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The Star of Tomorrow - Albus Potter, 1st year: A Very Bag Beginning. The year that wasn'tJune 2th, 2019:
Albus was missing.
His son Albus Severus Potter was missing.
For almost a whole year. He disappeared on August 1, 2018.
Harry Potter sat on a chair in his makeshift office at home, his head resting on his hands. A cup of coffee, already half-cold, rested on the messy table, crammed with papers, maps, reports, and newspaper articles. He couldn't help but ask himself: how and for what reason had this happened? And, most importantly, who were the ones to blame?
How could he be known as a hero to the Wizarding World and not be able to protect his son? He felt like a failure, he couldn't get rid of the bad feelings he felt.
Albus had disappeared in Diagon Alley the day the Potter Family, accompanied by the Weasleys, went to buy school supplies for Al's first year and James's third year.
At that time there were many people there, the place was packed with parents buying materials for their children, as the beginning of the school year at Hogwarts was approaching. There was no way to investigate properly and determine with certainty who had been there on the day of Albus's disappearance. To make matters worse, there was also, later on, the same day, a turmoil led by the two most influential clandestine groups in witch society today: the Proud New Magicians (PNM) and the Dark Path Movement (DPM).
Was it some clandestine group seeking revenge on him and kidnapping his son? Was it an attempt by some group of dark wizards to gain recognition or money by blackmailing him? Or was he some lonely perverted psychopath?
Where was Albus now? Was he... okay? Al's just a kid, an eleven-year-old boy... that should be at Hogwarts now, studying, making new friends, enjoying his childhood.
He had interrogated everyone he could, even those he was only slightly suspicious of, reviewed all the "clues" (in fact, there was no material clue, only theories) with the help of his best friends Ron and Hermione, he and Ginny tirelessly investigated everything they could find, even what was only remotely connected to the case of Albus.
Albus appeared to have simply vanished from Diagon Alley, without any traces, without any witness. No one had seen anything, no one knew his whereabouts. No blood, no magical trail. He felt trapped in a dead-end.
Was it a muggle? A wizard that didn't use his magic or that used some kind of strange untraceable and undetectable speel? A squib? Who did this?
Many questions, but no answers. Even with the Ministry's help and all the magical specialist's assistance, the search wasn't achieving good results.
At the end of the day, he still had no idea where his son could be right now. The thought that someone might be hurting Albus at this very moment (when Harry was safe in his house not going anywhere with the investigation) was impossible to deal with.
He remembers the day his son Albus Severus Potter disappeared with a mixture of sadness and anger. In the first few months, he was angry with himself for not having prevented the kidnapping, now he was frustrated due to his inability to find his son. The faces of James and Lily when Harry returned with nothing new after the first two weeks in search of Albus still haunted him.
At night he would dream about horrible stuff happening to his son. He knew Ginny felt just like him.
All the newspapers and magazines eagerly covered his son's disappearance, every day there were headlines about it (some of them utterly disturbing). All the Potter-Weasleys and all the other friends in the family were looking for and helping in some way.
Molly and Arthur let James and Lily stay at the Burrow for a while so he and Ginny were able to focus exclusively on the search.
Hermione was helping to contact many important Ministry officials who could help with information gathering, she was also helping with journalists and the media as a whole (as well as Percy Weasley).
Ron, his Auror partner had, alongside Harry, access to privileged data about the case, so he tried to investigate some specific details together. Ron was also the one who headed the Auror Department as the Deputy Chief, managing other important cases relating to the PNM or the DPM.
Charlie, Bill, and Fleur helped by trying to find out if anyone had seen Albus outside the UK since Charlie lived in Romania now and the couple lived in France.
George helped by maintaining a lighter atmosphere, trying to make the kids feel a little better by sending pranks and other toys as a gift. He also had important contacts with people involver in the entertainment and sports industry (he had begun to invest in these branches and it was not uncommon to see him at charity events, showing his products to a huge number of people).
Neville and Hannah were watching for any sign, for any strange movements that could happen near the Leaky Cauldron while Hannah worked there. Pieces of conversations, suspicious people, anything.
Everyone was doing their best, but nothing was found. Although they could interrogate a few suspects, everything they did was unsuccessful and the few theories they managed to elaborate didn't lead to anything of importance. The "suspects" had nothing that helped him to find his son. Nothing.
Regarding the turmoil in Diagon Alley…, it all started when members of the Dark Path Movement (for Freedom), or DPM, began to fire dangerous spells at the crowd. There was a great lot of confusion coming from Knockturn Alley, where the event (a series of seminars conducted by the Proud New Magicians, or PNM) was taking place. When the trouble began, many people disapparated and the authorities were unable to catch PNM members or DPM supporters.
The truth is that many clandestine movements had been appearing in the magical world after the war. The Ministry of Magic had not regained full authority after Voldemort's death. Part of the population no longer respected the Ministry, partly due to the reforms made by William Magis, the new Minister of Magic, partly because many still remembered the Ministry's ineffectiveness during the conflict.
Harry had no proof that either movement was involved in the kidnapping of his son, but he had asked his colleague O'Neill for more information about the two groups because he had decided to investigate as much as he could.
He even went so far as to go to the United States of America just to speak to Magnus Elliston, a dark wizard he had captured in a joint effort between MACUSA ("the American Aurors") and the British Auror Department. The wizard was in a damp, cold and filthy cell (yes, still with some perks achieved by his vast team of lawyers and collaborators) after being sentenced to life in prison on American soil.
Harry remembered that day very well. Partly because the Oceanids Prison possessed a bizarre atmosphere, a mixture of dazzling beauty with its crystal blue exterior that contrasted, in an almost grotesque way, with the cold, decadent and wicked interior. Partly because even imprisoned and convicted by his actions, Magnus Elliston still managed to be extremely convincing, with a well-crafted and inspiring speech that was able to allure much of the American wizards and even the ones from other parts of the world. Even in prison, Magnus Elliston seemed to have the ability to solidify himself as some kind of living martyr. For some, he was no longer a man, but an ideal that would be eternal.
December 21, 2018:
In Oceanids prison, there was an uneasy silence and an almost mystical cold that seemed capable of breaking through winter clothes and reaching the bones. The submerged prison went down sixty floors (well, ninety-seven, according to the prison that denied the existence of that supposed last floor), incarcerating a series of wizards accused of a variety of crimes.
The prison was administered internally by specialized aurors and outsourced staff. Externally, some mermen did patrol work in exchange for certain benefits (and the general maintenance of peace between the mermen and US), granted through a service contract. The Director of the Prison was the former chief of the Aurors, Mr. Rage Wynston Abedin, a muscular man with a severe appearance, with a big scar on his face and white hair.
"Magnus Elliston?" He asked when Harry explained the situation to him, asking for permission to be able to access the infamous (or simply famous, for some of his followers) wizard's cell.
"Yes, I need to investigate. It won't be long," reassured Harry. It took a lot of time to negotiate permission for him to be able to enter Oceanids, months of complex meetings between the two country authorities. Months of formal talks with Hermione's help and with the support of many allies in the Ministry. In the end, the American government insisted that Harry went alone, and no more than an hour.
"Your wand, Mr. Potter. I need to confiscate it momentarily, we do not allow wizards with wands to enter from the 10th floor on," explained the man lifting his hand to take his wand. Harry reluctantly handed it over, he didn't like the idea of being without his wand, whatever the situation. The ex-auror put his wand in a cardboard box and put on his heavy winter coat, he then looked at Harry curiously.
"You will feel cold in that outfit, we are going to the 59th floor." Harry was wearing really warm clothes, fit for the winter, and though the man might be overdoing it. It was only when he started descending the many stairs that he realized that, in reality, the director was correct. It was utter cold. The kind of cold that freezes your nostrils and makes breathing difficult, freezing the little hairs on your face, and making your lips split almost instantly.
