Percy Jackson and the Heir of Slytherin [Book 2]

13) Practice Gone Wrong

"Perce, wake up."

"Noooooo."

"C'mon, we're gonna practice Quidditch with Gryffindor."

"It's too early..."

"No, it's not, so get up."

And I was shoved to the floor. I hit my chin on the concrete and cried out. Cedric immediately kneeled beside me, "I'm sorry!"

I rubbed my bruising chin, "It's fine. Now where are my practice robes?"

I started pulling clothes out of my cabinet, searching for my Quidditch robes.

I eventually found them and changed, Rushing after Cedric.

We got there at the same time as Gryffindor, but apparently they were going over moves. We liked winning, sure, but we aren't that into it. So we all just took a nap out on the pitch.

"Percy!"

I was woken up by a very rude Ron. He was grinning down at me. I smiled and climbed up into the stands with him, holding my broom so I could kick off when we actually got to practicing.

"Hi," I said, sitting with Ron and Hermione.

Suddenly, Colin came over. I hadn't even known he was there. "Harry's the youngest player in 300 years, right? He must be really good."

Hermione spoke up, "He is really good, but Percy is actually the youngest."

Colin looked surprised then turned to look at me, so I said, "Harry is the youngest Seeker in 300 years. I'm youngest Chaser in... um... ever? The youngest player before me was born August 5th. I'm August 18th. So I guess I'm the youngest player ever."

Colin's eyes widened and he smiled, "So you must be really good, too! You think I can get a picture of you? That would be awesome. My dad would love that. He's a Muggle, you see, so I'm getting as much pictures as possible."

I shrugged, "I don't really know why you want one of me, but I don't mind. I know my Mom would have wanted to see it too."

"Would have wanted to? What do you mean?"

"She died last year."

Colin's eyes widened, "Oh, I'm sorry for your loss. I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sorry."

I smiled, "It's fine. Now, if you really want some pictures for your dad, I think I know how to help."

"You do? What kind of pictures?"

"Well... I'm allowed into the Forbidden Forest. I've also got some pixie friends. And nymphs. Unicorns. Centaurs. They could all help out. Then we can go around Hogwarts and find all of the weird rooms. I'm sure she'd be cool with that."

"She?"

"Yeah, she. Hogwarts is alive, you know. She's really kind. If you can figure out how to ask, she'll tell you anything you need to know."

Colin smiled and started taking pictures of Harry as he walked out onto the pitch. I said goodbye to my friends and flew down to everyone, quickly waking the Hufflepuffs.

We all flew over and I heard Oliver Wood say, "What's going on? Why's that first-year taking pictures? I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training program."

"He's in Gryffindor," I said.

"And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver," George said.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because they're here in person," he pointed at the group of Slytherins walking onto the pitch.

"I don't believe it!" Oliver hissed. "I booked the pitch for today! We'll see about this!"

Wood flew down, stumbling as he landed. Fred, George, and Harry followed. I turned to look at Cedric, "Is Oliver going to do something stupid? Or will it be one of the others?"

"We'll just have to watch to find out, won't we?"

We watched from afar. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie Bell (not Gardner), the rest of the Gryffindor players, all went down to stand with the rest of the Gryffindors. We continued to watch from above.

Marcus Flint, Slytherins captain, handed Oliver a piece of paper. I watched Oliver scowl at it.

Then I watched the crowd of Slytherins move. And there was Draco. Light and speedy Draco. I counted the other players.

Draco was probably the new Seeker. How fun.

"Oh, it'll be Ron who does something stupid then," Cedric said as Ron and Hermione ran across the pitch.

"How much you wanna bet? Cause I think it'll be Fred and George."

"Hmmm.... how about a favor to cash in at a later date?"

I shook hands with Cedric, "Deal. I'm gonna go listen in. Wanna come?"

"Sure."

We flew down and stood by the Gryffindors, watching the argument start. We couldn't interfere. It would break the deal.

While the Slytherins laughed, Hermione spoke up, "At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent."

Draco's expression flickered, "No one asked your opinion, you filthy little mudblood."

I tensed. I couldn't breathe for a moment. Horrified looks filled the faces of my Hufflepuff friends. They all turned to look at me.

I had finally showed them the scars last night. Dirty, Filthy Mudblood was forever engraved into my chest.

The Gryffindors didn't react kindly either. Fred and George were blocked from Draco by Flint. Alicia shrieked, "How dare you!" And Ron had pulled his wand on Draco and yelled, "You'll pay for that one, Malfoy!"

There was a loud bang and Ron's wand shot green light from the wrong end, hitting him in the stomach.

"Ron! Ron! Are you all right?" Hermione squealed.

Ron opened his mouth, but instead of words coming out, slugs dribbled. I immediately gagged and Cedric grabbed me, pulling me to the side and giving me a hug. We were blocked by the rest of the Hufflepuffs, so I knew my friends wouldn't be confused.

I hugged Cedric tighter.

Poor Percy. I'm pretty sure he just has PTSD at this point. It wouldn't be surprising. Also, I love big brother Cedric here. It's great. I also very dearly love Fred and George trying to beat up Draco. I find that amazing. I love the twins. I just woke up, and I had this weird dream. The beginning was of a book I swear I've read, but halfway through I become the main character, and when we go outside, we're in my grandma's driveway. I met my parents, the gay lovers Poseidon and Hades, while Apollo pissed off a lady who was trying to make a speech. I'm very confused, because I want to know what book inspired this lovely dream, but I can't remember what book it was.

Anyway, I hope you guys had a super Sunday, and I'll see you all on Tuesday.