Chapter 7: I Got Myself a Stick
Words: 4,532
Recap: He pulled back both my hand and the key then the symbol changed from an Omega to a Triton, the symbol of Poseidon. A second later, a vault practically emerge beneath the rocky wall and opened itself, allowing me to witness a jaw breaking scene.
My jaw dropped at the sheer sight of it, mountains of gold coins and treasure I 've never seen, sprawling all over the vault along — pearls, jewels, spears, swords, shields, and even gold sand. I also felt the hum of power resonating around the room, I knew then if I search enough I could find celestial bronze or imperial gold mixed within, maybe even random magical items that I'm not sure what it would do. I couldn't even exaggerate when I thought the place was too small to fill in all these treasures. Which is why the first thing that came out of his mouth was: "Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming."
Either the Head Gringotts couldn't take a joke, or he tried to act funny, he pinched my thigh hard enough to make me yelped.
"Not a dream young Perseus Jackson, all this is rightfully yours." Guffrock gestured to the sea of gold around us. If I have to be perfectly honest, I have no idea how I'll manage this much money. Back home, we had barely got by with mom's various part-time jobs and always living in a small apartment. Any average pay household kid would dream of grand luxury like living in a mansion, getting new stuff, traveling around the world, getting new stuff, eat at a five-star restaurant, getting new stuff. Now though, all the things I put in my bucket list was just nowhere in my memory, as if the sheer amount of money had overwhelmed me.
Who am I kidding, it did overwhelm me.
"Ca...can you arrange the proper amount for me to have to go by for a year?" My voice trembled slightly as I asked Guffrock. I couldn't trust myself with this much amount of money yet. The goblin agreed and put in what I made out a large amount of gold in it.
"Do you want to go with Drachma as well?"
I thought about it for a while and nodded since there's no harm bringing some so I pulled a different pouch and grabbed a fistful of drachmas, maybe it would help when I need to IM someone, just in case of an emergency. Once we were done, Guffrock and I went back past the same track, witnessing the dragon, the Sphinx, and the hydra in reversal. Then all too soon the scenery changed from a rough, rocky mine of the underground bank, to the tidy marble hall where my friends and their parents were all waiting for me.
"Blimey Percy, what took you so long?! We were all getting worried about you" Sev exclaimed first.
I laughed lighthearted to ease the mood a bit. "Chill Sev, my family's vault just happened to be at the very back of the bank, so it took me a while." And it took some time to realize how rich I am, but then again, dad is a god so I should have expected that.
After confirming we all got the money, we all decided it's time to take a few trips around the Alley. Sev had reassured the adults he would lead us where we were supposed to and let the adults sat around one of the cafes around while they had their chat. It was a relief for the three of us not to run around with the adults breathing by our neck, I looked at Petunia, and she didn't seem thrilled nor did she comment on anything since the bank.
"So where do we go first?" Asked Sev. He hasn't said anything with Petunia being with us, but I knew he's trying not to pick a fight.
Me and Lily looked at one another and exchanged a matching grin, we then turned to Sev as we both thought of the same thing, "Wands!"
Sev grinned back. Not surprised by our enthusiastic answer, he pointed out of the nearest shop which you could see a narrow and shabby shop - but let's face it, most shop here are shabby looking - Therein peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window: Diagon Alley's one and only wandmaker shop.
Our group rushed toward the shop, and somehow I, being in the lead, gently opened the shop's door. It was funny if you look at it at another angle how I gotta be so nervous about entering a small shop like this. The shop looked empty with only a small stool at the corner and endless of narrow boxes on the walls and ceilings. The air smelled of dust and mold, and I would figure it had been abandoned for years of not at the middle of the shop was a man sitting quietly on his table as we nervously approach.
"Ah, two young wizards and a witch, ready to buy their wands I see," said a pale old man. "Now who would like to get their wand first?"
The three of us hesitated as we looked at one another then Lily came up to him. "Yes, we would like to buy our wands, please. My name is Lily Evans, this is Severus Snape and Percy Jackson."
