Hi, this is the first fanfic I publish :) Hope you like it, but I warn you that I'm not a native English speaker!

So there may be some mistakes and strange expressions... sorry for that, I try my best always.

This is a long fic, and I warn you that may contain some upsetting themes such as mentions of child sexual abuse, depictions of anxiety.

In the future: Scorpius x Albus, Sorbus, and other heterosexual and non-heterosexual relationships. This fic also contains OCs. Next-generation Harry Potter.

In Summary: Horror. Fantasy. Romance. Supernatural. Adventure. Action. Angst. Hurt/Confort. Long fic. Slow Burn Romance. Mentions of upsetting themes. Scorbus, heterosexual and non-heterosexual relationship + OCs.

Don't be mean in the comments or you'll be fully ignored. Hope you like it.

Had to delete it the first time I posted, because I needed to make some major changes.

June2th, 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 newspapers 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 the 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 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 the wizarding society today: the Proud New Magicians (PNM) and the Dark Path (For Freedom) Movement (DPM).

Had it been 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 the culprit 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 right 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, leaving no traces. There was no witness.

No one had seen anything, no one knew his whereabouts. No blood, no magical trail. He felt trapped in a dead-end.

Had it been a muggle? A wizard that hadn't used his magic or that used some kind of strange untraceable and undetectable steel!? A squib? Who had done that?

Many questions, but no answers. Even with all the Ministry's help and all with the assistance of manybmagical specialists, the search wasn't achieving any good tangible 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. It made Harry feel like a failure... He was failing his son.

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 of intense Albus' search still haunted him.

At night he would dream that horrible stuff were happening to his son. He knew Ginny felt just like him, also having terrible nightmares.

All the newspapers and magazines eagerly covered his son's disappearance, every day there were new headlines about it (some of them utterly disturbing, others just plain fake and invented).

Sometimes the media made him follow false clues, after they received some dubious "tips" by random people who just wanted some minutes of fame. The whole case was becoming increasingly sensationalized, with national and international media coverage.

All the Potter-Weasleys and all the other friends in the family were helping he and Ginny look for Albus, helping them in some way.

Molly and Arthur let James and Lily stay at the Burrow for a while so he and Ginny could be able to focus exclusively on the search.

Hermione was helping to contact many important Ministry officials who could help with effective information gathering, she was also helping with journalists and the media as a whole (as well as Percy Weasley), trying to keep them away, while also trying to maintain a healthy relationship with them in case he discovered something new, something they didn't already know, facilitating information share. All that because the media tended to accompany all the formal searches avidly and Harry thought they might be denouncing the investigator's location to the culprits.

Ron, his Auror partner had, alongside Harry, access to privileged data about the case, so the friends tried to investigate some specific details together. Ron, who also was the Auror Department's Deputy Chief, helped him manage Albus search while keeping up with other important cases relating to the PNM or the DPM. After all, the usual treaths to the wizarding society hadn't suddenly dissapeared! The still had to take care of all the criminals and clandestine groups.

Charlie, Bill, and Fleur helped by trying to find out if anyone had seen Albus outside of the UK since Charlie lived in Romania now and the couple lived in France. They knew some politicians there and where trying to discover anyone usefull, even if it all seemed like they were searching "blindly", without much focus.

George helped by maintaining a lighter atmosphere. It may not seem so important, but it was the one of the most essential things to help them all maintain their sanity. He tried to make the kids feel a little better by sending pranks and other toys as a gift. He was specially supporting Ginny a lot, having talks with her. When Harry asked him if he could put some search posters near his store he didn't think twice, he also was now giving search posters to everyone that bought something on his store:

A picture of his son with a smiling face.

Albus Severus Potter - missing.

Have you seen him? If you have please contact the authorities using the following number. A reward will be provided for any information leading to his current location.

George also had important contacts with people involved 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 (minor or major) 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 was that many clandestine movements had been appearing lately in the magical world after the war.

The Ministry of Magic had not regained full authority after Voldemort's death. Part of the population didn't respect 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 Norman O'Neill for more information about the two groups because he had decided to investigate as much as he could.

