Chapter 20: Percy and the Chocolate Mails

Words: 5,129

Recap: There's something… wrong with me… and I don't even know of what… as if being Dyslexic and ADHD wasn't enough… can't a guy take a break?


"...so I put my whole hand in the wax right? Like a dumbass. The whole class freaked out, my teacher screamed, and I panicked, thinking along the lines of not wanting to get expelled again rather than the burning, numbing feeling I had. So when my teacher asked 'are you okay?', I put on my best 'innocent' look and said, 'Oh this? It's fine, I feel nothing.'

"I take it that's not the only incident throughout the year," Rhea carefully commented.

"More times than I can count."

I drummed my wand at my thigh while the other leg was tapping restlessly on the stone floor. Even as I had no problem retelling one of the classic Young Percy Hijinks, I couldn't keep myself contain from being seated too long but Rhea insisted I stay seated.

"While that's an interesting tale, Percy, but you didn't answer my question."

"Oh yeah… what was it again?"

"How are you?"

"Like being in a vat full of hot wax."

"And do you often feel that way?"

"Err… sometimes?" I answered unsure, "Other times it's like looking over the window and realizing jumping out isn't a good idea halfway falling off the second floor and all I can think of is big oof."

Rhea sighed while massaging her forehead, she shouldn't be surprised by my answer but she is anyway. "I'm always amazed how distracted you heroes can be most of the time."

"That's my secret, Professor, I'm always distracted."

"Getting back on track, can you tell me that you're not fine."

"Well, I wouldn't say that exactly. I mean, I'm used to it so… I don't feel 'not fine' at the moment."

She huffed a laugh before looking back at me behind the tinted glasses, "Percy, you do understand you're making it harder for yourself when you speak everything over nothing."

I groaned, sounding exhausted as I looked, "I know, I know, I'm trying it's just—" every time I try to make up words, my head goes blank because how could you describe the degree of not okay you are that makes sense?

"I know it's hard to be vulnerable with your emotions, but trust me when I say I know what I'm doing. So let's start with basic questions, what pushed you into asking me for help?"

I opened and closed my mouth, the words stuck in my throat, I felt my heart racing like being cornered without my sword on hand. It's not like it's my first time admitting to getting into fights, so why am I so hesitating now?

Rhea noticed this and tried to meet my eyes, "Take your time, son."

The gentle coaxing of her voice made me relax, just a bit. I licked my lips and took a breather, "I… I'm scared…" the words broke out, and I questioned myself if I am? Scared that is? But then I found the word apt to what I'm feeling. "I, I don't know why I'm scared. All the damn time. Is, is it because of Dementors? Is that why I feel like something might crawl out and stab me?"

"There might be a correlation with you being affected more by the Dementors' presence, being a demigod and all."

"Right, right," I nodded absentmindedly, rocking back and forth as my gaze slid to the window that overlooked the Forbidden Forest.

"Percy," Rhea called out. It took another call of my name before she got my attention, "Percy, look at me. You're in my office. Nothing and no one is allowed here until I tell them too. You're safe."

I nodded again, slower this time. My head was still aching from the loud pulse at the back.

Rhea bit her lip, tapping her head in thought before being up on her feet. "Right, how about a change of pace. Let's see how far you've gone with Patronus Spell, do you mind showing me?"

Like I had any choice in the matter. Even so, I was quick on my feet, thinking it was better than talking about how I'm not okay in the head into familiar territory.

"Expecto Patronum," I chanted, thinking of the taste of mom's homemade blue cookies, her soothing voice whenever I was feeling upset, and the salty scent of the sea as we lay on the sand by our cottage.

I opened my eyes and there was a thick coat of light stretching out like a shield before me, gasping in wonder at the sight that it broke my concentration. The light stopped flowing out and slowly diminished like a mist.

Rhea smiled proudly and nodded, "You're getting better."

"Thanks, but why are we doing this again?"

"Because other than the fact you'll need it for the quest, mastering the spell would help put your mind at ease during an episode."

"Seriously? This is about finding my happy place?" I asked skeptically.

