Percy Jackson and the Order of the Phoenix (SEQUEL)

Chapter 4: Arriving at Privet Drive

Mrs. Figg began to scurry down the sidewalk, fast-walking at an incredibly speed for a woman her age.

Harry and the girl frantically pulled Dudley onto his feet. The girl swung Dudley's right arm over her shoulders, supporting half his weight, as Harry followed suit and supported Dudley's left side.

They awkwardly dragged Dudley along to catch up with the squib, catching on that she didn't seem to wait up for them.

"So, about Percy and Annabeth-" Harry paused to catch his breath, though it seemed the girl knew where his train of thought was going. She blew a strand of her curly hair out of her eyes and began to speak,

"They had to take a plane here. Believe me, they wanted to come here as soon as possible... But - out of all things to stop them - the next plane to London wasn't until this afternoon. Nico took Mrs. O'Leary, so that was the only way they could get here."

"Who's Mrs. O' Leary?"

Nico's sister laughed, tugging on Dudley's arm to pull him up. His limp hand began to slip through the girl's fingers, but her quick reflexes kept him upright, "Basically a big dog... a hellhound. They can shadow-travel, like Nico and me. But because Nico's been - uhm - slightly sick lately, his doctor insisted on the additional help. He really did strain himself last year..."

"What are you talking about back there?" Mrs. Figg turned around.

"Nothing," The girl replied quickly.

Harry frowned, "They don't know-"

"Know what?" Mrs. Figg's eyes narrowed, "Who exactly are you anyways-"

The demigod, still a stranger to Harry, snapped her fingers with her spare hand, a small cloud of mist emitted from her palm and swirled around the squib's head.

The girl thought for a moment, speaking clearly while looking directly at Mrs. Figg, "You didn't hear our conversation, and don't hear what Harry and I are speaking about currently."

Harry stared, dumbfounded. What was she doing? Surely this would only cause more suspicion-

It worked.

Mrs. Figg shook her head to ward off the cloud of mist, and then with a cloudy look in her eyes, turned around and continued to walk ahead of them silently.

Harry began to talk, "Wha-"

"It's the Mist, Harry. A veil over the mortal eye; only letting them see what they can comprehend. Why do you think our world has remained a secret for so long?" the girl's voice was quite clear now, obviously having confidence in her magic, and that Mrs. Figg wouldn't eavesdrop anymore.

"Does that mean other people don't know too?"

"Only you, Hermione, Ron, and Dumbledore know, and it's best to keep it that way," she spoke softly, the two now turning a corner in front of multiple houses, "Now, I didn't have much time for everyone to fill me in, but I know the basics. Our way of life is at stake here. We will do everything we can to protect you, Harry. Not just as the Boy-Who-Lived, but because you're a good person. But, we will do so with the utmost discretion."

"Why's that? Surely the Wizarding World is different than muggles-"

"That's exactly it, Harry. Wizards have dealt with... creatures before. Magical creatures. Who's to say the majority of Wizards and Witches don't consider us just that as well? Nico was at the Ministry before, and it only took a statue to convince him about the wizards' perception of the world."

"I don't think of you guys like that. You aren't just some animal..."

She smiled. A warm, grateful smile, "I'm glad you feel that way... But there's some bad people out there. They'll take the word 'demigod' much differently."