Chapter 6: A Visit from Gandalf's Brother

Word Count: 5,547

Recap: So...Lily and Sev finally made up and an owl came to visit me. But he was not the only one…


The next day I was woken up by a knock on the door. For most people, they would think nothing of it and greet whoever it was behind on a pleasant morning. I, on the other hand, quickly got on my feet and my hand shot out with Riptide pen form.

One thing I knew is that I don't have anyone polite enough to knock on my door. Hecate would usually just appear or visit me in a dream, Sev would bang the door while shouting out my name, and it's not the day for the landlady remind me when the due date is.

Another knock was heard. So slowly, I went closer, gripping Riptide tighter all the while. I wasn't sure if it was a friend or an enemy yet, but I'll have to prepare either way.

After the third knock and a long deep breath, I swung the door open and froze at the figure standing before me. He was an old man, a very old man with his wrinkles unreservedly showing the passage of time he went through his life. Wearing a dark blue robe, and a long crooked nose from someone's punched hiding behind half-moon spectacles. Believe when I told you that, I spent enough violence to know how a crooked nose was made. And behind his glasses were a pair of twinkling blue eyes, I had to blink to make sure I didn't imagine that.

What's more despite his old age, he was tall, and there was a sense of vigor and power coming from him, and long silver hair and beard that rivaled the Great Gandalf himself, I wouldn't doubt if anyone says he's even related to him. Heck, if he told me right now to go to an adventure with him, I might just say yes.

I was tempted to reference LotR, but alas, the movie hasn't come out yet.

"Good afternoon, young lad," he greeted, breaking me out of a stupor. "Is this the residence of one Perseus Jackson?"

I'm pretty sure if an owl can come to find me, an old man who's obviously not normal would also know. "That would be me, but who are you?"

"Ah yes, I haven't introduced myself my name is Albus Dumbledore, your soon-to-be Headmaster at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore… where have I… Oh! That Dumbledore, the one Severus mentioned being my future headmaster.

My first thought had been, what kind of name is Dumbledore?

My second thought would be; Why in the name of Styx is he here?!

"If it's not too much to ask, I would very much like to talk to you Perseus, preferably with a hot cup of tea," Dumbledore said with a warm and friendly smile.

I nodded and led him inside, but my grip on Riptide never cease. I was about to go to the kitchen when he held me back with a hand then took out an unusual shape of a stick that-wait, is that a wand?! A small wave and the cupboard of my kitchen began to open itself, cups and plates floating around and started to make itself some tea.

Huh… Convenient.

So while waiting for our tea, I sat the opposite from Dumbledore, waiting why on earth would the headmaster want from one student who's probably - oh, who am I kidding? - most definitely going to be a problem child in the future.

There was a fluttering sound, and I found the owl had woke up and seemed to bow? Wow, even the owl respect this guy. The old man smiled, and with another flick of a wand, the bandages came undone. I witnessed the owl flutter its wing, and confirming his wound completely healed.

I wasn't sure what I should say to the Principal of Hogwarts, and I squirmed on my seat, feeling uncomfortable with being alone with a man of authority. The only experience I had with Principals was either that I was in trouble or to tell me I wasn't welcome to their school anymore.

So I tried to break the ice between us, "So...is it hard having a beard that long?"

I feel like wanting to hit myself in the head. Why in the name of Gaea did my seaweed brain have to come up with that one?

I was feeling nervous that I may have disrespected the old man, but my words only made him chuckle as he brushed his beard. "Ah, it's my pride and joy to maintain this way, but I must admit it could be a bit annoying. All those crumbs when I eat biscuit I tell you!"

I snorted, but it was better than full-blown laughter. I certainly didn't expect that from the old man. That one comment made me think he was a laid back sort of guy, but if he was anything like Chiron, I say there's more to him than midst the beard-EYE, I mean eye.

The readily served tea clattered on the table, and Dumbledore took one sip of it before he made his case, "So Perseus, I assume you don't know why I'm here?"

