Emergency call
"What exactly do you suggest that I buy?" asked Percy to the sales girl at the children toy store in London.
"That would depend, sir." Replied the sales girl. "How old is she?"
Percy looked at the name tag which was pinned on the cream colored blouse of the sales girl. She had of course introduced herself but Percy had not paid attention.
"She turns four today." Said Percy.
"Today!" the sales girl shrieked. "You left shopping for a gift for your daughter till the very last moment?"
Percy was truly surprised by this. Percy had only said that he wanted a gift for a little birthday girl. He had not said anything else. The sales girl had assumed that Percy was buying a gift for his own daughter. From what angle did he look like a person who was a father? Percy did not know and he did not want to find out. Percy decided against enlightening the sales girl but to make it quick.
"Look, Lexie, I'm in a bit of a tight schedule here. So would you mind helping me out?"
"Well," said Lexie, "you could gift her stuffed toy."
"I gave her one for her previous birthday."
"In that case you ought to have one of our new limited addition Barbies." Informed Lexie. "She would love it."
"Shouldn't the gift be something educational?" asked Percy.
"You could buy her a picture book with pictures and information about different animal." Suggested Lexie. "But you did leave buying her a gift until the very last moment, so just a picture book might not be enough."
Percy wasn't sure if this sales girl who looked to be in her late teens could be considered as a good sales girl. Percy did not want to waste his whole day debating about good sales girl techniques.
"Tell you what. Put me one of those Barbie's in a box for me and then add a picture book to it."
Once he got the gift wrapped and convincing the sales girl that he needed no help in choosing the greeting words, Percy made his way to the hotel where his family was staying. His mom Sally Jackson-Blofis was on a book signing tour. How Paul managed to get a time off during exam season was beyond Percy but he was not going to complain or question. His mother had asked him to come by because it was his sister Clara's birthday and the little one wanted her brother to be there for the celebrations. Harry Potter was supposed to be writing exams of his own but Percy had used the mist to escape from having to sit in a room answering the questions to the subject that were never his to be bothered with. To the NEWT student of sixth year at Hogwarts the actual exams were of no consequence but they still were made to write the exams. The only exam Percy had any plans of attending was that of the practical side of the defense exam. Not that he cared for the subject, he didn't but it did give him an opportunity to target Snape. Percy was of the firm belief that the bully named Severus Snape needed to be punished. He would find a way to injure him and get away with it. It was really simple, the man would at some point insult Percy and the hero would get the opportunity to retaliate by having someone else's magic to go awry and injure the foul man.
Percy continued to drive his rental car a simple Honda accord. Thanks to Blackjack, Percy had been able to get his backpack out of the wreckage of the ford car. The backpack surprisingly had been undamaged. Percy attributed it to the backpack being that of god level material. Percy had convinced the car rental company that the car had been stolen. He had even planted evidence to support his theory. Percy had been saved from having to dish out the money for the car. Soon he found himself in the hotel in which his mom was staying. It was a day off for her as she would have a book signing the next day. After getting the vehicle to appropriate parking Percy went to the receptionist desk.
"Welcome to the grand hotel sir. How may I be of assistance?" the receptionist a woman probably in her late twenties greeted.
"Hi, I'm Percy Jackson. Here to meet a Sally Jackson-Blofis." Percy informed the receptionist.
"The writer?" asked the receptionist.
"Yep."
"If you will wait a few minutes sir, I shall check with her to confirm that she is expecting you." told the receptionist.
Percy nodded his head indicating his acceptance.
The receptionist waited for the person at the other end of the phone to pick up as she directed Percy towards a couch but Percy declined the offer and continued to stand.
"Hello ma'am. This is Linda from the reception." Said the receptionist. "Sorry to bother you but there is a man here at the reception wanting to meet you, says his name is Percy Jackson."
The woman nodded her head at something the person on the other end of the phone had said.
"Yes, ma'am, he is tall, with black hair and green eyes, yes. I shall send him up at once."
The receptionist then turned to Percy, "Room number 408, third floor."
"Thank you." Percy said as he turned and walk towards the lift.
"Have a good day sir."
