Ah. How long has it been? Roughly three weeks? Yeah. Sorry about the lack of updates. Things will start to picking up a little, hopefully we'll have a little action by the next chapter, because the Battle of the Astronomy Tower looms nigh. Monday night, and be sure to bring some popcorn! Its going to be fun!
(I don't mean I'll update again Monday night, the battle takes place on Monday night.)
Icyfox17: It's not fine and dandy. Please, point them out for me.
Percy
It was Saturday night. The star-studded sky was, for once, clear of all clouds. Harry, Ron, and Hermione would be buried in a mound of homework. Percy was quietly conversing with Annabeth; they hadn't had a proper time to talk in ages, Jason and Piper were playing Exploding Snap, Thalia was watching them and calling out suggestions, Hazel and Frank weren't present, and Nico was talking with Reyna. It was almost normal now, lounging in the Gryffindor Common Room. Yet everyone was vigilant. Percy was playing with Riptide, and Annabeth's storm-gray eyes wouldn't stay put. Reyna was twirling her dagger, transforming it into a blurred circle. They were all waiting. Harry wanted to tell them something important, something that supposably affected their future. It was nearly the end of break when he finally finished. He threw down his quill, got up, and stretched, then turned to the demigods."I haven't got much time, so listen."
That roused them from their various activities. Piper looked up just as on a Snap card exploded. She jerked backwards with a small yelp and ended up with singed eyebrows. Percy started laughing until Piper shot him a glare that said, shut up. Reyna and Nico joined them on the couches. Harry looked around."Where are Frank and Hazel?" He asked.
"Out for a walk." Piper said.
"Well, get them back, and quick. This is important."
"What are you going to tell them about, Harry?" Hermione asked suspiciously."If it's about Malfoy again-"
"It is. And I'm sure about it, Hermione." Harry cut in.
"What about Draco?" Nico asked.
"Harry has this idea that Malfoy is working for You-Know-Who," Ron clarified.
"It's not an idea, Ron." Harry said.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
Harry turned to the half-bloods."Just wait here." Without further ado, he turned, jerked open the door, and rushed up the stairs to the Boy's Dormitories. He came back down in a few minutes."They are down by the lake."
"I'll get them." Jason said, starting to get up.
"You're not going alone." Piper said."I'm going with you."
Jason smiled."Sure."
Percy watched as the pair opened the portrait and crawled through the hole. He resumed his conversation with Annabeth; and Reyna went over to sit with Thalia, looking perfectly at ease while the two children of the Big Three stared each other through. It was several long minutes before the portrait finally opened, revealing Frank, Hazel, Piper, and Jason. Once they settled and cleared away the Snap cards, Harry began. Only Ron and Hermione weren't listening. Percy struggled to pay attention, while Annabeth and Reyna listened attentively, sitting perfectly still. Harry's speech was rushed, as he struggled to fit all his evidence in."What do you think?" He asked finally.
"I think its far-fetched," Ron offered, his mouth full of sweets.
"I wasn't asking you, Ron." Harry said, a note of irritation in his voice.
"I can't decide." Reyna said, shrugging."I haven't even met him."
"I think its possible." Annabeth said slowly, a thoughtful frown creasing her face."Who are his parents?" She asked suddenly.
"Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. They're both Death Eaters. Well, Lucius is." Harry added.
"Do you know anything about his past?" Reyna asked
"All you need to know is that he was a big git." Ron said."Nothing else."
"But he wasn't neglected in any way?"
"Definitely not." Harry said.
"Then he's got no reason to hate anyone."
"He defiantly hates me," Harry muttered.
"For no serious reasons, I'd think."
"Nothing serious," Hermione assured,"Except for the fact that he hangs out with muggle-borns, opposes Malfoy's parent's master, and made fun of the entire family."
Reyna shrugged."Alright."
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione."See? They agree."
"I wouldn't sat I agree. I'd say I'm suspicious." Frank said.
"What are we going to do about it?" Hazel asked.
"We keep track of his movements." Nico said. No one was able to hide their surprise, except Reyna and Thalia, who were sitting next to him.
