Chapter 19: A Silver in the Back

Words: 4,478

Recap: The New Year started unexpectedly, not knowing it was the cue for a much bigger picture.


"Repeat after me: Expecto Patronum."

"Expecto Patronum," the whole class recited after Rhea.

"Good, now with your wands up, I want everyone to think of the happiest memory as you chanted the spell. Don't be discouraged if you can't get it in a day, it's a difficult spell for a reason."

The courtyard resounded like there's an out of tune and out of time choir, chorusing the same spell repeatedly. On the first day of DADA, after teaching us the wonders and horrors of intelligent beings such as mermaids and centaurs, we went straight to teaching a new set of spells that included the Patronus charm. As usual, most of them barely manage a slight glow on the tip of their wands. Me, not excluding.

Again and again, I recounted the good memories in my head. But no matter how hard I tried, I was left with but a wisp of light that wouldn't last as long as candles.

"Expecto Patronum!" Gwen cried from beside me to no avail, "Damnit, why is this so hard? Hey, Percy, how are you doing?"

"Not so hot, I can't get this stupid spell to be remotely useful."

Gwen gaped for a while before a grin stretched out on her face, "Everyone, did you hear?! Percy Jackson finally can't do a spell right!" After her declaration, the class collectively paused before exploding.

"What?! Our Percy failed normally?"

"Quick, call Madam Pomfrey! He needs medical attention, stat!"

"Somebody go check out if it's raining frogs!"

"Wait, has anyone checked him for being an imposter yet?"

I rolled my eyes, "Haha, very funny, you guys."

"Children!" Rhea's cry silenced us. Perks of being the favorite teacher in our year, when she took the 'tone', nobody wants to be on her bad side. She acts like my mom, in a way that makes it impossible for anyone not to love her. "Instead of fussing over your friend's work, how about managing your spellwork instead. The room begrudgingly concurred with her words. "And Mister Jackson, would you mind trying that spell for me?"

I didn't think it would make any difference, but I took the appropriate stance anyway. Breathed in. Breathed out. I closed my eyes, concentrating on the good times; the smell of blue cookies my mom likes to bake, the feel of Annabeth's lips during our underwater kiss, the warmth of Hestia's hearth back at Camp that gets hotter and hotter, the clinging grip I had on my girlfriend as we run and run through the darkness, the beating heart of Tartarus echoing around, the stench of death that shrouded us like it could choke us any moment—

BANG!

I hissed at the sting my hand felt. The wand jumped out a foot away from me, shocking everyone in the class. Even Rhea looked wide-eyed between me and the skipping wand before reigning in her composure, "I told you to think of happy thoughts, Mister Jackson, not the opposite."

"Uuh… sorry?"

She shook her head before glancing at the clocktower above, "Oh, look at the time. Class is dismissed, everyone!" She announced. I was in the middle of packing my stuff as the rest when Rhea stopped me, "Mister Jackson, a word?"

I scrunch my nose, trying to recall if I'd done anything to warrant trouble. "Is there a problem, Professor Ops?"

"Oh, no, no problem at all, my dear. I was about to ask you the same thing."

"Me? I'm—" fine, is what I want to say. But that's such a blatant lie that it's not even funny. So I ended up saying, "I'm hanging in there."

"Hmm, I can't say I'm surprised, seeing as it's bleeding into your school life."

I bristled, "That's got nothing to do with my quest."

"No? But your magic says otherwise."

"It's just a spell, why does it matter if I can't get one right?"

"It matters when it's the only spell that can decide your fate."

"What do you— Oh right, you're a seer too."

"Percy," she got up from her teacher's desk and went crouching before me so we'd be eye-to-eye. Her gaze felt she was trying to piece out my thoughts, making me look away. But then she gripped my chin, gentle and soothing that I couldn't, didn't want to fight her off. "You know if there's anything you need from me, you only need to ask."

My first instinct was to snort to her face. Because Ask? To a Titaness? You don't usually do that without expecting a catch or simply elaborate scheme to kill you. But I knew Rhea was different. From the beginning, she has been ridiculously honest (and that's pretty surprising coming from someone who tricked her husband to eat a rock) and she had done nothing but help me throughout the year.

