The Spark {Book 5 in the Star of Gryffindor Series}

Chapter 2 - Too Young

The Daily Prophet
Issue No. 101,793
28 July, 2021

Bad Influence or Badly Influenced?

Is Astra Lestrange simply a troubled girl with a penchant for harmful behavior? Some people have suggested that her unpredictable nature is a product of far more sinister workings. They say her closeness with notorious Wren Predatel, daughter of known terrorists Isaac and Katreena Predatel, may be influencing her to more dangerous behavior than would otherwise happen...

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"Think I could actually make the Quidditch team this year?" Albus asked, lunging forward to catch the Quaffle I'd tossed at him.

"Well, considering Fred will probably be captain, I would hope so," I answered, grinning.

Albus narrowed his eyes and threw the Quaffle back. "Gee, that makes me feel good. The only time I get on the team is when my cousin lets me on because I'm family."

"You'd get on either way, Albus," Wren said, frowning at me. "Astra's just being mean."

"Thanks." Albus flashed her a grin. We were playing catch with Teddy's old Quaffle, because Aunt Andromeda had said we couldn't fly. Apparently, we were too close to the village, and someone might spot us over the trees. We had to content ourselves with tossing the Quaffle back and forth, occasionally throwing it at Wren, who was sitting on the grass, watching.

"Lily's going out for Slytherin," Wren told me after a minute.

"Is she good?"

"I'm pretty sure it runs in the family, at this point," Albus answered.

"Should've known." I threw the Quaffle to Albus, intentionally throwing it a little high. A Chaser had to be ready. He stepped back a few paces and caught it, hardly even looking at it.

"Any news on your dad's job, by the way?" I asked.

Albus had been about to throw the Quaffle, but his arms dropped. "Oh. Yeah. Dad's off probation now. But he still can't do much with the Ministry."

"They're giving the Heads of Departments less power," Wren explained, "They say it's to protect against corruption."

"I think Carrow just doesn't want Dad taking the aurors off to find Stillens," Albus said sourly, throwing the Quaffle forcefully at me. "She's mad, I'm telling you. Dad's tried to talk to her, but she's refused to even see him."

"That's not good." I wasn't surprised. Based on all those Daily Prophet articles, I wouldn't have expected anything less. "Has Colette been sending you two things from the paper?"

Albus nodded. "I mean, we've got to burn them after, because Dad doesn't want that paper in the house, but we've seen them. If it wasn't so serious, it'd almost be funny. Imagine, Wren being a bad influence on you."

"If anything, I'd say it's the other way around," Wren said, then ducked as I threw the Quaffle at her. "I'm kidding, don't worry." She smiled at me.

I tried to smile back, but I couldn't. "Where is this all going to end?"

"What do you mean?" Albus asked, pausing. Wren slowly stood up, giving me an uncertain look.