Out of the Shadow

Author's Note: So here is Chapter Three, finally. Although I've had it done for a while, I've been hesitant to put it up, since Chapter Four is nowhere near done, and updates are only going to become slower after this point, as I am off to college/university in less than five days. However, the plot has finally become clear (or at least less murky) after several changes. Originally, Rodolphus Lestrange was going to feature quite a bit, as would Dudley, but then I decided to continue with this fic's theme of shades of gray rather than black and white. So no Death Eaters, at least not as main characters.

A reviewer wondered why Percy works at WWW. I wrote the first few chapters before JKR gave us the new info. I decided to change things around to fit this new information after the first interview posting, but after the second one, I decided not to, because it was just too annoying to go back and change an entire chapter for one little tidbit of insignificant semi-canon.

Thanks to those that reviewed: stephd_hp, chunkyrice13, Tweedles, wisdomofravenclaw, Matilda, ChrissyTNG, lostlily17, Camilleofexeter, spin up spin down, HerDrakness, Mystical Rose, and flotsam.

***

Chapter Three: The Flying Lesson

Al soon learned that Charms was something that came easily to him, for his attempts in other classes were less successful. In Transfiguration with Professor Chang, no one managed to turn their matches into needles; in fact, Oliver Belby accidentally lit Stephen Montague's hair on fire when he mispronounced the incantation.

His other classes were no less disastrous, or so they seemed. Professor Slughorn took a liking to Al immediately, inviting him to a "Start of Term Get-Together" in his office that Sunday. Apparently, Al's grandmother, his father, and James were all very good at potion-making. But when Al and Hayden melted their first cauldron, it was with a distinctly disappointed air that his head of house bid him goodbye.

Herbology was with the Gryffindors, which meant that on top of teaching them how to care for magical plants, Neville had to keep the two houses from brawling. The plant Al, Rosie, and Hayden were supposed to be studying was terribly boring, and Hayden eventually fell asleep, which resulted in a point lost from Slytherin.

Hayden wasn't the only one to fall asleep during History of Magic. Al had been looking forward to the class, as he wanted to learn about wizarding history, but ten minutes within the class, he found himself abandoning his notes and doodling in the margins. Professor Binns droned on, unaware that his students had lost interest.

Defense Against the Dark Arts held some promise, but Al did not know if he was any good at it yet. Professor Jones, a cheerful witch with dark hair who Al remembered meeting once, merely introduced the course and told them what they would be learning. There were several magical creatures in cages around the room, and Al looked forward to learning more about them.

Astronomy, held at midnight on Wednesday, was something Al was competent with, at least. It wasn't difficult, marking down planetary positions and drawing stars on parchment. But then Thursday rolled around, and Al found himself in Double Potions with the Hufflepuffs, a second session of Transfiguration, and another lesson in Herbology. The only bright spot on the horizon was another session of Charms on Friday, and then tea with Hagrid and Rosie.

Al bid goodbye to Hayden after Charms and caught up to Rosie as she left the castle, striding toward the cabin near the edge of the forest. Hagrid greeted them both warmly and invited them inside.

A large boarhound bounded toward them, barking excitedly. Hagrid chuckled, then said, "This is Snuffles."

Snuffles lay at their feet as Hagrid got out a couple of chipped mugs and a kettle. "So, how has yer first week been?"

"Exhausting," said Al.

"Wonderful," said Rosie at the same time.

"Well, which one is it?" asked Hagrid, smiling.

"I did well in Charms, but I melted my cauldron in Potions and nearly fell asleep in History of Magic."

"Ah, well, everyone falls asleep in Binns's class, I heard," said Hagrid sagely. "But what did Slughorn think when yeh melted the cauldron?"

Al blushed. "He was kind of disappointed. Kept going on before it happened about how potion-making was in my blood, and then my cauldron melted."

"It's your own fault for not reading the books," said Rosie.

Hagrid turned toward her. "I bet yeh did well," he said. "Yer mother excelled in all of her subjects. One of the smartes' witches I know, Hermione." Rosie blushed. "I think yeh'll both be having yer first flying lessons soon."

