Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.

I have to admit… why didn't Harry just wear a hat to hide his scar? Sure, it wouldn't fool anyone who knew James, but it'd at least delay all the attention. Also, here's my theory why the Ministry hasn't been getting involved.

Also, it's SO confusing. I have to always call him Percy or Perseus in the narration, and sometimes in conversation with people who all know but other times I have to remember those who do NOT know will call him Harry.

At least Harry doesn't have the problem… thank goodness. Not that keeps me from screwing up on occasion.

Also, please check out the companion one-shot to this chapter- "Draco the Dragon".

Edited by Mellie Erdmann.

Chapter Twelve: The Human Polyjuice Potion

The next day Percy, along with most of Hogwarts, took the Express home for the holidays. He spent most of the ride talking to Catalina, letting the Weasley kids catch up with one another. Outside the landscape was covered in snow with grey clouds overhead. Besides, apparently Catalina had been going around having fun in the Forbidden Forest with Trevor and Athena while he'd been stressing out over classes and, of course, the mysterious monster. But Percy fell silent along with the Weasleys when Daphne appeared in their compartment door.

"I thought you were staying at Hogwarts for the holiday?" Ron asked her. With a shrug the Slytherin girl replied, "I was, until the double attack on Justin and Nearly Headless Nick happened. My parents wanted me to come home after that."

"Same with me, George, and Ginny," acknowledged Fred. "Does that mean you'll go with the Percys to the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Doubtful- my sister really wants to go," replied Daphne. "Besides, I'd rather have someone summarize what happened at the meeting than endure it myself."

"Good point," grinned George.

Percival looked over to Ginny, who was scribbling away in her diary. "What are you writing about, Ginny?"

"Just t- just writing about my plans for the holidays," she replied evasively, not looking up.

"Oh, okay," replied Percival, somewhat confused. Changing the subject he requested of the others, "Mum and Dad wouldn't be too keen on us trying to solve this mystery. So let's not tell them about this meeting. Please?"

The twins high-fived. "We corrupted Percival, we corrupted Percival!"

"Hah-ha," Percival rolled his eyes. Bemused, Daphne waved goodbye before leaving for her own compartment. The Weasley boys debated Quidditch teams, Ginny wrote in her diary, and Perseus talked to Catalina until the Hogwarts Express pulled in at King's Cross.

Mr. Weasley was waiting for them at the station, and helped them load their luggage into the Ford Anglia. Wizarding Christmas carols played on the radio as he drove them home, everyone talking at once about the school term. The Burrow just had a wreath on the door as an acknowledgement to the season.

Inside there were several garlands and a barren Christmas tree in the living room. Fred promptly picked up Uther out of his playpen to make funny faces at his baby brother, George joining in. Bustling out of the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley hugged them all in turn.

"Oh, it's wonderful to see you all again! We left the tree undecorated so you all could do it…"

"Thanks, Mum," smiled George, Fred nodding his agreement as he cradled a giggling Uther.

"How was the term? Percival has been rather regular in keeping me posted so I know all about the attacks."

The twins, Perseus, Ron, and Ginny all had the decency to look a little sheepish. Ron half-heartedly said, "We've been really busy, Mum…"

"Yes, yes. Now come along, I made dinner for everyone."

Percy felt 'feast' would have been a better term for their homecoming meal. Everyone talked about the school term, although none of the kids mentioned what they were doing to see if they could help end the attacks. Afterwards they drowsily toasted marshmallows in front of the fireplace until they wandered off to bed one by one.

While Percival got into his pajamas Perseus brushed his teeth and vice versa. As they tucked themselves in, Perseus started to think back on Christmases spent with his mom. Before he knew it he was sniffling, trying not to cry.

"Perseus?" yawned Percival. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing," replied Perseus, burrowing deeper into his blankets. There was a pause as Percival waited. Finally the younger boy confessed, "I miss my mom. This will be my second Christmas without her- the second Christmas since the switch."

"I'm sorry, Perseus. But I'm sure you'll see her again someday."

"You really think so?"

There was a moment of quiet.

"Yeah, I really do."

"Thanks."

