The Hogwarts Games: War Torn

Chapter 3: Albus

"Things are really bad at Hogwarts, huh?" I said.

Lily nodded solemnly, "Yeah, according the Professor McGonagall. And she said something else."

"What?" I asked.

She hesitated for a second or two and then said, "She said we're going to be in the midst of the war itself."

I replied with silence. War. Even the word sounded undesirable. I wasn't sure if I was fit to fight in a war. James probably would've been a great fighter, like my dad.

"Oh, hello, Albus, Lily," Aunt Hermione said lightly as she walked into the room and pretended to dust off the counter, "Glad to see you're feeling better, Albus."

"Um, yeah," I replied stiffly, "Much better."

Hermione smiled warmly, "Good." As she brushed off the counter, her hand nudged the flask James had given us before he... passed.

"When are you going to look at these?" Aunt Hermione asked, holding the flask up.

"Not now," I answered.

Hermione tilted her head to the side and gave us a sympathetic look. I felt a sudden flash of anger at her which was gone in an instant, replaced by a feeling of shame. It wasn't just my right to mourn his death. Aunt Hermione had that right too. Harry Potter hadn't just been by father. He'd also been one of Hermione's best friends ever since they were eleven.

"I'm sorry for earlier, Aunt Hermione."

She gave me a watery smile, "It's fine, honestly. He was your father, after all."

And as she turned to walk away, I swore I heard her whisper, "And one of the best friends I've ever had."

"So," Lily said after the door had shut, "when are we going to look at the memories?"

"I'm not sure. I just know not now," I answered. She nodded in agreement. She resumed reading her book. I gazed out the window. It seemed like only a few minutes had passed until I heard Mum call, "Dinner!"

"Let's go," I said and headed downstairs.

When we got down there, everyone quickly gave me a glance and looked away. I could feel myself blushing in embarrassment. They were probably thinking, Wonder what he's gonna freak out over this time. Brace yourselves!

I quietly sat down next to Lily and began to eat my mashed potatoes. Taking a quick glance around the table, I noticed Luna was missing.

"Where's Luna?" I asked, not bothering to address any specific person.

"She'll be back soon," Professor Longbottom replied. I noticed no one actually told us where Luna was.

"So," Scorpius piped up, a little too cheerful (he probably felt like he had to make up for being a spy in the Hogwarts Games), "do you miss Hogwarts, Professor?"

He gave him a warm, yet sad smile, "More than anything. But if I went back, I'd practically be escorting myself to Azkaban."

"Suspicions have been running high," Uncle Ron cut in, "Hogwarts— Oh, look!"

He pointed to the fireplace, where the flames were turning green. Fred, Roxanne, and Uncle George frantically scrambled away from it, seeing as they were the closest to the fireplace.

"Must be Luna with the arrivals," Professor Longbottom said.

Three people stepped out of the fireplace. Luna, currently brushing ash off her robes, was easily recognizable with her butterbeer cork necklace and radish-like earrings. The other two, though oddly familiar, I had trouble recalling who they were. One was a tall, pale man with calculating gray eyes and pale blond hair. He wore a plain black suit as if he were headed to a formal event. Next to him stood a slightly shorter and pale woman with long brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a simple gray blouse and black skirt.

The man spoke first with a tone of annoyance, "What are you smiling at, Weasley?"

I turned to see Uncle Ron smirking and he answered, "Oh, it's just fun to see you in Muggle attire."

"Funny," the man replied, "but this is what you have to do when you've been in hiding. My father and mother have decided to stay where they are. Astoria and I, though, are here to assist you in this war."

"Never though we'd be ok the same side, huh?" Ron said.

"I—" the man was suddenly cut off as Scorpius rushed towards him and embraced him tightly, "Mum! Dad! You're safe!"

"How sweet," Hermione mused with an air of amusement, "A Malfoy family reunion."

~

I feel horrible! I'm so so so so sorry I haven't updated in a long time! I've had so much writer's block! I'll try to update WAAAY more often. Merry Christmas!