Up seemed down and down seemed up. He spun around, trying to peer through the darkness. A huge form started advancing towards him from the distance. Only when it spread its tentacles, he understood what it was. The huge squid came to hunt him. He opened its mouth to yell, but only water poured in. He turned, trying to swim away, but the water around him were too heavy. He waved his arms wildly, quickly losing his strength. His brain shrieked from lack of oxygen, and, despite knowing it's a mistake, he took a deep breath. Now, it seemed that his whole body was in pain, simultaneously burning up and freezing down from the inside and outside. As the tentacles finely caught him, starting to tighten up around his body, squeezing what left of his life from him, he could see air bubbles floating up. All this time he swam towards the bottom. "It's okay, Al", His dad's voice came up, "it was all your choice…".
Albus woke up from his nightmare, he was all sweaty, his bed sheets tightened around his body. With his eyes still closed, he took a deep breath and calmed down. He slowly began recollecting what have happened the previous day, and, despite the warmth around him, a cold ran in his body. 'Perhaps it was all a bad dream', he mumbled to himself, 'I'm still at home, waiting for the train'. "Al?", Scorpius voice came up again, "are you up already?". Albus carefully opened his eyes, the greenish color of the lake reflected on his silvery curtains. As he looked, a form of a big fish (or perhaps a merman?) threw a large shadow on it. His heart dropped, the truth downed on him, he was indeed sorted into Slytherin.
"Albus?", Scorpius muffled voice came through the drapes, "if we do not hurry up, we will be late for our first class and miss breakfast". "I'm up", Albus tone was higher than usual, "what time is it?" he asked, trying to sound normal. "Almost 8 o'clock, the rest already went", Scorpius answered, "I waited for you, but you didn't wake up". Albus dragged himself out of bed, he found it hard to dress up quickly, it felt like his strength was left back in his bed. He wondered what impression he would have left if he slept his way through his first day of school. Although, he thought to himself, finely managing to put the school robes loosely on himself, it wouldn't be a bad strategy to apply in order to avoid all the unwanted attention he was sure to get.
He climbed the stairs with Scorpius, who was meticulously dressed in what seemed like secondhand clothes. They quickly crossed the common room, going out before the sixth years who sat there managed to register them. They lost their way outside and lost precious time before getting saved by the fat frier, the resident ghost of Hufflepuff House, who helped them find their way and made sure to accompany them all the way to the dining hall.
Luckily, the Slytherin table was half empty, so they didn't have a problem finding a vacant spot to sit together. Some whispers started again, but this time Albus didn't noticed them, he was more uncomfortable with a feeling that rose in him, a feeling that he forgot something. "Here is the first-year schedule", Scorpius scanned a paper on the table, struggling to evade all the stares towards their way, "double History of Magic in the morning, Herbology and Charms afternoon and Astronomy in the evening, we should probably go out soon, we don't want to be late for our first lesson".
Albus growled with full mouth to show he heard that. He just saw Rose getting up from the Gryffindor table, she tried to pretend she didn't see him and went out without looking at his direction. He finished the meal in sour mood and then followed Scorpius to their first lesson. This time they didn't got lost on their way to the second floor and Albus was pleased to find out that that lesson was assigned with the Hufflepuffs, from which he knew no one, so the task of sitting in the back of the class with Scorpius and ignore all the others became easier.
History of magic, as it turned up, was as dull as its sounded, the teacher, Hailea Natt, a small nervous woman with thin hair and a bit of hunched back, probably from all the books she constantly carried, was painfully boring. She barely managed to control the class and needed at least 15 minutes just to finish reading all the names in her monotone voice, only raising her head once when calling Albus name.
He tried the best of his ability to keep track, but soon found himself dozing off, staring outside the window to the gray sky, his quill held loosely in his hands, making a stain on his paper. He wasn't the only one, some tried to faint attention, gazing at the teacher with cloudy eyes without getting anything, some spoke and joked quietly, even tasering each other with the famed 'Waes Bees', a small bee shaped toy taser, under the table. But Violet took them all, she apparently didn't catch a lot of rest the night before, and constantly fell asleep. She needed to be wakened up on three different occasions, each time losing 5 points for Slytherin.
Professor Natt seemed oblivious to most of it, not noticing that the only student who truly followed her was Scorpius, who apparently was immune to her tediousness. After a grueling hour and a half, in which she only gave a background of how the school year should be constructed, they finally got out, complaining about the dreary beginning of their school year. Violet, who still seemed somewhat sleepy from the class, joined Albus and Scorpius as they went out.
"Hey", she gasped, "did I miss something important?". Scorpius immediately began recollecting what was told in the class, but Albus had a suspicion that the conversation had a different point. And sure enough, as Scorpius stopped his rambling to gulp some air she interjected again, "no point in all of that ", she smiled "I will just forget all of this in five minutes", she left him a bit embarrassed.
