The United

Chapter 16: Tests

The next day all the first-years were panicking, revising and working and this cramming occupied the rest of the week. The week after every lesson was an exam, Albus unlike many was quite calm, he thought his favourite lessons Potions and Transfiguration had gone perfectly and the rest had gone fine. Charms was as good as it was ever going to be even with Rosina Greene practising with him her unusual silver wand producing perfect spells that his wand seemed to be doubtful of. Emma lost her cool with Scorpius as he laughed at how short her wand was and this meant she could form the most perfect fire charm; Albus quickly reassured her that her wand was in no way short, and actually complimented her on its handsomeness. She smiled at him knowing exactly what he was doing as Scorpius poured water over his head.

No, the real test for Albus that week was Angel. He reminded Albus of James, all the girls went girly around him. Angel pretended not to notice although he winked at Scorpius. He boasted loudly and told impossibly tall stories like Scorpius. Albus had quite enough of him and detached himself from the group and was quite happy by himself. Emma came to spend some time with him.

"See, now you know how I feel about Marley,"

"No Emma that's jealousy," he missed her sour face, "I'm afraid of him."

"Afraid of him, Alb-"

"He's got a bad vibe about him, have you noticed his eyes? Red rings around his pupils!"

"No. I didn't get any 'bad vibes' or stare into his eyes." She chortled.

"Really? 'Cos Rose is. A lot." He huffed.

"She has to like someone, why not a mysterious relative of Scorpius's?" Emma shrugged.

"Because it wasn't that long ago that the Malfoys were bad," Albus said looking down at his feet.

Emma frowned at him, "I know."

The next week the exam results were given back to them in class, the tests were out of a hundred but Albus was still awarded One hundred and twelve per cent in Transfiguration and Scorpius laughed as he and Albus were rewarded chocolates in front of their potions class. As Professor Slughorn said he had never seen such gifted potioneers. Albus had got ninety-eight and Scorpius had got ninety-four per cent. Albus was praised in every one of his classes even in Charms. It was the most embarrassing and best week of Albus' school year. The only thing that bothered him was that it grabbed people's attention and soon he was hearing whispers about him being a boff and worst his name associated with the arrest of Van Dutch. It didn't matter though as the holidays would be there soon.

May had come faster than they all had expected.

"About the holidays, I think we should all meet up," Emma said.

"Yeah just the four of us," Albus agreed glancing at Angel who smiled.

"You can all come to my house," Rose yawned.

Scorpius grinned at her, "I'm on holiday the first two weeks, Spain. I'll send an owl when I'm free."

"Fine, that's sorted then," She said firmly.

The days were getting hotter and stickier, everyone wanted to stay outside. Even the teachers, there was nothing more really to do in class except prepare for next year.

Albus and Scorpius were outside taking a break with the rest of their Potions class.

"Listen Al, I don't want anyone knowing about my sister and her teacher okay?" Scorpius said dropping his voice.

"Yeah, sure. I kinder figured that out actually," Albus smiled.

"I guess it is kind of extraordinary," he sighed looking up into the blue sky.

"What is?" Albus asked surprised he had lost track of the conversation.

"Us. A Malfoy and Potter being friends and understanding each other. Actually us all being friends; Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor."

"I guess."

"Do you think its means something?" Scorpius was now staring at him.

"Maybe, I don't know."

"We're not like the founders?"

"No. We're not like the founders, Ravenclaw was a girl," grinned Albus.

"Yeah, but you are pretty girly."

"What!"

The two boys play fought for a moment, laughing and too hot to move they sat watching the rest of the class doing the same as them and Professor Slughorn making many of them laugh as he tipped his toes into the lake and then squealed like a girl.

"Angel's annoying," Scorpius said at last.

"Yeah?"

"He can make Rose laugh."

The day before the holidays was the End of Year Feast in the Great Hall. Today Albus and his friends sat in their houses. Albus talked keenly to his house mates especially Rosina Greene who had helped him so much in lesson and now was his rival. After the usual drinking, eating and having fun Professor McGonagall stood up.

Fixing everyone with a glare that demanded attention she began to speak, "I hope you all enjoyed your year at Hogwarts, Congratulations on the highest score ever in tests, O.W.L.s and N.E.W.Ts I hope we can better it next year and have just as good celebration, and if I won't be seeing those of you who are leaving us we wish you all the luck for your future."

Some seventh-years were crying (Victoire included) the hall applauded them.

"Now I will announce which house has won the House Cup but before I do, I have an announcement to make for two houses. For Slytherin the new seeker is Scorpius Malfoy!"

There was a roar from the Slytherin table lead by Scorpius himself, Albus politely clapped with the other houses even though he was grinning at the antics of his friend.

"For Gryffindor, Rose Weasley!" the Gryffindors roared and Rose shouted with joy as she hugged her friends standing around her. She also made eye contact with Scorpius and signed the 'I'm watching you' signal which he pretended to quail at.

"Silence please. Now for the cup," Professor McGonagall said. All went quiet instantly. Ravenclaw hadn't lost for seventeen years and they had won the Quidditch Cup too.

"I have to say it was very close this year, so close that when I award five points to Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy it will mean for the first time in two hundred years we have a tie!"

The Hall gasped but there was no cheering. The two houses Ravenclaw and Slytherin stared horror-struck at each other and Albus quickly wiped the smile off his face.

"If I had not added those ten points, all of you would have won!" Professor McGonagall announced into the vacuum.

There was then an angry outburst at how impossible that was mostly by the Quidditch teams but also other clubs joined in. Rosina however bravely said, "The maths actually adds up it is possible because all the club tournaments and peoples awards in lessons."

"Silence please," Professor McGonagall called angrily, "I award Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy five house points each for bringing justice to Professor Flitwick and Professor Blackheart." There was a polite applause as the houses continued to mouth at each other,' we all got the same?"

Professor McGonagall sighed, "This is an extraordinary event to be proud of! For goodness sake clap and be happy!"

The Hall just had a few people standing and clapping. Together Albus (nervously) and his friends had risen to their feet and applauded each other, they grinned at each other and clapped louder and louder.

"Sit down!" hissed Douglas Tracey at Albus.

"Why?" he asked back.

He said nothing.

Scorpius started whooping and bowing and now the teachers joined in the applause. Slowing, tentatively with many misgivings the four houses rose to their feet and cheered at the top of their voices.

"WE WON!"