Hey guys. I know that this is a little later than I originally planned but I tried to listen to y'all reviews. Speaking of which, thank you so much to all that reviewed and gave me feedback! Y'all are awesome!
My first attempt of reviewer responses will be at the end of this chapter.
Don't worry for all of you who were asking for longer chapters, this one is really long.
Ava:
"AVA! Wake up!" a voice shouted straight into my ear, causing me to shriek and fall off the bed.
"Ow!" What was that for?" I complained as I rolled over, trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes.
"We're gonna be late to get to the alley place," the person who I now figured out was Leo said, giving me one more shove.
"All right. All right!" I mumbled, hoisting myself up before lugging my trunk up onto my bed. "Gosh. You know Leo, I didn't think that you of all people who be pushing for me to get ready so that you can get your stuff for school," I quipped, evoking a sign from Leo.
"Actually, Hermione and Annabeth sent me up here to wake you. Totally not happy to be attending a school and shopping for it," he replied with a shrug before quickly leaving me to pack. "We leave for wherever in an hour!" he shouted as he shut the door behind him.
I sighed and quickly reorganized my trunk with my school stuff before heading downstairs.
"Good morning Ava," Harry said, tipping a mug of something toward me.
"Morning Harry," I greeted warmly before taking the seat next to him. "Ready to go to your trial?"
"Actually," Harry started, looking sheepish. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming along with me. You know, as moral support?" he asked, looking hopeful.
"I don't know Harry. I thought that I was taking the demigods to Diagon Alley today. I would go with you if I didn't have to though," I apologized. Darn. I would love to see the Ministry of Magic.
"Well, Ron and Hermione can take them and help them. Are they getting wands?" Harry added.
"Oh. I don't know. I should ask their camp counselor," I said, whacking my forehead at my obliviousness. "Excuse me," I added before jumping out of my seat and running over to Annabeth to ask for a drachma. Confused for my sudden need for one, Annabeth quickly handed two over. I quickly thanked her before rushing off to find Sirius.
After a moment of running around the house like a crazy person, I found Sirius and Remus in the trophy room talking. Without bothering to knock, I barged in and interrupted their conversation.
"Excuse me Remus and Sirius. I was wondering if you two could make me a rainbow," I asked politely. Looking baffled, they both nodded as Remus created a bucket and Sirius grabbed a mirror. Sirius positioned the mirror just so as Remus shot water out of the tip of his wand. The water and the mirror created a small but bright rainbow, perfect for an Iris message. I threw the drachma in and said the incantation that Percy and the other demigods have used on countless occasions.
"Oh Iris, goddess of rainbows, accept my offerings. Show me Chiron at Camp Half Blood," I said. The rainbow shifted and showed Chiron sitting at the table outside of the Big House playing pinochle with Mr. D. "Chiron!" I said, causing the centaur to turn around with a huge smile on his face.
"Ava, my dear, what can I do for you?" he asked politely.
"I was wondering if the heroes needed to get their own wands or if Dumbledore has them already," I asked, trying to be polite and calm.
"They will need to go to Ollivander's and get their own," Chiron said.
"Also, I was wondering, for the sake of the quest, if I should go with them to Diagon Alley or with Harry to his hearing," I asked, looking down at the overflowing bucket.
"My dear, that is up to you to decide. Remember this: the Fates chose you for this quest for a reason. Trust your instincts and knowledge to get you through it. Is that all?" he said wisely.
"Yes sir. Thank you," I replied, feeling a weight on my chest.
"Good. Call me anytime you need," Chiron said warmly before waving his hand through the mist, breaking the connection.
"Was that their camp counselor?" Sirius asked me, breaking into my straying thoughts.
"What? Oh. Yes. I was just wondering how they would get their wands. Quick opinion, should I go with them to Diagon Alley or with Harry to his hearing?" I asked, getting my train of thought back.
"Like Chiron said, it is up to you," Remus said thoughtfully. "Do you want to support a friend or serve as a guide to people who need an eye?"
A/N: I was going to stop here with a little cliffy but your comments inspired me…
Percy:
This wizarding stuff gets pretty confusing. I mean, how can you just throw a handful of powder on yourself to transport to a different place? Like I said earlier: wizards are weird. Luckily though, we have Hermione and Ron to guide us through this alley place. I know that Ava is supposed to be our guide, but, honestly, I would've done the same thing as her. If I was in her place, I would've gone to support Harry in his hearing over shopping with heroes any day. Stupid fatal flaw.
