WTF Annabeth

Chapter 4

Annabeth

Dumbledore made some announcements about the woods being off limits to all first years, and the third floor corridor being off limits to all, I missed most of that due to ADHD and Percy's eyes... they were just so wonderful, then food, piles of it, just appeared on the tables.

Dinner was fabulous, the only awkward part is that there were no braziers for sacrificing, so I just put my sacrifice into one of the braziers that lit from the wall sconce behind me. Everyone stared at me, but I sensed the most wonderful aroma of peppermint and cinnamon so know Athena and Hecate were pleased. I would have to talk to Professor McGonagall about getting a proper brazier for sacrifice placed near out table. When I got back to the table Percy, the prefect one... this is going to be confusing with two Percy's, why don't I call Ron's brother "the sanctimonious asshole Percy"? Hmmm, thats a bit much to write each time. Oh well, he came over and asked why I was dumping food in the lighting system.

"Uh, don't you sacrifice here?"

"What?"

"Sacrifice. Where we were trained, at every meal you cast off some as your meal as sacrifice to the gods. Here I sacrifice to Athena, because she"

"For wisdom." Percy interrupted.

"Uh, Right. For wisdom, and to Hecate for allowing me to learn magic, and Hestia of course for blessing my family, well Percy, Harry and myself really, thats all the family I really have. You don't do that here? How will the gods know if you are appreciative?"

"Uh, no, we don't do that here. Is.. is that common in America?"

"Very common where Miss Chase, Master Jackson, and Master Potter were raised." Dumbledore said. He had come over to see what the hubbub was about. "Miss Chase, we will have a proper sacrificial font set up at all meals if you wish. Mr Weasley, you may return to your table. Miss Chase, I wonder if I might have a word following dinner with you and your companions. I always like to meet with my students before they arrive but was unable to do so in the case of you Americans. Perhaps before you retire?"

"Oh! That would be wonderful! Thank you headmaster!" I replied. "I'm sorry if I screwed up the lighting."

"Not to worry. We had braziers here until the late Victorian era when they were removed under some protest by my, errrmmm, predecessors. Perhaps it is time we brought them back on a voluntary basis. I shall be interested to see how it translates into your success as a student."

After that, dinner was just smashing as the Brit's say. The food was marvelous and the conversation wonderful. Older Gryffindor boys kept stopping by to introduce themselves and offer help at adapting to school, and everyone seemed to want to meet Harry regardless of what house they were in. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws both seemed very nice, but the Slytherins were, well, mostly snobby little jerks. I understood what Professor McGonagall meant by our house being our family while at Hogwarts, even though my family was Percy and Rue. Our house members were like cousins beyond that, dependable, even if not close by all the time. Several of the older Gryffindor girls were cold to me at first, but once I told them I was absolutely fated to be with Percy and wouldn't date anyone else, they softened.

Percy rolled his eyes at this, but he was just being difficult. He would come around. I just knew it! The fates had spoken!

After dinner Professor McGonagall collected the three of us to go to Dumbledore's office, she was charming and smiling until we arrived.

"Harry!" We were greeted by the Headmaster, "It is so very good that you have returned to your own realm in this world. You were born to magic, this is your place. In the coming days I will talk with you more, but I understand Chiron has told you of how your parents died, and why, and why you among all wizards are revered?"

"Well, yes, I mean, I'm not sure about the revered part" Harry smiled.

"Oh, its true. All wizards great and small, and magical creatures of any intelligence, know of Harry Potter. You heard me tell that forest is off limits, I suspect even the creatures, unicorns and centaurs that populate it know of Harry Potter. The whole of the magical community owes you a great debt we can never repay. But know this, the one that gave you that scar is not dead. He is, in my opinion, weakened, but beginning to grow stronger. Study our craft with care that it might someday preserve your life. Now, Percy Weasley awaits you outside the door to my office. He will take you to Gryffindor tower where you shall room for your career here. Meet your new housemates. I was a Gryffindor, as was Professor McGonagall and Hagrid. You will be in fine company there. Lets meet again tomorrow, just you and I, and I will begin to tell you what you have missed by not being in the world of magic. For now, I must speak with Miss Chase and Mr Jackson about certain events on the train here."

"But sir!" Harry rose to defend us, "If you are referring to that kid Draco, he threatened both myself and"

"I will speak to Miss Chase and Mr Jackson. They are in no lasting trouble, but I must assure that they understand the rules here and abide by them. You may go now."

It was clear that Harry was to leave, and with a reluctant look at us, he did.

"I'll be upstairs, see you in a few, okay guys?"

"Sure Rue, we'll be right along, we didn't do anything wrong" Percy smiled.

Harry left and after a long silence, several others entered the room.

