. Set new roots up. They don't kill but it's not illegal to them. Pure-bloods are dwindling. That's their only hope."

"What about the Reservation?" Albus asked.

"One and the same," Seth responded. He answered everything like he was under Veritaserum. "Purifiers are an offshoot… but they kill. The Purifiers are selective. The Reservists will wipe out everyone."

"And you're totally cool with that?"

"Of course not!" Seth said indignantly. "Simon would die."

It seemed the interrogation was at an end. James nodded, lowering his wand. Albus' heart was thumping madly and then… "Fauna!" James called.

Albus gave a start. He had sensed someone behind the bushes. Fauna Redgrow, her red hair bright in the sun, rose up. Her hazel eyes glinted as she stared at a now very shocked Seth. He stared in actual fear but Fauna was grinning widely and Albus could not make heads nor tails of this new development. She took Seth by the arms and forced him up, "I've been wanting to meet you for a long time, Lean. Well, come along. We clearly have things to discuss."

Seth fixed both Albus and James with a glare, "You guys are gonna pay… I promise, you're gonna regret this."

"Don't worry about it," James said, grin in place once again as Seth disappeared. "Fauna is gonna be a big help!"

It was Simon who asked, "Why?"

"Because, she knows who Gryffindor's Heir is."

A/N: And while I leave you on this cliff hanger, I'll give you something to be excited about. After a lot of thinking, I've decided that there is a likelihood of the hiatus between this book and the next book being the very last one. Basically, once I start on Book 6, I will continue updating regularly. Book 6 will end and like a normal update, Book 7 will start few days later and we'll have regular updates from there. I am not sure of this so I cannot make an Unbreakable Vow but it is what I am hoping for. Until next time…