Chapter 4: Another Family Meeting

Words: 3,820

Recap: So I just found out that from now on I'm going have a fairy sidekick, not sure how he'll be helpful. Turns out his helpful enough to detect any hidden monster, and one fight with them caused me aboard the Hogwarts Express Train. My luck just can't get any better.

I gawked at the clock that showed I was way past the train's boarding time. I knew I stayed way past it but I kept the hope that I could somehow caught up to it, but with this much time lag I guess that's wishful thinking now.

"Di immortales, what should I do now?"

"If you don't mind hearing me out Boss," said Ivan appearing next to me once more. I was on the verge of snapping at him if his next words didn't give me a pause, "I have a solution to your problem."

"You have?"

He didn't say anything immediately, "Yes."

"You hesitated."

"Anyway," Ivan continued and ignored me, "Let's go to a roof, hopefully we'll get there in time for this."

"In time for what?" I asked, feeling frustrated at his vagueness.

"Less asking, more moving Boss." Ivan made to fly ahead, more possibly to ignore my questioning and I was forced to follow him. He didn't feel the need to hide himself as the mist possibly made him as a fly or something. He certainly doesn't act different to one.

We climbed out a commercial building through the stairs of the fire escape. It was the first time for me seeing the outline horizon of 70s London, and as panic as I was, I couldn't help but take a second to marvel at the scenery. The London Eye was nowhere to be seen, but in its place was what I learned later on was the Great Wheel. On another side was the Big Ben that showed the time was 11:57. There weren't as many skyscraper yet, being in the past and all. Yet it was breathtaking all the same.

Another second ticked by and I looked back at Ivan, "So, how are we going to go about this?"

"You called out."

"Called out to who, you're not being really clear here Ivan."

"Oh right, sorry, forgot to explain. There's actually a Pegasi flying near our vicinity."

"Wait, really?! What are the odds of that?"

"Statistically the odds are-"

"Save it." I cut him off, "How do you know anyway?"

"My Monster Radar can track more than just monster actually. You should be very grateful for Lord Hermes to think things through."

"Hallelujah Hermes!" I whooped in glee and made out the loudest whistle I could made, not caring for whoever heard and looked up to find the silhouette of a tiny boy at the edge of the roof.

I waited for three seconds more or less, but it felt the longest three seconds of my life as I waited for my possibly my last chance of getting into Hogwarts...oh good gods I can't believe I'm trying this hard to get to school. Time is sure the biggest irony.

Then, I noticed the familiar outline of my favorite kind of my favorite animal. The grin I had grew up a notched when the pegasus grew closer, but I stilled when I found that there was something off about this horse. I just wasn't sure what it was until he was close enough for me to see his features.

First thing I noticed was the color. His coat was rich brown, mottled with red and gold around the muzzle. The wings that expanded twice the normal wings were the colors of gold, white, brown and rust. A combination of color I never imagined on a pegasus. It was only when he landed before me, making a loud neighed and stood in a majestic yet proud way I usually don't see on pegasus since they always bow and appease to me.

My suspicion was confirm when I looked at his honey eyes and said, "You call me Brother?"

Holy!

HOLY FREAKING ZEUS!

Did I just call not a pegasi, but the pegasi?

"You're...you're...why are you here anyway?" I asked my Half-Brother, Pegasus.

"What? Did you think just because I don't show up often that I couldn't stretch my wings and stroll the sky once in awhile. Though this is strange, I was sure Poseidon still had his treaty with his brothers against siring children."

"Yeah...long story short. I'm from the future and the gods doesn't know I exist and I like to keep it that way."

Pegasus had his jaw dropped and was looking like a horse-version in shock and instead of asking more what I meant, he said, "I'd like to ask but I suppose what the gods got themselves in trouble with this time is none of my business."

"Oh you are so lucky you could ignore the gods like that."

His mouth curved into something I suspect was a smirk, but then quickly turned solemn and his gaze hardened as he put himself straight and tall. "You call me in need of my assistance but while I admit, I'm feeling thrilled to find another of my brethren, but I'm not so generous to lower myself to who is less worthy to ride me," he said in a warning tone.

I tensed and had to reprimand myself for thinking things would've gone off easy. I didn't want to fight him though. Not only was he a cool dude and in a weird way was related to me, I didn't have the time wasted trying to rein him in.