"Yeah, tomorrow morning, with the Hufflepuffs," said Al. It was another thing he had been looking forward to as of lunchtime. He knew he was good at flying, at least.

"Ours is tomorrow afternoon," said Rosie, wringing her hands. "I'm no good at it; Dad's given up on trying to teach me."

***

The next morning, Al, Hayden, and the other Slytherins trooped out to the grounds right outside of the castle. The Hufflepuffs were already there, standing next to their dilapidated brooms. Oliver Wood was there as well, muttering to himself. As he passed, Al caught some of what he was saying. "Disgraceful, these brooms are..."

He chose a broom that didn't have too many twigs sticking out of its handle. Scorpius Malfoy was across from him, looking rather green.

"Right," said Wood, ceasing his pacing once everyone had found a broom. "I'm Wood; you can call me that, since I'm not used to being called 'Professor.' You've all got a broom, or at least something that resembles a broom after it has been utterly destroyed by the Whomping Willow" - several students snickered at this - "so we can begin the lesson. Everyone put your hands over your brooms and say 'Up.' You won't need to do this later, but it's easier to do so in the beginning."

"Up!"

Al's broom soared into his hand immediately. Hayden had to repeat his command, but it came up the second time. Across from them, however, Scorpius's broom remained stubbornly on the ground. There was a cry of pain as Neil McLaggen's broom came up and whacked him the face.

After about ten minutes, everyone had finally managed to get their brooms to cooperate, and Wood walked by each of them, correcting grips. "So you're Harry's son," he said to Al before studying his grip. "Good. I wouldn't have expected less. Did your father teach you?" Al nodded. "I thought so."

He moved on to Hayden, then onto Scorpius, who was almost shaking. "Wet blanket," Hayden muttered under his breath, but Al felt bad for the Hufflepuff, who was clearly scared to fly. Wood spent at least a minute correcting his grip, leaving an even greener Scorpius behind him.

"All right," said Wood when he was finished. "Now, I want you all to mount your brooms." Al got on immediately, his heart thudding with excitement. True, this was a school broom, and they wouldn't be doing anything but hovering, but he was finally going to be able to fly. Across from him, Scorpius struggled to get on and finally managed to clamber on, although it was more like falling on the broom than mounting it.

"Good. On my whistle, I want you all to kick off on the ground and rise up until you are a few feet off the ground. Hover there until I tell you what to do next. Three... two... one..." There was a sharp whistle blast, and Al kicked off, feeling the wind in his hair for a moment before he had to stop and hover.

Hayden grinned at him and gave him the thumbs-up, but Al noticed Scorpius turning the color of whey as he looked down a mere five feet off the ground. "Are you all right?" he asked.

Scorpius nodded quickly, looking as if he would be sick.

"Okay. Now, to get down, just point your broom slightly downward and forward at the same time," said Wood. Al's broom descended smoothly, and he got off, grinning. Scorpius nearly fell off his broom. Hayden was smirking widely. "Mount your brooms again," continued Wood. "This time, we're going to rise further up. Watch me and go up as far as I go." He soared into the air, at least twenty feet up.

Al complied enthusiastically, wishing the pace of the lesson was faster. Hayden followed, and Scorpius nearly crashed into Al as he wobbled into place. "To move forward," said Wood, "lean slightly forward and steer in the direction you want to go in. I want you all to try moving slowly toward the person across from you."

Al smiled encouragingly at Scorpius, and the two of them moved toward each other at a snail's pace. Even at this speed, the Hufflepuff was struggling to stay on his broom. And then... Al realized it was going to happen a moment before it did... Scorpius slipped too far to the side just as he was about to pass Al. Al reached out, his clutching fingers barely missing the other boy's sleeve as Scorpius fell. For a moment, the horrified boys' eyes met, gray against green, and then there was a sickening crack as the Hufflepuff hit the ground.

Everyone froze. Al suddenly found it difficult to breathe. He could only stare down at Scorpius, who lay unmoving on the ground, his right arm and leg at unnatural angles. And then, "You pushed him!" gasped a Hufflepuff girl nearby.

"I saw it too!" said another Hufflepuff.

