Albus and the others weren’t visible.

Albus had taken the Cloak of Invisibility out of his brother’s trunk as it was very late and they didn’t want to be caught.

“You know, I really want to know more about my father’s adventures. He’s only spoke about it like, twice, to Uncle Ron.” Albus said.

Quinn whispered: “Well, we don’t have a way of finding out anything except for the library, do we?”

Albus shook his head and whispered: “I know, but in the library’s only mentioned that he got rid of You-Know-Who, not how. I just need to know more. We could ask Severus!”

He ran towards the corridor they had seen Severus before, and saw the barman. Luckily, Severus was there already.

“Severus!” The man spun around.

“Hello Albus, what brings you here?”

Albus said: “There’s so much I don’t know about my father because he doesn’t want to tell me. Do you know it?”

Severus shrugged. “I know parts of it.” He said, and Albus asked: “Would you like to tell me?”

Severus nodded. “It all started with a prophecy. That is a prediction of the future. The person to have made the prophecy was a professor. She was asking for a job, here at Hogwarts. I overheard a part of the prophecy, and I told the Dark Lord. Don’t be mad now, I’m dead already."

He told the entire story of Harry Potter, shortened to all he knew, and what was important. Severus could not, however, tell the end, as by then he was dead. Besides, he didn’t know everything. He could only tell about him at Hogwarts, and things he heard from Dumbledore, as they were friends. When he was done, it was morning already, but Tyler, Quinn and Albus were still listening with full attention.

“Then, I gave him my memories, and after that, I died.” Albus beamed at him.

“You were a hero.” He whispered, and Severus turned away.

“I feel bad, for turning to the Dark Arts, if I hadn’t told the Dark Lord I –” but Albus interrupted him: “Then I wouldn’t have lived. Then Lily would still be married to James, then that very Lord would still kill. You can’t change the past, Severus. To me, you are a hero, to my father, you are the bravest man he’s ever known.” Severus smiled through his cries, and Quinn and Tyler were still silent.

“I’m hungry Albus, let’s go to the kitchens and ask Micky for some food, it’s really late already.” Quinn croaked, and Albus jumped up.

“Thank you, Severus. I’m proud to have your name.” he then hurried after Tyler and Quinn, his stomach rumbling.

***

Later that morning Albus was really tired. Luckily, it was a Sunday, so they didn’t have class.

“Let’s go to the kitchens.” Tyler suggested.

Albus disagreed: “We can’t. We have to work on our essays, practical homework, learn work, and Mrs Chubbs’ presentation on Fire Crabs.”

Tyler sighed. “Let’s go to the Library then.”

Quinn nodded and they went to get their stuff. When they entered the Library, Rose was sitting in a corner, and Albus said: “Hi.”

Rose looked up, and smiled. “Hey Al. Are we friends again?” she asked, and Albus said: “No,” Rose looked sad.

“We’re not friends. We’re cousins.” He said, smiling. Rose smiled, and then looked at Albus’ work.

“Starting now?” she asked, and Albus nodded.

“Want me to help you?” she asked, and Albus nodded eagerly.

“Alright, you do your Potions essay, I’ll write your Transfiguration essay. I’ve finished my homework last week.”

Albus looked bewildered: “But we only got the –”

“I’m working further than you. I do extra work for homework. Except for Potions and Charms.” She said, and Albus took a piece of parchment.

“Alright, I’m working on my Potions essay now.” He said, and started to write something about the Moonstone.

Quinn and Tyler were working on their essays too, when an owl flew in. Mrs Pince, the Librarian, got  really angry at Albus, so Albus led Sniffles out of the Library and took the letter from his beak. He gave him an owl cookie which he always kept in his pocket, and read the letter.

Dear Albus,

Two Weasley jumpers for house-elves? Well, I suppose

I can work something out. I hope you’re doing great and are not breaking too many rules.

Love,

Grandma Weasley.

Albus smiled, and stuck the letter in his pocket before entering the Library again. “Albus I’m done. Essay of two pieces of parchment done.” Albus smiled.

“Want me to help you with Potions?” She shook her head.

“No. You have much more homework. Give me your History of Magic essay, I’ll check it for you.” She said, and Albus handed her the parchment.

Quinn came towards them and said: “Are you nearly done? We could go to the place.” Albus shook his head.

“I’ve still got a lot to do.” Rose looked at him. “Go on with your Potions essay.”

Albus wrote the last sentence and said: “Now Mrs Chubbs’ presentation, and then I have to practice Charms.” Rose sighed.

“You have to do a lot.”

“Yeah. I know.” Albus muttered, as he took his presentation to learn it.

 ***

After an hour Albus said: “How’s my essay for History of Magic?”

Rose sighed. “It is original, though you don’t spell Gobbledegook this way. You wrote something really weird. And the whole story is weird. I can help you with it. Hang on.”

