Percy Jackson and the Heir of Slytherin [Book 2]

43) Hagrid's Arrest

Hogwarts woke me up.

I mumbled and tried to ignore it, but Draco tiredly shook me.

"Go through the walls. She'll guide you. Whatever it is, it must be important," he mumbled, then shoved me out of the bed.

"I hate you," I hissed, pulling on a jacket and some sneakers.

"Love you, too," Draco mumbled.

I quickly walked through the wall, using my wand to illuminate the dark passages. Eventually the wall spit me out right in front of Gryffindor tower.

I watched the painting swing open, and saw the faint glow of magic wafting off of the cloak I knew Harry and Ron were wearing. They stopped in surprise, then pulled me under the cloak with them.

"It's really freaky when you do that, Percy," Ron whispered.

"Hogwarts tells me. What are we doing?" I whispered back.

"Visiting Hagrid."

I nodded, and we continued forward.

The halls of Hogwarts seemed to be crowded. Teachers, ghosts, and prefects walked in pairs of two, searching the halls for anything. I figured if I hadn't been attacked that one night, the demigods would be doing this too. I shuddered, and the music focused in my mind for a moment.

We walked out onto the castle grounds. The night was beautiful.

Harry knocked on the door and pulled the cloak off of us. The door opened it almost immediately.

There was a crossbow aimed at our face. Fang was barking.

Instinctively, I grabbed the base of the crossbow, and dodged to the side. I pushed it away from my friends and brought a knee up to the crossbow, knocking it free of Hagrid's hands. Then I realized it was just Hagrid.

"Sorry, just sorta happened," I blushed, handing the crossbow back to Hagrid.

He nodded and stared down at us, "What're you three doin' here?"

"What's that for?" Harry asked, pointing at the crossbow as we walked into the cabin.

"Nothin'... nothin'..." Hagrid murmured. "I've been expectin'... doesn' matter... Sit down... I'll make tea..."

Hagrid seemed very distracted as he tried to make us tea. Emphasis on the word tried. He spilled water from the kettle on the fire, and nearly broke the teapot. I was happy I didn't like tea, because I definitely would not have to drink shattered bits of boiling glass.

I tensed at that thought, the night of my death surfacing. The song played louder, but I forced it down.

"Are you OK, Hagrid?" Harry asked worriedly. "Did you hear about Hermione?"

"Oh, I heard, all righ'," Hagrid choked on his voice for a moment.

Hagrid placed the tea and some fruitcake on the table. Then there was a sudden knock. Ron suddenly pulled the cloak over the three of us and pulled me back into a corner. After staring at us blankly for a moment, Hagrid opened the door. He made sure to grab his crossbow first.

"Good evening, Hagrid."

Dumbledore walked in followed by another man I recognized from the newspaper, though I couldn't immediately place where.

He was short, and had gray hair. He looked anxious. He wore a pinstriped suit, a red tie, a long cloak, and pointy purple boots. He had a lime green bowler under his arm.

I felt Ron tense behind me when he saw the man.

"That's Dad's boss!" Ron whispered. "Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic!"