Percy Jackson and the Heir of Slytherin [Book 2]

42) Another Attack

Harry told me that Hagrid had opened the Chamber.

He said that the diary had told him.

I didn't know what to believe.

I trusted Hagrid, truly, but he did have a love for dangerous beasts. There was a dragon once. Norbert. That was terrifying.

I wouldn't be surprised if he had been expelled for bringing a beast into the school. What makes this so unbelievable is Hagrid's heart. If he knew that a beast of his own was hurting the students, he would have gotten rid of it. He stands for Hogwarts, and that includes everyone in it. Even before his monsters.

I didn't know if I could handle Hagrid being Slytherin's heir.

I sat outside for a long time. I didn't skip class much, but Draco knew where I was, and I was too lost in my thoughts to think about class.

Things were going well, and it was making me uncomfortable. Worried. Four months since the last person was petrified. Before Justin was attacked. There's been no other motion from the heir since my little incident. Even the Mandrakes were almost finished.

It all seemed too good to be true.

***

During Easter break we were told to pick our classes for the next year.

Harry and Ron went with Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. I went for those two classes too, with the addition of Study of Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. I also managed to finally sign up for music and art. It seemed like a lot, but Professor Sprout assured me that I would be able to make it to each class on time. I didn't understand how Hermione, who signed up for nearly every class, would be able to handle it all.

The next Quidditch match would be against Gryffindor. That would be fun. I couldn't wait to play against Harry.

Harry had been clearly happy. He'd been under a lot less stress. Then one day I had walked into his dorms with Ron to find that all of his stuff was strewn across the place. And Riddle's diary was gone.

Only a Gryffindor or a demigod could have stolen it.

The next morning, we were set to play Quidditch with Gryffindor. I'd been walking up with Harry to his dorms to grab his things because I already had all of my stuff with me.

Harry very suddenly had let out a yell.

"The voice!" Harry cried, looking over his shoulder wildly. "I just heard it again — didn't you?"

Ron and I shook our heads. I was worried for my friend.

Then Hermione slapped her forehead. "Harry — I think I've just understood something! I've got to go to the library!"

She sprinted up the stairs, away from us.

"What does she understand?" Harry said, still glancing around the hall.

"Loads more than I do," Ron said.

"But why's she got to go to the library?"

"Because that's what Hermione does," I said. "When in doubt, go to the library."

"You'd better get moving," Ron said as people started flooding from their classes. "It's nearly eleven — the match."

I immediately ran for the pitch while Harry went for his broom. I held mine in my hand, ducking and dodging past people.

We were discussing 'tactics' before the game started. Really, we were talking about playing Camper Quidditch at camp this summer. So much more brutal. We'd even drag Cedric and the other normies to camp to play, if they were willing to break a few bones. Cedric was having a blast about it.

Then McGonagall walked onto the pitch with a purple megaphone, "This match has been cancelled."

I watched Oliver Wood run towards McGonagall, but she continued, "All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information! As quickly as you can, please!"

I was surprised when McGonagall beckoned both Harry and I over to her, "Potter, Jackson, I think you'd better come with me..."

Ron came running up to us soon after, and to our surprise, McGonagall said, "Yes, perhaps you'd better come too, Weasley."

We followed McGonagall up staircases, and I felt uneasy as I recognized the route we were taking.

"This will be a bit of a shock," McGonagall said in a gentle voice as we approached the Hospital Wing. "There has been another attack... another double attack."

I saw a sixth year Ravenclaw girl. A legacy of Hephaestus. Though, I nearly cried when I saw the girl beside her.

"Hermione!" Ron moaned.

I stared at Hermione's motionless body, willing her silently to move. She didn't.

"They were found near the library," McGonagall said. "I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them..."

She held up a mirror.

Even as my friends shook their heads, I could feel I was missing something. Something I should have been able to connect. All the pieces of the puzzle were in front of me, but I couldn't put them together. The music rang loud in my ears for a moment.

"I will escort you back to Gryffindor tower. Percy, there the Stolls can escort you back to Hufflepuff. Make sure they stay there for once," McGonagall said.

***

"All students will return to their house common room by six o'clock in the evening. No student is to leave the dormitories after that time. You will be escorted to each lesson by a teacher. No student is to use the bathroom unaccompanied by a teacher. All further Quidditch training and matches are to be postponed. There will be no more evening activities. Campers will not be on night watch any longer. Campers are not permitted to enter the forest."

McGonagall seemed to choke a bit. "I need hardly add that I have rarely been so distressed. It is likely that the school will be closed unless the culprit behind these attacks is caught. I would urge anyone who thinks they might know anything about them to come forward."

She climbed out of the portrait hole.

The Stolls quickly started towards the couch. They helped me climb up into the ceiling hole, and climbed in behind me. We started walking, using our wands as flashlights.

Finally, we made it to Hufflepuff. The group all ran up to me immediately. They'd heard about Hermione.

"Gods, Percy, I'm so sorry," Cedric said, immediately wrapping his arms around me.

The sight of Hermione's motionless body flashed through my mind, and this time I didn't try to stop myself from crying. Once I sniffled, everyone gave me a hug.

We stayed like that for a very long time.

It's my birthday :D. I've had an awesome day so far, and I plan on doing another post later for celebration, after my party or whatever. So far, I've gotten lots of happy birthdays from people. This was also the first normal birthday I've had in a long time. Vacation used to line up with my birthday every year, so I've spent it in Florida since I was nine. I got a hundred dollars worth of Xbox gift cards. I got forty more dollars from my grandma. She also got me a weird lookin watermelons that looks kind of like a cucumber. We ate some cookie cake. My sisters and mom planned a party I guess and won't tell me anything about it, but they did have me pick out an ice cream cake (it has a Razorback on it). I have no clue what's gonna happen, but Emblem says it's gonna be awesome. And lastly, on a sadder note, Brianna will NOT be coming home. He's gonna make it through at least the semester, hopefully more.

I love you all, and I hope when you're birthdays roll around, you'll have a good time. I will see you in an indefinite amount of time.