"Do you think the Dark Path Movement is involved with your son's disappearance?" Asked the man, raising his eyebrows thoughtfully. He paused for a brief moment to greet a jailer who was pushing a cart with the prisoners' food, but his eyes soon turned to the English auror, puzzled.
"I am willing to consider all options."
"The DPM is quite dangerous, you know that, Auror Potter. You assisted MACUSA and me in capturing Magnus Elliston ... do you think this is all about revenge? He has several followers all around the globe, after all." Harry had captured some dark wizards after the war against Voldemort. He remembered Magnus Elliston and his group, the DPM, whose aim was to create the New Path for America, where freedom would be achieved by overthrowing a corrupt magical government by force and completely changing social structures.
Although the DPM was not a movement for blood purists or exclusively for magical people. Werewolves, centaurs, squibs, and others could be part of the New American Path, there was even a rumor saying that some muggles whose family members were part of the magical community might be promoting DPM's ideals in North Carolina and California. The movement, despite not claiming to be international, grew exponentially, even after the arrest of its leader, gaining dedicated supporters in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
His legal defense, composed of a network of more than five hundred lawyers, jurists, and volunteers from many places around the world, negotiated deals trying to allow him to make speeches from inside the prison. The first volume of his autobiography had been an absolute success and was the best-selling book in more than a hundred countries.
"As I said, I will not rule out any possibility." But the American branch of the DPM had a history of violent practices, such as bank robbery, kidnapping authorities, murder of politicians, and extortion. They kidnapped the wife and children of Nelly Bill, a corrupt politician that was the head of the United States Department of Magic Resources, and demanded large sums of money; attempted to carry out a coup d'état in America by killing the President of the Magical Congress (USA) at a sporting event a few years ago; the group even tried to start a fire in the American Auror Division.
Nobody knew how to specify the number of DPM followers (which had already been called New Path Movement, NPM, at a time when it promoted peaceful means to achieve its goals), or the exact way of recruiting new members. Magnus Elliston had revealed nothing decisive in his interrogation. Even with the use of Veritaserum, the information they discovered did not help them to locate the other members, who had already left their old hiding place.
The director opened large rusty metal bars, they passed through a long corridor without detention cells, then another grid was opened and they walked through another long and humid corridor, now with cells that looked more like small cabins, with tiny windows in the doors and a small entrance for guards to slide food on trays for the inhabitants of Oceanids. Harry noticed that Magnus Elliston's cell was larger than the others.
"Know that I can't let you be alone with Magnus Elliston," emphasized Abedin with a serious expression on his face, then added, "It's the protocol."
Harry just shook his head positively, not wanting to cause trouble. He wished he could talk with the man alone...
The jailer knocked on the door with his thick gloved hands and shouted "Elliston! You have visitors." Abedin looked through the window and opened the cell door carefully, with his wand risen. The door made a terrible creak.
"My lawyers?" Elliston's had a hoarse voice, he had lost weight and was a shadow of what he had once been, but his eyes remained the same. His eyes were full of determination, awake and attentive. He seemed to analyze Harry looking genuinely confused and curious about his arrival.
"Elliston, you know the protocol, don't you?!" Asked Abedin's harsh voice, Elliston turned his back obediently, and the ex-auror cast a few spells. Harry had time to analyze his cell: it was probably the biggest cell in the whole prison, there was a rectangular fluffy red carpet on the floor, a wooden comfortable bed, a small metal bookcase, a desk with papers, pens, a small magical typewriter, and an open door in the corner leading to a bathroom with a tub. The place had a window in which was possible to see beautiful scenery: rich corals, multiple colorful fish, crabs, smiling mermaids, and eels swimming around.
"Harry Potter. Welcome to my humble temporary home. But why, exactly, are you here?" His voice dripped with sarcasm and arrogance, his vivid amber eyes stared at him in an almost predatory way.
This was the man known as the "Clandestine Terror" by his opponents, while his admirers called him the "Free Man" or the "Man of Freedom". He was very tall, more than two meters. In the times of the peaceful Freedom Path Movement, he was a famous magical lawyer recognized and respected by broad sectors of society: Magnus, the Magnificent.
"What do you know about the kidnapping of a boy named Albus?" Perhaps it would have been better not to be so direct, but Harry wanted to get this over with as soon as possible, to get some results as soon as possible, he only had one hour to talk with him. Magnus seemed surprised, a shadow of confusion on his face.
"Who is this? Albus? Should I know that name for some reason? You know that, even though my lawyers give me some information, but I don't have access to newspapers or magazines."
"He-" Harry thought he shouldn't reveal that the boy was his son, he continued "He's a boy who disappeared in Diagon Alley, I'm working on the case. There was an uproar caused by Dark Path Movement at a Proud New Magicians rally. "Magnus studied him slowly, his eyes attentive and fixed on him, then he laughed loudly and mockingly.
"If you want something from me, don't you dare lie to me, Mr. Potter, I can see it on your face... this boy is important to you, very important," said Elliston absently curling his hair with his fingers.
"What do you know?" Harry insisted in a much harsher tone. Magnus gave a last dry, humorless laugh.
"Nothing." That was all he said.
Harry decided to insist more. Elliston had to know something. He had to help with something. He had come to the United States, looking for clues, looking for anything. He couldn't accept that he would return home empty-handed.
"What do you know?!" He tried again.
"Look, I'm glad that DPM is still active and challenging the New Magicians... but how could I know anything important about it, Mr. Potter. I'm stuck here. And I say again, as I claimed before, that I'm innocent of the specific charge for which they arrested me. And I can prove it. If you want me to help, you can contribute with my appeal for real justice and let the free man regain his freedom, then, and only then, I could get some information for you. Everything has a price, you know? If this kid, Albus, is that important, why not cooperate with us, the Dark Path. I invited you back there and I'll once again invite you to join our fight because soon I will be cleared, Mr. Potter, very soon. I will then work to fix the Dark Path Movement ..., my lawyers came a few days ago bringing me some specific news about the state of the DPM, and I concluded that it needs to be reformed. I was the victim of a big conspiracy, probably the biggest juridical conspiracy in America's history! Yes, I have done some dubious acts in the past ... but like the waters of a river, I am a new man with each passing want to silence the resistance, but in prison, I become a martyr and they just strengthen us— "
"That's enough, Elliston!" Warned Abedin, with a penetrating look, but Magnus Elliston did not seem the least bit intimidated, on the contrary, he straightened up and continued with his speech, he had always been charismatic.
"The Dark Path modified itself a little since the Freedom Path, it was all to force the rotten ruling class in this country to accept change. The country's leaders hate change, the person can talk about beautiful things like justice and peace and will, indeed, receive applause and awards... but one can never want to carry out a project with real impact, even if it's peaceful, that truly changes the situation. They only accept small adjustments that, objectively, change nothing. Our project is commendable, Mr. Potter. And through self-criticism, we are capable of evolving, we test new methods, we are a movement in full expansion and constant change, we admit mistakes, we learn from them. We were too naive the first time, with FPM, so we tested DPM "explained Elliston in a calm and rational tone.
Elliston was an intelligent wizard, notorious for his public speeches that promoted social engagement and effective actions. Looking for more clues, desperate for any kind of information that could help him find his son: The New Society - New Policy Projects and Ideals, by Classify Wales; Equality and Justice as Principles of Action, by Mathilda Sallinger; Down with Inequality: Means for Change, Peter O'Tool; The Sad Truth - Werewolves and the Precarious Job Opportunities in the Wizarding Society, by Lunatu Wolfenstein; The Demonization of Goblins in History of Magic, by Wodrick Badrock. The Nostrad-Ikabonf' stigma: Self-acceptance and Journey, by Celin Ikabonf; Complicated - Morality and a Study of Human Ethical Principles, Edward Daniels Ikabonf.