However, an idea popped. A long shot but more that probable for it to work. "You want someone worthy? Fine. Then let me introduce myself. My name is Perseus Jackson. Son of Poseidon. Hero of Olympus. The Conqueror of the Labyrinth. The Holder of the Sky. Defeater of Kronos. The Chosen Seven. Survivor of Tartarus." I couldn't help the smirk seeing how at every title I named, he became more and more slack jawed. Hey, he already knew I'm from the future so what's the harm? "So...am I worthy enough for you?"

Pegasus closed his mouth finally and said in audible amazement in his voice, "I could sense that your words aren't false which make it all the more ridiculous how you could possibly be alive at this point."

I shrugged, "Me and you both."

He neighed once more before crouching his leg so his height wasn't towering over me, giving me access to his back. I smiled and looked back at Ivan, "Guess you have more uses than I thought."

Ivan waved his arm and made an exaggerated bow, "Always there to be at service for you," his dim glow bright before he flew back to my watch.

I dashed to Pegasus's side and for a brief moment, I hesitated riding him because...well...he's Pegasus. If Hercules is the Starbucks of the Greek World, Pegasus is the Greek's Mercedes. Every person dream of having but never could. So as much as I'm trying to look passive, you can't blame me for fangirling a bit. Do you even realize how jealous and let down I was when Pegasus came to help Reyna and didn't' even try to say hi to me? Instead I met his sucky twin Chrysaor but not the older cooler twin, what's up with that?

That brief moment passed as I focused back on a train I plan to chase and lifted myself on him.

"A son of Poseidon named Perseus riding me, of the irony."

"That's life for you," I smirked and Pegasus neighed in laughter.

We took off to the sky and I held on tight to his mane as he flew in blinding speed that could rival the Potty Mouth Airon. I could never see how Hazel managed to tame him, much less get along with him.

"Where to my Brother?"

"Follow the Hogwarts Train." With my words as cue, we zoomed the sky and hearing the sonic boom behind. I was glad he had known what I meant and didn't need to point out which way.

Before long, we blazed through the blazing sunlight, even when my eyes watered from the strong wind hitting against me and squinting from the blinding white sun above, I spotted the the train streaking along the train track like a smoking red snake.

London was soon far behind me, replaced by neat green fields that gave way in turn to wide, purplish moors, a great city alive with cars like multicolored ants, villages with tiny toy churches

Pegasus had to slow down so he could follow behind the train and he wasn't amused by the circumstances of holding himself back. We had gone for several uneventful hours and my ADHD would have been a torture if I hadn't had Pegasus to exchange banter, sometimes even showing me flying tricks and going past clouds that got me briefly wet and giving me good view of nature from a box office quality seat. That didn't stop me from wishing I had something to occupy me from boredom.

And as cliche as I sound, I had to say, be careful what you wish for because I certainly got mine.

The first sign something was wrong was the faraway screeched I almost mistaken for the wind. As time gradually ticked, the screeching became louder and high pitch and I groaned aloud at what would ensued.

"Great, more monsters." I took out Riptide and looked back, tensing when I spotted another first timer monster I've seen today. This time it was a plumed, two-legged bright emerald scaled serpentine creature with bright shade of purple wings that reached up around to fifteen feet in height.

It wasn't anything I've ever seen or heard before and was an awe looking monster in a frightening way that I had to wonder why I've never seen it like griffin or minotaur.

"Any idea what that is?" I asked Pegasus.

Pegasus looked disgruntled by its appearance "Occamy, a monster from the wizarding world. You usually find them in the Far East, one most have gone astray."

"You don't sound fond of them."

"Met another once. They stole my nuts. I like my nuts."

I wanted to ask why a meat eating flying snake would want a nut, but decided to put that aside, "Then how about we go hunt ourselves some Occam?"

The loud neighed he made sound agreeable, "Heck yeah, I've been waiting to put them down with my feet!" Pegasus spread his wings and made a U-turn. Ready to face a new monster ahead of us.

. . .

Meanwhile on a certain cart, four Gryffindor boys were chatting as they caught up with each other between the summer they spent away from each other. Remus couldn't help appreciate the presence of his friends. He never thought, oh he hoped though, it was possible for them so tightknit after knowing for a year and he couldn't think of them any less than a family.

"...and then Regulus saw my old snake doll and cried for about an hour at it and all I did was laugh and took picture of him."