Wood was next to Scorpius immediately. "Get the headmaster immediately," he said to a shocked-looking Hayden, who descended and dashed off without a word. "And you get Madam Pomfrey," he told the girl who had accused Al of pushing Scorpius. "Potter, get down here," he barked.

Al didn't dare refuse. He opened his mouth, ready to defend himself, but all that came out was, "Is he all right?"

Wood ignored this question and instead looked past him. Flitwick ran toward them, glancing between Al and Scorpius. Hayden was behind him. He didn't look at Al. A moment later, the Hufflepuff girl arrived with Madam Pomfrey, who gasped and levitated Scorpius at once to bring him to the hospital wing.

As soon as they were gone, Flitwick turned toward Wood, his wizened, usually cheerful face very grim. "Emily, tell Professor Flitwick what you saw," said Wood to the girl.

The girl glanced at Al fearfully for a moment before saying, "He pushed her, Professor. Scorpius was struggling on his broom, and then I saw him" - she pointed at Al - "reach out and push him."

"Hmm." Flitwick's expression was unreadable as he studied Al. "This is very grave, Oliver. Tell your class to dismount, and then go get Horace and Hestia. Potter, follow me."

"Professor..." said Al as he followed him, but he was walking too fast even on his much shorter legs, and Al had to run to catch up. They traveled at this pace all the way up to the seventh floor, where they finally stopped, in front of a very ugly gargoyle.

"Protego," said Flitwick curtly. The gargoyle moved aside, allowing them to climb up the staircase behind it. There was a door at the end of the stairs, and Flitwick ushered him through it, into a circular room that was most likely his office. "Stay here, Potter," he said, herding him into a chair across from his desk. "Don't go anywhere." And then he was gone.

Al looked around, his heart thudding. When Flitwick came back, he would tell him... he hadn't pushed Scorpius; it was all a big mistake. But would he believe him? If he didn't, what would happen?

As if reading his thoughts, the portrait directly over the headmaster's desk spoke. "If your story, flimsy as it probably is, is not believed, you will be punished accordingly. Judging by the headmaster's behavior just now, I believe you are about to be expelled."

The portrait was of a man with greasy black hair and unfathomable black eyes. He wore black robes, which made him look somewhat like an overgrown bat. "Expelled?" repeated Al in a whisper.

"Now, now, Severus," said the portrait of a kindly-looking old man on his right. He wore half-moon glasses and robes decorated with stars and moons. "We don't know if he's innocent or guilty. Innocent until proven guilty, remember?"

Severus... that meant the man was Severus Snape. Al could not imagine a man less fitting of the description his parents had bestowed on him in front of James, Al, and Lily, yet here he was, Al's namesake and one of the bravest people Harry had known. "What's your name?" asked the old wizard.

"Albus, sir. Albus Potter."

The old man chuckled in delight. "Oh, how flattering. Severus, Harry's named his son after me."

Snape grunted noncommittally. "Are you Dumbledore?" Al said in wonder, temporarily distracted from his plight.

Dumbledore merely smiled and nodded. "And you are in Slytherin, I see."

"A Potter in Slytherin!" exclaimed a witch with her hair in a severe bun. Her portrait was on Dumbledore's other side.

"What?" Snape peered at Al's house badge. He smirked. "Your father was obviously displeased."

Al did not like him very much. "Actually," he replied coldly, "my dad was proud. Said that it was an honor to have a son in the house that produced one of the bravest men he knew."

Snape looked taken aback. He retreated from his frame suddenly, leaving behind a stretch of dark brown canvas. "Don't mind Severus," said Dumbledore. "He's a hard man to get along with, but I do believe you have unexpectedly flattered him. I wouldn't be surprised if he was shedding a few tears right now."

Al severely doubted it. A snort from the witch at Dumbledore's side confirmed she doubted it as well.

"Filius seems to be bothered, though. What is it that you're here for, my boy?"

And Al told him what had happened. Dumbledore listened patiently the entire time. "Sir, what if they don't believe me?"

"Then you shall be expelled," said Dumbledore sadly. "It is, unfortunately, not my decision to make anymore, but Filius's. Don't worry, though. If your story is true (which I think is the case), Professor Flitwick is a fair man."

