hi.

fairly long chapter to make up for the nearly two weeks of no updating :( (IT'S LIKE 3000 WORDS *GASP*)

hope u enjoy!

srry for any mistakes i edited it i promise!

CHAPTER EIGHT~JASON

Still shocked, I glance around the room. No Percy.

That would explain it.

Piper rubs Annabeth's back comfortingly. She reaches over and tries to take the paper from Annabeth's clenched hands, but Annabeth jerks it away.

"Annabeth?" Piper says gently. "What's on the paper?"

Annabeth gives a short gasping sob, but drops the paper into Piper's lap and then put her head in her hands, returning to her crying.

Piper looks confused. She glances up and sees me. She gets to her feet and approaches me.

"What does this mean?" she hands me the paper. "Do you know?"

I draw my eyes away from the wrecked Annabeth and look at the paper in my hands:

You will never find him.

Below the message was a vaguely familiar symbol. I squint, trying to recall where I'd seen it before.

It was a triangle with three equal sides. In its center was a circle and going down the middle of this was a straight line.

"Why the Hades would they…" Annabeth stutters. "Harry Potter…"

It dawns on me: The Deathly Hallows symbol.

Why is it on this sheet?

PERCY

"So, you're plan is to do what to the food?" I stare around a small room, about the size of a compartment, with no seats. A parked cart, loaded with candy and food, stands before us. The room's dark, and the twins stand behind me, mischievous smiles in place, easy to see even in the dim light.

"We have–" George begins.

"–a brilliant plan." Fred continues.

"If everyone who eats the candy gets sick–"

"–which is basically the majority of the school–"

"–they'll have to cancel the first day."

I immediately grin. "That's genius."

"We know," they say in unison.

"So what're we going to put on them? A spell or something?"

"We have something better." Fred holds something up.

"By far." George points to it.

I look at it, squinting because of the lack of light. Once I could see the letters, my dyslexia prevented me from actually reading it. "What the Hades does that say?"

"It's a new thing we developed," George explains.

"'Spewing Spray,'" Fred continues.

"Anything you put it on–"

"–will immediately turn into something–"

Then they finish together: "–that you won't want to eat."

I snatch the bottle, studying it, trying not to think about the Stoll brothers. "How do you know it works?"

"Because," Fred takes the bottle back.

"We tested it," George finishes. He takes out a few more bottles.

"We should probably get started," I say, taking a bottle from George. Eyeing the wrapper-covered food, I ask another question. "What about the wrappers?"

"You really think that we didn't think of that, mate?" George snorts.

"This," Fred shakes the bottle, "will go right through the wrappers."

"I'll admit," I say with a smirk, "I'm impressed."

"You should be," they say in unison, twin looks of smug pride plastered on their faces.

I laugh, and watch as George approaches the trolley. He uncaps the bottle, revealing one of those things on squirt bottles… you know what I mean.

Fred joins him, spraying on the opposite side of the cart. I also crouch down and uncap my Spewing Spray.

As we work, I ask, "Can't the nurse at the school cure colds and stuff?"

"Thought of that too!" Fred chimes.

"You're definitely underestimating us, mate," George adds.

"Sorry, sorry," I say, chuckling.

It takes about ten minutes to cover the entire trolley, as thoroughly as possible (fine, I snagged some blue candy before it was sprayed) and we look around the small room one last time.

As we exit, I say, "And this room was unlocked?"

"Nope," Fred says, as casually as if he'd replied with a "yeah".

"Should I ask?" I roll my eyes.

"Nope," George copies his brother.

Glancing around at the empty hallways, I suddenly remember Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "I'll catch you later, guys."

George grins. "Nice doing business with you."

"Even though you didn't do anything," Fred adds.

"Oh, shut up," I say. "I was more use than you might think."

They both look at me with questioning expressions.

I shrug. "Notice how there's no one here? I put a charm on this hallway to warn us when people were coming near."

The twins look impressed. "Nice. Which charm?" Fred asks.

"Cave Inimicum."

"Smart move, mate."

I nod, grinning smugly, twirling my wand between my fingers. "The spell should fade on its own. I'll catch you guys later."

"See yuh."

"Bye."

I set off down the hall, searching for Hermione, Harry, and Ron.

HERMIONE

Ever since I heard the name "Percy Jackson" I'd been trying to figure out where I'd heard that name before.

I know I have… but where?

We're sitting in our compartment, with Malfoy holding out the bag of coins.

Harry says: "You can't pay us for information!"

