The United

Chapter 6: Suspicion

 "So who do you think it was?" Scorpius asked, as they stood outside at morning break.

"I bet it was Filch and his stinking cat!" Emma said bitterly.

"Oh Emmie, your just saying that because he told you off. When you dropped that inkwell in the corridor." Rose said.

"I was going to clean it up!"

"And anyway, if Filch wanted to kill Flitwick he'd have done it ages ago." Rose pointed out.

"Hmm, anyway Al, who's your new head of house?" Scorpius asked.

"Professor Van Dutch," answered Albus miserably.

"Oooh but he's nice." Rose said.

"He's only twenty-two!" Emma smiled.

"Yeah. Compared to Flitwick who must have been a hundred or something." Albus said oblivious to the girls' heartache.

"And not much of a looker either," sneered Scorpius.

The girls glared cheeks flushed.

Dear Al

I have heard about Flitwick it's terrible. His funeral's in Godric's Hollow. I will be going of course. I can't believe someone would want to hurt him. Shame he didn't have a phoenix like old Fawkes.

Have you and James made up yet? If you haven't make sure you do before Christmas! Can't wait to see you, be careful.

Lots of Love Dad

P.S. How did you do at flying?

Albus read this letter as the sun set, making it look as if the common room was on fire. He knew a little about Albus Dumbledore (his Dad had told him some things), so knew who Fawkes was. He was so interested in his namesake that he named his first owl Fawkes. In fact Fawkes sat on the arm of his chair at that moment. He was a beautiful tawny owl with big amber eyes. Albus stroked him as his father's words snaked through his head. Why would anyone want to hurt Flitwick?

November came with bitter wind so everyone was forced to get their scarves out slightly earlier than expected. One charms lesson Albus had stayed behind for some one-to-one tutoring; he just couldn't quite get the hang of Wingardium Leviosa, when Professor Van Dutch entered the classroom. This was one of the first times Albus properly looked at him. Professor Van Dutch had dark brown hair which was almost black, paired with deep blue eyes which seemed to have a cold edge to them. His lips were thin and though he looked cool Albus noticed that he had short bitten nails.

"Professor Blackheart, may I please have a word?" He smiled at once startling charming.

"Oh okay. I'll be back in a moment Potter, keep practicing," Professor Blackheart told Albus hurriedly. She swished her long blonde hair over her shoulder in a way that Albus had never seen before.

The Professors' started whispering by the desk; Professor Van Dutch seemed to be looking for something. He repeatedly tapped the table with his wand at the same time as talking. He didn't seem to be telling Professor Blackheart what he was looking for, she was doing most of the talking while waving lashes at him, and he smiled and laughed quietly his full attention on her apart from his discreet wand waving. She went off to the stock cupboard to get something for him. When she was gone through the door, Professor Van Dutch started manually to rummage in the desk drawers, finally pulling out a wooden box from one, the box was narrow but quite a considerable height, on the light lid was carved an F. Professor Van Dutch dropped this box into his robe pocket where it instantly seemed to disappear he smirked and then if remembering Albus suddenly glanced up at him. Albus sensed this beforehand and he had resumed practising his swish and flick movement. Albus looked up a second later, as you would, and Professor Van Dutch gave him an encouraging smile. Albus returned it shyly just as Professor Blackheart came out.

"Here it is, the charm I'm developing!"

After this incident Albus realised he was very good at over-hearing conversations just because people forgot he was there. It was strange they would only realise that he was there when it was too late, the teachers especially looked at him guiltily perhaps it was because he looked so much like his father surveying them with a slight look of disappointment. To Albus he felt like he was invisible and this was a very good feeling to him. As just a week later he overheard a very heated conversation outside charms between the two Professors'.

"Just find it for me please!" Van Dutch growled.

"Why don't you find it yourself?" Blackheart snapped, and went into her classroom slamming the door behind her.

Albus had no idea what this meant but he told the others anyway.

"Whatever it is. I think we should find it first!" Scorpius said eyes shining with glory.

"Yes, but obviously we don't even know what it is or why he wants it." Rose said.

"Or what it is for." Emma added.

"But one thing do know, is that Blackheart has a thing for Van Dutch!" Marley, who was sitting beside Scorpius, giggled.

Rose frowned at her, Marley was curling her eyelashes with her unusually thin wand. Scorpius started laughing as did Albus while Emma and Rose scowled.

"I hate sitting at the Slytherin table. That girl! Molly,"

"Marley."

"Whatever, always noses in." Emma said bitterly in Charms after breakfast.

"Hmm," Albus made a non-committal noise.

Emma looked furiously at him.