"Oh my god, you are a horrible brother," said James between choked laughter.

"I know!"

They laughed out more until Sirius doubled over and rest on Remus' lap. The werewolf was more amused at his friend's antic than the story itself but it was times like this where he shared a part of himself made him wanted and fet his faith with them grew over time.

Now if only he could tell them about his "other" side.

"I'm going to get changed to my robes now," James said, "Anyone want to come with?"

Peter jumped out of his chair in response, and Sirius followed up as well. Remus smiled and shook his head though, telling them that someone need to watch over their seats or it'll get taken by someone else.

So there he was, reading his book while passing the first five minutes in silence. He then caught a glimpse of shadow passing by at the corner of his eyes. Remus thought he had been seeing things until he saw the blurred shadow again and almost missed it.

He looked through the window, but only saw the mix color of bright blue and light orange color, the green plain of the land stretched out through the horizon and the long streak of white clouds. Thinking it was nothing once more, he was about to sit back down.

BLAM!

Until he was startled out of his wits when a brown winged horse and a child who looked awfully like Percy slammed the window. Making Remus yelped and fell to his butt.

It took only a second for them both to regain their balance and flew off once more. They flew up just before the Occamy came at them, resulting another crash of its face to the window and Remus screamed at the close up view of a giants bird headed beast with a serpent body.

The growl it made vibrated the window before it flew up to resume its chase. Remus, as shocked and afraid as he was, couldn't help but stood with shaking knee and came closer to the window. Just to be sure that he wasn't seeing things and gone bonkers.

He was rewarded with a scene of what one could simplify as a beast fight. The Occamy kept flying and twirling itself to try to snapped its mouth on the pegasus from behind, while the pegasus itself was flying out of the way with grace and speed that would make one's jaw drop.

Remus was more in awe at the rider though, who looked at eased at the crazy maneuver the beast made at one another, with one sword at hand. He swung the sword with eased but the sword only seemed to bounce at its scale. The Occamy flipped its tail at them and the rider blocked it with his sword but the force thrown them off. Remus couldn't help but pressed further to the window. As afraid and concern as he was, there was a twinge of excitement seeing a beast fight at first hand like this.

The pegasus quickly flew upright and dodged a quick lunge from the occamy. The flying serpent turned and followed them up as they reached beyond the white clouds above.

Remus stood agape at the serene scene he was watching, way in contrast to the intense battle he had just watched.

The door to his cart opened, and went in were James and and others, fully clothed in their hogwarts robes. Laughing at a joke Sirius seemed to tell. They stopped when they saw Remus looking stunned, "What's wrong Remus? You look like you've seen a beast."

Remus turned to them, mouths flapping like a wish, coherent words were swimming in his mind without a way to let out properly. Instead, he said, "I'm...going to go change now." They look weirdly at him as he dashed out of the cart.

. . .

"Oh how I missed the rush of flying for your life!"

"I thought you disappeared because you're sick of this stuff?"

"I'm sick of the gods and the demigods who think they deserve to be above me. Can't say I never miss a good fight."

"Well...you've lived for centuries so I can't judge you for that."

We dodged another swipe of the thing's razor sharp beak, and I suspect it's not used for berries and nuts and for cutting a person's head instead. The fight was getting increasingly frustrating when I couldn't even scratch its skin.

An idea flashed in my head and I asked Pegasus to fly up.

He asked how high.

I said as high as he can go.

He quickly compiled and I look down to find the occamy followed us persistently. The soft clouds brushed my skin and I felt rejuvenated from the damp atmosphere and fasten the healings of my cuts. We jumped out of the clouds and the occamy was next to us.

"Can you fly by him?"

"Are you crazy? That'd be a suicide mission...I like it."

"So can you?" I questioned again.

Instead of answering, he zoomed toward the monster.

The occamy looked surprise if possible and glared at us as it also zoomed toward us. I tighten the grip of my sword handle. My eyes focused at the approaching monster. It snap its beak open once more, ready to tore my head. Pegasus swerved to the side, inches away from it. My sword sung and cut one of its wings. The occamy screeched high and loud before I watched it descend, uselessly flapping its one wing, down and down past the clouds.

We were both silent as we catched our breath and let the adrenaline inside us fade. I couldn't help but exchange a smile before we continued following behind the magic train.