The elevator tune was as inspiring as the ones on the empire state building's elevator to Olympus but Percy was fortunate as he had to only reach the third floor and it did not take too long. Percy got out of the lift and looked both ways and soon spotted the board right in front of him informing him to turn right to reach the room numbered below 412. After walking past four different rooms on either side Percy located the room in which him mom is and knocked on the door.
"Percy!" Greeted Sally, as she opened the door and engulfed her son in a hug.
"Hey mom." Said Percy, "Hey Paul. And where is this birthday girl of ours."
Clara was perched on her father and had buried her face in Paul's chest and refused to look in Percy's direction. Apparently she was shy to meet her brother after a year long gap.
"I still gotta meet the birthday girl. Where is she?" Percy asked with a playful voice. "Mom? Do you see her? If you do, please, tell me where she is, for I have brought her a present and I don't want it to go waste."
"Hey, Clara," tried Paul, "Look it's your big-bro. don't you want to say hello to him. Honey he even got you a present."
Clara turned to and took one look at Percy and then proceeded to bury her face back in her father's chest. Percy saw that his mother looked a bit worried. Clara being away from Percy for almost a year and have only talked to Percy over the phone was a bit shy and probable a bit afraid.
"I don't know what got to her." Said Sally. "she wouldn't stop talking about her big-bro but now she is all shy."
Percy gave his mother a reassuring smile and Paul continued to try and convince his daughter to properly greet her brother.
"I'll just be sitting here and wait for the birthday girl to show up." Percy said as he sat on one the two chairs available in the room.
"My birthday!" declared Clara.
Percy had been looking at his sister all this time and had to smile at her declaration.
"So it is your birthday." Said Percy and found Clara nodding.
"Well then princess, happy birthday to you."
Percy set the rather large gift box on the bed which in the room and Clara was eager to get the gift.
"What do you say when you get a gift?" prompted Paul as he set Clara on the bed but still kept his hold on her until he got the response he wanted from her.
"Thank you big-bro!" Clara obliged and then tried to unwrap the gift. Paul seeing that she was making a mess tried to help but Clara did not like that and voiced her disapproval. Percy walked up to her and offered to help. The girl looked at Percy gauging him and then let him help with gift. Percy saw that Clara found the Barbie more appealing than the picture book. After a while Clara warmed up to Percy and seemed to rediscover her love for her brother. Percy obliged Clara plea to play with her and they set on to play the game of Clara's design which the hero could make neither head nor tail but he went along. Clara even told her stories which Percy really could not understand but the fact that his little sister was not upset meant that the sounds he had made were timely and appropriate. Soon it was lunch time after which came Clara's nape time.
"How have you been Percy?" asked Sally after she had confirmed that her four year old daughter was truly asleep.
"Mostly fine I think. I mean I did put on a bit of weight. Otherwise physically I'm fine." Said Percy.
Both Paul and Sally kept looking at Percy for a few seconds but said nothing else on his physically fine comment.
"So Percy," said Paul. "What exactly have you been doing here in Britain?"
"I told you this before guys. I can't talk about it." Informed Percy. "I have told you more than I should have already."
"You don't exactly seem happy doing whatever it is that you are doing." Pointed out Sally.
"Yeah, it's true that I'm not really comfortable with what I'm doing." Said Percy but before his mother of stepfather could say anything he continued, "but by doing what I'm doing I am saving lives, probably an entire species that I'm saving here. The method is not the right one, it really isn't but the end result is important."
"You always have done what you have felt is right." Stated Sally. "I strongly believe Percy that as long as you follow your heart you cannot be wrong. But Percy, don't forget to use your intelligence when the situation demands."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes happy that they were all there in each other's company when Paul decided to break the silence.
"So Percy, by chance any special lady that you are seeing."
"No, I have no time for dating."
"Didn't find any Brit girl attractive enough?" Asked Sally.
"Mom," said Percy, "I don't have long term plans for Britain trying date someone here is not really a good idea, also I'm like undercover here and they don't really know who I really am. Can't go dating those girls to whom I'm essentially lying to."
