Chapter 8- Personal Choices
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 turn out to be 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.
All of a sudden, he was pulled behind a tapestry into a hidden chamber 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 brown-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 in pain and sweat dripping 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, "Merlin's beard", he puffed. "I actually tried to catch you since yesterday", Freddy stated, "no, not about how you are 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. 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 nosey ", 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… 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 the 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 were doing outside in this late hour.
"I like dogs", Violet whispered to Albus and Scorpius after he let them go, "but I have to admit it's one of the nastiest creatures I have ever seen". Albus peeked 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 disturbances, and when Albus reached his bad he was so tired he almost immediately fell asleep.
That night he had nightmares again, pictures of the unclear dark tree rising in his dreams, 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, even managing to get to the dining room 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 disruptions. The Professor, that Albus was familiar with as the former head of the 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 making her look as if a bombed had exploded under her face.
Now, when he finely had his wand in his hand, 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 it 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.
The 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 brews. This time the Professor didn't bother mangling the houses, and to Albus and Scorpius joined Violet and Amare. 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 opened. "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", he strolled among the desks, surveying the faces of each and every student, "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 more advanced than 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 him points the same way as in Herbology, but when the Professor came to their table, he didn't seem to be too thrilled.
"Quiet!", 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 felt another rage washing over him as he presented the concoction from 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 glanced at the azure-colored potion that Albus thought was close enough to the desired 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 to just give them 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, not even you. Don't think for a second that because you have a famous dad you will not suffer any consequences". The mention of his father enraged him even more, his anger making him see the Professor through a tunnel vision. "Speaking of my dad", he said, caressing his wand, his tone surprisingly calm, "did you know that on his first year here he ended up killing one of the Professors?".
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, instead making space to a heavy regret. 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 headmistress' 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 didn't 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 crooked 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 more. 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 considerable amount of time passed, and Albus began getting tired from the swings between resentment 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 did 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 the Headmistress' tower. Without even thinking he stepped inside, the gargoyle behind him returning to his place as the stairway began moving on its own, almost toppling 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 it, 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, his heart dropping so much, it must have reached the dungeons. "Sit", she said, and Albus was in such rush 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 aside 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 intend to break…", Albus began, but McGonagall cut him off, "yet here you are, spare me the excuses, I heard them all 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", he weakly finished. "Just like his father and his father before him", the painting behind her desk, that of the ugly yellowish man with the black oily hair, the same one from the Slytherin common room said, " It will only become worse. Take a firm stand, expel him".
"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 away her eyes. She said nothing, and the uncomfortable silence began to 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, "Return it to your pocket, pull your wand only if you intend to use it". Albus stuck his wand back into his uniform, worried he made a bad first 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 five o'clock, understood?", she finely gave her verdict, and Albus nodded his head, wondering what kind 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 portrait, 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, ma'am ", got up with a jump in hurried outside the office, leaving the headmistress behind, again deep in her thoughts.
