Chapter 12: The Marauder's First Prank

Words: 6,949

Recap: The first day had passed, and I found out quickly that I am the Neville Longbottom in this story if you've read how bad my skill in magic is….even though I have no idea who he is. We've finally met this year DADA Professor, a woman named Professor Rose Rotwood. A hardcore and interesting teacher she is. There seemed to be some dark rumor surrounding the position of the DADA Teacher, but all that future problem is for my future self's concern.

Today was the day Gryffindors and Slytherins would have their first flying lesson.

So it would be understandable that flying and quidditch were the only things they could talk about throughout this morning. It turns out, quidditch in the wizarding world is the equivalent of soccer for the British and football for the Americans. Most of the kids who came from wizarding family asked each other, what team was their favorites, and recounting the times they use their brooms to soar through the sky or getting into accidents. Even the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws aren't exempt from the conversation.

Like that one incident, a pure-blooded guy named Howard who flew along with a guy with a hang glider once. Then a girl name May said she once took her dog flying, much to her parents' chagrin. Even Doc recounted his own tale of when he went off just flying around the countryside.

Though if you think that's all fine and dandy wait till you listen to the other two houses. I knew the was rivalry going on between them, but to really see them trying to outdo each other's tales was something else. Apparently, a Slytherin once got chased by the cops for thinking he was speeding on a motorcycle, then a Gryffindor admitted of scaring people off in the middle of the night once with a bedsheet and pretending to be a ghost. Even James boasted how he once had a race with a dragon, which I'm calling it now that it is a lot of bull.

In a word, it was all ridiculous.

I tried imagining myself, with a broom under me. The stinging, cold air brushing my cheek as I fly through the thundering blue sky, rain pouring, wood slipping between your fingers and thunder clouds rumbling and-nope, nope, nope. I can't just find myself doing this without getting a panic attack. How they can enjoy themselves while riding on a magic wooden stick with more sticks bound to it in the sky is beyond me.

Give me a Pegasus, and I could outfly any of those smucks right off their faces.

….Damn, now I'm missing Blackjack.

The only few people I know who wasn't just as excited with me was Gwen, and I thought being a muggle-born meant she'd be excited with being able to fly.

"I did feel excited once until my sister ruined all the love I have with flying."

"What did she do? Scared you with accidents stories?"

"Worse." She shuddered, her face was a tad green at the memory, "She pulled me into a joyride once in the middle of the night. She could be... easily excited... and the ride was anything but joyful for me."

I didn't say anything but giving her a comforting pat to her shoulder.

When the rest of the classes were over for today, I had intended to spend the day in the common room, but then a group of Slytherin passed by, reminding me of the early morning talks. I grinned and went on to find my friends before the lesson could start.

"Sev, Lily!"

One Gryffindor and Slytherin turned toward me and waved back before walking over to me. "Percy, what're you doing here?"

"What? Can a guy watch his friends on their first flying lesson?"

Sev looked unimpressed by me, "You're just bored, aren't you?"

I raised my hand in surrender. "Guilty as charged," I chuckled. "Anyway, I shouldn't bother you guys too long, looks like your instructor is here." The two turned to find their teacher indeed arrived and ran back to their group.

When finally the time came around for our Flying Lesson, the two houses went down to the courtyard. Lines of broomsticks were already prepared by the lawn, and we all examined it with awe, particular those who never saw an enchanted broomstick. To me, they were just brooms.

The teacher, Madam Hooch, arrived. She had short, gray hair, and yellow eyes like a hawk.

"Alright, everyone stand by a broomstick," she barked, "Come on, hurry up!" They all moved in haste to get to the nicer brooms. Some of the brooms we ragged, with split ends and scratches all over the wood, indicating its many uses. And some were new and pristine, most likely after replacing the old ones. "Stick out your right hand over your broom," called Madam Hooch at the front, "and say 'Up!'"

"UP!" everyone shouted.

Several brooms shot up to their hand, but some barely got it off the ground, another few had it rolling side to side like a sulk puppy. I chuckled instead of laughing outright at the image.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle - three - two-ONE!"

They kicked off the ground and were all floating without a hitch. Madam Hooch instructed them patiently in a strict manner. And everyone paid much close attention since flying is the most beloved subject of most first years. After going back down, they were then told how they could go higher, how to swerve correctly toward left and right without flinging you off.

I watched how the lesson plays out from over the edge of the castle. Lily looked ecstatic, but her movement was still hesitant, probably afraid of making the wrong move so her broom would occasionally swerve where she didn't want it too. Sev's flying was so-so, but then again, he didn't look like he was trying so more than likely he's just doing enough to pass. Then there's James and Sirius who decided to make an impromptu game tag with one another until Madam Hooch called them out to behave. There's also the mouse looking guy I remembered, Peeta was it? He flew just high enough to say he was hovering rather than flying until both James and Sirius urged him to fly higher much to his chagrin.

I then felt someone's gaze and turned to whoever it was and locked eyes with a curious boy, his face had scars like someone tried to ripped his face before, and underneath his robes were shabby clothes that he didn't try to hide. After he noticed that I was focused on him, he was quick to look away. Shrugging him off, I went back to look at Lily and Sev and waved at them but find myself looking back at the two boys.

Sure, I didn't like them. But you've got to admit that James and Sirus' antics are funny. The fact that I'm ADHD just made it harder for me to focus anything else that isn't remotely interesting for me. Especially with James dangling upside down from his broom.

I was sure glad I did though because when I found Sirius whispering to James and a grin crept up on him that I know too well from the Stoll Brothers, I knew they were looking for trouble. Sirius went up to Madam Hooch, a tactic I knew as a distraction. I saw James pulling out his wand and discreetly aimed it at the group Slytherin.