"I actually wanted to ask about the houses", she continued in hushed voice as they passed by a couple of fourth year Gryffindor's who stared at them. "What about them?", Albus asked, already knowing what she is going to acquire about. "Well, is it permanent?", she blurted quickly, "Can you change it? How does this stupid hat even make his decisions anyway?". Yet again, it was Scorpius who answered, "Yes, no, and according to the soul' wishes imbedded in the hat by the funders. Hufflepuff preferred hard working students, Ravenclaw smart ones, Gryffindor wanted the brave and Slytherin championed ambition".
He started expending on the subject but was stopped again, this time Violet didn't fake any cordial. "What do you mean I can't change it?", she stopped them on the stairs, all stressed, "don't I have any say in this matter? it's not like it's a decision for a week or two". Scorpius opened his mouth, but this time Albus spoke, "We don't have any choice, we just have to suffer". She looked at him, her heavy eyes from her sleepless night sealed from any emotion, and without saying anything else harried down.
"Speak for yourself", Albus turned his head, Tucker was behind him, Jacob and Oliver on both his sides, they bypassed them as well, not before exchanging indignant glares with each other. "What's their problem?", Albus asked angrily, staring at their scalps from above, "they shouldn't interfere in other people discussions". "You know,", Scorpius played with his bag, rearranging the papers inside, "there are some who wanted to be in this house". "But not you, right?", Albus asked him, but his companion was spared by Victorie, who appeared from the main hall, "Al", she called, and walked towards them.
She didn't really have to do so to garner attention, with her tall and statuesque figure, dark blue eyes illuminating from her heart shaped Face, and her long golden-red hair that seemed to be flown behind her, all the air around her appeared to be sucked away. A group of fifth years' Ravenclaw boys who entered the school throughout the main school door, probably from a Care of Magical Creatures class, thought so, with one of them staring so much that he bumped into the ten-meter-high main entrance door, drawing loud loughs from his friends.
Victorie ignored all of them, she was used to it by this point. She stopped before Albus, her 'head girl' badge shining on her chest. "You mind if we had a little chat", she asked him. "Sure", Albus reluctantly said, she indicated outside, to the gloomy lake, and they started advancing there. "Alone, if we may", she said to Scorpius, who seemed to turn as well, he mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath and turned to the dining hall, which Albus was pretty sure was empty at this time. They stepped outside to the chilly day and said nothing until they reached the shores. The water weren't as wild as the night before, but there was still some of restlessness in them, spraying Albus face with their ice-cold drops.
"I glad I caught you, I finished Herbology early today. How are you feeling?", she asked, looking at him from above. He didn't like it, it made him feel like a little kid, "did you asked Rosy that?", he retorted, fixing his eyes on the waves. Victorie took a long breath through her well-shaped nose, "I will afterwards, I just managed to catch you first", "You're lying", said Albus immediately. "I'm not lying, you little brat", she snapped, and then stopped herself and took another deep breath, "I'm trying to help you here.", she as well turned her head to the grey water, "There is no point in pretending that everything is fine, I'm here to talk".
Albus had countless edgy responses, but in the end, he ousted, in the calmest manner he could, "what is wrong with me, exactly?". Victoire took couple of seconds, still staring forward, "we all have problem adjusting in new places", she finely said, "I'm happy to hear you are doing well, although I will advise you to take help whenever you can." She turned and put her hand on Albus shoulder, "remember, Al. I will always be here if you need me", and after that she began her way back to the castle, leaving Albus alone on the lake shores.
Albus stayed there for a while, staring into the empty water, regretting his outburst. He shouldn't start peaking fights with people who want to help him, even if they treated him like a little kid, it was bad enough to be separated into a different house. The cold winds began biting his skin, and he decided to get back into the castle as well. Now, in the day light, the building outlines were even more pronounced, its outliers' dark grey stones full of cavities and cracks and the metal armored statues scattered across filled with battle scars. The structure also starched so wide that his end was invisible in the hazy day, and so tall, that Albus had to crank his head up to see its upper towers.
It gave him chill, yet admiration at the same time. The battle of Hogwarts perhaps was fierce, but it must considerably helped to have this giant monstrosity on your side. He entered the massive oak doors, the winds passing through them seeming to whistle in agreement with him. He checked his watch, lunch should start soon, and he didn't want to get lost again in the underground mazes. He opted instead to spend his time until the meal checking the tapestry in the now vacant main hall. He saw his late uncle Fred picture, of which had a copy in the Diagon Alley joke shop, not surprisingly empty again.
The rest of the many ornaments were similar in nature, mainly in memory of those who fell under the attack of the dark lord on the school almost 20 years ago. Albus stomach turned after losing count of all the teenagers and kids who died in this assault. A lot of youngsters in their seventh or sixth year, even one 13-year-old, not much older than his brother. He moved from a plaque with writing on it, dedicated to one Colin Creevey, to a nice small photo showing a couple holding hands, the man had a grey hair and despite looking tired had a wide and warm smile and the woman laughed, her hair changing color every couple of seconds. With another pinch in his heart, he recognized Teddy's parents, all that was left of them is another memory, dying before their son even learned how to crawl.
