Ch. 10
Percy hadn't really been prepared for his arrival at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Though to be fair, he doubted anyone would be prepared for what he was walking into.
As he laid eyes on the enormous castle from their carriage, he couldn't help but blink his eyes in disbelief a few times. The place looked like it came right out of a children's picture book. He half expected to see a draw bridge and moat with knights on horseback galloping about the grounds.
"Pretty impressive, right?" Ron nudged him in the ribs, forcing him to look away.
"That's an understatement." He shook his head. The sight of Hogwarts Castle had almost been enough to make him forget how silly he felt wearing his long dark robes.
Almost.
Both Harry and Hermione smiled as they watched his eyes return to their school as they slowly rode on, the late summer air was crisp in the waning hours of daylight.
"What do you think they'll do with Percy?" Ron asked as they drew closer to grounds. "I mean, he's a little old for a first year, are they gonna make him wait with all the other first years to be assigned by the Sorting Hat?"
"Sorting hat?" Percy cocked an eyebrow.
"Just stick with us," Harry offered. "Maybe Dumbledore will just let you join Gryffindor with us."
"What the hell is a Gryffindor?" Percy had to ask after hearing that word several times and his curiosity growing.
"All students are sorted into houses." Hermione answered before anyone else could. "There are four houses for the four founders of Hogwarts; Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. Each student is assigned to one house, depending on which of the founders' qualities you most exemplify."
Percy opened his mouth to ask more but then stopped himself when he saw Hermione's face. He recognized that look; he'd seen it on Annabeth more times than he could count and knew it meant that he'd be getting more explanation than he had any desire to hear.
Thankfully their carriage came to a stop next to all the others. As everyone stepped out, Percy finally got an up close look at the castle. If anything, it was even bigger than it had looked from a distance.
Students began shuffling in towards the entrance, leaving their trunks and luggage in the carriages. Percy walked between his three friends and kept quiet despite the numerous conversations going on around him. For the first time in a while, he felt a wave of nervousness run through him. Up until that moment, he hadn't really thought about what he was doing.
Suddenly, everything was becoming very real for him and his mind was flooded with second thoughts about all this magic stuff.
But here he was, just over a month removed from a full-fledged war against an army of monsters and Titans, walking into a whole new world that would undoubtedly change his life just as much as going to Camp Half-Blood had. The only difference this time was that he knew what he was walking into and inconceivably, was doing it willingly.
The next thirty minutes were a bit of a blur but he soon found himself in an enormous room that was lined with four very long tables with a fifth, shorter table, running perpendicular at the front of the hall.
Everyone seemed to have particular tables they belonged to and they quickly filled in and took their seats. He ended up sitting between Harry and Ron with Hermione and Ginny seated directly across from them. Fred and George were a little ways down and Percy could hear them making a trio of younger students laugh at something they said.
As Percy started to feel awkward again, the front table began to fill in. An assortment of people, or, at least what seemed like mostly people, began to take seats. One of them looked a bit like a goblin, minus the gnarled facial features. He couldn't have been much more than three feet tall but other than the miniature stature, he appeared human.
Percy's attention was quickly torn from the minuscule man to a much larger but also familiar figure. Hagrid lumbered into a seat near the center. He noticed Percy looking at him and gave him a thumb up, forcing a small smile onto the son of Poseidon's face.
Dumbledore appeared next, walking across the front of the table and up to a podium that was set up sext to a small pedestal centered at the front of the large hall. He approached it and turned to face the four large tables, his appearance silencing the hum of chatter that had filled the room.
"Welcome! Welcome! To another year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore's voice boomed through the vast room.
"Now, before we get started, a few announcements!" He continued. "For all new students, please know that magic is prohibited in the halls!" Dumbledore went on, listing what seemed to be routine yearly proclamations for the new students and reminders for those returning.
"And before we begin the sorting ceremony, I'd like to announce that we have only one faculty change for the coming year. Please join me in welcoming Professor Alastor Moody to Hogwarts. Professor Moody will be filling the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Dumbledore began to clap and the entire room quickly joined him.
Percy's eyes widened when he saw the man at the end of the table stand up. His face looked like it was roughly carved from wood, covered with scars and topped with a mat of messy grey hair. It was hard to be sure but it looked like he had a prosthetic or fake leg by the way he seemed to hobble to one side. But the most startling thing were his eyes. One of them was normal looking while the other, clearly not his real eye, was oversized and moved independently of the other. It seemed to be scanning the entire room, pausing just briefly on their table before moving on.
