Percy Jackson at Hogwarts

Chapter 28: The Enigma

Percy PoV

"How could she have known?" Harry asked.

He had just read aloud an article in the gazette about Hagrid.

The magical creature care class was not taught by our friend but by a substitute, which had not failed to draw the mockery of the Slytherins who had just given the gazette to Harry.

An article by Rita Skeeter denounced Hagrid as a dangerous half-giant.

Inside, I was seething.

Harry was getting into it with Malfoy.

"With this story, he won't be teaching again anytime soon!" Draco said. "The fat idiot was simply not qualified for the job anyway."

"You'll see!"
Harry and Ron went towards him, but the teacher took them back.

I glare at Malfoy and he looks away.

"How can that horrible woman know that?" Hermione takes offense when Harry shows her the article.

Harry shrugs.

"Maybe she overheard him talking to Madame Maxime at the ball."

"We would have seen it," Ron intervenes.

Indeed, while I was struggling with my memories, Harry and Ron overheard a conversation between Hagrid and the headmistress, learning the background on our great friend.

"Maybe she has a cloak like yours, Harry,"I say.

"Maybe she does."

But nothing is certain. We need to find out how she learns these things.

But more importantly, how is Hagrid doing. We haven't heard from him since the article came out.
"We have to go see him," Harry concluded.

So after dinner, we went down to his cabin, but when we knocked, no one opened.

And it was the same pattern for a week.

Then came another weekend at Hogsmeade.
We were at a table at the three broomsticks, drinking our drinks.
"Did you solve the egg puzzle?" Hermione asked.

I'm looking at Harry.
"Cedric and I are working on it," replied Harry.

"Yeah, same thing,"I say.

"You know the second task is coming up very quickly?"

"Don't worry, we'll have it figured out by then."

"Look."
Ron nods.

Rita Skeeter had just walked into the bar.
"... and then we could say that...-"

"Are you trying to ruin someone's life again?" Speaks Harry in a loud voice.

"Harry! Join us!"

"I wouldn't go near you for the world. Why are you doing this?"

There is instant silence in the room.

"People have a right to know the truth."

"Your truth is just a bunch of prejudices, nothing real in this rag!" I say.

"A rag?"
The journalist looks at me.

I stand up and approach her.
"Exactly, a rag. What you write is an aberration. Last time I warned you. You attacked my friends. Now you're going to take the consequences."

She swallows.
"Do you think you scare me?"

"Oh, I think I terrify you. You don't know anything about me, you have nothing against me. But believe me, I've done things that could send you hiding in a broom closet."