Demigods at Hogwarts

Chapter 21: Pastries and Talk

(Hazel’s POV)

When I saw Percy and Annabeth in the Great Hall, I almost ran to them. Only knowing I would see them later, as it was a Saturday, stopped me. Well, that and a restraining hold. Nico held my forearms tightly to keep me from leaving the table. Will walked in with them, and from the way no one else reacted to Percy’s face, the burn on one side, I knew that the Mist- or a glamour- had to be at work.

“Don't tell anyone about it. Only the demigods can see it.” Nico murmured in my ear. I nodded and tried to arrange my facial expression so it seemed like everything was normal.

After breakfast, Will, Nico, and I headed down to the lake. We knew those who hadn't left already would be there soon. Thalia and Reyna were already sitting up in a tree, talking to someone. Reyna swiped away the Iris-message as we approached.

“What was that about?” Nico asked. “Want to share with the class?”

“Just my sister.” Reyna said. “Nothing's wrong, but…”

“I'll feel a lot better when we're back at camp.” Thalia said. “They say their war is over, but something feels off here.”

“Perhaps that's my fault.” Someone said. “So sorry about that.” The accent told them nothing; everyone here but them had a similar one.

“Who are you? And where are you?” Nico asked. A red-haired ghost shimmered into sight and bowed to them. “Gentlemen, ladies, Fred Weasley at your service. Perhaps you know my younger sister?”

“You’re Ginny’s older brother.” I said.

“Yes, one of many. Ron seems to be avoiding you, so I don’t suppose you’d know him. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversations this summer. I won’t tell anyone. I swear this solemnly. But I think I know just what’s going on here.”

"And what is that?" Will asked. "We were sent here to protect Harry Potter, not that he seems to need it, and investigate what's going on here. We've found nothing that seems odd for a magical school. Draco, Luna, and Neville have confirmed that nothing out of the ordinary is going on."

"That's hard to say, exactly. I don't think it's anything too sinister." Fred told us slowly, thinking it over. "But part of it is that a good many people died here, Death Eaters and Order Members alike. Voldemort was just defeated last year, and it's possible some of his Death Eaters have remained invisible all this time, waiting for an oppertiny. But I don't think that's it. Keep an eye on Slughorn. He's been acting odd this year."  Fred looked behind us. "Your friends are coming. I'll take a look around, see if I come up with anything else." He disappeared just as Frank wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Who was that?" Annabeth asked.

"Fred Weasley, Ginny's older brother. He died in the Battle of Hogwarts." Nico told him. "Well, now that we have another source, we need to start figuring out what's going on. Fred said he doesn't know, but to watch Slughorn."

"I don't think it's Slughorn," Percy said. "Yes, the man's odd, but did Fred ever have him as a professor? I think it's something bigger- something we'll need both wizards and demigods to defeat."

"What could be bigger than what we've already fought?" Jason frowned.

"Tartarus." Percy's voice was heavy. "Annabeth and I have both been having nightmares, you know that, but we've also been getting messages. Tartarus doesn't have the strength to fight us himself, and I don't think he ever will, because he has to regenerate monsters all the time. But he does have the power to awaken old enemies more quickly than we'd like. What's to say he hasn't somehow brought this Voldemort back? Or something worse?"