She grabbed her wand and murmured things. “Thanks Rose, you’re the best.”

He took out his and focused on his Second Grade Spells.

“Engorgio” he said, pointing at another cookie he had brought with him. The cookie was twice as big now.

“Wow! Can I eat that?” Quinn asked, a little too loud, because Mrs Pince had come over to take the cookie, and said: “If I see one of you  break my rules, you have to leave.” She said, and Albus sighed.

 ***

When they finally had finished their homework Albus said: “I think we should go to the kitchens again, I’m hungry.”

Rose sighed. “Why do you want to go to those stupid elves?” Albus looked at her.

“They’re not stupid. They’re really sweet. And they’re amazing cooks” Rose rolled her eyes.

“Al, don’t be so thick. They’re house-elves. They have to work, they’re not made to have fun.” Albus jumped up.

“No. They’re not. I’m leaving. Come on Quinn, Tyler.” They jumped up and followed him.

“Why is she so annoying sometimes?” he asked.

Quinn said: “Well, Albus, you guys keep searching for fights.” Tyler agreed with her.

“Oh come on, she’s driving us nuts!” said Albus

 ***

The next morning Tyler was ill. He threw up in the night, and Chris McLaggen, their roommate, had taken him to Madam Pomfrey. Quinn and Albus were walking to their first class, Defence Against the Dark Arts.

When they arrived Mrs Chubbs said: "Time for a quiz!"

Quinn and Albus sat down and waited.

Question 1. What is a Gnome?

In Albus' eye corner he saw Rose writing like mad.

In Albus' other eye corner he saw Quinn writing already too, yet slower. Albus wrote down the first question.

Question 2. Write down four Hags.

Albus thought. He didn't know more than 'Old Mother Hubbard'.

***

The next Saturday James came bursting in the common room, where Albus, Quinn, Tyler and some others were working.

“Pete!” he yelled angrily, and the tall Gryffindor Seeker spun around. “I’ve spoken to Madam Hooch today, and you are out of the team if the entire team is with me. Fred! Quinn! Jonathan! Douglas! Emily!”

The people from the team looked up and went towards him. Chasers Quinn and Jonathan, Keeper Fred and Beaters Douglas and Emily.

“During the last match I think he didn’t do his best. What about you guys? Without Quinn here we would’ve lost the match because Mr Perfect over here enjoyed yelling at us. I say we vote to have him out of the team.” James said, and seventh year Emily agreed.

“He’s right. Raise your hand if you want him out of the team.”

They all raised their hand, Quinn last.

“Fine. Look for a new seeker.” Pete mumbled, and then went to join his friends in walking to the Great Hall.

“Thanks guys” mumbled James.

“OKAY ALL GRYFFINDORS, TRY-OUTS TOMORROW THREE PM!” he yelled through the common room.

Tyler said: “Think I’m going to try.”

Albus didn't look up from his book and said: “Think you can do it. I really do."  

They went downstairs to have dinner after that.

 ***

On Sunday Albus followed Quinn and Tyler to the Quidditch pitch.

“Quinn!” yelled James, and Quinn ran towards the team.

“Hey Quinn” said Fred, and then they saw Tyler.

“Ah, you must be here to become a seeker. You’re fifth.” Fred said, looking at Douglas.

“Yeah. I’m the new captain.” He said, and shook Tyler’s hand.

“Hi.” Tyler said, and then went up to the stands.

“First up is Chris McLaggen!” A tall boy with light brown hair walked onto the pitch and took a broomstick.

“Okay, I’ll be throwing up these balls and you have to catch them. Good luck.” Said Douglas, and Chris jumped on his broom.

He did okay, thought Albus. He missed two, one that was very low and one that was far to the right.

“Next up, Mitchell Anderson!” An even taller fourth-year swaggered forward.

“Okay, same drill.” Yelled Douglas, as Mitchell flew up.

Mitchell had only caught one, the first one, that was aimed at his head. The rest he failed.

“Ally Madison?” a small girl approached the pitch, and flew through the air. She did well, she caught more than half of the balls.

“Molly Weasley?” Albus looked at his cousin.

She jumped on the field and flew up.

“Good luck Molly!” yelled Fred and James, and Molly flew around.

She caught twelve out of twenty.

Tyler was next. He went on to the field and took the broom.

He flew up and Douglas threw the first ball. He caught it.

Emily threw the second one, he caught it too.

He caught Quinn’s, Fred’s, Jonathan’s, then Emily’s again, then Douglas’, and in the end he had caught seventeen out of twenty.

“Alright. Chris caught the most and flew the best, so welcome to the team!” Emily yelled, and Chris came up to the team.

“Well, he was better than me. And he’s nice at least” Muttered Tyler disappointed.