My back straightened, unsure of what to expect from him, "Not at all and please, call me Percy. Perseus makes me feel I'm in trouble," or someone wanting to kill me.

Dumbledore nodded, then put his cup down, "I see, then let me ask you first, are you already familiar with the wizarding world?"

"I am, I have two friends who're wizards, and I'm pretty sure I'm too," in a different sense anyway, "Or else the weird things around me don't make sense."

"I suppose you do, but what you might not have noticed is that you're a different sort of wizard, Percy, and that there is a whole other world than the just the wizarding one." A different sort... what does he mean by that? "Tell me, do you know about the Greek Pantheon?"

I almost scoffed aloud at the question, "I know it more than I ever want to, I could even pass as an expert by now, but what does this have to do- I stopped and slapped myself at how slow I can be most of the time. Sparring the (most likely) introduction of Greek gods, I pulled out my pen and uncapped it, revealing a bronze sword gleaming from the ceiling lamp. The old man eyes widen, examining the sword with a hint of familiarity before he met my eyes once more.

"Well, this makes things much easier," Dumbledore chuckled.

"But...how do you know about it? I thought the demigods and wizards aren't supposed to mix?"

"No, it's not that they can't mix, the Olympians decided it's less of a headache if they just don't interact. Fearing a war that resulted like the Romans and Greeks."

I snorted at the prospect. "So there are others like me in Hogwarts?"

"Unfortunately no, not this year. Unlike the old days, the Olympians have now moved toward where the fire of civilization is the brightest, which is currently America as I suspect you know. Even the camp has moved there as well, you do know about Camp Half-Blood?" I nodded, and he continued.

"However, the wizarding civilization in Britain is just as strong in America, if not more so, which is why, from time to time, I would find a relative admitted to the school." A mischievous twinkle in his eye was shown when my face gasped from the new information I got.

"You...a...you're a..."

"A demigod, yes." he got up from his chair and sort of greeted me with a bow, "Allow me to re-introduce myself, my name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizardgamot, Supreme Mugwump, Order of Merlin- First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Headmaster of Hogwarts and finally... Son of Hecate," he concluded his introduction.

I was already lost on his full name and barely know half of his fancy titles. I'm still not sure if I should reveal my own impressive list of titles, but that would be telling so I cut my introduction short. "Percy Jackson, Son of Poseidon."

There was only a slight raise of his white eyebrows, "Child of the Big Three I see. First time I've met anyone other than my half-siblings," he said amusingly.

"I did move from America since my parents, I mean my mom is... gone so my aunt thought Hogwarts would be just as safe as the camp would be. From what I could tell, it's not strange for other demigods other than Hecate to be a wizard?"

"Only if they were sent to her jurisdiction, but you could say demigods have more talent in using magic by manipulating the Mist and from the power of blessings within them. Wizard and witches, on the other hand, use the Mist as their source of power to create magic from their emotion, body gesture, or wand."

"It also helps that wands makes things easier rather than manipulating the Mist directly," Dumbledore explained in a calm, patient way that made it easier for me to take in all of it.

"That's good because I really sucked at it, it took me years to make a mortal see this as a baseball bat." I waved my sword around to emphasize. Though there was that fluke on Time Square. I was only glad I didn't make them see a runaway zoo or something.

"Ah yes, and that would be..."

" Anaklusmos or Riptide, it was a gift, and it's been my partner for a long time."

"Aaa... a current that takes you by surprise before being swept by the sea. Certainly, a match-made weapon for the Son of the Sea God."

I found myself staring down at the greek encryption of the sword, thinking Dad could actually be pretty deep since I never bother to know what the name meant. "Does the school forbids sharp objects by any chance?"

"It does, but as a fellow demigod, I should know not to deprive a hero's greatest weapon for survival, though you not need to worry at school as it is enchanted, so I would advise you to keep it hidden." I smiled at his understanding and nodded. I wasn't sure why but the man old age and the wisdom emitting from his eyes just reminded me of Chiron.

