Chapter 16: Three Chosen Ones

Albus then realized that morning he had not told Naomi and Andrew about the fact they were the chosen ones to defeat Voldemort, but then didn't want to.
What if Naomi freaks out? He thought, or Andrew tells his mom and his mom orders him to leave Hogwarts and forever never return...
And Albus felt only comfortable in Hogwarts if Naomi and Andrew was around.
So he went to breakfast acting normal, sitting down with his normal breakfast bread and pumpkin juice, receiving yet another note from his father:
Having a good time?
-Dad
Albus thought this note ridiculously short for some reason. His dad usually wrote fair amounts to him, that took up at least the top of the parchment, but this was simply an example of parchment to waste.
So he decided either his Dad had extra parchment or his dad was watching his favorite show while he was writing so he did not have time to ponder over a single note.
Yet, Albus wrote back, but this time to his mum, on the back of the parchment, nice and long so the parchment would get at least the use it deserves.
Dear Mum,
I am having a great time at Hogwarts and thought it would be a change if I wrote to you. How are you doing back there? Is Lily fine, really? I do expect occasional notes from dad, but you can write me back this time for a change.
Everything is fine and I even managed to get an E for Excellent on the Potions test, and I'm making some friends as well. 
I've met a few people like Joan Krum. (Dad used to tell me that Joan's father used to be my aunt's boyfriend back in the days), and a few others. 
Love,
Albus
And sent it off for Borthwick to send.
Albus felt wonderful, thinking about the Attack of the Jokers. He loved every second, and truly felt happy for having a brother like James to back things up a bit. Albus recalled his favorite part, when Malfoy just stood there, so dumbfounded, it felt almost silly to think how confident he was when he picked on Naomi.
Of course, whenever Malfoy walked down the hall with his friends, there was still an applause and giggling from those who surrounded him, and Albus joined in every time they passed by smiling smugly.
That taught him a worthy lesson. Malfoy never seemed to pick on people again, except for rare occasions with the smallest boy in the school named Justin Johnson...

"Blimey," Andrew exclaimed after exiting the Transfiguration classes. It was now the beginning of November, a few away from Albus's favorite time of year, Christmas. "Popplewell's gone mad with the homework. Two feet of parchment? About the best Transfigurations on the planet?"
"It's gotten a use for, Andrew. The tests are coming, we have to start early." Naomi smirked.
"Still," Albus added in, "Popplewell's the nicest teacher this school's got. She lets people miss out on homework."
"Albus has got a point, I believe," Naomi shrugged, "but if you look close, then-"
"Had a nice time watching me in that situation, Potter?" A furious Malfoy, Snow, and Lyon Crabbe walked into the room. Lyon's usually neat brown hair had turned a mean case of frizzy. Snow's eyes were blaring with rage, and Malfoy was and especially mean expression.
"Yeah," Snow said, stepping up, "yeah, they've had the time of their lives, Scorpius."
"I hope you learned you lesson, then, Malfoy," Andrew shot back, "that it isn't nice to bully people because they had to mop the hallways."
"Oh, yeah? It's quite fine though, isn't it, that we didn't tell the headmistress about you planning it all out?" Crabbe glared.
"What?" Naomi blurted. "So you've come to the conclusion that we planned it, did you?"
"Unfortunately," Snow walked up to Naomi and stared her straight in the face, "yes, Maxwell. Now, if you don't keep your nosy little self out of the conversation, then I'll-"
"You'll what?" Naomi interrupted. "Tell? Go ahead! We know we didn't do it. McGonagall can do Legilimency to see who is right!"
"Yeah, Maxwell," Snow sneered. "We'll see, alright!"
"Fine!" Naomi raged, "because we didn't do it anyway!" Naomi shot back.
"What conversation am I hearing here?"
Everyone turned to see Aaron Abelard.
"What was the subject of the conversation I just heard!" Aaron demanded.
"Nothing, Professor!" Andrew said hurriedly.
"Then you are to come with me to McGonagall," Abelard said, "she is expecting you."

In a wink of time, Albus, Naomi, and Andrew had indeed found them in the office of McGonagall, who was seated as usual, her fingers intertwined, expression rather serious.
"You may leave, Aaron," McGonagall nodded and Abelard left the room, his cloak swishing.
"And you," McGonagall faced the trio, "will please care for a seat."
Naomi, Andrew, and Albus sat.
"What is it Professor?" Naomi asked after a long silence.
"An important detail of the many things I will have to explain to you," McGonagall said, "after the sudden return of Voldemort."
"Details?" Andrew looked at Albus for support.
"Your friend, Wyatt," McGonagall said to Andrew, who seemed a bit surprised the headmistress even cared to know his last name, "knows more of the thing I am trying to tell you, for the many detentions he spent with me were used for explanations of the different things he must know when Voldemort returns." And then, McGonagall let the room, but before leaving said, "if I could trust you would care, Potter, for a brief explanation to your friends, here?"
So Albus explained the questioning looks off of Naomi and Andrew's faces.
"And you, Albus," Albus asked, "never told us this? We were the ones to defeat Voldemort-"
"I couldn't!" Albus breathed. "I thought it wouldn't be too horrible if I just waited a bit."
"A bit?" McGonagall said as she returned to the room. Albus swallowed. "Odd, isn't it, Potter? I was thoroughly expecting you to present your friends with a long explanation immediately."
"Sorry," Albus said.
McGonagall looked at Albus expectantly. "I was expectant of you, Albus," McGonagall nodded, "that you'd not forget how to address a teacher?"
"Professor," Albus said, "I am sorry, Professor."
"Then you may leave." McGonagall said.