He was writing the second volume of his autobiography, Harry observed the title written on recycled paper Transforming the Revolution: My Story, volume II, by Magnus Elliston.
Harry sighed repeatedly until he calmed down. Perhaps he already knew, in the darkest corner of his mind, that Magnus Elliston would know nothing. There was no way for him to know. Headmaster Abedin gave him a concerned look, Harry nodded indicating that he was finished. The two walked slowly to the door. Magnus Elliston was still staring at him, with an arrogant smile on his lips.
"I'm sorry," murmured the director as they went up the steps. Harry just shook his head, deep in thoughts.
But… there was a strange drip noise accompanied by almost inaudible whispers coming from a descending ladder that would lead them to the 60th floor of the prison.
"What is in there? On the 60th floor?" Harry asked, genuinely curious. There were plenty of scary rumors about the last Oceanids' floor.
"N-Nothing," answered the man way too fast, with a slightly scared expression on his face. Then, he said in a neutral tone, "you don't believe in rumors, do you, Mister Potter?"
The layers of Magnus Elliston had been investigating the mysterious 60th floor avidly, pressing the American government and starting a wide international campaign to initiate a formal investigation, arguing that the prison carried out illegal and unregulated activities there and declaring that Oceanids could have up to a hundred floors!
As the MACUSA had an agreement with the merpeople, they could not prove this claim because they could not verify that by entering the water. The defense could then argue that the prison violated prisoners' rights and prisoners could be transferred to lower-security prisons until investigation according to law number 2.345 of the American Magical Code for Oceanids' Prison. If Elliston was transferred they could make the magician have more access to the public and continue with his speeches that brought thousands to the movement.
Although the initial legal thesis was that Eliston was innocent of the charges for which he had been arrested for.
December 23, 2018:
It was almost Christmas. A Christmas they would spend without Albus.
He and Ginny decided that they would not have a party this year, as the idea of celebrating anything without Albus was inconceivable.
Where would Albus be spending his Christmas? Where would he be now?
Only two days after the trip to the United States, and some investigations about the Dark Path with O'Neill and Ron's help, Harry found nothing concrete to link the movement to Albus's kidnapping. They managed to find out a lot about the history of FPM and DPM, but that didn't help them much.
They decided to investigate the Proud New Wizards, perhaps they would be more successful. O'Neill had taken care of most of the research since he had been tasked initially with investigating the group with Horton Cirley's bureaucratic assistance.
The PNM did not make much use of violent acts until now, they focused way more on clandestine rallies and speeches (usually in places considered infamous, such as Knockturn Alley). There was no concrete information about who the movement's leaders were. The group was believed to have its origins in France.
They wanted to create a new type of society governed by what they called a "deep magical consciousness", where all people would be connected by a common and omnipotent sense of magical purpose, achieving ever greater advances in the wizarding society. It was a movement that was growing internationally with significant support in Romania, Greece, and Germany. There were the "Proud", who were the leaders of each branch of the movement. Only wizards and witches were allowed in, magical creatures like goblins, mermaids, and even werewolves could not enter and were considered "inferior beings".
They started in the UK recently and suffered from some DPM attacks perpetrated by active members in the UK. Recent complaints indicated that the movement recruited new members actively and voluntarily, but that it organized itself as some kind of cult, not allowing new members to keep in touch with family or friends during the initiation period when they taught recruits using elements and precepts based on the esoteric doctrines, such as the ones on Razor Collins' many books, who was also the founder of the French Esoteric School for the Study of New Magic.
The most prominent case in the United Kingdom was that of a family whose son had recently graduated from Hogwarts and had been recruited by the PNM, taken to an uncertain location and since then had not been in contact with family or friends. He had also suddenly quit his job to start his initiation as a "Junior Proud Mage".
Harry, Ron, and O'Neill went to Knockturn Alley to investigate and look for clues of suspicious PNM activity. O'Neill discovered that there would be an event to recruit new members for the cause. They have prepared a polyjuice potion using the hair of aurors still studying at the British School of Aurors who voluntarily decided to help with the plan. Ron was now a young man with blond hair and green eyes, O'Neill was a small, red-haired boy with several freckles on his face, Harry was a pudgy boy with square glasses.
They soon apparated directly to the scene. The streets were crowded with people running around trying to buy Christmas gifts. They squeezed, trying to get through the noisy crowd, and soon entered Knockturn Allesta.
The difference between the place and the Diagon Alley was stark. There, decadence reigned. The stores were almost empty, the few customers concentrated on a tiny bar-restaurant called Poisoned Apple where the PNM's lecture would be held. Borgin and Burkes were closed at the time, the store that sold poisoned candles as well. The bookstore called ObscurusEsoteric was new on the premises, but it didn't have many customers either, the saleswoman was old, with long hair and green robes, she waved at them when they passed. Harry recognized her, she was the one who had entered Flourish and Blotts to speak to Celin Ikabonf the day Albus disappeared… but she had been interrogated already. Nothing.
"Interested in books? Do you like esotericism? I just ordered the complete work of Razor Collins, if you are interested. I also have all the works of Celin Ikabonf. Esoteric, Alternative History, Divination, Study of Dark Creatures," said the woman, excitedly, placing a sign in front of the store that read:
Razor Collins Manticom! The complete collection!
Esoteric Study Group - every Saturday at 10 am.
Lecture with Celin Ikabonf, next Friday at 7 pm.
Harry looked at her only for a brief moment. Another young man heard the saleswoman's announcement, he called his friends and the two slowly got up from the Poisoned Apple table and went to look at the shop window.
"Razor Collins! Buy his whole collection!"
Ron tugged lightly on his arm, calling out to him. O'Neill chose a table further from the stage.
"Gentlemen, would you like to drink something? It is the launch of the new drink made with a little absinthe, cider, fire whiskey, sake, and Chilean pepper. Would you like to taste the Akahi Picante?" offered a jovial waiter with long hair and a heavy Spanish accent, while another was looking for more tables and chairs. As more and more people came inside.
"No, thanks. Not for now," said O'Neill with a polite smile.
"Something to eat? How about a plate of mushrooms as an appetizer," suggested the boy again. They ended up accepting it.
Harry noticed that a lot of people apparated directly there, but there were also some families with small children. A man was talking to his partner who held a blond toddler in a unicorn pajama and seemed a bit reluctant.
"You will see Steves, this is going to be fun, this is going to give you hope again! I've worked with them for some months, that's why I had to leave for some time to get training, honey," he insisted as she threw him an annoyed look, he continued "They will teach you for free, give you a certificate and help you find a job. They do way more than that shitty government."
"We should never have left Moldavia!" She criticized the man emphatically, avidly drinking her wine. Harry suspected they were undocumented immigrants. Carlin turned around and saw them.
"Oh! It's wonderful to see so many young people here! You should all join the movement." He turned back to see his wife giving him a very angry look when the toddle began crying because of the loud noise.
"For how long have you been a member of the PNM?" Asked Ron, trying to get some information while biting a big mushroom.
"For some months, I lost my previous job because of the new regulations, you know what I'm talking about," revealed him, a little embarrassed.
"What do you all do?"
"We have some training abou-," he started talking but stopped in the middle of the sentence "Well, sorry, I can't talk about it, it's the first rule."
He then started to eat with his very grumpy wife, the toddler kept crying. Harry knew the regulations the man referred to: it was a set of labor laws that sought to regulate "good hiring practices" but that ended up weakening the labor rights of all immigrants and werewolves.
Alternative-looking youth with magically colored hair, some boys and girls who look tired, and who came wearing formal clothes, sullen-looking men and women who looked utterly hopeless.
The curtain opened ceremoniously and Harry could see a tall man with a long beard and elegant robes who stood up theatrically on the podium, the man wearing a mask that covered his entire face.