It had to be one of them, right?

He prayed he was going the right direction. He wished he'd find something... Anything!

He even went as far as going to the United States of America just to speak with 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 cell after being sentenced to life in prison on American soil. Even so, he still had many benefits compared to others prisoners there, all of them had been achieved by his vast team of lawyers and collaborators.

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, the one that had been (and still was) able to allure much of the American wizards, also convincing 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 seemed to be "no longer a man", but some kind of ideal.

Would be eternal? Or would he fade like so many well-known personalities before him?

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, fifty-nine, 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 other staff. Externally, some merfolk did patrol work in exchange for certain benefits (and in the name of the so-called "general maintenance of peace between the mermen and the US") that would be granted through a formal service contract.

The Director of the Prison was the former chief of the American Aurors, Mr. Rage Wynston Abedin, a muscular man with a severe appearance, with a big scar on his face and white long hair. He looked somewhat intimidating.

"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. But, strangely, they didn't warn Mr. Abedin properly.

"I contacted the American authorities," he emphasized, a bit annoyed.

"Formally, the American forces are the rule here, Mister Potter. But, in practice, I'm the law," he affirmed, giving him a penetrating gaze. He felt like the man was analyzing him.

"Your wand, Mr. Potter. I need to confiscate it momentarily, I 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 was the situation. The ex-auror put his wand in a cardboard box and put on his heavy winter coat, he then looked at Harry.

"You will be cold in that outfit, we are going to the 59th floor." Harry was wearing warm clothes, fit for the winter, and though the man might be exaggerating.

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 hands and nose almost instantly and makes breathing difficult, freezing the 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 was warned by the americans then, but he apparently preferred to "be the law" there.

He paused for a brief moment to greet someone who was pushing a cart with the prisoners' food, his eyes soon turned to the English auror, waiting for an answer.

"I am willing to consider all options."

"The DPM is quite dangerous, you know that, Auror Potter. You assisted MACUSA, you helped me capturing Magnus Elliston," he went silent for a little, then continued "Do you think this is revenge? He has several followers all around the globe, after all."

Harry had captured many dark wizards after the war against Voldemort.

He remembered Magnus Elliston and his group, the DPM, whose aim was to create a 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 for magical people, exclusively.

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 parts of the US such as 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 vast and competent legal defense team, 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 consistent history of violent practices, such as bank robberies, kidnapping of 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 Magical Financial Resources, and demanded large sums of money. The group even tried to start a fire in the American Auror Division

But, without a doubt, their most notorious action had been an attempted coup d'état in America. They killed the President of the Magical Congress at a sport event a few years ago.

Nobody knew how to specify the number of DPM followers (which had already been called New Path Movement, NPM, at a time when they promoted peaceful means to achieve its goals), or the exact way they recruited 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.

Abedin opened large rusty metal bars, they passed through a long corridor without detention cells, then a metal door 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, but he knew by experience that Abedin could a "difficult man to deal with" to say the least.

The man knocked on the door with his thick gloved hands and shouted "Elliston! You have visitors."

Abedin then looked through the window and opened the cell door carefully, with his wand risen. The door made a terrible creak.

"My lawyers?" Elliston's spoke with a hoarse voice, he had lost some weight and was a shadow of who he once was, 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, Elliston smiled dangerously.

"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 bluish eels.

"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, 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'll tell you again as I did before: I'm innocent of the specific charges 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 I could get you some information. Everything has a price, don't 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 become 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 didn't seem intimidated, on the contrary, he straightened up and continued with his speech. He had always been charismatic.

"The Dark Path modified itself 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, anyone can talk about beautiful things like justice and peace and will, indeed, receive applauses and awards... but one can ever want to carry out a project with real impact, even if it's peaceful, a project to truly change 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 the Freedom Path Movement, so we tested the DPM," explained Elliston in a calm and rational tone.

Elliston, an intelligent wizard, notorious for his public speeches that valued social engagement and effective actions.

