The True Halv Blood Prince

It didn't take Percy and Harry long to pack up the few belongings they had at the hotel and move to a secondary safe-house location. They moved to a small town house on the outskirts of the city, it was a long drive, but given that they both had the ability to move rather effortlessly from place to place, neither Percy nor Harry were altogether bothered by the move. They spent the better part of the drive to the new location discussing the next few steps. Percy had, earlier the previous evening, decided that he was going to do his best to keep Harry as much in the loop as he possibly could. It was becoming clear to Percy that there was going to be no way of keeping Harry out of the coming conflict. Whether Harry was willing to participate in the fighting or not, didn't matter. He had been drawn into the war and was going to have to fight, regardless of whether he was a willing participant.

Percy knew what it was like to have the weight of the world on your shoulders, quite literally in his case, and to have important information or secrets kept from you. He wasn't going to do that to someone he was quickly beginning to se a lot of himself in. But that didn't mean he felt that the kid was ready for frontline combat just yet. Regardless of what he had done in the past, and Percy had a pretty shrewd idea if the scars were any indication, Harry was still only fifteen, and for the most part completely untrained in any kind of actual combat, magical or otherwise. Percy resolved to do his best to rectify that situation. He had several friends whom he felt would be more than willing to lend a hand in getting Harry ready for what was on the horizon. It all played well into Percy's hand regardless, because the person he had in mind for teaching Harry was someone he needed to get in touch with anyway.

Percy and Harry had finally addressed the rather large elephant in the room, Harry's upcoming hearing and potential expulsion. Percy wasn't an expert in British magical law, hell he wasn't an expert in the United States' magical law. Percy did however, have a fairly good friend who, among being a professional attorney for the ICW, owed him a few favors. He felt that she would be more than willing to give her old country a ripping on Harry's behalf, and maybe get him pointed in the right direction for some serious magical combat training. In the meantime, Percy would begin laying the groundwork for Harry's personal fitness and general health and physique. The kid, in Percy's opinion anyway, was wildly underweight for someone his age and height. He was tall and way too lanky to be appropriate. Percy was going to rectify that.

After getting settled down in their new hideaway, Percy began making calls. Freeman, having been present for the previous evening's interrogation, had come through with several warrants for a thorough search and seizure of Greengrass assets. Percy may have underplayed in his talk with Harry the repercussions of the attack. Percy was an agent of the United States Magical Congress, acting on behalf of the ICW. This meant that, for all intents and purposes, he was a direct representative of the international organization itself. By attacking him, the hit-wizards had also attacked not only attacked a member of the magical American government, but also the ICW. That was a very serious crime.

In a world as small as the magical one, it was all hands on deck. Following Grindlewald the magical governments of the world decided they needed to take a more hands on approach to protecting themselves. So when there were individuals threatening the security and safety of magicals everywhere, the threat was taken very seriously. More importantly, the individuals charged with safeguarding the magical world, were prized individuals and protected more harshly than others. It had thus been all too easy for Freeman to get an immediate reply from the judiciary committee of the ICW, granting her request for a thorough search of the Greengrass' business interests.

At the same time Percy was making calls to his friends and advisors, Agent Winthrope and her partner, the man Percy had been ever at odds with, Theodore "Teddy" Dempsey, were making a little house call to Greengrass and Davis Advisory.

BREAK

Winthrope and Dempsey crossed the threshold into Diagon Alley. Turning sharply, the pair walked silently into the commercial district. The commercial district of the Alley was where the majority of the premier businesses were located, with the notable exception of the bank. This was the heart and soul of the British magical economy. Where the bread was made, both literally and figuratively. Almost every major pureblood family had either real estate or business interests on this strip of the alley. As a result it was much more heavily guarded than the main boulevard. Outside the doorway to every building or business was at least one armed guard.

They were private contractors, hit-wizards, and mercenaries that worked independently from the British ministry. Despite appeals by previous heads of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the guards were a permanent fixture in the alley. Only a few months ago, in fact, Amelia Bones, the current department head, had petitioned the government for the removal of these guards. Stating that their presence accounted for a legal militia amongst the pureblooded elites, and served as a dangerous counterweight to the legitimate policing forces of the ministry. The motion died in its first round of voting however. Too many hands on the Wizengamot were too heavily invested in the alley, and were none too keen to give up their paid protection.