"Miss Chase, Mr Jackson, I do not know how Lord Chiron got your names added to the roll this year, but I can only assume, especially given your apparent age Miss Chase, that you are here to assist with protecting Mr Potter."

"Uh... well either of us would die for Rue, but, no, Chiron didn't do anything that I know of. See, we were on a quest..." Percy began.

"The one where I got this body, tell them that part Percy"

"Right. Well we were on a quest... how much do you know about Camp Half Blood?"

"Only that it is a camp to train the children that the immortal Greek gods like Hecate have with mortals."

"Oh, okay, so I don't need to go over that. Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, and I am the son of Poseidon. Anyway, we were on a quest to recover, uh, certain items stolen from the gods,"

"They were stolen to try to get the gods to blame and thus fight each other" I interjected.

"Right, well anyway, Annabeth got injured and to stop the bleeding we used the only cloth we had, the Scarf of Aphrodite, it was, well it was part of a trap. Anyway, she grew from a regular twelve year old, to u"

"Regular?" I sternly asked.

"Uh, very pretty and smart twelve year old, anyway, into what you see now. I swear, she is just twelve. And acts like it."

"I'll ignore that. Anyway, I was hopelessly in love with both Percy and Rue"

"Who is Rue?"

"Oh, that was Harry's name. We just learned he was named Harry Potter a couple weeks ago. Before that he was "Rubeus," and we just called him 'Rue" So on the way back..."

"No no! You left out the fates! We returned the Helm of Darkness to the fates, and they released me from loving Rue... Harry... romantically, he is still like a brother to me, but Percy and I are fated to be together so it would be okay for me to stay with Percy on the boys side of the dormitory as the gods say it's"

"No." Dumbledore pronounced.

"Right, good call, anyway, we got back to New York and because Harry had taught us a couple spells, none of us knew that wasn't allowed, but anyway, Hecate told us we would be given a choice between a way to survive, or, well, die at the hands of an immortal goddess I guess. A few days later, our letters arrived. So it wasn't Chiron, it was" Percy continued.

"Hecate. You've met Hecate?" McGonagall asked in disbelief.

"Yes, she was very nice to Harry, he can tell you all about that, but told Percy and I that she was not to be trifled with and that we had entered her domain and that she would offer us a way to not die. Then your letters arrived. So, no, Chiron had nothing to do with it. It was all Hecate, oh, and she confirmed that this dark lord you talk about is gathering strength. As to the incident on the train"

"No. I don't care about the incident on the train. I believe you, your story is too fantastic to make up." Dumbledore smiled. "But it is my belief that in addition to being here to learn magic, I suspect, well, I have received word that our lady of magic would be sending companions with Harry to help protect him. It came to me in a prophetic dream a two weeks ago. I can only surmise that is you." Dumbledore said.

"Prophetic dreams? Oh I hate those! Uh, well of course we would protect R... Harry. I would die for him!" I said, with Percy agreeing.

"Good. Well for some time we have expected Harry's return, as has the rest of the magical community. Now, our castle is safe from attack by the monsters you are familiar with owing to protections cast by myself, Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall. You need not worry about monsters running about like at your camp, in order to enter our grounds a powerful witch would have to let them in from inside the campus, but there are elements of the dark lord's followers still about. Those we offer less protection against. This is where we would like to coordinate our efforts. Myself, Hagrid, and Professor McGonagall will primarily protect Harry, but there are several others who for the time shall remain nameless who are involved as well. We would ask that you be on the look out for evil as well. Oh, and don't use your swords. Unless, well, just don't use swords. We aren't going to confiscate them, I'm not sure any of us have the ability to if Lord Chiron's reports on your skills are correct. Use your wands. I understand you are both capable of casting a stupify spell?

"Yes, but honestly I'm more comfortable with a blade. Should the need arise I, well we, will use wands, but if overpowered magically, well..." Percy started.

"We'll cut their heads off, stab them to death and then go for ice cream!" I finished.

"That... would seem like a good plan. But if a professor shows up, let them take over with wands first. Now, how can we assist you?"

"Well, is there some where here would could continue our martial training so we don't get rusty? If we are to spend the summers at camp it wouldn't do for us to show up having forgotten our sword and bow work, Harry is particularly talented with a bow, we thought he might be a child of Apollo until we found out he was a wizard, Anyway, we need to stay on top of it, especially since Chiron and Mr D frown on the use of magic."

"Mr D?" McGonagall asked.

"Dionysus."

"You've met Dionysus too?"

"Yes" I answered, wanting to add that he was a jerk but knowing I might get struck down either now or later for it, "and Ares and Athena. Mom. We went shopping in Vegas, that's when I got my ears pierced. Oh, and Harry and Percy kicked Ares' butt in Santa Monica."

There was a long silence as they contemplated their star pupil fighting the god of war. They stared at each other until both nodded as if in agreement.