The statue next to them, however, was much different from the homey photo, or even the rest of memorials for that matter. It was a big golden sculpture of a young and tall handsome man Albus didn't recognize. On the button was a bald dedication: "recognitions for the generous contribution of Altum Mites & Amissum Fort". Beneath it in smaller writing was added, "Despite the pond between us they came to our aid in a time of need. It's easy to break but hard to make (Robert Averill Blishweak)". Someone added wacky colorful glasses to the face, and Albus couldn't stop himself from snickering from the ridiculousness of the serious look combined with the stupid spectacles.
Sounds of laughter came from behind, and when Albus turned, he saw his brother and two of his friends coming downstairs, joking loudly. As they noticed him, the two friends immediately started whispering to each other over James' head, while he uncommonly kept quiet. They kept that until they reached the dining hall, James spun around for a second, and seemed to want to say something, but the words got stuck in his mouth and he just settled down for a quick nod. "First Rosy and now James", Albus thought to himself, and followed them inside, wandering if this day can get any worse.
He finished his meal alone and got out quickly, ignoring the first students who just now begun arriving for lunch. He went outside and slowly made his way towards the greenhouses behind the school, the feeling that he forgetting something rising in him again. He passed the first six massive glasshouses and entered the seventh one, which had a bald dirty "1" above its gates. The place was warm and humid, with numerous plants and shrubs, and in the middle of the space, was a huge wooden table with chairs around him, at its head already sat Longbottom, nibbling on an apple, and reading 'The Quibbler'.
He raised his head and then peeked at his watch, "you are quite early", he stated. Albus glanced around the empty area, regretting that he didn't spent some more time near the lake, "I finished my meal early", he finely said. "I get it, I also skipped a lot of meals in my first weeks here", Longbottom said, returning his gaze to the tabloid, "you will get used to it, eventually". Albus wanted to declare aloud that he is nothing like him, but held himself back, Victoire words floating in his head. Longbottom pulled a chair next to him, swept some dead leaves off it and signaled Albus to come and sit next to him.
As he sat down, Albus prepared himself to be asked to open about his feelings again, however, for a long time he just sat there in silence, watching the Professor trying to solve a riddle from the paper. Finely he put it down, red lines on his forehead from all the pondering he did. "It may sound ridiculous", Longbottom moved some blonde hair from his eyes, "but there is very good gardening advice in there sometimes, only if you manage to understand the riddle first, of course".
Albus looked at the wrinkled papers, between two ads, one for the wacky glasses he saw on the statue and other for a new version of the 'Weas Bees' (will make the victim shrink like a pig- Weasley guaranty), was the weekly magical quiz. Below the title 'solve the riddle and be the winner' was a badly drawn sunflowers dancing in an oval shape on the red ground, with the sun in the distance, shining and sending its yellow rays into every direction. 5 vacant squares were under them, suggesting the desired word. "I asked Professor Sinistra and Professor Flitwick, they suggested orbit and light". Longbottom exhaled wearily, "I would have sent an owl to Luna, but she is weirdly serious when it comes to her puzzles".
He took his wand out and directed it to the picture, "earth, plant, dance…", he started to mumble. Albus looked at the plants, the amateur drawing skills probably distracted everyone from the state of the flowers themselves, who were withered and shriveled. It reminded him of the dancing flowers of Lily, the thought of how she made sure to water them every day crossed his mind. "Water", Albus said loudly, "it's not about what in the picture, it's about what lacking in it", he said when the Professor stopped and raised his head.
Longbottom squinted at the picture and then said the word, as soon as he did, blue waves washed over the picture, the ground became grey, and the yellow sun turned into a silvery moon. Albus watched as the now fully irrigated plants made their way to a small animal with webbed legs, long neck and extraordinary big blue eyes. A writing on new usage for Mooncalf dung appears behind him in curled letters. "So simple", said the Professor with awe, "you clever boy, you just outsmarted 3 Professors".
Albus enjoyed the compliment and watched as students began arriving. Scorpius scrolled in with Violet on his side, and they both joined Albus. Professor Longbottom stood and straightened up, the magazine gone from his hands and a new facade of distance on his face. When all the students finally came in, the class began, and thankfully they didn't spend too much time on introductions this time. "…And that's it.", the Professor finished his opening, "arriving on time, bringing the books and doing all the homework. Now…", he moved next to some of the containers, "who could tell me how it is named and its usages?", he pointed towards a small unassuming herb-like plant.
Both the Slytherins and the Ravenclaws exchanged looks, apparently no one anticipated to be asked those things on the first class. However, next to Albus, Scorpius shyly raised his hand, "Dittany, Sir. It has a very impressive restorative abilities and therefor used to heal a variety of injuries and poisoning damage". "Malfoy, right?", asked Longbottom, and after Scorpius nervously nodded, he pondered for a second and eventually said, "Very well, 10 points for Slytherin". He moved to the next plant, with long beefy leaves and 2 milk white upside-down flowers at is head.