At the same time, Ron says: "How much is in there?"

"Malfoy, just get out!" Ron growls after a short pause. "If Percy's a Death Eater, then shouldn't you guys be friends, anyway?"

"He threatened me, Weasley, and I want to know why!" Malfoy snaps.

"How the bloody hell are we supposed to know?" Ron retorts.

"You lot are friends. He was staying at your house… if you can call it that anyway."

"Shut up!"

"Can I join the party?" a smirking Percy appears in the doorway. He spots Malfoy and nods towards him. "Never mind. If he's here, then it's not much of a party."

"Malfoy's leaving," Ron growls.

"No I'm–"

"Yes, you are," Percy's voice was final, and stern, as if he was giving orders.

"You're not going to scare me off, Jackson," Malfoy sneers.

In an instant, Percy's face changes, darkening, like a cloud passing over the sun. His eyes intensify until his gaze almost radiates power and his mouth hardens into a line. "You… are… leaving."

Malfoy scrambles from the room so fast that it was like Ron at lunchtime.

In less than a second, Percy's face returns to normal, and he turns to smile at us. "So how're you guys?"

We just stare at him.

He looks confused for a second, but then he laughs. "Oh. That was a trick I learned a while ago. If you scare off your enemies, then you don't have to bother yourself with the fight."

He sits down next to me and suddenly my heart is pounding rapidly. The salty smell of the sea radiates off of him.

"I want you guys to know that I'm not a Death Eater," Percy assures us with mock-seriousness. He treats the entire situation like a joke.

I frown. Despite how hilarious and cute Percy is… I mean… might be… the war is a serious matter. Death Eaters aren't a joke. "This isn't funny, Percy. Wars aren't things to laugh at."

Percy raises an eyebrow at me. "You think I don't know that?"

"Well," I defend, blushing, sputtering. "You're acting like Death Eaters and You-Know-Who are funny or a joke or something."

Percy frowns. "I think it's funny that someone would think I'm a Death Eater. I don't think death is funny." He gave an almost cold smile. "There's a difference, you know."

"What did you do to Malfoy?" Harry sounds curious.

Percy shrugs. "I've read about his family. People think I'm a Death Eater. So I just scared him off… using my resources."

"You're smarter–" I start to say.

"Then I look?" he interrupts with a lop-sided grin that makes my heart beat even faster. "I get that a lot."

We continue to make conversation. I try to ask him about his family and friends, but every time I ask him a personal question, he not-too-subtly redirects the conversation somewhere else.

At one point, Ron tells the story of the time he started to throw up slugs.

"They called her a Mudblood so–"

Percy interrupts. "Mudblood?"

"You don't know what that is?" Ron raises an eyebrow.

Percy looks like he's trying to remember something. "I've heard it somewhere…"

"Mudblood is a nasty term for someone who is from a Muggle family," Harry explains. "We don't think it matters much, but Slytherin really care about that kind of stuff. For example, I'm a half-blood, but Ron's a–"

A look of astonishment possesses Percy's face almost instantly. "You're a half-blood?" He looks almost… excited?

Harry frowns, confused. "Uh, yeah…?"

Percy grins. "Who's your parent, then?"

Harry blinks. "Uh, my parents are dead."

Percy develops a look of befuddlement. "Wait what? Then why did you say you were a demi–"

The compartment door slides open, cutting him off.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" a voice asks.

"Sure," Harry stands. He buys us a giant stack of Cauldron Cakes to share.

When the door shuts again, I realize that Percy is trying not to laugh.

"What is it?" I ask him.

He shakes his head, grinning. "I wouldn't suggest you eat those."

"What?" Ron looks up, a Cauldron Cake sticking out of his mouth. "Why not?"

"Fred and George–"

The Cauldron Cake flies out of Ron's mouth. As he wipes his tongue off as if it's infected, he sputters, "'Nuff said. I'm not eating those."

As the day drags on, a few of our friends stop in to visit: Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas (both of who were almost fascinated by Percy and the possibility he might've escaped You-Know-You). Neville Longbottom also stopped by. At first, it was clear Percy intimidated him, but after a few minutes of conversation, Neville all but worshipped him.

Harry, Neville, and Ron soon discover that Percy doesn't play Quidditch, and set off on a mission to make him understand its magnificence. Me, finding no interest in the subject, gladly picks up The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4 (a wonderful book, by the way, I highly suggest it).

I'm not listening to the conversation, but Malfoy is suddenly back at the door, joined again by his lackeys and his pride. "For the first and last time in your life, Weasley."

