When they all had entered the hall, they were greeted by their friends. Laughter rang out, as questions of summer and health flew everywhere. Things began to calm down, as the students settled in their seats. Hermione sits down with her friends as Harry asks,

"How was your train ride?"

"Oh, you know. Busy. Did you sit with our new professor?"

"Yeah. Mr. Weasley insisted."

She raises an eyebrow,

"And?"

Ron puts his hands on his head in wonder and exclaims,

"It's the strangest thing: He's a muggle!

Harry helpfully cuts in,

"He also hasn't been in school for ages."

Ron rolls his eyes, his friends having missed the point of this situation.

"Yeah, yeah. But you want to know something crazy?"

There is a pause as everyone waits for this 'crazy' information.

"He's a muggle!"

Hermione sighs,

"Perhaps there's a good reason behind it."

"Sure, but isn't it weird?"

"Yes, I agree. It is particularly strange."

Everyone falls silent and the trio look up to see their new headmaster stand before them, the sorting hat ready on a stool. The sorting then begins. Soon to be sorted children are called one by one, and nervously walk up to the stool. Hermione finds and spots Jackson sitting next to Hagrid, who seems to be finding Percy very interesting. Harry frowns, leans closer to the table and whispers,

"Is it just me, or do we look an awful a lot alike?"

She nods,

"But taller…"

Ron cuts in,

"And far more muscular. I mean, look at the bloke!"

The Boy Who Lived shrugs, deciding that it only made sense for a person highly skilled with a sword to be muscular. They then welcome a new Gryffindor next to them, who promptly asks Harry for his autograph. Harry smiles, and politely does as such as the young Gryffindor receives glares from the rest of the nearby table.

Now that the students have settled, Mcgonigal clears her throat loudly, the unsettling noise echoing through the hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. We are so glad to have everything back to normal, and so proud of our students for their courage in the past, and their courage for their future. As usual, classes will continue. You are expected to steer clear from The Forbidden Forest, and to not wander the grounds at night for everyone's safety. If any rules are broken, you will lose House points. Now, before we can begin this magnificent feast I would like to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Percy Jackson."

A polite clap fills the room, as Hagrid nudges the boy. He stands, looking a little confused, then gets pulled down again by Hagrid. Whispers carry out through the tables, taking note of their new teachers age and appearance. He wears a bright orange T-shirt that reads Camp Halfblood, and jeans. The more perceptive students take note of the beaded necklace around his neck, and the mark on his arm. some wonder if he was once a Death Eater. Mcgonigal doesn't seem to care, and waits for silence until she speaks again.

"This is an extremely unique situation, and it may come across as a shock to some. I don't know of any personal religion or spiritual beliefs you may have at home, and what I am to introduce to you in no way is meant to disrespect that."

She pauses, the students blankly staring back. Confusion hangs heavily in the air, some look to Hermione for answers, who shakes her head in annoyance. Mcgonigal continues, the new professor seems to watch her, unnervingly.

"Greek mythology of gods and goddesses is no myth. But in fact, a very true reality. They do have offspring with humans, and those people are called Demigods, or at times, Halfbloods. We are very honored to welcome Percy Jackson as the first Demigod to be introduced to our world, and for this exciting chance for us to learn of his. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask him. Thank you, and enjoy your feast!"

As food appears before them, everyone begins to talk at once. Hermione slaps her hands on the table, grinning triumphantly,

"I knew there was something off about him!"

Ron pauses, his hand already wrapped around a piece of chicken,

"Hold on. So he's like… A God?"

"No, according to Mcgonigal he's only half."

"That's still pretty brilliant! He must be incredible!"

Ron, Harry and a few nearby students look up to Percy in envy.

"Cool."

Jackson sits uncomfortably, looking at his food with distaste. The murmur of young people fills the hall, with an almost suffocating sound. He does seem to have power, they can all tell. It almost radiates from him in waves. He looks up, meets eyes with Hermione, and promptly looks down at his food again with furrowed eyebrows. Hagrid watches him closely, and asks him something. The new professor shrugs. Hermione frowns, trying to remember anything about Greek mythology. She remembers the goddess Athena, and Artemis (goddesses she is quite fond of). As well as the main gods Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The gods of the sky, death, and the ocean. Which godly parent was her new teachers? Is there a god of sword fighting? No, none she could think of. Luna would probably have figured it out by now. Ron swallows his food.

"Hermione. You don't need to figure anything out, we can ask him tomorrow."

"But-"

Harry puts down his own food and cuts in sharply.

"Hermione. You're brilliant. Really, you are, but sometimes you need to learn to mind your business. We literally can ask him anything tomorrow. There's nothing to figure out."

The bush haired girl sighs, and nods, pulling some food onto her plate. Just because she doesn't know, doesn't mean it's a danger to her friends. She eyes Ron, who is feverishly chomping on his food. Besides, they could all take care of themselves. Hermione nods again to herself, and begins to eat.

Once the feast ends, the prefects guide the students to their dormitories. Hermione leads in front, being Head Girl and all. Harry and Ron trail behind, as the freckled boy asks Harry,

"Do you think there are really gods and goddesses?"

Harry thought about this for a moment as they waited for a moving staircase to settle before them. It certainly is good to be back.

"I suppose it's a possibility. I mean, magic exists. Right?"

Ron agrees, rubbing his hands together and looking at Harry.

"True. It's just hard to believe."

"Or it's hard to wrap your head around it, more like."

Ron laughs and punches Harry's arm lightly. Neville appears next to them.

"Hey there Harry! Ron! Long time no see!"

They both greet him cheerfully.

"Excited for Defense Against the Arts?"

He asks them, smiling wholeheartedly. Nodding, Harry asks how he's been.

"Oh, brilliant. Luna and I are together! Can you believe it!"

Ron snickers,

"Yes. You both are completely bonkers, you belong together."

Neville laughs,

"Thanks! I wish I could say the same about you and Hermione."

Ronald Stares at Neville blankly as they enter their common room.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh."

Neville stammers,

"Well I just mean… Hermione's brilliant. And you… Well, arn't as bright."

The red haired boy stares at Neville, then walks away muttering. Neville looks concerned,

"No offense?"

"Don't worry about it Neville."

He turns to face Harry, who smiles, and pats his shoulder.

"I often wander about that myself. I think Ron just doesn't like being reminded he can be thick in the head. Sometimes."

Neville nods,

"Thanks, Harry. Well, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow."

Later in the evening Harry lays in bed, listening to the sound of his best friend snoring. He hopes this year will be normal. Slowly, Harry's thoughts go to Ginny, and he falls asleep thinking of her laughing. His bird, Athena, watches from outside. It's a white owl like Hedwig, but perhaps smaller. She hoots softly, spreads her wings and leaps from the window into the starry night.