So…...you might all think I have died or stopped writing this story. Well, truth be told I was lazy with loads of homework and tests plus extracurriculars getting intense recently. It truly has been a while for this story. Do note that if I don't update in a while I have a writer's block OR I'm swamped with school.

Sorry, no replying to reviews today. I'm a bit tired and yeah. But, enjoy this new chapter.

Chapter 19-Tying Loose Ends

Hermione

It has been exactly a day since my bump with Cho in the library. It might not have seemed like much, but every little thing could be a clue to solving a mystery. I peered over Ron's shoulder towards Ravenclaw table to watch Cho. She chattered with her friend Maria while also waving at Harry. He seemed enthralled by her looks and charms. Maybe I should tell the demigods…. It is there duty. However, they still seem reluctant to tell their own secrets. But, I must tell Ron. Harry is Ron's best friend after all. Ron can keep a look out for Harry.

Wait. What was I thinking? Ron doesn't even have a working wand. Plus, he is as clueless and dense as a donkey. There is no confiding in him. Think, Hermione, Think. Dumbledore!

I glanced over to the teacher's table and Dumbledore nodded towards me, as if he knew what I was thinking. Of course, there is legilimency, but it seems to Dark Art-like. I can clearly imagine Snape doing that with his potions and just drugging people. But Dumbledore? He is too… righteous (?) to do it.

I saw two fingers snap quickly in front of my face. I jumped slightly and glanced around. Piper was silently questioning me with her fingers still in front of my face. She asked, "You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just fine." I mumbled, trying to keep my calm. They do say the eyes are the gateway to your soul. And I don't need a demigod playing with my mind.

I quickly packed my belongings and told Ron and Harry, "Library. Now."
They looked at each other and just shrugged, bading goodbyes to their friends before following me out the Great Hall. Harry had to run to keep up with me and he kept throwing the same question over my head, "What's going on?"

I shook my head and kept silent until we reached the library. I led the boys to a table almost enclosed by tall shelves of books that acted as a barrier and shield. I sighed, "Harry, I've been doing some research. And I think-no, believe-that there is a traitor amongst these walls."
The boys stayed silent and looked at each other before laughing. Ron snorted, "There is always someone after Harry. Didn't we conclude on Snape? He practically loathes Harry!"
Harry nodded, "And besides. The demigods are being quite useful. I mean there are less monster attacks I suppose? At least it was a good thing for the demigods that Dumbledore and their mist thing destroyed the rumors and stories after the live attack in front of the school!"

I laughed sarcastically that the boys started squirming uncomfortably in their seats. "Yes, we know of those threats. Snape is hardly secret. No, I'm talking about a spy. A spy that isn't Snape. I grilled Luna for some intel that the Americans seem to be hiding from us. And what I found is that the donor/benefactor that donated the drakon and came up with the Second Task including the weird portkey that transported you to a real hell? Well, maybe the donor is someone at this school."

Harry's eyes widened in realization and he shook his head, "Wow. Are you sure Hermione? Can the benefactor that is like 6 feet tall be a student?"
Hermione sighed, "Your right. The benefactor is around 6 foot tall from the stands. But, what if he has an agent within these walls to keep an eye on you? This agent is giving him information on your whereabouts and skill while maybe making sure you are vulnerable."
"What about the demigods?" cried Ron, "Don't they know about this?"
"They do. But they didn't tell us. They might have been afraid that we would tell or, I don't know, maybe think Ron and I could be a weak link or maybe Harry would be more than likely to try to get rid of the threat himself and end of up getting killed. Seriously Harry, you need to think before going into a fight."
Harry turned red and rubbed the back of his neck. Ron cried, "Do you know who this traitor is?"
"Indeed I do. But, Harry, you won't like this."

He chuckled, "Don't worry Hermione. If I can handle thinking Sirius was after me, I can handle this."
I glanced at Ron with worry who just furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. I sighed, "Fine. But, like I said, you won't like this. I believe the person working with the benefactor is….Cho Chang."
Harry yelled, "What! Hermione, y-y-you're wrong! That's impossible! She would never do that!"
I shouted back, "You don't understand Harry. I've been checking the evidence. Everyday, I see Cho reading a book on deadly potions and spells-"

Ron mumbled, "You're paranoid."
"-no Ron I'm not. And I followed her one night and I saw that she was conversing with someone in the Forbidden Forest. I think it was a male, but he had a raspy voice and pale skin. I don't know who it was, but she addressed him as the Dark Lord. And besides, I got more evidence from Luna! Luna says that she found a letter that Cho dropped in the fire in their common room. The letter talked about Cho having to choose between Voldemort or her own brother who has sided with Atlas and Hyperion, titans from the Greek myths."
Ron added, "Myths that are actually true."
I nodded, "Exactly. And from what I gathered from Percy and Annabeth's stories, these titans are definitely something to fear. Perhaps they also want to kill you. For what, I don't know. But, Harry, you have to realize that Cho is hiding something from you. I understand you have connected with her, but Harry, she is out to kill you."