"Professor Moody brings years of expertise from his years of work as an auror for the Ministry of Magic and will be an invaluable addition to our staff." Dumbledore added as Professor Moody sat back down and the clapping died out.
"Now, before our feast, let us welcome our new students to Hogwarts with the annual Sorting Ceremony! Professor McGonagall, if you would please."
An older woman in black robes and a pointed black hat rose from her seat and approached the front of the room. She carried with her what looked like a wrinkled and weathered black hat. She set it on a stool in front of the podium and then seemed to be waiting for something.
Percy almost jumped when he saw the hat move on the stool. It looked like it was jolted with electricity before very noticeable creases formed into the distinctive shapes of what appeared to be eyes and a mouth.
Then Percy gave up being surprised as the hat, in a deep and very audible voice, began to speak.
'Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.'
"Is that hat singing?" Percy asked with a tone that seemed to be a combination of disbelief and resignation, like he thought even asking for an explanation was pointless.
Harry, Ron and Hermione tried to hide their amusement and Harry patted Percy comfortingly on the back.
"Yeah," he said sheepishly. "That's the sorting hat... It's, uh," he struggled to find the words before shrugging, "well, you'll see."
Once the song was finished, Professor McGonagall stepped up beside the sorting hat and produced a long piece of odd looking paper that looked like one of those antique scrolls.
"First years, please come forward!" She said firmly. Out of the back of the room, a group of twenty or so young children, maybe ten years old, marched nervously through the hall behind a scraggly looking old man.
"Thank you, Mr. Filch," the professor said curtly before looking at the students and giving them a kind smile before looking down at her scroll. "Adam Applewood!" She called out, "Come forward, please."
A small blonde haired boy shuffled forward tentatively. Once he reached her, Professor McGonagall scooped up the sorting hat and gestured for the boy to sit down, which he did shakily.
She placed the hat on the boy's head and Percy could see him flinch as the hat shuffled around on his head.
"Hmmmmm... Hmmmmm." The hat murmured. "Oh, let's see, there it is, this one's a breeze... RAVENCLAW!"
A roar of applause broke out from the table behind Percy as the boy scurried off the stool and towards the table where almost everyone was clapping and welcoming him, making room for the kid to sit between two older boys.
Once the cheering stopped, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, "Bethany Abbott!"
A small raven haired girl came forward and took her turn on the stool. She was sent to the Hufflepuff table, who gave her an equally enthusiastic welcome to the one the first boy got.
This continued on for several minutes as one by one, the group of first years were called up and given their house by the sorting hat. The final boy, a short, blue eyed boy name Timothy Yeaton was sent to the Gryffindor table, receiving a whooping welcome from the table, Percy included, though he was really just going along with what the others at the table did.
Professor McGonagall reached for the sorting hat when Dumbledore rose from his chair.
"Excuse me, Minerva," he said with an apologetic smile. "But we have one more new student who will need to be assigned a house.
The old headmaster turned back to the students and smiled softly.
"Students!" His voice boomed again. "This year, among many other exciting things which you will soon learn about, Hogwarts has its first transfer student in more than a century. Joining us all the way from the United States, let's all welcome Perseus Jackson to Hogwarts!"
Percy hesitantly stood up after a coaxing elbow from Harry as the students clapped politely for him. He gave an awkward wave and heard several whispering conversations being had around the hall.
"Come, Perseus," Dumbledore waved him forward.
Percy could feel the staring eyes of the entire room as he made his way to Dumbledore.
"Now, have a seat." Dumbledore smiled. "Let's get you a house before we enjoy a nice feast."
Percy obliged and sat down on the small stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head and he had to ignore the urge to jump up when he felt it shift around on his head.
"My, My..." It hummed. "Very interesting, very interesting indeed! Yes, such loyalty... You could do great things in Hufflepuff! But there's more... Yes, oh yes, that's it. I see it now."
Percy unknowingly sucked in a deep breath, surprisingly nervous about his placement. The Sorting Hat paused for a long moment and Percy opened his mouth only to be cut off.
"Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, none louder than Harry who almost jumped from his seat. Professor McGonagall took the Sorting Hat off his head and gave him a very pleased smile.
Percy returned to the Gryffindor table, getting a handful of pats on the back and welcomes as he made his way to his seat.
