Chapter 8.0

Percy


Professor Babbling was a kind and quiet teacher, and she was incredibly patient. She had looked ecstatic when she heard Percy knew Ancient Greek and Latin already, and that he was actually a native Greek speaker. She told the other students that they were welcome to ask either of them for help at any time, much to Percy's embarrassment. She wrote the Greek alphabet on the board, and the students started copying it down. She had them read the introduction chapter in their books, because the actual chapters were written in the languages they were to learn.

"Can anyone tell me why runic magic works? Or how incantations work in general?" She said, brown eyes sweeping the classroom. Hermione was the only one with a raised hand.

"Yes, Ms. Granger?"

"Incantations work because they describe the wizard's intent, and runic magic works on the same principle." The teacher beamed, and gave her five points. The lesson continued smoothly, and Percy was glad he'd chosen this class.

There would be no prophecy schist, no way was he screwing himself over like that. He wanted nothing to do with the gods' accursed subject. When he saw Harry and Ron in Transfiguration, he knew he'd chosen right. She turned into a cat for Hades sake, and they didn't blink. Percy and the two others who were taking Ancient Runes gave her a round of applause.

"I take it you just had Divination?" She said, and most of the class nodded. She sighed, looking at them.

"So which one of you is going to die this year?" She said, and Harry raised his hand. Percy was up, immediately.

"She foretold your death? Why didn't you tell me?" His hands were shaking, and he knew he was making a scene. The images of Leo, Zoë, Bianca, and Luke were too sharp, too painful for him to care.

"Calm down, Jackson. Professor Trelawney predicts the death of a student each year, it's her way of welcoming a new class." Her voice was scathing, and Percy managed to focus on her.

"She…. She thinks it's a joke?" Percy said, almost growling. His friends looked alarmed, as did most of his classmates.

"She claims to be an Oracle, but jokes like that?" Percy gripped his desk, and a loud CRACK told him he'd broken a chunk of wood.

"I'm going to see Madame Pomfrey, Professor. I don't think I'm able to continue class." He said, and his vision swam. Almost two panic attacks in a single day. He hadn't had a day this bad since the Giant War. He stumbled into the hall, and found his way to the infirmary. Madame Pomfrey opened the door as he scrabbled for the handle, and he promptly passed out. He woke up a moment later, and she was standing over him with her arms on her hips.

"Percy, may I ask why you are here?" she asked, and Percy managed to calm his breathing. Her eyes softened at the sight of him holding back tears, and she kneeled.

"Percy, what happened?" He sat up, sitting on the cold tile.

"I've had a rough day." He said, and let himself be helped up.

"First a godsdamn boggart, and then that Hades accursed Oracle foretold Harry's death. An Oracle foretold it." He said, his voice catching a little. Madame Pomfrey's eyes hardened.

"I'm going to have a talk with her. That was unacceptable." Percy sat on one of the beds, and noticed it was the one by the window he always stayed in.

"Professor Mcgonagall said she's never right, tell me. Has she ever managed to prove she is an Oracle?" Percy remembered Octavian, the teddy bear murderer who hadn't really been a great Oracle.

"No. She hasn't been able to correctly predict anyone's death, and she's been trying for sixteen years. Your friend will be fine." He sighed, and placed his face in his hands.

"I just blew up in front of everyone. Oh Gods, they probably think I'm crazy. Well, I admit I might be, but I disappointed Professor Mcgonagall. I hope they don't think I'm crazy" he said quietly. Madame Pomfrey whacked him with her familiar clipboard, and he looked up.

"I already gave you a full check up. I didn't find anything wrong with your brain, besides it being full of idiotic recklessness. You are not crazy, don't insult my abilities like that." Percy was a little relieved, but knew that was definitely not true. ADHD, dyslexia, PTSD. The three things almost every demigod has.

"You will stay here until dinner, understand? And while you're here, you might as well help me do some menial tasks." She had him rolling cloth bandages and changing bed sheets until dinner. He thanked her, and met his friends as they headed into the Great Hall.

"Hey Percy!"

"You good, mate?"

"Don't worry, I'm not dying yet." Percy smiled as they tried to cheer him up, but what really had him beaming was an unexpected addition to the table: a pot of coffee. He filled his cup, and drank it without even putting sugar in it.

"Oh Gods, it's been so long. Sweet, sweet caffeine." Ron tried some, and gagged at the sugar less black liquid.

"This is what you've been saying is better than tea?!" He spluttered, and Hermione laughed.

"Well, usually people use sugar and cream. I guess Percy was too eager to be bothered by the taste." Harry smirked, and Percy exaggeratedly drank the rest. Malfoy strode over, his usual goons behind him.

"Wow, Jackson. You're skipping an awful lot of class. I heard you fainted on the train, and had to be carried like a baby to the castle." The two lumps of meat behind him guffawed, and Harry and Ron made to stand up. Percy grabbed Harry, and Hermione held onto Ron. A voice from behind made the two boys sit back down.

"Well, well, well." said Fred

"It seems a little snake is picking on our brother." continued George

"Thanks for trying to beat him up, Ron" "We have the best younger brothers in the world." They twirled their wands in unison, and leeks grew out of Malfoy's ears. He and his grunts fled the Great Hall, yelling curses back at them.

"Thanks guys. You really didn't have to do that. He's just angry because I kept that hippogriff from teaching him a lesson in respect." Hermione's eyes lit up.

"Is that what he said?" Percy chuckled.

"He called Malfoy a ferret too." Harry and Ron laughed, but Hermione frowned.

"Hippogriffs eat ferrets, Percy."

"Even better, Hermione."