"Don't remember asking you to join us, Malfoy," says Harry coolly.

"Weasley… what is that?" Malfoy points to Pigwidgeon's cage, covered in Ron's moldy (and frankly hideous) dress robes.

Ron attempts to shove away the robes, but Malfoy grabs hold of them.

I nudge Percy. "Do something!" I hiss.

Percy looks like he's watching a movie. I wouldn't be surprised if he took out some popcorn. His eyes are glued to the scene, watching it as if thinking: this is aboutta get real good.

He starts slightly when I elbow him, and looks at me, his expression asking what the hell am I supposed to do?

"Just do something!" I glare at him.

"Look at this!" Malfoy was showing Crabbe and Goyle the dress robes. "Weasley, you weren't thinking of wearing these, were you? I mean– they were very fashionable in about 1890…"

"Eat dung, Malfoy!" Ron snaps, his face an impressive shade of crimson. He snatches back the robes.

Malfoy howls with sardonic laughter, and Crabbe and Goyle guffaw stupidly.

"Percy!" I whisper angrily to the older boy next to me. "Come on!"

Percy is staring at Malfoy as if he's a fascinating object. Why?

"What are you doing?" I quietly ask Percy, but I receive no response.

Percy's lips twitch as he almost smiles, still staring at Malfoy. Then his face is suddenly covered with something… realization?!

"So… going to enter, Weasley? Going to try and bring a bit of glory to the family name? There's money involved as well, you know… you'd be able to afford some decent robes if you won…"

"What are you talking about?" Ron snaps.

"Are you going to enter?" Malfoy repeats with growing aggravation. "I suppose you will, Potter? You never miss a chance to show off, do you?"

Done with both Malfoy and Percy, I sigh. "Either explain what you're on about or go away, Malfoy," I say testily.

A gleeful smile overtakes his expression. "Don't tell me you don't know?" he sounds delighted. "You've got a father and a brother at the Ministry–"

Percy finally interrupts. "You're planning to enter the Tournament?" he raises an eyebrow. "You do know you have to be seventh year, right?" his voice is smug.

Malfoy sputters. "Uh, what? I mean…"

"Just leave," Percy doesn't sound demanding, just overwhelmingly bored. "Before I decide I want to destroy you."

Malfoy smirks. "I'd like to see you try."

Percy's wand is twirling between his fingers suddenly, as if it appeared from nowhere. "Do you want your remains to be found, or not?" he asks the question as if he was asking: "do you want mustard with that?"

Malfoy sneers to hide his terror. He turns to Ron. "But then, Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry… Maybe your father's too junior to know about it, Weasley… yes… they probably don't talk about important stuff in front of him…" Malfoy turns, laughing, and walks away with Crabbe and Goyle.

Ron gets to his feet and slams the compartment door so hard that the glass shatters.

"Ron!" I scold reproachfully. "Reparo!"

The glass shards become one pane again and Ron starts to rant.

"Well… making it look like he knows everything and we don't…" snarls Ron. "'Father's always associated with the top people at the Ministry'… Dad could've got a promotion any time… he just likes it where he is…"

"Of course he does," I say quietly. "Don't let Malfoy get to you, Ron–"

I'm interrupted by Percy getting to his feet and exiting so swiftly I don't have time to protest. I consider following him, but Ron already seems enraged. Ditching him wouldn't improve his mood.

PERCY

As Malfoy argued with the trio, I sensed something about him that I hadn't before.

Ever since the Giant War, I've been working on how to control the Mist, and about sensing auras. Annabeth has also been showing me more about reading people's body language. (Apparently these are all survival skills. Whatever.)

When I finally figure out what it is, I feel overwhelmingly smug.

When Malfoy leaves, I get up to follow him.

Him and his "friends" enter a compartment, and I stride up to it, throwing open the door.

Malfoy looks up with a sneer in place, then seeing it's me, his expression crumples. "What do you want?" his voice is pretty much monotone in attempt to keep it from shaking.

I lean against the doorframe casually. "I know your secret."

Malfoy looks confused. "What secret?"

I laugh. "I know you like Hermione."

Malfoy's face flushes with anger and embarrassment. "I do not!" he screams. "She is a filthy Mudblood!"

"Whatever you say, Malfoy," I shrug. "But I can tell you want her attention."

"Shut the hell up," Malfoy reaches for his wand. "Or I'm going to kill you."

"I'd like to see you try," I mock him from earlier.

