I did have this chapter ready a couple of days ago, but then fanfiction's review system glitched out for a bit, so I didn't post... luckily it worked again this morning! Thanks for all the reviews, I wish I could respond to all of you even if you just said "awesome", but, alas, earwax... I mean I can't.

Unknown girl: Thanks! I actually thought about Piper's for a while, and I decided on a fox for a number of reasons. They're not physically that strong or powerful, but they're very cunning and resourceful, and use that to their advantage, like Piper in a way. She doesn't have the most physical powers, but she's definitely resourceful and can get herself out of a tough spot. Furthermore, foxes are quite graceful creatures, and I thought that was perhaps a reflection on her Aphrodite heritage. i could go on, but I should probably stop. Hope that makes sense!

Tonio Carriedo: Actually they pin that paper up in the room of requirement (as in the actual books). Maybe not their smartest move...

ElGuestoItaliano: Nice idea, you're the first person I've seen hoping that happens! Like I said, great theory... but I've actually got something planned for later on not too far off that. Instead... well, you'll see :p

awynn22: Thanks for your feedback! Really appreciate it, and Dumbledore's Tale is up!

Guest: I remember that now! I was writing the chapter, but couldn't remember exactly so went with a beagle... but thanks!

Mondmaedchen: Calypso will play a role in this story still. I won't say what that role is, but it's definitely there, in the trilogy as a whole. You'll have to wait on that... but I can tell you, Calypso will be in the next chapter...

Whew, hope you enjoy the chapter!


Chapter 28- Two Heads

Percy

Being marched through the corridors by Crabbe wasn't exactly fun. Umbridge walked briskly, Malfoy trying to keep up with her, and Crabbe and Goyle were pulling Percy and Harry along.

Malfoy glanced at them. "Crabbe, Goyle," he ordered, a satisfactory smirk on his face, "make sure the half-bloods don't escape."

For a second, Percy stopped breathing. Malfoy knew the truth about them? But then he saw Harry's face, and he remembered half-blood was just the blood status they'd said they were: it had seemed the most obvious.

Harry's face was angry. Percy knew if any other teacher had been there while Malfoy insinuated derogatory remarks about them based on their heritage, he would get told off. But Umbridge didn't care, she was just so happy.

But it didn't matter. Neither Percy nor Harry tried to escape: they knew it wouldn't make a difference now. At least Hazel, and all the others, Percy realised, had escaped.

As they walked, Percy realised Umbridge was taking them, surprisingly, to the headmaster's office. Percy wondered why she would want Dumbledore to get involved, why she wasn't taking them straight to her office.

That question was soon answered.

They reached the door to Dumbledore's office. Umbridge smiled. "Very welll. Malfoy, you may go. You too, Crabbe, Goyle, you may unhand them."

Malfoy looked outraged. "But, miss, I was hoping to see—"

"Mr Malfoy, you have done very well, but it is time for you to go," Umbridge said, anger creeping into her tone. Malfoy looked at Percy and Harry sourly, before skulking off, Crabbe and Goyle following him.

Umbridge gave a hum of satisfaction, before raising her hand and knocking on the door. It swung open, revealing a rather crowded office.

Sitting behind his desk was Dumbledore. His long beard was clean, but his face, usually cheerful, was grave. His eyes twinkled when he saw Percy and Harry enter though.

Standing next to Dumbledore's desk was Professor McGonagall, looking very displeased. Next to her was a girl, covering her face in her arms.

Sitting down on some chairs were three people Percy had never seen before. The one closest to them was a mousy looking man with a hand on his wand, and he scanned them warily.

Next to him was a tall, thin young man. He had familiar red hair, exactly like Ron's, and Percy saw Harry look at him with familiarity- and anger.

And finally, sitting furthest away from them was a stout man, his chest puffed out. He wore a shiny badge on his suit, and was looking around angrily.

"Ah, Dolores," Dumbledore said calmly, "So glad you could join us."

Umbridge ignored him, but simply looked at the third, stout, man eagerly. "Minister, I caught these two in the act. I have proof they were conspiring."

The man shot up. Percy realised who he was. This was the Minister of Magic, Toffee or something. Fear raced up his spine. What was the minister of magic doing here?

The minister took the piece of paper from Umbridge, and quickly scanned it. "An army," he breathed. "And Potter at the top of the list." His eyes met Harry's, and Harry glared at him.

"Percy," the minister continued, "write this down."

"Sorry?" Percy asked. The minister glanced at him, confused. Before either could speak, the red headed man said snootily:

"Mr. Fudge was talking to me, not you."