The door opened, and Flitwick entered, followed by - Al's stomach did a flip when he saw them - Harry, Ginny, and the Malfoys. All of them looked grim, and his parents did not look at him as they sat down on either side of him. Above the desk, Snape sidled back into his portrait, an unmistakable look of anticipation on his large-nosed face.

There was a long silence, during which Al squirmed anxiously. Finally, he turned to his mother. "Mum, I didn't do it... please believe me."

Ginny's face was unreadable. "I don't know what to believe, Albus," she said. Al winced; she never used his full first name unless if she was really disappointed or angry. "Professor Flitwick says two people saw you do it."

The door opened again, revealing Wood, Slughorn, and Jones. "What's going on, Filius?" asked Slughorn, his eyes flicking over everyone in the room.

"I'm afraid that during Wood's flying session, Albus Potter pushed Scorpius Malfoy off his broom, or so it seems," said Flitwick shortly. "Two Hufflepuff students saw him do it - Emily Rowan and Jared Edgecombe."

Slughorn frowned. "And these two students..."

"... Were on relatively friendly terms with Mr. Potter before the incident. I doubt they are telling anything but what they truly saw."

Al felt the accusing eyes of Draco and Lavender Malfoy on him. "I didn't do it," he repeated, this time to his head of house and the headmaster. "Emily and Jared saw me reach out... but I was trying to help him."

"And is there anyone who can attest to that?"

"I--" A horrible thought suddenly rose in his mind. What if he had accidentally pushed Scorpius? Maybe his hand had made contact... Maybe, when Scorpius woke up, he would say that Al had pushed him. They weren't friends - even if Al hadn't pushed him, wouldn't it be embarrassing for Scorpius to admit that he had fallen off his broom?

"Headmaster, I suggest you ask his father to look into this," said Snape, sneering. "I heard a few years ago that he's an Auror. Then again, maybe he'll overlook his own son's murderous tendencies."

"I have not got murderous tendencies!" shouted Al, standing up and glaring at the portrait.

"Albus, sit down," gritted his father. Al was so shocked by his tone that he automatically obeyed. Harry seemed to be at the end of his fuse.

"Clearly, he has," said Snape, looking Al up and down. Al's jaw dropped. Snape was extremely nasty. He couldn't see why his parents had named him after such a person, no matter how brave he had been.

"Severus..." said Dumbledore wearily.

"No need to be so nasty, Snape," said a fat wizard with a pink face in another portrait. "The boy hasn't been proven guilty."

"I just have one question," said Lavender, and Al suddenly realized she was about to cry. "Why Scorpius?"

"Isn't it obvious?" sneered Snape.

"Severus!" said Dumbledore, frowning. "Control yourself."

"Clearly," said Draco, glaring at the Potters, "your son saw how uncomfortable my son is on a broom and decided to take advantage of that."

"Clearly," said Ginny, her voice wobbling slightly with emotion, "my son has not been proven guilty at this time." Al's heart soared; no matter how angry his parents were, they were still defending him. His heart sank again as he wondered how they would feel if Scorpius testified against him.

"Madam Pomfrey has been instructed to ask Mr. Malfoy what happened as soon as he is fully healed," said Flitwick tightly.

There was an uncomfortable silence after her announcement. Finally, Wood cleared his throat, and said, "How are things going, Harry?"

"Swimmingly," said Harry, sarcasm dripping from his voice. Al winced. His father could be very sarcastic at times, especially when he was extremely angry or stressed. Or in this case, both.

Wood colored. "I... that was awful. I shouldn't have asked."

Harry relaxed slightly. "No, I apologize, Wood. That was uncalled for, my response. It's just... the first time I've been in Hogwarts for over nineteen years..."

The door slammed open. To Al's surprise, Scorpius Malfoy stood there, panting and sweating heavily, leaning against the door frame for support. He had clearly run all the way from the hospital wing. Al had been under the impression that bones took a little longer to heal, and that it would be Madam Pomfrey bringing the verdict.

"He... didn't... push... me," gasped the Hufflepuff. "I... fell... off."

Everyone in the room stared. Lavender broke the silence, launching herself at her son and squeezing him tightly. "I was so worried..."