During my little performance, Harry seemed deep in thought, humming along while also shaking his head violently. After a little bit of silence, he slammed his hand on the table and rose. He declared, "I don't believe you."

He stomped off in a hurry with Ron clampering after him. I sighed and leaned against my chair. If only there was a way to show Harry the truth about Cho and the danger she represented. It was time to ask for godly help. Well, more specifically, the demigods.

Nico

I was getting my weekly check-up from Will. Since the Second Giant War and the profound impacts T-t-tartarus had on people(including me), Will did a mental check on me and the Percy and Annabeth. Well, more usually he just dots around me worriedly while Percy and Annabeth cuddle each other to prevent the high likely unpreventable nightmares. Sure, I had them to, but I don't wake people and bring attention to my mental disabilities. Then again, Percy and Annabeth was there longer I suppose. But, sometimes people forget I understand their fear of that...pit.

We were in the Gryffindor common room during lunch so we were bound to be alone. Will felt for my temperature while also checking my heart beat. I turned red as he stumbled on top of me. Will stated, "Hey! You're getting better. Soon, you won't have to worry about fainting when using your powers."

Suddenly the portrait swung open and Hermione came running in. She surveyed the scene before nodding, "Good afternoon."
She hurried towards her dorm room without uttering another word. Will looked at me in confusion and I shrugged. Hermione came down again and was about to exit the room before turning around and asking, "Can you call the others to meet me after classes end outside Dumbledore's office?"

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, "Why?"
"I need your help." Then she left without explaining or bading us goodbye.

Piper and Hazel came towards the meeting spot with a solemn look. Piper just whispered, "Snape."

I nodded in sympathy. Hazel asked, "So, why are we here?"
I shrugged, "I don't know sis. But, we are waiting for the Golden Trio and Annabeth and Percy. But Hermione needed our help."
Soon the said couple came in dragging Harry while Ron made sure he didn't use his wand to escape Percy's grips. Jason came and reached for Harry's other arm as Annabeth let go.
Will asked, "What's wrong with Harry?"
Hermione sighed, "He doesn't want to face the truth."

Harry started squirming and grunting, "Hermione is lying." He began to kick around at Jason's shins as he fell onto his knees.
Draco traded looks with Frank as they came in to take Harry's legs.
Annabeth asked slowly, "What happened?"
Ron scoffed, "I would ask you the same thing. How come you didn't tell you that Cho was the secret agent?"
Piper yelled, "What?!"

Hermione nodded, "Yeah, Luna told us everything."
Eyes turned towards Luna, who shrugged in return, "They deserved to know."
Hazel whispered, "We didn't know it was Cho."
Ron exclaimed, "Really? But Hermione found evidence and Luna told her."
Annabeth asked, "You knew Luna?"
She shrugged, "I had an inkling. I just merely came to Hermione to confirm it."
Draco nodded and gave in, "Luna was being smart in the case. Telling Hermione to help figure out it was Cho while also making them aware."
Hermione nodded, "Also she kept on taking out books on deadly potions and spells. Luna never really believed it was truly Cho, but the idea got me thinking. It made me suspicious of Cho."
Percy grunted, "Can you guys use magic to make Harry a bit easier to handle?"
Hermione laughed a little, "Sorry. I forgot."

She whispered something and Harry went slack against the wall unconscious. Percy, Jason, Draco, and Frank released Harr's limbs and leaned against the wall. I sighed, "So the letter...it spoke of a brother."
"You're right Nico!" whispered Annabeth. Immediately, gears started turning in her head while Piper just said, "Maybe she is working with Voldemort to get her brother back?"
Annabeth shook her head, "No, that doesn't make sense. It is implied the brother purposefully follows Atlas and Hyperion. Maybe Voldemort is working with them. And perhaps Atlas and Hyperion will betray Voldemort."

Luna recited, "My loyalties lie in Atlas and Hyperion. But you must decide your own loyalties when my lords destroy the Dark Lord for the last time. From Your Brother."