The pair soon found themselves in front of a modest, unassuming building about three-fourths down the alley. The pair of large, burly men in well-made and custom tailored robes watched them approach with appraising glares. However, they raised no trouble when the pair displayed their badges identifying them as agents of the ICW. While they were paid to keep out intruders, every hit-wizard worth their salt knew better than to try and get in the way of an international agent. Although, the enforcers likely would have been less keen to bend to the pair's whims had they known that they were not actually members of the ICW's exclusive list of international police agents, but rather were American investigators with some well constructed credentials.

At Dempsey's suggestion, the two had borrowed Percy's official badge and had transfigured a pair of their own. While they likely would not hold up to excess scrutiny, it would have to do until Freeman could convince the brass to gift them all with some legitimate deputy badges. Holding them up, the burly men at the gate glanced at them quickly, before he quickly had a second take. With a noticeable gulp, the man ushered them inside. Making no qualms about wanting them out of his hair as soon as possible. When the ICW got involved in something, folks learned very quickly not to try and stir the pot.

The two strode into an ornate lobby. Banners displaying the Greengrass family sigil, a silver trident with twin vines draped across the handle, were proudly hanging from pillars on both sides of the room. It felt to Winthrope, like they had walked back in time to an era in which the Parthenon still stood proudly. She shared a brief glance with her partner, before they strode across the velvety carpeted floor towards the ostentatious reception desk. The Greengrass', like many, were proud of the wealth they had acquired, and were all too keen on displaying said wealth for all to see. It had the added benefit of securing the trust of their clients that the people they were working with, really did have the know how, and desire to make them money.

Sitting at the reception desk was a young girl, maybe only fourteen years old. Already Winthrope could tell that in a few years she would be a heartbreaker for men everywhere. Long platinum blonde hair was pulled up in a professional bun on the top of her head, while a pair of loose strands fell out, framing her aristocratic features. She acknowledged them as they approached,

"Hello" she said, her voice light and professional, "and welcome to Greengrass and Davis Advisory. Do you have an appointment?" As a response the pair pulled out their transfigured credentials as Winthrope addressed the girl.

"Not exactly. We have a warrant from the Judicial Council of the ICW to search the client records of this advisory firm. We would like to speak with Elizabeth Greengrass." There was an implied "NOW" in the way Winthrope made her request. In response, the young girl paled dramatically, quite the accomplishment given her alabaster complexion, and merely nodded. She turned around and took off at a dead sprint in the direction of what she assumed was the branch head's offices. Once again, she shared a look with her partner, barely keeping the smirk off of her face.

People tended have two reactions when confronted with armed security forces. The first, and likely the most intelligent, was to comply to the demands being made. Assuming they were reasonable of course. Winthrope wasn't naïve enough to think that there weren't people out there, more than happy to abuse the powers of their positions. The second, was to lash out and fight back, either verbally, or physically. With a sheltered little kid, who probably was related in some way to the owners, the reaction was about as unsurprising as a lecher in a brothel.

The girl was back maybe a minute later, her face red and a light sheen on her face. She clearly wasn't all that used to running around. She took a moment to compose herself, and Winthrope was impressed that there wasn't a waiver in her voice when she spoke.

"Madam Greengrass will see you now. Please follow me." It was less than thirty seconds before they were stopped in front of a large, oak door. In the middle of the door was a large, bronze, nameplate that read

"Elizabeth Greengrass. Chief Advisory Officer. CEO of Greengrass and Davis Advisory"

The girl raised her fist to the door and knocked twice, waited a beat, and then opened the door outward, allowing the agents to enter the room first. Unconsciously, Winthrope felt her wand begin to slide down into her palm. It was likely just excessive paranoia on her part, but she wasn't overly concerned with it. There was an old saying by some no-maj military man that had been hammered into her during training. Hope for the best, expect the worst. She hoped that she wasn't walking headlong into an ambush. But if she was, she wouldn't be surprised, and she would be ready for it.

The office was as lavish and excessive as the rest of the building had been. Beautiful and expensive looking art and sculptures were placed around the room every few feet. Antique no-maj weapons from the middle ages were enclosed in large cases and hanging from display racks. A large bookcase lined one wall, and a large map of Britain, was blown up across on the opposite. It felt like a cross between an art museum and a forward operating camp in a combat zone.

