A/N: Day 16 of NaNoWriMo! I think I have 3 more chapters until Percy's first real chapter! :D
Rising Storms
A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover
Chapter 18:
Harry
The news of Colin Creevey's petrification spread like wildfire through the stone corridors of Hogwarts. Whispers echoed off the walls, and every student had become an unwitting participant in the school's burgeoning gossip.
In the Great Hall, over breakfast, the topic dominated hushed conversations as students exchanged theories and speculations about who might be behind this eerie incident. The unsettling stillness of the petrified figures had cast a shadow over Hogwarts, leaving its inhabitants on edge.
Amidst the sea of murmurs, Harry found himself at the center of unwarranted attention. His reputation as the Parseltongue-speaking wizard had cast a suspicious glow upon him. The whispers grew louder whenever he entered a room, and furtive glances followed his every move.
Draco, Blaise, and Theo, however, rallied around Harry, determined to shield their friend from the judgmental eyes of their peers. They staunchly defended him, emphasizing that speaking Parseltongue did not equate to dark magic.
In the Gryffindor common room, where the air was thick with tension, Ron confronted the gossipy murmurs head-on. "You lot need to stop spreading rubbish about Harry. Speaking Parseltongue doesn't make him a dark wizard. It's just a weird talent he has."
Hermione, ever the voice of reason, chimed in, "We should focus on finding out who did this to Colin rather than pointing fingers at Harry without any evidence."
But the prevailing sentiment within the castle persisted – the mysterious ability to speak to snakes was perceived as inherently dark, and only fueled the suspicions.
The faculty, led by Professor McGonagall, worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind Colin's petrification. The ghosts of Hogwarts whispered among themselves, their ethereal discussions adding an eerie undercurrent to the already tense atmosphere.
In the midst of the brewing storm, Harry found solace in the loyalty of his friends. They formed a united front against the skeptical gazes and pointed fingers. Draco, usually reserved, confronted those who dared to cast accusatory glares at Harry, insisting that friendship trumped baseless rumors.
Harry was thankful for his friends, and even stopped using the diary to study for a week to devote time to his loyal friends. He was glad to have them, and frankly, he needed the sleep.
The corridors, once filled with the joyous laughter of students, now echoed with muted conversations and wary glances. The students of Hogwarts grappled with the unsettling reality that someone within their midst harbored the ability to petrify their fellow students.
As the days passed, the mystery deepened, and the school year pressed on with an undercurrent of unease. The looming threat of the Chamber of Secrets cast a long shadow over the castle, and Harry, despite the unwarranted suspicions, remained determined to go through life with no drama.
The Great Hall hummed with activity as students enjoyed their weekend breakfast, the atmosphere in Hogwarts still tinged with the anxiety that had gripped the school since Colin Creevey's petrification. Unbeknownst to most, a ripple of anticipation spread through the hall as news circulated that James Potter, along with the school governors, was due to arrive.
As the enchanted doors swung open, the familiar figure of James Potter entered the Great Hall, flanked by a group of stern-faced school governors. Heads turned, and a hush fell over the room as students craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the legendary wizard.
Dumbledore, seated at the head table, rose to his feet to greet the visitors. "Mr. Potter, esteemed governors, welcome to Hogwarts. I trust your journey was uneventful?"
James, his hazel eyes sharp and discerning, nodded in acknowledgment. "Headmaster Dumbledore. We've heard troubling reports about the recent incident. I trust you have everything under control."
Dumbledore, his usually twinkling eyes now bearing the weight of responsibility, reassured them. "Rest assured, Mr. Potter, we are doing everything in our power to address the situation. The petrified student, Colin Creevey, and the cat will be restored to their normal state once the Mandrakes in the greenhouse mature. It is a matter of time."
The school governors, however, exchanged uneasy glances. The lead governor, a formidable witch with a steely gaze, spoke with authority. "Headmaster Dumbledore, petrification is a grave matter. Hogwarts has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its students. Waiting for Mandrakes to mature is not a sufficient solution."
James Potter, his concern evident, joined the conversation. "Dumbledore, my son is at risk here, as are all the students. Waiting for Mandrakes is a luxury we cannot afford. What is the immediate plan to address this situation?"
Dumbledore, his long white beard framing his thoughtful expression, attempted to assuage their concerns. "I understand the urgency of the matter, but magical processes take time. The Mandrakes will reach maturity soon, and we will have a solution. In the meantime, additional security measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of the students."
The governors, however, were not appeased. "Headmaster Dumbledore, Hogwarts' reputation is at stake. We cannot risk further incidents like this. Immediate action is required."
As the tension in the Great Hall intensified, the students observed the exchange with bated breath. The fate of Hogwarts seemed to hang in the balance, and the weight of responsibility pressed upon Dumbledore's shoulders.
The headmaster, recognizing the gravity of the situation, nodded solemnly. "Very well. I will convene an emergency meeting with the Hogwarts staff to devise a more immediate plan of action. The safety of our students is, and always will be, our top priority."