Scorpius was the only one to know the answer again, "Moly, Sir. very useful in balancing side effects in potion making and therefor very common in them", he said. "May I ask how you are familiar with it?", inquired Longbottom. "My dad is a potion maker, and I used to assist him a lot". "Interesting", the Professor scratched his chin, "Another 10 points for Slytherin", he finally declared. Violet patted Scorpius shoulder, he just managed to catch up with all the point she lost and then some in less than a minute. It seemed that there wasn't any plant or use that Scorpius wasn't acquainted with, and he quickly gained confidence as it became clear that he was years ahead of everybody else, making Albus a bit jealous at the same time.
After that they were promptly split into groups, Longbottom tried to create clusters of four- with two from each house in them but gave up after seeing that the Ravenclaws almost doubled the number of the Slytherins. Still, Albus and Scorpius were arranged with two other boys from the second house- Joshua Alves, the thin and dark-skinned kid, and Oscar Dawlish, with icy blue eyes and hair so colorless it almost seemed gray. The students from the different houses preferred not to interact with each other too much, and the professor remark on how they will have to cooperate to succeed in the more dangerous plants seemed to fall on deaf ears.
While not becoming friends, the group that Albus was in certainly had more collaboration and teamwork than the rest, mainly with the helpful knowledge of Scorpius. The group next to them, however, with Royal and Mia, was needed to be split up after the snobby girl made some offensive remark that caused one of the girls they worked with from Ravenclaw to burst into tears. They didn't manage to accomplish too much but were still given homework for the next class, although Albus knew he wouldn't have any problem with Scorpius assistance.
The bell rang in the distance, declaring the end of the class, and all the students promptly headed out, removing their gloves, and shaking their dirt filled shoes. Albus himself, however, was delayed by the Professor, who apparently wanted to exchange some more words with him in private. "Al", he said after the last student went out, "I don't have a lot of time before my next class. I just want to tell you that even though I'm not your head house I'll always be here if you need me, I'm your guardian after all". A different thought crossed Albus head however, "Sir, did you sent Victoire to speak with me?", he asked. Longbottom looked at him for a moment, "Yes", he finely said, apparently not seeing any reason to hide that fact.
So, he as well believed Albus could not handle the situation alone, "I'll be sure to keep it in my mind", he said through clenched teeth and hurried out before the Professor could stop him again. Outside he was met with Scorpius, who patiently waited for him next to the gates. Albus appreciated the fact that he had a companion in this foreign place, but in his heart, he began to lose some patience from all the clinginess, "You know, you don't have to escort me all the time", he said. "Well, none of us need to do anything but eat and sleep in order to survive, but we still do it", Scorpius weird answer came. "Say", he ignored Albus' puzzled expression, "Do you have any idea who our head house is?".
"No, why?", Albus forehead contorted, his previous resentment fading away. He had never heard anyone in his family remark on who stood at the Slytherin head. "Viola asked me and I didn't know", continued Scorpius, as if reading Albus' mind, "she heard that Flitwick was the one to welcome his house-student after the sorting and wandered way the same wasn't done for us"."Perhaps they just don't care", Albus shrugged, "you could ask one of the prefects, I'm sure Rowan will know".
"I don't like him", Scorpius declared, "he is too nice". "Too nice?", Albus scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "My dad told me that people who are overly nice always have something to hide", his friend said. "Or they are just nice", answered Albus as they passed the school gates. Scorpius made an unintelligible voice, showing disagreement. Royal, Ella and Poppy passed them, and as they did, the first fell silent and the other two began whispering between themselves, reminding Albus of what have transpired earlier with James.
They lost track with all the dead-end corridors, moving stairways, doors who pretended they were walls and walls that pretended to be doors. They almost ran into Peeves the poltergeist on their way, but luckily the small colorful creature was busy chasing Harry Dehoff, his wickedly slanted orange eyes shining in glee as he aimed dead spiders at the frightened kid. Even though they left early they were still almost late for the class, the rest of the students already sitting in their chairs as they entered. They had to sit next to Tom and Hunter, with the former not even pretending to hide the finger he pointed towards Albus or reduce his voice as he gossiped about him. Albus clenched his teeth again, Tom egglike face got him mad, he wanted to just cast a spell right at it.
He froze, feeling how the blood is running away from his face. He just understood what he forgot since the morning- his wand! As the lesson began, Albus tried to check his pockets again without drawing any attention to himself, but knew it was lost from the start, the wand was certainly left in his second robe. He barely listened to Professor Flitwick as he began his introduction and got panicked when the tiny man asked everyone to pull out their wands. "Remember, it just the basics of levitation spells", called the Professor, stepping down from his stand, "it shouldn't be too hard or dangerous", he said and immediately ducked when Violet bag flew towards his head.
Everybody seemed to have fun, enjoying the first time they had to use their wands too much to notice Albus. Unfortunately, the small Professor passed between the students and quickly appeared in the place were Albus was seated in. "Almost there Malfoy, just a bit more movement in the wrist", he reached Albus, "why aren't you practicing?", he asked him bemused. "I forgot my wand sir", Albus admitted as quietly as he could. "You forgot your wand?", Tom laughed, his voice booming, making the whole class stop and turned their head towards Albus. He felt as the blood came rushing back to his head, making his face burn in embarrassment under all the silent stares.