"Gods, Nico…" Annabeth muttered.
Nico smiled slightly, looking amused."Is he usually like this?" Hermione asked.
"Yep," Percy said.
"But how can you keep track?" Ron asked.
"I can turn into an insect," Frank volunteered,"or something else that's hard to notice."
"Could you?" Hermione asked, suddenly interested.
"Yeah." Frank ducked his head, looking embarrassed.
"And you could do it right now?" Ron said.
Frank looked over at Percy, who shrugged."Why not? Show them."
The son of Mars hesitated for a moment, then turned into an eagle. Not the giant version, but the type you could see in the wild. His talons punctured the armchair and he dipped his head, giving Ron a sideways look with fierce orange eyes."That's wicked cool," Ron said, looking at him with awe.
"You could turn into whatever you want?" Hermione asked, amazed.
Frank turned back."Yeah. Sorry 'bout the rips."
"You don't have to say sorry," Harry assured him.
"I have a New York Yankee's cap that turns the wearer invisible," Annabeth said,"but it doesn't work anymore." There was a flicker of sadness in her voice.
Harry looked up."How does it work? Who gave it to you?" He asked.
"You just put it on. It was a gift from Athena, but it stopped working after a fight."
Hermione furrowed her brows."You fought with a goddess?"
Annabeth shrugged."I'm her daughter, so the chances of her blasting me isn't so high."
"I still can't get over the fact that you are part god," Harry muttered.
Percy grinned."It took all of us some time."
"I was convinced ever since the monsters came." Thalia said.
Jason leaned forward."Nico has this habit of hiding in the shadows; its hard to notice him until he speaks up. He could help."
The son of Hades frowned in Jason's direction."Are you signing me up without permission?" He asked.
"If you wan't to help, of course." Piper said hastily.
He shrugged."Sure."
Harry looked around."Anyone else?"
"No." Annabeth said.
"All right. Try whenever you can. I can lend you my invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map, if you'd like."
"Sure," Reyna said.
Percy, unfortunately, wasn't in the Spy Team, since he couldn't hide very well, and because of his ADHD. That didn't matter, though, because no one got except Frank and Nico. They planned to start right after breakfast, and with that settled, everyone left for their dorms. And Percy had no trouble sleeping.
Percy was lounging in the Gryffindor Common Room when he received the note. It was late afternoon and close to dinner, so, in the meantime, he enjoyed a few treats and hung out with his friends. He had been waiting for Annabeth to complete her lessons, and was slightly disappointed when the portrait hole oped to reveal a different girl. She hurriedly handed over a tiny green-ribboned scroll and rushed away, avoiding eye-contact. The other demigods had gathered around him, curious. Percy untied the knot. The letter was written in elegant cursive, and read:
For Percy and friends: Would you mind over for a spot of dinner at 7 today? All nine of you are invited.
~ Professor H.E.F. Slughorn.
"Slughorn. The Potion's Master?" Frank asked.
"Yep. Wonder why he wants us over?" Percy said.
"Maybe he wants to get to know us," Reyna suggested.
"That seems likely," Hazel agreed.
"Does anyone want to go?" Piper asked.
Percy shrugged."Worth a shot, I guess. I want to see what there is."
"And how the food is," Frank added. Hazel swatted him lightly.
"From his looks, I think he'd set up a lavish dinner," Reyna observed. She smiled slightly in Frank's direction."And don't think only of food, praetor. He may have other things to show."
"Who's going?" Thalia asked.
"Me," Percy said.
"I'm going if Hazel is," Frank said.
"Sure." Hazel smiled, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"I'll see what it's about." Reyna decided.
"And both of us will." Piper said, gesturing to herself and Jason.
"Then I will." Thalia said, shooting a smile at Jason.
They all turned to Nico, who shrugged."You really need to join more group activities," Piper said.
"Alright." He said."But there is something else. Clovis managed to contact me through his dreams."
Percy perked up. He felt a sudden stab of homesick, but pushed it away."What did he say?"
"Let't wait until Annabeth comes back." Reyna said firmly.
