Demigods at Hogwarts | the rescue mission ✔

20| Shampoo Problems

Percy's POV

The first thought I had when I opened my eyes was that my butt hurt. A lot. Slowly and warily, I opened my eyes.

I was lying on the floor in front of the Grand Staircase, my legs sprawled in awkward directions. I must have accidentally rolled down the stairs after arriving at Hogwarts by Portkey. Scrambling to my feet, I glanced at the clock. It was late afternoon, and I was going to get in trouble if I was found wandering the castle when I was supposed to be in the common room. I scampered up the stairs, anxious to get back to my dorm before anyone figured out that I had come back late.

I was darting up the second flight of stairs when I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I turned around, expecting to see a Prefect or a fellow schoolmate staring at me disapprovingly. Instead, much to my disappointment, the grotesque Potions Master of Hogwarts was glaring at me, his upper lip curling into a sinister smile.

"Well, well, well," Snape sneered, his beady black eyes narrowing. "Caught red-handed. Will you be willing to tell me exactly what you were up to, or will I have to use more...forceful methods?"

I gulped, wondering what those "forceful" methods could possibly be. I remembered Piper telling me something about The Forbidden Curses that were prohibited by the government of the wizarding world. Even the magic in the blood of demigods wasn't strong enough to guard against those kinds of spells.

"I was planning to come back with the rest of the students, but this woman, Rilla Skeefer or something, she wanted to interview me." I explained, noting how nervous I sounded. Snape thrust his face into mine, and I could feel his sour breath against my cheek.

"Lies," he hissed. "Fess up, Jackson. Why are you here at Hogwarts? Bet you tricked the Headmaster to let you in so that you could spy on us. I will not be fooled by your antics. Who do you work for?"

"I was telling the truth!" I protested, throwing my hands up in the air in defense. "Look, I am not a spy, and I really am an exchange student, okay?" I felt a twinge of guilt since I wasn't really an exchange student from some magic school, but a spy? I didn't even know how to use a gun, much less assassinate people.

The potion master's eyes bore into mine and I stepped back, hoping to distance myself from him as much as possible. "Jackson," he growled again, his voice becoming dangerously low. "I will give you one more chance. Who do you work for?"

I was about to make a run for it—after all, I should be able to run faster than this 30-something man who looked like he desperately needed some good shampoo—when I caught Professor McGonagall walking up to us out of the corner of my eye. "Jackson, please explain yourself," she said sternly, seemingly oblivious to Snape's existence.

Snape cleared his throat, staring at Professor McGonagall disdainfully. "I believe I'm handling the current situation just fine, Professor. Don't you have more important duties to attend to?"

A flash of anger crossed the old professor's face, but it was gone as soon as it had come. Instead, she gazed at Snape coldly. "As deputy headmistress, I would like to address this situation myself. You are dismissed."

I looked at Snape, who looked furious. Rejoicing silently, I watched with the tiniest of smiles on my face as he turned his back towards us and stormed out of sight.

"Mr Jackson," Professor McGonagall said suddenly, her face as cold and expressionless as it had been a minute ago. "Your explanation?"

I took a deep breath, praying that this time she would have the sense to let me off the hook. "I was about to board those Threstal carriages when a woman stopped me. She was a reporter who wanted to interview of the Triwizard Tournament champions, and I think her name was Rilla Skeefer-"

"Rita Skeeter," Professor McGonagall corrected, her cat-like eyes focused on me. "Go on."

I nodded, relieved that someone understood what I was saying. "Yes, that's the one. So I told her that I didn't have time, but she forced me to answer a few...unflattering questions. I travelled back here by Portkey so that's why I'm late." I finished. I had been talking at an alarming speed, but Professor McGonagall seemed to have understood me fine. She stared at me for a moment, as if pondering whether I was speaking the truth, then gave the slightest nod.

"You can go back to your common room, Mr Jackson. There is no reason for you to be punished this time." She frowned when she saw that I was still frozen in shock. "What are you waiting for? Go, before I change my mind!"

My lips spreading into a wide grin, I thanked the old professor silently as I raced up the stairs.