Chapter five

CHAPTER FIVE
UNEXPECTED VALOR
"OH! NO! I forgot my potions books!" Albus said as he took off at a dead run for Gryffindor Tower. Running through the corridors weaving in and out through the crowds. He skidded to halt as he heard someone cry out. “LET ME DOWN!" cried a boy. Searching for the source of the plea. “Isn’t this what your family does MALFOY! Torture and humiliate people!" Said an obviously older boy. Albus could hear others laughing along. “LEAVE ME ALONE!" shouted Scorpius. Albus then saw a flash of light and sprinted to the far corner. What he saw brought him to instant anger. Scorpius was hanging upside down in midair, while being smacked against the wall. “Let him down." Albus said as he pointed his wand at the boys. The three fifth years from Ravenclaw turned to look at Albus whose face was red with rage. Scorpius looked at Albus in surprised wonder. “Get out of here Potter! Just because your family's famous doesn't mean you won’t be next!" threatened one boy. “Yeah besides you of all people should be glad to see a Malfoy in pain!" said the boy who kept Scorpius suspended. “I said let him down....NOW!" Albus said through clenched teeth. The boy to Albus's left raised his wand. “LEVI...!"..." EXPELLIARMUS!" Albus shouted before the boy could complete the hex catching the wand. “STUPE...!" “PROTEGO!... PETRIFI-
CUS TOTALUS!" Albus shouted blocking the stunning spell hitting the boy with the full body binding curse. The fifth year boy fell to the ground rigid stiff as board. Scorpius fell to the ground with a loud thud. In the same motion the lead boy turned on Albus. "IMPEDI...!" "PROTEGO!...
WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA! IMPEDIMENTA!" Albus said rapidly. The boy was hoisted into the air then blasted against the wall. Falling to the ground he laid there moaning. The third boy didn't stand a chance. Before he could utter a spell another voice shouted. “INCARCEROUS!" Thick ropes shot past Albus binding the third boy neck to feet. Albus turned in flash spooked by the sudden newcomer. Alex Manard stood just behind him eyes blazing. “Thanks Alex!" Albus said. Turning back he saw Scorpius picking himself of the ground. Without notice another voice joined in. Only this one was much deeper and a whole lot older.
“What in Merlins Beard is going on here? Dueling in the corridors!" Aberforth Dumbledore shouted at boys. The Defense against the Dark Arts teacher and brother to Albus Dumbledore. Joined the staff as a Professor through much persuading by Minerva McGonagall a month after the Battle of Hogwarts. “They were bullying Scorpius Professor Dumbledore. Alex just showed up sir." Albus said pointing at the boys as well as cover for Alex. “Nice try Mr. Potter. I was born at night, but it was defiantly not last night." Aberforth said as he walked over to the boys. “FINITE!". “Give me that boy’s wand Mr. Potter. All of you follow me. I'm taking you all to the Headmistress's office." he said as he gave the boys wand back to him. Walking behind the six boys. They all
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stopped in front of the stone gargoyle blocking the entrance to the Headmistress office suit. “Tick Tigger!" Aberforth spoke giving the password. “Correct." The statue jumped aside to reveal a golden spiral staircase moving upward. Stepping up they began their assent. Stepping off the Professor shooed the boys forward to the large golden door. Looking up they all could see the electrified sign above that read. “MINERVA MCGONAGAL....HEADMISTRESS. Tapping on the door they waited. “Come in please!" came the reply. "How wonderful" she said as the children walked in but stopped short when she saw the look on Aberforth's face. Her own smile turned to that of a scowl. With a raised eyebrow she looked at the younger Dumbledore to explain. “Sorry to disturb you Headmistress but I caught the students attacking each other in the corridor just down from my office. Mr. Potter claims that these three here" he now pointed to the three fifth years. “Were attacking and tormenting Mr. Malfoy. That he intervened to help Mr. Malfoy." Aberforth explained. Young Albus was looking at the two paintings of the men by whom he was named after. They were not smiling. Everyone jumped at McGonagall’s words. "EXPLAIN YOURSELVES” she shouted louder than intended. “Were you three attacking Mr. Malfoy?" she asked sternly. “He’s the son of a family of murdering scum Death Eaters! He deserves......" The boy stopped in mid-sentence after the look of rage on Professor McGonagall’s face. “Oh how in my day a student didn't dare to speak. Enough for now Phineas." she turned on the boy. "Mr. Thomas, if I ever hear you say those disrespectful infernal words again. You will be immediately expelled from school! I will not tolerate that kind of talk! Furthermore the Malfoy family have made mistakes and have atoned for those mistakes. The Minister of Magic has accepted their atonements as well as many of the community. As I strongly suggest that you boys do! I am taking seventy points from each of you. You also report to Professor Dumbledore for detention every day for the span of one