Percy shrugged and sat back down in his chair. He fell into conversation with various members of the 7, mostly talking about what was going on in Camp Half-Blood, because he had spent the last two years in Jupiter and only went back to the Greek side for the holidays. He had missed the rest of the 7; it was impossible to see all of them together after the war with Gaea. College consumed most of the year, so the only people he regularly hung out with were Annabeth, Frank, Hazel, and Reyna. Piper, Jason, and Nico sometimes visited, but Leo was usually too busy with Calypso. He had missed them.
It was a few minutes to dinner before Annabeth arrived, looking slightly worn. Percy brought her up to date on Slughorn's invitation, and sat next to her as Nico explained his dream. Apparently, he had been trying every night to contact the kids from the Hypnos Cabin, but with no luck. It was Clovis who managed a weak connection. Nico barley had enough time to explain that they were fine and were guests at Hogwarts before the dream failed. He promised to try again next night, but had little hope in contacting him; it was hard enough this time and probably wouldn't be any easier next time. Percy was slightly disappointed, he had been hoping to catch some news. By now, most other people had gone to dinner. Percy wanted to eat, since Slughorn's dinner was at 7, so he took his leave and departed with most of his friends a couple of Hogwarts stragglers. He enjoyed dinner, but didn't eat as much as he would have. Then he went out on Hogwarts grounds to sit with Annabeth, enjoying the peace and solitude of a quiet night. Percy lost track of time, and it was 7:26 when they finally found their way to Slughorn's office. By then, almost everyone had arrived. It was way larger then a normal teacher's office (then again, maybe Hogwarts' teacher's offices were this large by standard) and lavishly decorated, with a polished wooden table and plenty of comfortable seats. An extravagant crystal chandelier hung above an even more extravagant dinner. Percy's friends all sat by each other on the same side of the table, leaving two seats empty. The other side held students. The pair shared a looked, then took their seats. Reyna greeted them warmly. Slughorn looked up from his box and smiled."Welcome! I see you have come. Don't worry. Its natural to be a little late! First, I would liked to introduced you to a few students who will be joining us today." He pointed each one out as he introduced them."Blaise Zabini, Slytherin; have you heard his mother? One of the most beautiful witches in history! She was widowed seven times; left with plenty of gold-no? Very well, very well. Cormac McLaggen, Gryffindor-have you met him? Those two over there-Flora and Hestia Carrow, wonderful siblings. They're from Slytherin, you know. You've all met Hermione Granger, I assume; of course you have, wonderful mind, she has-ah, Melinda Bobbin! Charming girl, charming girl; and Ginny Weasley, Gryffindor; you've met her? Excellent! Then in this case, lets begin!"
"This was a mistake," Reyna muttered.
Percy frowned."What was a mistake?"
"Coming here!" Reyna said."I bet he'll ask questions-where we're from, what we're doing here-"
"All right, all right. I get your point." Percy interrupted.
"Half-truths, partial lies," Nico suggested. He was sitting on Reyna's other side; he always seemed to be near or around her. Percy watched him with a glint of mischief in his eyes. He would have to interrogate him later, but now, he had to enjoy his dinner. He was starving.
The food was even better than normal dinner at Hogwarts. It was fancier, rarer, and generally better. He tried to ignore the Hogwarts students, who, after so many days, were still looking at him curiously. As Reyna predicted, Slughorn started interrogating them right after they started, asking questions a little to personal."Ah…where to start, where to start…" Slughorn began."I could see you all have rare or unique talents, and that is why you are joining me for dinner today-"
"Could you explain what the 'Slug Club' is?" Thalia interrupted.
Slughorn blinked."Of course! When I started teaching…" And he started to explain the long history of the Slug Club. Percy found it mildly interesting, but ended up playing with his food all the way through. He did catch some lines like, "Why, even dear Gwenog Jones…" and "Now there was a talented boy!" and further ramblings about what seemed to be all the members of the Slug Club ever. Even Annabeth lost interest.
