Chapter 10
Ancient runes was actually pretty easy, all they did was go over the runes that they had learnt over the last couple of years, and the runes meaning just popped into his head when he looked at them, so Percy was able to do his work easily. The first thing they had to do was translate a paragraph of text into English. That in itself was easy. All it was, was a paragraph from the book Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them. It went like this:
Although almost solely responsible for the creation of the Werewolf Register in 1947, he says he is proudest of the Ban on Experimental Breeding, passed in 1965, which effectively prevented the creation of new and untameable monsters within Britain. Mr Scamander's work with the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau led to many research trips abroad, during which he collected information for his worldwide best-seller Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, now in its fifty-second edition.
It translated pretty easily and Percy was finished halfway through the lesson. When they were given homework, Percy knew that he would be finished by tomorrow, if not that night, all depending on how long he could sit still. It was just a couple more translations, an essay on a protection rune, that looked eerily like Omega and they needed to read a couple of books by the next class on Wednesday.
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Next period, when he was waiting for the Defence class to start, he heard the golden trio, a group of students he was told stuck their noses into everything, were talking about homework they got in their classes
"We got so much homework in Runes," Hermione Granger, someone from his Arithmancy class, was saying, "a fifteen inch essay, two translations and I've got to read these by Wednesday!"
"Shame." The redheaded one yawned.
"You wait I bet Snape gives us loads."
As soon as she said this, Snape opened the door and stepped out, as if summoned out by hearing his name.
"Inside." Was all he said, waving them inside the classroom. There were pictures of people twisting in pain, or hurt beyond even the Apollo campers abilities all over the walls.
"I have not asked you to pull your books out," He heard a couple of people put their books away softly. "I wish to speak to you and I want to have your full attention." His gaze slid over all of the students, staying a bit longer on Harry, but when he reached Percy, his gaze stopped just a fraction longer. He quickly moved on to the next student.
"You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe." Said Snape. Wow five teachers. I wonder how the people in this class managed to get to be goodenough to make it this far. "Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if you all manage to keep up with the N.E.W.T. work, which will be much more advanced." Snape started walking around the class, talking in a quiet voice now.
"The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many headed monster, which each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, and indestructible. Your defences," he started talking a little louder, "must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the Arts you seek to undo. These pictures give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the crutiatus curse, feel the dementors kiss or provoke the aggression of the Inferius." He said pointing to multiple pictures along the wall. First was a man crawling along the floor, body bending to unnatural angles, next was someone just staring at nothing. Finally was a bloodstain on the floor, with little scraps of cloth floating around.
"Has an Inferius been seen, then?" said an Asian girl from the back of the class.
"The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past, which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now …" He set off towards his desk, the class watching him as he walked. "… you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of non-verbal spell. What is the advantage of a non-verbal spell?"
Hermione's hand shot into the air, Percy considered the question and put his hand up.
"Ahh, finally, someone else can enlighten us." A few of the Slytherin students chuckled. "Mr Jackson?"
"Well, your opponent has no idea what your about to do. This gives you an advantage over them, even if it's only a small one."
"Well done 20 points to Slytherin. Those who progress to using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this; of course, it is a question of concentration and mind-power which some lack." Percy could have sworn that when Snape said the last part he looked at Harry Potter in particular.
"You will divide into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Since there are an odd number of you I will take one of you to duel myself."
He looked around the class and his eyes settled on Percy. "Mr Jackson, you will come with me."
He groaned in his head "Yes sir."
They walked to the other side of the class were Snape could still see what was going on while duelling with Percy, but not hit anyone with deflected or missed Jinxes. As soon as they got there, Snape turned around sharply and sent a silent curse at Percy. He didn't have any time to react but was pleasantly surprised when he didn't have to do anything. It got to a couple of inches off his chest and flew off in another direction. To say Snape was surprised was an understatement. You could have put quite a few eggs in his mouth before he shook his head and moved on.
"Well done Mr Jackson, I've never seen someone master silent spells so young. But how about you try jinxing me, before we decide you've mastered it." He said with a sneer.
Percy looked into his head to find a spell to cast when he found a 'chest' in the corner of his mind. He immediately opened it and felt a great surge of knowledge. He seemed to know what spells to use and how to use them. He concentrated on the Obscuro spell, wanting to make a blindfold appear over Snapes eyes. When he felt he had enough concentration, he did the wand movement. To his surprise he saw a blindfold fly towards Snape and it almost made it had Snape not cast a shield spell.
"Well done Mr Jackson. I would like to talk to you sometime when you have some spare time; I think the weekend will do. Until then if you would like to stay out of my way that would be appreciated."
"Yes sir."
"Thank you. And ten points for Slytherin for your mastery over non-verbal spells." A few minutes later Hermione managed to do the same, but she was ignored, Harry looked annoyed about that. Pretty soon Snape made his way over to Harry and Ron. Ron was meant to be cursing Harry but he looked closer to having a heart attack the way his face was going purple.
"Pathetic, Weasley." Snape said after watching for a while. "Here – let me show you -" And he turned around and shot a silent curse at Harry.
Straight away, Harry shouted out "Protego." His charm was powerful enough to knock the Professor back into his desk. The whole class was watching now.
"Do you remember me telling you we were practicing non-verbal spells, Potter?"
"Yes." Harry replied.
"Yes, sir."
"There's no need to call me sir, professor." Everyone gasped when Harry said it. Harry obviously didn't like Snape, not that he could blame him, given the way they seemed to act to each other
"Detention," Snapped Snape. "Saturday night. My office. I do not take cheek from anyone Mr Potter … not even the Chosen One."
Shortly after they were off and on to the next class. He heard some of the Gryffindors congratulating Harry on what he said to Snape but Percy just walked away without a word.
Answers to some reviews:
Anonymous: The main reason he's in Slytherin is because the elemental representation of Slytherin is water. As for the Voldemort thing, he's just hoping, right now, that he isn't really evil and it's just a title, but thanks for the advice
Son of Zeus0001: Let's go with your count
1. Most people don't know that Voldemort's last name is Riddle, they wouldn't think that, those who do know are either under instructions by Voldemort or have talked to Dumbledore, and he says not to say anything to the general populace,
2. It doesn't really give a version of cunning, but as I said above, the main reason I put him in Slytherin is because of the elemental representation,
3. Again, it doesn't really give a definition to the smarts, but I also think that if it wasn't for the ADHD and the dyslexia he would be a great student,
4. To be honest, when I was typing that chapter up, I was a bit tired, and I haven't gone back for editing yet, that'll be after I'm finished posting it,
5. That was my first thought to, but It does work out better this way,
6. As I said above, he's just hoping to have one grandparent who isn't evil or dead, so he's ignoring that stuff for now, thinking it might be an inside joke. But no I don't thin this is a flame, though I do like your comparison between Percy and Voldemort
Random Chick's Pen: He won't be totally changing his name (Spoilers there), he will still be Percy Jackson, just add in some hyphens
VictoriaCP2: Just glad you like my story, that idea is a good one, but it won't happen for a while I don't think
Random Chick: I agree I should put a warning on the front, but please remember that this is my first fanfic, I think the chapters will be getting longer though, but I try to update once a week, I only miss if something happens, like a camp or a holiday
And for the things about the sorting, that has been changed, so hopefully it's better.