Fudge, that was his name! Percy looked at the red headed man, and that was when it hit him. Percy remembered Ron's brother, Percy Weasley, who worked for the ministry.

"You are not the only Percy, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, amusement clear in his voice.

"You find this funny, Albus?" Fudge shook the paper in the air. "This document contains enough evidence for me to expel your golden boy, Potter!"

McGonagall broke in. "Perhaps, Minister, you would allow Dolores to explain what happened before we make any decisions."

Umbridge shot McGonagall a glare, but spoke in a girlish tone. "Well, it all started when Mrs Edgecombe came to me and told me that Mr. Potter was running a rather dangerous club. Is that her?"

The girl who was in the corner, face hidden in arms (Percy had actually forgotten about her) raised her head slowly. The work SNEAK was writted over her face in pimples.

Percy recognised her. They had been betrayed.

Cho's grumpy friend had told Umbridge, and now they were doomed.

"You," Harry said accusingly. The girl didn't say anything.

"Did you do this, Dolores?" McGonagall asked, gesturing to the pimples on the girl's face. "Marietta is quite upset."

Umbridge leered. "Did I do that? No, of course not, it was clearly Potter and his friends—"

"Do you have any proof it was them?" Dumbledore asked, the other Percy still scribbling stuff down.

Umbridge gritted her teeth. "No, but—"

"That is irrelevant!" Fudge said, still holding up his piece of paper. "We have proof Potter was holding his own club—"

"Yes," McGonagall said sensibly, "but it could just be a simple club, with a funny name, where they could get together, Dolores didn't catch them in the club."

Umbridge looked at Marietta. "You were there, you know the truth, it was an army wasn't it?"

Marietta looked up, but didn't speak, looking too distraught.

Umbridge snarled. "Speak, you idiot girl—"

"Dolores," McGonagall said firmly, "Marietta's role in this is complete. You will not address students like that."

"It was just a club," Harry spoke up. "Not an actual army, that was just a joke name we came up with—"

"DON'T LIE!" Umbridge yelled.

"Shh, Dolores!" Fudge said, looking intently at Harry. "Well, Mr. Potter, tell the truth. No more lies."

"He is telling the truth," Percy spoke up, backing Harry. "We weren't plotting against the ministry or any of that rubbish—"

"You," Fudge stared at him, as if he had forgotten he was there, "You took part, along with your American friends?" Fudge didn't even wait for him to answer. He turned to Dumbledore.

"You know, Albus, when I sanctioned the American exchange students, I didn't realise that they would be taking part in a club trying to overthrow me."

Suddenly Professor Dumbledore's face turned grave. "Cornelius, please. You know why they're here. They came to help because these are dark times indeed."

"Oh, stop with the lies, Albus—"

"Cornelius, I beg you to see the truth right in front of your nose! Lord Voldemort has returned—"

"What example do you think you're setting for the students, Professor?" Umbridge asked furiously. McGonagall scoffed.

Dumbledore continued looking at Fudge, who Percy liked less and less. "Cornelius, it is time for you to accept the truth."

"Enough!" Fudge held up his hand. "I didn't come here for this Dumbledore. I'm taking Potter to the ministry, for commiting offences against the Minister himself." He glanced nastily at Harry. Percy realised the Minister didn't care about him, or any of the other students. He only wanted Harry. "There Mister Potter will face a hearing, and I'm sure this time he won't be so lucky. Now, come on Dawlish," the mousy man started moving (Percy had forgotten he was there), "you take Potter, Weasley and I will see you two at the ministry. Good work, Dolores, now—"

"Wait." Dumbledore's voice was so powerful that everyone stopped moving. "I think you'll find you're forgetting something, Cornelius." Dumbledore's eyes were regretful, like he wasn't going to enjoy what happened next.

"What?" Fudge asked warily.

"That a simple school club could hardly be plotting against the ministry." Fudge started to complain, but Dumbledore silenced him. "They're students, they wouldn't be able to do that… alone."

It took a second for Dumbledore's words to sink in.

Fudge gaped. "Albus, are you saying…"

"Dumbledore's Army, Cornelius." Dumbledore stood up. "Dumbledore's Army."

"You," Fudge breathed, before breaking into a grin. "My god, Albus, don't you realise now we can arrest you—"

"You can, yes," Dumbledore agreed merrily.

"Dawlish, you know what to do—"

"You can arrest me," Dumbledore continued, "but you won't be able to."

A lot happened in a second.

Dawlish moved forward, reaching his hand out. Immediately Fawkes cawed, and flew up into the air. There was a wave of flames, and time seemed to freeze.

