The cold withdrew before anyone found its source. Cracks in the walls stopped spreading, but some stayed open. The Ministry seals settled into pink lines across the corridors. By morning, Umbridge had put up another notice.
Due to a contained magical disturbance caused by unregulated resonance, the Ministry has successfully stabilized Hogwarts. Students are reminded that cooperation ensures safety.
Below it was a smaller notice:
Mr. Percy Jackson's temporary restriction prevented further catastrophic escalation. The Ministry thanks him for his compliance.
Compliance.
Ron nearly tore the notice down. "She's blaming you for it and praising you at the same time!"
"Read the first line," Hermione said. "It says the disturbance was caused by unregulated magic. Then it names Percy underneath."
Harry looked around at the students reading behind them. "They will think it means him."
Percy flexed his wrist. The band gave one faint pulse. He could feel the lake again in brief bursts, but he could not reach it.
That afternoon, each House was called to a safety assembly.
She stood before them beneath floating pink banners that read: MINISTRY PROTECTION ENSURES PROSPERITY
"You experienced a minor magical fluctuation yesterday," Umbridge said. "Ministry intervention prevented further damage."
A Ravenclaw raised a hand. "What caused it?"
Umbridge's smile did not waver. "Overextension of unstable magical output."
Her eyes flicked to Percy. Murmurs spread.
Harry stood abruptly. "It wasn't him."
"Sit down, Mr. Potter," she said sweetly.
"The trouble spread after the new seals went in," Harry said. "Professor Flitwick has a report."
The Hall went silent. Umbridge's expression hardened just slightly. "Ancient myths are no substitute for governance."
"It's not a myth," Hermione said loudly.
Umbridge raised her wand as the banners stirred. "Any student spreading an unverified theory will face disciplinary review. Educational Decree Thirty-Four will make that clear."
She turned back to the Hall. "You see how quickly hysteria spreads?"
Percy looked at the students who had been in the flooded classroom. He remembered the water striking Umbridge.
A boy from his Charms class moved his glass away when Percy sat beside him. Percy pretended not to notice.
Outside the Hall, McGonagall stopped Umbridge in front of the Ministry officials.
"You imposed experimental wards over foundational enchantments centuries old!"
"They are Ministry-certified stabilizers."
"They are bureaucratic bandages!"
Flitwick asked to speak to the officials who had installed the seals. Dumbledore requested that work stop until they had reviewed his report. Umbridge refused to suspend it.
Educational Decree Thirty-Five: The High Inquisitor may place faculty under probation for undermining Ministry authority.
McGonagall read the notice aloud in the staff room. Flitwick laid his report beside it and asked Dumbledore whether the governors had received a copy.
That night, Umbridge worked in her office. Beside the spare restraint band stood a vial supplied by the ward team. Its water glowed with each pulse from the band. She used it to wet the tip of her quill.
The copied marks brightened as she traced them. She set aside the report about the dungeon opening and continued drawing.
The opening had appeared after the ward grid tightened. If she could repeat the effect, she could direct where it formed. She took out a list of components.
A list.
Coral fragment (acquired)
Resonant conduit (acquired)
Bloodline catalyst (pending)
Full siphon threshold (in progress)
She marked the next item for collection and sealed the order with a Ministry crest. A supplier outside her department had agreed to find it. She would send the owl before the school mail arrived.
The next Defense lesson took place in a room lined with brass plates. Percy stopped at the door when the band pulsed. Umbridge ordered him to take his seat.
A plate brightened as his band cooled. Harry noticed and pointed it out to Hermione. She turned to the plate nearest their desk. "They copied the outward marks."
A tremor crossed the floor. The plates flashed together. Percy felt the current stop beneath the classroom. Umbridge watched her desk.
"Remain seated," she said.
A gap appeared above it. Harry moved to open the door. Percy tried to stand, but the band tightened and his knees gave way. Hermione caught his shoulder. Umbridge leaned toward the gap.
"Fascinating," she breathed.
A shape moved inside the opening. The edge pulled sharply inward. A shock struck the room, and every brass plate broke away from the walls. Students covered their heads as fragments hit the floor.
The band split along its middle. Percy felt the lake return so suddenly that he fell against the desk. The opening closed. Harry called to the students near the door to keep moving.
The two halves of the band fell to the floor. Water rose from a broken pipe beside Percy. He lowered his hands and guided it away from the doorway.
Harry grabbed his arm. "You good?"
Percy nodded, then stopped. "My wrist hurts."
Umbridge stood beside her broken desk. She looked at the band on the floor and opened her mouth.
"Educational Decree Thirty-Six."
"Mr. Percy Jackson is to report directly to the Ministry for full evaluation."
Hermione stepped between him and the doorway. "Has Dumbledore agreed to that?"
"Oh," Umbridge said softly. "The Board has been informed."
Dumbledore entered with Lupin. "Mr. Jackson will go to the hospital wing," he said. "Professor Lupin, please take the class there. Madam Umbridge, I require the order you are relying on."
Umbridge's smile twitched. "For now."
Lupin helped Percy to his feet. Harry picked up the broken band with a folded cloth and gave it to Dumbledore.
As they left, Percy felt movement beneath the lake. It was closer to the school than before. He told Lupin, who stopped to send a message back to the classroom.
Not through, but into the threshold. And it was learning. Umbridge felt it too. Her gaze flicked briefly downward. Satisfied. She had not stopped the breach. She had widened it. And next time, she intended to open it completely.
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Here's another chapter for yall, its early this time. Lmk if you guys want me to get an extra chapter for you. Cya!