Hesitantly, I nodded. "Thanks for the offer, Rhea. I'll be sure to come if I need it."

Her frown showed she wasn't satisfied with my answer but knew there was nothing said that could change my mind. "Alright, just know that my door is always open whenever you need it."

I tug my head down without a word before heading back to school. Silently huffing all the way. Sure I might not be the sharpest knife in the shed but surely I'm not that helpless. I'm not going to cry over every minor setback. My musing and steps halted, catching the sight of gray-robed individuals by the edge of the Forest. I squinted and figured those must be the Aurors being assigned here.

Before their arrival, we've had a couple of other friendly and not-so-friendly visitors from the Forest, that the students were beginning to feel numb by their unexpected appearances.

On the way to Ancient Ruins—wait, no, I meant Runes. Urgh, typo even in my head. Anyway, on my way there, an uncomfortable mixed sound of laughter and crying and you know that's the sound of trouble, the kind you don't need potions to brew.

I was shocked to find a first-year being levitated upside down, while a familiar set of Slytherins was having fun ransacking his bag. Recognizing them as Sev's housemates, Avery and Mulciber.

"Hey!" Two voices resonated and I turned to find Frank, looking ready to break out the fight. The Gryffindor looked just as surprised to find me here before quickly gaining his bearing. He took out his wand and with a swift, "Finite Incantatem," the first year dropped, luckily not on his head, before scrambling away with the few stuff he could salvage, quickly running out of the ugly situation.

"Aren't any of you ashamed picking on the little guys?" Frank switched his attention back to them.

The short-stack, Avery, rolled his eyes, "Oh great, Skinny Frank is here."

"Beat it, Longbottom!" Mulciber warned him, "Before we try picking on your size."

"Oh yeah? Well… how about you… err… you pick up trash where you belong… please?"

I shook my head at his pitiful display, "What he means is that if you don't run your little butts off or we'll put them with the rest of the trash."

Frank leaned in and whispered, "Thanks."

"No prob, you do the hero talk, I'll do the trash talk."

"Please do."

The muscly Mulciber grew irritated, "What are you wankers whispering about?"

"How to jinx you into balloon animals, at least the air would be put to good use then."

Mulciber growled and started cracking knuckles, "Look like someone needs to be put in his place."

"Please, I've met chicks that'd you wish you could be half as tough. I can take you on with both my hands behind my backmmmppphhhmm—"

Frank had his hand around my mouth, cutting me off, "Hehe, what he means is that we don't want trouble around this hall and wants you to avoid making one unless you don't want either of us reporting this to the teachers," He dryly chuckled. "And Percy, please don't escalate the fight," he whispered in near hysterics.

'Fine, I'll tone it down.' I conveyed with my eyes and Frank let go of my mouth.

But that promise was on the verge of breaking as Avery huffed his next words, "Oh please, that mudblood had it coming."

"You, you shouldn't say that word!" Frank cried. He made a perfect image of a Victorian woman painting, with one hand covering his mouth, looking scandalously as he sounded.

"What? Mudblood? What's wrong with calling people what they are?"

"It, it just is. It's rude!"

"Oh, no, I was rude. Glenn, what have I done? I've been rude! Why didn't you stop me?" Avery faux gasped before doubling over with Mulciber, sharing mocking laughs.

I palmed my face at the lame retort Frank gave before pulling him to the side, "Didn't I say I do the trash-talking?"

"Sorry."

"And look idiots like them are the worst, anything you say would be fodder for these guys, better to just leave them be." I pulled Frank aside and walked out the other way.

"Leaving already, Jackson? I guess you can't expect much from a 'Duffer after all."

"Yeah! We don't need you or your disgusting blood in our world!"

Oh, if only they know what kind of "blood" I have. I made a point to ignore them, but frankly Frank could not let that stand.

"Percy's worth 10 of each of you and any purebloods out there, easy. So don't you talk down my friend like that!"

Aaw, Frank. I'm touched. But you're having a hard time with this 'letting go' thing, mate.