"Welcome, I am the Senior Proud Magician for this region. It's a great honor to have so many people here today, interested in an ideal that can change the whole wizarding society! As everyone who has read our program knows, we believe in the Government of the Illustrious, in the Empire of the Wise! The Ministry of Magic, with its immense bureaucracy completely ineffective and outdated, lives on past glories and is no longer capable of governing society. The Great Reform of the Proud Wise Men shall bring great benefits for everyone" Harry heard some applause from the crowd "The reform will be relatively peaceful, gradual, and, most importantly, smart! We believe that young people can make the change and start slowly laying the groundwork for the coming of the Great Proud, the Renewed Magician, the leader of the PNM ... but don't ask me, I don't know who he is, "he added mysteriously when he noticed the puzzled looks from the audience.
"In case you are interested in joining the PNM, surprising things await you! We strictly follow a protocol for recruiting new members," the wizard smiled, waving theatrically at a pile of papers that rested in the corner of the podium "for those who still want to know more about our movement, can take this little booklet. Our main beliefs and our ways of achieving our goals are written there, everyone can consult this and then decide to join us, feel free," some young people got up and took the booklets timidly. Harry exchanged a worried look with Ron, but decided to take a look at those booklets:
[...] About the Proud New Magicians: we are a group of thinkers, intellectuals, ideologists, and activists in favor of the Government of the Illustrious. Hierarchy is a structuring factor capable of generating an orderly society. To be a Sage, direct subordinates of the Great Sage (the respectful and divine Leader of our glorious movement), you need to climb the meritocracy's ladder. You will start as a Junior Proud and will be promoted according to your skills and talents through a structured and fair system of rewards that takes into account your contributions to our fight!
You shall accept the rules of organization and the structures of the movement. You'll progress little by little, with the help of the Senior Prouds (responsible for training the new members). Pride of the being Wise is the principle that governs the movement and creates the basis for the Great Reformation that will restructure society in a more just way, respecting the hierarchy and rewarding everyone's commitment to this movement [...]
Confused and ... dangerous, in a way. This Wise society didn't seem very democratic and there didn't seem to be any room for "non-Wise Men" in it ... What about the werewolves, goblins, and mermaids? What would be their role in this society?
Some young people seemed mildly interested, but others had dropped the booklet on the table and were now just enjoying the food. O'Neill was saying something to him.
"It looks like we won't find anything important here, Mr. Potter."
Harry sighed, frustrated. It seemed to be another dead end. He scanned the booklet again, looking for something suspicious, something that could help him finding Albus… Without success.
Current day again (June 2th, 2019):
The pressure for Albus's case to be dropped grew each day. Harry had taken a leave of absence twice and when he returned to work, the urge to continue working on Albus's case worried him and it was difficult to focus on other cases and command the Auror Department with all the stress he was going through.
Earlier this year, the new Minister of Magic, William Magis, appointed a new person responsible for his son's case: Norman O'Neill, an older colleague who was already assisting him in the search with Ron. He'd inform Harry if there were any news in the case.
According to the Minister himself, Harry needs to focus on running the Department and, as the victim's father, he shouldn't be formally investigating his son's case. William Magis, unlike Kinsley's, didn't seem to value the Auror Department as much, he had cut the Auror Department's budget in half claiming he had to cut expenses while increasing the Magic Marketing and Public Relations Department's budget by more than 300% ...
He then tried to investigate cases related to the DPM or PNM, not because he found something particularly relevant linking the groups to Albus' kidnapping, but simply because they were the only possible "real suspects". Everyone in the Auror Department was concerned about the sheer number of cases for which Harry was actively responsible for.
In addition to these two groups, Harry was investigating some wizards who were passing near Diagon Alley on the day of Albus's disappearance. They focused on those who had some kind of problem with the law (theft, extortion, use of light curses, but nothing too serious). Nothing was found. No proof, not even a clue. Albus seemed to have simply disappeared, vanished.
Harry even secretly interrogated an old Muggle. He lived somewhere near a forest and had a history of possessing child pornography, he was now free after some time in prison. That was the most uncomfortable interrogation Harry had ever done in his whole life.
The man said he was a better man now, but Harry felt sick with the idea of this man being somehow guilty, he just couldn't shake the idea of this big, old man hurting his child. He lost his temper and threatened the man, but the Muggle had nothing. The investigation was going nowhere.
At home, Ginny was crying a lot, she had taken a break from her journalist job at the Daily Prophet and was doing her separate search. The two couldn't help but feel responsible because they were with Albus that day buying new supplies for the school. Both were reviewing the case at night because sleeping was almost impossible.
Lily, their daughter, and James, their eldest son, also missed Albus a lot. They were not handling it well. Lily was having nightmares almost every night and James seemed distracted and angry with almost everyone at times, before finally going to Hogwarts. It was difficult for the entire Potter-Weasley family.
James was really sad and shaken that Albus was not going to Hogwarts with him. Harry heard him cry the day before his third year, alone in his room. And when they went to Platform 9 ¾ he was not as talkative as usual. Harry had promised him before getting on the train that he would do anything to find Albus. But James looked skeptical.
That day he also remembers seeing Rose with a watery face as she boarded the train without her cousin, journalists, and reporters with cameras and microphones, just trying to take the best pictures of a family in distress, making sensational and mischievous headlines with information poorly researched, coming from very doubtful sources. Lily started to cry after a reporter asked about the possibility that Albus was already dead. It had been Denis Salinger. Harry almost lost control while Ginny did her best to calm the tearful Lily. Ron and Hermione looked at him and Ginny with concern.
Her biggest wish now was to find her son. If someone had done something really bad for Albus, he would never forgive that person. If he gave up looking, he would never forgive himself. He looked at an article from his "least favorite" newspaper, written by his "least favorite" journalist:
Harry Potter's son, Albus Severus Potter, still missing! Where is he?!
Months have passed and no one knows the answer to the question above, other than, of course, the boy's "kidnappers". Is he still alive? Was it really a kidnapping? Many questions were left unanswered! Some would also ask why is the Auror Department is investigating this case in special while deprioritizing others. We collected some ideas about this (some people chose to remain anonymous).
"The public still doesn't know if it was a kidnapping! The boy could just have run away from his family and moved to another country or something, as far as I know! Maybe it was the pressure of having a famous family…. I didn't find any news saying they found the boy's blood anywhere near Diagon Alley, where they said he disappeared." Horatius Gump, healer, 39.
"I think the Auror Department should focus on the big picture and stop investigating this case. It doesn't look like the work of a dark wizard, so aurors should do their job and hunt down dark sorcerers. I just want them to do their job, that's all." - Steven Owen, unemployed, 47.
"Even if it was a kidnapping, and I don't believe it was, he could be dead by now. This has all been going on for a long time. Why look for a dead boy when we have a real, alive, danger, like those horrible werewolves that we are now forced to accept in our bar!" - Alicia Mont, bartender, 36.
"The Potter-Weasley family is always getting special treatment. If it were my son who disappeared, would anyone but me do something? I don't think so" -Anonymous.
"Sure, it was a kidnapping! Do you think he got lost and didn't come back for months, for a whole year? This is stupid and ridiculous. He was kidnapped and the Auror Department is investigating because we must also take care of society's public safety, and if a child disappears in Diagon Alley, this affects everyone's safety! If it were your child, you would like it to be investigated too-" - Norman O'Neill, Auror responsible for the Albus case, 54. Continues on page 12.
Dennis Salinger, journalist, Times for Truth newspaper.
Harry hated Dennis Salinger for articles like these. He was a journalist for a sensationalist newspaper called Times for Truth. He wrote many articles on the Albus case, such as: "The irresponsible family. How can a child just disappear?" or "The Son's Fame and Rebellion. Is Albus Potter just running away from his family?" or "He was not chosen to find his son. The failure of Harry Potter." or even (the most revolting) "Albus Severus Potter is already dead! The auror who did not accept the truth".