HPJHPJHPJ

Before Perseus knew it, it was Christmas morning. He and the Weasleys rushed downstairs to open their presents under the tree. From his foster family Percy got a black sweater with a yellow H for Hufflepuff on it (or for Harry to those out of the loop) from Mrs. Weasley along with a jar of blueberry jam; he got a book about the Chudley Cannons from Ron; a book on sea life from Percival; two bags of Every Flavour Beans from the twins; and a scarf and hat with black and yellow stripes from Ginny. He also got some gifts from the study group.

Lunch was the big meal of the day on Christmas. Stuffed, Percy spent the afternoon watching Ron beat Percival at chess again and again. Then he watched Percival chase around the twins after they had stolen his Prefect badge while Ron played peek-a-boo with his baby brother. They had leftovers late in the evening, and soon afterwards went to bed.

Percy felt like Boxing Day dragged on forever. Percival had gotten permission from his parents for them and Ron to go to London the next day, so they were all set to go. They just had to wait for it to be tomorrow.

Watching Percy pace in their room after dinner, Percival spoke up from where he laid on his bed reading. "That's not going to make it tomorrow any sooner."

"I know, I know… I just want to be doing something to help out Hogwarts. It's the first school I've attended for more than a year. Plus it's teaching me how to be a wizard."

"Yes, well, from that test Dumbledore gave you back when you first came to the Burrow I'd hazard you were your world's equivalent of a wizard."

"That'd explain a lot," noted Percy.

"Indeed," Catalina agreed from where she was sprawled out on top of Percy's wardrobe.

"And don't try to eat Scabbers," Percy reminded her, suddenly remembering Percival's former pet as his current one, the snowy owl Athena, swooped in through the open window.

"I know that. Besides, he avoids me. I think he'sss ssscared of me," Catalina replied smugly. Percy had to chuckle at that. "Of course he is."

Apparently feeling left out, Percival had returned to his reading while Athena preened herself from the top of Percival's wardrobe. Percy apologized. "I didn't mean to ignore you. I was just reminding Catalina not to eat Scabbers."

"Ah," went the older boy, looking up.

Dryly Perseus continued, "She says she thinks Scabbers is afraid of her. I can't imagine why- can you?"

The two boys only laughed to Catalina's irritation.

HPJHPJHPJ

At eleven o'clock the next day Percival, Ron, and Perseus took the Floo Network to the Leaky Cauldron. Tom was manning the bar, but there were few people there. A trio of witches was gossiping and having soup at the bar; a shabbily dressed wizard was drinking hot chocolate and doing the Daily Prophet crossword at the end of a table; and a bearded wizard having steak in the corner.

"Not many people there," noted Percy, adjusting his new black and yellow striped cap. That had been Percival's idea; the hat would hide his scar. He also wore jeans and last year's Christmas sweater under his indigo winter cloak. Percival wore a maroon cloak, a gold-brown turtleneck sweater, and brown slacks. Ron wore jeans and a black sweater with his rust brown cloak. Nodding, Percival agreed, "It does look like we're the first to arrive. Let's order lunch- what do you want?"

"Butterbeer, fish with fries, and blueberry pie."

"Fries…?"
"Chips," Percy corrected himself. "What are you going to get?"

"Hm… not sure yet," admitted Percival as they walked over to the bar. "Probably something with apple cider."

"Cool."

Ron said, "I need to go get some more quills- I'll be back in half an hour at the most. Then I'll grab some food…"

"Of course," smiled the other two boys. Rolling his eyes, Ron went off into Diagon Alley.

The two made their order and took a table. A few minutes later Penelope Clearwater strode in, pulling off her grey winter coat, Percival gulping at how her navy blue dress hugged her curves. When Perseus playfully wiggled his eyebrows at the older boy, Percival just glared at him.

Coming over, Penelope bent over to kiss Percival. "Hey, shining knight."

"Hello, loyal weaver," he smiled before returning the kiss.

"Do I even want to know?" asked Percy.

"Oh, um, the nicknames?" blushed Percival. "Well, see, Percival was the name of one of King Arthur's knights and-"

"Penelope was the name of Odysseus's loyal wife who did a lot of weaving," recalled Percy. "Well, they're certainly unique nicknames. And far less sappy than 'dear' or 'honey' or whatever else."