Instantly I felt homesick but pushed the thought away. We both drink our tea that had been served long and then got up with a satisfied look. "I suppose I had stayed long enough Percy Jackson, if you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask it from me."

"I'll keep it in mind, Professor."

Dumbledore smiled, "Very well Percy, it's not every day you find demigods aware of their status as it endangers them further, but you seem to have the situation in control so I will have to cut this meeting short." He was about to walk away toward the door when he stops short as if reminded of something. He then pulls out a small case, a little red box, and a slip of paper seemingly out of nowhere or maybe there's just a hidden pocket somewhere.

I took the black case, opening it to reveal a round geeky glasses. My nose scrunched, "Uh, thanks but I have perfect visions so... I don't really think I'll need..."

He held out a hand and cut me off, "You would find it very useful in class Percy, as it helps us with our reading problem" He tapped his own spectacle and gave me one last wink before disappearing through the door. I blinked a few times before I then decided to wear it and snatched the letter that had been on the table.

To my surprise, I could read it perfectly without getting a headache. I then turned to the slip of paper which turned out to be a train ticket to Hogwarts from King Cross Station. I had to wipe the new glasses to make sure I hadn't misread the big letter that said 'Platform 9 3/4' because honestly I never heard that kind of platform number. Then I switched my attention to the red box and opened it to find a key. What key it is, I have no idea, but there is a note attached to the ring that said 'Vault 0' which kind of screams weird. My attention was snapback by the peck of the prickly bird that wanted to get out as soon as possible.

"All right, I'll write that letter take it easy." Just as I was writing the letter with the watchful eyes of the owl, I took a good look at my letter, proud I could read without a problem. I better say my thanks to Dumbledore the next time I see him.

I tied the letter to the bird's leg and knowing its way to the window; I let him fly off from my hand. I tried walking around the room for a while, trying to get used to the glasses, I thought about putting it away for a while since it might hinder me fight, but then I thought of Jason, and I thought.

Well, Jason could fight with glasses, why can't I?

And with that thought, the geeky glasses stay.

I then decided to visit Sev to see if he had received the letter yet. When I got there, I heard a couple who were shouting and screaming, and on cue, Sev had bolted out of the house. He had a grim look as if he was ready to kill someone until he noticed me and immediately grinned. "What's with the glasses? Never knew you needed one."

"I didn't know at first, but this one seemed to be enchanted. Now I don't need to worry about my dyslexia." I began explaining to him about the visit from Dumbledore that shocked him, how he knew about my family's circumstances and tried to make sure I'd feel safe there. It felt wrong to lie to him, and how sickening I was able to lie so smoothly, Annabeth must have rubbed that on me since she always knew what to say. Sev seemed to think I'm playing a joke that I just met the most powerful wizard and shrug it like it was just another visitor. Well, when you've been visited by a god-turned-mortal then yes, it's not the most shocking visitor I had in my lifetime.

We then decided to visit Lily, thinking she might have her letter as well. We ended up running and racing along the way, out excitement pumping out our adrenaline. Once we saw her house, we saw a woman in purple robes and pointy black hat, 'a witch' I thought, and she had just gone out before suddenly disappearing out of nowhere.

"Did I see that, right? Did she just-"

Sev confirmed with a nod, "It's called apparating, kind of like teleporting in muggle terms, I guess."

We knocked on the door, and were greeted by Lily's parents. The pair of husband and wife looked worn out (probably from all the stress f having a magical child, why my mom is still sane from putting up with me is beyond my understanding). They were also forcing up a smile to greet us, but that's until Lily told then the two were just like her. They didn't hide their shock and exchanged a contemplated look with one another as if assuring themselves that everything is real. I can somehow relate to that.

Lily was about to tell us what happened, but then she asked about my glasses, and I ended up explaining about Dumbledore. To say she was surprised was an understatement, she made his visit like I just met the Queen of England even though she didn't understand how important he was in the magical world, but knowing he was Hogwart's headmaster must have been enough to imagine him as a deity to her.