"Maybe you should try for some casual dating." Advised Paul, "I mean you-"
"I know what you mean Paul," said Percy cutting him off. "I do have friends who have engaged in casual relationships. Like Malcolm, Will, Connor, Drew, Alyssa and some other I know of have done that. But you see this lady here," Percy pointed towards his mom. "She kinda raised me differently. I don't do casual dating."
What was not really said was that he after having dated Annabeth did not think other girls could measure up. And comparing every girl you meet who shows any romantic interest in you to your dead girlfriend is not exactly a healthy behavior.
"Percy," said Sally, "I would never stop you from doing so. I really want to see my son happy and I know you can show those smiles on your face but there is this emptiness in your eyes Percy. I want you to really smile again. I'm your mother and I want my son to be happy." She gave small pause, "I know one day you will find a girl, a girl who will make you really happy. I pray that such a day should come and it must come as early as possible."
Not the kind of talk about 'find a girl' would be given to every day mortal by their parents but for a demigod to whom you don't know how long a life they would get you tend to put your life on fast track. Demigods tend to find life partner's early. Tend to get married early and also tend to get kids early. The rest of the afternoon was spent with discussing trivial matters. Percy having been away from the mortals for long took this opportunity to discuss the different everyday issues. Paul was all praise for his students he went on to tell Percy about different situations that had taken place at his school, some funny others not so much. Apparently they had a teenage girl who had gotten pregnant and her parents had tried to sue the school, accusing it of not providing with proper sex education and not keeping a close enough watch on students. Sally had enlightened Percy about her new book she even gave him his copy and also an audio-book which was not going to be an immediate release.
Once Clara had been up from her nap it was decided that they would take a small tour of London. Thought they did have plans for a proper tour the day after the book signing they wanted Percy for company. With Percy having a rental car it was used for this trip. No real site see was accomplished but they had, had a good time. They had dinner at seven thirty at a small family restaurant and then headed back to the hotel room. Clara Percy thought should have been tired but she was very much energetic and started bounce around in the hotel room. Percy suggested watching a movie and a simple animation movie was chosen because it had been deemed Clara's favorite.
The movie was half way though when Percy's phone suddenly rang. When Percy looked at the id he saw that it was an emergency call from Penelope, a number which Percy had asked her to call when she was in great need.
"Hello." Said Percy as he received the phone.
"I know you asked me to call only during emergency, " said Penelope over the phone. "This one is."
Paul paused the movie for Percy's benefit but Clara did not appreciate it, not one bit and she vocalized her disapproval.
"Daddy! Movee!"
Percy quickly made his way into the balcony and was truly thankful that the hotel room had one.
"Yes, what is the emergency?" Asked Percy.
"Was that your kid!?" enquired Penelope.
"What kind of emergency is that!?" puzzled Percy.
"No, no, the voice, the voice I heard calling you Daddy. It was your kid, wasn't it?"
"Lyra, what is the emergency? Tell me that." Order Percy.
Penelope did not respond immediately which caused a bit of concern for Percy. 'Was the girl hurt?'
"Penny, are you alright? Are you hurt? Speak girl!"
"No, I'm not hurt or anything." Informed Penelope, "It's just that I have a problem and I don't happen to know what to do about it."
'What's the problem? Don't keep me waiting." Said Percy.
"I burnt down the Malfoy manor." Said Penelope.
"That was a bold move."
"Yeah, well, they had some prisoners. I freed them," informed Penelope.
"And now you don't know what to do with them." guessed Percy. "Tell me Lyra, are there any non-magical amongst them?"
"None really, all are magical mostly pure-bloods I think." Answered Penelope.
"Where are they right now?" enquired Percy.
"In an abandoned ware house in London," said Penelope, "I'm standing outside though, didn't want them eavesdropping on this on phone conversation."
"Look lyra," said Percy, "if there are no non-magical people in them I don't really understand your reason contacting me. The involvement of my department and me in this situation is to be kept-"
"Discrete," said Penelope cutting Percy off. "I know that but I can't just drop them off at St Mungo's. I know that of two supposed healers there are death-eaters and I don't know how many more sympathizers of their cause are there. The ministry is no better they are more interested in capturing me than dealing with the terrorist problem. Some need medical attention especially Mr. Ollivander."
