CHAPTER FOUR

Percy POV

Percy could not find the lake. He swore that he had run every inch of the grounds, (including some that were off- limits) and had even searched inside the castle.

'Ha ha' teased the voice.

'Oh shut up' thought Percy.

He collapsed wearily onto the ground. "Eh, what are you doing out of class," demanded a voice behind him.

"Oh sorry," said Percy jumping up, "I'm new here."

"New eh, that's no excuse newbie, what house are you from?"

Percy stared at the giant. Or it could have been a really tall human. "I don't have a, uh, house yet. I'm new here and the headmaster just told me to chill until dinner. And my name's Percy."

The giant cleared his throat. "Er, well, I suppose if Dumbledore says so it's all right," said the giant uncertainly, "I am Hagrid, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher."

Percy shook his hand. He glanced up at the sky. "Hades! It's already dark! Can you direct me to the dinner area?" Percy ran his fingers through his hair.

Hagrid chuckled. "No need to be nervous. I would guide you, but I got something I have to do." He lumbered off. Percy stared after him, and then sprinted back into the school.

Harry POV

"Ack!" I fell back as a blur rammed into me.

"Oh gods, I am so sorry," said the boy.

Harry nodded and pushed himself up. "It's all right; I should have looked where I was going." He got a good look at the boy. The boy was about his age, with messy raven black hair and sea green eyes. The air around him seemed to ripple and his eyes swirled with power.

"You!" Harry realized the kid was the one he had bumped into earlier.

The kid winced. "Yeah sorry about that. I'm Percy," said the boy holding out his hand.

"Harry," said Harry shaking his hand. Percy's eyes widened briefly. "I never seen you here before," said Harry.

Percy shoved his hands into his pocket. "Yeah, I'm the new American exchange student," he mumbled.

Harry grinned. "Cool." "So, what house are you in?" he asked. "Gryffindor," I said proudly," you?"

"Uh, I'm supposed to get sorted in the dining room, if I can find it."

"Oh, I can show you. Or you can follow everyone else, they're all going there." I stared walking down the hall. Percy hurried to catch up with me. "So, why didn't you come yesterday like everyone else?" I asked. It seemed a little strange.

Percy shrugged. "I guess my headmistress just has a warped sense of humor, like when she apparently decided to drop me off from the sky." He said through clenched teeth. I looked at him weirdly.

"Well, you'll like our headmaster, probably. Some people think he's a little bonkers but he's alright." He grinned. "Yeah, I met him. He reminds me of our director."

Director, I thought confusedly.

"Hey Harry." said Ron. "Whatcha doing?" "Just showing Percy around," I said as we rounded another corner. Ron's eyes widen. "Percy's here? With his cauldron bottoms I reckon? I think I'm gonna faint." Ron pretended to faint.

"What did I ever do to him?" asked Percy, his brow wrinkled in confusion. I rolled my eyes. "Ron, I didn't mean your brother. Meet Percy, the American exchange student."

Ron straightened up, blushing. "Hi," he muttered, eyeing Percy warily. Percy shrugged and returned the greeting.

"Well, dinners' going to be interesting," I said, breaking the silence. We walked into the Great Hall. I saw Percy gaping at the floating candles and the tables.

"Annabeth would have loved this," he muttered. Ron looked at me questionable. I shrugged.

"We're a bit early," I said. Ron frowned at the prospect of waiting to eat.

"Hey guys, over here." Hermione waved us over to where we usually sat. She raised her eyebrows at the sight of Percy.

"Percy," he said, holding out his hand. Hermione blushed and shook it. Ron frowned.

Soon, the great Hall was packed with people.

"Ahem," Dumbledore cleared his throat at the front table. The noise stopped. "Everyone, meet Perseus Jackson, our new transfer student from America." Dumbledore gestured at Percy who waved at everyone, "He will be staying for the year while his school is under renovation. I expect you all to treat his with respect as his school is, ah, quite respectable. He will also be assisting the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." I looked at Percy in amazement, who seemed to be shocked as well. "Now, he will be sorted into a house today, since his school couldn't send him yesterday." He gestured for Percy to go up.