But it was Rose's little smarmy nod from the front of the class that pushed him over the edge. "I'll bring it", he jumped and stormed out of the class before the Professor had a chance of stopping him. He was embarrassed and furious at the same time, and his emotions distracted him in his way to the common room. He hardly noticed where he went, turning to the wrong sides of the castle, entering dead end corridors, and getting stuck in vanishing steps (twice in a row, in the same place). And when he finely got underground, his mind still far away from him, he got lost in the dark mazes.
Albus thought again about Rose' ingratiating expression when the sounds began. They came to him like a splash of cold water, waking him up to his surrounding and reminding him that he had no idea where he was. He looked around, on the wall was a round metal shield with a drawing of snake with five heads on it, and, at the moment, it reflected a soft green light. Albus followed the source of it, finding small square hatch in the wall across. Incomprehensible sounds, frightening and fascinating at the same time, came from it, softly echoing between the damp narrow walls in waves.
He only had a brief opportunity to glimpse into the narrow, rough-hewn passage leading down, a greenish light reflected on its wet black stone, before sounds of steps came from behind him. He came into his senses and quickly got into a side corridor, earning some distance, instinctively knowing that if he will be caught in this place he will be in trouble. Now, the competing thoughts of what it was and where he is raced in him as he got even more lost inside of the endless labyrinth.
He went from one corridor to another and was just about to enter panic mode when he collided full power with someone and fell backward. "Dammit, Al", James felt his forehead, where a small bump began growing, "What the hell are you doing down here?". "If anything, what are you doing down here?", another voice came, and Rowan materialized from the shadows, "Don't you have a class to be in?". James swiftly hid the paper he had in his hands, but not fast enough to hid it from the prefect or Albus, who for a second, saw small lines vanishing from the old piece.
Rowan raised an eyebrow, but Albus brother put on an unconvincing innocent look, "Just got lost", he said, "I'll be out of here in a jiffy", he turned and briefly walked away. Albus looked up at the prefect, he looked even more tired than the night before, the begs under his eyes pronounced in the dim light, "Why are you here?", he asked. Rowan faced him surprised, "now I'm under investigation?", he chuckled tiredly, "I'm here for the same reason you are here, to get into our common room, right?", he advanced the closest wall and loudly called "Legion". "Say", he began as the opening materialized from the wall, "do you have any idea why your brother is snooping here?".
Albus shook his head and followed in after Rowan, "By the way, aren't you supposed to be in a class as well?", he asked. Albus looked around, Hayden Flint, who sat next to the fire with one of her friends, sent them both dirty looks as they entered. "I forgot something here", Albus finely said and did not expand. "Predictable", scoffed the man with the oily hair in the picture near them. Rowan ignored him, "well, I had a problem of sleep deprivation", he began, "on my first day here I was so tired I literally forgot to wear pants to breakfast. So, is it worse than that?", he asked. "No, not even close", Albus laughed. "Shame, it could have been an epic story, Peeves still call me 'tidy mighty' to this day", Rowan smiled, "is there anything else I should know about?".
For a second, the green and blue eyes intercepted, but in a moment notice Albus decided not to talk about the passageway, judging it was just another weird location in this strange place. He shook his head, and the prefect didn't ask anymore, instead turning towards the fireplace, where Hayden crossed her hands with anger and her friend waved him with a smile. Albus quickly retrieved his wand, and this time when he got out, he watched his step, making sure his on the right track, thinking this day could not possibly became any worse. And he would have likely managed to reach the class before its end if not for Peeves, who tackled him on the first floor, and started chasing him around, singing loudly "Albus, the renegade doofus", while throwing chalk at his head.
Suddenly, Albus was pulled behind a tapestry into a hidden chamber. He heard as the poltergeist continued his search after him behind the drape, advancing away. Albus turned in the small place and came face to face with Freddy. His tan-skinned cousin was barely visible in the shadow, only his mischievous smile Shining in the darkness. "Good thing I got you", he whispered, "you better wait here with me for a while, just to make sure Peeves is really gone". Albus couldn't answer, he was completely out of breath, his legs hurt and sweat dripped into his eyes.
As he caught his breath, his gaze went down, and he noticed the bag at Freddy's feet, full to the brim with contrabands, "by Merlin beard", he puffed. "I actually tried to catch you since yesterday", Freddy stated, "no, not about how you doing,", he rolled his eyes when Albus tried to open his mouth, "if I wanted to hear about those things I would have gotten a girlfriend". "Listen", Freddy struggled to put his hand around Albus' shoulders in the cramped space, "I was just happy for finely having an insider", he smiled.
"An insider?", Albus didn't understood, holding his painful side. "Yes, dummy", his cousin impatiently said, "To the Slytherin trade. Just imagine, house full of troublemakers, just craving for some help in their numerous shenanigans", his eyes shined with promise. Albus was surprised, "Aren't you on the Gryffindor side?", he asked. "Troublemaking has no side", Freddy answered in complete seriousness, "tell you what, I'll let you think about it. And, in the meantime here are some of the profits you can make. I know you like this one…", he pulled a blue round glass flask with 'Weather in a Bottle' written on it and handed it to him.