"Ollivander! Why does that name sound familiar?" asked Percy.
"Ollivander is a wand maker Perry. He is the most trusted wand maker in Britain. Almost everyone uses a wand made by him. My first wand was made by him." told Penelope.
"Well, they are zygons and I can't exactly provide them with medical help." Began Percy but Penelope interrupted with a 'please' but Percy did not give her a chance to speak.
"We cannot have them knowing that the secret services are involved in this matter." Said Percy. "As you have said they are pure-bloods and as such they don't understand our concerns and them finding out about our involvement in this case is not a good idea."
"What do you suppose I do?" asked a clearly agitated Penelope over the phone. "One of them is a five year old kid! She doesn't even know where her home is or even if her parents are alive!"
"Calm down Penny." Said Percy, "ok, the hospital of theirs is out, so is their government. But I believe there is someone else. Someone who would be delighted to help people in need, Dumb-door I think his name is."
"Dumbledore." corrected Penelope. Percy had purposefully gotten that name wrong just for the fun of it.
"He is great wizard Perry." Said Penelope. "He would recognize me. I was the head girl and he could end up recognizing me."
"There is no need for you to meet him," assured Percy. "Just drop them those zygons in your care at the entrance of his school or that village that is near that school. Send him a message and then leave. It's that simple."
"Ok, I think that is as good as it can get." Said Penelope. "I'll take them to Hogsmeade and from there the headmaster can take over."
"Lyra," said Percy, "one more thing, get as much information you can get from them especially the wand-maker guy. I want a full report, record it if you can. I'll meet you at your place at let us say two in the morning. I could be late, so don't wait up for me. Get your rest I'll wake you up when I get there."
"Ok, bye." Said Penelope as she hung up.
"Who was that?' asked Sally who had waited till Percy had hung up the phone to come on to the balcony.
"Someone, whom I can't really talk about," said Percy.
It was nine by the time Percy bid his goodbye to his mom and her husband. Clara had been fast asleep when Percy left. He made arrangements for the rental car to be returned to the rental company called on his friend Blackjack who was now fortunately within Britain. He and his girlfriend had found themselves a temporary shelter in the nearby mountains to the Hogwarts School. There was enough grass and water to keep them feed. Percy also had made arrangements to get them other supplies. Percy first made it to Hogwarts after waiting for a time which thought was enough he checked the marauders map. Penelope had done as he had suggested and Percy could find that five people were within the hospital wing. Dumbledore was also there and it seemed that he was talking to the wand-maker. The matron was attending to the other patients. Percy saw that a few others had arrived as well who Percy concluded were the law-enforcement people as Tonks was one of them. Percy avoided talking to Hermione and Ron, he even evaded Neville. It was eleven in the night when the others who were not patients had left the room. Percy waited for another hour before he decided to go and visit Mr. Ollivander. Percy was sure that man had been sedated but Percy needed information. It would not be considered as a good deed but Percy had to do.
"Using the power of Peristrefo Percy woke the wand-maker from his slumber.
"Mr. Ollivander sorry to disturb your sleep, but I find myself in dire need of information." Said Percy.
"Harry Potter," mumbled a sleepy Ollivander, "11 inches holly and a Phoenix core."
"Mr. Ollivander," urged Percy, "I need you to tell me exactly what you had told Dumbledore. I want you to tell me Mr. Ollivander as to why Tom Marvolo Riddle kept you captive."
"Am I dreaming?" asked the wand maker.
"It does not excuse you from answering the question." Percy, if Ollivander believed that this encounter between then was a dream was ready to let the man believe so.
"The dark Lord wanted know," said Ollivander. "He wanted know the connection between the two wands. The wands carried by him and the one carried by you."
"You told him of course." Percy supplied.
"You have to believe me Mr. Potter." Pleaded the old man, he was in tears. "I tried to resist, I truly did."
Percy did not want to diminish the man's chances at recovery so he spoke.
