Chapter Twenty-Three: It Wasn't My Intention to Eavesdrop
Hermione's P.O.V.

THE SHOCK OF DUMBLEDORE leaving didn't withdraw after a few days. I knew that he would eventually return when Umbridge was out of the picture, which was going to be very soon anyway. Everyone knew that no one could withstand the DADA position for more than a year without something bad happening. Besides, with Fred and George going to the extremes with their pranking now, I wasn't sure she would last another week.

However, next week was Easter Holiday which began Friday. I thought all the fifth years were staying for it, but I thought wrong. On Wednesday night in our dormitory Piper told me that she Annabeth, Percy, Leo, and Nico were going back to America again.

"Again? What are you going to do on holiday? I mean, I'm going to spend my time studying. OWLs are so close now."

Piper took a deep breath, "Well, I'm worried that much about the OWLs anymore. Because, you know Umbridge. But the reason I'm going over there again is because I have lots of family over there. And you know, my boyfriend."

Something didn't add up there. At the beginning of the year, she said it was just a vacation. She's never mentioned family. But of course like she said, she does have a boyfriend over there.

"Oh yeah, your boyfriend. Um, what was it- Jacob?"

"Jason."

"So how are you two doing?"

"Er- We're still together. This may sound cheesy, but I'm hopeless in love with him." We both laugh. I don't know why, it was just funny.

All of a sudden the door to our dormitory burst open, and Annabeth came running in, "Piper!"

Annabeth had a look of worry on her face. It was obvious something was wrong, her face was pale white and you could see the distress in her eyes.

"Annabeth, what's wrong?"

"It's Percy. He's awake, but he's not going to be released from the hospital wing until Saturday."

"Saturday? But the train leaves on-"

"Friday. I know. We're not going to go back with you guys to Camp, I'm so sorry."

Camp? What did Annabeth mean by camp? I knew they were going back to America, but what 'Camp' are they talking about?

"Well what am I going to tell Chiron?" Piper asked.

"I don't know yet. But the thing is, Paul and Sally were supposed to be picking us up on Saturday after we got to Camp. I don't know what to tell them."

"Look Annabeth, stop freaking out. Everything is going to be fine. Can't you talk to Madame Pompfrey?"

"Well, can't you?" She threw back at Piper, leaving her dumbfounded.

"Too risky," Piper replied sharply.

"Excuse, me," I said. Annabeth turned towards me, and it seemed for the first time she seemed to notice I was here, "what are you talking about?"

It seemed that Annabeth was trying to think of something to say, when Piper answered, "A while ago, Madame Pompfrey stopped trusting Annabeth after... well let's not go into specifics. But if I talked to Pompfrey it would be too risky, because she would easily figure that it was Annabeth who told me to talk to her."

"Oh," I said, "I get it."

And I did get it. They still weren't telling me the truth. Because, Madame Pompfrey would never hold grudges against a student. A toad possibly, but that's completely different. It's unlike her to lose trust in a student.

* * *

Another dull Thursday is not what I needed. One more day until holiday and even I couldn't wait. I was getting more anxious ever since the DA meetings stopped. In Binns class, I was taking notes like crazy so I could study them over holiday when Piper raised her hand.

It wasn't typical for somebody to ask questions in his class, which made her stick out like a sore thumb. However, Binns didn't notice her for about two minutes.

"Miss- er-"

"McLean."

"Ms. McLean, do you have a question?"

"Yes, sort of. Can I go to the loo?"

Binns raised raised his eyebrow, but he conceded. As Piper stood up, I noticed she slipped something out of her pocket. Something shiny and gold... a coin. But the odd thing was is that it didn't look like a galleon.

Once Piper left, Binns continued to drone on. But the odd thing was, she didn't return after a while. Fifteen minutes after she had left, I raised my hand. Harry gave me odd look, but I ignored him.

Binns eventually noticed me and sighed, "Miss Graham, is it?"

"Granger. And I was wondering if I could go check on Piper, she hasn't come back. It's been nearly twenty minutes now."

Binns paused before sighing, "Go. And tell Miss McSheen that she is not excused again from my class. I have high expectations for all of you, OWLs are coming soon enough."

For some reason Harry and Ron seemed to think the bit about Binns having high expectations of us was somehow amusing. I managed to glare at them before I exited the classroom.

After some walking, I finally made it outside the nearest Lavatory. Why Piper was taking so long? I had no clue. But inside the Lavatory, I heard voices.

"-and they went back for the list, apparently. They got caught by some other students- and well, kind of got in a magic duel. Annabeth's already out of the hospital. But the reason they won't be coming is because the nurse thought it be best Percy to stay until Saturday. Which is completely stupid."

Who is she talking to? And why did they meet in the loo? It's the one place a person could be overheard.

"Completely stupid. It's Percy, I wouldn't think magic would have that much affect on him."

I gasped. It was a guy's voice that I'd heard. Not just any guy, his American accent was as obvious as Hagrid's giant blood. Could this be her boyfriend, Jason? But how could he be here? Unless... no. That theory's stupid. Phones don't even work with Hogwarts because they interfere with all the magic.

"Yeah, but I've talked to them both now and Percy wants me to let you know to tell Chiron to tell Sally that it's not happening," Piper says in a long rush, her American accent a little bolder.

"Repeat that?"

Piper laughed, "Do you need me to write it down?"

"No."

"Just tell Chiron to tell Sally that Percy and Annabeth aren't going to be able to make it. Remind him not to mail anything because these days, the mail check is higher than ever. If they can track it to Long Island...."

"I'll make sure to remind him," it sounded as if Jason(if it even was him) was reassuring her.

"Anyway, we've been at this for a while... Oh my Gods is that the time! I'm so sorry Jason I got to go before it looks suspicious. I swear, it's nothing like Wilderness School. People actually don't ditch class, so love you!"

"I understand," there was silence for as second, "and Piper, do me a favor. Call more often. Even though it's only just nearly breakfast here, I'll always be around and you know it."

"I'll do my best. See you Jason!"

There was silence, filling the lavatory. All I could hear was the faint dripping of the water faucet. The door opened, and there was Piper looking frantic. We both jumped.

"Piper, you almost gave me a heart attack!" I said, "You were taking so long and I just got down here... is everything alright."

"Really bad emergency," she said, quietly. She wasn't as nearly as good as an actress as she thought she was.

"It's okay," I told her, "but Binns excepts us to be back in class as soon as possible, so we got to go now."

I didn't need her to know that I had been listening in to her conversation. Which somehow was a call to her American boyfriend. There were multiple ways of magical communication, but none that I could think of were as simple as a phone call.

Another mystery to figure out. Piper McLean has many secrets... and I am going to figure them all out.

Ron: BrokenTimeTurner does not own any of the characters. All characters either belong to Rick Riordan or J.K. Rowling.
Me: That's my line!
Ron: Not anymore.
Me: I have the urge to edit you out of this book.
Ron: So? You can't do that.
Me: I have the super power of being an author. I can do ANYTHING.
Ron: Really? Yeah, right.
Me: Shut up and slap yourself.
Ron: 😷 👋 😦

9/26/15

Sorry it was so short. It was kind of an unintended filler.
-Europa