Demigods at Hogwarts | the rescue mission ✔

7| No Backing Out

Percy's POV

We were sitting in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Dinner had just ended—the plates on the four long tables had been cleared, and the last of the food had been eaten. All we could do was wait.

I knew I was going to get picked by the Goblet, so there wasn't much to be nervous about. Every now and then I would find myself thinking about what the Tournament would be like. I wondered if any of the three tasks would involve water. I liked water.

The Hall was full of low voices murmuring to each other. Everyone's eyes were fixated on the Goblet of Fire, which stood beside Dumbledore in the front of the room. The kids from Durmstrang radiated hostility as they stared at everyone else. The Beauxbatons ladies were crossing their fingers superstitiously, and the students from Hogwarts, who occupied most of the seats in the Hall, looked tense and nervous. Piper, Jason, Nico, Thalia, Leo and I were sitting at the Gryffindor table next to Harry, Hermione and Ron, who seemed eager for the headmaster of Hogwarts to speak.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. The air grew still, buzzing with intensity. Looking across the room, I saw that the seventh-years from Hogwarts looked pale and sweaty—I knew for a fact that most of them had entered their names. I felt my heart tighten in anger. They were voluntarily risking their lives for what, a million bucks? Chiron had said that demigods and wizards had the same magic in their veins, but I knew better. Because these students had no idea what it was like—running from monsters 24/7, being forced to do the gods' bidding, not knowing if you were going to live to see tomorrow. They had no idea what it felt like to be a half-blood.

I was about to point this out to Nico when Dumbledore threw his arms up into the air. "Goblet of Fire, choose your champions!" he bellowed in an overly dramatic manner. I found myself rolling my eyes—who did this guy think he was, Zeus? However, everyone seemed intimidated by this gesture, even Jason and Thalia.

Maybe stupidity really was contagious.

The  Goblet flickered with flames. Then, an unscorched piece of parchment floated out from the Goblet into Dumbledore's hands. I leaned back in my chair, trying to look as relaxed as possible—just in case anyone decided to look. I watched intently as Dumbledore opened the folded piece of parchment, his silver-blue eyes flickering in the flames of the goblet.

"From Beauxbatons Academy," he said in a low voice. "Miss Fleur Delacour."

This announcement was followed by a round of insincere clapping from the Beauxbatons students and polite applause from the Hogwarts staff. A girl with silvery-blond hair stood up, beaming. It was the same girl Leo had tried to flirt with.

"From Durmstrang," Dumbledore continued, as another piece of parchment floated out from the goblet. This Krum guy was apparently really popular—kids from all three schools were cheering for him. A guy sprouting a moustache who I guessed was the headmaster of Durmstrang had a satisfied expression on his face.

"From Half-Blood Academy," Dumbledore said, once again catching the piece of parchment as the applause for Krum died down. "Mr Percy Jackson."

I didn't even need to look to know that all eyes were on me. A few nervous high-pitched giggles arose as I sighed in relief. There was only one thing to focus on, and that was Annabeth. I had to win the Tournament, and for the first time, it didn't really matter who I was going to hurt throughout the process.

"And from Hogwarts, Mr Cedric Diggory." Dumbledore finished as the Hufflepuff kids started bouncing up and down in their seats. According to what Hermione had told us on the train, the Hufflepuffs got any recognition from the other houses. Naturally, they would be the most pumped up about something like this.