Harry thought Dennis Salinger was almost worse than Rita Skeeter. He was very pompous and loved to cause controversy and confusion wherever he was, he was also very bad.
He couldn't stand the idea that his son was already dead. Was wrong. It shouldn't be like that. Albus should be at Hogwarts now, making friends and taking classes as James was now. Why did this have to happen?
August 1, 2018:
Albus and James had just received their letters. It would be Albus's first year at Hogwarts. The boy was looking at his letter with a small smile on his face, but Harry realized that his son was also worried and anxious to start Hogwarts. James Sirius Potter, his older brother, was doing some pranks around the house and telling his younger brother all sorts of things about Hogwarts, most of them false.
"If you end up in Slytherin, Al, everyone will treat you like you're a dark wizard, you know? That was Lord Voldemort's house, after all. People won't forget that so easily." James had a playful smile in his eyes, but Harry saw Albus get a little tense. James was saying that Al would end up in Slytherin... or Hufflepuff. He was saying now that he would have to defeat a dangerous magical creature if he wanted to be in Gryffindor.
"Gryffindor is only for the brave, little brother. You will have to be brave and defeat some creatures. Manticores, Acromantulas, whatever you want. I cannot say any more, but you really must be prepared. Those who fail, go to Hufflepuff, and those who use black magic or cheat on the test go straight to Slytherin! If you use complex magic, then you're from Ravenclaw, but you don't want to be with all the smart and boring boys, Al, your popularity will be very low and you may not have any friends besides the nerds, of course."
James was not a bad boy, he just teased his younger brother a little too much and maybe he didn't realize that Al was a little sensitive to all of this. Albus acted like it didn't matter at times, but he asked Harry once if he was somehow dark and mean. After that Harry decided to ask James to be a little kinder to his brother because he had seen that Al had tears and his eyes he thought that Harry could somehow, like an Auror, notice whether a person was bad or not.
"James, I will be staying in Gryffindor! Just like everyone else in the family."
"Maybe you're not like everyone else in the family, little brother. It's just as you are. Some people are lions, others are snakes."
Albus did not answer. He just started eating his pancakes face down. Her brother had a playful smile on his face. Harry was going to say that James shouldn't tease his brother so much about this when there was a knock on the door. Ginny was upstairs, helping Lily deal with the fact that she wasn't going to Hogwarts yet, Harry then went to the door and opened it. He immediately regretted it.
It was early in the morning and he was still tired from the Auror Department cases, he had no interest in talking about work matters with the man at his door, he and the man weren't exactly friends. He just wanted to have a quiet morning with his family, in the afternoon he would do his auror job, as usual.
Horton Cirley was the man who was standing at his door.
He was a co-worker, but not exactly auror. Although he had no badge, he officially worked in the Auror Department with bureaucratic work. Neither he nor Ron liked him much. He used to take credit for the work of other colleagues, saying that he was the one who did everything when most of the time he didn't even leave the table and just did the paperwork, never going out in the field and risking his life.
His father had been a very important and competent wizard who occupied one of the first positions in the Wizengamot in both wars, some maliciously accused Horton Cirley of being in his position just because of his father. He denounced many of his colleagues in the Department of Laws and Execution of Magic a few decades ago until he was transferred to the Department of Aurors. Harry didn't know much about all that gossip about him, but he knew he didn't like him.
"Mr. Potter. About the last case you and your friend were investigating, do you have any news? Such a horrible case! I know that you and Weasley have been working hard, but I know that if you give me everything, I will be able to report on this case early. I just think we should always inform the public about the latest news, right? I should write the report and I can give all the press conferences about it. I know you and Weasley don't like talking to the journalist…, but my mother was, indeed, a journalist and I can say that not everyone acts the same. I can guarantee that the truth is still very important for most of them. "
This was Horton Cirley, always eager to be in the spotlight. He wanted to inform the press and the public more about classified cases, but he sometimes distorted the facts in his favor and tried to present himself as a kind of hero. The Prophet had made some headlines:
Horton Cirley - The only hero with the courage to inform the public.
What are they not saying to you? - by Leo Gyon;
Something is not right with the Ghouls! Special interview with Horton Cirley - by Leo Gyon.
Ginny worked there, but he couldn't help but suspect the veracity of some of the information there. These were confidential cases. He and Ron investigated everything, but Cirley had claimed that they were responsible for the discoveries.
He called Horton Cirley but he also knew that nothing was going to happen, he had many contacts inside and outside the Ministry (he was very well known, even though many did not like him, some exchanged favors with him) and part of the public seemed to like him. He was even a childhood friend of the new Minister of Magic, William Magis. He seemed to be the exact definition of clientelism and corporate corruption, even openly supporting one of his journalist friends, Leo Gyon, for a job at the Ministry of Magic's Public Information Services. He was an experienced politician, Harry feared that one day he would even try to be the Minister of Magic. He was a man who had many friends in important positions.
"Look, Mr. Cirley. I know you know we can't do this. I'm sorry, but I have to go shopping with my family soon. They are here and I don't think we should be talking about work-related things so freely. Thanks for visiting, but you already know my answer. " He closed the door gently. He had been more formal than usual in an attempt to sound more affable, wishing that Horton Cirley did not go to all the journalists he knew to speak ill of him or Ron as he did the last time, at least that time he hadn't given their names. He came back to finish his breakfast only to hear Albus yelling at James with tears in his eyes as he went up the stairs.
"I'm not going! I'm not going to Slytherin or Hufflepuff. I'll be in Gryffindor." Harry sighed and looked at James who didn't seem to be sorry, but he also didn't look very happy. Perhaps he realized that he went too far and made Albus cry.
Harry ate his food fast. He too. Horton had interrupted him and if he was in no hurry they would be late to go to Diagon Alley to buy everything.
A few moments later Ginny and Lily went down the stairs. Harry knew he should call Albus. He knew that James didn't like to make Albus cry, but his son loved to provoke and play tricks on people, maybe a little too much. Harry thought he was only influenced by his namesakes.
He knocked on the door and Albus opened the door. He looked at his father for a while, hesitant to start talking, then asked timidly, his eyes still a little red from crying:
"What if I don't go to Gryffindor, dad?" Asked the boy, avoiding his gaze. Harry just sighed.
"Al, look, it doesn't matter to me. It doesn't define who you are," Harry said firmly, Albus didn't seem very convinced, but he wiped away what was left of the tears with his hands and hugged him. He knew how much Albus wanted to go to Gryffindor. Harry understood. James had said so much that Slytherin was for evil people and dark wizards that Albus had started to associate this with the house. It was not true, but Albus was just a child very influenced by his older brother. They stayed like that for a while, until Ginny called them downstairs, saying they were going to be late if they didn't hurry. They quickly entered the fireplace, Albus exchanged a resentful look with James who tried to ignore him. Everyone magically went to Diagon Alley.
It was packed with many wizarding families, as always at this time of year. As always. Everything had been as it had always been before. James ran as fast as he could to see the newest broom on the market: Jupiter 3700. Harry had never lost interest in Quidditch. It was still good to see the newest inventions.
Albus seemed quite interested too, his eyes shining when he heard the salesman describe the broom to the listeners. Lily was holding Ginny's hand and asked if she could get ice cream.
"After we finish buying all of your brothers' materials, dear."
"I don't want to wait, dad. I want ice cream now!"
They decided to get Albus's wand first. James practically begged to go to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, George's trick shop.
"Daddy! Please! There's a boy named Ranirus from Ravenclaw, and we're practically running a prank competition. But guess what, he has the whole collection of explosive surprise candies. All of them! I have to go shopping. Please!"
"James Sirius Potter, what did I tell you about pranks? You and your cousin Fred almost broke Fred and Jorge's record with five detentions in a single week."