With that, Dumbledore led James Potter and the school governors out of the Great Hall, leaving the students in a hushed silence. The looming uncertainty of the situation cast a shadow over Hogwarts, and the quest for answers continued as the fate of the petrified student and the entire school rested in the hands of the wizards and witches entrusted with its protection.
Harry noticed that his dad was still outside of the Great Hall, looking within the Hall. "See you later," he told his friends before getting up and walking over to his dad. "Hey, dad."
"Harry," James said, running a hand over Harry's hair. "How are you doing, knowing that a fellow student was attacked?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know how to feel. It's scary that a student was attacked in Hogwarts, but I didn't know the student. Is that wrong? That I don't feel as affected as the other students?"
James shook his head. "No, that's not wrong. We all feel things differently. It doesn't make you a bad person because you don't know how to feel. It's okay to feel sad that it happened, scared that it could happen to you or your friends, relieved that it's not someone you love, and confused over all of the other feelings."
Harry nodded. "Okay."
James looked his son over. "Are you okay? You look pretty pale. Paler than usual." He touched his son's forehead. "You don't have a fever…"
"I'm okay. I think I'm just overworking as I study for my classes and the end of year tests." Harry tried to shrug it off. "I just need to take breaks more often."
"Okay, then." James was unconvinced, but he trusted his son to know his body. "Take care of yourself and let me know if anything else happens at the school."
"Yes sir." Harry gave his dad a hug around the waist.
Late November descended upon Hogwarts, and the castle was draped in the chill of approaching winter. The corridors, once bustling with students, now carried a somber air, haunted by the specter of petrification that loomed over the school. The petrified form of Colin Creevey, preserved in an unyielding stasis, served as a grim reminder of the unresolved threat that lingered within the castle's walls.
As the days unfolded, anxiety took root among the student body. Whispers of uncertainty permeated the air, and the once-thriving camaraderie of Hogwarts felt strained under the weight of the ongoing crisis. Students cast wary glances at the Hospital Wing, where the statuesque figure of Colin lay, and the mere sight of the petrified student sent shivers through the collective consciousness of the school.
In a fateful turn of events, another student fell victim to the mysterious petrification. Late one evening, as students retreated to their respective common rooms, a chilling discovery was made. A Hufflepuff student, Hannah Abbott, was found petrified in a dimly lit corridor, her face etched with the same frozen terror that had afflicted Colin Creevey.
News of Hannah's petrification spread like wildfire, and the castle was once again plunged into a state of heightened fear. The Great Hall, where students gathered for meals, became a place of hushed conversations and furtive glances. The urgency of the situation heightened as the questions lingered: Who was responsible for these petrifications, and when would Dumbledore take decisive action?
In the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore, his usually twinkling eyes now obscured by a veil of contemplation, grappled with the complexities of the situation. The whispers of the castle's enchanted portraits and the spectral echoes of its ghosts added an eerie soundtrack to the somber deliberations.
In a meeting with the Hogwarts staff, Dumbledore addressed the growing concerns. "We must remain vigilant and exercise caution, but we must also avoid causing undue panic among the students. The Mandrakes are progressing as expected, and we will have a solution in due course."
However, the staff, grappling with the weight of their responsibility, exchanged uneasy glances. Professor McGonagall, her stern expression reflecting the shared concern, spoke up. "Headmaster, with all due respect, the safety of our students is paramount. Waiting for the Mandrakes may not be a viable strategy anymore."
Dumbledore, though acknowledging the gravity of the situation, remained steadfast in his belief that patience was key. "We mustn't act in haste. The castle's secrets unfold in their own time. The petrifications are deeply connected to the Chamber of Secrets, and we must tread carefully."
But the staff, increasingly uneasy, pressed for immediate action. Professor Snape, his typically acerbic demeanor now tinged with urgency, spoke up. "Dumbledore, we cannot afford to be passive in the face of this threat. Another student has fallen victim, and we risk losing the trust of the entire school if we do not act decisively."
As the debates raged on, the castle's enchanted halls bore witness to the unfolding drama. The fate of Hogwarts hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of uncertainty. The petrifications, shrouded in mystery, continued to cast their shadow over the school, and the resilience of its students would be tested in the days to come.
Once again, the school governors came to the school because of the attack on a student, and Harry continued to look pale and sick. The day that the governors came to Hogwarts, Harry found himself in an old chamber… not knowing how he had gotten down there. He looked around with a curious expression. Where was he?
The feel of the diary in his hand drew his attention and his eyes landed on the diary that he had been writing in all term. Tom, the helpful study personality inside the diary helped him organize his thoughts for essays and organize his notes for his homework, tests, and experiments.
Harry couldn't find the way out of the chamber. He frowned as he started getting tired. He felt himself fall to the ground. The Diary fell from his slack grasp as his pale eyes closed.
A/N: 1971 words