Harry, Ron, and Hermione hurried down the halls and corridors with a mission to go to Dumbledore's office.
The Americans were dangerous, and no one knew what they truly were here to do. They had already harmed Neville, and there was no telling who was next, but Dumbledore would know what to do.
The legendary Professor always seemed to have all the answers.
"Professor!" Harry yelled as he saw Dumbledore right before he turned around the corner.
The Headmaster didn't hear, he was too invested in the intense ongoing conversation with the Americans. The wizards just couldn't see the demigods.
The old man was not happy. In fact, he looked quite distressed. This fact did not take Harry away from his mission—to tell Dumbledore about what had happened to Neville because he believed it to be of upmost importance.
Harry, Ron and Hermione chased after the professor as he turned around the corner. As they approached, they heard voices, prompting them to slow down, hide, and peek over the corner they were hiding in.
All four Americans looked as distressed as Dumbledore, if not more.
"I'm telling you, Piper wouldn't do it in the right state of mind! Something must've been in whatever she had—"
"And I'm telling you, that Neville Longbottom would not do that." Dumbledore's voice was calm, as it always was. "I'd see why you think that, but I'm almost completely sure that Neville wouldn't do such a thing."
All they asked was an investigation, even just to see if Neville really did do it.
The four Americans glared at the Professor, barely restraining themselves from pouncing at his devil-may-care attitude.
Annabeth opened her mouth to protest, or to possibly just trash talk the Headmaster but she stopped herself. Someone else decided to step up—someone unrxpected.
Nico unsheathed his sword, revealing Stygian Iron. The metal was as dark as Nico's heart at the moment as he glared down the man who refused to help Piper receive justice.
"Listen here, old man." Nico spoke, his voice terrifying yet calm. "A girl has been raped and if you do nothing about that, then you're an accomplice to a crime. And unless you do something, the ghosts of Hogwarts will turn against you—all of them. And, oh yes, don't expect mercy from the council of the dead when you die."
Each word Nico said, he took a small step towards the Professor, pressing his sword to the man's neck.
By the end of his little speech, Nico had Dumbledore backed up against the wall, sword on throat.
All the spectators were speechless, all in fear and in shock.
Potter! Weasley! Granger! What on earth are you up to?" Professor McGonagall's voice was firm but not loud enough for Dumbledore or the Americans to hear.
The three jumped in surprise, not expecting to meet or hear Professor McGonagall.
"We uh.." Harry started. His mind was still numb from what he had witnessed.
"Professor, the boy is threatening Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione pointed at the corner.
When McGonagall looked, she saw no such thing. Instead, she saw that Dumbledore and the Anericans were talking normally.
"You three need to go bed." Professor McGonagall said disapprovingly. "I'll escort you back to your rooms."
Meanwhile, Dumbledore stared at Nico, observing the sincerity in his eyes and words.
"Put that down," Dumbledore said, referring to Nico's sword.
Nico put it down, his breathing was heavy and his heart was palpitating. He hadn't been so mad in a long time.
Dumbledore looked at the child. Nico had just threathed him—and he was serious.
"No need to be rash, Nico. All I'm saying is that perhaps it wasn't Neville." Dumbledore said calmly.
This made Annabeth perk up. "Then—"
"All of you, back to your rooms...except Nico." Dumbledore didn't want to entertain any of Annabeth's probing questions.
Three left on the direction of the hospital wing while Nico Di Angelo, to his confusion, stayed.
Nico waited till the three were out of the earshot before speaking.
"What do you want, Albus?" Nico was still kind of mad at the old man.
"Nico," Dumbledore said. "I would greatly appreciate it if you stopped threatening the ghosts, and me."
Nico looked in the old man's eyes. It showed no fear.
Even then, with a sword to his throat, Albus Dumbledore showed no fear.
It frustrated Nico. It was almost like Albus didn't care.
"And I would appreciate it if you investigate who potioned my friend."
Dumbledore sighed. "Shadow travel us to Hogsemade Station."
Nico looked at the man. "What, you gonna kill me?"
They both knew that Dumbledore couldn't kill Nico if he tried.
"You know I can't do that." Dumbledore smiled weakly, grabbing Nico's arm. "Hogsemade Station please."
Nico grunted, obliging to the old man's request. Darkness engulfed them as the disappeared from Hogwarts.
.oOo.
"Goodnight, Professor," the three chorused.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the common room, the painting of the Fat Lady swinging shut behind them.
"You don't think he'll do it, will you?" Hermione asked the other two.
She was referring to Nico's threat. It sounded like dark magic.
"Yes, I do. And I am bloody sure that Nico's a Death Eater." Ron said.
"But why is Dumbledore just taking it?" Harry wondered.
Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard they had ever known. Why didn't he defend himself?
If even they had a hold on Dumbledore, then it was pointless to tell Dumbledore anything.
They quickly brought out the Marauder's Map, hoping to get an update of the Americans.
Harry flipped to Dumbledore's office's floor.
"Look!" Hermione pointed. "Annabeth, Leo, and Percy are leaving."
"And look—Nico is alone with Dumbledore!"
Sure enough, the name Nico Di Angelo was written next to Albus Dumbledore.
Suddenly, the two names disappeared, faded drom the map.
"Bloody hell!" Ron shouted. "They're gone!"
Harry grabbed his invisibility cloak.
"Is this even possible?" Hermione asked in panic.
Harry shoved his wand into his pocket. "Let's find out."
If Dumbledore was gone, then they truly were screwed.
Hello! Here's another update.
I'm really glad that a lot of you are enjoying my works, and I do appreciate the enthusiastic reviews!
Thank you. You all push me to write another chapter despite the fact that it's hard to.
This is dedicated to all those who are having a hard time in life at the moment.
So if you're suffering, this is for you.
Enjoy!