"Exactly." She grinned. "This is for your survival as well as to keep your mind all there." Rhea gestured around her head. "The Patronus not only needs extremely happy memories to fuel it but also enough concentration that your mind wouldn't wander elsewhere. Focusing on one memory at a time seems to work out for you."

"Yeah… are we done here then?"

It wasn't the right thing to say with the way she glanced off to Michael, sharing a silent conversation that made me unsure if the lion understood me or not.

Who am I kidding? This is Rhea's lion, of course, he understood me.

As weeks passed and I wasn't getting any better with the spell, the atmosphere around school was starting to get weirder. Midterms were closing in but most of my classmates had similar tale-tell signs no matter which houses they're from. I saw a group of Ravenclaws whispering on the side, Hufflepuff giggling, Gryffindors blushing red as their color, and blatant leering from the Slytherins.

"Guys?" I one day asked my teammates on the field, "Ever noticed anything strange going around here?"

Chris stopped his batting swings, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, I don't know, probably that's why?" I jammed my thumb at the group of girls clambering around at the edge of the field. I locked eyes with one of them and they all looked like they started giggling. "Do I look funny or something? Is my fly down? Is there food stuck on my teeth?"

Chris gawked between me and the girls before doubling over in laughter, "Mate, they're here for you."

"For me?" I turned back to them, and a Gryffindor girl started waving at me. Unsure, I waved back. "What do they want me for?"

"Oh Merlin, I can't believe anyone this oblivious exists!" He said as if it's the most hilarious thing he ever heard.

"I don't get it."

"Why are you two chatting like little girls instead of practicing like I told you to?" Captain shrilly barked out before she glanced at the crowd afar. "Ah, you've met your Fanclub."

"I'm sorry? Fan-what?"

"Captain!" Chris was still struggling to breathe between laughs, "Percy, Percy doesn't know he has fans!"

"I don't have fans!" I strongly denied.

"Sure you do," and Captain, of all people, brushed it off as if it's not weird that my life became a millennial kids cartoon. "Don't you remember the mountain of presents you got after the first game?"

"I thought they were being nice!"

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm pretty sure those girls are stalking— I mean, scouting what to give you for Valentine's day next week."

Huh, it's that time of the year already? That explains a few things. "But why me? It could be for anyone in this team for all we know. Maybe Howey, or Gideon, or even Jerry!"

The Seeker-slash-Catcher eyes jumped out, "Dude, just because I look like one doesn't mean I get any chocolates."

"Don't drag me into this." Gideon raised his hands while Jeremiah sighed.

"If only, I'm still trying to get my mom to stop sending me Valentine's candy."

Captain rolled her eyes, "Trust me, in all my years as a Quidditch player, we've never had fangirls before you came along."

"Oh, come on! I don't remember the last couple of years to be this ridiculous."

"Well, that's because you weren't…" Her eyes glanced up and down before her hands moved around. "...this yet."

"Did... did you just gesture to all of me?"

"Exactly. Alright everyone, stop fooling around and give me 20 laps around the field!"

And with that order, Marlene changed the subject and we were back to practicing for our upcoming match with the Gryffindor Team. My head wasn't in the game the whole time, couldn't stop thinking about the so-called "fans". I mean, there's no way that's true. I spent most of my life as one of those weird, loner kids in school. Sure there are some decent guys I hang out with, and Camp was a better place for me but no chicks ever gave me the time of the day. I can count by one hand the people who were ever interested in me, and two of them dumped me before anything ever happened (I'm still sore about that).

So yeah, being popular boggles my mind. I was thinking they were exaggerating until breakfast came, one day, and an owl I didn't know came swooping down past my plate before a hot pink box clattered onto it. Whoever sent it better be glad I hadn't put my sandwich on it or things would've turned messy.

The first moment it touched down, I jolted out of my seat like I was handed a bomb. Doc took one glance at it before saying, "Your first chocolate, good for you."

"Chocolate?" and then I really took a good look and noticed the blinking hearts on the white ribbon. "Oh, it's Valentine… wait… I got chocolates?"

"Yeah, mate," Gwen said between bites of her bread, "Probably from your fans."

"Yeah. Why are you surprised?" asked Doc.