"Percy! Come on. Let's go get your robes fitted," Hermione called to me, rattling me from my thoughts.
"Coming!" I shouted back as I ran over to Annabeth's side just as they starting walking into a store called Madam Maklin's Robes for All Occasions.
Ava:
I hope I made the right choice. But I knew, based on the novels, that Harry needs all the support he can get and that the 7 plus Thalia and Nico can handle themselves fine.
"Ava?" Mr. Weasley prompted, drawing me from my thoughts. Oops. He was probably asking me something.
"Sorry Mr. Weasley. Come again?" I asked, a blush creeping up my cheeks.
"No problem dear. I was just waiting for you to go into the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic," he said with a smile. I nodded. Of course! We were about to enter the Ministry of Magic! I walked into the telephone booth with Harry and turned toward the phone.
"Don't worry Mr. Weasley. I know the code," I said confidently as I typed in 62442, which spells Magic. The phone booth shook and started to descend, causing a huge smile to split open Mr. Weasley's face. After a few moments, the elevator clicked to a stop. A mechanized voice said clearly, "Ministry of Magic," as the doors opened up to the huge Ministry of Magic. This building was truly magnificent. I couldn't believe that I was even there. Mr. Weasley started walking to his office with Harry following close behind when I reached over and grabbed Harry's arm.
"Your hearing got rescheduled," I said, receiving an odd look from Mr. Weasley. Harry, however, understood how I knew what I knew and nodded. "I can lead him there, Mr. Weasley," I added, noticing the frantic looks another wizard was giving to Mr. Weasley.
"Are you sure Ava?" Mr. Weasley asked nervously. After all, Harry is almost like one of his sons. "Do you know how to get there?"
"Yes Mr. Weasley. Harry and I'll be fine. We'll come by your office when we're done," I said, noticing the look of relief that crossed his face. Mr. Weasley nodded sharply, bid us goodbye, and walked in the other direction toward his office. "Come on Harry. Let's go to the Department of Mysteries," I said gently, pulling Harry behind me.
*scene change- in the hearing*
Harry:
"I did it because of the dementors!" I shouted loudly, getting really irritated with constantly getting interrupted. Complete silence followed my outburst until Madam Bones spoke up,
"What do you mean, boy?"
"I mean there were two dementors down the alleyway and they went for me and my cousin!" I retorted, growing angrier.
"Dementors. In Little Whinging?" she piped up surprised.
"Yes, very nice cover story. Muggles can't dementors, can they boy?" said Fudge with a smirk. Ugh. I was really not liking him at this point.
"I'm not lying!" I said loudly. "There were two of them, coming from opposite ends of the alley, everything went dark and col…"
"Enough, enough!" Fudge interrupted again. "I'm sorry to interrupt what I'm sure would have been a very well-rehearsed story but since you can produce me no witnesses of the event…"
"As it may Minister. We can," Dumbledore interrupted calmly before stepping aside to review Ava sitting calmly in the stands. Ava, somehow understanding her cue, gets up and walks over to Dumbledore before whispering in his ear. If I'm not mistaken, I heard her mention Mrs. Figg's name but I'm not sure. Ava nodded to something Dumbledore said before walking over to me.
"Harry, go sit in the stands. Dumbledore and I got it," she said confidently before pulling me out of my seat and pushing me over to the stands. "Um. Hi," Ava said loudly, now turned to face to wizarding council. I'm Ava Crowley and I'm a friend of Harry's as well as a witness to this 'offense'," she finished, tilting her head as if waiting for something.
"Ava Crowley?" a high-pitched voice piped up from next to Fudge. This voice, after a quick glance, belonged to a pink toad whose makeup was a waste of money and time. "I've never heard of a wizard who had that name?"
Ava went a shade paler, obviously she did not expect this women to call her out for not being a wizard. However, Ava quickly recovered by replying, "You probably haven't Miss Umbridge, and I don't fault you for that. I'm muggleborn you see. Live right near Harry Potter and the Dursleys in Little Whinging." The council broke out in small whispers until Madam Bones spoke up.
"We have no record of any witch or wizard living in Little Whinging other than Harry," she inquired. If Ava was pale with the last question, she literally turned as white as a sheet with this accusation. Luckily for her, Dumbledore piped up an answer.
"Miss Crowley here actually lives in America. She is visiting her family here while attending Hogwarts this year as an exchange student. Her real address is nowhere near Mr. Potter's residence. Her family just happens to live near his house," Dumbledore said smoothly, causing Ava to visibly relax. "Now, if we may, can you continue on with this hearing? I, as headmaster, do have places to be."
