Clara POV

We zoomed through the fireplace into my home. My adoptive mother was waiting for us, looking strict.

"Clarissa Jeanne Bradley! How dare you run off like that and just leave! I mean, how could you? Oh Clara, we were so worried! And why wouldn't you talk to us on the phone?"

She pulled me into a hug, but I squirmed out of it. I ran to my room, and Renee gave a brief explanation to my mom before following. "She needs rest. Doctor's orders."

"You have doctors at that blasted camp?"

"Mrs. Bradley, please. We'll explain soon, I promise."

She ran after me, which I was glad about. She was the only person I wanted to see right now. I didn't even know why I was reluctant to see my adoptive family, but I just felt miserable.

"I got her off your toes."

I shook my head. "Charmspeak?"

"I don't think so. I think she understands."

"She'll send David or Ross and Dallas in soon. She's just acting like she's okay with this. Renee, it's all my fault!"

"Clara, please. Calm down. Can you remember what was your fault?"

"Something about when I was petrified. I don't know how, but Hermione and I communicated in the hospital wing."

"What? How? And why is it a problem?"

"Some sort of telepathic thing. But sometimes, I could feel our, um, signal, or whatever, fading in and out. I think we were being intercepted. Kaylee's much smarter than her sister, Renee. I need you to watch her."

Renee looked shocked and worried. "What did you tell Hermione?

"Well, she wanted to know about camp, so I told her some stuff, where it was….I think I allowed Kronos to poison the tree!" I gasped.

"How? Luke knows them too!"

"Well, yeah, but I think he may not have had the guts to come back to the camp without the vital information."

"What vital information? What happened?"

"Well, I don't think Morgana's story adds up, somehow. How would Kaylee have figured this stuff out when she was just six? And why would she want to be involved? I mean, she's a brat, but it wasn't until we came into play that she would have had a reason to be against me. So, I think she may have known Luke, and I think she may have liked his ideology, but it wasn't until we came into play that she really knew Luke was right for her."

"But what about Mellie and Ali?"

"Don't call them that! And what did Chiron tell you when you went out with him? The night Thalia appeared?"

"That….that I played a part in something in the wizard world….something about Him."

"Voldemort?"

"Yeah, and something to do with Harry's future. And Voldemort said last year that he's been tracking me since I was a baby."

"You never thought to tell me this?"

"Sorry. I forgot, up until this very moment."

"Okay, well, next time do better at remembering, then. Anyway, Chiron told me that I played a part in the prophecy that might concern Percy. My minor decisions will affect his major decision, when the time comes. So they were on the lookout for us, and I inadvertently gave Kaylee the last piece of the puzzle, the total confirmation. Morgana and Ariana knew before, but Kaylee was still hesitant."

"Kaylee was hesitant to hurt….us?"

"No, she would have loved to. But she, unlike others, does care who gets hurt from her actions. If they're not a threat to her, they're not her problem."

"Clara, how do you know all this?"

"I just do. I've figured it out, when I was in the infirmary. It brought back memories, you know?"

Renee nodded, and I glanced at the clock. We had gotten in around 7:30 pm, and now it was 8:30. I was surprised Mom hadn't sent in any of my brothers yet.

"Clara," My mom called from somewhere. "Renee, have you eaten?"

"Yeah, we had dinner at camp."

"You want me to get milkshakes? I can get your favorites, one of each for each of you!"

Man, that was tempting. I knew it was just an effort to get me to talk, but still. One Vanilla Blueberry milkshake and one chocolate raspberry milkshake each….I glanced at Renee.

"You're going to have to talk to her sometime." My best friend rolled her eyes

"I know," I sighed. "Okay," I called down, resigned.

Over the next few weeks, my mom made us do normal kid stuff. We went to the mall with Ross and Dallas and some of their friends. We didn't really need anything, but Ross's girlfriend Jen insisted she treat us.

Renee came home with new earrings, ones with miniscule gold balls on them. She'd search up a charm to make them into snitches when we got back to Hogwarts. She would have done it now, but Mom insisted we only use magic for homework. I ended up with plain black flats, which Renee thought was hilarious, because they were so "unlike me." I had no idea what she meant until she pointed out my sneaker collection and reminded me I was a daughter of Apollo.

We studied math and science online for an hour a day, so that we could keep up with the real world. We also researched current events to be sure we knew what was going on outside of our "fantasy worlds," as Tony liked to joke.

We had family game nights, and watched movies. We studied up for Hogwarts and read Greek mythology to better understand what we were up against. And one night, Renee reminded me that we still had our letters.