"Well, almost. There's a lot of room for improvement," Ron said, suddenly appearing close to them. Soon Harry saw a smiling Hermione, carrying a huge bag full of books, and Rose, who looked very anxious. Ginny now looked at Ron, while James smiled at his uncle and shot his mother a triumphant look.
"Okay, go get those candies. Just don't blow up the whole school, James," sighed Ginny in defeat. Rose approached a quiet Al, she walked confidently, but his eyes betrayed her.
"Al, how many books did you get for extra studies? I mean, I have five of them, because my dad wouldn't let me buy the "Advanced Study Routine for Wizards and Witches", but I still don't know if I'm ready to fight the magical creature, Al!" Rose said anxiously. The adults raised their eyebrows and Harry was sure he heard Ginny mutter "James!"
After Hermione calmly explained to Rose that the first few years didn't have to fight anything, surely not an Acromantula, Rose and Albus seemed much calmer. Rose became much more confident.
Since Rose didn't have her wand, either, they headed to the Olivanders store, now run by her distant brother Garett Olivanders, an old man who also seemed to have the incredible talent of remembering everything related to the wands he sold.
"Welcome, I knew you would all come here one day. It was written in the stars!" Said the man aloud, he was a little deaf so Harry had to speak louder than normal to be heard.
"Wands for the kids, okay. I see," he practically shouted, slowly climbing up an old, shabby rotten wooden staircase. His trembling, wrinkled fingers now held a few boxes from the high shelves.
"Try these out, let's see if anyone will be chosen by the stars today." Harry watched his son eagerly raise a small wand and point at the counter. Nothing happened.
"No. Not this one. Wrong." Garrett gave his son another box while Hermione talked about wands with Rose, who loved to know about a lot of random things. Ron and Ginny were having a casual Quidditch conversation in the far corner of the store. When Rose waved her wand, a small jet of fire came out of her wand.
After many failed attempts, something strange happened. Garret gave Albus a strange wand that looked very old, the scratches formed something similar to overlapping geometric figures, it was quite dusty. Albus held it lightly and shook it uncertainly. When he pointed upward, a black jet was suddenly fired from his wand, destroying a part of the store's roof and heading skyward. Harry watched the black jet rise indefinitely until it was no longer visible in the sky.
Albus looked at them, horrified. He quickly put his wand on the counter.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr. Garret. So sorry. I didn't mean to" Garret looked at him with wide eyes in surprise.
"No. This one is perfect. It's almost like it was made for you all the time. Your wand. This is a sign of the Star. I've been waiting for it all this time! We were all waiting for it!" Albus looked at the man, totally confused.
"Take the wand, it's free. I won't take payment." Albus, confused, took the wand back and held it, looking at his father doubtfully.
"That wand-" Harry started but was interrupted by Rose, who had finally found a suitable wand.
"Al, I can feel it. It's perfect and it's also beautiful, look," said Rose, proudly showing her wand as she gave Al's wand a confused look. Harry couldn't blame her because the wand looked really old and dusty. The geometric patterns also made Harry a little uncomfortable, he didn't know why.
"I don't know. This wand doesn't feel right, Mr. Garret," Albus murmured.
"Don't worry about it now. Trust me. It's your wand," he said, quickly and his eyes sparkled in an almost predatory way, looking directly at the wand as if he were mesmerized by it. After they left, Harry heard him talking to himself in a dark corner of the store. His voice seemed distant and his tone was solemn as if he were reciting a prayer.
I saw the truth and the truth set me free.
Everything converges to the Circle and everything comes from the Circle.
Nothing outside the Circle. Everything within the Circle.
Albus didn't seem satisfied with his wand, he didn't seem to want to touch it, leaving it inside the bag.
"That wand is strange, Rose," Albus heard him murmuring to her cousin.
"Well, I don't want to offend, Al, really…, but it's an ugly wand," she said, matter-of-factly, with a look of disgust, "but hey, maybe, you just have to get used to it…, you can start by cleaning all that dust," criticized Rose.
"Yeah, maybe…, but, that's not it Rose. This wand just feels very wrong, did you see what it did to the shop's ceiling?! It wasn't me," confessed Albus, looking curiously at the wand.
"Oh, Al! Please, it was just an accident. No need to mop around,"
"I'm not moping!"
"You are!"
"No," said Albus quietly, looking at the shop with curiosity.
"Hey, at least you got that wand for free,"
"Yeah…"
Rose was, indeed, very excited about her classes and was describing all the books she bought, which reminded Harry that they still didn't have their son's books.
"They changed almost the entire list of materials this time, Harry… and today they are going to receive Celin Ikabonf at Flourish and Bloots," warned Hermione, not looking really satisfied with that.
"He's one of the authors of our book, isn't he, Mom? Why didn't you let me get an autograph?!" Murmured Rose with disappointment in her voice.
"Believe me, dear, you don't need his autograph. Don't get me wrong, he's very smart and an excellent historian, it's just the way he describes some parts of the story that makes me uneasy. Which teacher recommended his book, Harry?! Do you know? "
"Well, I think it was someone named Abramovic. Nolan Abramovic, maybe," said Harry, unsure. He never liked History of Magic anyway, but he wasn't really concerned with a book on that specific subject. Should he be concerned?
"I think I'm going to love History of Magic! It looks fascinating, Al," said Rose with a big smile.
"Not with Binns, Rosie. Your mother was the only one in the entire class who managed to stay awake, seriously. But don't be surprised, your mother has always been a genius."
"That's not true, Ron. You and Harry only get sleepy because you never wrote anything. And his class is as good as any other. Pay attention to all of your classes, dear. The history of magic can be very important." Said Hermione in a serious tone, but with a smile on her face.
"Listen to your mother, Rose, she knows things. But always be careful not to be bored to death in his class, okay?" Ron whispered the last part to Rose and Albus, but Hermione listened and exclaimed "Ron!" playful.
Harry said he could go with Al to choose his books; it would be faster and he wanted to ask his son if he was okay. He appeared anxious and didn't stop looking at his new wand.
Ginny agreed, saying that she would go with Ron and Hermione to the prank shop to look for James. Hugo, particularly, was starting to love pranks and mischief a little too much. Rose now sighed, annoyed.
"I hate pranks, they're so boring and childish Hugo!"
"You only hate them because when can never prank me, and is always the one getting pranked!" Said Hugo, mildly annoyed.
Now only he and his son walked slowly to the book shop.
"Are you okay, Al?" Harry asked cautiously.
Albus answered something, but he couldn't hear because of the crowd inside the store, when Harry asked him to repeat it, he said it was nothing, concentrated on his thinkings. Albus could be a little too self-absorbed at times.
At Flourish And Blotts, he could see a tall, old man, wearing very elegant black robes, adorned with gold and silver. He was autographing some books for an equally elegant witch who seemed to have bought the entire collection of his works and looked incredibly enthusiastic, speaking loudly and tossing her brown shiny hair with charm.
"Mr. Ikabonf, I am your biggest fan! It is an honor to meet you here. When I heard, I came as soon as possible! I don't normally see such a smart and ... charming man, so it is a blessing that you are here, signing your masterpiece. So inspiring. By the way, I'm Nerissa Ogden, well, now I'm Nerissa Wales, finally free and not married anymore…, if you have time, meet me later, okay?"
The woman gently laid a piece of pink paper on the table, suggestively lowering the strap of the red bra she wore. Celin Ikabonf looked at her coldly, and she just blushed and smiled nervously.
He kept the paper…
The woman soon left, with a big smile on her face, receiving an angry look from a witch that seemed very out of place there.
"Calysto, my old friend! Oh! How nice to see you. How is your work in EsotericsObscurus?" Ikabonf stood up and hugged the witch with affection.
"Who is that man, father?" Albus asked, curious.
"Just an author. Let's go get your books, Al."
A smiling, wide-eyed salesman quickly picked up the books on the list.