"Good luck. Be careful from Fletcher and his dog, they may be hideous, but they are excellent in being noisy", he added before Albus could answer and got outside, making sure the coast is clear beforehand. Albus looked at the bottle in his hands in confusion, he wondered whether every day will be this unpredictable. He listened carefully to make sure there is no one outside and then went out as well, just as the bell rang. The whole ordeal made him feel somewhat better, at least Freddy, unlike the others, saw nothing wrong with him.
That encouragement, however, didn't last long. Albus skipped dinner and was at the same time thankful that Scorpius remembered to bring his bags from the class and annoyed from the number of times he repeated how forgetting one's wand is a thing that can happen to everyone. The others, however, weren't so nice about it, "Hey, Aly. You didn't forget anything that is crucial to are kind, right?", Royal condescendingly asked as they made their way to the astronomy tower at the same night. "I can't stand her", Albus breathed heavily under his nose, going up to the highest place in Hogwarts wasn't an easy task after a full day of running around.
"At least she is mean to your face", Amare bypassed him and Scorpius, "You should hear the things tucker is saying about you behind your back". "Things like what?", Albus panted, "how stupid you are, how you are friend with traitors… mainly that kind of things", the small yellowish girl said and easily made the rest of the way to the top. "How dare he call my family traitors", Albus fumed, the cold air night atop the tower hitting his face as they reached the class. But Scorpius said nothing, and just stared blankly at Professor Sinistra, for the first time seeming to not pay any attention for one of the teachers.
Albus pondered to himself who does he loathe more, Royal or Tucker, as he touched the small magical container in his pocket, it would be a perfect place to use against those arrogant kids. "Mr. Malfoy, can you repeat what I just said", Professor Sinistra startled Scorpius, "pay more attention, please", she reprimanded him. From there on, Albus forced himself to pay attention to the class, he wouldn't let anyone to embarrass him again.
They were given sky maps and learned about the basic stars' formations. Albus tried to follow along, but in his eyes all the star systems looked like a mangled mass, although Scorpius, who froze in the night cold next to him, appeared even more lost than he was for a change. The class seemed to drag forever, and Albus was jealous at the Ravenclaws when in its end they headed to their nearby common room at relatively close tall tower. The Slytherins, however, had to make all the way down in the partial darkness. Even getting stopped by Erle Fletcher, the caretaker on their way and having to explain what they are doing outside in this late hour.
"I like dogs", Violet said to Albus and Scorpius after he let them go, "but I have to admit it was the nastiest creature I have ever seen". Albus peaked back at the Irish Wolfhound, who growled at him through his crooked teeth, the little sparse grayish fur he had arched in dislike. His owner looking eerily similar to him, with drab suit and hair, his one non lazy eye following the students with discontent. The rest of the way was free of any disturbers, and when Albus reached his bad he was so tired he almost immediately fell asleep.
That night he had nightmares again, the picture of the unclear dark tree rising in dreams, this time with a green aura in the background. However, in the morning, they turned into foggy memories in his mind. He again made his way with Scorpius, but this time he was determined to begin his day on the right leg. He double checked he had his wand on him and got out before the others even woke up, they even managed to get to the dining room almost without getting lost.
The first class they had that day was double Defense Against the Dark Arts on the first floor with Aynslie Hyslop, who, with her harsh face features and hoarse voice, made clear she would not suffer any disturbance. The Professor, that Albus was familiar with as the former head of Auror Office before his father, walked around between their tables as they started practicing the basic shield charm, the spiky grey hair on her head looking as if a bombed had blowen under her face.
Now, when he finely had his wand in his hands, he didn't feel any connection to it. It bothered him but considering that until the end of the grueling two hours, nobody but Violet, who managed to create somewhat of a defense barrier, did so, he wasn't too worried. The good thing in this hard class, Albus thought to himself as they finished the class and headed to lunch with the Hufflepuffs, was that everybody had such difficulty that they hadn't left any power for gossiping with each other. However, when the Gryffindor and Ravenclaws came back from their class in History of magic the chattering about Albus began again and he pretended to read Scorpius book on the history of Hogwarts instead as a distraction.
His reading was interrupted by bits of conversations: "Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster years 1967-1997, single…", "should I go and ask him?", "Severus Snape, Headmaster years 1997-1998, single…", "how can you forget a wand for a whole day without even noticing?", "Minerva McGonagall, headmistress years 1998-corrent, widowed as of 1985, married to Elphinstone Urquart years 1982-1985…", "I wonder if they will even let him come back home…". Albus irritably closed the book and headed to the next class, quickly joined by Scorpius, who still held a ham sandwich in his hands.
Potions class was held in the drafty and cold dungeon, reflecting Albus feelings and damping them even more. They were again repeated the same introductions as the rest of the classes, and then were separated into groups of four, to go-along makeshift potion. This time the Professor didn't bother mangling the houses, and to Albus and Scorpius joined Violet and Amara. Albus wondered whether it was a calculated decision as the Slytherins and Gryffindors hurdled together on the different sides of the stuffy room.