Avery couldn't seem to let slide with Frank's remark, "Careful what you say, Longbottom. Blood-traitor like you and your family are all the same. Keep siding with the enemies and you'll be treated like one."

"Muggles aren't the enemies, Avery. They're… confused people," Frank answered lamely.

"Our lives would have been better without those people."

Okay, this is getting way out of hand. "Alright, that's enough, Frank. And you!" I put on my best death glared pointedly at the short-stack that I relished him stepping back, "I don't know what the hell is your bloody problem. But you've been spouting nonsense about my friend here. Prejudicing people because of who they are and what they believe in even though all of us are facing the same struggle, the same hurdle, and you're giving reason to divide us. The way I see it, you're the blood-traitor." I watched in satisfaction as Avery's face became livid.

Mulciber couldn't stand the insult and edged closer until he was almost upon my face. The bigger kid's sour breath made me want to puke, "I'll curse you a thousand times until you feel nothing but pain. You'll wish you were dead once I'm done with you." Mulciber gave a wicked grin that bared his fang teeth. Sunken eyes of a corpse looked down at him with burning hate that wished nothing of my untimely demise— oh, crap, I'm doing it, am I? I can feel the panic attack building up in my chest, ready to put me in my misery.

But then I thought of the two cocky brats in front of me and I reeeeaaallly don't want them to feel smug about catching me hyperventilating so I headbutted Mulciber on the face and he went down on his butt clutching his bloody nose.

Why was this a good idea again?

"You're gonna pay for that, Jackson!" I heard Mulciber cried like a cheap New Year's trumpet.

I barely paid much attention as I tried to steady my breathing. I gave myself some space and a wand already at hand, a random spell was at the tip of my tongue until I felt a hand holding my wrist, and felt the erratic pulse beneath.

"Percy, hey, calm down." I heard my name called, "Are you okay?"

Oh, is that Gryffindor Frank? Oh, just handy-dandy. A bit on the jumpy side with losing a bit of air and the blood rushing to my head, but it'll pass. Don't worry.

"What seems to be the problem here?" We turned to find Professor Silverback, cross-eyed, and cross-armed.

Every kid around froze, not expecting his presence. Avery took this as a window opportunity and pointed at me. "Professor, thank goodness you're here! Me and Mulciber were minding their own business when these two hooligans decided it'd be fun to hit us!"

"What?! That's not true!" Frank yelled in denial, "They were bullying a first-year and we were trying to stop them!"

"Uh-huh, and I'm Merlin."

"You are?" Mulciber dumbfoundedly asked before getting smacked upside his head by the shorty, and he deserved it.

The Professor examined the situation, gray eyes intense and critical before he opened his mouth, "Fifty points from each of you," he said to… the Slytherins?"

Avery began looking affronted while Mulciber was still in the middle of trying to catch up on what's going on. "Wha- what? What for?!"

"For lying to my face and harassing these two fine boys because it's convenient for you." He raised a warning finger at the two snake members. "Don't try to act dumb next time, Mister Avery, Mister Mulciber. Do you think I don't know what games you're playing? I've been hearing complaints about your behavior constantly these past years so don't think you could pull one over me."

"It's no' fair! They were the ones who threw the first punch!"

"There's no fairness against evilness. You may believe, Mister Avery, you can get away from anything. Well keep in mind there are always people around to stop you. Which reminds me, detention for both of you as well. Now run along since I have class and have no time to hear your excuses."

I watched in glee as Avery huff and puff like a whining child before he took Mulciber away to his next class, getting their just desert for being a couple of pricks. Frank whispered beside me how "cool" the Professor was, and reassured me he's the one professor you could always rely on him not letting any bully get away with only a warning.

"Thanks, Professor Silverback. That was great of you to back us up like that," Frank said, shoulder sagging in great relief.

"Why of course. You don't hear it from me, but I'm glad those little gremlins decided to scurry off." He barked out a laugh before composing himself, "Anyway, don't be afraid to stand up for what's right, just know I'm on your side."

