Fun Then No More Fun
Previously:
"Percy is not going to be happy when he hears about this," Goyle commented as they walked by.
"What do you mean?" The Minister asked, stopping in his path out.
"Do you remember what he said about if Umbridge ever becomes his boss?" Goyle asked Nico.
Now Nico had a full on smile which made everyone in the room shudder. It was not his Mythomagic smile. It was his you-are-so-in-for-it-now smile. "Watch yourself, Toad lady," he whispered, "Minister. You just might make an enemy of him yet."
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Less than forty eight hours later, they had another meeting, this time even more secret. No one was willing to disappoint Percy in deciding to quit when they had just gotten going.
It was a beautiful sight. Everyone in my defense class was there, practicing with both spells and the weapons they were assigned. Will was in the corner, setting up what I assumed was a medical station for any accidents. Nico and Sam were helping out some of the people working on their weaponry. Harry was teaching those on the spells. The best yet was Tartarus at the other end of the room, overseeing it all.
Michael came in behind me and seemed just as awed as I was.
Tartarus caught my eye and wordlessly spread his arms to the room. How do you like it, Perce? He asked mentally.
Is it my birthday already? Was my answer.
My brother's grin grew and he turned to aid a kid having trouble with the sword. It was Miss Granger's idea, he explained.
Why did no one tell me? I said dangerously.
I got no answer but Tartarus smirked.
I motioned for Shooter to wait where he was while I walked around the room.
"Kid, you're saying it wrong, it may not be your memory, just the way you are saying it," I said to one of the kids. "Say it slowly before you cast it. Expects Patronum, that's right."
For another kid I fixed their pronunciation of the spell, Ennervate and another for Finite Incantem. I shouldn't have been surprised at my ability to correct the pronunciation, half the spells were Latin after all.
Eventually I made it over to the people working on the weapons and I still wasn't noticed. I feel insulted, no one missed me.
"Thanks Percy," one of the kids said after I corrected his sword swing before he finally realized what he said.
Now people saw me. Everyone's heads turned to me and Will froze in his administrations to a witch who received a cut on her arm. All activity ceased; spells stopped flying and the sound of clanging metal suddenly stopped as well.
I looked around, a suppressed smile on my face. "Oh, don't stop on my account, proceed," I said, gesturing to their weapons and wands. "Michael and I will just help out." All eyes turned to Michael, whom I had pointed out and was slouching against the door frame.
When it was apparent this night's lesson was completed, I had everyone sit while I paced in front of them, completely expressionless. Something I'm sure made everyone nervous.
Finally, I stopped, spread my arms to indicate the room we were in. "What is this?" I asked quietly.
"The DA," Hermione answered promptly. "Dumbledore's Army. A group or club originally created so harry can teach Defense Against the Dark Arts so we can learn to really defend ourselves. Now it is for anyone who has trouble with anything related."
I stayed silent after the text book answer ( I wouldn't be surprised if she were writing a whole book on it) and started pacing again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Hermione and a few others gulp nervously.
"Let me get this straight," I said, still completely expressionless and quiet. "You have been holding a secret club to learn defense and in a way, rebel against professor Toad Lady," I paused, now adopting a completely confused and offended expression, "Without me?"
"To be fair," Will started. "We tried telling you all last week but you were not in a mood to be disturbed."
"That's no excuse!" I exclaimed, causing everyone to jump a little. "I could have had so much fun, I would have finished my job a lot faster than I did had I known about this from the start." Even to me I sounded more than a little whiny.
A few chuckles were sounded at my childish reaction and Draco's accusation. He pointed his finger in Hermione's direction and yelled, "It was all Hermione's idea!"
I rose an eye brow, waiting for further explanation.
Sam rolled his eyes. "She thought you were a traditional teacher and would have reported it," he said, "so she wanted us to keep it quiet."
"We were going to tell you, I swear!" Will added.
"I'm offended, Miss Granger," I said, putting a hand over my chest. "I thought you knew me better."
Tartarus, who was standing behind me, whacked the back of my head. "Percy, stop it with the theatrics, they're not done telling you all about what happened when you were gone," he scolded.
"What else happened?" I frowned at the sudden pale faces around the room. "Guys? You're making me nervous."
"Um," Nico said after being lightly pushed toward me. "Percy, do you mind if you let Tartarus restrain you?"
I frowned even more. "Why?"
"Trust us, you are not going to like what happened," Goyle piped up.
"Okay," I said slowly, turning to my brother. "What type do you think?" I asked him.
Tartarus stared at me thoughtfully. "Power containment," he said finally.
I rose my eyebrows in surprise. "That bad, huh?" I asked. "Alright."
"Wait, what does that mean?" Ron asked.
"Sometimes, when Percy gets mad, it's not collected anger, like when he is dealing out punishment,' Tartarus explained. "He looses control on his magic."
"It gets so out of control, he destroys things," Sam explained with a shudder. "I've seen it when he was talking to his nephew."
"Just get on with it," I said, "the longer you wait, the worse it will be."