"Why wouldn't I be? I mean, with my antics and rumors going around. I'm surprised no one is weirded out of me."

"Well," Gwen started, "You've shown you're a terrific flyer and a Quidditch Player. You're fun to talk with, helpful to almost anyone and everyone, cute-"

"You think I'm cute?"

"I'm not giving you chocolate if that's what you're asking."

I would have laughed if not another package touched down on my side of the table. I thought that was it when more and more owls came and delivered Valentine's gifts. Letters, flowers, chocolates, and other assortments of candies. I mean, there are a lot of snacks... Huh. These people know me well.

And since this is a magic school, each gift had its quirks. Some had dove chocolates that flew and chittered annoyingly despite the heartfelt note, letters that kind of blow pink glitter at my face (I think those were more of a prank than anything else), and I already had to burn one of the bouquets sent before it ate one of the owls.

'Right, I can't tell whether most of my adoring 'fans' are naively ignorant or they found this is a good time to mess with me.' I thought, but all those mishaps would have been forgiven if at least one had given me a Double Stuffed Oreos. My head slumped in disappointment from the vacant muggle cookies I would have gobbled up in seconds.

I glanced around and saw the day was going to be troubled. Already there were boys and girls alike being jealous of others with the big pile, some who are satisfied with what they have, with either one or none. James had a mound that rivaled mine. He turned to give my pile a critical glance before smugly showing it off with a puff of his chest, it took everything in me not to roll my eyes.

You'd think that would be the end of it. Ha! But for the rest of the day, I kept getting stopped midway by a group of girls, usually with one of them shyly giving me new boxes of gifts with heart notes on them. I didn't have the heart to say no, and gratefully accepted them with a tight smile before hearing them leave with a gleeful shriek in their wake. My classmates would hoot in the background to my embarrassment. Sev had a deadpan stare like he either couldn't care less or repulsed by how others threw themselves at me, and oddly, Lily was nowhere to be seen.

Thank the gods none tried confessing to me, that would be awkward.

At one point when I had finished with my last class and being on my own, shoving the new pile of sweets in my 'bigger-on-the-inside' leather pouch. "Look at you," An unexpected voice was heard. I turned to find Damien, grinning like a cat got the canary, "Aren't you the Cassanova?"

I glared, "What do you want, Snakehead?"

He raised his hands in surrender, "No reason, I was just passing by when I saw you struggling with that pile of yours."

"Don't you have your own pile to deal with?"

"Not really, I reject all of them. I don't accept gifts without favors."

I looked at him like I couldn't believe what he's saying, "You do know that not everything has to have strings attached?"

"Oh, I know. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury to not look a gift horse in the mouth." I was about to ask what he meant by that when he quickly changed the subject, "Enough about me, any girls tickled your fancy yet?"

"Err, none."

"None? What… Oh!"

"Oh? What oh? Why don't I like that oh?"

"As in oh you shouldn't be ashamed for whichever you swing because let me tell you, I have a list of really cute guys you might be interested in-"

"Stop right there, I have a girlfriend."

"Really?" Now he actually looked shocked, which is, by the way, rude! "Pity, they've been looking forward to good news"

"What good news?"

"Nothing. I gotta say, this is the first I've heard of you going out with that muggle-born?"

"Muggle-born? Seriously, Damien, you've been speaking nonsense."

He frowned, "Isn't Evans your girlfriend?"

I couldn't help it. I barked a laugh so hard, my spleen hurt. "WHAT?! No, no, no, nuh-uh, no way dude. She's like a sister to me, I couldn't possibly date her. Besides, I've already got a girl from across the pond," and across time, I didn't say.

"Well, that's a shocker." Damien looked the part too, which I feel insulted. "Don't get me wrong. It's one thing to have a girl, it's another to be in a long distant relationship, those types don't usually last long."

"Well, Annabeth isn't just anyone. She's the one. I can't imagine life without her."

"Err… you're 13. Aren't you a little too young to be in a committed relationship?"

Oh if only, but I tried to play it off by shrugging. "Hey, once you know, you know, man."

"No I don't, how did you know?"