At the far end of the room, was a large mahogany desk, behind which sat a beautiful witch in her early thirties. Her long, platinum blonde hair was pulled up in a bun framing her stunning visage. As Winthrope met the cold blue eyes of the woman, she found her earlier suspicions confirmed. The young girl with them had to be a relative. Likely her daughter.

"Thank you Daphne. That will be all." Said Elizabeth Greengrass. Her voice was light, but tight. Winthrope could detect the thinly controlled anger in her voice. That wasn't surprising. She'd be pissed too if a pair of agents from the ICW dropped in unannounced. The girl, Daphne, didn't need any further encouragement and left the room quickly. Closing the door behind her. Winthrope felt the familiar woosh of pressure as privacy wards activated around the room. She felt her wand dip a little further down from its holster.

"Now" Greengrass said, without further preamble, "What is this about a warrant?" her tone had taken on a chill that I was confident the temperature in the room had gone down a few degrees. I nodded at Dempsey and he pulled a letter out of his coat pocket. Handing it to the woman she started reading. Her face contorted with anger the further along she read. "Absolutely not!" she yelled, throwing the paper down on the desk as she stood. "This is a complete and utter breach of the international business treaty. Me and my clients have a right to privacy. This is a clear and obscene overreach by the Confederation and I will not abide by it!"

She was working herself into what Winthrope was sure would have been a truly wonderful tirade, but she decided to head her off before the woman worked herself up too much. "It's really not." She said calmly, her tone having the desired effect of shutting her up as she glared at the agent. Dempsey followed Winthrope's lead.

"Especially when this advisory firm has been directly linked with an attempted assault on a special investigatory agent of the ICW." Greengrass' head snapped in Dempsey's direction. Her eyes growing so wide that Winthrope was concerned they were going to pop out of her skull.

"But" Winthrope said, keeping her off balance as she had to redirect her attention to the other woman. "I guess we could leave. Come back at a time when things are little busier. Only then, it won't be just us. We'll bring an entire squad with us. Turn this whole place upside down. Maybe even arrest some of your clients. You never know, one of them might know something. And you know how it goes, we can legally detain you and any of your clients for upwards of seventy-two hours without a charge."

"Sure," Dempsey said shrugging, once again throwing Greengrass off balance, "You'd all probably get out in a matter of hours. But could you imagine the absolute media shitstorm?"

"I can see it now" said Winthrope, "'Greengrass and Davis attempts to murder ICW agent! Cover-up, Conspiracy or something More!' Sure it's a bit sensationalist, but given the state of the papers here these days, I'd be willing to bet they'd go for it."

"Then what happens? How many of your clients do you think would be willing be to stand by and keep you on as we hand you over to the auditors and they take their time picking through every dirty little secret you want to try and cover up."

"You know what." Winthrope said to Dempsey, turning and making like she was going to walk out the room. "I think that might be entertaining," The pair made it as far as the door, before the advisor stopped them,

"Wait!" Cried out Greengrass, who looked like she was on the verge of a full-blown breakdown. It was, of course, expected. These banker and wealth management and acquisition types were easy when you knew how to play them. They loved to talk a big game, and play around as though they were masters of their domains, but they weren't playing around in the chambers of the British ministry, and Dempsey and Winthrope weren't the types to be bullied or cowed by overt displays of wealth. The minute they realized they couldn't push or bully their opponents, or impress them with lavish gifts, they usually fell into place. It helped that the Winthrope and Dempsey had turned a particular favorite mind game against the woman. Kept her off balance and unsure what direction they were going. Though she had to give the woman credit. From the way she was gnashing her teeth as Winthrope turned back to address her, she probably realized that the two were bluffing. But it wasn't like she could take that chance.

The woman sighed, sitting down in her chair and rubber her forehead. "What do require?"

BREAK

It looked like it was about to rain again, Percy observed from the hood of his car. The sky was cloudy and the occasional rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance. Percy looked away from his sky-watching at the sound of approaching tires on pavement. A sleek, silver sports car pulled up to the curb directly in front of him.

Percy pushed himself off the hood of his car and strode over to the driver side door and opened it. Stepping out was a beautiful, dark skinned woman. her long, dark hair fell in silken tresses across her shoulders. Her name was Sarah Amelia Rosthein. Percy has met her a few years back during his training. She had still been at University, but had since graduated to become a rather prolific attorney in magical Britain.