Umbridge, Fudge, even McGonagall were all frozen. But as Percy looked around he saw Harry was still moving, a confused expression on their face.

Dumbledore tapped his desk. Harry and Percy looked at him.

"What's happening?" Percy asked.

"It won't last long," Dumbledore said modestly. "But I wished to talk to you."

"Professor, what are you going to do?" Harry asked, an angry tone in his voice. "Fudge is going to arrest you."

Dumbledore didn't look at Harry, but a shadow passed over his face. He glanced at Percy, not answering Harry's question. "You, your friends too… tell them to stay on their guard."

Percy just looked confused.

"I am aware that some know of your secret," Dumbledore still didn't look at Harry, "but a secret it should remain. I fear Hogwarts is facing a dark time, and I may not be there to help."

"Professor, what are we going to do? You can't leave Hogwarts, you need to explain," Harry said desparately.

Again, Professor Dumbledore didn't answer. Harry looked at Percy frantically, beseeching him to ask the same question.

Percy knew he should, but a part of him told him not too. He had his own question.

"Professor, we're losing our powers," Percy said, "Do you know why?" Harry glared at him, but Percy ignored the guilt inside of him. He needed to know.

Professor Dumbledore looked at him sympathetically. "Hogwarts is a place of many secrets. In time you shall understand. I wish I could help you more, but our time is up. Good luck."

And with that, there was another explosion of flames, and Dumbledore was gone.

Fudge stumbled. "He's gone!" he cursed. "Dawlish, go looking for him!"

Dawlish ran out of the office.

Fudge walked towards the door tiredly. "We've lost him. Come on, Weasley, we're returning to the ministry."

"Sir," Umbridge said sickeningly, "what about Hogwarts?"

"Hmm?" Fudge looked up. "Oh, yes. Well, Dolores, I suppose you're now headmistress."

Umbridge beamed, and Percy held back a groan. McGonagall looked like she could kill someone.

Fudge walked out of the office, the other Percy following him. Umbridge smirked.

"Well, Minerva, you may leave. I shall be calling a staff meeting soon to discuss, some, ahem, changes around here. Potter, Jackson, wait outside. I wish to talk to you."

McGongall guided Marietta out of the office, and Harry and Percy followed her.

McGonagall looked at them, before walking down the corridor.

"Umbridge is head," Percy said, horrified.

But Harry didn't look at him. "That talk with Dumbledore," he said furiously, "he wouldn't even look at me."

"I'm sure he had a reason," Percy offered weakly, unsure what else to say, because Harry was right.

"And then you," Harry growled, clearly irrational with anger, "You wouldn't even ask him the same question, the one I wanted you to, you asked about your powers—"

"Look, Harry," Percy began, but Harry stopped him.

"Don't." Harry held up a hand. "Just don't. I don't want to look at you, I'm too angry right now."

Harry turned round and walked down the corridor, leaving Percy.

Percy was going to go after him, wondering how this had happened, and who he was really angry at, when Umbridge called out.

"Mr. Jackson, you may come in!"

Percy was torn between making sure Harry didn't do something stupid, and following Umbridge's command. Sighing, Percy decided to re-enter the office. Umbridge had already cleared Dumbledore's desk, and there was a smug smile on her face.

"I thought you should know, Mr Jackson," Umbridge said in a fake sweet tone, "that things are going to change around here."

"I know," Percy snapped, annoyed.

"The first new rule I'm going to pass?" Umbridge leaned back, satisfied. "I've noticed you and your girlfriend, that Chase girl, are very comfortable. Well, there is to be no more contact between you two outside of class. In fact, no, there is to be no more contact between all of the male American exchange students, and all the female exchange students, unless in class. Not in the common room, not in the corridors, not in the dormitories," Umbridge hissed. "This will soon be extended to the rest of the school, worry not, but I thought I'd start with you."

"What?" Percy said, rendered mute.

She was banning contact between him and Annabeth?

Umbridge stood up, but Percy barely noticed. It was all too much to take in.

"You may go, Mr Jackson," Umbridge said smugly. "And rest assured, I shall be enforcing stricter rules. Things will be run the way they should be run. Oh, yes. Hogwarts will soon be very different while I'm headmistress."

First Dumbledore had left, then Harry had got mad at him—who knew what he would do next—and now he couldn't even be with Annabeth.

And this was just the start.


Predictions? What's going to happen next, and how will the demigods deal with Harry? Not to mention not being able to see the other half of the group...

And like I said, Calypso will be in the next chapter!

The review target is...

475

I've started working on the next chapter, get the review target and I'm sure I can give you a quick update! Till next time!