After a horrible defeat in Pictionary from Ross, Renee, and Steven's team against my team with Tony and Dallas, Renee and I snuck off to open them. It was almost time for us to return to Hogwarts, and we figured we'd better know our supply list before we went shopping at Diagon Alley.

When we'd finished looking at letters from our friends, which detailed their summers and plans for next year, we opened the thick letters from McGonagall.

The first one was the regular year letter, just telling us the start of term, where and when to get the train, blah blah blah. On the back was the second year supply list.

The second note was more interesting.

Dear Miss Bradley,

We understand that because of your history as a demigod, you already know advanced defense. We were wondering if you would like to take an advanced placement test that could put you into third year level. The only problem is that we cannot match it to your class schedule to take with your houses, so you would have to take it with the Gryffindors. Please reply at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Deputy headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I looked over at Renee. She was grinning. "Did you get the DADA letter?" She demanded.

"Yep. Should we go for it?"

"A chance to get out of a class I would otherwise have with Kaylee, Ariana, and Morgana? Obviously!"

"I hope we have a competent teacher this year. If not, at least we'll be with friends."

"Do you think we both need to write back?"

"One of us can, and we'll both sign it."

"Sounds good." I shook the envelope and a third letter came out. Renee did the same.

"Dear Miss Bradley," I read out loud. "We would also like to ask if you would like to drop History of Magic and take Care of Magical Creatures instead. The slot we have open would be the Gryffindor/Slytherin slot, also away from your house. But you must promise that you will study history of magic in your own way, and you will turn your learning in at Christmas, Easter, and the end of the year. Are you willing to do this? Please respond at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Professor M. McGonagall, deputy headmistress, blah blah blah."

"What a great opportunity. Ditching History of Magic for a class we could actually use?" Renee was ecstatic. "I'll write back right away!"

"We'll need to figure out how to study it on our own, though. Shouldn't be a problem, with the library at Hogwarts."

"I bet Annabeth and Chiron could tell us a few things as well. After all, Hecate is the goddess of magic."

"True." We were so excited for the coming year.

Renee POV

Around noon on August 29th, we scooped up the Floo powder and our trunks and yelled, "The Leaky Cauldron."

Of course, it would be August 30th when we got there, and closer to evening. When we reached England, we'd have to adjust to the time difference, which was why we were leaving a day early. We had made our reservations at the Leaky Cauldron, which never cost much. And anyway, we had a lot of money.

The plan was for us to sleep all evening and wake up earlier to go shopping. Hopefully, then, we'd meet up with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny tomorrow.

But of course, things never go as planned. We slept for an hour in room twelve, then went down to the bar to get some dinner. As we were eating, someone approached us.

"Renee!"

"Harry!" I embraced him. "How are you?"

"When did you get in?"

"Just an hour ago. You?"

Harry laughed, and I wasn't sure why. "You might want to sit back down. It's a long story."

I sat back down, and Clara waved. I reminded myself that she didn't know Harry as well as I did, although apparently she knew Hermione better than I'd thought.

Harry joined us after ordering a sandwich, and told us about the fiasco with his aunt Marge, and the way Fudge had greeted him.

"Oh, and Renee, I need to tell you something. There's a wizard criminal on the loose, broke out of Azkaban. Nobody's ever done that before. Anyway, this criminal, he killed thirteen people in one night, twelve Muggles and a wizard. And his name is Sirius Black."

"Black? Are you sure?"

"Perfectly sure. Here."

He pulled out a newspaper from his bag and spread it open to a picture of a screaming man with matted hair. The face looked hauntingly familiar.

"Sirius Black?" I pondered. I'd heard the name before, but I didn't know where. Clara yawned.

"Sorry, Harry, we just got in. Still a little hard adjusting to the time change. Our parents suggested we sleep it off early this evening. Let's meet up tomorrow, what room are you staying in?"

"Eleven."

"No way! We're right across the hall, in twelve!"

"Great. Tomorrow you'd better tell us all about your summer and why you never answered my letters."

"Of course, Harry. But somewhere private, okay?" Clara whispered. "You and Ron and Hermione are the only ones who know our secret. I want to keep it that way."

Harry nodded, and we went up to bed for the night.

The next morning, we scanned our supply lists. "Thank goodness you're not taking Care of Magical Creatures," Harry told us, beckoning us into his room. "Look at this!"

It appeared to be a book, but it was breathing.

"What is that?" Clara asked nervously.

"The Monster Book of Monsters. Care of Magical Creatures book."

"Um, Clara? Maybe taking that class wasn't a good idea."

"What?" Harry looked confused.

