NOW

Chapter Twelve Part Two

The Hall grew louder. Whispers broke out on every table and as Percy laid down the paper his housemates looked at him longingly to know what was happening. Percy swallowed and gave the paper back to its owner. Blaise, finally fully awake, immediately began reading.

Percy leaned back. He wasn't sure what to do now. The Ministry had totally lost their minds and the woman that had tutored a minor was in lead of the school now. Aria must have felt his restlessness and snug up to him. Mindlessly he petted her head. A look to the teachers table showed him neither the headmaster nor the High Inquisitor was there.

Before the Slytherin table could start talking about the current events, Percy was up and out of the room. Aria followed after him. Percy was infant of the headmasters office in record time and on his "Bertie Botts Every Flavour beans" the gargoyle opened before him. He hastened up the spiral staircase and walked into the office without knocking. The office was empty apart from Fawks, the phoenix.

"Professor?" Percy called into the room.

"Yes, Mr. Jackson?" Dumbledore had appeared on top of a little staircase and walked down to his student.

"I would appreciate if it was you who told me such important changes in the plan, not the news." He wasn't angry, but he didn't enjoy that the news were dropped on him like a bombshell.

"No one of us knew this would happen, Mr. Jackson. Or that it was even possible." The old man was calm, but Percy knew he was concerned as well. Loosing the control over Hogwarts was never the plan.

"What do you want me to do?" His question was straight forward and so was the headmasters answer. Nothing. Stay were you are. Act normal. And do nothing.

History of magic was just as dull as last time but at least Percy had something to think about. Cursing the ignorance of the wizarding-community wouldn't get him any further and so he tried to plan ahead, but he couldn't tell what would happen next.

In potions Snape was still glaring at him. He definitely didn't like him, Slytherin or not. But when he handed back the essays on moonstones he still had to admit that Percy was his best student in the subject and an O was scribbled on its top. When Snape stoped before Harry he grimaced when he handed back the parchment. Obviously it hadn't been better than he had hoped and Percy saw Harry smile at him.

"I have awarded you the grades you would have received if you presented this work in your O.W.L," said Snape with a smirk, as he swept among them, passing back their homework. "This should give you a realistic idea of what to expect in your examination." He reached the front again and tuned to look at them.

"The general standard of this homework was abysmal. Most of you would have failed had this been your examination. I expect to see a great deal more effort for this week's essay on the various varieties of venom antidotes, or I shall have to start handing out detentions to those dunces who get D's."

"Some people got D's? Ha!", said Draco with a laugh and Percy ignored him. Draco of course got a good grade on his essay, not an Outstanding though.

The Strengthening Solution they were brewing this lesson was soon bubbling in the cauldrons of the students. Percy enjoyed the lesson as he could get his mind off the Umbridge topic and fully concentrate on the work. When he handed in his flask at the end he was almost sad he was already done.

He got a surprised look from Hermione when he walked to the front to hand in his flask before she was done and after they left he heard her come up behind him. "Well, that wasn't as bad as last week, was it?" said Hermione, as they climbed the steps out of the dungeon.

"I don't think he likes me though.", said Percy and smiled at the witch.

"Which is weird. Normally he lets everything pass in his house." Hermione said more to herself than to him.