"Uh... as to your question, tomorrow Professor McGonagall will show you to the Room of Requirement. It should fit your training needs and you are welcome to use it whenever you wish during your free time. Children, your studies here will be difficult, I do not envy two, well, essentially muggles, attempting to learn our craft, but Hecate must think it possible or you would not be here. Study hard, and don't be afraid to ask any of the instructors or upper classmen for help. Oh, and don't stab anyone. Please." Dumbledore said, then added "Professor, would you show them to the dormitory?"

"Of course Headmaster." She replied.

"Did you say Harry was talented with a bow?" Hagrid asked as we rose.

"Oh yes, for a while we thought he was a child of Apollo, well the campers did, Chiron knew otherwise I suppose." Percy replied.

"Perhaps Friday afternoon after your classes we could go hunting, the grounds are well stocked with game, and I am the only one that hunts."

"That would be great, but Harry has only shot at human targets" Percy said.

"And Medusa... and a bus!" I added to confounded stares.

The Professor then led us out and on the way to Gryffindor Tower made small talk about how nice it was to have Harry back, and us too of course. She bragged that she was the reason Harry had been sent to Camp Half Blood, but couldn't give an explanation as to why that was until the Headmaster had caught Harry up on it. That seemed fair.

When we got there a meeting was going on with Percy (the jerk faced one) and the first years. The upper classmen were waiting around for something, and they all stared at me when I walked in. The boys leered at me, and the girls I didn't talk with at dinner, well, they just looked mad. Oh well, I can't help any of that. Jerk Face was going over house rules, but I have ADHD and zoned out for most of it. It didn't help that Percy's eyes are the color of a stormy sea and when I kiss him I taste salt water, but the good kind like is in taffy, not, you know just salt.

"Do you understand Miss Chase?" Jerk Face asked me.

"Uh. What? Sure. I guess."

"Did you hear what I said?"

"No."

"Then how can you agree with it?"

"Would you lie to me?"

"What? No of course not."

"Then why wouldn't I agree with you?"

Everyone laughed at this exchange, most especially the twin Weasley brothers who cackled as I dismantled the ego of Jerk Face.

"Well. I didn't think you were paying attention, let me..."

"Have you always had this sort of trust issue?"

Now the room practically exploded with giggles, the loudest being from Ron who was trying really hard not to just laugh at his brother's pomposity. Hermione just gave me an evil look, like her lack of a sense of humor was why the boys all giggled with me instead of being all straight faced like her. Hate the game, not the playa girlfriend!

"Prefects will go with you to classes for this week and next. No boys in the girls side after nine, or girls in the boys side. The common room is open until ten, lights out at eleven and meet here for breakfast at seven, ready for class. Good night!" He said, red faced and nearly shouting the last part as he stormed off.

I decided that for the moment I would abide by the rules of me and Percy not sleeping together, even though it was silly. What did they think we were going to do? Have relations or something? Geez. Perverts. Anyway, it was Dumbledore's rule and I respected him, and was certain that once he knew Percy and I were already determined to be together due to the fates that he would see that we should be together as much as possible.

I talked to Percy, Rue, Ron and Neville a minute, gave Percy a surprise good night kiss that drew stares from all, then climbed the stairs to the girls first year dorm and the other first year Gryffindor girls were already there. Hermione was talking and everyone got dead silent when I walked in. She was talking about how she was going to take Percy, I just knew she was.

"So Annabeth" she said, "this is Lavender, Eloise, Fay, and Pavarti, I was just telling them how you dispatched those Slytherin boys on the train, and girls! She is best friends with Harry Potter!"

"Really? Thats awesome, how long blah blah blah" came the battery of questions.

Finally the one question they all wanted to ask came from Pavarti, the same girl that had asked it before the sorting ceremony, "How is it you're first year? Are you really twelve?"

"Hmmmm" I mumbled as I sat on the edge of the only unclaimed bed. "Okay, yes, Harry and I are close. Sometimes you will hear me call him Rue. That is his nickname to me and Percy. Percy is my boyfriend. Harry was, but I was released from that. I look this way because I am cursed. Yes I'm really twelve. I'm a year older than Harry but he and I practically grew up together. He is every bit the sweet, kind, wonderful boy he seems to be and"

"Is it true you threatened Draco Malfoy with a knife?"

"Who is Draco Malfoy?"

"The obnoxious blonde boy on the train." Hermione answered.

"The one that looked like an albino weasel?

"Yes, that's him."

"Then yes, I threatened him with a knife. I will cut anyone that threatens my friends, although Headmaster Dumbledore wants me to use a wand first now." I smiled. I felt I was really making progress at making new friends! Even if they did seem a bit scared.

"Why do you carry a knife?" Fay asked. She seemed to be wondering if I might stab her.