Growing up as a squib to a magical family, she had been ostracized and disinherited from her family. She had since made it her personal mission in life to raise as much unholy hell upon the ministry whenever she had the chance. Percy knew before he even asked her, that she would take Harry's case.

"Lovely to see you again Percy" she said, a beautiful smile stretching across ruby red lips. She took his offered hand, and allowed him to aid her out of the vehicle. She embraced him, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "It's been what, nine-ten months since you've come to visit? Girl's feelings get hurt you know"

Percy felt his cheeks flush, in spite of himself. Pulling back he glowered at the proud smirk on her face. She took entirely too much pride in winding him up. "You know very well that it's not like that."

"No." She agreed, crossing her arms under her chest. Percy has to make a conscious effort to keep his eyes above her neckline. She had an annoying habit of wearing low-riding tops. "However", she said, "when you do come out to visit it's not even for a drink. You ask me to come all the way out into the boonies for work." They started walking along the sidewalk.

"I know, I know. But I wouldn't have called you here if it wasn't important, you have to know that right?"

They stopped and Sarah touched his arm soothingly. "I know Perce, I was just taking the mick." They started walking again, "that being said I would appreciate knowing why you called me all the way out here, without actually telling me what you wanted, or what you were doing.

Percy smiles sheepishly and nodded. He knew that she had showed a lot of faith in him simply coming out here on his request. "You follow the wizard news here in Britain?" He asked.

She shook her in a non-committal gesture. "Every now and then" she said, "but it's always such a load of bollocks that I never seriously consider it." Perch nodded. It was a well known fact among many other supernatural countries that the press in the UK was notoriously biased and censored.

He reached into his back pocket and withdrew the aforementioned paper. Unfolding it he handed it to her. She took and looked at it closely. Percy has circled an article in bright red ink and she began reading. As she worked her way through the article she became increasingly incensed. Doing her best to conceal her anger, she looked up and addressed Percy, who had been waiting patiently as she read.

"So the government is officially trying to silence Potter. I think I can guess why you called me then." Percy simply nodded "of course I'll help the lad out." She said, a determined steel in her gaze. Percy smiled brightly, and his face visibly relaxed as his shoulders sagged in relief.

Without saying anything else, Percy once more reached into his pocket and withdrew, what appeared to be, a business card. He handed it to her and she looked at it.

"The Safe House of the USDSI can be found at 1331 Wallaber Lane." As soon as she read the last word there was a pull on her lower stomach, and she felt a strange warmth rush over her. Looking up, she gazed past a smirking Percy at a large townhouse that slowly inflating like a large balloon, where previously there had been only an empty lot.

She turned her attention back to Percy, who still smirking, amused, at her. Instead of replying she opted to start walking towards the house.

"I'm guessing there's more to this than just the kid then?" She said, listening to him catch up and match pace beside her. He didn't respond and instead nodded. She realized that he wasn't likely going to respond to her while they were still out in the open. These specialist types could write the book on paranoia, but she had to agree in this instance. Anyone could be listening or watching.

Percy waited until the door to the home had shut, and locked behind them before speaking. "I was sent by the ICW to investigate certain possible instances in the country, that the British ministry isn't handling themselves."

Sarah nodded, deducing it for herself, "and I'm guessing, since you're still here and layered under some seriously powerful protective magic, that you found some truth to the rumors?"

Percy didn't say anything. She figured as much. He was probably under orders not to say anything, and even then she could figure it out for herself. Besides, she was a lawyer, not a soldier. Even if he was allowed to tell her what was going on, and even if what she assumed was correct, indeed was, that wasn't why she was here.

So, in the end, she decided to leave well enough alone and focus on Potter. "Alright, so tell me what's going on with the kid and why and how you're involved." Percy nodded, he was inwardly relieved that she had decided not to press him on the whole ICW thing.

He led them into the kitchen and busied himself quickly with pouring a pot of coffee. He'd had the foresight to start the pot before leaving to grab her. She drank her coffee like he did. With cream and a hell of a lot of sugar.

She smiled a thank you as he set her cup in front of her, and waited patiently for him to sit. He then proceeded to tell her everything that had happened the night of the attack. He intentionally left out his reasoning for being in Potter's neighborhood that weekend.