"Potion making requires vast knowledge and resourcefulness", Eddrick Hooper, the bald and thin (yet somehow with a belly) Professor said, "you will need to have a deep understanding in herbology, magical creatures, as well as charms and other various fields as you get more advanced". "I warn you not to just follow the ingredients, but to try and understand the art behind it", it was easier said than done and not before long Rollo managed to blow out his cauldron, scratching his small head in stupidity like a troll as he watched the smoky table surface. The calm façade of the Professor disappeared as he started shouting "who told you to add Bulbadox powder? You troglodyte", on the background of the Gryffindor glee. Rose laughed as well, though she quickly stopped when her gaze was met with this of Albus.
Scorpius, once again, proved to be much advanced then the rest, "Boil Cure is one of the simplest remedies", he whispered, expertly adding crushed snake fangs to their cauldron, "My dad even let me make them myself a few times". Albus was certain the potion will guarantee Scorpius points the same way as in Herbology, but when the Professor came to their table, he didn't seem to be too thrilled, "Quite!", he cut Scorpius when he began stating how he brew the potion. "I heard from Professor Longbottom you have former knowledge in potions", Hooper said, ignoring the perfect concoction beneath him, "you have nothing to be proud of, you should have helped the others, perhaps Rollo over there", he gestured his hand towards the trollish kid who been on his knees, collecting his cauldron's shards.
He waved his wand and vanished the potion, ordering the surprised Scorpius to count the inventory in the pantry instead, leaving the other three to begin brewing the potion from the start, far behind the rest of the class. Albus and Violet barely hid their rage, and if not thanks to Amare, who kept it cool they would probably would not have managed to do anything at all. Close to the end of the class Professor Hooper began checking the students' potions, and Albus had another rage wave as he presented the concoction of the table with Rose, Tom, Hunter and Ariana, who wasn't nearly as good as what Scorpius made, giving each of them 10 pointes.
"What do we have here?", he asked when he reached their table and peaked at the azure color potion that Albus thought was close enough to the desired necessary description. "Do you know how to read?", he said in strong enough voice that caught the attention of all the people in the dungeon, "You haven't added porcupine quills and now it will make the user to throw up, you better just giving them some water at this point", and, with another wave of his wand, he vanished the concoction once again.
Violet was about to burst, but Albus, who had all his anger condensed into a boiling point, beat her up to that, "what's your problem", he yelled, jumping up, the rage blurs his judgment. "50 points from Slytherin, potter. I would not let anyone speak to me that way, even you. Don't think for a second that because you have a famous dad you will not suffer any consequences". Albus anger made him see the Professor through a tunnel vision, the mention of his father enraged him even more. "You know", he said, caressing his wand, his tone surprisingly calm, "on his first year here my dad ended up killing the Professor who tried to harm him".
For a second Albus thought he saw fear in those brown eyes, but they have quickly changed into anger, "Out, out", Hooper voice rose, "go to the headmistress right now, you little rant", he finished the sentence with a yell that was aimed at Albus back, who already headed out, carrying his bag with him. The feeling of euphoria had disappeared as Albus had reached the entrance hall, making space to a heavy regret instead. He started climbing the main set of stairs, putting his wand back into his pocket, knowing full well that he has no idea where the headmaster's office is.
Luckily for him, or to his detriment, Fletcher caught him on his way and was more than delighted to accompany him to the place once Albus confessed why he was outside of class. "On your second day", he said with big crooked gleeful smile, "I bet expulsion, perhaps even worse. It's time someone finally put you troublemakers into your appropriate places", his ugly dog seemed to growl in approval. Albus had no anger left now, and those words hurt him like Hot metal. They reached the third floor and stopped before a stone gargoyle, "Let me in", the caretaker called in a confident voice.
But the statue did not move, even when Fletcher repeated himself two more times, "The headmistress is currently unavailable", the stone figure finally creaked. The bell rang right as Fletcher responded, masking his rudeness. Older students began crossing the corridor, eyeing them both in interest. The caretaker drummed his foot restlessly, torn between the desire to catch students in their wickedness or see the reaction of the Headmistress to Albus' offense. In the end, after a noise of 'Bombtastic Bomb' (one of many firecrackers from the 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' collection), came from the distance he made his decision. "Wait for her here", he ordered, "or not", he said with his crocked smile, hurrying towards the noise, "it's not like you have anything to lose if you're expelled".
All the students in earshot turned their head towards Albus in open interest, who wilted in his place, his spine not strong enough to keep him straight. Luckily, they all rushed to their classes, leaving Albus alone once again. He exhaled and slowly dragged himself to sit on the wall. The situation in the class repeated itself in his head, he knew he should be mad at himself, but the injustice of Professor Hooper still didn't let him admit it.
A long time has passed, and Albus began getting tired from the swings between anger and regret he had. He raised his head to the stone gargoyle, and another thought began brewing in his mind. He looked both ways to make sure there weren't any people around and then got up. "Do you need a password in order to get in?", he asked the ugly statue, who didn't answer, but gave a stiff nod. "Is it Elphinstone by any chance?", for a moment there was no response, and then, for Albus surprise, the gargoyle stepped aside, revealing circular steps leading up to the Headmaster's Tower. Without even thinking he stepped inside, the gargoyle behind him returning to his place as the stairway began moving on his own, almost tapping down the non-suspecting Albus.