"Thanks, Professor." Frank nodded, grinning before he turned his concern over to me as he took a hold of my shoulder. "Hey, you okay, mate?"

I opened and closed my mouth, deciding what to say. "I'll manage, thanks for that Frank."

Professor Silverback's thick eyebrows lowered in obvious concern, "Mister Jackson, unlike some people, I don't believe those past rumors about you doing Dark Magic, the idea of a Hufflepuff capable of such is preposterous so I know this must be a traumatic experience for you."

I knew he was trying to be comforting but calling that "traumatic" after experiencing the darkest part of the universe, I feel slightly insulted by the claim. I can be dark and edgy too, you know. Though best to run with it, I guess.

"Rest assured. As long as you're in my watch, nothing will happen to you."

"Err, gee, thanks, Professor Silver."

"Consider it a moral obligation to my student, shall we get to class then?"

So Frank parted ways as we arrived together for the Professor's class. I sat between Lils and Sev and felt Wise Guy slumping his shoulder at my arrival.

"Hey, what's a matter?"

"Nothing much, I'm just not looking forward to this class."

Lily raised an eyebrow at this, "You? The guy who cursed himself just to get a year or two ahead from everyone else?"

"You're not letting me off from that anytime soon, aren't you?" We shook our heads disapprovingly at him. Sev sighed, "I just don't like his class, okay? I got this feeling he doesn't like me."

"Sev… are you still mad about the A you got on the last assignment?" I asked.

"I deserve an Outstanding grade instead of a meager Acceptance and he knows it!"

"Dude, it's just one grade. Lightened up. Besides, you're one of the top scores for this class. Teachers always love the top scorers, they're validation that he's not failing at his jobs."

"I guess… but look around, I'm the only Slytherin in this class. The others have dropped out because it was too hard or got caught cheating too many times."

"Well, those guys did cheat, a lot. Professor Silverback did also say almost half of us wouldn't be able to catch up with the syllabus," Lily reasoned.

"You guys don't get it… it's… urgh, I'm just speaking nonsense, alright? I don't know why I'm talking about this."

Sev didn't look like he was satisfied with the conversation, but then the Professor started his lecture and we turned our attention to him. He began discussing more on runic usage on making magical objects and reviewing last week's subject.

"So can anybody tell me about why it's impossible to cross-reference runes from different lineages except with the contemporary wizard runes we have today?"

Sev glanced side to side before raising his hand. Professor Silverback didn't heed him.

"Anyone? Anyone? No one?" He kept asking the class.

Discouraged, Sev pulled down his hand. Thinking he needed a little encouragement, I raised my hand and got Silverback's attention fairly quickly, "Severus knows the answer."

"Ah, yes, so I see. But we all know how brilliant he already is. No sense to stroke a snake's skin, if you know what I mean?"

Uhm, no, Sir. I don't know what you mean. But since others laugh as well, I'll pretend I do.

"A different question then, "How do you hybridize the flux containment of Nordic runes and the transfer network of Egyptian Hieroglyphs... Severus!"

"Ye, yes?" Sev almost jolted out of his seat.

"You like raising your hand, care to answer for the class on this one?"

"Uhm, Sir, but, but that wasn't covered in the textbook."

"Really? How would you know that?" He kept his tone light and neutral, but I frowned at the intensity his gaze seemed to bore on Sev.

"Be, because I read every chapter in that book, Sir."

His eyebrows caught up to his forehead, "Every chapter, you say?"

"Yes," Sev answered more confidently.

"Impressive. In that case—" Professor Silverback flicked his wand then. Sev's book shot away from his desk. My best friend tried and failed to catch it before it flew right into the teacher's gloved hand. "—you don't mind if I get hold of this book, would you? Since you're so, oh, confident and smart, Mister Snape. I'm sure you don't need this with you."

"No! I still need it… err… Sir."

"Really? I thought you understand the materials already?"

"Yes, but Sir-"

"Then there shouldn't be a problem. Honestly, Mister Snape. There's no shame in not knowing the answer. Do you think that as a proud and glorious member of Slytherin, you're physically unable to be mistaken? That'd be presumptuous, wouldn't it?" Silverback still had his airly light tone, like his words are a joke despite the jab he's making. The other students snickered, as a result, making Sev's pale face turn bright red. "Is that why you lied?"