She listened attentively, jotting down notes occasionally, but never interrupting him. When he finished his synopsis she didn't say anything for a while, and instead focused on her writing.

When she finished. She laid her pen on the table and closed her notebook. Sighing heavily, she sat back in her chair and sat deep in thought for a moment.

"It'll be tricky." She said after a moment, "Fudge recently took complete control of the Wizengemot. And you of all people know what that kind of power does to a man's ego."

"So you don't think you can help him out?"

She smiled, "I said tricky, not impossible."

BREAK

Harry raised his head at the knock at the door. If he were honest, he welcomed the break. The theoretical application of magic had never exactly been his strong suit. The charms essay he had been attempting to write had been kicking his ass, so the interruption came as a relief.

He stood up, stretching his neck and receiving a satisfying series of pops as he approached the door. He opened it to the smarmy grin of Percy.

"And he's alive!" The man joked, before adopting a shot-eating grin. "Hadn't seen you all morning. Figured you either died or were beating off up here." Harry spluttered, unsure how to respond as he felt his face flush scarlet.

Percy saves him the hassle of rebuttal, "c'mon downstairs, there's someone here you need to meet." And without he disappeared from the doorway, leaving a thoroughly mortified Harry behind him.

He took a moment to collect himself and raced after him. He found him in the kitchen, leaning against the table talking in hushed tones with a woman.

Percy, Harry was quickly realizing, attracted beautiful woman like he were lighthouse in a storm. And the woman talking to him, was truly beautiful. Harry liked to think he knew himself fairly well, and he knew that when came to women, he was fairly pap. But even he wasn't oblivious enough to not recognize the looks the woman was sending Percy, or the way she seemed to make an excuse to touch his arm or hand.

The two were so engrossed in their, whatever, that they didn't notice Harry for a full minute. Until he decided that enough was enough and coughed loudly into his hand drawing their attention. To their credit, neither of them looked the least bit embarrassed.

Percy pushes off from the table, his seemingly patented smirk still plastered on his lips. "Harry" he started, gesturing with his hand to the woman at the table, "I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. Sarah Rosthein. Ace attorney." His last pronouncement was made with an embellished wave of his arm and theatrical bow.

The woman, Sarah, laughed in good nature at Percy's little game. She slapped him in jest on the arm. "Come off it Jackson!" Percy yelped in exaggerated pain and walked away laughing into the other room.

Shaking her head at the man, Sarah turned her attention to Harry and stuck out her hand. "Mr. Potter it's a pleasure to meet you."

Harry haltingly grasper the offered appendage. "A pleasure, ma'am." He said, and she laughed, she had rather lovely laugh he thought. "Please Harry, May I call you Harry?" He nodded, "good. Now I was going over your case with Percy," oh is that what you're calling it? "And I believe that we will have a very easy ride here. Amelia Bones is stern but fair, a firm believer in following the letter of the law."

"That's a good thing?"

"A very good thing. The law is on our side here Harry. If we have a fair hearing with Bones then you're exonerated. Easy as that." For a moment Harry felt a surge of hope I his heart that things were finally turning themselves around. But as he thought back to what she had just told him, as well as the less than ideal look on her face, he felt his heart sink again.

"You...you don't sound like we're going to have a fair hearing though..." it wasn't a question, and he didn't lie the answer regardless.

"No I do not. To be blunt Harry, you have been your own worst enemy his summer. Not that it's at all your fault, a fifteen year old can hardly be expected to know how to deal with machinations of politicians thrice his age." She cut him off before he could protest or question what she was talking about.

"Like it or not Harry you and Dumbledore ruffled feathers at the end of your last term. Britain does not want to deal with the idea of the dark lord returning. Least of all Fudge. He's usurped a lot of the traditional powers of the government and is going to use this hearing as an attempt to shut you up for good."

For a moment Harry was at a loss for words. The sheer unfairness of it all. He hadn't asked for this. Hadn't asked to be the mortal enemy of some delusional madman. Hadn't asked to watch, as his friend and companion was struck down in cold blood in front of him. He hadn't asked for any of it and still he was being blamed for it. It wasn't fair.

"But even then, we have aren't powerless." The voice of Sarah drew him out of his mental tirade. "We has a witness. One hell of a witness, that even that even Fudge can't cow into submission."

"Mrs. Figg?" Harry ask cautiously, confused as to how she could be of help to anyone. Then, at Sarah's look, he felt like an idiot. Of course she was referring to Percy.