"Petrificus Totalus!" he yells.

"Protego," I say lazily.

His spells bounces off my shield, useless.

"If you'll excuse me," I say. "I need to search for food now."

"Backing off from a fight, Jackson?" Malfoy challenges.

"Nah," I yawn. "Just bored."

I turn and walk back into the hallway. I head back to Harry, Ron, and Hermione's compartment, and the rest of the trip is spent dealing with Ron's bad mood.

At one point, we change into robes (why in Hades are these necessary?) and as we exit the train, thunder roars overhead.

Immediately I think of Zeus, and then I start to think of home… then the empty fields…

I block my mind and follow Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville towards a bunch of carriages lined up as far as the eye can see.

The horses that pull the carriages are black skeletal creatures with bat-like wings. I scratch my head, trying to remember what they're called. They have a sort of ghostly appearance.

"Percy!" Harry calls. "Are you coming?

My lord. A voice speaks in my head. It has been centuries since a descendant of our master has walked these lands. Welcome.

The animal pulling the carriage that my friends are in nods in my direction.

"Thank you," I say, approaching the beast and reaching my hand out to pet his head.

Many will welcome you. The sea people will be especially overjoyed at your coming, sir.

"Percy!" Harry calls again.

He comes around the side of the carriage and spots me.

He looks confused. "What are you doing?"

"Petting–"

Lord, he cannot see us. We are Thestrals. Only those who have seen death can see us.

"I mean…" I say. "Er… I was just looking for a place to pee."

Nice thinking, Percy. Annabeth would've slapped me.

Harry just looks more confused. "There was a bathroom on the train, you know."

"Oh…" think, Percy! "Well I prefer peeing in the wild! Reminds me of the good old days growin' up in the jungle." I beat my chest for effect.

Harry looks at me like I told him to drop the Beluga and come square dance. "Okay… well join us when you're done… peeing…" he turns to walk back to the carriage, muttering. "Americans are weird."

Master, you should get going.

"Okay," I pet the Thestral again. "And thanks! Also, you don't need to call me master. The name's Percy."


I peer out the window of the carriage at the approaching castle.

It's lit up and sitting on a hill, surrounded by a lake.

Immediately I think of Annabeth and how she would've loved to be here so much more than I do.

With a surge of nauseating homesickness, I pull my gaze from the window and double over in physical pain.

"Percy?" Hermione asks worriedly.

"I'm fine," I say, but the emptiness in my chest is growing. I need Annabeth… Mom… anyone… don't leave me alone in this…

"Are you sure?" Ron questions.

"Just talk about something, please!" I gasp. "Anything!"

"Um, about what? Why?" Ron asks.

"Quidditch!" I wheeze, sucking in air through gritted teeth. "Talk about it. Please!"

Immediately Ron dives into a rant/speech about Quidditch. I direct my attention to him, letting his talk of sports wash away the thoughts of home.

Before I know it, I stand before Professor McGonagall, alone.

"Since we are accepting you into Hogwarts directly into the fourth year, you will be sorted into one of the four houses. I'm assuming you know what they are?"

"Yup," I pop the "p".

I can tell she tries to hide her disapproval in me (all ready, gods. And she barely knows me!).

"I hope, if you are in my house that is, I will not hear of any trouble from you?"

I bite my lip. "Uh, I hope not, ma'am."

She raises an eyebrow and turns. "Follow me, Mr. Jackson."

The doors open and we enter.

Every single eye in the room is on me. Gods, am I that bad-looking?

Whispering and giggling echoes around the hall as I follow McGonagall forward.

The ceiling is clouded and dark, with the occasional flash of lightning. It's mesmerizing.

She directs me onto an old stool at the front of the Hall. I plop down on the seat, and she places the sorting hat on my head.

Well, well, Percy Jackson. I haven't seen someone like you in many, many years.

okay i'm going to explain myself:

in an interview JK Rowling said the reason Malfoy always picks on Hermione for her parentage (over other Muggleborns i mean) is because he kinda has a thing for her ;)

no, this is not a Dramione fanfic, so no they won't be together, but i thought i might add that part in for drama

sorry for another cliffhanger (yet another *sigh*)

see you hopefully soon!

WARNING: next chapter might not be terribly long.

I NEED U GUYS TO REVIEW AND TELL ME WHICH HOUSE PERCY SHOULD BE IN, JUST SO I HAVE SOME EXTRA OPINIONS WHILE WRITING... THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU ALL!