"I didn't lie—!"

"Then I suggest you either answer my question or admit you don't know. It's not that hard, Mister Snape."

Sev trembled in place, his knuckles white on his desk. I was mostly at a loss of how fast the situation got out of hand. I took a hold of his elbow and silently asked him to sit back down and cease the conflict. But he shook off my hand, took his bag, and ran out of class.

"Mister Snape, my class isn't finished. Take one step out of class and it's ten points from Slytherin."

"Like I care!" He cried. If there had been a door to this class, I'm pretty sure Sev would have slammed it by now so instead the tapestry fluttered roughly.

I exchanged a glance with Lily before we agreed in tandem to follow him out, ignoring the teacher's call as we chased after him.

We found him perching on the edge of the viaduct that overlooks the courtyard. His back hunched and face hidden behind his knees. The slight tremble of his figure hinted his true feelings. We each took seats beside him and kept him company.

"I wasn't lying or being a know-it-all. I was just stating a fact. I wasn't wrong. I wasn't wrong!"

"We know, Sev. We know." Lily patted him soothingly.

"Silverback's a jerk. He didn't have to humiliate you like that."

"I wasn't wrong. I'm not wrong." he kept repeating like a broken recorder. I wasn't sure why he was fixated on that part. Like making a mistake was the end of the world for him.

"Severus, you know this doesn't make you a screwup right? Some teachers are like that, it's no big deal."

"Easy for you to say!" He turned his slightly sheened glare at me, "You barely care about school. You never had to work hard for your place here! I studied and studied so no one could deny I belong here. I earn my place and it feels like I still get punished for trying my best."

"I get it, Severus. I do. Trust me when I say that these things won't matter much in the future."

"Easy for you to say. News flash; I'm not you!" Sev got up from his seat and made a run, avoiding us. I saw his arms across his head, looking like he was wiping tears off his face.

My anger for Professor Silverback grew all the more. I wasn't sure what my face looked like as I stomped back from where we came from, but it was enough that Lily drew back before questioning my intention.

"Percy, where are you going?"

"To give him a piece of my mind!"

"Don't!" She came to block me, but I pushed aside her hand without a thought. Lily wasn't so easily dismissed and walked beside me. "You'll get in trouble, he's not like James and his cronies, he's a teacher!"

"The worst he can do is give me detention. Besides, what he did was wrong and someone got to tell him to his face!"

Seeing as Lily couldn't refute anymore, I continued my way to Runes class just as it ended. I waited until the last student trailed away before bursting into it.

Professor Silverback was quick to notice me, "Ah, Mister Jackson, just the man I want to see—"

"What the heck is your problem?" I blew-up on him.

"Pardon?" The Professor had the gall to look perplexed.

"You badgered Severus to the point of crying!"

He squinted his eyes, "He did? Quite a sensitive fellow, your friend."

The careless remark almost made me gaped, "Cut the crap, you owe him an apology!"

Silverback's mood dropped, grimly pressing his lips, "Now that's no way to talk to your elder, young man. I appreciate your genuine concern and protectiveness with your friend, but I did nothing less than my job as a teacher."

"What could justify making one of your students cry from your bad attitude?"

Silverback grew irritated by the second, "I don't need to explain myself. You're a child, Mister Jackson. It might be hard for you to understand but the world isn't cut dry between black and white."

'Scuse me?! Did he seriously lecture me on the duality of humanity? Me? The guy who gave up his knife to my arch-nemesis in the good faith he'd stop a war? This guy?!

"You may have no idea who you're talking to, but I know enough that being shades of gray doesn't excuse your actions."

Silverback smiled on the edge of mockery, "It's good of you to think so, but trust me that what I did was for your best interest."

"What about Sev's? What about his best interest, huh?!"

He said nothing as Silverback patted me on the head as if for comfort, to which I slapped his hand away.

"I'm a child in your eyes, but I'm not an idiot. I can understand words when you give them, you know."