"Pleased to meet you three, my name is Garrick Ollivander owner of this shop." He pulled out a tape measure and asked her wand hand. Lily was confused for a bit until she held out her right hand. The tape moved by itself, measuring whatever it was trying to measure and began searching through the box.
"Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance. We use either unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand," He explained to us until he pulled out a box that made his pale eyes shimmered, "Now if you please raise your wand arm up."
Both of us blinked confusingly, but then Sev whispered "dominant arm" so we each lifted our right hand.
Ollivander took one look at each of us then pulled out a box from behind the table that she gave to Lily, "Try this, Oak: 10 Inches with Phoenix feather core, unyielding. Go on, take a swing." Lily unsurely flicked her wand. The whole window crashed, startling us out of our wits that my hand had reached out to Riptide. Mr. Ollivander didn't seem fazed, as if windows spontaneously breaking is an everyday thing. He sturt over and plucked her wand out of her hand, "No, no, obviously not for you."
Yeah, no shit, Sherlock.
He then examined a few boxes before he came over and took out another wand, "How about this, Holly: 11 Inches with Unicorn Hair, flexible." When she took it, Lily was more hesitant in flicking it, but after he calmly urged her. She flicked her wand, but that ended with the wand jumping out of her hand. "Hmm, not even close then..." After another rummaging around one box with another, a small smile crept on him and gave the wand to her. "Willow: 10 ¾ Inches with Dragon Heartstring, swishy."
Lily became even more nervous trying out her next wand, but when she held it, there was a look of realization on her face and draw a satisfied look from Mr. Ollivanders.
"Ah, finally, a good match. That wand would make good use for charms and would help you explore great potential inside you."
Lily blushed at the compliment, slightly shaking her head, "Oh, I'm not that great really compared to Percy and Sev."
"Nonsense, I learn from years of working here that the wands choose the wizard, and the kind of wand they held is telling enough of what kind of wizard they'll be. From what your wand can tell me. You, my Dear, have great potential inside you but only if you work hard will you achieve it."
Lily's cheek became much redder, and Sev lightly bumped her side and gave her a bright smile that showed he agreed with him — making her smile back.
"Who's next?"
I turned to Sev questioningly who shook his head, "I already have a wand, and I've done most of my shopping. Today, my job is mostly to guide you two around."
He smiled through it all, but while Lily pouted that Sev hadn't gone shopping ahead without us two. I smiled sympathetically, knowing he didn't want to show Lily that he was buying used stuff from a pawn shop.
With that cleared, I went up to Ollivander, and I couldn't help but contain the excitement bubbling inside me. It was in one way funny if anyone I knew saw me getting giddy over a piece of a stick when you can just use swords and bows to trample your enemy. But it was a magical piece of stick, and you've got to admit that everyone dreamed of doing magic at least once, even me.
"Dogwood: 10½ Inches with Phoenix Feather core, slightly bendy." I took it, I barely got to hold it, and he grabbed, saying that it had not been for me.
How he knew that I wasn't sure.
"Let's try this, Holley: 13 ¾ Inches with Dragon heartstring, very supple." I took it and gave it a wave, but then the whole building felt it was shaking until he took my wand away once more. Afterward, we tried over a dozen wands, and they either didn't work or made a really exaggerated effect. One had made all the furniture float, another had slipped out and rolled away that almost makes me feel offended, most surprising was one where I hadn't even touch a wand, and it shot out of the window faster than a rocket. We didn't miss the audible pained cry that it hit someone from outside.
The old man even had to search through the wands upstairs with a glee on his face as if early Christmas has come for him at being challenged by a new puzzle piece he hadn't come across and I was that puzzle.
"Don't look so down Percy, you'll find your wand I'm sure." Lily patted my back in encouragement.
"I know, but I feel like any wand would do for me right now, the feeling is just as worse as being dumped by a girl."
Sev snorted at that, "I doubt a girl was ever interested in you Percy. When have you ever got dump?"
I flashed a teasing grin at him, "You'd be surprised how many would want me Sev."