Looking for more clues, desperate for any kind of information that could help him find his son, Harry looked around briefly: 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 currently 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. 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. 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 supposedly non-existent prison 60th floor.

"What is in there? On the 60th floor?" Harry asked, genuinely curious. Baiting him with the floors number. There were plenty of scary rumors about the last Oceanids' floor. Why would the Americans deny the floor's existence even when the stairs leading to somewhere we're visible?!

"N-Nothing, we don't have a 60th floor! It's just a small deposit! This stair doesn't lead to any new floor!" Answered the man way too fast, with a slightly scared expression on his face.

Then, he said in a nervous and angry 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 going down many meters into the ocean, all hidden by complex spells.

Elliston's lawyers were having conversation with the merfolk, trying to get some information about it. But because the MACUSA had an agreement with the merpeople, the merfolk themselves could not officialy prove this claim.

Elliston's team could then argue that the prison violated prisoners' rights and demand them to be transferred to lower-security prisons until futher investigation according to law number 2.345 of the American Magical Code for Oceanids' Prison.

If Elliston was transferred to another prison they could make the magician have more access to the public and continue with his speeches that brought thousands to the movement, it would also be easier to negotiate his release.

Although the initial legal thesis was that Eliston was innocent of the charges for which he had been arrested for.

That was what Harry knew about the case..., maybe his lawyers had found more things. Magnus Elliston had said he would be released soon, very soon.

Harry hoped that wouldn't happen at all, capturing him the first time had been hell.

"Down these stairs-" He decided to pressure Abedin.

"There's nothing there." He affirmed, angrily.

No information about his son...

Rumors about a suspicious 60th floor in Oceanids...

Suddenly, he felt mortally tired.

He just wanted to find his son.

December 23, 2018:

It was almost Christmas. A Christmas they would spend without Albus.

He and Ginny decided that they would not have the usual Christmas party this year, as the idea of celebrating anything without Albus was inconceivable.

Where was Albus be "spending" his Christmas?

Where was he right now?

Only two days after the trip to the United States, and some investigations about the Dark Path with O'Neill's 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 about the DPM's activities, but that didn't help them much.

They decided to investigate the Proud New Magicians.

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 usually didn't make much use of violent acts, at least 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 leader was. 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 their activities in the UK pretty recently and currently suffered from some DPM attacks, perpetrated by active members in the UK.

Recent complaints indicated that the movement was in fact recruiting new members, 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 methodological teaching elements and precepts based on the esoteric doctrines. They seemed to value the doctrines present in Razor Collins' many books, who was also the founder of the French Esoterical School for New Magical Studies.

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 prepared a polyjuice potion using the hair of the aurors that were still studying at the British Auror's School 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 tall boy with square glasses.

They soon apparated directly to the scene. The streets were crowded with people running around, happily trying to buy Christmas gifts for their family and friends.

They tried to get through the noisy crowd fast and soon entered Knockturn Alley.

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 was closed as well.

The bookstore called ObscurusEsoteric was the only actual new store on the premises, it had opened recently, maybe a year ago and it still looked new, with modern architecture, even if it didn't have many customers.

The saleswoman was old, with long hair and green robes, she waved at them when they passed, trying to allure them, talking about "wonderful prices and super discounts".

Harry did recognize 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 esoterism? Mystical studies? I just ordered the complete work collection of Razor Collins, if you are interested! I also have all the works of Celin Ikabonf here! 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.

Special lecture with Celin Ikabonf, next Friday at 7 pm.

As the shop was the only one that looked modern and minimally attractive it ended up drawing some attention, but newcomers looked at it initially curious for merely a brief moment, then walked away. The saleswoman was clearly betting that the PNM lecture would bring considerable sales. She held up piles and piles of Razor Collins Manticom books (various types of editions) in giant stacks that looked about to collapse at any moment

Harry looked at her only with a certain pity. Having a store in Knockturn Alley is not easy. When Harry interrogated the woman, she thought she was... just a normal person trying to make ends meet.

Rent was very expensive in the so-called "noble and good parts" of Diagonal Alley, the price was much cheaper at Knockturn Alley, of course.