"There are things no words can clarify what experiences can capture."

'Who died and made you Dumbledore?'

But it was clear that he's closing the conversation as he raised his wand, and with a side flick, I found myself back in the middle of the hall, facing a stoned wall where the tapestry leading to the Rune class should be.

"Oi! You can't kick me out like that!"

I tapped on the wall, knocked, banged, and gave one big kick before my whole body tingled in hurt. I bit my lip and muffled the sound of pain that slipped out. Resting my forehead on the wall, I slid tirelessly down before holding my leg, "Owie..."

I kept looking tirelessly down. I wasn't sure if I was focused on my throbbing leg. Then I let gravity pull me down, resting my cheek to the floor, voicing a drawn-out moan as tears threatened to break out.

It wasn't the constant dance with death from the rampant monster attacks that got me stabbed or worse, nor the hateful gazes and hurtful curses were thrown my way, not even because of the pressure the all-seeing grandmas kept pushing unto me. No. It took getting a stubbed toe for me to finally make me snap.

I'm so gods-damned tired.

Gaea could wake right this moment to swallow me up, and I wouldn't care less. I just want to stop feeling things for everything and everyone.

I didn't know how long I was hunched over just staring at the cracks between stones before an idle knight from the paintings looked down, "Alright, mate? You don't look quite spiffy there."

"Buzz off, go lead a crusade or whatever. I don't need you judging!" I snapped.

He lifted his armored hand in surrender before backing away. "I'm going, I'm going. Sheesh, somebody needs therapy," he said before tip-toeing out of sight.

I looked up from the floor at his retreating boots before getting up. My feet had a mind of their own as I retraced the steps taken earlier today.

Rhea stood in the middle of her office, various parchments floated around her as she tried to multitask her paperwork like someone trying to read through files with multiple tabs opened. She noticed me, and paused her work, "Percy, I didn't expect to see you so soon. What's wrong?"

"I…" my throat felt dry and gulped, "I might need help."


AN: Okay mid-exam finish and so does this chapter. Again, another difficult one to tackle but became easier to tackle when recently I've had an incompetent teacher grade me wrong, to the point of failing. And as a nerd and an overachiever, that offends me greatly, especially when she put 30% of my grade on the line. And I know she was incompetent because my friend's more simple answer got an A when mine's more detailed (and guarantee it's correct. I've checked).

So yeah, my anger for teacher is at an all-time high while I wrote this fic.

Also, I remembered Albus said something about having "a pair of thick, woolen socks." during the Mirror of Ereside scene with Harry. Then I realized... did I just accidentally made a headcanon that Albus' greatest desire was to be forgiven by his little brother through a pair of socks that he never gave for every Christmas? Because I wasn't thinking that when I wrote it but damn if I don't accept it.

Time for the QRA, where I thank your luvs and answer your questions.

ultronkenks: No, there's no Triwizard tournament of any kind in Act 4. Doesn't mean I have something as good in mind.

aarna rastogi: Err... dude, I search in google, ao3, and ffn but I can't find your fanfic? For some reason? And I think part of your comment was cut, which is the site you should have posted in (I think). Dude, you gotta help me, I don't know how to read your story. And yes, yes I did listen to the musical. Recently actually, so now I have more musical references to use in the future. Also, I'm so glad you got that reference. The Jar of Dirt is Legendary~ and no one can say otherwise. Thank you for the luvs!

SilverBlizzard05: It's a miracle that Walburga didn't realize she had a shoe chunk on her. I always love every luv given in my review and looking forward to what y'all think in every chapter. You must also hate almost every chapter then because I have a habit to leave off chapters with more questions than answers. wkwkwkw.

scl04: I'm glad Dumbledore Scene was good enough. I wanted to make him still in character but not the seemingly infallible old man. James and Lily was a bit of an extra quest you could say, Circe is the main villain and subject so no, Percy didn't say the extra errand he was given. Percy was never one to be the decision making, that was mostly Annabeth. Usually. He's always the one to fight, trick, or appeal to his enemy but almost never to plan the best course of action with someone he knew he had a hard time reading, not to mention outwit that he can't imagine the consequences of his decision. And yes, Regulus is a whole other can of worm I will have fun exploring in future chapters.