"Very well," Fudge sighed. "Miss Crowley, what's your story?"
"I was walking back from town when I ran into my neighbors, Harry and Dudley. They, however, were not their usual selves. They were running you see, away from the black cloud that appeared suddenly out of nowhere. Harry yelled at me to run so I followed them into an alley. As they stopped for a breath, the air around us got cold, and it felt like all the happiness was gone from the world. Two dementors rushed in from both sides of the alley and one attacked Dudley who tripped and fell while the other attacked Harry and I. Harry whipped out his wand, cast a patronus, and saved Dudley and I from the dementors," Ava said, out of breath. Wow, I thought. This girl really knows my life and how to lie easily and without fail.
"That's all you saw then?" Fudge said with a smirk on his face. Ava nodded. "Well then Miss Crowley. Thank you and you can now leave."
"I actually was planning on staying Minister. You know, for moral support for my friend," she replied stubbornly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Fudge opened his mouth as if to order her away until Madam Bones said,
"That's fine Ava. You may stay then if you like." Fudge glared at her until Dumbledore spoke up.
"In the matter of Harry Potter. Clause seven of the Decree states that magic may be used before Muggles in life threatening circumstances. Miss Crowley, did you feel as if your life was being threatened?" Dumbledore asked calmly with a little sparkle in his eyes.
"Why, yes Professor. I was terrified. The dementor left me with images that I forgot I still remembered. Images so terrifying and dreadful that I would've died rather than relive them," Ava said, her voice shaking and a tear dripping down her face. I stood up and ran over to her.
"It's okay Ava. Everyone's fine now," I whispered in her ear after I pulled her into a hug as she shook and shed silence tears. After a few moments of silence, Ava pulled herself together and walked over to the council, the fresh tears still shining on her red cheeks.
"This trial is pointless. Why would you settle a simple matter of underage magic that was not illegal with a full criminal court? I mean, why are you all so think? Why would Harry, who is grateful every single day of his life for having the opportunity to study magic, do underage magic without a reason if it would get him expelled. Harry, no offense, may be thick sometimes, but he would never purposely lose his home and school and friends for something he can avoid. Honestly, I wouldn't want to even be a part of this world if innocent people are accused for stupid crimes just because of a grudge or a fear. Madam Bones," Ava ranted, taking a breath before caring on in a more gentle voice. "I know you share my point and view on this matter. Harry is not guilty and should be cleared of all charges because he would never waste an opportunity like attending Hogwarts just to show off or scare his cousin." Ava stopped talking, tears still streaming down her face. She stared Madam Bones in the eye for a moment before turning and walking back over to Dumbledore and me.
"Those in favor of conviction," Madam Bones spoke clearly. Fudge, Umbridge, and a few others raised their hands. My stomach dropped. "Those in favor of clearing the accused of all charges?" With this statement, she and the majority of the witches and wizards raised their hands. Fudge huffed a sigh before rolling his eyes and saying,
"Cleared of all charges then." Cheers broke out and I ran over to tackle Ava.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Don't thank me. Thank Dumbledore," she replied with a giggle. I let go and turned to find Dumbledore.
"Professor!" I shouted, drawing his attention from a few wizards who gathered around him. He turned to look at me before sprinting for the door. "Professor Dumbledore?" I shouted, my voice slowly dying off.
"Oops," I heard Ava say behind me. "Forgot that part," she whispered to herself before walking to stand next to me. "Don't worry Harry. Dumbledore's just really busy. Now, let's go to Mr. Weasley's office," she said calmly before grabbing my arm and leading (dragging) me out of the room and to his office.
Reviewer Responses:
xXMoonylightXx: Thank you so much for being so supportive and amazing! Yes, I plan on having the demigods reveal who they really are to the school after a while. If you have any suggestions on how I could have them introduce themselves: please review and tell me. Thank you again for being awesome.
aviendgaphiragon: Thanks! I'm trying to make this as good as I can for y'all. Nice feedback means the world.
imp37: I'm so happy you like it! Did I do a good job with the chapter length this time around? Should I make it longer? Please review again and tell me so I can make this better if needed. Like I said in the last response, nice feedbacks mean the world. Thank you for your nice reviews and comments.
Guest: Thanks! Pretty much for you I would say the exact thing I said to imp37 since you said almost exactly the same thing. Y'all are amazing!
A/N: Will try to post the last chapter by the end of the week. Thank you guys for being so supportive and kind!