Coursebooks
All students must have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (1st series), Miranda Goshawk
Another History of Magic, Celin Ikabonf
Magic theory, Adalbert Waffing
Transfiguration: A Question of Perspective, Melindra Gott
Thousand Herbs and Magic Fungi, Spore Phyllida
Potions - Mixing and Inventing: a non-traditional guide to potions, Lao Yets
Fantastic animals and where to find them, Newt Scamander
Defense Against Darkness: Against All Evil, by Macmolg Isiodor
Undoubtedly, Celin Ikabonf's book was the heaviest and the biggest of all. Harry had heard something bad about that man named Macmolg Isiodor, but he didn't remember now.
He was happy to finally finish it, as some people in the queue were beginning to comment that the famous Harry Potter was there, some younger witches were laughing and whispering while pointing at him. Albus was far away, close to a magical creature session, he spoke to a boy who looked very similar to his former rival Draco Malfoy.
"No way, nobody likes thestrals. Don't you know that they are a terrible omen? They symbolize that… bad luck may be coming to you or your family, or… or both!" Said the blond boy, alarmed.
"I don't know, I mean, they are interesting, even if they are a little sinister, right? To me, they just look like winged horses," replied his son calmly, Harry saw that the book he was holding depicted a black testis.
"But you can't see them, can you? And horses… are they those Muggle animals? I've never seen one," answered the boy, with a certain arrogance.
"No, they are invisible. I think some people can see them, but I don't know why," Albus replied, the boy approached him slightly.
"Grandfather said that only those who saw death can see them," he whispered and Albus looked a little shocked.
"Death, as in murder?" Now the boy was thoughtful, but before he could answer Albus, Harry saw his former rival appear behind a tall bookcase.
"Come on, Scorpius, your mother is waiting for us. Let's buy your things and get home already," said Draco Malfoy tiredly, the man was wearing a heavy black coat. Scorpius looked disappointed.
"But dad, I just made a friend and you said I could buy a book, I didn't finish choosing what I want," whined Scorpius.
Malfoy promptly noticed him, he initially received a brief and cold look, but soon the other man adopted a neutral expression. With an almost imperceptible wave, Malfoy greeted him. The other father sighed, tired.
"Don't take too long, your grandparents are coming today and we better not be late," warned Draco, walking distractedly, beginning to look at a bookshelf across the hall without much interest, seemingly wanting to get away from the people who cast dirty glances at him and who whispered around: "death eater."
No wonder he wanted to leave as soon as possible…
"Do you know my father, sir?" Asked Scorpius, curious "Oh, I think I already know. Gringotts, right? Co-workers? No. Wait. Are you… are you Harry Potter?! I know you. I wasn't paying attention, but now I know!" Said an agitated Scorpius. Harry just smiled, then he turned to Albus.
"Take your time, son," said Harry, sitting in a red bookshop's armchair near them. He didn't like books, but Albus seemed to enjoy them a lot. Even if the boy tried to deny sometimes when James was around calling him "a nerd".
"My dad already told me everything about Hogwarts, of course, I will be in Slytherin, at least that's what I hope," confessed him, but with an anxious smile.
The two boys went to look for new books in other sections near there, Harry could see Scorpius holding up a book that made Harry a little nostalgic. Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry smiled slightly and a chuckle escaped his lips.
Scorpius and Albus talked for a while longer. Scorpius was passionate about Quidditch. Soon they were talking about Hogwarts.
But in the middle of that talk, Malfoy called him, impatient, the boy sadly said goodbye, he gave Albus one last apologetic look.
He and Albus finished shopping quickly and soon left, Albus asked if he could buy a cat.
"A cat? Don't you want an owl?"
"No, James already has one, I can just use his. I want a cat." The store was very close, he didn't think Ginny would find a problem, she had already said that she would like to have a cat before. Albus quickly chose a white, fluffy cat.
"The cat sleeps all day, he eats and naps, and that's all he does, practically," warned the shopkeeper. Albus also bought a small basket to carry the cat. Harry was carrying his books while Al was with his cat and his wand.
They soon arrived at Wizard's Weasley's Wheezes. As soon as he entered, he saw that Ron was talking, a little agitatedly, with none other than Horton Cirley. He now looked arrogant… and a little offended. Unfortunately, he saw Harry.
"Oh, hello! What a wonderful day for shopping, right? I decided to come here too and buy something for my son, he likes this place. A good store," said Cirley, in a falsely excited tone. His smile didn't reach his eyes and behind his speech, and Harry noticed a certain animosity.
"I was talking to Weasley about the Dark Path Movement and the Proud New Magicians..." He pretended to be distracted, looking around as if looking for something, but soon his attention turned to them and whispered so only they could hear "It seems that the DPM is declaring war on the Proud New Magicians. I have my sources, after all…, it may take a while, but I always get what I want," he said casually, his eyes resting briefly on Albus who was listening, confused to the adult's conversation.
"This time, all it took was a short phone call to ones of my best friends, William Magis…, you know, the Minister when I was coming here with my son Barnaby. We already bought most of his materials, but I said that a casual stroll in Alley Diagonal never hurts," he said slowly with a fake enthusiastic, and a falsely innocent tone, his eyes again quickly focused on Albus. Cirley pointed to a tall boy (for an eleven-year-old, of course) and with red hair and a pale face that rummaged in a box of "bouncy balls of a thousand colors". The boy turned his clear eyes to the adults, but ignored them shortly afterward, turning his attention to the other many items in the store.
"I just bought him a golden cauldron and also a golden telescope. I was thinking that I really should, next year, call my old friend Montgomey Quil, you know, from the Quidditch team in Ireland to have him give some important sport tips and, of course, buy a new broom for Barnaby, the Jupiter 4000, "
James was coming over to Harry to show him some of the new inventions from the store, so he heard the last part of the conversation and asked, "Jupiter 4000!?" Horton smiled triumphantly. Now Harry knew he would have to put up with the man's exhibitionist tendencies.
"Oh, you must be young James Potter. I see that you love this store, as well as my son! Well, I know some people from the Department of Magic Games and Sports and I also know a lot of Quidditch players. A friend offered it to me as a gift, but the new broom will be available to the public two years from now! VIP access. But if you are interested, and I can see that you are a very promising young man, I would be happy to get one for you too. I consider Auror Potter a friend, and it would be an honor to help a young person fulfill his dream. I have faith in the potential of my friendship with Potter and Weasley, by sharing important information we help not only ourselves but also the global wizarding community, cooperation is the key to -" Harry interrupted him before Ron could.
"Thanks, Cirley. But we need to go, come on Al, James. Come on Ron, I think I heard Hermione calling you," he said.
Cirley gave him a fleeting angry glance but soon hid it with a humble and fake smile, even if sometimes he could feel Horton Cirley looking at them furtively.
"Dad, did you hear that? He said I could have Jupiter 4000. I want it," said James, his eyes sparkling and a wide smile on his face.
"No, you don't need that. Believe me. You don't want to owe anything to a man like Horton Cirley," Ron said, looking at the man on the second floor.
"But, imagine...," insisted James.
"Ron is right, son. Avoid owing anything to him. And I mean anything. Nothing is free with him. He exchanges favors. A typical politician" advised Harry in a serious tone. James was not happy about this, but he was soon distracted by a box of instant rainbows.
"Dad, he talked about the Dark Path Movement and ... the Proud New Wizards. What exactly is that all about? They were in the papers, they weren't, I think-," started saying Albus while James went to get a cart full of things that were standing in the hall.
"Here, this is all I want for today, dad. Please. Yes, I need everything. And Al, stop being a nerd. Nobody cares about these things! He was talking about the wonderful Jupiter 4000 and you pay attention to that ?! " Albus looked uncomfortable.
"It's Ravenclaw then," teased his brother.
"It's important, isn't it, dad?" Al asked sheepishly.
"Important for nerds."