There weren't anything else to preoccupy our time. Pegasus was getting restless and claimed he could take me to Hogwarts in a manner of seconds, but I said that would raise suspicion of why I came earlier than the others, making Pegasus neigh disgruntledly.

The sky began to darken, and Artemis began replacing her watch on the sky in place of Apollo. The wind began to blew colder and had to resist from shivering. Yet, then I spotted the familiar landmark and couldn't help but grin. "There!" I shouted as I pointed out the silhouetted on the dark horizon, high on the cliff over the lake, stood the many turrets and towers of Hogwarts castle.

Soaring over the dark greenhouses, then the vegetable patch, and then landed over the black lawns. I sighed in relief of finally touching the ground and reached Hogwarts without a single mishap.

Well, almost if you think fighting a giant flying serpent and a trio of dog-person weren't mishap.

"Thanks for the lift Pegasus. I know being a chauffeur isn't your thing, but I'm glad you did anyway."

"Thank nothing to it Percy Jackson, it beats doing nothing all day...However, I must caution you to be careful."

I raised an eyebrow at the out of the blue warning. He should know it isn't necessary since life as a demigod threw caution out of the window. "Why do you say that?"

"The Occamy, while not a very rare beast, is not much seen in the sky of Great Britain and is more prominent in the Far East."

"Are you suggesting that someone used an Occamy to attack me? Not the most surprising news, I tell you that."

"Or preventing you from going to this school. I can't say much of what I don't know but godspeed for you Percy Jackson...for being my half-brother, you're not so bad."

I smirked, "Thanks for the flattery, see you Brother."

Just as Pegasus flew away, I caught a glimpse of the line of first year being ushered to the front gate of the castle. I ran but not too fast that they caught me separated from the other first year. Once they were clearly in sight, I stood at the very back, my height before my growth-spurt didn't alarm anyone. Hagrid might have spotted me if the raised thick eyebrows were any sign, but he didn't say anything. So far, things were going so smoothly, I thought I would pass this whole ordeal without causing problem.

Then Professor McGonagall came with all her stern glory and immediately I looked down to cover my face before she could spot me. More or less, she told the first year to follow her and we did. They all followed like baby ducks to their mother and I was only about to backtrack away when without looking back, she said; "Not you Perseus, you will stay there until I escort the first year to the entrance hall."

I swear I jerked when my name was called like a warning and froze in place as the line of first year deserted me. Leaving me alone at the dank hallway. Seconds ticked by and McGonagall appeared once more, feeling anything but amused. "So, Percy Jackson. Would you like to explain to me how exactly you came lining up with the first years and not with your own?" Her tone suggested she would not accept any nonsense from my part of I don't want to spend the rest of my year with detention. For once I was struck out with words, because how could I explain without mentioning Chihuahua-Man and riding out a pegasus while battling monster through the sky?

Thankfully, I didn't need to as Hagrid appeared and saved me, "Uh, sorry Professor but that would be my fault. I was talking with Percy that he accidentally lost track the rest and I offered him a ride with the firs' year here."

I shot Hagrid a grateful look while McGonagall's long gaze was a skeptical one. She sighed and decided not to push, "Very well then, you should go and return to the Great Hall to sit among your House friends and next time Hagrid, I suggest you don't took a student time and inconveniencing them. So I hope I don't see any repeat from the both you."

""Understood Professor.""

Professor McGonagall turned back to the hall, and I whispered thanks to Hagrid before following her, passing hastily pass the first year before going inside the Great Hall and sat between Grace and Doc, who both looked surprise at my sudden appearance.

"What the heck Percy, where have you been? We thought you weren't going to school for the year," Grace asked worriedly

"Yeah, funny story. Just a bit of a mishap. Coming here. But enough about me, how have you guys been?"

My two friends didn't look at all impressed by my misdirection and would have called me out if not seconds later, the first year hadn't come out to cut their attention off.

The hat sang once more and the sorting began. I was about ready to dodge any question or lie my teeth off when they looked back at me, but cut themselves off when their eyes seemed to not look at me but pass me. Confused as I was, the answer dawned at me when a familiar pair of weight on my shoulder that was gripping at me a little too tight to be friendly.

"Hello, mind if we borrow our friend here?"

"We didn't see him for almost a day and we thought we do some catching up."

I gulped, and let myself be drag away by Severus and Lily who I was too afraid to look at their face because I was sure without a doubt that they were very pissed.

What a great start for the school year.