"But how does Percy help? If they're hell bent on throwing me out what good will a witness do?"

Sarah reaches over patted Harry's arm reassuringly. He tried to ignore the way his chest constricted and the flush over his cheeks at the beautiful woman's touch.

"Because luv, Percy is a card carrying representative of the ICW, one of their elites. When he says something is true, it is to be taken as fact regardless of the harshness of it."

"If that's the case, then why are we bothering with any of this? Shouldn't it be as simple as him just telling Fudge what happened, and everything is over without any of this nonsense." Harry's frustration was starting to trickle out now. Sarah however, bless her, had the patience of a saint and simply remained calm and sympathetic.

"Unfortunately not." She said reaching over to take a sip of her coffee. "Because of his affiliations, there will be questions. People will want to know what he was doing in Britain. The ICW is supposed to notify the host government when one of their agents is operating in country."

She paused to take another drink. "Now I don't know the specifics of what Percy is doing here and why, and frankly I don't want to know. It makes my life easier so I don't have to lie if I'm asked. That being said, it's clear enough that he and the ICW most certainly do not want to let the ministry know that Percy was here on business. Call it intuition but I'm willing to bet that any thorough investigation into Percy's presence will disrupt whatever it is he's trying to do here."

She paused again and let the information soak in. Harry had to force himself to look at the bigger picture here. This was more than just his education on the line here. Percy and whomever he was working with were likely the most capable defense standing up against the Death Eaters. The thought was enough to calm him down, even as a new thought entered his mind. Not so much a thought perhaps, as much as it was a realization.

Had you asked him a month ago whom he thought was the greatest defense against the forces of darkness, he would have answered without so much as a blink that it was Dumbledore. However this summer had proven to shake the foundation of trust that Harry had for the headmaster. He felt his nerves harden and he steeled himself, he turned and addressed one of the few people Harry was beginning to think he could trust.

"All right. Let's put a case so strong together Fudge pisses himself next we meet."

The smile on Sarah's face could only be described as predatory.

BREAK

Percy waited until the greasy haired-man, he thinks he remembered him being called Snape. Had left the house. He had only just met the man, but had taken an immediate disliking to him. He spent the majority of the meeting making not-so-subtle jabs at Black, as well as stroking his own ego about risking his life in enemy hands. He wasn't sure what else it was about the man, perhaps the way he said a lot, without really saying anything at all, that bothered him. Or maybe Percy just didn't trust a man on the inside that he didn't know personally. Regardless, he wanted to broach some topics with Dumbledore, and felt that it would be safest without him there. Percy didn't want to take any chances with revealing who or what he was to a man that might not be the ally they thought he was.

He didn't have to wait long. The meeting hadn't even been officially ended before he abruptly stood up, shared a knowing look with Dumbledore, and glided out of the room. He was loathe to admit, but Percy was kind of impressed with the way the man somehow got his cape to billow when there wasn't a breeze. He sat quietly as he waited for Sirius to return from shutting his mother up, Percy had the misfortune of meeting the woman earlier that evening, and had tried to no avail, to slash her portrait down from its mountings.

As Sirius took his seat, Percy spoke up, hoping to catch Dumbledore before he called an end to the proceedings. "Mr. Dumbledore sir." Percy said raising his hand. There were a few chuckles at the display. Dumbledore himself was smiling, though not unkindly at Percy.

"Yes Percy, you had something you wished to add?"

Percy lowered his head half stood-up, thought better of it and sat back down. Sirius was snickering from beside him, so he kicked him in the shin causing the man to yelp, and Tonks to snort loudly into her drink.

"A comment and a question sir." At the headmaster's nod, Percy continued. "I just wanted to inform you that next Friday, I'll be personally overseeing Harry's move from the safe house he is in, to this location." There was a rather stunned silence at his pronouncement. It hadn't taken long for Percy to realize that all actions taken by the order were done as a result of orders from Dumbledore. And Percy didn't necessarily have a problem with that. There needed to be a clear chain of command or else things could quickly dissolve into anarchy. No, his problem was that there was no chain of command, not really. The buck stopped with Dumbledore. Nobody else gave orders, and certainly nobody acted upon their own initiative. It was why everyone was appearing so shocked. They just couldn't fathom that Percy would do something, or even be arrogant enough to do something, so important as the transfer of Harry Potter between safe houses, without first consulting the headmaster or the order.