The woman had taken over the family business after her husband's death, selling books on her own "But I don't profit much. Everything is so difficult these days, Mr. Potter. I'm doing my best. Celin is one of my best friends. But he doesn't sell that well either. It's a good thing a Hogwarts professor will be using his book in his subject this year. I said that what he wrote was excellent! He could be a teacher someday too if you ask me! I was selling his books at an 80% discount, thought people would flock to my shop!" She had said excitedly.

But, even with the giant discount, people still wanted to keep their distance from the infamous Knockturn Alley and preferred to buy much more expensive books in the "nobler" part. "Celin gave me permission, of course. He gave me the books for free, I didn't pay, we were going to split the profits. I and Celin just love esotericism! Mysticism! I believe greater forces are here to help us, things will get better, Mr. Potter. That is what I believe! I hope you find your son."

Fortunately, a young man heard the saleswoman's announcement, he called his friends and the two slowly got up from the Poisoned Apple table and started looking at the shop's window.

"Razor Collins! Buy his whole collection!"

Ron poked his arm, lightly, calling him. O'Neill chose a table further from the stage.

"Gentlemen, would you like to drink something? Today 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 because 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 with pepper and lemon 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, she 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, I was getting training, honey, I explained it to you, already!" He insisted as she threw him an annoyed look, he continued "They will teach you for free, and they can also give you lots of useful certificates and they'll help you find a job. Maybe, when I advance in the hierarchy I'll even be able to... you know... to make both of us legal citizens here! Lots of important people there, that's what they told me. You know what they: if there's power and friends in high places there's always some way! We'll have a better life, as a family. They do way more than that shitty government."

"We should never have left Moldavia, Carlin!" She criticized the man emphatically, avidly drinking her wine, with big tears on her eyes. Undocumented immigrants?

The man 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 into a big mushroom, suddenly making a face. Too much pepper!

"For some months, I lost my previous job because of the new regulations, you know what I'm talking about," revealed him, embarrassed.

"What do you all do there?"

"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 eating 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 labor rights of all immigrants and werewolves, even removing some legal protections for pregnant women (affecting, for example, the maternity leave). It was an attempt to make the labor market "more flexible", but that, in practice, undermined the many rights won throughout time, mostly marginalizing minority groups that were structurally fragile in the magical society.

All this retrocession was supposedly in the name of "the preservation good economical indicators", as William Magis had put it.

But the changes seemed to only benefit privileged societal groups.

There had been no popular consultation whatsoever, no democratic debate, everything was done through technocratic parliamentary maneuvers, and it happened according to Harry's opinion in the name of shady interests.

Even more, people arrived now. Alternative-looking youth with magically colored hair, some boys and girls who look tired, and who came wearing formal clothes (as if they had just left their jobs by now), sullen-looking men and women who looked utterly hopeless, depressed, and disenchanted with life, seemingly without any positive prospects.

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 was 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 that is completely ineffective and outdated, lives on past glories and is no longer capable of governing society. The Great Reformation, the Reform of the Proud Wise shall bring great benefits for everyone." Harry heard some applause from the crowd

"The reform will be relatively peaceful, gradual, and, most importantly, smart, intelligent, strategic! We believe that young people especially shall have prominence in our movement too, they'll start the changes and will be 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 specific... protocol when recruiting new members," the wizard smiled, waving theatrically to a pile of papers that rested in the corner "For those who still want to know more about our movement, you can take this paper. Our main beliefs and our ways of achieving goals are written there, everyone can consult it and then decide to join us, feel free to do so," some young people got up and looked at them timidly. Harry exchanged a worried look with Ron, but decided to take a look at one of them:

[...] 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 and better 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 after your training 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 and respect are the principles that govern the movement and create the basis for the Great Reformation that will restructure society in a more just way, respecting the hierarchy and rewarding everyone's commitment [...]

Confused and ... dangerous, in a way. This Wise society didn't seem all that democratic, it seemed like a cult, only those at the top of the hierarchy seemed to be able to influence something effectively, and there didn't seem to be any room for "non-Proud people", for those not in the movement...

