Chapter Six: The Dueling Club

Albus blinked in surprise.

"You're kidding me," he said to Patricia Ruis, who just smiled.

"Of course I'm not kidding you. We really do need you on the team."

It was late in the evening, and Albus was already tired. Rose had tried an advanced transfiguration spell on him earlier that day and succeeded in turning the strap of his book bag into a grass snake. Good for her, except that Albus was wearing the bag at the time.

Professor Newton Lore had not appreciated having ink splashed on his shoes and said so in many more words. After a lecture that somehow managed to mention gay rights laws, the French Revolution, the 2012 American Presidential election, and for some odd reason, Brazilian swimsuit models, Lore had given Albus a two-hour detention with Filch. Then, on the way back, the Potions Professor, a certain Lewis Dew, had tried to give Albus yet another detention for being out late. Luckily Albus could prove that he had detention already, without going to the Slytherin Head of House, who was notoriously grumpy when woken after ten-o-clock.

Then when he got back to the common room, he was accosted by Patricia Ruis, who seemed to think he would like to be a member of the Slytherin Dueling Club.

In Albus's opinion, it was far too late for jokes, which explains his surly attitude. It probably didn't help that he had run into yet another prank from Fred earlier in the day.

"I don't think you want me on the team. I'm no good at fighting, even without a wand."

Patricia seemed skeptical, "Who told you that? Your brother? You have potential Al, I know it."

Albus winced. It had indeed been his brother who had told him that, on a hot summer day before he started school. Though it was intended as teasing, Albus had taken the harsh words to heart.

"Tell you what Albus, if you want to join meet us under the quidditch stands tomorow at noon. We can talk strategy there, and then tryout on Sunday. How does that sound?"

"Well," Albus said indecisively, then he remembered his brother's words. "I'll be there."

Albus Potter's Journal: October 3rd

You would not believe this. I made the duelling team! Patricia said that I have the potential to become one of the best duelists she's ever seen. I think she may have exaggerated there, but i still feel proud that I made it. Some of the people I was competing against were fifth-years, and while I still lost some of the time, apparently I'm good enough for reserve, a hefty accomplishment for a first-year.

I ran into Tino today, and he seemed worried. Apparently his cousin has not been himself for a while. It's good to know that he wasn't originally half-zombified. Honestly, the kid is like the walking dead! Griffindor and Slytherin have History of Magic together, and he was paying attention! Taking notes and everything! No normal kid does that. No-one.

Anyway, enough about the weirdness of Malfoy, and more on the weirdness of my brother. James has acted odder than I've ever seen him, and that includes the time he ate wet concrete. He was never the same after that day, but anyway, he's been avoiding me. He's also watching me, like he's waiting for me to launch an Avada or something. Cripes.

Albus was wandering the halls randomly. His joy over his win at the dueling club was quickly encompassed by his worried. James was still watching him oddly, and Albus was more sure than ever that it had something to do with sorting. Why did everyone in his family hate him for something as minor as a sorting? He was still the same Albus as ever, wasn't he?

So Albus wandered sulkily. His homework was done, there were no dueling club practices, and he had no detentions. There was nothing to take his mind off his problems. He could talk to someone, but there was no one in Hogwarts who could ever understand how he was feeling. Or so he thought.

He turned the corner and ran into someone.

"Oh, sorry," he apologized, before looking up and seeing who he'd run into.

"It's all right," Scorpius Malfoy said. "I should have looked ahead of me."

Albus shrugged and turned to leave, but then he paused. Why not talk to Malfoy? Sure he was creepy, but he must be facing something close to the prejudice that Albus was taking.

"So," Albus began, "How are things going for you, Scorpius?"

Malfoy looked startled, the first real emotion Albus had seen on his face. "Erm, things are fine. Just fine."

"You're lying," Albus noted. "It's Patricia, isn't it? I told her she didn't have to push so hard, that if you wanted to join dueling club you would. She didn't listen, did she?"

Malfoy looked bewildered at this turn of events. "I-well-yeah, she didn't. Listen, that is." Then he rapidly changed the subject. "How's your family taking your sorting?"

Albus frowned. "I don't know. They sent me a letter, but I haven't read it. I'm a bit scared, honestly." Albus didn't know why he was telling Malfoy all this. Maybe it was the small piece of kinship he felt with the mysterious boy.

"You should read the letter," Malfoy said, "I'm sure it's nothing bad, your parents sound nice." Then before Albus could say anything, he turned and looked at the time. "Sorry, I need to run, I have to talk to my partners for that group project in Transfiguration." And without another word, he was off.

Albus stared after him. Close to the end of that conversation Malfoy had looked odd, ill almost. And, as Albus just remembered, the group project had been finished on Friday. Albus shrugged to himself. He was going to go down to the Slytherin dorms. He had a letter to read, and if her ran into Tino Nott, so much the better.

Albus Potters Journal: October 9th

Does being in Slytherin really make you evil? Most of us are decent types really. I mean of course you have your bad apples, Richard Nott for one, but that doesn't mean that entire tree is rotten. Take Ty and Jake. They've become my best friends since I got here, and have never shown the slightest sign of treachery. Or Tino. He may jump half a mile when you speak to him, but he has a great sense of humor. You wouldn't believe the trouble he, Malfoy, and his twin sister Isabella have gotten into together.

I had heard two Notts being called during the sorting, but I was so full of nerves that it didn't register. Tino and Isabella aren't really alike, but I'm used to that. Take my cousins Molly and Lucy. I have never met anyone less alike, but they haven't killed each other yet, so I suppose there's hope.

Don't worry though, I haven't forgotten my promise to find out more about Malfoy. I grilled Tino for information, and here is what I came up with.

1: He has a dark sense of humor.

2: He cannot resist a mystery.

3: He is very loyal.

4: Some time about midsummer he became half zombified.

5: He would do anything to protect his cousins.

6: Unlike us Potters, he can build a functioning plan.

Unusual. Why would someone who apparently was dynamic and fun, suddenly turn into a 'Uncle Percy' (broomstick regulations I ask you)? I need to dig deeper, and maybe reconcile with James while I'm at it. We always were a good team.

A.N.

I know this chapter is very, very late and I'm sorry. I had a recent trip to California and I only just got back. Thank you Harry-Potter-Magic and Poketrooper for reviewing. Chapters may come a bit slow for a while, as I have a lot going on in my life.

Foorocks10