"Indeed," grinned Penelope, tousling her boyfriend's hair. "I'm going to go order. Back in a few minutes."

Percy was amused at Percival watching Penelope walk over to the bar. "How exactly have you two managed to keep your relationship a secret?"

"Shut up."

"I was just asking."

True to her words, the teenage witch soon returned to sit next to Percival. Her curly blonde hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. The two spent the next few minutes alternating between chit-chat about nothing in particular and making out. Percy was grateful when Tom came over with their orders.

Sipping his Butterbeer, Percy accidentally met the gaze of the crossword-doing wizard. Emerald green eyes met gold-flecked brown ones. Quickly, Percy looked away, unaccountably certain that despite the hat the wizard had recognized him as Harry Potter.

Luckily just then Cedric strode in from Diagon Alley, distracting Percy from such thoughts, lowering the hood of his brown-grey cloak. Waving, he first made his order before joining the trio.

"Hello, Harry. Hello, Percival. Hello, Penelope."

Guiltily the two sixth-years broke off their kiss. Bemused, Cedric asked, "So you two are dating. Why all the secrecy?"

"Fred and George," the others replied in tandem. Thinking it over for a minute, the brown-haired prefect admitted, "That's a valid point."

Percival adjusted his glasses anxiously. "I don't want to think about what'll happen when they do find out… we're just delaying the inevitable…"

Cedric and Percy both winced sympathetically. Penelope rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. "I know, shining knight, I know."

A confused Cedric mouthed 'shining knight' at a resigned Perseus who mouthed back 'you don't want to know'. Penelope quickly sat upright when Hermione came in, bundled up in a green overcoat and bronze-colored scarf. Sitting down, she commented, "So I'm here, P- Percival's here, Penelope's here, Cedric's here, Harry's here, and I'm here. We're missing Daphne's sister Astoria, Draco, and Ron."

"Ron went to get some quills," Percival stated. "He'll be back soon. Also, we need Tonks to come- she's the reason we're meeting here and now, after all."

"Right- she was a popular Hufflepuff, right?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. She's training to be an Auror now under Kingsley Shacklebolt and Mad-Eye Moody," Cedric grinned proudly.

"A what and a who and a who?" went Percy.

Hermione and Penelope sighed in exasperation. The older Ravenclaw explained, "An Auror is a Dark Wizard catcher- sort of like the wizarding police. Kingsley Shacklebolt and Mad-Eye Moody are two of the greatest living Aurors. Moody is semi-retired now, he's still quite good."

"If quite paranoid," Cedric noted as Tom came over with his and Penelope's orders. Looking over at Hermione he asked, "Do you want anything, miss?"

"Oh, just some chicken noodle soup, please."

"Right." The elderly bald man returned to the bar.

"So… what's Tonks' first name?" asked Percy. "I don't think anyone has mentioned it."

"I heard she hated it," shrugged Penelope. Cedric nodded. "She absolutely loathed it. I don't think I ever heard anyone call her by it. Even Snape… though to be fair, his first name is Severus so maybe he understood the whole awful first name thing."

"She and Charlie and Bill were good friends, so they occasionally teased her by calling her by it," Percival revealed. Penelope smiled ruefully. "There's that Weasley courage again… I've seen her duel."

"So what is it?" pressed Percy.

"Nymphadora Tonks."

"Whoa." Perseus very nearly commented on how he thought he had it rough with 'Perseus' before remembering that Penelope and Cedric didn't know the truth about him. Hermione commented, "Well, that is quite an unusual name."

Cedric admitted, "I can't say I blame her for not wanting to be called that…"

Ron returned shortly afterwards with his new quills, first ordering his lunch from Tom before sitting next to Hermione.

"Hello, Hermione."

"Hello, Ron," she nodded, returning the greeting. Soon Draco and a petite girl with braided brown pigtails arrived by the Floo. As they joined them at the table Draco said, "This is Daphne's sister Astoria."

"Hi," she got out, clearly impressed by the older wizards. "It's very nice to meet you."