Though Percy couldn't help but notice the look of approval in Remus and the red-haired man Bill's eyes. He filed that information away for later and avoided Sirius' beaming face, instead looking the headmaster in the eyes. The elderly looking man, wasn't angry from the looks of it, merely contemplative. As though he was passively observing a rather interesting card trick.

"May I inquire as to the reason behind your decision?" the man asked.

Percy nodded, "As you know from the report my office sent you, I was attacked a few days ago. Hit-wizards hired from someone within your ministry ambushed and tried to kill me in the parking garage outside the apartment I was staying at. Harry was with me at the time, which was what prompted my moving him in the first place. However, I believe the time has come for me and my team to take a bit more of an active role in our investigations, and I'm concerned about Harry potentially getting in the crossfire." He paused for a moment before adding, "And as much as I like the kid, buddy needs to be around some people his own age." Percy also made a point of looking directly at Sirius as he said his next bit, "And he needs his family."

Percy didn't miss the way that Sirius' hands tightened into fists and his eyes watered slightly. The fugitive nodded tightly at Percy, appreciation swimming in his eyes, and Percy nodded back.

"The kid hides it well but he's hurting. The crap he went through in June is haunting him. Haunting him real bad. As someone who's been there at his age, he can't go through that alone. As much as I'd like to think I've made friends with him, that ain't something he's going to share with me." Everyone in the room seemed to bow their heads at that. Like they had forgotten, because truth be told they probably, everything the young man had been forced to go through. Fourteen-year olds were not meant to have to deal with the death of their friends on their own. They certainly weren't meant to be left alone to their thoughts and nightmares either.

"I'll handle the transfer myself, me and my team will move as a convey from our current location. Even if the Dead Heads know we're moving they won't be expecting him to be moving non-magically. Besides that, the SUV's we've got at lockdown can withstand a 50mm canon round and still move. We'll get him here safe and sound I promise you that."

Dumbledore seemed to consider it for a few moments, then nodded, his eyes hard. "I believe, Mr. Jackson, that perhaps you are quite correct. I myself, was considering just a few hours ago that young Harry was long overdue for a reunion between his friends and loved ones. I'll leave his escort to you. Although I request that you bring along a few members of the order. If nothing else than to satisfy an old man's worrying heart." Percy nodded, and shared a look with Alastor Moody, who gave him an appreciative nod in return.

"Thank you sir." Percy said, and he meant it. He had been worried that Dumbledore was going to put up more of a fight, but they were of the same mind. "As for my question. We're taking a lot of risks and pains to ensure that we are protecting something in the Hall of Mysteries. Everyone here seems to have an idea what that something is except for me. I think I should know" He added under his breathe, "Especially since my first shift is tomorrow. Anyways, what Exactly is it we are risking so much for? What does this Voldemort guy want so badly?"

Dumbledore's eyes lost their twinkle for a moment, and were instead replaced by a man much older than he appeared, which truly was a feat. Percy could see a tremendous sadness and self-loathing in the man's eyes. Percy recognized it from his own looks in the mirror after coming out of the pit. He had gotten better, the nightmares didn't come as frequently, and his shrink said he was making good progress, but Percy knew that look very well. After what seemed like an eternity Dumbledore nodded. From the depths of his robes, he pulled out his wand and waved it in the air. Percy felt the brief pressure of some kind of warding scheme pass through the room.

Dumbledore lowered his arm again, and answered Percy's questioning look. "In a house like this, it never hurts to take precautions against…wandering ears" His eyes twinkled in mirth as though he hadn't just said something profoundly confusing and slightly nonsensical, but Percy ignored it. Dumbledore looked Percy dead in the eyes, and Percy felt his stomach drop out of his chest. He wasn't going to like this.

"We are guarding Mr. Jackson…Percy…a prophecy."

Percy couldn't respond for a minute. His body had locked up. His breathing had halted and his brain needed to reboot. He couldn't be about to be put through all of this shit again. He refused to believe it. Was it all part of a plan? Was this, his being here, part of some greater scheme? And if there was a prophecy, how the hell didn't he know about it! It took him so long to respond that it was only after Sirius nudged his leg, that Percy was able to find his voice.

"Gods dammit not this shit again."