Then she told us how not long after the owl arrived, a messenger appeared and called herself a witch and began a detailed description of what the wizarding world is like. It was a little worrying that I couldn't find Petunia anywhere though, "Her name is Professor Marchbanks, and since mom and dad were aware with my magic, it didn't take long to convince them."

"I admit that Lily's strange ability had been in our minds, but knowing that a community exists to help her through that reassured us greatly," said Mrs. Evans as she gave us two a cup of warm milk.

"It worried us if she one day lost control and we don't know how to stop it..."

"Were you afraid she hurt you?" Sev asked suddenly with suspicion, interrupting Mr. Evans.

"Well...we're more afraid she hurt herself or her sister." He pulled Lily closed to his arms, reassuring her. I nudged Sev to the side and give him a warning look, ' Dude, that's her father, be more respectful! ' Sev replied with the same intense glare, not acknowledging his fault.

Mrs. Evans then proceeded to ask our background, how we knew about magic, and how different how the livelihood of being a wizard. Questions only Sev were able to answer with a precise and reasonable answer that quickly mollify their concerns while I bobbed my head as if I already knew them, they looked impressed at his mature responded and so did I.

"They said we needed to buy the supplies at Diagon Alley, do you know where it is?" Mrs. Evans asked.

"Certainly, my mom and I like to use the floo-I mean other transport to get there, but I know how to get there once we're in London." Severus eagerly explained.

"It's in London?" Mr. Evans interjected which Sev respond with a nod.

"Great, then we're all going to go shopping together then, when will we start packing?" Everyone looked at me when I said it and the Evans began looking at their schedule.

"How about eleventh of July, would that be alright with you boys, since we're not very familiar with all this magic stuff it'll be a great help if you come along with us," Mr. Evans asked.

"No problem at all, Sir," Sev answered, "We'll show you all around."

"Mostly Sev really, I'm just as clueless when it comes to the place" Sev playfully kicked me, and the living room erupted in laughter. It was a great day, and I couldn't help but get excited for what I'll find in Diagon Alley, though looking back at my previous experience, surely nothing could surprise me now.

You know that last statement I made when I visited the Evans weeks ago? Yeah, I take that back.

We had planned to meet up with Sev at London, seeing as he didn't have enough money to buy tickets for her mother and him so I explained to the Evans that he would meet us then. Surprisingly, Petunia had been silent the whole journey even though Lily expressed her excitement beside and tried to make her excited alongside her. Nothing worked so far.

When we arrived at London, I spotted the Sev and his mother; she was wearing a black one piece and dark blue cardigan, she had untidy black hair she wore in a bun, thin, sallow-faced that greatly resemble Severus.

"Good morning Mrs. S, lovely weather today, don't you think?" It was almost noon, but it's the thought that counts right?

She made a small smile when I greeted her but turned pensive once more. It was always hard to see her smile other than to Sev, and she's usually seen working on potions she was selling or fighting with her lazy ass husband. I honestly don't know how Sev felt about her; sometimes I thought he would try to help or reconnect with her through their mutual love of potions, sometimes I've seen him bitter of how neglected he felt.

Mr. And Mrs. Evans greeted her and softly told them to follow them. I could say they were unnerved at her mysterious and slightly gloom demeanor, I had felt that way too but got quickly used to thanks to being with Nico beforehand. We all then went to a broken down old and grubby looking pub in Charing Cross Road. The Evans were skeptical about following but didn't voice out their discomfort, or more likely it was cut off when we got inside to find it full of people in robes and pointed hats, Sev showed that the place was a pub called the Leaky Cauldron.

Again, I like to say wizards have no naming sense.

Sev began to animatedly tell us how the pub was the oldest pub in Britain despite what muggles believe and the only place to access Diagon Alley. The pub itself was old and shabby, you would think from the number of people here they have enough money to renovate the place.

We went far to the back until we met a brick wall with nothing to match. Petunia scoffed, "What alley? There's nothing here but a dead end, see what I told you, Mom! These people are-" she didn't get to finished her word before Mrs. S tapped the wall with her wands, and the bricks began to shuffle out of the way, revealing what looked like a shopping district with shops, stalls, and restaurant on the side and people in robes crowding from all around.