She led a limping Scorpius to a chair, then helped him sit. Draco's eyes were narrowed. "Fell off," he repeated coldly. "Tell me, Wood, what exactly were you doing?"

"Basic movement," replied Wood nervously. "I had them rise about twenty feet into the air - standard height for short-distance flight - and move slowly forward."

"You fell off moving forward," said Draco to his son. There was disgust in his tone. "We've been trying to teach you for years and you fell off doing the simplest, most basic thing."

Scorpius turned pink and stared down at his shoes.

Flitwick cleared her throat. "Very well. It seems the Hufflepuffs were mistaken, in which case, Mr. Potter, I must commend you for your attempt." She gave him a small smile. Ginny put her hand on Al's shoulder as they stood. Draco was still glaring daggers at his son.

"Draco..." said Lavender softly, trying to calm her husband, who was clearly incensed at his son's incompetence in flying.

"I cannot believe you fell off your broom," said Draco. Scorpius's head, if possible, hung even lower.

"Don't say that, Malfoy," said Harry. "Flying is probably his weak point; he probably excels in another area." None of them voiced the thought that was going through all of their minds: Most people didn't fall off their broom just flying forward.

"I do believe it is lunch time," said Slughorn jovially, now that the affair was over. He, Wood, and Jones left. Al followed his parents out as soon as they had bid the portraits and Flitwick goodbye.

As soon as they were in the corridor, Ginny pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry I doubted you, darling. I should have known you would never do such a thing... It was just - there were two Hufflepuffs who saw you, and everyone seemed so convinced. Your father was angry with me the entire time; he had no doubt at all that you were innocent."

"It's okay, Mum," said Al, his voice slightly muffled. "I thought for a moment that I did it too."

Newly content, he walked with his parents down the many flights of stairs. As they approached the Great Hall, Harry said lightly, "James will be angry if he finds out we were here and didn't drop in for a visit."

So Albus, beaming, led his parents into the Great Hall. Everyone quieted upon their entrance, staring. "Mum? Dad?" said James, standing up and coming toward them. "What are you doing here?" The low rumble of conversation began again, though people's glances kept shooting their way.

"There was a misunderstanding," said Ginny. "And we were called in. How are you, darling? Did you and Al share the sweets I sent?"

"James ate most of it before I even saw it," answered Al bitterly.

"Hello, Uncle Harry, Aunt Ginny," said Victoire, Lucy at her heels.

Rosie came into the Great Hall with a group of friends Al didn't know. She stopped short when she saw her aunt and uncle. "Is something wrong?" she asked, panicked.

Harry shook his head. "All is well," he said with a smile. "We just got called here. It appears Al's more trouble than he's worth." He put an arm around his son.

"Why? What did he do?"

"I fell off my broom, and it looked like he pushed me," said a quiet voice behind Al. He turned. Scorpius was walking toward them, his parents behind him. "Thanks," he said simply when he reached the group. "For trying to help, I mean."

"No, thank you," said Al with a grin. "I mean, you could have said I had pushed you instead of admitting you'd fallen off."

"Yes, well, you would be expelled if I had." Scorpius returned his grin hesitantly, and it lit up his face. Al realized he had never seen the Hufflepuff smile before. The other boy offered his hand, and Al took it, wringing it enthusiastically.

"Al, why don't you introduce us to your friends in your letters? Hayden and Luke?" suggested Ginny when they finally let go.

"Yeah. All right," said Al. He could see Luke craning his neck at the Ravenclaw table and Hayden pretending not to be curious but looking at them every other second. "I'll see you later, Scorpius."

"See you," said Scorpius.

Harry had told Al many times the story in which he and Ron saved Hermione from the troll during their first year. According to Harry, Hermione had been terribly annoying, and Ron especially had been annoyed by her presence. Yet after the incident with the troll, Hermione had become their friend, because, said his father, you couldn't go through an experience like that and not become friends.

Al had never really understood how things like that could change so suddenly, yet now, he realized, the same thing had happened to him.

Author's Note: So now we know why Scorpius is a Hufflepuff.

The next update is not likely to be very soon, as I am leaving in a matter of days, and I doubt I will be able to finish a chapter amidst all the activities that will no doubt be going on. So hang in there, and please review!