With a nod, Tartarus waved the silly stick he didn't need. He just did it for show. Nothing visibly happened but I could feel he energy around me. I reached out a hand and was lightly zapped as I touched the barrier. I turned to Nico and the others expectantly, preparing myself for the worst.
"Dumbledore is gone and the Minister had Umbridge take his place," a long faced wizard blurted out.
"Neville!" Hermione scolded nervously.
"Sorry!" He said, throwing his hands up in defense. "The suspense was killing me."
It took a full two minutes for that to sink in but when it did, I started sparking. Little lightning bolts of my power escaped all over my body, lighting my entire form up.
I faintly heard Will say, "Now sit back and enjoy the fireworks," in the background before I lost all sense of what was happening. My blood rushed through my ears and my vision turned red. I don't know how long it lasted but it was long enough for everyone to be sent to bed for the night except for my Hunt and Tartarus.
By the time I did come out of it, the air smelled of smoke and I was still slightly angry. However, I was distracted by the smoky smell. It reminded me of Will's burned room.
"Will, why was your room full of burn marks?" I asked suddenly. "Speaking of, your room had bettter look better than last time."
Will brightened up after recovering from being thrown for the random change of topic. "Apparently, if you live long enough, you gain a special power," he said. "I only just figured it out and what you saw was me trying to control it."
"What can you do?" Draco asked curiously.
"I can move beams of light," Will said happily. "I can't make them myself but I can move them like you would with a mirror but I can do it with my hands and I can change the intensity of the light too, it's so cool!"
I shook my head in amusement as he went to show his power to Draco and Goyle.
"You still mad, Perce?" Tartarus asked warily.
"Oh, yeah," I said with a dry laugh. "But I got it under control." Tartarus took down he power containment spell. "How long?"
"All night," Nico answered as he nudged Sam awake with the toe of his boot.
"When is breakfast?" I asked, stretching the muscles I now noticed were sore.
"In two minutes," Nico answered.
I nodded, making my way out of the room. "Sam, I want you to get Luke and Leo over here," I ordered. "Lead them through my tent-actually yours, I don't think I set mine up yet. Meet us down in the Great Hall for breakfast."
"Yes, my lord," Sam bowed mockingly and ran away before I could yell at him.
"Jerk-face," I muttered good-naturally.
"Be nice, Percy," Tartarus scolded as we went down the corridor.
As we walked into the Great hall, all conversation stopped as more and more people realized I was back. I saw some people who were leaving as I arrived hurriedly come back in. People either smiled as I walked by or glared. I'm sure those who glared have every right to. I was about to make their lives a lot more interesting.
Possibly not in the good way.
"Professor Jackson," a stern voice said from behind me. "I think you'll find that Headmaster Dumbledore is no longer at Hogwarts and Professor Umbridge has taken over as Headmistress in his absence. Our students have been excelling in your class as I was able to over see one of the sessions Mr. Di Angelo was teaching."
I smiled at Professor McGonagall as she reported to me in her most friendliest strict tone. "I know, my hunters and brother informed me upon my arrival," I told her.
"Ah, yes, your brother," Professor McGonagall's lips twitched in wry amusement. "He has been most helpful in the school's transition of Headmasters."
I rose an eyebrow and turned to look at Tartarus over my shoulder. He had suddenly found some interest in the windows. "Oh?"
Have I mentioned I hate the pink lady? Tartarus commented mentally, still looking at the windows.
I turned back to the Deputy Headmistress. "Thank you, Professor, is there anything going on I should know about?"
"Mr. Potter's appointment about his future career is today after classes and the Headmistress has insisted on sitting in all such meetings,' she answered promptly. "Other than that-"
"Percy, dear, how nice of you to come back," a simpering, annoying voice I had hoped to only hear beg for mercy suddenly said.
"Lady, if you were not already in my lord's bad books, consider yourself on the top of his list," another familiar voice said. This one made me smile.
"Leo, you couldn't have come at a better time," I said, turning to see Leo and Luke walk up to where our group was congregating. "Luke, surprised I didn't die?"
"Shocked," He said dryly as he clapped is hand on my back.
"Who are these people?" Umbridge demanded rather rudely. "How did they get on school grounds?"
Luke turned a disbelieving eye onto the pink monstrosity. "This is the lady causing so much trouble?" He scoffed. "I can take her down in two seconds, Perce, want me to?"
Everyone within earshot turned wide eyes onto me as I considered the offer with a tilt of me head. "Nah, I have something else in mind for her," I said with a smirk. "Besides, it would be too much paperwork."
"Yeah, but it would be totally worth it," Leo muttered quietly.
"Leo, shut up," I said as I made my way to the front of the Great hall.
"What are you doing?" Umbridge shrieked shrilly. "You haven't answered my questions!"
"I don't answer to you lady," I snapped. "Nor to the Minister. No one."
"Then why did you answer Dumbledore's call?" She asked triumphantly as if she caught me.
"He asked nicely," Luke answered for me, shouldering past her to follow me.