Percy was almost relieved when Slughorn started questioning them. By then, the clock showed 7:45 and almost everyone was done with dinner. "So." Slughorn finally said after a stretch of silence. He looked up at the demigods."I hope you would be willing to answer a few questions of mine?"
"Not a problem," Piper said, though she had a reserved expression.
"Excellent!" Slughorn said."I do believe most of you are American?"
"I'm Chinese Canadian," Frank said, looking slightly embarrassed.
"African American," Hazel said.
"Italian," Nico said.
"Ah!" The Potions Master said."But you all go to the same school?"
Reyna shook her head."It's not exactly a school. More like a Summer Camp."
Slughorn nodded."May I ask who you're parents are?"
Frank shook his head."We all know only one parent," He said.
"Oh." Slughorn said uncomfortably."Oh, dear. I'm sorry to intrude-"
"All of you?" Cormac interrupted.
"Yes," Nico turned his gaze on the Gryffindor, who lowered his eyes to the table. Nico smirked slightly.
"Perhaps you could shed some light on your… ah…unique abilities?" Slughorn asked.
"They're nothing important," Hazel said."Quite minor, in fact,"
"But you could still demonstrate them, yes?" He asked eagerly.
"Best not to in such a tight space," Thalia advised. She raised an electrically charged hand spitting with static. The surprise was almost tangible as students and teacher made various noises of amazement.
"You could do that?" One (Percy forgot her name already) said.
Thalia raised an eyebrow."I think this is proof enough," She said."Or do you want more?" Her hand shot out to grip the girl's arm. She shrieked and jerked it back as the shock coursed though her body. She looking down at her shaking fingers, and Percy felt a stab of sympathy, remembering the times Thalia had done that to him.
"Thalia!" Piper said."Why did you do that?"
She shrugged."She wanted proof, so I gave her some."
The girl glared at her from across the table."You didn't have to do that!" She snapped.
"Stop it!" Ginny said. They all fell silent.
"It's a shame you couldn't show us," Slughorn said."But at least you could still answer questions." Slughorn seemed to have an endless amount of questions, each of which they answered partially. Percy slipped several times, but luckily Annabeth was always there to save him. It was already 9:01 when Slughorn dismissed them."That was the most boring thing I've ever attended." Percy said once they were out of earshot.
"For once, I agree with Percy," Annabeth said. They were all hurrying to their respective houses, lest Filch caught them (he couldn't give detention, but it was still rather unpleasant).
Percy dreamed that night, the first vision he had seen during is stay at Hogwarts. He saw Draco Malfoy in an unfamiliar room stacked high with precarious mountains of Broken furniture, old swords, stained battle-axes, vials of unknown substances, cracked eggs, caged long-dead creatures, and other things he knew nothing of. The Slytherin stood in front of a remarkably normal cabinet. Percy willed the dream forward and he zoomed in as Malfoy opened the cabinet and put an apple in. He closed it, muttered a spell, and waited. Percy waited with him, watching silent and invisible as Malfoy opened it to reveal the apple, only few slices missing from it.
Harry and Dumbledore were sailing on a boat far to small for both of them, headed towards a crystal island in the middle of a deathly black lake. The boat slid smoothly across the glassy surface, nearly causing a ripple, and the only light came from Dumbledore's illuminated wand.
Harry and Dumbledore were then standing on the island, gazing into the depths of an acid green potion glowing faintly in the dark. The Headmaster attempted several times to remove the concoction, but concluded that there was no way, and conjured a goblet from thin air. He dipped it into the potion, passing it to Harry, who raised it to Dumbledore's mouth. Percy tried to shout, no! But his voice wouldn't work. The Headmaster toasted Harry, then drank. Percy waited for Dumbledore to drop dead or something equally horrible, but at first, nothing seemed to happen. He drank again and again, before he suddenly collapsed, screaming in pain. Percy watched helplessly as Harry desperately scooped up goblet after goblet, until the basin was empty.
Draco Malfoy pointed his own wand at Dumbledore's heart, his face frightened, hesitant.
A burst of green light illuminated the room, blinding Percy and snapping his awake yelling,"Dumbledore!"
Once again, sorry for the wait.