What about the werewolves, goblins, and mermaids?

What would be their role in this society?

Some young people seemed mildly interested, but others had already dropped the booklet on the table and were now just enjoying the food, some tired, some just sad and hopeless. 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...

He had no success in doing so.

Current day again (June 2th,2019):

The pressure for Albus's case to be dropped grew each day. Harry had taken an absence's leave twice already and when he returned to work, the urge to continue working on Albus's case worried him till the point that it made it difficult to focus on other cases and command the Auror Department at the same time. He was going through huge stress and being highly pressured.

Earlier this year, the new Minister of Magic, William Magis, appointed a new person responsible for his son's case: Norman O'Neill, the older colleague who was already assisting him in the search with Ron.

He'd inform Harry if there were any new in the case.

According to the Minister himself, Harry needed 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 Auror Department a lot, 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%.

Even not being the one responsible for his son's case anymore, Harry still had 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. He wanted to keep himself busy, if he stopped working... he would start thinking about Albus and would become melancholic and depressed. He had to act, do something.

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 again.

No proof, not even a clue.

Albus seemed to have simply disappeared, vanished.

It was going nowhere. Revolting!

Harry even secretly interrogated an old Muggle. He lived somewhere near a forest and had a history of possession of explicit 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 had said that 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.

At home, Ginny was crying a lot, she had taken a break from her journalist job at the Daily Prophet and was doing her own 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, of course.

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 would not be going to Hogwarts with him.

Harry heard him crying 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 utterly skeptical.

On that day he also remembers seeing Rose with a teary face as she boarded the train without her cousin.

Journalists and reporters with cameras and microphones were, as usual, avidly trying to take the best pictures of a family in distress, making sensational and mischievous headlines with information that was mostly poorly researched, coming from very doubtful sources.

Lily started to cry after a reporter asked her about the possibility of Albus being already dead.

It had been Denis Salinger. It had to be him.

Harry almost lost control while Ginny did her best to calm the tearful Lily. Ron and Hermione had looked at him and Ginny with great concern.

Her biggest wish was to find her son...

("Already dead")

If someone had done something 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 a kidnapping? Many questions were left unanswered! Some would also ask why is the Auror Department investigating this case in this much while deprioritizing others! We performed a street interview (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 stop investigating this case. It doesn't look like the work of a dark wizard, so aurors should strictly 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 still 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.

"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 working for a sensationalist newspaper called Times for Truth.

He had written 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 "Not The Chosen One (to find his son). The failure of Harry Potter."

Or even the most revolting one of them: "Albus Severus Potter is already dead! The auror who didn't 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, very mean. Sensationalistic, populistic, just plain uncaring about others.

He couldn't stand the idea that his son was already dead.

It was... wrong. Just wrong!

It shouldn't be like that.

Albus should be at Hogwarts now, making friends and taking classes, just as James and Rose were right 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 just to tease him.

He started saying 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 magical creatures. Manticores, Acromantulas, they can chose anything! I can say no more, but you must be prepared. Those who fail go to Hufflepuff, and those who use black magic or cheat go to Slytherin! If you use complex magic, then you belong to Ravenclaw, but you don't want to be with all the smart and boring kids, Al. Your popularity will never recover from that and you may end up having no friends other than the nerdy-types, of course."

James wasn't a mean kid, he just teased his younger brother a little too much and maybe he didn't realize that Al was a little too sensitive.

Albus acted like it didn't matter at all, but he had asked Harry once if he was somehow "dark" or mean, with teary eyes. Albus could be a little too naive, he seemed to actually believe that (because he was an auror) he could somehow notice whether a person was bad or not.

After that Harry asked James to be a bit more kind to his brother.

Albus... Too naive and innocent for this world. Was Harry like this when he was a child? His younger son seemed to think that his father was an actual hero, able to solve all of the world's problems.

"James, I'll be in Gryffindor! Just like everyone else in the family."