I started to go up to my seat at the teacher's table when I sighed and turned back around, all student's still looking at me and the new comers. "I suppose introductions should be in order," I said slightly reluctantly. "Luke Castellan or Phoenix, Lieutenant of my Hunt," I pointed to a waving Luke, "Leo Valdez or Shizzle," I pointed out another waving hunter, "and you all should know Sam or Dove, Will Solace or Luminous and Nico Di Angelo or Shade by now." I pointed to them each in turn then continued my day to the breakfast table. "Now excuse me, I need to eat, I've been up all night and most of yesterday."
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"Why should you have any say in this?" shouted an agitated Potter. "You've been gone over a week and you have nearly invaded Howarts!"
I huffed in annoyance. Having all of my elite team move over to Hogwarts was hardly an invasion.
Harry Potter has gotten a little too used to me being gone and having Will and Sam shadow him and his friends. The young wizard is not too used to change it seems. "You mean besides the fact I am in charge of the team Will, Nico, Sam and the others are in?" I threw back, "and the fact that Dumbledore asked me to step away from my normal, very important duties and look after you?"
"Well, yeah," Harry said weakly.
I scoffed, looking at the adolecent in disbelief. "How about the fact that your enemy, Lord Voldemort brought in some of my enemies to target my neice and other members of my family?" I demanded. "Your fight has become mine."
No one said anything and Harry seemed to just rememer that we were in the common room within earhot of just about everyone in the Gryffindor house. He flushed as my last statement sunk in. "Sorry, sir," he siad empathetically.
"Don't call me 'sir'," was all I said as I started out the common room. "Come on, you'll be late for your meeting with Professor McGonagall."
The meeting began as expected; McGonagall ignored Umbridge, I sat in a corner and Harry did what he had to in the meeting. At least that was how it was until the two professors got at each other's throats.
"Did you understand my note, Minerva?" Umbridge started.
"Of course," the Gryffindor head of house said through gritted teeth.
"Then I am afraid I don't understand," pink blob of no emotion siad. "How can you give Mr. Potter false hope that-"
"False hope?" Professor McGonagall refused to look at Umbridge, preferring to stare at the space in between Harry and herself. "Mr. Potter has earned high marks in all of his defense classes-"
"I am horribly sorry to contradict you, Minerva but I think you may have misunderstood my note," Umbridge interrupted sweetly. "You see, Mr. Potter's marks have been suffering in his classes with me-"
"Forgive me, I should have been more specific," McGonagall said now. "I meant he has earned high marks in all his classes taught by a competent teacher."
This little conversation leaked its way into my bored daze at the last comment and it finally sunk in. "Oh, Dolores?" I said from the back. "I do believe the young people call that a 'burn'. You might want to go a bit north and pay a visit to an old friend of Leo's."
"Thank you, Professor Jackson, that is enough," McGonagall put in, smoothing the papers on her desk with a self-satisfied smirk. "Now, Mr. Potter, do you have any questions?"
I mentally left the conversation after that but was eventually brought back in when Umbridge started yelling. Why was it always her that started these cat fights?
"Potter has a criminal record," she said loudly.
"Potter has been cleared of all charges," McGonagall said even more loudly.
"I have a criminal record," I added helpfully as I popped my head up to look at the arguing ladies. The expected silence at my comment was immediate. "For worse things than doing magic in front of muggles. Of course, all those claims were entirely false so that hardly counts, does it?"
Before Umbridge had a chance to say anything, McGonagall powerfully proclaimed her intent to help Harry achieve his goal to be an 'hourer ' or what ever it was and the meeting was over.
On the way to the common room, Harry asked me a question that must have been on his mind since I said that random comment. Why did I have to say that again?
"Do you really have a criminal record?" He asked tentively.
"Yeah," I confirmed, not looking at him.
"What did you do?" Harry asked. "Or, supposedly do, since you said it was false."
I didn't answer right away, thinking back on those horrible days. "The people I trusted the most accused me of betraying them," I answered quietly. "I supposedly cheated on my girlfriend, something made up shortly after I found her with him." Things were silent for a short period of time. "That gods forsaken woman still haunts my dreams," I said almost too quietly for him to hear. If he did, he did not show it.
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The next day was hardly eventful. Unless you count the Weasley twins swamping the corridor so Harry can talk to his godfather. Then they summoned their brooms and flew away from Hogwarts forever.
Only...I didn't realize it was forever until the next day.
"What?" I shouted after Luke and Nico slowly explained everything to me the next day at breakfast. Tartarus was slowly shaking his head behind my lieutenant and Nico while Will could be heard trying to stifle his laughter behind me with Draco and Goyle. "You mean they aren't coming back for the rest of the year?"
"No, Percy," Nico said with a surprising amount of patience, "they quit school, much like you did."
I sat back, slowly taking it in. Then I stood suddenly, seeing Umbridge walk in. I started my way to her, glowering the whole way but I was stopped by my brother and Luke.
"No, Percy," Luke siad soothingly, forcing my to sit again. "Paperwork remember?"
At that I calmed down enough for them to let me go. I took one more glance at the annoying lady walking across the room then put my head in my hands and pouted.
"She singlehandedly got rid of all the fun in this school," I grumbled as everyone else laughed at my antics.
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