Percy Jackson and the Department of Mysteries

74)

"Well, that wasn't as bad as last week, was it?" Hermione said as I joined my friends outside the dungeon, where they had been waiting for me. "And the homework didn't go too badly either, did it?"

"No, 'Mione, I got a zero," I said.

"Well, that was your own fault, wasn't it?" She looked at Ron and Harry, who must not have done that well, either, so she pressed on. "I mean, all right, I didn't expect the top grade, not if he's marking to O.W.L. standard, but a pass is quite encouraging at this stage, wouldn't you say?"

"No, 'Mione, I didn't pass," I said.

"That's still your own fault, Percy," Hermione said, and again turned to our other friends. Harry made some sort of noncommittal noise in response. "Of course, a lot can happen between now and the exam, we've got plenty of time to improve, but the grades we're getting now are a sort of baseline, aren't they? Something we can build on..."

"Nah, I don't like building, that's more Draco's thing," I shrugged. "Anyway, peace out, I'm gonna go eat lunch with the superior house."

I happily plopped down onto the Hufflepuff bench beside Travis, who sadly informed me that he had my robes lengthened for me.

"When'd you have time for that?" I asked.

"Flitwick didn't want me in his class while Umbridge was inspecting his lesson," Travis shrugged and shook his head. "Can't see why. I'm a delight. He didn't even kick Fred and George and Lee out with me, little bastard."

"Maybe he was being nice?" I shrugged. "Umbridge isn't exactly a demi advocate."

"He didn't kick the others out."

"The others aren't commonly shouting curses or threatening to steal cloak buttons."

"Valid."

"Do you know what she did in there?" I asked.

"Yea, George says that she just loitered in the corner with a clipboard. I can't imagine she'd mark Flitwick, though, he's a perfect little bastard, other than his littleness."

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with being little."

"Says you, shortcake."

"Low blow, dude."

"With you, that's the only kind of blow I can make."

I was only saved from receiving another detention for assaulting a peer by Connor arriving and dumping my robes on my head.

***

As we were settling in for DADA, Harry and Ron told Hermione and I about Umbridge's inspection of Trelawney's lesson. Apparently, Umbridge sort of called Trelawney out for being a fraud, talked about Dumbledore, and was told she was in grave danger. I didn't mind that last one, but I guess Umbridge hadn't minded, either.

Before I could ask if Umbridge's grave danger somehow involved the pointy end of a sword named Riptide, Umbridge called for order and the class fell silent.

"Wands away," Umbridge said to the students who had been hopeful enough to bring theirs out. "As we finished chapter one last lesson, I would like you all to turn to page nineteen today and commence chapter two, 'Common Defensive Theories and Their Derivation.' There will be no need to talk."

Thankfully, Hermione kept things interesting by sticking her hand up in the air. Umbridge had noticed, and I guess she'd come up with a plan to avoid what happened last time, because she shuffled up to Hermione and got very close to her before speaking in a whisper, "What is it this time, Mrs. Granger?"

"I've already read chapter two," Hermione said.

"Well then, proceed to chapter three."

"I've read that too. I've read the whole book."

What a nerd.

Umbridge blinked, but regained her composition, "Well, then, you should be able to tell me what Slinkhard says about counterjinxes in chapter fourteen." Of course she'd ask about Slinkhard, the worst co-author ever. I liked the other author better, the one whom I had quoted to Umbridge because she was being a brat.

"He says that counterjinxes are improperly named," Hermione said immediately. "He says 'counterjinx' is just a name people give their jinxes when they want to make them sound more acceptable." Umbridge raised her eyebrows, impressed against her will. "But I disagree." She was less impressed.

Umbridge's gaze grew colder at that, "You disagree?"

"Yes, I do," Hermione said. Unlike Umbridge, she wasn't bothering to be quiet. I'd have to give her some props for the blatant disrespect later. "Mr. Slinkhard doesn't like jinxes, does he? But I think they can be very useful when they're used defensively."

"Oh, you do, do?" Umbridge forgot to whisper. "Well, I'm afraid it is Mr. Slinkhard's opinion, and not yours, that matters within this classroom, Miss Granger."

"But —"

"That is enough," Umbridge walked back to the front of the class, and she spoke some words I never thought I'd hear. "Miss Granger, I am going to take five points from Gryffindor House."

AHHHHH. DID YOU GUYS SEE THE CASTING FOR PERCY????? I LIKE HIM!!!! Walker's great! A friend of mine says he's a good actor, and he's got the voice I actually imagined for Percy. Apparently he skateboards and skis and I can't get over the fact that he was wearing a camp shirt when he got the news broken to him. I'm excited to find out who Grover and Annabeth are, but I think they're already making some great casting choices. There's already that one guy who might be playing Luke, and I think he could do well in that role, and Im just really, really happy. I like him, and I hope you guys like him just as much as I do, 'cause he looks like a great Percy, and a video a friend sent me has him acting like a great Percy, and I'm just gonna go melt in a puddle and be happy forever.

Anyway, I hope you guys have had a perfect Monday, and I'll see you on Wednesday CT. Love ya!