The movement took him all the way to the top and stopped before a heavy wooden door. Albus lightly knocked on the door, but as he expected there was no answer. He carefully opened it and peaked inside. The large circular room had numerous windows, giving it warm and bright feeling and countless portraits of old Headmasters and Headmistresses, all fast asleep. The only living creature was a tabby cat who napped under the sunrays on the table, his head buried between his arms. His senses came back to him, and he was about to close the door and head back down when he saw something that changed his mind. On one of the many burdened bookshelves was placed the sorting hat, his weathering prominent among the otherwise perfectly orderly space.
The words of the caretaker came back to him, he had nothing to lose if he was about to get expelled, and with it, he briefly stepped inside. For a moment he expected an alarm or a trap to go off, but when nothing happened, he quickly made the rest of his way, reaching the shelf and putting the old burnt hat on his head. It was so wide it covered his eyes, blocking any light from getting in. Albus waited for a couple of seconds and started to think the hat is only capable to communicate once a year before something happened.
"We meet yet again Mr. Potter", a small voice inside his head came up. "Why did you put me in Slytherin?", Albus immediately asked aloud. "Why, it was the perfect choice for you, of course. Not since Salzar himself there was someone so fitting for this house". These words took Albus aback a bit, but he quickly recovered, not wanting to let the hat off the hook that easily, "You say choice", the anger bubbled in him, "yet this is the first time we even exchange words". There was another brief pause, "perhaps, but your mind was open to me, and what I saw was clear beyond any doubt", Albus open his mouth, ready to indignantly respond, but the hat continued regardless, "it was your decision, through and through, whether you were aware of that or not". "What do you mean?", Albus loudly asked, and asked again and again in higher tones when there was no response.
He removed the hat and furiously threw it to the other side of the room, right at Professor McGonagall feet. Albus froze, he felt his heart dropping so much, it must have reached the dungeons. "Sit", she said, and Albus was in such harry to comply he almost missed the chair. She waved her wand, returning the hat to its place, and then slowly made her way in front of the plaid tablecloth covered wooden table. It took Albus quit a lot of mental power to look up to her, despite being old, she still exuded radiant power, that, and iron sternness. "Is there a reason outside of you wanting to question the sorting hat that led you to break into my office?", her tone was cold as ice.
"I didn't mean to break…", Albus began, but McGonagall cut him off, "yet here you are, spare me any excuses, I heard all of them by now. Tell me why you here, and make sure you don't bend the truth". There was no arguing with her, so, defeated, Albus confessed why he was summoned to her office, knowing that if she discovers dishonesty, she will treat him even more harshly. "…and then Mr. Fletcher escorted me to your office and told me to wait outside". "Just like his father and his father before him." the painting behind her desk, that of the ugly yelloeash man with the black oily man, the same one from the Slytherin common room said, "take a firm stand, expel him. It will only become worse".
"That's enough, Severus", McGonagall said, and the portrait stopped, although it still sent malicious glare towards Albus, who was confused on whether the real man was such as hateful. All this time the headmistress didn't move her look from Albus, the light reflecting on her square glasses sealing her eyes. She said nothing, and the uncomfortable silence began hurt Albus' ears. "How did you know the password?", she finely asked, and Albus, who was glad for the silence to end, didn't even tried to cover the truth. "I read the name in the book about Hogwarts, and it made sense for you to use it". "Hmm, Professor Longbottom did mention that we have to up our envisioning abilities", Albus wasn't sure whether she said it in approval or not.
"What have you learned so far", she asked, and Albus, who got the impression that she's trying to evaluate him, quickly answered. "We didn't learn too much until now", he pulled his wand from his pocket, "we started some shield charms today, but didn't go far". For a second, a disgusted look passed McGonagall's face, "please return the wand to your pocket, only pull it if you intend to use it". Albus stuck his wand back into his uniform, worried that he made a bad impression. The silence returned, even louder than before, with McGonagall deep in her thoughts. "Until farther notice you will be in my office every Friday at four o'clock, understood?", she finely gave her verdict, and Albus shook his head, wondering what sort of punishment it is.
"Albus", she called, he raised his head, but her words were meant to the painting of the old, bearded man who was located next to Snape, "Go to their house and notify Ms. Potter, she must be home by now", she said as the portrait made a whole act of waking up. "At your service, Minerva", he said with a smile, and with a wink towards Albus he moved to his second picture, located in the Potter's mansion living room. "Isn't it the same…?", Snape began, the dissatisfaction gone from his face now, but was cut off by McGonagall, "I already said enough", and the picture stopped. "Fine, go on. Back to your class", she stood up, "You already missed a substantial portion of it". And Albus, who decided to count his blessings, said "Yes, mam", got up with a jump in hurried outside the office, leaving the headmistress behind, again deep in her thoughts.