11.08.2021

"Hey Mom it's me, I was just calling to let you know I'd be going away from camp for a bit, I should be able to visit on the holidays, but I'm not sure- I can't say exactly where I'm going but it is a teaching gig so it should be safe, well as safe as safe gets for me. It also should have a protective barrier like camp's so don't worry too much. I can't answer IM's there but I should be able to have my phone." I quickly spoke into the receiver, hanging up and leaving Annabeth a similar message.

"Alright I'm ready," I said gripping my backpack strap, walking back into the big house,

"That's all you need?" Dumbledore asked and I nodded to him briefly before turning toward Chiron,

"Call if you need any help here," I said.

"We'll miss you, Percy, return safely," he replied smiling. I smiled back and followed after Dumbledore, who had disappeared past the door.

"So how will we get there?" I asked stuffing my hands in my pockets,

"Grab on," Dumbledore said offering me his arm, I cocked my head,

"I'm flattered but I have a girlfriend," I said and he chuckled slightly,

"It's called Apparition. Your version of teleportation," He explained and I hesitated before grabbing onto his arm. Immediately the world spun and suddenly we were in a row of seats, all towering above one seat set in the middle of the room.

"I will leave you here, but keep in mind, you hold a higher rank than the Minister, so don't let him push you around," Dumbledore said, I opened my mouth to question him, but he disappeared and I rolled my eyes,

"Ah! Who are you?" A voice asked from behind me and turning around I meet the pinkest lady I had ever seen.

"Percy Jackson at your service, I'm looking for the minister, I was informed that he would be here?" I asked offering her my hand.

"Yes, he'll be here shortly," The lady said huffing indignation. Okay then, I thought lowering my hand, I looked around seeing about forty other people slowly filter in, all giving me that same indignant look that the pink lady had given me.

Soon enough there were fifty people in the small dungeon and the doors banged open letting way to a short man who walked with what seemed great importance. I sniffled a snort, so this must be the Minister.

His gaze snapped to me, his eyes widening a bit.

"And who might you be?" He asked and I offered him my hand

"Percy Jackson, I was told that you wanted to discuss some things with me?" I asked and he nodded, clearing his throat,

"Ah yes, we are going to hold a quick court session, and then I'll meet with you." He said smoothly, "for now why don't you sit by Umbridge? You'll be working together soon enough so you should get acquainted." He said nodding to the pink lady.

Of course, it was her, I willed my nose not to crinkle, as approached her again, settling myself down next to her.

"So, what is this about?" I asked Umbridge and glaring slightly at me she huffed out a response

"Harry Potter performed underaged magic in front of a muggle," she stated smartly and I tilted my head

"Why?" I asked and she looked at me incredulously

"Why?! It doesn't matter why! The problem is that he did it! In front of a muggle no less!" She said, quickly turning the color of her clothing I peered at her evenly

"Obviously- why would he do it when he knows the consequences? What's the reason behind his behavior?"

"He's a spoiled little rich boy who likes the attention that's what!" Umbridge all but shrieked drawing some neighbor's attention.

I raised an eyebrow at her and hummed, thrumming my fingers on the balcony railing and moving my attention to the floor, just as a young teen about 15 walked in. The room fell silent quickly as everyone saw him.

"You're late" a voice rang out

"S-sorry," the boy stuttered, "I didn't know the time had changed."

"That is not the Wizengamot's fault," said the voice. "An owl was sent to you this morning. Take your seat."

What kind of name was 'Wizen-' 'Wizenga-' 'Wizengamutt?'

My gaze followed the boys to a chair in the center of the room. I stared at it wondering what horrors it had sat through while the occupant was locked in its chains. The boy sat as little on the chair, it looked like he was going to fall off. Scanning the crowd his gaze fell on me and I tried to give him a comforting smile, being in his place all too many times before, but it may have been a grimace instead.

"Very well" the minister said, "The accused being present- finally- let us begin. Are you ready?" He turned down his row looking at a male about my age with bright red hair

"Yes sir!" The male said a bit too eagerly for my taste.

"Disciplinary hearing of the twelfth of August, into offenses committed under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Statute of Secrecy by Harry James Potter, resident at number four, Peivet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister-,"

"- and Percy Jackson, unbiased third party," Dumbledore added appearing behind Harry and snagging my attention. Honestly, I hadn't been paying much attention. I looked at Dumbledore confused- I thought I was here to teach- not interrogate some poor boy just messing around with magic. Dumbledore sent me a pleading look and I sighed nodding at 'Fudge' the minister who had whipped his head to me to see my decision. Murmurs ran through the room

"Ah, Dumbledore. Yes. You -er- got our- we," fudge glanced at me and cleared his throat loudly, "You got our message, did you?"

"I must've missed it, although since I was dropping off Mr. Jackson it seems that I arrived just in time," Dumbledore said smoothly and Fudge nodded his head.

"Yes well, Weasley why don't you get Dumbledore a chair?" He asked turning to the redhead again

"Not to worry," Dumbledore said waving his stick- wand I suppose. A comfortable-looking armchair appeared next to Harry and I looked at it with jealousy.

"Well then the charges," Fudge said, finally calming down the murmurs.

"The charges against the accused are as follows: That he did knowingly, deliberately-,"

And there goes my attention again. I pulled the caller of my camp shirt away puffing up the shirt slightly- I never liked courtrooms they were always so stuffy and dungeons were even worse. Harry suddenly speaking caught my attention- I guess it was question time. I tuned in and it seems like Fudge was dead set on not letting him make his case

"Why?" I asked out loud drawing everyone's attention

"Why what?" Fudge asked and I looked down at the boy

"We've established that he broke the law, we've established that he knew it was wrong and we've established that he knew the consequences, so why did he decide to put that on the line?" I turned to him, "Why did you break the law?"

Harry looked almost relieved at my question.

"There were two dementors," he said, "they were attacking Dudley, er- my cousin," the dungeon was shocked into silence so I decided to continue

"And what are Dementors, and how do you know what they are?" I asked

"They're creatures who, with a kiss will suck out your soul, just being around them sucks all the warmth out of the air. They were at Hogwarts last year and I even fell off my broom when they strayed too close to the field," Harry admitted and I studied him

"So, in order to protect both you and your cousin by what you deemed as a threat, you decided to break the law?" I asked evenly and Harry nodded his head. I turned to Fudge

"Why is this hearing really going on?" I asked causing Fudge to start to sweat

"LIES!" Fudge claimed, "The dementors work for the ministry! They are the jail keepers of Azkaban! They don't just go wandering around muggle territory!"

I shrugged "so either two went rouge or Harry wasn't seeing right- either way, it's a clear case of self-defense, and punishing him for saving his cousin, whether from a real threat or a trick of the mind is stupid." I said and murmurs went up around the room again causing Fudge to stammer.

"Well- I- I- the boys just looking for attention! He lies!" He finally settled on and I crossed my arms,

"Okay then make him take the unbreakable bond that he saw dementors that night." I said narrowing my eyes at Fudge, "and you take it saying that it's impossible for dementors to be there. Whoever dies is the liar."