"James, leave him. And yes, Al, it is important. But maybe this is not the time for this. Or the place," he warned. Cirley shouldn't have discovered the information about an ultra confidential case investigating the possibility of a war between the PNM and the DPM. The Dark Path had, indeed, declared war against the other group, but for now, it was more of a "war of ideas". DPM send a note to the PNM that was later intercepted by Ron who immediately informed Harry. As an auror, subordinated to Minister William Magis, he had to reveal the man that information.
"Harry, he just, informed us that he can call the Minister anytime and get privileged information-," whispered Ron, utterly annoyed.
"He wants to show power." William Magis and Horton Cirley had a strange relationship that oscillated between a somewhat shallow friendship and a blatant exchange of favors. Horton Cirley out crucial to William Magis election. Not because he agreed with his ideas or with his project..., but because he had realized, throughout their coexistence, that Magis was just like him: an "exchange of favors type of man".
Horton Cirley seemed to think in terms of power and success, even if he agreed with some ideas that Harry believed to be commendable, at least, in the private sphere (defending more rights for werewolves, for example). Some rumors said that Cirley had been even more radical in his struggle for the rights of magical creatures in his teens, that was almost the only thing Harry liked about him.
"James Sirius Potter. I already told you, you can't take all of these things. Put some back," Ginny came along with Lily and Hugo, the two of them chatted excitedly about the puffskein they had bought.
"Mine is prettier. She's pink and cute, look dad," Lily proudly showed him what Harry thought was a pink potato covered with hair.
"Daddy tells her that mine is much better" Harry heard Hugo say, then saw Rose walking slowly with Hermione, who seemed to be trying not to laugh. Rose's hair was now a bright shade of purple.
"I hate purple," Rose said casually. Ron was not as good as Hermione in containing laughter. Rose crossed her arms, irritated.
"Rose, what happened?" James asked, bursting out laughing.
"I will never trust Fred again," she murmured, looking at the floor.
After a lot of laughter, George made Rose's hair color back to normal. Fred had a mischievous smile on his face, George didn't even look angry and even exchanged an encouraging wink with his son.
After James emptied the cart a little at Ginny's orders, they paid for everything and finally went to the ice cream parlor.
It was at that moment that they heard a loud noise coming from Knockturn Alley, he heard people shouting hexes and saw people running away and disappearing. Auror Ogden was at the entrance to the street, covering O'Neill who was trying to defend himself from a wizard who was casting random spells on everyone.
"Death to the New Magicians. They are nothing but slaves. Glory to Magnus Elliston, the symbol of freedom!" A tall woman wearing a short black and white dress was attacking the chubby NMO announcer with spells, she had an angry expression on her face, her auburn hair flying with the wind breezes.
"Whoever does not value freedom does not deserve to build a Path! How dare you insult Mr. Elliston, trying to recruit wizards from our ranks in our areas and for this slave movement." She was very agile, dueled as if she were dancing, jumped skillfully, dodging spells, then came back and ran into battle, stepping the muddy ground with her black boots. More members of the Dark Path were arriving with angry faces and raised wands.
"Down with the movement of the New Magicians, apologists for slavery. Down with the Ministry of Magic, down with tyranny! Path to freedom! A Dark Path To Freedom!" Shouted a tall man with blond hair who wore old, shabby robes. Those who attended the lecture ran desperately and disappeared shortly thereafter.
"We are not a slave movement! We will build a better society based on the rules of the chosen sages, men enlightened by wisdom and reason, the Empire of Wisdom, and-" a man in a gray suit started to speak, but the redhead soon cast a spell in your direction.
"CULT! This movement is a cult! Idolatrous worship," shouted fiercely the tallest man there, perhaps taller than Hagrid himself, raising his big hands and casting spells "Freedom and Equality in the Dark Path. This prejudiced movement is a shame! " Already disarmed, the man furiously climbed the stairs to the platform where the speaker shrank in fear, casting defensive spells.
"S-Of course, magical creatures, half-giants, werewolves and some cannot enter! This is a movement for humans! Not for freaks," shouted a man just before he disappeared. The huge man punched the speaker in the face, sending him into the air.
"Stop in the name of the Ministry of Magic! My name is Norman O'Neill, veteran auror. Everyone lower your wands!" Said O'Neill, he and his partner were together now managing the situation. Harry thought about going there to help, but Ginny advised him not to.
"This is dangerous, Harry. Let them take care of it, for now, you and Ron should only help if the situation gets worse, we need to take care of the children now," said his wife, holding her hand tightly. All the adults had already chosen their respective wands and were ready.
"James Sirius Potter, come back here, right now! Stay close, understand?" Shouted Ginny, pulling James closer. He was trying to get a better look at the situation.
A large crowd came towards him, some members of the MCT appeared and chased away some close people who ran in fright.
Harry pulled out his wand, he shouted at Ron, who struggled to get to him in the crowd.
"Ron, come on, we need to support you. Ginny?" He saw his wife's hand raised in the distance.
"Hermione, we should go help. Harry, can you send a Patronus to call for some backup?" Asked the companion.
"Harry, Ron. Stay here, we need to get away from the crowd and then see what we should do! I can barely see Rose. Rose?!" Shouted Hermione, they heard a little "Here!" coming from somewhere.
Harry and Ron heard a horrible scream, he saw a short, fat witch trying to escape, holding the hand of a little girl crying.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Protego!"
Spells were being cast at each other. Many had already disappeared, but others remained in the same place, Ron crossed the crowd with great difficulty.
"Come on, Perkins, we have what we want. Come on!" Shouted the red-haired witch on the podium. A little magician wearing a hoodie ran towards him and started casting a spell.
"This is the Movement of the Dark Path! This is what we are capable of in the name of freedom! All for freedom. The cult of the Proud New Wizards tries to challenge us, but we are the only way that leads to true freedom. We purposefully avoid causing a lot of damage to the population being enslaved by the Ministry of Magic! Don't be passive victims, be the creators of your own Path. Get up and go to freedom! Help to abolish the incompetent and prejudiced Ministry of Magic, unable to modernize, relying on unnecessary bureaucracy and glories from the past. Join the Path of Darkness and be the creators of your own history, "she said passionately. She raised her wand to the sky and a figure formed in the clouds.
"What they try to hide, we will show. Dare to be free," she raised her hands to the sky, pointing to the image of an innocent white bird, moving boldly in a sea of dark clouds that seemed to be capable. to devour everything at any time. In the end, the bird appeared triumphant in the skies, its white wings spread, proud and serene.
So they disapparated.
"Lily, Albus?! James? James?!" Screamed Ginny, trying to find the kids.
"Mommy!" They heard someone say, it appeared to be Lily.
Ginny ran, trying to avoid the crowd, picking the girl up and putting her arms around her protectively.
"Did you see James? And where is Albus?"
"I don't know," she murmured, a bit teary with a shacking voice.
"James?! Albus?!" Screamed Ginny again.
The remaining people were running aimless, some parents hurriedly picking up their children and leaving. Lost children cried, scared and some adult wizards were hurt. A woman had a nasty wound on her feet because she had ran and fell.
Harry, nervous, searched for James and was able to see him near a long, dark staircase that ended on a fetid and dirty bifurcated alley that, through a series of narrow tunnels, fused with the Knockturn Alley.
This was supposed to be a new Leaky Calderon's part that was supposed to house a gigantic shop of crêpes and stuffed animals, with food stands. But the CityMagiConstructions' entrepreneurs group temporarily abandoned the project due to... problems… with the nocturnal population who made sold illegal items and offered sex workers for that kind of service. This kind of people arrived a few years ago, with the increase in poverty and because of socio-economics' crisis intensification in the wizarding society. Some called the infamous alley "Fun Place."
"James? Let's go, son. Where's Albus?" Asked Harry, glancing at the dark alley on more time.
In the end, the Potter-Weasleys were unable to find Albus. They searched for several hours, but there was no sign of Albus.