This is a collab with robinketaki. The story is set after the events of Heroes of Olympus, but before Trials of Apollo. Percy and Annabeth are 17; Jason, Thalia, Piper, Leo, Hazel, Frank are 16; and Nico is 15. Read and review please. Someone. Please.
Disclaimer: Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling own these characters...unfortunately.
Chapter 1: Why Do Gods (and Goddesses) Always Keep Secrets?
Percy Jackson liked to think his action-packed and perilous—but mostly annoying—life as a demigod was over. He imagined he could just live life as a normal demigod, or whatever the life of a "normal demigod" meant.
However, as he woke up that morning and proceeded to eat his breakfast, he was stopped by Chiron.
"A word, please, Percy," the centaur said.
Percy paused, his fork suspended in midair on its journey to his mouth. He liked Chiron; really, he did. But Percy was getting tired of being stopped during breakfast. After he and the other participants of the Prophecy of Seven—plus one Nico di Angelo—had helped to defeat Gaia, they had become legendary heroes. Tales of their adventures spread throughout both camps, and new demigods often wanted Percy's signature. Not that Percy minded, but there was a certain limit to how many times he could be interrupted during a meal. Couldn't people wait until he was done eating?
Obediently, Percy got up from his lone seat at the Poseidon table and followed Chiron to the Big House. Even after all these years, Percy never forgot his first stay in the building, and the painful memory of almost losing his mother.
Percy opened the door and waited for some absurd greeting by Mr. D, who had been vacant at breakfast today. To his slight surprise, Percy discovered he was not the only one to have been called out by his former mentor. Around the worn-out ping pong table were gathered some of Percy's closest friends: Leo, who was trying to set things on fire; Piper, who was trying not to get set on fire; Jason, who had been visiting his girlfriend and was now standing regally like the former Praetor he was; Nico, who looked sleepy and grumpy; and last, but definitely not least, Annabeth, who gave Percy a warm smile as he walked in.
"You're late, Peter Johnson," Mr. D said from his spot in the corner, where he was reading a magazine and sipping Diet Coke. Percy wondered how he managed to drink soda for breakfast.
"Sorry, Mr. D," Percy said as politely as he could muster. "Chiron just called me here."
Mr. D waved dismissively at him and went back to reading his magazine, making it obvious that it was Chiron's job to conduct the meeting.
Chiron cleared his throat and the assembled demigods quieted down.
"You must be wondering why I called you here so early in the morning," said Chiron.
"It's actually more like closer to lunch time right now," Leo interrupted. "Ten-thirty isn't exactly early."
"Unlike you, some of us got here earlier," Piper said. "You and Percy sleep late."
Chiron cleared his throat again. "As I was saying, you must be wondering why I asked each of you to come here. Recently, there have been news about a man who is allying himself with monsters of all sorts. In the past, he frequented Great Britain, but now he has set his eyes on the United States. He is starting to pose a dangerous threat."
"Wouldn't this type of meeting require all the cabin heads?" Percy asked. "This sounds like it concerns them."
"Not necessarily," Chiron said. "This man is not a demigod, nor is he a mere mortal."
"What, is he a zombie?" Leo asked.
Piper sighed and smacked him on the head.
"Ow! That hurt!" Leo whined but didn't interrupt again as Chiron continued.
"This man is from a race of humans long hidden from us," Chiron said. "Unfortunately, even I did not know of their existence until very recently, when Lady Hecate was so kind to inform me. This man is known as a wizard."
Chiron paused, waiting for his students' reactions.
"Wait, a what?" Percy asked. "You mean like Merlin? And like, all those robes and stuff?"
"Are you telling us there's a whole race of magical people out there?" Annabeth said, shaking her head. "The type that use wands and all that?"
"They are descendants of the children of Hecate," Chiron explained. "Long ago, Hecate had some very powerful children. They passed on their skills to their children, and eventually, their descendants became the witches and wizards of today."
"So, like, Hecate's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren?" Percy said.
"Yes, something like that," said Chiron. "These magical folks have been living in secret for centuries, but now a man named Lord Voldemort—"
Percy and Leo burst out laughing. Even Piper and Nico couldn't help but join them eventually. Only Jason and Annabeth stood there, unfazed.
"Voldemort?" Leo asked between fits of laughter. "What kind of name is that?"
"Oh, man," said Percy, "That has to be the most ridiculous name I've ever heard."
"This man has been stirring up trouble," Chiron said, used to his students' immature ways. "And now he must be stopped before he causes any more damage."
"But why us?" Jason said. "Can't they handle the problem themselves? Aren't there wizards and witches in the United States, too? Or do they only exist in Great Britain?"
"They exist throughout the world," Chiron clarified. "But this man is more powerful than any other wizard in history, so it has to be up to you to stop him. As demigods, the godly blood flowing in your veins is much more powerful than those of the wizards, whose blood are diluted. Though they may be better than the average mortal, they are still no match for this dark lord."
"So, you're saying we'd be super powerful magicians?" Leo asked. "Man, that's so cool! I want to wave around a wand and blow stuff up!"
"Yes, essentially," Chiron affirmed. "Lady Hecate has personally chosen the nine of you to go on this quest, though she has been most unclear about what she wants you to do. Therefore, I will be sending the nine of you to their school in Great Britain, where you will pose as transfer students and learn about their ways, and try to uncover as much information as you can about this Lord Voldemort."
Percy frowned, doing the math. He was sure there were less than nine of them in the room at the moment.
"Wait, nine of us?" Piper asked, voicing Percy's thoughts. "There's only six of us in here."
"You six will be joined by Hazel and Frank," said Chiron, "As well as Thalia of the Hunters. They are being informed as we speak. Lady Hecate is currently with them, granting them the powers to wield magic. She will be here soon to do the same to you."
"Woah, magical powers!" Leo said, jumping up and down in excitement. "Count me in!"
Nico rolled his eyes. "It's not like we're being given a choice."
Percy didn't share Leo's optimism. "You're sending us on another quest already? We literally saved the world just last month!"
"Yeah, but come on," Leo said, "Magical powers! How cool is that, huh?"
"You're just happy to go on an adventure," Piper said. "Isn't a whole month of being dead enough adventure for you?"
"Hey, I came back, didn't I?" Leo protested. "And now Team Leo is back! Let's do this!"
"Sometimes I wish he hadn't come back," Nico grumbled.
Just then, there was a flash of bright light, and the goddess of magic appeared before the demigods, who all bowed.
"Lady Hecate," Chiron greeted, also bowing.
Hecate was quick to the point. "Are these the six?"
"Yes," Chiron responded.
Hecate waved her hands at them, and the demigods felt a surge of energy go through them.
"Did Chiron brief you on your quest?" Hecate asked.
Percy stepped forward. "Yeah, he did."
Hecate nodded. "Very well. Tomorrow you will meet up with the rest of your companions, and then you will travel to Diagon Alley to get your supplies. The school year will be starting soon."
"Yay," Percy muttered sarcastically. "Let's see if I can last the entire school year this time."
