"Come on..." Annabeth took a deep breath as she held up her staff, "I know how this works... I just need to apply the magic to it. No problem. It's just a simple fire spell." She gave a small shout and a small explosion sounded in her room. She visibly deflated as she surveyed the damage, "Easier said than done..."

"Alright, Class," Chiron, head teacher and the school's centaur, said as he paced back and forth in the front of the room. "Today we're going to be doing some basic alchemy. It's simple," He brought out four pebbles from under the podium and placed it on a table. "You chant just three words; Ika meni arni, and focus on the type of medal you want," The pebbles glowed and changed to a golden like color.

"Oh, wow, is that gold?!" Drew, the class snob, exclaimed, leaning forward in interest.

"Only bronze, my dear. Now, who wants to try?" Glancing around, he brightened as he said, "How about the young lady taking notes?" He looked down at the attendance chart, "Annabeth Chase."

The blonde looked up and stood, walking past everyone, who started snickering and whispering to each other. She held her head high, blonde hair swishing behind her in it's high ponytail. Her gray eyes were steely, glaring at anyone who tried to grab her arm to stop her. "I just chant the three words that you said and think of the metal?" She asked, looking up at the centaur.

"Yes, my dear," Chiron nodded, smiling warmly.

"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea," Someone spoke up from the back of the class. It was Travis Stoll.

"Yeah," Connor Stoll, Travis's (not really) twin added from his brother's right. "Annie, here, isn't all that good with magic."

"Don't call me Annie," Annabeth snapped, glaring furiously at the two, who squeaked in fear. "My magic is fine."

Unseen by everyone, a young girl wearing a leather jacket slipped out, electric blue eyes flashing with amusement as she dragged a blonde haired boy with the same eyes behind her.

"That's the spirit," Chiron nodded, ignoring Connor's words. "Go ahead, my dear."

"But-" Travis was cut off when Annabeth began the spell.

"Ika meni arni!" The pebbles glowed a brilliant blue and everyone leaned in in awe before they suddenly exploded, turning everyone's hair black from the soot and causing Drew to cry about her hair.

Chiron coughed, waving a hand in front of his face, "I suppose... Class is dismissed. Remember, tomorrow we will all be attempting summoning so that we may obtain a familiar."

"Yes, sir," Everyone chorused.

"Nice going, Chase," Some kids snickered as they exited causing Annabeth to make a fist in anger.

Annabeth shook her head, willing herself to calm down, and sighed, "I guess it could be worse." She dug into the pocket of her skirt for her room key as she walked, "I could have taken down the whole building with this one."

"You mean you didn't?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes and retorted without turning around from her door, "Ha ha, very funny, Jason. As you can see," She pointed out a window in the hall towards the large class building. It looked like a large arena from far away. "The building is very much still standing."

Jason nodded, glancing out the window, "Do you think you can do the summoning tomorrow?" He glanced at the blonde, electric blue eyes flashing with concern, to see her reaction.

Annabeth went to nod when she paused, turning around to lean on her door. "Honestly, no," The gray eyed girl admitted, taking her hair down from its ponytail. "But I'm still going to try. Maybe I'll actually get something good."

"Hopefully," Jason smiled at her. "I have faith in you." He turned to his door, unlocking it, before he remembered, "Oh, Thalia said that she'd see you later. Something about visiting Death Breath or whatever."

The girl nodded, "Alright, thanks. Good night, Jason."

"Night, Annabeth."

"Good luck on your summoning, Annie-bell," Drew smirked, flipping her hair behind her shoulder. "We all know you'll need it."

Annabeth scoffed, turning her head, "Hardly. I have complete faith in my abilities today."

"Please, after yesterday's show, I severely doubt it. I find it hard to believe you're from the Athena branch."

"Shut it, Barbie," The blonde snarled. "Don't mess with us Athena kids."

"Whatever," Drew strutted away, looking around for some poor sap to flirt with.

"Gods, she annoys me," The Athena child muttered to herself.

"She annoys everyone," Someone spoke next to her, making her jump slightly. "Unfortunately, she's from my hall. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Piper McLean." Piper was a young girl, around sixteen, with smooth tan skin and kaleidoscope eyes. Her hair was a nice brown but was choppy, as if she took scissors to it, and had a white feather tied to the end of a braid. She wore the school uniform; an orange T-shirt with the 'Half Blood Academy' on the front, a black skirt that went just above the knees, and short black boots.

"Annabeth Chase," The blonde introduced herself. "She always pesters me because my magic goes haywire sometimes."

"It's probably because you're used to hard facts; science, right?" Piper smiled, "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of things one of these days."

"Thanks, Piper," Annabeth gave her own smile. "Oh, I think it's your turn for the summoning."

"Right," Piper nodded and waved at the girl. "Talk to you later?"

"Yeah."

"Annabeth Chase"

Said blonde looked up when he name was called. Looking around, she noticed that each of her friends had their familiars; Jason had a lightning horse, Piper had a dove, Frank (who she didn't realize was there, along with Hazel, his girlfriend) had a small iguana, Hazel had a weasel which she pet gently in her lap, Leo (again, not mentioned before because he annoys the crap out of Annabeth) had a metal dragon the size of a medium sized dining table, and Thalia (the girl with the leather jacket from the classroom) had an eagle.

Wow, all of them are so cool, Annabeth marveled as she made her way towards Chiron.

"Just say whatever comes to your mind," The centaur said warmly. "You'll do fine."

Annabeth nodded and took a deep breath, "I call upon thee from the planes of existence. Come to my aid and serve me as my familiar. Stay with me as my partner and protect me. I'll guide you like the moon does the tides."

For a split second, nothing happened and Annabeth's eyes widened at her choice of words, Tides.. Oh, no. Did I say something wrong? Was I too demanding or was I too forwar-

Before she could finish her thought, a bright blue light filled the area. As it faded, everyone could make out a figure.

"A boy?!"