I was about to retort for him to mind his own business, thinking he was messing with me, but then I was stumped by the seriousness of his gaze that I thought twice. "Um, I just, I just do."

"That makes no sense."

"Look, love doesn't make sense. Why are you even asking?"

He crossed his arm, tilted his head in thought like he's considering. He was in his own thoughts for so long, I was half-way deciding to leave him or not, "Have you ever gotten 'the talk' with your parents or anyone really, telling you one day you're gonna look at someone and have 'urges' you can't explain that draws you to them?"

Not knowing where this was going, I told him uncertainly that yeah I remember the sex ed I had during boarding school. I may not know much when I started learning but had a feeling it was way too TMI for standard material.

"Yeah, well I haven't had any of those 'urges' others seemed to have."

"What do you mean?"

"I meant what I meant. My friends fantasize about wanting to jump on hot girls, they talk like they're losing half their mind, and when they had girlfriends, it's like talking with someone high half the time."

Okay, I've got so many questions. Starting from 'how would you know that?' or 'why are you asking me this?' and ending with 'This is so out of my league.'

So I address one thing at a time, "I'm not sure I'm the best person to talk about this. Shouldn't you… I don't know… confide this… with your parents? Family?"

"Unhelpful. All they said was that I was a late bloomer or I just haven't found the one yet like you seem to have."

"Okay, so why are you telling me all this?"

"Simple, my reputation would be stained if I talked to anyone else. You though won't spread this around to anyone."

"And how would you know that?"

"Because you have genuine principles for some reason, it's adorable."

Urgh, this is why I don't like talking to him. I can't tell whether he's complimenting or insulting me half the time. "Thanks, I think? But still, doesn't mean I'm the right guy to talk about this."

"You said you have a stable relationship with a girl despite being long distance, I thought you'd have better insight."

"Um, well, okay, look Damien. Love and," I can't believe I'm saying this, "Sexual urges are different." I felt my face heated by my words and tried to save as much dignity by not looking away.

"...it is?"

"Yes! And err, I've met lots of kids like you back at the camp I went to in America, and let me tell you what you're feeling may be different from the majority of the populace around but it's completely normal and totally valid to feel differently than others."

"Oh... not that I ask but that's nice to know."

I nodded, "So, so, whether you have any 'urges' or not doesn't decide whether you want to have a relationship or not at all."

Damien was silent in thought for a couple of seconds or more, "But then how would anyone like me know if they want to have a relationship or not?"

"Not sure. I think that's for you to find out for yourself."

"Then how did you know you want to be with this girl of yours?"

Okay, this is getting much too personal. I debated whether to share it with him or not when a thought occurred to me, "What's in it for me?"

Damien was at loss for my words before the slimy grin of his was back, "You're learning. Good. Maybe now you won't get duped next time."

"Better for the devil to owe you rather than for the devil to own you."

"Wise words, young Hufflepuff." He chuckled, "Very well. If you kindly share about your relationship, then I'm willing to give an IOU." He offered his hand and we shook on it. All it needs is a Styx oath and rumbling thunder in the background, and I will really feel like making deals with the devil.

"Right, so Annabeth and I have known each other since I first went to Camp and since I first saw her gold curly hair—"

"Yeah, yeah, skip all the sappy stuff. I'm asking when you realize you fell in love with her."

Oh, gods, I'm regretting this already. "I've had a crush on her since I met her, okay? But realized I was head over heels with her when one seemingly 'normal' day, I saw her curled hair was a mess like she hadn't brushed for days, wearing the same old t-shirt and ripped jeans, stressed out of her mind but still being diligent in one of the most mundane jobs of inspecting cabins, and I thought she was the most beautiful person I know."

I waited for Damien to scoff or mock, or be dazedly confused like he had been before. But the guy was looking pensive instead, "Then what? How did you both decide to start dating?"

"Dude, just because I have a girlfriend, doesn't mean I know how I did it."

"Well, considering I'm not you. What do you think is the best advice you can give me?"

"I don't know!" I almost wanted to throw my hand up, "Be honest! Confess! A relationship is messy, man. You don't always get the answer you want, but you can't start something without letting them know how you feel."

