Percy Jackson and the Mirror of Erised

42) Detention

The next morning I was  given a note during breakfast. Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Draco got one too.

Susan translated for me:

Your detention will take place at eleven o' clock tonight.

Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall.

Professor M. McGonagall

I'd almost completely forgotten about the detention.

I walked to the entrance hall a little early. I could see Draco waiting with Mr. Filch.

Immediately, Draco said in Greek, "I'm sorry you got in trouble. You guys did the right thing. But the more mean I am to Harry the less of a beating I get."

I nodded and hugged him, "It's fine. I understand. Hermione understands too. She's just mad because we all got caught. Not mad at you. You two should hang out again soon. Hermione's been so caught up with studying that she's forgotten to have any fun at all."

Draco smiled at me while Harry, Neville, and Hermione all walked into the entrance hall.

"Follow me," Filch said, lighting a lantern and walking through the doors.

"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't yeh, eh?" Filch leered. I stepped a little closer to Draco, worried Filch would end up pulling out his belt again. "Oh yes... hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me... It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out... hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've got the chains in my office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed... Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."

We marched across the dark grounds. I was thankful for the jacket I wore. The night was a little chilly. I didn't see how Draco could wear shorts and a tee shirt in this weather. Neville also kept sniffling. He must be terrified. Luke says Demeter kids are better healers than fighters. They work best with scythes, but that doesn't mean it's very good. Katie Gardner is the only Demeter kid I've seen weird it correctly.

The moon was bright above, but clouds blocked out the light every once in awhile.

"Artemis is bright tonight. She must be happy," Draco said suddenly, surprising everyone.

I looked up and smiled, "Maybe one of her hunts have been really successful. Or she got a new huntress. Maybe Apollo fell in a well?"

Hermione smirked, which surprised Harry, "Maybe it's going to be rainy tomorrow, and Apollo's mad because people won't see him drive the sun chariot across the sky."

Harry looked confused, "What on earth are you guys talking about?"

"Artemis' chariot," we all said simultaneously, including Neville.

Filch looked back and gave us a dark look, "I see now. They wouldn't have gave you this job if there wasn't at least one."

"There's three," Draco said, glancing at Hermione, "and a half."

Hermione smiled and we could see the light in Hagrid's Hut.

"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."

Harry looked relieved at the sound of Hagrid's voice, but Filch must have noticed because he said, "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with this oaf? Well, think again, boy— it's into the forest your going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece."

Neville let out a moan and Draco stopped dead in his tracks. "The forest?" He repeated. "We can't go in there at night — not with this many of us — there's all sorts of things in there — werewolves, I heard." That's not even close to being the worst thing in there.

Neville clutched Harry's robe and made a choking sound.

"That's your problem, isn't it?" Filch's voice cracked with glee. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"

Draco and I shared a look. Draco alone attracted about ten monster from the woods. Me about 30. But it's very amplified with the two of us. Add in Neville and figure in Hermione and we've got a battle on our hands.

Hagrid came towards us through the dark, a crossbow in his hands and Fang at his heel, "Abou time. I bin waitin fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Percy, and Hermione?"

"I shouldn't be too friendly with them, Hagrid," Filch said coldly, "they're here to be punished, after all."

"That's why yer late, is it?" Hagrid frowned. "Bin lecturin them, eh? Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done your bit, I'll take over from here."

"I'll be back at dawn," Filch said, "for what's left of them." He turned and started back to the castle.

Draco turned to Hagrid, hoping he would catch the truth, "I'm not going in that forest."

Hagrid didn't catch it, "Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts. Yeh've done wrong an now yeh've got ter pay fer it."

"But this is servant stuff, it's not for students to do. I thought we'd be copying lines or something, of my father knew I was doing this, he'd—"

"— tell yer that's how it is at Hogwarts," Hagrid growled. "Copyin lines! What good's that ter anyone? Yeh'll do summat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an pack. Go on!"

Draco didn't move. He frowned at Hagrid. I could see it on his face. He'd been hoping that he would realize there was a problem with us all going into the forest together. But Hagrid did not. And he couldn't just say it.

"Er, Hagrid, we really shouldn't be going into the forest," I said, looking a little awkward.

Hagrid looked at me and sighed, "Percy, yer  trained. Malfoy is trained. I know yer both keep several weapons on yer person all the time. It'll be all righ."

I froze, unsure of what to say. I could hear Harry whisper, "Weapons?!?"

Draco slipped his hand into mine as Hagrid sighed, "Right then. Now, listen carefully, cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, an I don' want no one takin risks. Follow me over here a moment."

To celebrate the fact that I just finished the epilogue of the third book, I'm posting an extra chapter today! I will still post another one tomorrow, and even though there's only twenty minutes left of the night, I wanted to share the fact that I've finished the third book!

Peace out, friends, I will see you all tomorrow.