The United

Chapter 12: Easter

Easter Sunday, and there was no snow left. Some slush in shadowy corners the only remains left as the powdery snow had mostly been used in a huge inter-house snowball fight, which Albus had terrified tried desperately to get out of, it was without a question in the majority of the Hogwarts students minds the worst defeat to Slytherin in a decade. Children that day eagerly an d hungrily opened their parcels; most had gorgeously wrapped chocolate eggs, some like Scorpius, who had to go to the Hospital Wing after biting into his, where more fancy like being made out of solid gold.

"His parents are nice!" Emma exclaimed gleefully, weighing the egg in her hand.

"I think he lost a tooth," Albus smiled.

"Let me see it," Rose took the egg, she ran her nails around and ornate grove at the top and frowning she twisted the whole point, to their amazement it started to unscrew. Before Rose could fully unscrew it there was a whirring sound coming from it and the egg split in five from top to bottom to open out like a flower. They crowded closer to have a look at what was sitting in the bottom of the hollow basin. It was an ugly thing nestling in satin cloth, it was obviously a baby bird it had no feathers and looked completely alien with shrivelled skin and a sort of ill purple toned skin.

"Aww, it's a baby," Emma cooed.

"He is so spoilt!" Rose exclaimed.

"Are we allowed to keep Phoenixes at school?" asked Albus worriedly.

At that Rose hastily snapped the egg shut and dropped it gently into her bag.

"I'll take it up to him, meet us by the lake," she jumped up and dashed out of the hall.

Emma sighed and picked up her one small egg. Albus pushed one of his towards her.

"Oh no, it's fine. My aunt does her best." Emma smiled.

"It's all right, I can't eat them all anyway," Albus smiled back.

As they ate they talked comfortably, for once one-to-one. It was with a little regret that they eventually went to find Rose and Scorpius. They were by the lake heads together crouched most probably over the egg. Albus' guess was right, the baby phoenix was squawking quietly as it rubbed its ugly head against Scorpius' fingers.

"I don't believe my dad, fancy giving me a phoenix!" exclaimed Scorpius.

"The rules say only toads, owls, cats or rats," Rose said seriously.

"Great, I'll have to hide it. I don't even know what phoenixes eat."

"I'll ask Hagrid," Albus offered.

"Ask Hagrid what?" A new voice asked, Professor Longbottom had joined them.

The egg had gone.

"Oh about phoenixes, "Rose said simply.

Albus and Scorpius stared at her.

"Why?" asked Professor Longbottom.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts, Professor. Homework." Scorpius smiled politely.

"Right. Well Malfoy you and Albus have an appointment with Professor McGonagall at lunch,"

"It is lunch sir,"

"Oh well you'd better hurry then," Professor Longbottom flustered.

"Thank you, Professor," Scorpius said smartly standing up straighter.

"You go ahead Scorpius," Albus said hastily making his mind up, " Professor?"

"Yes, Albus?" he asked walking away with Albus from the girls, he let out a massive yawn.

"Long day sir? How are you and Luna getting on?" Albus asked tentatively.

"W-What?" An astounded Professor asked.

"You know a cure and medicine for my dad?"

"Oh! Oh he told you?"

"Not as much as he told me, more that I overheard."

"Oh Albus, it must be terrible for you. You poor boy, but don't worry! I have to go now Albus," he hastily dashed off.

Sighing Albus turned towards the school.

"Boys the time for your call of evidence has come through," Professor McGonagall said grimly.

The boys nodded, paling and staring worriedly at each other.

"Don't worry, I'll be there. It's not the way we used to do it and I would personally think a confession is enough but this is the procedure now."

"Yes Professor," the boys chorused.

"Here you are," she handed them two identical parchment envelopes.

"Thank you Professor."

"Your parents have been informed as well."

The boys nodded again.

"You are dismissed."

Albus opened his note at the bottom of the moving staircase.

Dear Mr A.S.Potter,

We are writing to inform you of the time which you will be called to witness to prosecute. You are expecting to attend court on the 2ndof March at 11:00am. At the department of the International Magical Office of Law. Thank you very much; we hope to see you there.

Yours sincerely,

Amy Payne

(Law Enforcement Officer)

He closed the letter, looking up to see Scorpius reading the exact same text. Scorpius, if it were possible blanched even more. With the same stony silence he strolled away head held high to his next lesson, Albus sighed and hurried too.

For the next day Scorpius was missing and Rose was rarely seen as well, Emma stayed with Albus loyally listening to his worries about the court hearing.

"You should worry Albus, everyone will believe you," she smiled finishing her dessert.

"Really?"

"Of course, you are Harry Potter's son. Besides it is mentally and physically impossible for Albus Potter to lie," she laughed.

There was a silence as Albus thought about this.

"Oh ha ha," he smiled.