"Then what if she doesn't feel the same way for me? What then?"

My mind went blank, it went a million miles an hour before I decided to spout the no-do lists. "Err… how about just give her the same space you've given her before and not be too overbearing with your affection unless she allows you to." It still felt too inadequate before an idea came over me, "But the most important thing is to let her know you care."

"That sounds contradictional."

"Fancy words or gifts doesn't mean anything in the long run. I've known Annabeth since my first time in camp, so I know having a relationship with her or not doesn't change the fact she's my best friend, so don't let their answer stop you from caring whoever it is."

There, that should be reasonable advice.

"Huh, that's reasonable. I'll take that to heart. Thank you for your time, Jackson." He gave me a grateful pat on the back before he was gone by the next corner.

I watched his shadow go off sight before shaking my head, "What a weirdo," I said to myself before promptly continuing onward for lunch and put the incident at the back of my mind. Hufflepuff had a field book for the weekend after lunch hour so I was quick to get to the field before getting blasted by the head honcho.

Once I arrived, the field was empty saved for Captain flying around in the field alone like her life depended on it. Going through dangerous maneuvers that would have given Professor Sprout a heart attack and an earful lecture from Madam Hooch. From the Dutchman Drop to the Canton Corkscrew. It's one thing for me to do it because I made up moves on the fly that people expected me to risk my life, but Marlene was going all out in her practice.

I wonder why she's on her own.

She noticed my presence and flew back slowly down beside me. Her cheeks flush from exertion and sweating all over. "Geez, Captain. Keep that up and Gryffindor might win by default once you pass out."

Marlene huffed a laugh, "Please, this is nothing for what I do for fun. You should try flying around the Black Lake while trying not to get caught by the giant squid, now that's real training."

I looked at her for a moment or two, "You're not making us do that on the next training regime, right?" Greg might not know how to hold back when he's in a playful mode.

She huffed, "I would have if Madam Hooch hadn't put her foot down, telling me I was being 'unreasonable'."

Good job, Madam Hooch!

"Still... don't work yourself up too much. You need to be both our Chaser and Captain, so give yourself a break for both of your roles."

I thought she would either listen to me or pretend to while shrugging off my words, but she shook her head instead. "I'm still not good enough, if I ever want to go pro I have to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I deserve a place in the team," Marlene said with a conviction as strong as steel, but her lips trembled with slight insecurity. Like a prayer, she's trying to convince herself every day as she walks on this field.

"I'm sure you'll get there."

"That's easy for you to say," she scoffed, so low that I wasn't sure I was meant to hear it. "You know nothing."

"Captain, I don't know anyone who works as hard or crazy about Quidditch than you. The team would be crazy not to let you in."

"And I keep telling YOU KNOW NOTHING!" she suddenly began yelling that I took a step back. Marlene bit her lip, shaking off the rage that slipped guard. "I'm not born talented. Not like you. Not like Sommer with his triple flip while smiling like an idiot or his nimble hands in catching Quaffle. It took me three trials to get me out from being a reserve player and I had to work my butt to get to where I am now. What if I have zero chance because they see me, and see a 'duffer and a 'lowly' muggle-born?" she spat the last part.

It was the first time I've heard her being upfront with her dream. Marlene was never one to share personal while we're in uniform, so to see her let her guard down was… something.

"...but you kept on it anyway," I observed.

"Yeah, I was never good at quitting even when it's hopeless. My mom always told me to never stop fighting the world since the world won't fight for us."

"Your mom got the right idea, Marlene. You got in despite failing because you never stop practicing. I have no doubt you won't take no for an answer and keep on trying until whichever team has no choice but to let you in. If not, then you can bet that me and the team will set them straight in making them see why Ted made you captain."

Marlene wiped the tears away and gave me a nodded smile. But it was more indulgent than anything and there's little I can say that can convince her otherwise.

The rest of our team then came in and our little heart-to-heart ground to a halt, but that's before I saw her smiling so bright, she went easy with the training for the rest of the day. The team didn't know what we're talking about but gave a slight nod of acknowledgment for getting our Captain in a good mood, giving mercy to us all.