"Oh, not to worry, I'm well trained. I'm probably better with a knife than Harry or Percy are with a sword. At our camp I'm one of the sword instructors you see, I can hold my own against anyone with a sword, but I've always fought with a knife. I would be glad to teach you, if you like." As I said this I showed them my two knives and explained that the celestial bronze one would only kill monsters while the bone steel one would kill mortals.

"But... why would witches need to be trained with knives, or swords or... any of that?" Hermione asked. "Is that what they teach at magic camp in America?"

"Uh, well at the one we attend, yes. Its kind of a special camp for, uh, special learners."

"Do you do other stuff, like fighting stuff?"

"Well, yes, the greek combat system in total. But over the years its been modified with Kung Fu, Karate, Judo and Brazilian Jui Jitsu. I can teach you that too if you like."

"But why would we need it?

"Well, you never know when an obnoxious albino weasel might come around." I giggled and Hermione laughed.

Okay, so keep her away from Percy and she is okay. Maybe.

"Uh, if you're not dating him, could you introduce me to Harry?"

"Sure, lets go!" I said, "I'm sure he is anxious to meet all his classmates, just like we are."

"Uh, Annabeth" Hermione said, "We haven't been invited to the boys dorm."

"Hermione, we're girls. We are always invited to the boys dorms. Besides, its only seven thirty, we have an hour and a half."

"So you were listening to the Prefect?"

"No, I read it in the rule book that was in 'A History of Hogwarts.' His lecture was soooo boring!" I replied, and everyone laughed.

"So, who is with me?" I asked again and everyone but Hermione rose.

"Come on Hermione, Fate favors the bold." I said.

"Who told you that? She asked.

"Fate. Well, one of them, I can't really tell them apart, come on!"

We had to go down to the common room then back up other stairs to the boys rooms. They weren't really labeled but we figured they would be positioned off the stairs the same way we were, and the doors were all open. One had canvas hanging down covering it, and the others had a variety of older guys staring out at us, so we went to the canvas one.

"Knock knock" I said as I pulled the canvas apart and looked into a huge foyer in what appeared to be a mansion. It was big enough to throw a ball in and had curved stairways going up either side to more rooms upstairs.

"Oh, hi Annabeth, Hermione, uh... everyone." Percy said. He was reading on a love seat wearing a Camp Half Blood tee and khaki shorts. A fire burned in the fireplace but it was a perfect temperature inside. The rest of the room was furnished with the sort of chairs, couches, tables and such that you would expect to find in a Victorian mansion.

"Uh,,, this is your room?" I asked.

"Uh about that. No. Since we were late add ons they had to cram a couple extra beds in, and make the other ones smaller. It sucked. So this, uh, this is three tents put together. One of the bedrooms hold all the Hogwarts furniture. The furniture in here is much more comfortable. Come on in, want something to drink? Rue left his thermos here, or the faucet in the kitchen does the same thing.

"Oh! Where is Rue? My girlfriends wanted to meet him."

"He's in the shower I think. Everyone is, that was the first order of business once we got it set up. Should be along any minute."

"We should see if they will get us bigger quarters, it is going to be cramped with all of us there" Faye said.

"Hmmm, you say this is three tents? So you have one left?"

"Yeah, you want to use it?"

"Sure do! I knew I loved your for a reason!" and with that I kissed him on the lips for being such a generous, caring boyfriend!

"Wooooo!" some of the girls said, but I did't care, I just loved the guy!

"What the fuck Annabeth? Are you going to kiss Percy all night?" Harry asked as he walked in the room dressed about the same as Percy, only with wet hair and a towel around his neck.

"Hey sweetie! Yes! I think thats a great idea! What about you Percy?" I asked. He was still in shock from the most recent surprise kiss so I gave him another, albeit shorter, one. I think he almost smiled before replying.

"Annabeth, we've talked about this!"

"Can't fight fate darling." I smiled.

"True that!" Harry laughed.

"You're not helping Rue... I mean, Harry" Percy said with a laugh. Now this was progress.

"Anyway, the girls wanted to meet you Harry. Girls, this is my BFF Harry. Harry, these are the girls!"

"Pleased to meet you, I've met Hermione, I suppose the rest of you have names?

"Sure Harry, this is Lavender, Eloise, Fay, and Pavarti." Hermione replied, with each smiling and nodding

"Its a pleasure to meet you all." Harry smiled. "Welcome to our humble abode, would you care for something to drink?"

"Uh... its really not humble" Hermione said grinning, "Do you have tea? That would be so refreshing!"

Everyone seemed to agree with her so Harry asked if I would help him in the kitchen.

"Oh I can help!" Hermione said, and since that kept her claws away from Percy I told her to come along.

It was good that Hermione came to help, as it turns out there is a big difference between what the Brits call tea and what we do.