"Don't beat yourself up about it Mr. Ollivander." Said Percy. "Everybody talks, even the most hardened warriors talk, and they talk under torture."
Percy allowed a few seconds for the old man to recover somewhat. The sleep inducing potion was still at work and peristrefo was working to keep the man half awake.
"What exact solution did you give him?" Percy asked.
"He needed to borrow a wand." Informed the wand maker, "all he needs is to borrow a wand."
Percy decided that was all he was going to need from the wand maker. The other important details for him will come from Penelope when he would meet her later. Percy decided to get back the Gryffindor tower and make arrangements for his journey for his meeting with Penelope. He checked the time and it was only one in the morning. He had plenty of time on him. As he left the hospital wing and made his way towards the tower he decide to look is the cost was clear. The best way to do that was to consult the map. So he did so. He saw that the care taker guy was actively stationed near the entrance portrait for the tower. He would have to send him away, but to where, was the question. He scan the whole map to see the ideal place to direct the man but something else caught his attention. From the main entrance of the castle one Severus Snape had just entered the castle.
'Where have you been Mr. greasy?'
Percy observed that instead to going towards the dungeons where his sleep quarters was, the man was heading towards the head masters office. Percy also saw that his usual pace was lacking in the man. Snape was walking slowly. 'Was he trying to be quiet?' that seemed unlikely as no one had their sleeping quarters in those corridors he was using. That could most probably mean that the man was tired or injured. Percy hoped for the later. If the douche-bag was meeting Dumbledore then there was some potential info there. Info which Percy knew Dumbledore was not going to share with him. Percy truly regretted that he had not found a way to bug the headmaster's office. He had been reluctant to do so because the time and energy to listen to and maintain such set up was substantial. Percy had with him the cloak of invisibility given by death. He could hide himself best with it and Dumbledore or any other zygon could not see through it. Yes, when Harry Potter had been using the cloak the zygons with right magic could detect and see through it but with Percy a demigod the strength and power of the material had increased. With peristrefo in place detection even by Dumbledore was not possible.
Percy moved with great speed and reached the entrance of Dumbledore's office. Snape was already in but only just as Percy could see the gargoyle move back to its position of being a guard. Percy with the power of peristrefo pushed aside the gargoyle and entered right after Sanpe but the hero decided not to go into the actual office. The headmaster's office did have its own silencing feature but those were in place down below near the gargoyle not on the wooden door.
"Severus!" said a surprised Dumbledore, "what has happened to you?"
"The dark lord was displeased, very displeased." Snape mumbled.
Percy gathered all his concentration for he did not want to miss anything that was being said.
"The Malfoy manor?" asked Dumbledore.
"Was burnt to the ground." Said Snape. "The dark lord was furious. He tortured us all. He had demanded for the head of the Sorcerer of vengeance."
"Any inkling as to who this Sorcerer is?"
For a few seconds nothing was said so Percy figured that Snape might have shook his head in negative.
"What of Narcissa Malfoy?"
"Was burnt alive trapped inside the manor." Informed Snape. "We might not be able to save Draco. His mother's death might push him over the ledge."
"We must still try." Said Dumbledore.
"You are asking too much from me headmaster." Snape said bitterly.
"You gave me your word Severus." told a calm Dumbledore.
"Tell me Severus," said Dumbledore. "This Sorcerer, what kind of damage has he done to Tom and his band."
"Inexplicable," said Snape. "The damage is enough that it has pushed the dark lord's calendar by at least a year. The number of member the Sorcerer has killed has made the hold that the death-eater had on the ministry to lessen. Many top level and inner circle members have fallen. As many as fifty werewolves have been killed. The unmarked follower base has dwindled. At Malfoy manor thirty witches and wizards have lost their life, burnt alive. "
"How did one wizard get better of thirty witches and wizards? And why have I not learnt of this Sorcerer's exploits before?" asked Dumbledore.
"No one truly had thought of him as much," Said Sanpe. "Not until today was a true stock of things had been taken. Yes, the Sorcerer had been considered a problem before but never had he been perceived as a threat. The Dark Lord wants to personally kill this Sorcerer."
thank you all. see you all next week.