Petunia shocked face was worth watching that I couldn't help but whisper. "You were saying?"

Mrs. S turned to us, hiding an amused smile at us gawking at the streets.

"I understand you may be fascinated by the place, but we must first go to Gringotts if you all need or have any money from there." Everyone nodded in agreement, but it was getting harder not to get sidetracked by all the weird shops around. There were shops selling broomsticks, telescopes and strange silver instruments I had never seen before, windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eel's eyes that made me grimaced, tottering piles of spell books, quills, and rolls of parchment, potion bottles, globes of the moon.

The street was filled with people, making my grin widen at the liveliness. Lily was wearing the same expression as me, and I could hear Sev promising they would check out every store if we could. We stopped our tracks when we made our way to a snow-white multistoried marble building.

We made our steps toward the bank, a large set of green iron door halfway opened flanked between two goblins if what Sev said is true. I've met several magical creatures before, but this is the first for me to meet goblins. They look just how I imagined they would be; short, bald, pointy nose and ears, but they act a lot normal than I first imagine. Sure they looked like someone had just insulted their mother, but my only knowledge of them had been playing games from Final Fantasy so for all I know, that might just be their default faces.

Once we went past them, we were met by another large double door, but it was silver - pure honest-to-gods silver! - as if they need to flaunt their riches than they already are despite being a bank, with words etched upon it. Once more, I was mentally thanking Dumbledore with the glasses that help me read such long riddling cursive passage without getting a headache. Considering their naming sense, I don't think I could live through Hogwarts without it. All of us, except for Sev and his mother, inched closer to get a better read and satisfy our curiosity.

Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.

"Friendly," I remarked to it.

"What does it mean?" Lily couldn't help but ask.

"It means as it said, don't steal from goblins or you'll pay the consequences," Sev explained to her. "As far as I know, no one sane has ever succeeded in breaking into Gringotts, and none had tried since one thief announced he faced a dragon."

"Wait, you're telling me there's a dragon underneath us right now?" I pointed out. I've never had a good experience with them; I could name a one headed, two-headed, nine-headed, or number-of-headed dragons and even bronze one. Each one left did not leave me unscathed.

Sev only response was to shrug, "I'm not sure, it's only a rumor, but I can't deny it since goblins are famous for being protective over their golds, that's why they were tasked to worked at Gringotts."

Mr. and Mrs. Evans plus Petunia looked a bit pale at the prospect of a dangerous creature underneath them, but Sev had opened the door for us so we couldn't help but continue forward. I slowed my pace and looked back at the door. Lily noticed this and asked what's wrong, "Nothing, I just notice another meaning from that passage."

Lily tilted her head to the side, and I answered with an amused smile, "It's not just a warning for thieves, it's also a challenge."

Lily blanched at my admission, "How do you get a challenge from that?"

"Well, they can't boast from being the safest bank if no one tries to steal it, don't you think?"

Lily rolled her eyes, thinking it was another one of my jokes, but really...putting that sort of sign would have given the Hermes cabin in a riot to how they were going to steal here. I turned my back to the door and was amazed to see vast marble hall, with many goblins sitting on each side, doing their paperwork with their long slick fingers, scribbling in large ledgers, weighing coins in brass scales, examining precious stones through eyeglasses. There were too many doors to count leading off the hall, and yet more goblins were showing people in and out of these.

When I noticed the Evans stopped walking, Mrs. S decided Sev should accompany them how they would exchange muggle money while Mrs. S would get her own money from the vault. She then turned to me and asked if I needed any help.

"I'm not sure if I had money actually, but I was given a key with a tag saying Vault 0 a few days ago, do you know anything?" For the first time, I saw Mrs. S usual passive face turning puzzled at something. She eyed the key critically then told me to ask one of the goblins about it, so we made for the counter.