month. It is his discretion as to the time that you will report. Consider yourselves on probation. I will be writing to your parents. Dismissed!" she said as her voice got louder with each syllable. Everyone turned to leave. "Oh no not you three." she spoke out. Albus Potter never moved. He had never seen a picture of Severus Snape before. It was his face that he looked at the longest. “Mr. Potter." she called. But Albus wasn't listening. “MR. POTTER!" she snapped loudly. “Oh, um. Sorry ma’am" he said embarrassed. She let out a mild sigh. “Mr. Malfoy, we have had this discussion once before. If you begin to have problems. Come to one of us so that we can stop these type of events from happening. I urge you to do so. Didn't Professor Zabini explain things to you earlier?" she asked now calm. “Yes ma’am. I still feel the same as I did. I already knew what my first year was going to be like. I can't come running to a Professor every time someone says boo." Scorpius said confidently. “Yes well saying ' BOO ' is one thing being attacked is another. From now on the House Boy will escort you too and from class..." Scorpius interrupted her. “NO! Headmistress! I'm really sorry for interrupting you but" he apologized then gave a big sigh. “You will only make matters worse for me. I asked you last summer to let me be a normal student. No matter how much I'm ridiculed or hated. You agreed." Scorpius paused. “Believe me Professor I can handle it. Thank Albus for helping me. And you too...um..."
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Scorpius said not knowing Alex's name. “Alex....Alex Manard." he said introducing himself. “Well thank you Alex." Scorpius said with a slight smile. “Ok Mr. Malfoy." she said with a big sigh. “I did agree, but if these attacks continue. I will have no other alternative but to send you home if nothing more but for your safety. You seem to have two new friends in Mr. Potter and Mr. Manard. Cherish that Mr. Malfoy. “She said with a smile.” As for you two. I do commend that you came to Mr. Malfoy's defense. However, you should have went to a teacher or staff member instead of taking matters into your own hands. Mr. Potter I have seen and witnessed many aftermaths dealing with you when you are attacked. Someone could have been seriously hurt. You know it is against school rules to duel inside the corridors. However the noble reason. I'm taking twenty points from both of you and you will report to Mr. Filch our caretaker on Saturday. Where you will clean the trophy room without magic." she said with a stern look. “Yes ma’am." the two boys spoke. “And I will be writing to your parents as well. You're dismissed." she said as she looked up at Albus and Severus. Young Albus walked back. “Excuse me Professor?" Albus asked. “Yes Mr. Potter?" she urged. “May I please speak to Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape? I promise to be quick." Albus asked earnestly. McGonagall turned to look at Albus Sr. and Severus who both nodded. "Very well, but keep it short. I will send Professor Jordan a message that you will be a tad bit later for class.” she said with a smile. “Aberforth would you escort these two to three classes and inform Lee that I will send Mr. Potter promptly?" she requested. “Yes Headmistress. He waved goodbye to the portraits with a nod to his brother who winked then left the office ushering the boys out. Albus walked slowly forward looking directly into those sparkling blue eyes. With half-moon glasses sitting upon a very crooked nose. “It’s alright my dear boy come closer.” Dumbledore said softly. “I’m named after you, and you too sir." Albus said looking at both men. “Yes I know. Your father came to Severus and me and told us. I must say that I am deeply honored." Dumbledore said smiling wide. “And I as well. What you did for Mr. Malfoy was brave and admirable. I would never have expected it due to the history your families share. I do hope that the both of you will continue to be friends. Perhaps the both of you can begin to heal old wounds. I terribly misjudged your father when he was here. I can be truthful and say that through him he too healed some old wounds from MY past." Snape said smiling. “Well said Severus. I do hope that, this is possible. You are very much like your father. He too wouldn't have stood there and did nothing. But you be mindful of what the Headmistress said ok?" Dumbledore said warmly but in a stern voice." Yes sir. Thank you for talking to me. It was nice to finally meet you both. I hope to live up to your names. Bye now! “Albus said with a bright smile then waived to all portraits who waived back earnestly. Then McGonagall led Albus to the door. “Charming young man isn't he?" the older Albus spoke. “Yes he is. He looks so much like Harry. And his brother James is just like his name sake." Severus spoke back. “I thought you forgave all that Severus?” Albus said with a smirk. “Forgiven not forgotten Albus. At least young Potter won't have to deal with the same as Harry was forced to deal with. For that I am grateful." Snape said with a deep sigh. “I don't know Severus. We can only hope." Albus said obviously saddened.