He snorted in response despite how true and bittersweet my words were. There was Calypso who now is together with Leo, Rachel who dumped me for being an oracle when we're not even together and our relationship was mighty confusing, then there's Nico who...honestly I don't get him. All this time I thought he doesn't like me or has some sort (but understandable) grudge against me and that Jerk suddenly said he like me then told me I wasn't his type, I mean Dude! It's like I've been dumped (again) when we aren't even together which was not cool of him. It's like Dumping Percy has become some sort weird game to pass the time.
...You know what? I think it's better he doesn't know. My love life would just be another source to mock me, and I wouldn't blame him for it.
Before long, Ollivander came climbing down with an old wooden antique box with more dust than the usual box he pulled out.
"Ah yes, this is Cedar: 12 Inches with Unicorn hair, unyielding and with peculiar backstory from it, try it, go ahead and wave." he eagerly said. I lacked in enthusiasm since the first three rejected wand, but the moment I held on to it, a wave of warmth spread throughout me and heard the rush of the surf beside me. Ollivander smiled, knowing I had found my very own wand. "Well done! Finally a perfect match, a fine-worthy wand for a worthy warrior, excellent for a duelist."
That peak my interest, "What do you mean a worthy warrior?"
"Yes, you see, your wand core came from medieval times of a unicorn who was saved a boy from being poached, he was knighted by the young age of 13, and was famous even throughout the muggle world. The unicorn itself had broken its horn, so no one suspected the horse as a magical creature. Sadly, the man helped in leading a rebellion against a selfish king and died. That wand you have is one of the few my family had used said unicorn's hair and to my knowledge, chose people with great strength and loyalty. Why even the great knight was named Henry Percy." He said with a chuckle in the end, and both Lily and Sev couldn't help but join at such coincidence. It didn't bother me now that I have a wand, and it felt like getting a new partner. Hope Riptide won't be too jealous.
We then gave him our money for each our wands, but that's before Lily asked if there's a way to take care of our wands. Ollivander looked delighted to explain and gave each of us a book and the tools to polish our wands. It would seem not everyone bothers to take care of their wand or asked him for it, he was delighted enough to give each of us one for free.
"So, where should we go next?"
"I think you guys should buy your robes next, then we can go to Madam Malkin's, where they'll stitch you a new robe, I'll show you the way!" Sev explained. However, after pointing us toward the shop where we not only bought new robes for the next seven years in Hogwarts, including protective gloves from dragonhide, winter cloak, along with the hat. Madam Malkin was a small witch dressed in all mauve, she gave us a warm, welcoming smile. She didn't need to ask what we need since every year she was asked the same thing. She had us stood on a footstool, giving each of us a black robe and pinned it at the right length.
While we were sized for our robes (something I dreaded from how silly they were), we would also have to wear a white shirt, grey sweater, black slack and a charmed tie that would change by color depending on our houses throughout the school year. I was glad the wardrobe was far more reasonable that I would least hope it'd be.
Next was buying the books at Flourish and Botts, few of the things Lily has been more than excited to buy. Sev would have felt the same had he had enough money for it as he eyed a few books longingly. While I do have the ability to read without much of a headache now, I never was that much of a scholar, so I had never thought of being one of those people who lingered long in the bookstore. That was before I saw the books being displayed. Walls and ceiling were covered in shelves that I wouldn't be surprised to find there was a hidden one just behind. There were books as large as paving stone to as small as post stamp, even a book with nothing at all that seemed to goad certain people to try a crack on it if there was a hidden message or not. I know Annabeth would, and possibly Sev.
What caught my attention most were the many outlandish and borderline outrageous book titles got me amused, like:
' Navigating without a Wand '
' Holidays with Hags'
' Wizards are from Mars, Muggles are from Mushrooms'
Or my personal favorite:
'How to tell your pet is trying to kill you.'
"I know the glasses helps my dyslexia, but I don't think I'll be reading much book any time soon," I murmured audibly enough.
"Oh come off it Percy, how could you not want to learn about the magical world?" Lily questioned my unamused behavior.
I held on a laugh, seeing I had witnessed stranger things."I learn best on hand," I replied simply.
Thankfully, most assigned books for Hogwarts had been arranged in bulk, so giving out our year went quickly enough. Sev was searching from a secondhand shop, if I had known how tight he is on money, I would have taken more than I needed to. Though I don't think Sev would want any charity from me out of sheer pride.