The trio wholesome moment was my way of showing what Hogwarts kids do during the new year because for the life of me, I can't find any New Year at Hogwarts headcannon anywhere so I thought I make one of my own because how you could you not celebrate new year? It's a universal thing. And yes, the Death Eaters are becoming bolder by the year. Thanks for the luvs as always.

123wwww: Really? That's cool. I love to learn more Chinese proverbs. also, somehow the first thing that came up while I wrote this reply is if there's a Chinese witch in Hp' verse who uses leotard guts to make some kind of Brave potion. What's the relevance, you might be wondering? Look forward to the next act for that.

The socks... the socks shall appear if they want to appear. My mind moves in mysterious ways so I don't know what I might write next. (Seriously, I write things on the top of my head, but if I can slip in socks references, then I will but no promises.) Also, Avada Kedavra maybe a forbidden curse but it's not actually an easy spell to do. Unlike swords or guns where it can kill people whether you actually want to or not. A spell is all about intent. And having an intent to kill. A singular want for the other person to die is not a mindset that's easy to achieve. There's a difference between not caring whether the other person to die and wanting them to die.

Thank you for taking your time to share your concern and reading my perspective. Valentine is in the next chapter. And as always, thanks for the luvs.

66buttercup99: Thanks for the luvs and I will :)

tipsyseen: Aaaaawww, happy birthday! It's late but may you have another wonderful and healthy year. I'm glad that my fic can make your day then. Dumbly was hard to write but it was so, so worth it.

zoomingaway: Mommy time? what? You say the weirdest thing sometimes and I love you for it. I get confused by your reaction before rereading my fic, and then laugh when it finally hit me. The crocs comment got me doubled over laughing because YEEEEESSSSS you know the meme. But you make me imagine... imagine a future Dumbly being gifted with crocs he would surely wear it. Because he's the headmaster. and no one can say no to him. The centaurs are currently the Healthy workers in this case then wkwkwkwk. And I feel you for the beard comb pause.

#PercyCan HandleThisBiggieHeThinks

My Beta gave me the Walmart idea, the way you use it makes it ten times worth it. "gO HOME WALMART!" XDXDXDXD. Your insults are the highlights of my day. You are so, so lucky I stopped myself from killing that fairy. I could kill other characters but not even I'm that heartless. Sophia is our best owl girl. Classic Author Move, giving us good feeling before ending with bad news. tsk tsk. Thank you for the luvs and stay healthy as well.

Jose19: To be fair, Snape isn't always bad. I mean... Snape is bad due to various factors, not just James' bullying. He should have known better than to join the 'bad crowd' but he did and he and paid the consequences.

dauntlessofthesea: Yeah, ffn can do that. I'm glad you're back and thanks for the luvs as always.

Patolemus: Because for PLOT! muahahahaa. The thing about privacy is that Percy's privacy has indirectly affected him and the people around him because as you say he has PTSD, but that's the thing. Lily doesn't know that. Which is the main problem. She never met anyone having PTSD and doesn't know how to handle him or help Percy because he doesn't tell her anything. You don't go seeing your friend getting panic attacks and not ask what's wrong. To her, Percy not telling them anything is a sign telling her that Percy doesn't need them to help or they're useless. Secrets is not a healthy thing to keep. Fester misunderstanding faster. It's okay to be mad at her, but I play no favorites and defending all my characters.

Regulus still has a lot of growing up.

The fairy... shall show up again, don't worry.

Thanks for the luvs, stay safe and heathy.

LofftyCloudCreed: Yes, the possibility exist.

Cadmus8: Thank you so much for the luvs. And exactly because of Clarisse that Percy is more mellow. After all, she became from this stubborn bully in his eyes to one of his most trusted and strongest allies. Percy knows people change and grew up, learning not to hold against other people too much unless they threatened to physically harm his friends. Even then, he has anough heart in him to try be understanding. #PercyIsAGoodChild