"By the way, how many gifts did any of you get?" Mason asked her team once we've finished practice.

I was about to answer when the rest of the boys groaned akin to mourning and I wisely shut my mouth.

"Oh don't even start, Mason. We shouldn't be wasting our time gossiping on who's giving who the goo-goo eyes."

"Captain…" she whined, "Just because you scared off all the other guys doesn't mean none of us can't have our fun outside of Quidditch."

"Oh, gee. Let me think… no!"

"Oh, come on, Em!"

"No. If I had my way, I would ban any of you from having a relationship until we get that Quidditch House Cup. But for now, until you can go toe-to-toe with Jackson, then make sure you take a raincheck on your date. Bad enough that Ted dated a Slytherin," suddenly her note heightened to the point of shrilling, "But if you abominable arse muppets have the audacity to even date any one of our rival teams then I will end you. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

All of us shivered while we went off cowed to the changing room. We barely put our stuff in our lockers before Damien came in uninvited.

Captain's face immediately soured and went onward, looking ready to confront him. "Excuse you, you can't just barge in here, what are you doing?"

"Seeing you," he answered bluntly, his smirk unnerving as it reminded me of the times Damien was planning something convening.

"Well whatever you have to say, you can say that once we won the Quidditch Cup and shove it on your smug face."

"I'll look forward to that," Damien sounded unruffled.

"Then you can get out of our faces, you're not welcome here."

"I know, but I wanted to see you anyway." At this point, the others had perked up from his words, not-so-subtly waiting for the chaos that may ensue. I was more confused as to why he was hereafter talking about—!

No…

No way…

"What do you want?"

"Straight to the point, that's what I always had an ardent admiration for you."

The words he said were casual but bellied the serious gaze fixed to her face that made Marlene unsettled.

"What—"

"Marlene McKinnon, there's little to no words I can say but to express how much I wish to have your consent to be in a relationship with me," he said in such fancy as if to sound impressive (Which admittedly, he did).

Everyone reacted almost predictably. Malone and Chris squealed in excitement as any maiden with a new gossip on hand, Gideon was risking losing his jaw before it turned to an open mouth smile that he wished he had some popcorn to shove in, Jeremiah just didn't give two craps as he looked so done with the scene.

And me?

Thump!

"Perce, what are you doing?" I heard Howey ask as I banged my head to the nearest wall.

"Nothing, just contemplating every decision I've made in my life and regretting them."

Marlene looked like she was still in the middle of a stroke before regaining her strict scowl, "Th, this is, this, you, URGH! I don't know what kind of sick mind games you have but it's not working."

"No tricks. Just wanted to express my undying devotion to you," he said without shame.

Marlene shivered, and I figured there are goosebumps all over her. "Are you out of your mind? After everything you put my and my team through, what on God's green earth makes you think I would even give you the time of the day?"

"A friend of mine suggested that I be honest. So this is me being honest."

Thump!

Another hit in the head as dread came washing over me every second the trainwreck was happening.

"Well, I would like to know who this friend of yours is because he must be insane if he thinks I would willingly spend one iota of a second in your damn presence."

My moan was muffled from my knee, as I had slumped down in defeat. I felt Howey's eyeing me in concern the whole time as I begged the gods knowing it'll fall on deaf ears and Hecate only knows this is out of her jurisdiction.

"I figured, but then we'll get stuck in the status quo and where's the fun in that?"

"Rotting six feet in the ground before spitting back out." Marlene retorted before stepping closer and jammed a wand to his chest, "Get it in your head, Sommer, that there is no universe that I will ever, ever, ever ever want to date you."

To her declaration, Damien stepped closer until they were nose to nose. His smile never once out of place, "Then I'm looking forward to proving you wrong, mink."

The rushing blush on her face would have clued a lot if not for the angry shriek that followed.


AN: I would like to give credit of the Wax Story from the tumblr account donkamatic because that's where my inspiration came from. So, Percy manages to score a favor by our second favorite snake, Damien. Though I made the Valentine Chapter unnecessarily long than it needs to be because there's still a continuation in the next chapter.

You know, if I have a real editor, I'm pretty sure most of my writing would be scrap and the thought shudders me.