"Exactly."
Ron groaned, "Ok, but can you tell us WHY you didn't tell us about Cho?"
Piper repeated, "One, we didn't know about Cho. Two, we didn't want Harry tipping off Voldemort. Voldemort frequents Harry's dreams, right? We're afraid that gives Voldemort a horrible advantage."

Hermione's hand collided with her forehead and she groaned, "How come I didn't think about that?"
I asked, "Should we wipe Harry's memory...or?"
"What?! That's cruel." said Ron.

Draco nodded, "Sure, but it works. Harry can't tip off Voldemort and he can also just focus his time on the Third Task instead of Cho."

Hermione sighed, "I'm angry that I have to agree with Draco."
He mumbled in return, "Guess I'm a better actor than I think."

Percy asked, "Does anyone know how to wipe someone's memory?"
Ron scoffed, "Lockhart does."
Hermione reminded, "Yeah, but he's gone. So, next best solution. Dumbledore?"
Annabeth quickly yelled, "No! We don't know if we can trust him."

Ron yelled, "Are you kidding me?! We trust Dumbledore with our lives!"

Draco shook his head, "I mean I do to, but that old man is not perfect. He was completely ignorant towards the fact that the drakon could kill Harry. And he didn't try to figure out if the Second Task would send Annabeth or Harry into the REAL Underworld. And when Annabeth, Luna, Neville, and I confronted him, I could tell Dumbledore doesn't truly believe the so-called conspiracy theory that is the dangers of the benefactor. I think he is just glad this benefactor takes up some of the costs of the tournament. Right, Neville?"

Neville, who was silent for the whole conversation, was nursing his head in his arms as he listened. He nodded, "I admire Dumbledore, but even I have to admit that at some points Dumbledore is ignorant and truly believes he can protect Harry. I mean, he literally pushes Harry into defeating Voldemort in his first year. Plus, he is completely unaware of the Chamber of Secrets despite being one of the most powerful wizards in history. It was in his own school for goodness sakes! Dumbledore has his faults, and we shouldn't trust him this time."

Ron was at a loss of words. As was I. I knew how Neville completely worshipped Dumbledore and I never knew him to be this deep and understanding of the all points of view. Finally, Ron gave in.

"Fine we are keeping this from Harry and Dumbledore, yeah?"
I nodded, "As long as we wipe Harry's memory."
Hermione smiled, "Leave that to me."
Annabeth clapped her hands, "Okay, so it is decided. Remember to NOT drop hints for Dumbledore OR Harry. And, keep a look out for Cho. Do NOT confront her until we know the full picture and her motives. Piper, Luna, you sure you can do this?"
Piper nodded solemnly, but I could see she was still surprised that Cho was evil. Luna remained calm and her mask seemed to do well to contain her emotions. She nodded and said in a wispy voice, "It will be easier for me to watch over Cho. I could even go through her stuff for more information."
Jason exclaimed, "That's a good start. But from the other burnt letter, most information is just burnt in the fireplace."
Frank added, "But we know she gets correspondences. We can just take letters from the fire. Maybe Luna could use Harry's invisibility cloak to gain the letters."
Annabeth hummed under her breath before replying, "However, we need to figure out WHEN Cho gets the letters. That way, we would be prepared and ready. I think Piper and Hermione can watch for her owls."

Hermione nodded, "That's fine with me. And Ron and I plus maybe Percy and Jason could stay with Harry at rotating shifts?"
Ron folded his arms and glanced at Harry, "It would be easier for Hermione and me to do that. We do hang out with Harry almost every day."

I injected, "Will and I could look into the potions that Cho is looking into. Figure out more about how she might be doing her missions."

Draco nodded, "I can get my way with Snape. It's perfect."
Neville whispered, "Perhaps I could also follow Cho and listen in with her conversations with Voldemort."
He shivered when he said the name and Annabeth smiled, "Nico or Luna can come with you. It's best to stay in pairs with this game. For the rest of us, we can continue what we are doing and just freelance our way towards information. Ok?"
Everyone nodded and Hazel yelled, "Break!"
We all went our separate ways and I glanced back to see Hermione and Ron peering at Harry's sleeping face. Hermione put a thumbs up and I nodded. It was time to make use of the home court advantage.

So, how was that? It wasn't much, but it tied a few loose ends. I hope you enjoyed that. Sorry again for my disappearance.-hope4all

What could be Atlas and Hyperion's plans with Voldemort?
What's the spell that Lockhart attempts to use to wipe the Golden Trio's memory?
How many chocolate frog cards does Ron estimate he has in the first book?