Author's Note: Hey guys! I FINALLY UPDATED THIS STORY! Gods, this was a rough chapter to write. I'm sorry if I do not include enough description, but I did not exactly have a lot of time to write this chappie. I will update WCCM soon, but I have not had a lot of time to write because of the end of the school year. Also, I am running for Class Secretary, so I have been working on my campaign and speech a lot lately.

Update: I lost the election, but honestly I don't really care right now. Finally, school is out, and I AM FREEEEEEEE! Expect faster updates, longer chapters, and more detailed stories headed your way! Also, I may be rewriting We Cool, Considerate Men sometime in the near future, so that it makes more sense. Expect the rewrite for it to be up soon!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Liberty's Kids, 1776, or Hamilton. I only own Flora Franklin and any other OC's mentioned within these pages.

Chapter Twelve: That Time of the Year

Albus Dumbledore really needed to get Athena Washington back under his control.

And soon.

The old Headmaster had already had to botch the plan with Nick's Philosopher's Stone, sending the stone back to his old friend with a note. He didn't bother about the traps in the Third Floor Corridor, because he had forgotten about them. But he needed a new plan, one that would give him complete control over the prophesied Heiress. Sitting back in his cushioned chair, he absentmindedly twirled a strand of silver hair around his wrinkled finger as he pondered his next course of action.

It did not help that Sirius Black was once again free and declared innocent. Sirius was easily one of the most influential members of the Wizengamot, since he had taken up his position as Head of House Black, and he was the one that currently had the Minister's ear. He would probably deflect any laws regarding guardianship of a minor that Albus tried to propose. Black was nearly impossible to touch, anyway.

Then, it finally hit him.

He would kidnap George Washington.

Yes, that was the perfect plan. The next time the man came for a visit, he would lock him in the dungeons and tell Hogwarts to keep him there. After Washington was safely locked away, he would call Athena up to his office and claim that somebody had locked the General within Hogwarts, and give her an ultimatum: the only way for him to go free would be for Athena to surrender his guardianship to one Albus Dumbledore. Athena clearly loved the man, so she would certainly bargain for his immediate release. Not to mention the fact that the fate of the American Revolution -and America itself- hung in the balance if she made the wrong choice. Dumbledore would then tip off Quirrelmort that he could hurt Athena by capturing George, and play it by ear from there. Then, once he and Athena signed the Binding Guardianship Contract, he would send her to the Dursleys, where she would be beaten into submission and become the willing, malleable pawn she would have been if not for General George Washington.

Albus just hoped that Athena would have George come visit soon, so it could be put in motion before the end of the school year, and his plan for the Greater Good would be back on track.

The Next Day

George had told Athena to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas break.

Understandably, Athena had been reluctant to be at Hogwarts during the break. She wanted to be home, with George, Alex, and the rest of the Continentals! Sadly, it was not meant to be. George had predicted that this winter would be a rough one on his men, and he did not want her exposed to that. Not yet, anyway. Reluctantly, she had agreed in the end, but swore that she would be staying with George next Christmas, no matter what he said.

It was George's choice that led to Hermione, Flora, and Athena saying goodbye to Draco and Anthony that Saturday, as they boarded the Carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade Station so they could board the Hogwarts Express. Once the boys had left, the three girls grinned at each other.

"Soooo… what do you want to do now?" inquired Hermione, grinning.

"I think I know what we should do... " started Flora, bouncing on her feet as she shared a glance with Athena.

"TALK ABOUT OUR CRUSHES!" They finished together, squealing. Excitedly, they ran inside, racing each other to their Secret Hideout in the Ravenclaw common room.

The Secret Hideout was a secret room in the Ravenclaw common room that Flora had discovered a couple weeks ago. It's entrance was hidden behind a couple bookshelves, Anne Frank style, and if you knew the password, you could get in. It was a small, yet comfortable, room that had become the HQ for Athena and Co. No other students knew about it that they knew of.

Flora, Hermione, and Athena each dragged their signature bean bag chairs over to the center of the room, putting them in a triangle formation as they giggled amongst themselves.

"Hermione, who do you have your eyes on?"

Hermione blushed, and looked down at her shoes. "Well, my parents would not let me get a boyfriend at this age, but I kind of get the feeling that Draco likes me… and I kind of like him back. But I'm too young for that! Ugh, It's complicated. Add to that the fact that Lucy Malfoy will likely murder his son if a muggleborn is his girlfriend, and the situation is even worse. However, I still have a constantly growing crush on him. I can't help it!"

"Ouch, that's rough, Mione. Maybe Lucy will change his mind about muggleborns and half-bloods one day. But you could always do your relationship Romeo and Juliet style!" Flora commented, and Athena glared at her playfully.

"Not helping, Flora!" whispered Athena, lightly punching her friend on the arm.

"Oh, sorry." Flora quietly said, but then continued in a louder voice so that Hermione could hear her, "Maybe he will ask you out when you guys are a bit older."

"Yeah…" Hermione trailed off, looking into the distance. Then, she perked up. "Athena. Who has caught your eye?"

The discussion continued on for a good hour or so, and the trio spent a good portion of the days leading up to Christmas Eve like this, hidden away in the HQ talking about their personal lives and other topics, like ways to get Ronald Weasley expelled. Those were fun to discuss even though they were highly impossible and would never happen since Weasley was Dumbledore's lapdog.

A couple days later, Christmas Eve had finally arrived, and those who were staying at Hogwarts were treated to a massive feast prepared by the House Elves down in the kitchens. Athena had eaten so much food that she found herself in a food coma the moment her head hit the pillow.

The last thought that had entered her head before she had caved in to her desire to sleep was Christmas is tomorrow!

Everything was at peace in the world of Athena Washington, at least in this very moment.

Buckle up your seatbelt, Miss Washington, because the next few months are going to be a bumpy ride!


END OF CHAPTER


Author's Note: Will you look at that? This story actually has a plot now! In place of the PS/SS confrontation with Quirrelmort at the end of the year is now Dumbledore's orchestrated capturing of Washington, and a major duel will take place in order to ensure the General's freedom! As implied in the final sentence of this chapter, hang on tight to the reins of your sanity, my readers! Times are going to get rough for Athena and Co.

Next Chapter: CHRISTMAS! YAAASSSSSSSSSSSS