"Oh, we didn't have time to tell you. We got letters from McGonagall. We get to substitute that class for History of Magic."

"You're so lucky! I wish I could trade in History of Magic. That class is terrible!"

"Right?" Clara seemed to be warming up to Harry, which was good. "We also got offered to take an advance placement test for DADA. If we succeed, we'll be in your class!"

"That's amazing. You guys deserve it!"

"Thanks, Harry."

We set off. I bought my books. The employee screamed when we said we wanted two Monster Books. "Why is everyone coming in pairs?" He cried. "Do you want to torture me? This is worse than the Invisible Book on Invisibility, which we never found. And those cost a fortune, too!" He eyed Harry wearily, as if daring him to ask for a copy as well.

I had an idea. "Sir, would you mind if I helped with the books?"

"If you're willing to lose a hand, I'd welcome the help."

I went behind the desk, where there was a huge crate of the fanged books. I looked at them. It must have been a charm, because they weren't actually living, but it couldn't hurt to try.

"Come on, books," I said. "Nice and easy, there we go. You really do want to stop fighting, you'll feel a lot better for it. There you go, come on now."

The employee looked shocked. "How did you do that?"

"I guess it's kind of like….dogs. You have to know how to talk to them." The man was appalled.

I plucked two from the bunch, and they were snoring loudly. "Simple as pie."

"Can you get them to stay like that? So I can, you know, give them to other students?"

"I can try. Be right back." I thrust the sleeping books into Harry and Clara's hands. Harry looked at me strangely. I jogged back to the man, who was waiting for me.

"Now, you're going to stay asleep, okay? Okay. When this nice man comes to pick you up, you'll obey him. You won't attack in any way. Understand? And any of his coworkers. Got it?" The books seemed to nod sleepily. "If you have any problems with them, send an owl to Renee Sanderson at Hogwarts."

"Thank you so much, Renee Sanderson. Dumbledore will be informed. And you can get a free book if you'd like as well."

"Oh, thank you so much. Let me look around."

I searched for the right book, either something useful or something for Clara and me to enjoy. I glanced at Greek Mythology in Magic and Seeking to Beat the Chase you can Keep: A Player's Guide to Switching Positions before wandering over to the fiction section. I was surprised to see the shelves included some well known Muggle authors, including John Green and Suzanne Collins*. There were books by Ministry workers and politicians and pretty much anyone else you could think of.

Eventually, I bought a copy of Greek Mythology in Magic because it could be really useful. I knew Clara would praise my choice.

When I came to the front, Clara had bought all our other books. She and Harry looked bored waiting for me.

"Come on. We still need potions supplies, and Harry wanted to show you something. And I hope we find the other three soon."

"Yeah, Renee, come on. If you don't think this is as impressive as I do, I'll drop my position as seeker!" We hurried out of the store,

"Well, then I'll be impressed at-whoa!" I was staring at a racing broom that looked even better than the Nimbus 2001's that Slytherin's Quidditch team had. The Firebolt.

"That's what I wanted to show you."

"It's amazing! Price on request? I wonder, if we pooled our money….then we could share it…."

"You're not spending our money on a broom, Renee. I don't even play, and it's not just your money either," Clara reprimanded. But Harry and I looked longingly at each other.

We were beginning to wonder if we were ever going to see Ron and Hermione on this trip when someone yelled, "Harry!"

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were eating giant ice cream cones at Florean Fortescue's. Ginny got up, and walked toward me. "Renee, I don't know if I ever really got a chance to apologize for last year, but-"

I cut her off. "Ginny, there's no need. You were fighting Voldemort."

Everyone except Clara and Harry gasped when I said the name. They beckoned us to sit down, and Hermione went up and ordered three more ice creams. "She'll be expecting you to pay for that," Ron said. I nodded absently, forgetting for a moment that the Weasleys were very poor. Ron scowled.

"Hey Clara," He said, not looking at me, "did you hear that we won the 700 galleon prize draw?"

"Really? That's amazing!"

"We got to go visit my brother Bill in Egypt," Ginny added. "Those pyramids were freaky."

"Hey, you didn't even see the worst of it! Mum wouldn't even let you go in that one!" Ron snapped.

I looked at Ginny. "What's with him?" I whispered to her.

"It's his rat, Scabbers. He hasn't been doing well ever since Egypt."

I frowned. "Sorry to hear it."

"He never cared about that blasted, good for nothing rat before, but now he's changed because he's old."

Clara was chatting with Hermione about her huge sack of books. "You signed up for every elective?" Clara asked. "How is that even possible?"