"Let's get this over with,"
Next, we went to Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment to buy our scales, telescope, charts, and vials costing 40 Galleons. Afterward was Potage's Cauldron shop to (obviously) buy our cauldrons. Then Scribbulus Writing Equipment to buy parchment, ink, and quills for us to use.
I kept asking if there was any way for me to bring any pens, but Sev insisted that muggle items were forbidden in Hogwarts. I pointed out why wizards can't just charm their quills could stay inked as long as the ink bottle isn't empty so they could write without bringing their ink wherever we go.
Severus thought about it for a while, saying I had a point, his eyes glazed over, his lips moving in whispers, while his mind went off to his own world. Both Lily and I were already familiar with that look of his as he tried to concentrate on something.
Afterward, we went to my least favorite shop, an apothecary where they sold all the potion ingredients. There were barrels of dragon blood, jars filled with dried herbs and plants I can't properly spell let alone name was lining up the walls. Also assorted batwings, mistletoe berries, various innards and (I grimaced) unicorn's horn. I don't think they had appreciated that. (In fact, they sadly never do.) I would have gagged from the smell the first time I came here if I wasn't so used to it from visiting Sev's house all the time. Lily didn't last two seconds before excusing herself for fresh air.
After getting all our main supplies, Sev led us to an Ice cream parlor that recently opened for our break, and we happily obliged. The first time we saw the assortment of flavor posted on it, me and Lily were amazed. I've seen a triple or quadruple scoop of ice cream, but never an octuple scoop. I'm not sure how people could eat that in one cone.
"This is Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, it's new, but most wizards already knew his ice cream as the best." he made us inch closer before our turn at the line and whispered some sort of secret for us. "This is just a rumor, but some said the guy knew everything, and I mean everything even guarded secrets being kept from the ministry."
The rumor was outlandish enough to be unconvincing but it did pique our interest. "I'm guessing no one knew or believed that since he's making money from ice cream." I pointed out. Considering I had found help from beggars, (granted one was immortal, the other was a god in disguise, and there was one who was revived somewhat), I didn't put away the idea of a normal guy like an Ice Cream Vendor Guy could hide many secrets that many would kill for, maybe guarding it considering not many would suspect an Ice Cream Vendor Guy to know anything.
"True, but it makes you wonder what secrets that exist you know, it's the magical world so haven't you wonder what kind of secret they would have?" Lily excitedly whispered.
I frowned a little because I honestly do not want to know any secrets, one of the things you learn in demigod business is that secrets are there for a reason. You don't try finding it without excruciating pain on the way. I held a smile in the end though and agreed, reminiscing what it felt seeing the unknown without knowing the dangers.
I heard Mr. Fortescue cry out for the next customer, and the three of us bought the ice cream. Thankfully Sev let me buy one for him as thanks for showing us around. There were lots of... unique... names for the ice cream and no description for its flavor what so ever. As if we were expected to know what kind of flavor Successful Grades would be, or what Sweet Revenge might taste like.
Damn Wizards and their naming sense...is this karma for making fun of them all the time?!
I thought long and hard until Sev nudged me that I was holding up the line and just thought ' Ah screw it!' and ordered a random flavor called 'Ticklish Treat.'
Turns out that ice cream was literally ticklish. I had a hard time eating at the start so I wouldn't spit it out by accident. Lily, on the other hand, ordered a 'Lava Choc' which was a chocolate ice cream with a piping hot chocolate melt, while Sev got 'Tiny Love' for his flavor. As if he needed ice cream to know what that tasted like.
"By the way, do you guys want to buy any pets?" Sev asked us two. I glanced at Lily, curious if she wanted one and she glanced back at me, probably wondering the same.
"I'm not sure really, Mom and Dad are pretty strict about pets, what about you, Percy?"
"Well, the letter said you could only bring a cat, a toad, or an owl, and I'm not sure of bringing any..." My words were died off as I went into deep tranced for a while, thinking back of that stuck up owl I tried helping.
"Where do you buy an owl anyway?" I decided to ask.
