Percy Jackson and the Hound of Hogwarts [Book 3]

28) A Night in the Great Hall

"The teachers, campers, and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," Dumbledore told us as we all settled at our tables, and the doors were closed. "I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbances should be reported to me immediately. Send word with one of the ghosts. Percy Jackson and Seamus Finnigan, please stay and keep watch."

Seamus and I nodded, moving to the teachers table, sitting on it while holding our swords. We made sure all of the doors were in our view.

Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing..." he waved his hand casually, and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall, standing themselves against the walls; another wave, and the floor was covered with sleeping bags.

"Sleep well," Dumbledore called, closing the door behind him.

The hall began to buzz, and Seamus explained to me that the Fat Lady was missing. Her canvas had been slashed up, and Peeves said the crime was committed by Sirius Black.

"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" Perry yelled. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

Hardly five minutes later, Perry called, "The lights are going out now! I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

The candles suddenly went out. The only light was from the silvery ghosts, the shining stars, and the glow of my sword. The room fell silent, and Seamus and I sat, prepared to strike while staying in a semi-comfortable position. Still, my back began to hurt, and I knew our ADHD was struggling to be free.

Every hour, a teacher would come into the Great Hall, checking that everything was silent. At three in the morning, when several of the students were asleep, Professor Dumbledore walked in. Seamus and I stood, walking towards him as he moved towards Perry.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" Perry asked in a whisper.

"No. All well here?"

"Everything under control, sir."

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow."

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."

The door creaked open again, and I saw Snape walking in.

"Headmaster?" Snape moves towards us. "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy Tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"

"All searched..."

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger..."

"Have you got any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" Snape asked.

"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before — ah — the start of term?" Snape glanced at Seamus, Perry, and me, probably wishing we weren't there.

"I do, Severus," Dumbledore said, and I could hear the warning in his voice.

"It seems — almost impossible — that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed—"

"I do not believe a single person inside the castle would have helped Black enter it," Dumbledore said, his tone leaving no room for response. "I must go down to the dementors. I said I would inform them when our search was complete."

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" Perry asked.

"Oh yes," Dumbledore said coldly. "But I'm afraid no dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am Headmaster."

Dumbledore left the hall, and I watched with worried eyes. Snape glanced at me and Seamus, scowling deeply. Then he left too.

I turned to walk back to the teachers table, and I caught the glint of starlight against Ron's eyes. He was awake. I figured Harry and Hermione were, too.

Seamus and I sat on the table again, this time putting our swords away. We stared at each there, cross legged on the table.

"How do you think he got in?" Seamus whispered, his eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't know," I whispered, shaking my head. "I don't know."

I nearly forgot to post, Jesus Christ. How is it that when you don't do anything, you forget to do the one thing you need to do? Like I've done nothing all day. Unless you count my sisters homework, I did that. And it's so booooorrrriiinnnng. I've been spending quite a bit of my time writing for this series. I'm on chapter 49 I believe. I have also been listening to the same songs on repeat. Uh. I move Tuesday. I might not post then if I don't have the time. So yeah. Uhhh, a while ago I mentioned this freaky deer we saw in our neighborhood. A few days ago, we saw two more deer in this forestry area (not really) near our neighborhood. It's weird, I'm not sure what's going on. I have a mythology test tomorrow, so wish me luck for that. I don't think I'm gonna do so hot, but it's whatever. It's all cool. Uh, I have to clean my room tomorrow, and pack the last few things, so I'm kinda bummed. I could have cleaned today but procrastinate is my middle name. Also the chapter titles are getting really freaking weird. Like I think coming up with the weirdest shit I can for each chapter might be the highlight of my day. Like at the beginning it's all 'Portkey' and 'Stoatshead Hill' but now I wrote 'The Bee Movie — Or is it The Bee Essay' and something along the lines of weirdos in purple shirts. It's just getting freaking wild. I also just got to the point of the other schools arriving at Hogwarts, so it's gonna be a long freaking book if I'm already near chapter fifty. It's gonna kill me a little bit.

I love you all so much, and I hope you've had a great Sunday. I will see you on Tuesday (maybe) my guys, gals, and non-binary pals!