Demigods at Hogwarts 2 (Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince)

Chapter 3

Sorry about the long gap between updates. This chapter is over 930 words so hopefully that makes up for the infrequency of chapter uploads. 

Harry POV

Annabeth and I walked silently up to the castle. I could see that she was lost in thought and I didn't want to interrupt her.

We arrived at the hall. The Gryffindor table was all the way over the other side. Annabeth marched in and I matched her step. People stared and pointed but I ignored them. I sat down next to Hermione and Annabeth sat next to Percy.

"Where've you been?" Hermione asked. I tried to grab some food but it disappeared.

"I'll explain later" I answered. Percy and Ron were having a cake eating contest next to us. Hermione and Annabeth were distracted by them and I took the moment to eat my food.

After they stopped guzzling food I asked Hermione if the sorting hat had said anything important. She said it had given more warnings, nothing much different to last time.

I ran my eyes over the teachers' table. Hagrid sat next to McGonagall. He waved then turned back to his conversation. Trelawney also sat up there. I thought about the prophecy and how I didn't want to go near her. Our eyes met and I quickly turned to the Slytherin table. Draco was miming a shattered nose.

Hermione's voice brought me back to the present. "On the train People kept asking us if you were the chosen one. It was quite tedious."

Nearly Headless Nick came over to join the conversation. "Yes, there has been much discussion on the topic among the ghosts. As I am considered close to you, I am regarded as the expert on Potter. I said I would rather die than betray your confidence."

Ron, Nico and Thalia snorted. Hazel, Hermione and Annabeth glared at them.

"Once again Weasley," Nick said, ignoring the other two, "you show all the sensitivity of a blunt axe." Nick turned away contemptuously.

We heard the ringing of a glass. The hall fell silent. Dumbledore stood up and began his speech. The hall filled with mutters.

"What happened to his hand?" gasped Hermione

"A curse, probably" Nico said

"Now students, this is nothing to worry about" said Dumbledore

"It hasn't healed since I saw him on the holidays" I whispered "I would've thought Madame Pomfrey would've been able to heal it."

"It looks dead" said Hermione, repulsed.

"Looks like an old curse" Hazel said quietly "there are some that can't be cured..." she trailed off.

Dumbledore spoke for a bit before he brought his routine announcements to a close. Filch had banned anything from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Dumbledore then continued.

"Now, as you may have noticed, we have a new teacher this year. Professor Slughorn will be teaching potions"

The hall was, once again, filled with muttering.

"Potions!" Hermione gasped. But Snape...

"Which means" said Dumbledore, over the chatter "Professor Snape will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts"

"What!? NO!" I said loudly. Why would Dumbledore give Snape what he wanted? I glanced over at Snape. He had a look of triumph on his loathsome features.

I turned back to my friends. "There's one positive" I said vindictively "He'll be gone before the end of the year"

"What?" asked Ron.

"Job's jinxed" I explained " no-one has lasted more than a year. Personally I'm hoping for another death"

"Harry!" Hazel said "don't hope for other people to die just because you don't like them"

"He might just leave" Annabeth pointed out "you said Professor Moody did"

Dumbledore cleared his throat and the hall fell silent once more.

"Now, as you know, Lord Voldemort has returned. I cannot emphasise how important it is we stay safe. However irksome you find the safety measures we have put in place, I ask that you all to abide by them. We have increased magical protection and imposed new rules. We have decided on a curfew for the castle, so you will be punished if you are out of bed after hours. If you see anything suspicious please report it to the staff" his blue eyes scanned the hall and he smiled "now off to bed, so you are up bright and early for school tomorrow."

The students all rose from the benches. I hung back with my friends, none of us were particularly keen to be stared at. I personally wanted to stay as far away from Malfoy as possible. I pretended to tie my shoelace. Hermione noticed the first years and hurried off to help them. Once most people were gone we walked over to the door.

"What actually happened to your nose?" Ron asked me.

I explained what had happened. None of my friends laughed.

"Malfoy is such an idiot" Thalia said "wish I'd smote him too."

Nico and Ron laughed.

"And guess what else he said" I revealed what he had bragged about. Ron didn't believe me. The others were less sure.

"There may be some truth in what he said, but we shouldn't place too much reliance upon it" Annabeth said.

"'Ello you lot. How are you doin'?" Hagrid had descended from the teachers' platform.

"We're good, how about you?" Ron replied.

"I'm very well" Hagrid said happily "Grawp has been improvin' so much. I'm thinkin' o' trainin' 'im up as me assistant"

The group had reached the door.

"I'll see yeh all tomorrow" Hagrid said cheerily "Yeh can all say 'ello to Buck-Witherwings"

We bid him farewell and turned toward our dormitories.

"None of us are taking his class, are we?" I said

Everyone replied in the negative.

I looked at Ron. Hagrid was going to be so upset when he realised his favourite students had chosen to drop his class.