"This is brilliant!" Harry said excitedly as he sat back down. "I knew you'd end up as a Gryffindor."
Percy just smiled, still not quite sure what being a Gryffindor meant. But he didn't have much of a chance to consider it before Dumbledore spoke again.
"And now," he boomed, "let us eat!" He waved his hand and suddenly the tables were filled with food. Huge dishes of roast beef, roast chicken, stews, puddings and pies littered the tables and the students quickly began to dig in. Percy, realizing how hungry he was, followed suit and filled his plate with an assortment of dinner foods.
Dinner passed in a blur. Percy managed to learn a bit more about school and what life would be like there. Once they'd eaten their fill, he, Harry, Ron and Hermione shuffled towards the back of the room to show Percy the Gryffindor common room and his dorm, when a shrill voice stopped them in their tracks.
"Mr. Jackson," they all turned to see Professor McGonagall standing behind them. "Professor Dumbledore had requested a word with you. He's in his office."
"Okay," Percy nodded, trying not to show his apprehension.
"I'll take him," Harry offered.
"No, Mr. Potter," she replied firmly. "You have unpacking to do."
Harry was noticeably let down but didn't try to protest. He turned to Percy, "We'll see you in the common room when you get back. Come on guys."
"Actually," Professor McGonagall cut in, "Madam Vector is waiting for you in her office, Miss Granger."
"Right," Hermione's eyes widened as she remembered asking to speak to the Arithmancy teacher during dinner. She waved a quick goodbye and scurried towards the exit.
"Come now, Mr. Jackson." McGonagall said as she began walking in the direction Hermione had run off in. Percy shrugged to Harry and Ron then followed after her.
She led him through a long corridor filled with stone statues of gargoyles then up a long flight of circular stairs until stopping in front of another large stone gargoyle. Percy gave her a confused look and a hint of an amused smile crossed her lips.
"Sherbet Lemon." She announced loudly.
Percy was about to say, what, when the gargoyle suddenly began to turn, revealing a set of circular stairs leading up to what he guessed was the headmaster's office.
Percy looked at Professor McGonagall, waiting for her to go in but she shook her head.
"I trust you can manage to not get lost the rest of the way. The headmaster is waiting."
"Oh, okay. Thank you, Professor."
"You're welcome, Mr. Jackson. And welcome to Hogwarts, I'm looking forward to having you with us in Gryffindor."
Percy smiled, remembering Hermione tell him that Professor McGonagall was the head of the Gryffindor house.
She gestured towards the stairs before turning and walking back down the way they'd came. Percy hesitated for a second, the memory of his first encounter with Dumbledore replaying in his mind, before shaking it off and climbing the stairs.
When he reached the top of the steps, he stepped through an large open oak door and ooked around in awe of the large and beautiful circular room. It was filled with a number of curious silver instruments on spindle-legged tables. The walls were filled with large portraits of older men and women, all of whom looked to be sleeping inside their frames.
Literally.
He could see their bodies move as they breathed, a few even eliciting soft snores as they snoozed.
"All the previous headmasters and headmistresses," Dumbledore said with an amused look at Percy's awe. He sat in a big black leather chair behind an enormous claw-footed desk. Behind him, in a huge cage with an open gate, an enormous, brightly colored bird stared down at Percy with dark beady eyes.
Dumbledore noticed Percy's eyes looking behind him and glanced back at the bird.
"That would be Fawkes," he said. "He is a Phoenix. They are remarkable creatures, very rare."
"You wanted to see me?" Percy asked, turning his attention back to the headmaster.
"Yes, of course," Dumbledore smiled and gestured to a chair next to Percy, "I hope you've enjoyed your first night. I'm sure this has been a lot to take in so quickly."
"Yeah," Percy said sitting down, "it's definitely been an interesting few days but it's going okay."
"Good, good." Dumbledore murmured, "I must apologize for pulling you away before you could get better settled but I thought it best we talked first."
Percy waited, wondering what he needed to be told before even unpacking his stuff.
"Have you told Harry or anyone about yourself?" He asked, his meaning quite obvious.
"No," he shook his head. "I mean, not yet. It's not really something you can just announce between dinner and desert."
Dumbledore chuckled at his response before leaning forward and resting his chin on his laced fingers over his desk, his expression turning serious.
"That's good; I think it may be best to keep that to yourself, at least for now."
