Percy Jackson and the Heir of Slytherin [Book 2]

30) Blizzard

Happy Fourth of July!

Most kids were lucky, and got out of Herbology for the term. There was a horrible blizzard. Even Draco, who would wear shorts when it was below freezing, said it was bad.

Sadly, I didn't get out of Herbology.

Professor Sprout had me and some other demigods in the green house, putting knitted hats and scarves on all of the plants. We didn't get any knitted hats or scarves.

Once we finished dressing the plants, Mrs. Sprout told us we could go.

We could not go.

Silena opened the door and we saw snow piled near to the top of the opening, and we could still see flurries of flakes falling down.

"Oh, dear," Silena said.

Professor Sprout sighed, "I'll get us out in a moment." She patted her pockets, and then paled. We watched with dark faces as she examined every pocket she had. "Does anyone else have their wands?"

I knew I didn't have mine. I left it in my room, letting it cool off after Crabbe threw it in a potion. He hadn't realized I'd also been holding Draco's for him, which was also drying.

Seamus grimaced, "Headmaster's checking mine. Something about the explosions, he said. An' Percy and Draco's are dryin' off."

Silena frowned, "I was letting one of my sister's paint it. So, what are we supposed to do?"

Professor Sprout frowned, looking at the door with worry. "We wait."

We waited.

The temperature got colder as Professor Sprout's temporary fire died out. We'd all searched the greenhouse for her wand a few times over. It was nowhere to be found.

So we waited some more.

I sat on the ground with Draco's arm wrapped around me. I knew this Herbology period should be ending soon, so I could only hope people were going to come for us.

Seamus suddenly straightened, and pulling out his sword, he swung at the concrete floor. Immediately, flames engulfed the sword.

"I shoulda thought of that sooner. Fire is kinda my thing," he said through chattering teeth, the rest of us scooting in a circle around him.

"Explosions are your thing," Draco said, pulling out his dagger and striking it against the ground, managing to make a few sparks, but unable to make it catch fire. We would have to do with one flaming blade.

Time passed. We shivered and frowned as the class went by. Suddenly, Professor Sprout whispered, "I told them to not bother us. That we might take more than one class."

The rest of us looked up, frowning. I sighed, "Guess it's time, then."

"Time for what?" Draco asked. I looked up at Seamus. He seemed to understand.

"Well," I said, standing and pulling away from him, "Seamus can melt the snow with his sword. I can keep the snow from hitting his sword. We'll go to the castle, and then send some help."

Draco immediately stood, "No."

I frowned, "Draco—"

"Percy, no! You guys can't go out there! You won't be able to tell what direction you're going, the cold will kill you, the strain from keeping snow, snow, away from his sword will drain you to the point of collapsing, and if you don't make it, you for sure die!"

"We'll find our way. I have a guide. I can keep the snow at bay long enough to make it to the castle. The cold won't kill us by the time it takes us to get there. We will make it, Draco. There's no other options. If too much snow falls on the greenhouse, it'll break! The building itself gives off no magic. It's a normal building. We're already loosing light. Let's not lose the shelter, too," I whispered, hugging him as I watched his tears threaten to fall.

"Percy..." Draco shook his head, burying his face into my hair.

"We have to. It's our only chance. Please." I spoke to him. He stiffened, then slumped.

"Stay okay, Percy. Please," Draco whispered, the others unable to hear.

I nodded, and pulled back.

"Give me your dagger."

"What?" Draco questioned, confusion lacing his features.

"Your dagger. Give it to me."

Draco furrowed his eyebrows but obliged. I immediately handed it to Seamus, who struck it against the floor. It burst into flames. He sat it on the floor, ensuring that the group would have some heat as we left.

"Stay okay, Percy. I love you," Draco said as Seamus opened the door.

I smiled softly, "I love you too."

Then I closed the door behind me.

The cold stung, and I held onto the back of Seamus' coat with a stiff hand. He melted the snow in front of us, but the rest remained towering and cold. The snow burned against my face, and it was difficult to see. Still, I could make out the faint beacon Hogwarts gave out to me, pulsing beautifully in the white. Seamus saw it too, and immediately followed the beacon.

I could feel myself tiring as I kept the snow away from the sword. Seamus eventually stopped and leaned in close to me ear, yelling against the howling winds, "I'll give you a piggyback! Just focus on the snow!"

I nodded, too cold and exhausted to care. He knelt in front of me, careful to keep the sword safe. I climbed onto his back, struggling not to stumble. He stood up, continuing forwards. I found myself with my eyes closed, shivering against the cold and struggling to keep the snow away. It continued to get harder and harder.

Eventually, the beacon was painfully close. As we neared it, we let our guard down.

One of the towering walls of snow to our side collapsed. The cold bit into me as it fell on us. I watched the sword get snuffed out, and Seamus clung to me, panic screaming in his eyes.

The last thing I remembered before passing out was Hogwarts screaming with distress.

So, a while back a friend and I wrote a Christmas play for our church. Basically, a group of people went back in time to see the birth of Jesus. We found some people having a baby, told them their child was God's kid, then realized that they weren't in a barn or whatever it was. Then they called the baby Tomas. They got sucked back in time to normal times, and a guy walks up to them, says, "Merry Tomas!" Then they go back and fix everything, and can I say, that was my best work for something written in a half hour while we played with basketballs and camped out in a closet.

I will see you guys for the next chapter on Monday, and I hope you guys have a great Independence Day.