Hermione looked uncomfortable and changed the subject immediately. "So, my parents gave me a bit of money for my birthday in September. I was thinking of buying an owl, since you've got Dusk, and Harry's got Hedwig, and Ron has Errol."

"No I don't, he's a family owl! But I would like to see if they have anything for Scabbers."

Harry led us across the way to the Magical Menagerie, which was where I'd gotten Princess, who Sandra had taken care of for the summer. Drew hated Princess, and Silena had begged me to appease her, saying we'd figure something better out for next year.

There were double-ended newts and giant purple rabbits and all sorts of other creatures, and it was all so shocking to take in.

"Was it like this last year?" I whispered to Clara. "This, well, chaotic?"

"I don't think so."

"So it's not just me."

Ron approached the counter. "It's my rat," he explained. "He's been a bit off-color ever since I brought him back from Egypt.

Ron placed the rat on the table next to a crate of skipping white rats.

"How old is he?" Asked the witch at the counter.

"Quite old. He used to be my brother's."

"What powers does he have?"

"Um…."

"This one's been through the mill, he has. A common garden rat can like him generally only lives for about three years. You're lucky. Now, if you want a sturdier creature, I would suggest one of these guys." She indicated the cage.

"Show-offs," Ron mumbled. I had to say I agreed.

"Well, if you don't want a replacement, you could always-" the lady was cut off as something huge and orange came flying at Ron.

"Aaaah!" Ron screamed, and I stepped back. The thing spat madly at Scabbers.

"Crookshanks, NO!" exclaimed the lady, trying to hold the beast back. Scabbers shot off the counter like a rocket, and Ron and Harry chased after him. I followed.

"What was that thing?" Ron was very annoyed.

"Either a very large cat or a small tiger." Harry's blunt sarcasm was always amazing.

"That is not a cat, there's no way that thing is anything like Princess," I argued. Harry nodded. "Where're Clara, Ginny, and Hermione?"

"Probably getting Hermione's owl, or…." Harry trailed off as Hermione hurried towards us with the giant cat, Crookshanks, in her hands. Clara and Ginny seemed to be carrying his bed and food.

Ron tucked Scabbers in his pocket and glared at Hermione. "You bought that monster?"

"He's not a monster," Hermione said. "He's a big sweetie, aren't you, Crookshanks?" She cuddled the cat.

"Hermione, Scabbers needs rest and relaxation!" Ron protested. "How's he supposed to get it with that thing around?"

"Princess will be absolutely terrified," I agreed. "How am I supposed to take care of my cat?"

Clara piped up from behind Hermione. "Renee, you're a Slytherin, they'll barely come into contact. And Hermione can keep Crookshanks in the girls' dormitories while you keep Scabbers in the boys', Ron."

Ron huffed and stomped away, and we felt obliged to follow. "When are you going to tell us about your summer?" Harry whispered to me.

I indicated Ginny. "Later. Maybe we can find a private compartment on the train, or find a private spot after dinner tonight, or…."

"I get it."

That evening, the Weasleys were overjoyed to see us. Molly pulled me into a hug, and the twins imitated Percy's pompous way of greeting us. I noticed, however, that Clara hung back with Ginny and Hermione.

Molly adored me, and at first I couldn't figure out why. After all, she barely knew me.

Tom had pulled three large tables together for the eleven of us, and we talked joyfully about everything from Hogwarts to the Firebolt.

"We wanted to buy it," Fred told me earnestly. "I wish we could get our hands on some money."

"Harry and I were thinking about pooling our resources, but Clara wouldn't let me. It's her money too, so I guess it's fair."

Ron glared at me across the table. He seemed to be the most touchy of any of the Weasleys about their money situation. He hastily changed the subject.

"How are we getting to the platform tomorrow, Dad?"

"Ministry's providing a limo."

"What?" Percy exclaimed. "Why?"

"It's because of you, Perce," George said seriously. "And there'll be little flags with HB on them-"

"For Humongous Bighead," Fred finished.

Aside from Percy and Molly, we all snorted into our pudding. Clara immediately looked sheepish for doing so. "Mr. Weasley, you never did answer his question," she said sharply.

"Oh….well….since I work there….they're doing me a favor." But I noticed he was stuttering a lot.

"I propose a toast," said Molly suddenly, obviously trying to diffuse the tension. "To Harry Potter and Renee Sanderson, for saving our daughter from unimaginable horrors."

"And," Hermione put in, "for creating unity between Gryffindor and Slytherin, where there would otherwise be none. And saving Clara from those horrors as well."

"To Harry and Renee." Molly raised her glass.