Once Tom brought over their lunches Ron noted, "So we're just missing-"

A young witch tripped over the threshold, collapsing onto the floor. With wide grins Penelope, Cedric, and Percival chorused in greeting: "Tonks!"

Getting to her feet, the witch walked over to their table. She wore jeans, a dark green V-neck sweater, and a charcoal grey cloak. Her hair was short, spiky, and neon green. Brightly she said, "Wotcher, everyone!"

"We're all doomed," mumbled Hermione, clearly unimpressed. Ron elbowed her in the ribs, the brunette swiftly returning the action.

"Hello, Tonks," smiled Cedric. "It's good to see you again."

"Same, Cedric. And hey, Percival! How are the parents?"

"Mum and Dad are fine, though Uther's been keeping them busy," acknowledged Percival. Tonks nodded. "Right- Bill and Charlie mentioned Ginny wasn't the youngest anymore when they visited this past summer. So… who's everyone else here?"

"Oh, right. This is Hermione Granger, my little brother Ron, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, and Astoria Greengrass," Percival pointed at each of them in turn as he said their name.

Tonks raised her eyebrows at Draco, her hair darkening to pine green. "So… seeing the light about the pure-blood nonsense?"

"More or less," admitted Draco.

"Cool. Maybe I'll actually be able to say we're cousins in public then," she joked.

"Wait- what?" went Ron in confusion.

"Yeah. My mum- Andromeda- got herself kicked off the family tree for marrying a Muggleborn, but one of her sisters was Narcissa, Draco's mother. So we're first cousins."

"Neat," acknowledged Draco. "I knew about Andromeda getting blasted off… didn't know she had a kid. Nice to meet you, cousin."

"Nice to meet you too," agreed Tonks, her hair brightening back to neon green.

"Okay, how in the name of Merlin is your hair doing that?" questioned Percy.

"What? Oh, this?" went Tonks. Momentarily screwing up her face in concentration, it turned violet and long, tumbling down her back.

Ron's jaw dropped. "You're a Metamorphmagus. Those are really rare."

Percy felt like dropping in jaw in shock as well, and little Astoria looked ready to fall out of her seat from awed shock. Hermione nodded, now impressed with the older witch. "You can change your appearance at will, can't you? So… you're rather like a human Polyjuice Potion, aren't you?"

"I never heard it described like that before, but yeah," agreed Tonks. Percy realized that her eyes had been shifting color as well- from navy blue to ice blue to teal to lavender to blue grey to sky blue. It was rather disorientating. The witch continued, "So, what's the problem?"

Sipping at his butterbeer, Cedric explained, "There have been… attacks up at Hogwarts this past term. Filch's cat Mrs. Norris, Colin Creevey, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Nearly Headless Nick have all been petrified."

"Nearly Headless Nick?" repeated Tonks in baffled horror. "What could harm a ghost?"

"We don't know," sighed Penelope. "Luckily once the Mandrakes are ready they can be cured."

"However, whatever is attacking might end up killing someone," Percival frowned. "And someone is controlling it- there was a message when Mrs. Norris was attacked at the scene of the crime. It warned of the Chamber of Secrets being opened, and for enemies of the Heir to beware."

Tonks' hair, still long, had darkened to nearly black and Percy wasn't sure if her paling skin was due to magic or fear. "The Chamber of Secrets, huh? The legend holds that Salazar Slytherin created it. Whether it was to simply defend the school from attack, to purge the school of those with Muggle ancestry, or some combination of the two depends on the ideology of the storyteller."

Cedric, Percival, Penelope, Hermione, Ron, and Draco all turned to Perseus. "Oh…."

"Oh what?" frowned Astoria. Percy shrugged. "I have no clue…"

Cedric sighed. "Harry, remember what you said? That you can hear the monster? And you're a Parselmouth as well as being able to communicate with equines and aquatic animals?"

"You can?"

"Well, the Parselmouth thing might be some influence-thingy thanks to the night You Know Who was defeated," Percy explained, tapping his forehead where Harry's scar was. "But yeah… not sure where the equine and aquatic animal stuff came from."

