Percy Jackson and the Hound of Hogwarts [Book 3]

8) Arguing

I told everyone about my quest that night, and while most congratulated me, Mrs. Weasley looked near tears, "It's not right! Sending children to such dangers like that!"

"It's fine, Mrs. Weasley. We all knew something was going to happen, anyway. And plus, I'm not supposed to exist. It's surprising it wasn't any more dangerous," I rambled, hoping to get her eyes to stop watering.

Fred spoke up before she could say anything, "How're we getting to Kong's Cross tomorrow, Dad?"

"The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," Mr. Weasley said. Everyone stared at him.

"Why?" Perry asked, though I figured I knew the answer. Harry.

"It's because of you, Pear," George said seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the hoods, with HB on them—"

"— for Humongous Bighead," Fred said (still rhymes).

Everyone, save for Perry and Mrs. Weasley, snorted.

"Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Perry repeated, searching for dignity.

"Well, as we haven't got one anymore," Mr. Weasley's ears turned red, just like Ron's did when he was under pressure, "—and as I work there, they're doing me a favor—"

"Good thing, too," Mrs. Weasley said stiffly. "Do you realize how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd be on the Muggle Underground... You are all packed, aren't you?"

"Ron hasn't put all his new things in his trunk yet," Perry said. "He's dumped them on my bed."

"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mrs. Weasley lectured.

Ron scowled at Perry.

***

After dinner we all went to our rooms. I had just flopped down onto my bed when we heard angry voices from the room beside us.

Harry and I went to investigate.

The door to Perry and Ron's shared room was open, and Perry was shouting.

"It was here, on the bedside table, I took it off for polishing—"

"I haven't touched it, all right?" Ron shouted back.

"What's up?" Harry asked.

"My Head Boy badge is gone," Perry turned so fast I thought he was going to yell at us, too.

"So's Scabbers rat tonic," Ron was looking through his trunk. "I think I might've left it in the bar—"

"You're not going anywhere till you've found my badge!" Perry bellowed.

"We'll get Scabbers stuff," I said. "We're packed." We went downstairs.

Mr and Mrs. Weasley were fighting.

We stepped close to the parlor door, silent as we listened in on their arguing.

They were arguing about telling Harry something. After a moment, I realized it was about telling Harry that Black might be after him. Then I heard them mention the Azkaban guards being at Hogwarts.

There was the sound of footsteps, and Harry and I both ducked out of sight. We waited until we could hear them climbing up the stairs before we walked into the parlor, where Harry grabbed Ron's rat tonic from beneath the table. He shot me a concerned look, and I gave him a weak smile.

We headed back upstairs together. We saw Fred and George laughing silently in the shadows as it sounded like Perry destroying the room he and Ron shared.

"We've got it," Fred whispered to us, holding up Perry's Head Boy badge. I immediately grinned. "We've been improving it."

After a moment I translated the badge and knew it read Bighead Boy.

I snickered and Harry laughed too, though his sounded a little forced. We went back to our room after giving Ron his rat tonic, and I watched Harry lie down on his bed. I did the same on mine.

I knew Harry was thinking. I knew what he was thinking about. How everything that's happened since the night he blew up Large Marge and ran away was because someone wanted him dead. The Minster had been lenient with him because someone wanted him dead. Harry had been forced to promise that he would stay in Diagon Alley because someone wanted him dead. Two Ministry cars were coming to take us, specifically Harry, to King's Cross so the Weasley's could watch over him. Because someone wanted him dead.

I was thinking about the Azkaban guards. I had no clue what they were, though I did know they were bad. That they were terrifying. Even Luke spoke of them with fear, and he's the bravest person I know. Now, they were guarding the school. Guarding Harry.

I was worried. My best friend, someone I had known even before the wizarding world, who'd known my mother before she had died, was wanted killed by a man who killed thirteen people with one curse. A man who didn't hesitate to betray Harry's parents. The right hand of Voldemort.

"I'm not going to be murdered," Harry said suddenly.

"That's the spirit, dear," the mirror said sleepily.

"Did the mirror just fucking talk?" I looked up at my bright eyes' reflection.

"Yes, dear," the mirror said.

"Cool. That's cool. G'night, Harry. Goodnight, mirror."

School is long. Like, I'm so tired, and my back hurts because my bag weighs so much. Still, a lot of it is pretty fun. I've always liked learning and school and all that jazz. English is ok. Not that bad. Mythology is super neat. We're doing a presentation a major and minor god or goddess. Artemis is my major, and for some unknown reason, Dionysus was on the minor list. Maybe because he wasn't born a god? I dunno. We've got this advisory period which is super boring. Then I've got Survey if Business, which is gonna be HELLA hard. I'm already confused. In Biology we watched some thing on the Spanish Flu. In lunch one of my old teachers stole my phone and I didn't even realize and he tossed it at me and I d i e d. We're doing this project in art where we write our name in if letters or whatever. In geometry I got a 79 on my recap test for last year, which is good all things considering. My friend got a 40 something. Then in study hall, I take health online. I have finished everything for health for the next two weeks. Yay. How is school going for you guys?

I love all of you, and I hope you have a terrific Tuesday, and I will see you on Thursday.