"Maybe you're not like everyone else in the family, little brother. It's just the way you are. Some people are lions, others are snakes."

Albus did not answer. He just started eating his creamy strawberry, honey and cheese pancakes (he loved sugar, maybe a bit too much), looking down. Her brother had a playful smile on his face.

Harry was going to say that James shouldn't tease his brother this much about the house sorting when there was a loud 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 job, he had no interest in talking 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 go to his job, as usual.

Horton Cirley.

He was the man standing at his door.

He was a co-worker, but not exactly an auror.

And althought he had no badge, he officially worked in the Auror Department helping with bureaucratic work and writing case reports.

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. He wanted all glory, no work.

The man's father had been an extremely important and highly competent wizard who occupied one of the first positions in the Wizengamot in both wars.

And some people, maliciously, accused Horton Cirley of being in his current job position just because of his father.

The truth was that Horton Cirley had denounced many of his colleagues and friends in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement a few decades ago until he was transferred to the Auror Department, but Harry didn't know much about this specifically.

Some people didn't like him at the Ministry, yes. But no one seemed to want to talk about what had happened. It was a mystery for Harry. Why had he denounced them?

"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 If you provide me the details, I will be able to finish my report way sooner. We should always inform the public about the latest discoveries, right? I can conduct all the press conferences. I know you and Weasley don't like talking to the journalist."

This was Horton Cirley!

Always eager to be in the spotlight.

He wanted to inform the press and the public about classified cases, but he sometimes distorted the facts in his favor and tried to present himself as some kind of hero.

His name had appeared on some newspapers' headlines:

Horton Cirley - The only hero with the courage to inform the public - by Fern Bates.

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.

He had informed the public and the press about confidential cases.

He and Ron had investigated everything, but Cirley had claimed that he was the one responsible for the discoveries.

He called out Horton Cirley but he also knew that much likely nothing would 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 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.

Power, friends in high places.

"Look, Mr. Cirley. 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 at that one time, he hadn't informed them 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. Horton had interrupted him and if he was in no hurry they would be late to go to Diagon Alley and buy the school supplies.

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 a bit too 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 the tears with and hugged him. Of all his kids, Albus tended to be the most affectionate, still giving him goodnight kisses. Maybe he was a bit too shy too, he never did that when James was looking. His elder son found goodnight kisses to be "uncool".

James was growing so fast... It made Harry feel old.

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 things with the house.

It was not true, but Albus was just a child and was greatly influenced by his older brother.

They hugged for a while.

(The last hug before his dissapearence)

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, and never would. It was wonderful seeing 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. And 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," he heard a voice coming from the large crowd.

Ron, alongside his family, appeared close to them. Harry saw a smiling Hermione, carrying a huge bag full of books, and then Rose who looked very anxious.

Ginny now looked serious 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 her 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 managed by his 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, explaining to her some of complicated wandology theories. 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 unexpectedly 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 genuine 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 for so long! We were all waiting for it!" Albus looked at the man, totally confused.

"Take the wand, it's free. I will take no 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 a predatory, sick way, looking directly at the wand as if he were mesmerized by it. His smiled like a lunatic, a creepy smile that didn't show happiness or any positive emotion.

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 inside the bag.

"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 wand's 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 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 apparent 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 rather 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 because of a book. Should he be concerned?

"I think I'll 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 long enough. Your mother is a genius."

"That's not true, Ron. You and Harry only got sleepy because you never wrote anything. And his class were as good as any other. Pay attention to all of your classes, dear. Hstory of Magic is 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 sighed, annoyed.

"I hate pranks, they're so boring and childish Hugo!"

"You only hate them because you can never prank me, and is always the one getting pranked!" Said Hugo, mildly annoyed, but with a mischievous smile.

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 own thinking.

Albus could be a little too self-absorbed at times, distracted.

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 red strap of her bra. Celin Ikabonf looked at her coldly, she blushed and smiled nervously.

Anyway, 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?" 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 Magical 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 creatures section, he was speaking 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!" 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.

"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, 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.

"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 him dirty glances, 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 armchair near them. He didn't like books a lot, 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.