Oddly though enough, after I took notice, almost all the goblins were looking straight at me. They were, of course, talking with others or doing their work, but years of survival instinct know when I'm being watched. The problem was... or more like the lack of thereof, it wasn't a menacing look that wanted to claw my gut out but rather one of interest. I then remembered how monsters could sniff me out from miles because of my godly blood in me and thought how maybe that's how goblins could come up the same conclusion as well. I certainly can't cross out that possibility.

"Percy Jackson, I presume." I almost jumped at the voice. A new goblin appeared behind us, one with spectacles, long white beard, and eyes that reminded me of a teacher that tries to think of new punishment for me. I know I sound paranoid, but the attention is giving me nerves.

"Uh, yes, that's me."

The old goblin nodded, "Dumbledore had given us news of a new Half-Blood." I couldn't help but tense from the fact he knows the kind of Half-Blood I am. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound racist, but it's rarely a comforting thought to have a monster know who you are and it took me a while before I warmed up the idea that Tyson the Cyclops was my half-brother. "My name is Guffrock, Head of Gringotts, I presume you have the key?" I gave him the key I had on hand. The Head Goblin looked to it from side to side, feeling it in his hands, even smelling it with his pointed nose, until he had satisfactorily confirmed if it was genuine.

"Follow me!" I hesitated in listening to order so suddenly, especially when he urged me toward a dark-looking back door, but I turned to Mrs. S, and seeing her nodding reassuringly, I followed.

You would think following a goblin toward a dimly lit and stony passageway screamed 'suspicious,' but despite my calm demeanor, I was gripping Riptide tightly to any threatening movement. "Get inside here please," said Guffrock, gesturing toward the metal cart.

The cart ran a lot quicker than I first expect, making me queasy even toward down a steep slope and the maze-like structure. At the corner of my eyes, we ran past different vaults, of varying shape and sizes. We ran under a lake, through a blast of fire, and over the edge of a deep ravine. When the cart ran a lot deeper, fewer goblins were often seen. There was no noise for a while before it was occupied by a loud familiar roar, 10 out of 10 any demigod could guess right.

"Huh, so there really is a dragon," I lightly noted.

Guffrock arched an eyebrow at the boy's reaction, or lack thereof to be precise. "You don't seem surprised seeing one."

"Seen too many; Enough to get me sick."

We then passed a sphinx.

"Do they give out the riddle kind or the pop quiz one?"

Then we passed a hydra.

"Styx! How do you tame those nasty guys!"

To say Guffrock was astounded from the fact that I dismissed Beasts like casual creatures, you would think it was hilarious, to say the least. I had to hold back a chuckle from him feeling fear towards me instead. The trip was taking longer than I expected, so I struck a conversation with him.

"So, do every goblin know about demigods?"

"Quite we are, your godly smell doesn't help hide that fact from us and we goblins have sworn an Oath to keep your existence hidden from the Wizarding World. I say those wizards don't deserve to know of your kind if they can't even settle among themselves." Guffrock sneered at the end.

There was a bit of contempt and grudge against wizards, and I hope goblins don't start trying something like bringing in a war, his tone reminded a bit of Luke, and I certainly don't want a repeat of history. After we got past Vault No. 1, we finally took a deep dive down before stopping short in front of the cave wall.

"We're here." the goblin stated simply.

I was confused for a short while, seeing there was no metal doors or any door for that matter. Though this is a Wizarding Bank, there's a probably a secret entrance or something of the likes. He ushered me to the wall where I then noticed a giant metal omega letter- the last Greek letter - attached to the wall.

"Key please." I blinked, then fumbled in my pocket for the key where he put it in a keyhole at the left side of the symbol.

"Hand, please." Now I blinked a few more times before confirming I didn't mishear that. The goblin sighed and took my hand, pricked it with a needle and placed it on the right side of the symbol.

It was quick and swift that I barely felt it and was utterly confused. Guffrock pulled back both my hand and the key then the symbol changed from an Omega to the Trident, the symbol of Poseidon. A second later, a vault practically emerged beneath the rocky wall and opened itself, allowing me to witness a jaw-breaking scene.