Chapter 4.0

Percy


Fred and George showed Percy the fantastic experiments they were doing in their room. Percy enthusiastically agreed to help them, and with his potions expertise they began some new experiments. Percy was added to the three way lotto to see who was tested on, and he had to admit it was fun. Even if he sometimes ended up without eyebrows or having magically swollen body parts. The Ton-Tongue Toffee was one of the ones he'd tested, and it was definitely not a pleasant experience. Percy ordered extra ingredients, but they would arrive after they had made it to school.

Fred and George told Percy they had a surprise for him when they made it to Hogwarts. Percy wasn't as nervous as he probably should be about that, but they had seemed genuine when they said it. His presence drastically lowered the amount of failed potions and explosions, and his ability to use cleaning magic was greatly appreciated.

The day they were supposed to leave, Ron asked Percy to pack for him. He'd noticed how Percy had managed to fit all of his clothes in his backpack, leaving only the cauldron to be carried. Percy agreed, but made Ron learn how to do it himself. He fit the things Ron had barely stuffed in with room to spare. Mr. Weasley had several Ministry cars waiting for them, and Percy assumed it was protection for Harry.

They made it to the station without any problems, but Mr. Weasley pulled Harry to the side to speak with him privately. Percy and Ron sat in their usual compartment, and Harry soon joined them.

"He wanted to tell me about Black, and I told him we already knew. I promised to be careful, but none of you seem to get I never go looking for trouble. Trouble always comes to me!" Percy laughed.

"I get that completely." Hermione joined them, and they talked about the new classes they'd chosen. The smiles melted right off their faces when Malfoy walked in, his two grunts behind him.

"Well, look what we have here. Potty the Scarred Wonder, Blood Traitor Weasley, Percy the Petrified Prankster, and their little Mudblood pet." Ron, Harry, and Percy stood at the same time. Hermione pointed at the raggedy man in the chair opposite of them.

"I wouldn't be picking fights with a teacher in the room, Malfoy." She said, her voice calm despite the anger on her face. Malfoy sneered at her, but left.

"I've never seen him before, must be the new Defense Against Dark Arts professor." Said Harry, and Hermione nodded.

"Remus J. Lupin." Said Hermione.

"Do you know him? Asked Ron, and Hermione pointed at his equally rugged briefcase that had his name on it. When the trolley came around, they bought a bunch of candy for the several hour long trip. They talked for a while, before just looking out the window at the rainy landscape.

They dressed into school robes an hour before they arrived, but something happened half an hour before they were meant to arrive. The train came to a sudden stop, and Professor Lupin woke. He sat up, looking at them with golden brown eyes. His silver speckled brown hair was messy, but he was alert. Something about him reminded Percy of the Romans.

Then came the chill. Percy fell into darkness, and screams echoed all around him.


Hermione

A moment after Percy fell screaming to the floor, a chill went over them all. He screamed with such anguish and despair it horrified her. The air got colder, but what made it all worse was the babbling of their bravest friend. Hermione had never heard someone sound as broken, as 'terrified' as he was now. This was not the smiling, cocky Percy they knew. Harry fell as well, but he was silent.

Lupin looked at them with concern, before pulling out his wand. He opened the compartment door, and a tall cloaked figure drifted in. Percy gave another awful scream, and the windows broke. Rain water pooled onto the floor, and Lupin yelled at the creatures.

"None of us are hiding Black under our cloaks!" He roared, and shot something silver at them. They left, but Ron and Hermione were still shaking. Percy had stopped screaming, and Harry woke up.

"Who was screaming?" He asked, sitting up from the puddle of water. Hermione shook her head, and Lupin kneeled in front of him. He took out a massive slab of chocolate, and broke it into pieces with loud snaps.

"Eat it, It'll help." He said in a kind voice, handing them all chunks of chocolate. They did as they were told, and Lupin picked up Percy. He placed their pale, sweaty friend on his side on a seat. He was breathing raggedy, and he occasionally mumbled something.

After a few minutes, he woke up with a start. He whirled to his feet, sword drawn. He backed into a corner, sword held in violently shaking hands. Lupin drew his wand, but Hermione and Ron held his arms. Harry walked forward, hands raised peacefully.

"Percy. Percy. It's me, Harry. You are safe. We're all your friends here." Percy's sword clattered to the floor, and he wobbled. Harry clumsily caught him as he slumped forward. Lupin dashed forward, and helped Harry set him in the seat. Percy's eyes were stormy, and he was cold. He pulled a Gatorade from his pocket, a ghost of one of his trademark grins on his pale face.

"Gatorade, anyone?" He asked, waving the bottle of blue liquid. He then drank it in two big gulps, and looked much better when he sat up straight.

"Sorry about that, Professor. I have no idea what happened. I don't think I can walk, though." Lupin was unwrapping the chocolate again, and he handed him a slab of the treat.

"Uhm, thanks? Are you trying to give me a heart attack or something?" A wry smile crawled across the face of the older man, and Harry sat next to Percy.

"Eat it. Chocolate has healing properties, and is especially helpful against Dementors." Percy lifted the chocolate with hands that shook violently, and nibbled it.

"What's a Dement door?" He asked, now eating the chocolate with gusto.

"A tall, black cloaked being that chills the air when it approaches. It sucks the happiness from anyone nearby, and makes us relive our darkest moments." Percy's eyes widened.

"There are Arai here?!" He yelled, standing. The wild look was back in his eyes, and Hermione pulled him back into the seat. She was alarmed by how easy it was to move her weakened friend. And how cold his arm was, even though the sleeve of his robes.

"Percy calm down. Dry yourself off, you're going to get sick." He nodded, his eyes still haunted. He waved his hand, and the water that covered the people in the compartment slid to the puddle on the floor. He left the water that soaked his robe, though. Lupin raised an eyebrow at that, but was forcing Percy to eat another square of chocolate.

"Young lady, what are the names of these two boys?" He asked, Hermione blinked.

"Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, sir." She said, and he nodded.

"Please ask the conductor to send word to the castle that Harry Potter and Percy Jackson have had a bad reaction to the Dementors." She nodded, and hurried to do so.