He saw a relieved smile suddenly cross his son's face... Now if he was put in Slytherin, he may have a friend.

James had to stop teasing Albus. His son was way to sensitive and impressionable.

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.

Right 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 have a problem with it, she had already said that she would like to have a cat before. Albus quickly chose a white, fluffy cat. He gently squished the cat, happy to finally have his own pet companion.

"That cat sleeps all day, he eats and naps, and that's all he does," 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 on a bag (he still didn't seem to want to touch it).

They soon arrived at Weasley's Wizards Wheezes. As soon as he entered, he saw that Ron was talking, a little agitatedly, with none other than Horton Cirley. The man now looked a little offended, and 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 Harry noticed 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 one of my best friends, William Magis..., you know, the Minister of Magic, 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 enthusiasm, and a falsely innocent tone, his eyes again quickly focusing 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, and have him give some important sport tips and, of course, buy new broom for Barnaby, the Jupiter 4000, "

James was coming over to show him some of the new inventions from the store. He ended up hearing the last part of the conversation and asked, "Jupiter 4000!?" Horton smiled triumphantly.

Harry knew he would have to put up with the man's exhibitionist tendencies.

"Oh, you must be the young James Potter. I see that you love this store, as well as my son! Well, I know some people from the Magical Sport's Department and I also know a lot of Quidditch players. A friend actually offered me the broom as a gift, because it will be available to the common public two years from now! I'd have 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. 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, Mr. 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.

"Uh! Rainbows! Can we eat them? Are they made of sugar?" Asked Albus, happily, suddenly interested.

"I think we can't, sweetie," he answered his son, trying not to laugh. Albus didn't seem so interested anymore.

"Dad, he talked about the Dark Path Movement and... the Proud New Magicians. What exactly is that all about? They were in the papers, 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. 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," started teasing his brother.

"It's important, isn't it, dad?" Al asked sheepishly.

"Important for nerds."

"James, leave him. And yes Al, this is important. But maybe this is not the time for this. Or the place," he warned.

Cirley shouldn't have been able to discovered the information about something that was ultra confidential.

They have been 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".

The DPM had send a letter to the PNM, one that had been 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 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's support was crucial to William Magis election.

He had supported him 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". No personal loyalty, but momentary mutual interests.

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 he efended 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 years, 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, tell 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, Rose's hair color was normal again, Geroge helped.

His son, Fred, had a mischievous smile on his face, but 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 PNM's 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, dueling as if she were dancing, jumping skillfully, dodging spells, just to ran back into battle, stepping into the muddy ground with her black boots.

More members of the Dark Path were arriving with angry faces and raised wands.

"Down with the New Magicians' movement, 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 suit man furiously climbed the stairs to the platform where the speaker shrank in fear, casting defensive spells.

"O-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 their 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.

"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 DPM appeared and chased away some close people who ran away.

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 them. 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 next! 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.

"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 Magicians tries to challenge us, but we are the only Way that leads to true freedom. We purposefully avoided 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 stand for 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 capable of "devouring" the poor bird. In the end, the bird appeared triumphant in the skies, its white wings spread, proud and serene.

And they all 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, and with a shaking voice.

"James?! Albus?!" Screamed Ginny again.

The remaining people were running aimless, some parents hurriedly picked up their children and were leaving.

Lost children cried, scared, and some adult wizards were hurt. A woman had a nasty wound on her feet.

Harry, nervous, searched for James and was finally 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, but with different stores, such as crêpes shops and food stands. It was an attempt to create a "new side of Knockturn Alley", cheap store rent and not so infamous.

But the MagiConstructions' entrepreneurs group temporarily abandoned the project due to... problems with the nocturnal population who sold illegal items.

That "kind" of people arrived in the proximities a few years ago, with the increase in poverty and because of the socio-economics crisis intensification in the wizarding society.

Some called the infamous alley "Fun Place." Mostly because, at night, you could also meet sex workers.

"James? Let's go, son. Where's Albus?" Asked Harry, glancing at the dark alley one 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.