Demigods at Hogwarts | the rescue mission ✔

18| Public Humiliation

Percy's POV

  "The girls are over there," Frank said as we trudged through the snow, our bodies worn and exhausted. We'd been in Hogsmeade for hours now and had already visited its most popular destinations, including Zonko's, The Three Broomsticks,  and Spintwitches Sporting Needs. Hogwarts students were already started piling into the Thestral-drawn carriages, about to return to school.

  Thalia, Piper and Hazel were walking over to us They were also carrying a big bag of purchased items along with a little cage containing an owl. It had a fluffy white coat of feathers and flecks of snow were on the tip of its nose. It looked thoroughly annoyed, but didn't make any noise as Piper brought it near us.

  "Where did you get that?" asked Leo curiously. "I thought they didn't have pet shops here in Hogsmeade." He peered at the snowy white owl, who's soulful black eyes narrowed to glare at him threateningly.  "Aww...he's so adorable!"

"It's a she!" Thalia responded, rolling her eyes.

  "Hi, guys!" Recognising Harry's voice, I was about to greet him when I realised two people standing behind us in the snow were Ron and Hermione, bundled up in layers of winter clothes. Blushing in embarrassment, I cracked a smile.

  "I thought I heard Harry's voice." I muttered, half to myself. "I must've been hearing things."

  Hermione, who apparently heard me, laughed nervously. "You weren't. He's hiding under the Invisibility Cloak. We didn't want to attract unwanted attention---he's already famous for, you know, and it doesn't help that he's the youngest champion in wizarding history." She said this fondly as she stared downwards at what I supposed was Invisible Harry.

  "Is that your owl?" Invisible Harry asked. "It looks a lot like my owl, Hedwig."

  I bit down on my lower lip to stop myself from snorting in amusement. Who gave an owl a name like Hedwig? Harry sounded dead serious though, so I decided not to ask him about it.

  Piper ruffled the owl's fur affectionately. "There was this homeless guy on the streets, trying to sell this little cutie. He seemed especially interested in us, and really keen to get rid of her. I have no idea why...she's the cutest thing ever!" Piper beamed, her kaleidoscope eyes shining. "He said he would give us ten galleons if we were willing to take her-"

  "We need to board the carriages now," Hermione said suddenly, cutting Piper off mid-sentence. Glancing in her direction, I realised why she was so alarmed—Half of the Threstal-drawn carriages had already started down the path leading back to Hogwarts. Without another word, Harry, Hermione and Ron walked off, leaving behind footprints in the snow.

   "Well," Hazel sighed. "We might as well get going." She started her way towards the other side of the main street, the rest of us following.

  I was about to step onto the carriages when I felt a cold hand rest on my shoulder. I spun around, my fists tightening. After spending the past eight years of your life being ambushed and attacked by monsters, you tend to be pretty alert at all times.

  A middle-aged woman was standing behind me, a sickly smile on her face. She had frivolous blond curls twisted into a boho crown and red spectacles. Floating beside her in mid-air was an acid green feather quill pen and your standard notepad.

  "Are you Percy Jackson?" she asked in a hurry, her green eyes widening. "The champion Percy Jackson?" Something was fishy about this lady, but I was certain that she wasn't a monster.

  "Yeah, I am," I responded uncertainly, my time razor-sharp. "And why exactly would you need to know that?"

The woman gasped in mock surprise, as if she was some character in a soap opera who had just won the lottery. "I'm Rita Skeeter, and I'm in charge of interviewing all the Triwizard champs. You know, to let the public know more about you all." Her eyes twinkled. "You absolutely must let me interview you. I'm sure every reader out there is dying to know about the handsome American champion of the Triwizard Tournament." She smiled again, this time flashing a perfect set of teeth. "Right now would be a great time."

  I glanced at my friends. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm supposed to be heading back to school with my friends right now, so..." I cast a helpless glance at the rest of the demigods, who were already sitting comfortably inside one of the carriages. Thalia, the only one who saw me, was munching on a Chocolate Frog. She smirked and shrugged nonchalantly.

   Rita Skeeter laughed. "Oh, I'm sure your professors wouldn't mind if you're a bit late," she tittered, grabbing my hand and dragging me away. I pulled myself free and started running towards the carriage at full speed, accidentally tripping over a fallen branch along the way. I landed face-first in the snow.

    "Running away didn't work so well, did it?" Skeeter giggled as I rolled over, resisting the urge to punch her where it would hurt the most. Grimacing, I stood up and brushed away the snow on my face. Public humiliation—one of my greatest fears. Comes from being related to 12 divine beings obsessed with saving face, I guess.

"You better make this quick," I growled threateningly. "If I get into trouble back at school, I'm blaming it on you."

  Skeeter shrugged. "Whatever you want, honey." She grabbed my hand again and led me through the village like a mother would do to a disobedient child.

    Too tired and cold to protest, I had no choice but to follow her.