Anyway, time for the QRA where I thank you for the luvs and answer your questions.

Aarna rastogi: I did find a published story with that title. Which made me confused because I thought it was a fanfic, so… PJO movie is a failure and needs no comparison. As a musical fan, I can say it's not the best musical out there but I suppose but I do find some songs catchy. Overall, my verdict is it could be better. Hehe, everyone is irritated with Professor Silver when I'm here swiping hands to put something interesting on the table. Glad you thought so.

SilverBlizzard05: I've planned out all 7 acts while considering repercussion. So it's like, I have the structure and bones ready, but I'm writing out the meat and details from the top of my head that I sometimes surprise myself. And yes, it's been 3 years Percy's in Britain, of course, he gets some of their slang.

As for SIlverback... I can't wait to peel off his layers for you all.

I mean, the thing about Percy he's such a swell, lay-back guy that you don't think he's someone who had led a war. Worse still is when his trauma is starting to resurface when he had camp friend magic it away. Why do you think I had an easy time writing Percy? Just like him, I'm going with the flow here hehehe.

Patolemus: it gets worse before it gets better, don't worry (or should you?). Also, you have a voodoo list? And as for Silverback, ooohhh I'm having the time of my life seeing most of you wanting to rage on him when I've only shown the barest of layer of his character.

I am an advocate for therapy so this is a daily reminder to be vocal with your feelings with someone you trust or call a professional if you need help to change into a healthier lifestyle.

Fairy will come back by next chapter, hopefully. Though not in the way you think. Again, thank you for the luv and support.

66buttercup99: Thank you, here it is.

Scl04: Every spell is all about focus. The harder the spell the harder the focus because spells are basically intentions of the wizards being made or affecting the reality around thing about Percy though, is that he has little focus but so much power that oftentimes we get the hilarious mishaps in class from the previous acts. As he learns more difficult spells, he learns more to practice his focus instead of relying on brute force.

I'm happy that you like the dynamic of the class getting better :)) Percy deserves it!

Percy headbutted him because he has a panic attack actually, he tries to act tough so the bullies don't misunderstand he was panicking because he was scared of a couple of brats instead of having a brief flashback. It was the first domino peace that pushes him into seeking Rhea for help if nt for the fact he has class.

And oh... Silverback, Silverback, I can't wait to show you and everyone else his backstory hehehe. Thank you as always for the luv.

123wwww: I didn't even realize I made an Among Us reference XD, I have been watching a lot of funny tiktok of it so it might have been implanted in my subconscious. No, Silverback doesn't have seer power or anything. I hope you enjoyed the Valentine chapter because there's still little more in the next one. Thank you as always for the luv.

Brade1991: Yeah, having a lion that really acts more like a mascot isn't easy to write being present. Especially when Michael only either acts scary or just lay back on the floor like a real cat. wkwkwkw

Oh My Gods1: Dude I have my hands full with this one fic already. I'm suffering. I can't help even if I want to.

Johnsmythe2oo2: Wha- NO! What kind of conspiracy did you get that idea from?

EinfachMia: Thank you very much for the luvs mate :))) I hope you keep enjoying my story.

Avalayn: what is with people reading 70+ chapters in two days?! That's not healthy! Thank you for the luvs by the way. Good thing for you, you didn't wait long for this chap.

Stjinbus: Well I hope you enjoyed reading 2 chapters, thanks as always for the luvs. Don't worry, we all have our days where we burned out of jokes. You'll be up with ideas in no time.

Zoomingaway: #PercyNotOkay, okay? His issues have issues.

Also, what I can say for Rhea is that she never lied throughout the arc.

You know… I don't know where Handy Dandy came from until I realized I quoted Blues Clues from having been my 4-year-old nephew for too long.

Secretly cackles as everyone rips on Silverback hehehe.

#PercyIsTired

Don't worry, Fairy is fairly important next chap.

The Meister7: I'm so happy and touched that you're engrossed with my story so much. Thank you very much for the luv. Lucky for you, I recently finished the latest chapter. I usually either post once every two weeks or once a month, depending on the progress of my chaps.