"To Harry and Renee," everyone echoed, and then we paused in awkward silence.

"Are you all packed?" Arthur finally asked everyone.

"Ron's not, he's dumped his stuff all over my bed." Percy glared.

"Ron, go finish up. What about you, girls, is everything good?"

"We just need to put a few of our books away," I told her.

"Wren, why is Molly acting colder towards me? You'd expect….I mean, you're the Slytherin."

"It's because I saved Ginny, whereas you didn't stop her."

"I thought she was more thoughtful than that." Over the next few years, we would learn that Molly Weasley was an amazing person, but sometimes got caught up in things like that. "Oh well," Clara sighed.

Around midnight, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go downstairs for a cup of ice water. I knew Tom always had some out on the bar counter.

Someone barred my way on the staircase. "Harry!" I gasped.

"Shh! They're talking about Black. I just heard my name come up."

"He's thirteen years old, and-" Arthur was saying.

"Arthur, the truth would terrify him!" Molly yelled shrilly. "Do you want to send Harry back with that hanging over him? For Heaven's sake, he's happy not knowing!"

"I don't want to make him miserable," Arthur retorted. "I want to put him on his guard. "You know what Harry, Ron, and Renee are like, wandering off by themselves, they've even ended up in the Forbidden Forest. And unless I'm much mistaken, there's something Dumbledore's not telling us about the girl! They absolutely cannot do that this year! It's been two months and he hasn't been caught! Harry and Renee need to know! I mean, if Harry hadn't gotten the Knight Bus, if the Ministry hadn't found him, I'd hate to think….he could have been dead by morning!"

"But he's not dead, and neither is she! They're fine, so what's the point in-"

"Molly, they say Sirius Black's mad, maybe he is, but he was clever enough to escape from Azkaban, that's supposed to be impossible! I don't care what Fudge keeps telling the Prophet, we're no closer to catching Black than we are to inventing self-spelling wands! The only thing we know for sure is what Black's after, and I still think the girl is somehow involved! She's a Slytherin!"

"She saved our daughter, Arthur, what could be wrong? They'll be safe at Hogwarts, Dumbledore's-"

"We thought Azkaban was safe too. If Black can break out of there, he can break out of Hogwarts!"

"But no one's really sure that Black's after Harry, and I highly doubt Renee is in any way-"

Arthur banged his fist on the table. "Molly, how many times do I have to tell you? Fudge doesn't want it released to the press, but Fudge went out Azkaban the night Black broke out. The guards say he's been talking in his sleep, always the same words…. 'At Hogwarts….e's at Hogwarts….' Black's deranged, Molly, and he wants Harry dead! And Sanderson, what role does she play in all of this? If you ask me, he thinks that murdering Harry will help him bring You-Know-Who back to power, and she'll probably be able to help Black get to Harry by being someone close to him!"

"Renee isn't like that, Arthur, really. And he's fine, Dumbledore'll be able to stop all this. I assume he does know?"

"Of course he knows, we had to check if he was okay with us putting guards all around the school! He wasn't happy about it, but he agreed."

"Not happy? Why shouldn't he be happy, if they're there to catch Black?"

"Dumbledore isn't very fond of the Azkaban guards," said Arthur heavily. "Nor am I, if it comes to that….but sometimes, when you're dealing with forces like Black, you have to join forces with those you'd rather avoid."

"But if they help catch Black-"

"-then I will take back every word I said against them. It's late, Molly, we'd better go up…."

We heard chairs move, and I pulled Harry back behind a wall as they came upstairs. Then we ducked back downstairs for the water and the rat tonic, which was what Harry had been there for.

"He thinks I'm working with Black? How?" I seethed.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow, on the train, okay? We'll find a private compartment for the five of us; you, me, Hermione, Ron, and Clara. You should get some rest."

As we walked up, Percy was still yelling at Ron over his head boy badge. "Couldn't they just go to sleep?" I whispered, right as Fred and George poked their heads out at us.

"We've got it," Fred said.

"Yep. We've been improving it. Have a look." The badge now read, "Bighead Boy." Harry and I forced laughter and hurried up to bed.

Later, as I lay down, I thought how it all made more sense now: Fudge meeting Harry and forcing him not to leave Diagon Alley, and he was providing us with Ministry limos so that we'd be safe with the Weasleys at all times.

I couldn't wait to be underway on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow and leave this summer behind.

A/N so there's chapter 37. Did you like what I did with DADA and Care of Magical Creatures? And what about the Gryffindor to Slytherin distrust? Should I try to play that out more?

I hoped you enjoyed it. Please review! Thanks!

~Hufflepufferfish