"But if this Chamber of Secrets was indeed created by Salazar Slytherin, a Parselmouth himself, then odds are he used a type of snake," Percival reasoned. "It's so obvious… apparently so obvious that we only realized it now."

"So basically the monster of the Chamber of Secrets must be a type of snake because it's linked to Salazar Slytherin, whose House's symbol is a snake and because he himself was a noted Parselmouth," Tonks paraphrased. "I have to admit, that does make a lot of sense…"

"So whoever can control the monster is probably a Parselmouth as well," Astoria guessed. Hermione nodded, concerned. "You're right, Astoria. Someone besides Harry is a Parselmouth. And there are a wide variety of magical snakes, but I don't think I've read about any that can petrify."

"Same here," frowned Penelope.

Swallowing part of his sandwich, Ron asked, "But where can this Chamber of Secrets be?"

"I don't know- probably underground," Cedric theorized.

"Here's another thing… it's been reportedly opened before," Tonks stated. "Fifty years ago- in the 1942 to 1943 school year. Some students were petrified, reportedly one was killed, and someone was expelled on- according to Moody- flimsy evidence because whoever really did it didn't want the school closing just yet…"

"Fifty years ago," marveled Ron. "That was a long time ago… before Dumbledore was Headmaster, right, Hermione?"

"Right," agreed Hermione. "So when we get back to school, we'll have to look for information on this first opening."

"Fifty years ago… hm…" went Draco, clearly trying to hope that maybe his father wasn't behind this after all. Percy sent the blond boy a sympathetic smile which Draco didn't return.

"And since the Chamber, according to legend, can only be opened by the Heir of Slytherin, you might want to check some family trees- see who is descended from Salazar Slytherin and all that."

"Thanks for the help, Tonks," smiled Percival nervously. "This has us all stressed out."

Tonks snorted. "I can't say I blame you. This is nasty stuff. At least now I know why the House Heads keep owling Scrimgeour. He's the head of the Auror Office. I'm just a trainee, so I'm out of the loop on a lot of stuff. Still, I think I'll ask Shacklebolt and Moody a few questions about what they know. Keep me posted, all right? I don't want anything bad to happen to Hogwarts or its students…"

"Thanks, Tonks," nodded Cedric, finishing off his butterbeer. "It's been great to see you again. I just wish it was under better circumstances."

"Same. Now I'm going to order lunch, 'kay?"

"We'd ought to be getting back to the Burrow," conceded Percival, rising. "See you later, Cedric, Penelope."

"Bye, Percival," Penelope nodded with a smile.

Hastily Ron finished off his lunch before the trio got up to take the Floo Network back to the Burrow. As the trio headed over to the fireplace, Percy looked back at the wizard with the hot chocolate. The wizard, whose floppy brown hair was streaked with grey, was looking at him pensively. Now Percy began to have a bad feeling that the wizard had a suspicion that he wasn't really Harry Potter. Or he was just paranoid like that Moody character Tonks had mentioned.

HPJHPJHPJ

Two days after the new year began, Percy came up to his and Percival's room to find Percival storming about. Staying in the doorway, Percy asked, "What's wrong?"

"Tonks' letter to me just arrived- she sent one to me, Penelope, and Cedric. I'm guessing they all are close to the same thing," Percival got out, picking up his pointy black hat and throwing it at the wall ineffectually.

"And…?" trailed off Perseus.

"With minimal pressure from Fudge and Mr. Malfoy, Scrimgeour has been keeping the attacks at Hogwarts discrete. Well, actually, I'm guessing it goes Malfoy, Fudge, Scrimgeour but in any case the end result was that Shacklebolt and Moody- and the rest of the Auror Office!- didn't have a clue what's been going on at Hogwarts, let alone the wizarding public at large! This is- this is- this is- GAH!"

Percival punched the wall. Cradling his injured hand he complained, "Ow…"

"Yeah, that was kind of stupid," Perseus noted. "So basically, Draco's dad is somehow connected to this whole mess. Draco isn't going to like that."

Percival collapsed onto his bed, hiding his face in his hands. "What I don't like is that the attacks are almost certain to continue… who'll be next?"

Perseus shrugged tiredly, sitting down on his bed across from Percival's. "I don't know. I really don't."