Percy Jackson and Harry Potter Halfblood Heroes.(Book 2)

Chapter 10

Percy had seen many miracles. When he actually killed the minotaur, Greek Gods being real and Hagrid.

"Riddle might have got the wrong person," said Hermione. "Maybe it was some other monster that was attacking people. . . ."

"How many monsters d'you think this place can hold?" Ron asked dully.

"We always knew Hagrid had been expelled," said Harry miserably."And the attacks must've stopped after Hagrid was kicked out. Otherwise, Riddle wouldn't have got his award."

Ron tried a different tack.

"Riddle does sound like Percy My brother. who asked him to squeal on Hagrid, anyway?"

"But the monster had killed someone, Ron," said Hermione.

"And Riddle was going to go back to some Muggle orphanage if they closed Hogwarts," said Harry. "I don't blame him for wanting to stay here. . . ."

"Hear hear," Percy said.

"You met Hagrid down Knockturn Alley, didn't you, Harry?"

"He was buying a Flesh-Eating Slug Repellent," said Harry quickly.

The four of them fell silent. After a long pause, Hermione voiced the knottiest question of all in a hesitant voice.

"Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all?"

"That'd be a cheerful visit," said Ron. "'Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?'"

In the end, they decided that they would not say anything to Hagridunless there was another attack, It was now nearly four months since Justin and Nearly Headless Nick had been petrified, and nearly everybody seemed to think that the attacker, whoever it was, had retired for good. Peeves had finally got bored of his "Oh, Potter, you rotter" song and in March, several of the Mandrakes threw a loud and raucous party in greenhouse three. This made Professor Sprout very happy

"The moment they start trying to move into each other's pots, we'll know they're fully mature," she told them. "Then we'll be able to revive those poor people in the hospital wing."

The second years were given something new to think about during their Easter holidays. The time had come to choose their electives for the third year, a matter that Hermione, at least, took very seriously. 

"It could affect our whole future," she told Harry and Ron as they poredover lists of new subjects, marking them with checks. 

"I just want to give up Potions," said Harry. 

"We can't," said Percy gloomily. "We keep all our old subjects, or I'd'veditched Defense Against the Dark Arts." 

"But that's very important!" said Hermione, shocked. 

"Not the way Lockhart teaches it," said Ron. "I haven't learned anythingfrom him except not to set pixies loose."

 Neville Longbottom had been sent letters from all the witches andwizards in his family, all giving him different advice on what to choose.Confused and worried, he sat reading the subject lists with his tonguepoking out, asking people whether they thought Arithmancy sounded moredifficult than Study of Ancient Runes. Dean Thomas, who, like Harry, hadgrown up with Muggles, ended up closing his eyes and jabbing his wand atthe list, then picking the subjects it landed on. Hermione took nobody'sadvice but signed up for everything. 

So taking Percy Weasley's advice, he signed up for Care of magical creatures and Muggle studies. Ron took Divination and Care of magical creatures while Harry chose the same new subjects as Ron.