Hermione

When we returned to Grimmauld place, there was one whole day left of vacation. I told everyone that I had really big news. "When are you going to tell us?" asked Percy.

"At dinner tonight."

"Okay, sure," said Percy, "I'm gonna work on some of Umbridge's homework."

"I'll help," said Annabeth, "You were better with the real thing than just theory."

"We all need to work until supper. O.W.L.s are coming up soon!" I said.

"How soon?" asked Percy, cringing.

"In about a month," I answered, "I have no idea if I'm prepared or not! This is the most important year of school yet!"

"Hermione," said Ron, "You'll probably get a least an "E" on all of your tests," then he turned to Percy, "Don't worry. She's always like this at the end of the year."

I turned to him, affronted, "I am not!"

"Are too. Just ask Harry. Or Fred and George, for that matter."

"I still don't believe you!" I retaliated.

"It's the truth!" said Harry.

Percy

Annabeth and I practiced DADA for the rest of the afternoon. When it was time for dinner (spaghetti with meatballs, yum!) we both were eager to hear Hermione's news.

After I had finished my thirds, Hermione stood up and said, "As you all know, Harry had a chariot accident. When that happened I received a message from a magical "camera", or voice recorder would be more to the point, anyway apparently Voldemort has figured out that you eight are half-bloods. Of the Olympian gods I mean."

There was silence in the dining room. Mrs. Weasley whispered, "Oh my goodness."

I have to admit that I was a little bit scared.

"How could he know about us?" Annabeth sounded scared, too.

"I honestly have no idea," Hermione responded, "but you'll have to act like regular half-bloods in front of the Slytherins. All of them could be working for Malfoy, or their parents are Death-Eaters."

The next day, we all left early for the Hogwarts Express, and made it on without a problem. I sat next to Annabeth and we did our History of Magic homework. When the train stopped at Hogsmeade station, we got out and I saw Malfoy looking at us curiously. I said, out of the blue, "Guys, can you believe the ginormous box of every-flavour beans I got for Christmas?"

Annabeth looked at me strangely, but sensed something was going on and nodded, smiling. "I know," she said, "You probably have at least two of every bean in it."

When we were in our carriage with Frank and Hazel, I said, "Malfoy was watching, and I didn't want him to think we were doing something suspicious."

Annabeth nodded. "He reminds me of a guy who used to be at camp," she remarked, "His name was Tommy, son of Hermes. He was always trying to act like a spy or something."

"What happened to him?" Frank asked, concerned.

"What? Oh, he married his sweetheart and they moved to Iowa. They said that they wanted to not face monsters anymore."

I smiled. "Well," I said, "I'm glad they had a happy ending. Just like you and I will, someday."