Percy POV

Percy swallowed and walked up to the front. A hat sat on a stool there with Professor McGonagall next to it. Percy eased himself onto the stool and she placed the hat on his head. A demigod, eh? Haven't sat on a head like yours in years. Now, were to put you. Hmm, extreme loyalty, perhaps Hufflepuff? But also bravery and courage, a nice Gryffindor you'll make. However, you do have darkness inside you; Slytherin will help bring that out. Not quite intelligent, Ravenclaw is out. You bring a hard challenge demigod. Percy's mind swam in memories as the hat look into his past.

Hey, stop that, he thought. Hmm, very well, loyalty rules above all, HUFF- the hat stopped mid shout.

No, said the voice. Great, your back, thought Percy grumpily. Do not place him in Hufflepuff, commanded the voice.

Most irregular my lady, mused the hat. Very well, as you wish. "GRYFFINDOR!" shouted the hat.

Percy winced and whipped off the hat. He made his way to the Gryffindor table.

"Well, ah, that is all. Enjoy your dinner." said Dumbledore. He waved his hand and all the plates filled with various types of food. Percy sat down next to Harry.

"Why were you up there so long?" asked Harry, stabbing a potato.

"The hat's stupid," replied Percy, snatching a pizza.

"Why did it change its mind? It was about to put you in Hufflepuff." said Ron, narrowing his eye. Percy ignored him and was about to eat when he stopped.

"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Harry, eyeing the pudding. Percy stared at the pizza miserably. He decided that he would rather go hungry than get cursed by a dozen gods for not sacrificing his food.

"You know about the elves don't you," said Hermione, "a hunger strike isn't going to help." Percy gave her a weird look.

"Ignore her," said Ron rolling his eyes, "she's tried to do that yesterday and went hungry all night." He shoveled a whole slice of pie into his mouth. Hermione blushed.

"Uh, I think I'll take a walk," said Percy, getting up.

"Well, see you later," said Harry.

"Hello mate," said two voices behind him. Percy turned around to see two twins grinning. "We're Greg and Forge," they said in unison. Behind him, the trio groaned. Percy smiled.

"Hello Fred and George," he said. They looked shock.

"How. . ." sputtered Fred. George ignored him.

"Care for some toffee?" he said slyly, handing one to Percy.

Percy inspected it and smirked. "Is this the one that makes your tongue grow or the one that makes you float?" he asked. Fred and George looked speechless while the Harry, Ron and Hermione gaped at him.

"How did you know?" asked George in awe.

"The Stolls, er, the pranking twins at my school used these. How did you get them?" George looked at him innocently. "We found the recipe on a website called HermesPranksters." Fred admitted.

"You said they were original!" complained Ron. The twins whistled, suddenly interested at the candles... Percy looked horrified.

"Travis and Connor have pranking website?" He looked like he was about to pass out. "What's so bad about that?" asked Hermione curiously. Percy looked at her like she was crazy. "Do you remember when the Empire State building got painted white with huge bunny ears attached last Easter? Well, guess who did it." He ran his hand through his hair. Ron looked at him speechless.

Meanwhile, Fred and George looked very shocked. "American . . .? Competition?" Tell us more" begged Fred. "That beats the time we turned all of Ron's food into dung," moaned George.

"THAT WAS YOU!" screeched Ron, "WAIT TILL MUM HEARS THAT." Fred and George waved him off.

"Come with us Percy." said Fred as he and George whisked him with them, "take a walk with us and tell us more about this American prank duel." They walked off to the dorms. Percy flashed a pleading look at the trio, who pretended not to see.

Harry POV

I looked at Ron and Hermione. "Was that smart to let him go it with Fred and George?" Ron shrugged and shoveled more pie into his mouth.

"Don't know, but after we eat, I'm writing mum a letter." He smiled evilly. Hermione had her head buried into a book so Harry didn't ask her.

"They'll be fine," she said without looking up, "What could go wrong?"

A lot of things, thought Harry, sighing.