After we finished our ice cream, Sev led us to Eelops Owl Emporium. The place, to my amazement, was filled with hundreds of owls hanging in their cage, both outside and the inside. Now that I think about it since I could talk to horses, I wonder if any of Athena's child could speak to owls? I was lost in thought as I took in the shop's scenery, and ended up bumping into someone, almost falling down in result.
"Ooh I'm so sorry, are you alright Child?" Said the gray-robed man.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I stood up and dusted myself, I looked up at the man, he was a bald man with the strain hair, he wore glasses and small claw mark across his nose.
"Hello, are you here to buy an owl?" he said with a business smile.
"Yeah, what kind of owl do you have?" He then led us around the shop, pointing out the different types and quirks every owl has. My ADHD kicked in, though, so I barely listen half of his lecture until I met eyes with a pair of round eyes that seemed to change colors. Unlike most owls, there wasn't an absolute sharpness in her eyes, but they were fully round as if she was looking at the world full of curiosity. She was the smallest bird I saw around the bunch. She has grey feathers mixed with white ones and a black beak.
"Ah, I see you found one of our rare owls, the Little Owl. A small one but not as small as an Elf Owl, a fast mail carrier if you want, she's also one of the smartest owls I know and a bit territorial so make sure you spend a week with her before you send her on any errands. Her diets mostly include insects and earthworms. Oh, and fun fact for you three, did you know the Little Owl is the animal symbol of one of the Greek gods? Which is why in Latin they are called–"
" Athene noctua," I finished for him. The others looked at me surprised about what I know, and I kept staring at the owl as I hold on to the feather necklace. "How much is she?"
"If you include the cage and the proper tools and food to go with it, it'll cost you 15 Galleons." He turned to my friends, grinning with his business smile. "What about you two? I see you're in two minds in getting an owl, but they do help to send messages other than being fine pets, you know."
Sev declined, saying he doesn't need one while Lily looked conflicted since she wasn't sure about getting a pet but wanting to have more comfortable contact with her parents. Sev then informed her about the school's owlery or letting me lend the owl for her whenever she needed it, and I honestly don't mind.
The Salesman then packed all the necessary items and the cage to the counter, where I gave him the money. My owl was jumping left and right, excited to get out of the shop and I smiled. Lily immediately cooed at my owl, seeing how cute she is while Sev looked passive.
"What are you going to call her Percy?" She asked me.
I thought about it for a while before snapping my fingers at the idea, "Sophia."
Lily smiled, saying it's a beautiful name, while Sev raised an eyebrow at me, probably he caught the meaning in Greek but doesn't know why I named it to her. I never told him I was well-versed with Greek names, so he doesn't know I know what I'm calling her. Nor how I came up with the name in the first place.
The owl hooted at the name as if deeming the name acceptable. I smiled softly at her. "Good to meet you too, Sophia."
After our good shopping spree, we met with Sev and Lily's parents, and Lily began animatedly retold her day around the Diagon Alley. Petunia, who had only been with her parents, looked away but wasn't out of earshot. She had a hard time looking disinterested. The three adults and Petunia then noticed my owl. I made an earful grin as I then introduced Sophia to the others.
AN: Hope you enjoyed it. I hope that Percy not having a special wand isn't disappointing. I thought it'd be refreshing to see a special background rather than a special wand.
Sid. Kush32: Thanks for the compliment. And while Dumbledore himself could be just as powerful as other children of Hecate. I don't know how powerful Dumbledore would be compared to them since I never gotten the chance to buy and read the story about them.
Surprise demigods? Oh I've got something better than just random demigods poping up.
Voldemort should be active by now but the war won't officially start until around the year 1975 I think. He's in the stage of spreading his name, getting attention and causing mayhem. Finally, patient until the Hogwarts chapter.
AACM25: Thanks for the review. And I never gotten around read the short stories so thanks for informing me. Hecate might have lent a hand on that but who knows. And yes I've read anasklumos14's story and it's infuriating how good he/she is and has lots of followers already despite having few chapters published.
Special thanks to guest and colanitre for pointing out my error.
Also to all my new reviewers, again thank you for telling me you to enjoy it and keep it coming ;)