"Okay," Percy said slowly, "but why?"
Dumbledore leaned back and looked like he was searching for the right way to phrase his reasoning.
"You are very unique, Percy; a child of two worlds, both powerful worlds but also very different. I have never heard of a single other wizard who had the divine blood that runs through your veins. If word were to get out about your unique heritage, I fear it could attract unwanted attention."
"Unwanted attention?" Percy asked, "What kind of attention? You told me Harry would need me but you never said why. What kind of danger is he in and why would it be dangerous for me to tell him, of all people, about me?"
Dumbledore pursed his lips, "That is not as simple a question as it sounds. I wish I had a definitive answer but it's not that easy."
Percy looked disbelievingly at the old wizard. He may not have been the sharpest crayon in the pack but he did know when someone wasn't telling him the truth. Dumbledore saw his doubt and frowned.
"I am not lying to you. There are forces, dark forces that are building their strength even as we speak. Soon, once they are ready, they will return and when they do, Harry will be in incredible danger."
Percy stared at the elder man, searching for a hint of deceit only to find none. He wanted to ask what these dark forces were but could see that the old man either wouldn't or couldn't answer that question. Part of him wanted to demand more answers but something told him Dumbledore was telling him everything he could.
"Alright," he finally said. "So, I'll keep my little secret to myself. But you said Harry would need me but I don't know the first thing about all this magic stuff. I still don't see how I'll be able to help him."
Dumbledore looked like a weight had lifted off his shoulders and smiled at Percy's acceptance.
"No, you don't know about magic, do you? And that is the main reason I asked to speak to you. You have a lot of catching up to do but I think with the right assistance, we can help speed shorten your learning curve."
"Assistance? Do you mean studying? Because that's not going to go well. My dyslexia and ADHD make those pretty much impossible for me."
"Ah," Dumbledore nodded like he expected that, "that's why I've set up a more hands on approach to your teaching."
"Hands on?" Percy raised an eyebrow.
Dumbledore flicked his hand towards the doors to his office. They opened just as Professor McGonagall led a familiar face inside.
"Ah, Miss Granger," Dumbledore smiled, "please, come in."
Hermione looked at Dumbledore, then noticed Percy with surprise, "What..."
"I believe Professor McGonagall asked if you'd be interested in earning some extra credit this semester?" The headmaster asked knowingly.
"Oh, um, well, yes professor..."
"Fantastic!" He clapped his hands together. "I believe you already know our newest student, Perseus; well he is a bit behind for someone his age. I was hoping you'd be willing to help him catch up on some of the curriculum he missed the past few years."
Hermione's eyes widened and she looked at Percy, then back to Dumbledore, before opening her mouth only to find her voice abandoned her.
Percy's eyes flicked back and forth between Dumbledore, Hermione and McGonagall, feeling a little embarrassed that a girl a year or two younger than him was being asked to tutor him, even if it was in a subject that he had no idea existed a week ago.
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione finally managed to say.
"Splendid," Dumbledore beamed, "I've had both of your schedules arranged so that you both have time to work on introducing young Perseus to magic."
"Uh... Okay, Professor." Hermione nodded, still looking unsure of what to say to the surprising task assigned to her.
"Well," Professor McGonagall cut in, "so it's settled. I will fill you both in on the details before you begin your classes tomorrow. Now, Miss Granger, why don't you escort Perseus to Gryffindor tower so you can both get settled in before curfew."
"Yes Ma'am," Hermione nodded and turned towards the door. Percy glanced at Dumbledore, but he had turned his attention to Professor McGonagall, before following Hermione out of the office.
"So," Percy said awkwardly as he followed her down the steps of the tower, "I'm sorry you got stuck doing this. I'm sure you weren't expecting to be stuck teaching me how all this magic stuff works."
"No," she said quickly as they reached the bottom of the steps, "it's fine. I mean, yes... I wasn't expecting it but it's okay."
"Still," he frowned. "I'm sorry you got stuck with me."
She turned her head to hide the tinge of pink that filled her cheeks, "Really, it's fine. Let's just get back to Gryffindor Tower, I'm sure Harry's been bouncing off the walls waiting for you to get back."
"Yeah," Percy sighed and followed as she started to walk again, his mind coming to sobering realization that this place had somehow suddenly become his new home.
A.N: Shaking some of the rust off... Will try to update as often as a I can.