Chapter 143: Chapter 142: STOOOOOP!
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The following day, Percy found it impossible to focus. The looming mystery of the first task gnawed at him, leaving him too anxious to even finish his breakfast.
By the time the morning meal ended, he'd made up his mind. After a quick word with his friends, instructing them to inform the professors of his absence, Percy disappeared. He needed time to prepare, and the best place for that was the forest.
Hecate's advice rang clear in his mind: Show off your toys. She was right. His inventions were his edge in this tournament, and he intended to make the most of them.
Percy began his preparation by taking stock of his arsenal. A box of potions sat neatly by his side—each a testament to his brewing prowess.
Strengthening potions for power, Grand Pepperup for stamina, invisibility potions for stealth, and several experimental mixtures he kept for emergencies. These would be critical if the task required versatility or escape.
Then there was his trusty hoverboard. It had proven useful in a pinch, allowing him to escape dangerous situations.
But Percy knew it wasn't ideal—it was fast enough for ground evasion but lacked the agility he might need in the air. That's why he had set his sights on a replacement: the Pegasus Feather Cape.
The cape was his latest project, a fusion of magical craftsmanship and ingenuity. With its agility and speed, it would far surpass his hoverboard. And, as much as Percy loathed to admit it, he'd come to appreciate its bold design.
The gold-and-red color scheme—courtesy of Fred and George's suggestions—was growing on him, though he would never give them the satisfaction of hearing that.
His other ace was the enchanted watch Hecate had gifted him. With a simple touch, it transformed into a shield capable of withstanding a blow from Zeus himself. It was the kind of protection Percy would need if the first task threw something truly monstrous at him.
Percy focused his attention on the cape. He'd already sewn the golden Pegasus feathers into the first layer, carefully arranging them for maximum efficiency.
Next, he carved intricate runes into the fabric, channeling magic to amplify its flight and speed.
Once that was complete, he began stitching a second red layer over the gold, hiding the feathers between the two fabrics. To an observer, it would appear to be a simple double-layered cape, red on the outside and gold on the inside.
With the sewing done, Percy turned his attention to reinforcing the cape. He cast every enchantment he could think of—making it tear-proof, fire-proof, and resistant to physical damage. Magic could still harm it, but Percy hoped it would hold up against most mundane attacks.
For added security, he applied a semi-sticking charm to the neckpiece. This would ensure that the cape stayed firmly attached to his clothing during flight, eliminating the risk of it being torn away midair. Only Percy himself would be able to remove it.
When Percy finally stepped back to admire his work, a satisfied smile spread across his face. The cape floated gently in his hands, its shimmering red and gold fabric catching the light. With a deep breath, he raised it high into the air and let go.
Instead of falling to the ground, the cape hovered gracefully, swaying in place as though caught in an unseen breeze.
Kelly, the tiny veela, let out a worried whine from her perch nearby. Her silver-blue eyes darted nervously between Percy and the levitating cape.
Percy turned to her, offering a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Kelly. I've got this," he said confidently.
Despite his words, Kelly still looked uneasy. She crossed her small arms, clearly unconvinced, but gave him a reluctant nod.
Percy reached for the cape and wrapped it around himself. The moment the fabric touched his shoulders, he felt a surge of warmth as the runes engraved into it activated, linking with him. Closing his eyes, he focused and issued a single mental command: Up.
The cape responded instantly. It billowed dramatically, and then—
"AHHHHH!"
Percy shot upward like a rocket, streaking toward the ceiling in a blur.
"STOP! STOP! STOP!" he yelled, flailing as he soared straight into the skylight.
CRASH!
Glass shattered everywhere as Percy's head burst through the ceiling fixture. Hanging there for a moment, with shards of glass clinging to his hair and his Hogwarts robes in tatters, he let out a strangled scream.
"STOOOOOP!"
At his desperate command, the cape jerked to an abrupt halt. Percy hovered in midair, panting as he plucked shards of glass from his hair. He glanced down at his shredded robes and sighed in frustration.
"Down," he muttered. "Slowly this time."
The cape began its descent, moving cautiously as Percy focused on keeping it steady. He repeated the word slow over and over in his mind, refusing to let his nerves get the better of him.
Finally, his feet touched the ground. Percy let out a deep breath, his knees shaky from the ordeal.
Kelly bolted to his side, tugging frantically on the remains of his robes. Her tiny voice chirped with worry.
Percy crouched down and scooped her up, patting her head gently. "Guess you were right to worry, huh?" he said with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. I got a little too excited."
Kelly huffed, her small arms crossed again, but she leaned into his chest anyway.
Standing up, Percy surveyed the damage. The shattered skylight was a mess, and the glass strewn across the floor glittered ominously. With a flick of his wand, he repaired both the skylight and his robes, restoring the room to normal.
Satisfied, Percy unclasped the cape and tossed it aside, letting it hover in the corner. He packed up his supplies quickly, deciding he'd had enough flying practice for the day.
When Percy finally made his way to the Great Hall, he entered through the fifth-floor entrance—keeping his feet firmly on the ground this time.
He slid into his usual seat at the Hufflepuff table, dropping into the spot between Gordon and Fleur with a groan.
Gordon glanced at him and chuckled. "Rough day? You look like hell."
"I've been prepping for the first task," Percy muttered, burying his face in his arms.
Fleur raised an eyebrow. "You already know what it is?" she asked, surprised.
"No," Percy growled, "and that's the worst part. If I knew what I was up against, I could plan for it. But right now…" He sighed heavily. "I guess the only thing I can do is prepare for everything."
Heather leaned over from across the table, her expression curious. "Where were you all day, anyway? We told the professors you were training, but they didn't seem happy about it."
Percy scoffed. "I don't care what they think. Do you have any idea how much is riding on this stupid tournament?" He groaned, slamming his head against the table. "Ugh, it's so frustrating!"
Fleur chuckled softly. "See? I told you this wasn't just a game."
Percy lifted his head, offering her a weak grin. "Yeah, yeah. You were right. Here, have a prize."
He slid a slice of lemon pie in front of her.
Fleur smirked, a playful glint in her eye. "Really? That's all I get? I was expecting something more."
Percy rolled his eyes, but he chuckled as she started eating the pie. For the first time that day, he felt a little less tense.
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If you want to read ahead by 20+ chapters you could take a visit on my patreon Or check it out.
http://patreon.com/SageOf016