Demigods at Hogwarts | the rescue mission ✔

6| The Note and Nico

Nico's POV

  "I don't suppose anyone here would voluntarily join the Triwizard Tournament?"

  We were in our new 'private' common room, which was on the fifteenth floor of the Gryffindor Tower. It was surprisingly comfortable and not at all like the plain college dorm room I had been expecting—the walls were painted shades of red and gold, and seven plush armchairs encircled a small coffee table in the centre of the room. In front of that was a blazing fireplace and a bookcase filled with heavy-looking volumes (I had a feeling that Annabeth would read every single one of them). On the other side of the room was a long worktable complete with everything from packets of highlighters to study planners, and beside that a long, winding staircase that led to the dormitories. The whole place had a rustic feel to it, and even though I typically preferred dark, gloomy rooms compared to ones like these, I had to admit this place was pretty neat.

  Percy, who was looking crankier than ever, glared at the son of Jupiter. "No. We've got to find Annabeth, who has to be somewhere in this school. We don't have time for distractions."

  "I agree with Percy—we've got too much to worry about already," Piper said knowingly. "The culprit is most likely in the school participating in regular school activities, which is why we should focus on going to our classes."

  "Not to mention that Dumbledore guy knows about us," said Leo encouragingly. He was the only one in the room that didn't look depressed at all. "We have a wizard backing us up. Let's go and kick some butt!"

  Thalia glared at Leo (there was quite a lot of glaring going on at this moment). "A wizard who can't help us. We shouldn't be expecting any support from anyone in this school."

  Leo huffed. "Fine, deal. We're not going to join that awesome tournament, but I get to be the first one who punches Annabeth's kidnapper."

  Percy sighed, sounding like a lonely dolphin. My heart softened. It must have been hard, losing Annabeth like that. Everyone knew how much they loved each other, and to have all that ruined because of some stupid kidnapper...And I didn't exactly feel sympathy often.

  We all watched Percy climb up the steps to our dormitory without another word. After he was out of sight, I turned to the others. "I-"

  Suddenly, I heard a startled shout coming from upstairs. Percy.

  The five of us rushed up the stairs and into the dormitory. Percy wasn't actually choking or writhing on the floor like I thought he would be. His face had turned as pale as a vampire's, and he was clutching a piece of parchment so tightly that I thought he was going to faint.

  With shaking hands, Percy handed me the piece of parchment. In large Greek letters it read:

YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR ANNABETH? JOIN THE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT.

+++

  "Don't do it, Percy," Thalia said warningly. "It's a trap—it's obviously a trap. If Annabeth's around here somewhere, we'll find her eventually."

  We were sitting on their beds, each looking more distressed than the other. Jason looked nervous and edgy, Percy was still recovering from shock and Piper was staring at him concern. Even Leo's mood cheerful facade had disappeared, and he was now tinkering with a few pieces of metal.

  Percy shook his head stubbornly. "No. What if the Tournament is the only way to get her back? What if the person who sent this note was just trying to help? Do you remember when Hera told Annabeth in her dreams that finding Jason was the only way to get me back? Besides, how hard can a wizard's tournament be?"

  Piper sighed. "Look, Percy, I don't want to charmspeak you, but if you don't listen to us, I'll have to." I could sense the desperation in her voice. The last thing any of us needed was our best fighter getting hurt in some stupid wizard's contest.

  Percy bit his lip. "I don't care. Annabeth's in danger... I'd rather die than to stand by and do nothing."

  I felt terrible. We all knew that Percy's fatal flaw was excessive and personal loyalty. He would risk his life for pretty much anybody—even his enemies. I mean, he even tried to warn the Kronos-loving demigods when the Princess Andromeda was sinking. And Annabeth....she was pretty much Percy's best friend and constant companion. The two understood each other more than any of us.

  "Percy," Piper said slowly, her voice heavy with charmspeak. Her expression was calm and cool, but her watery eyes betrayed the guilt she was feeling. "You don't want to join the Triwizard Tournament. You don't want to throw yourself in danger. You don't want to die, right, hon?"

  I grimaced. Piper rarely used Aphrodite slangs. To be exact, she never did. Being the daughter of the love goddess and a famous movie star, you would expect her to be the typical vain Hollywood kid. But no. Piper, in fact, was probably the most down-to-earth person to ever to walk the earth.

  Percy shook his head vigorously. "No. I don't want to die." Then, he blinked and narrowed his eyes. "Wait. I'm joining. I have to save Annabeth."

  I flinched. It was now or never.

  "Don't do it," I said quietly. "please, Percy. Listen to me."

  Percy looked at me helplessly, then at the rest of us. "Sorry, guys, but Annabeth just means too much to me. I have to get her back. I'm gonna go put my name in the Goblet now. I have to do it. I just have to."

  Slowly, he walked out of the door.

  And this time, none of us stopped him.