Only when the hex took effect that I was too late to know who it was for.

Sev's broom began to jerk. He held on tighter in surprise, but his tense movement made it harder to get it in control. The broom jerked again, swiveling left and right until people starting to notice something was wrong. Before Madam Hooch could come up to help, the broom began whisking him away in high-speed, way over the field with no sign of stopping.

I didn't stop to think before I ran off after him, picked up a spare broom on the side, mount it, and flew with just as much as speed to catch up to him. It had been a shock to know I was able to stay more than three seconds in the sky with no ominous smell of the ozone, no thundering sound, not even a crackle of lightning. The fear that had been clutching me all morning instantly lifted. Whether because the Zeus in this timeline hasn't met his cheeky nephew yet or because of the blessings had something to do with it. It doesn't matter.

I ignored the calls of my name as I urged the broom to go faster until the wind began whistling past my ears. It felt almost natural for me since I know the basic "how-to" instructions from years flying with Blackjack, the difference was while there's more trust between us, with brooms you have more control over it instead so you have only yourself to rely on. Surprisingly it felt more like riding a flying motorcycle.

I focused back on Severus who had been thrown off from his broom and was falling down tens of feet away from... mother freaking Gaea!

I leaned forward and aimed my broom, where I could catch him. Inches from meeting Sev, I held out my arm and grabbed him. But the extra weight somehow made it harder for me to control the broom and we swerved down against my will. I tried my best to at least crash properly... only, I don't know how to crash the proper way.

"Hold on, Sev!"

"What do you think I'm doing?!"

Just when the ground was looking dangerously close, I pulled up the broom, slowing out descent until we crashed down and found Sev and I rolling down a steep hill toward thick bushes that helped cushion our fall. We were delirious for a moment, before blinking hard the afterimages.

I took on the view of where we are and frown, it had been past noon, but the place was dark. Most likely because of the tall black trees that covered most of the sky and only a glimmer of light shone through. I groaned quietly for a moment, feeling for any pain on my body besides... everywhere. Nothing seems broken thank the gods.

A loud howl of wolves spread a fear that sunk my heart down, I then quickly got up and help pulled up Sev, his pain was evident from the mournful groan he let out, but he doesn't seem to broke a leg, and I needed him to get up, so I kept urging him.

"Wake up, c'mon get up Sev."

Thankfully he woke up soon after. He groaned and moaned for the first few seconds but stood right after one glance at where we are, his face turned paler than usual before punching my shoulder.

"Ow, what was that for?"

"Why do you have to save me, Percy? Now look where you got us into!"

"Oh. you're welcome Sev, yes I'm okay, thanks for asking." I chirped sarcastically.

Yet Sev ignored me and began pacing around while muttering 'No...no...no, not good...not good...' over and over, turning my frown into one of concern.

"Hey Severus, you okay?"

"Okay? How can I not be okay? We're stuck in the Forbidden Forest, everything is fine and dandy."

"I get the point Sev, it's bad. Let's just hurry and get out of here, problem solved."

My words seemed to horrified and angered him as his eyes glinted dangerously from wishing to strangle me before he decided to whip his hand to the air in an act of exasperation. He then turned back to me with a sickly sweet smile and said, "Percy, why do you think the Forbidden Forest is forbidden in this school?"

I cocked my head, unsure of why the sudden question, "Well obviously, it's dangerous right? I heard there were various monsters here and other magical creatures you don't want to mess with."

"Right. Then remind me again what was your family curse again?"

Curse? What cur...OH, that curse.

"Don't you know already, it cause my family to be...attracted...by...oh." my gaze switched from Sev to a group of creatures up on a hill. The stricken face I had must have warned him and turned, so the two of us were now facing frog-headed creatures with long fangs and red glowing eyes. Their sharp claws and scary look doesn't make them any more friendly, and I doubt they came just to say 'hi.'

Both of us gulped, "This looks bad, doesn't it?"

"You think?" Sev hissed.

Without giving any sign of movement, Sev had his wand out, and I had my hand slipped into my pocket where Riptide was and felt the cool bronze mental on my side.

"What are they?"

"Hodags, nasty creatures. Think of them as the cross between a Frog and a Hyena."

Had it been normal circumstances, I would have laughed at another ridiculous that sounded like a deprived form of hotdogs. "That doesn't make it better Severus, how many do you think there are?

As if to taunt me, more of the Hodags jumped out l, filling the trees and crowding the hill that overlooked us.

"Two dozens or so, do you still have your broom?" I glanced down at the broom I had stubbornly held onto and found it was broken in half and showed it to Sev, "Great, what are we going to do?"

"One thing we can do, we're using the most Classic Plan in all of history."

"Are...are you serious?"

"Deadly, now on three-one…"

Those Hodags doesn't seem keen to let us go as one impatiently jumped out from the crowds, showing off its sharp fangs and claws. I withdrew Riptide and swung it aside, turning the monster into a crumble of sand.

"THREE!"

We turned tail and ran.

Hey, I do not want to fight an army of Frogyena! There are limits of how much I would go down fighting, especially with Sev on tow. I wouldn't be able to concentrate while worrying over him. The growl you couldn't find in any other animals unnerved me more than anything, and I quicken my pace. Even Sev who always had difficulty in physical prowess managed to keep up with me as we weaved through the thick trees. Guess all that running around from monsters with me finally paid off.

The trembling footsteps showed us they were licking our heels, at this rate, we're going we might really have to fight to save ourselves.

"Sev, did you...huff...used a flare spell yet?"

"I would...huff...if I wasn't so busy RUNNING FOR MY LIFE!"

"Then no matter what keep running, I hold off the Hot Dogs while you use the spell."

"It's Hodags Percy."

"Is this really the time to correct names?" One jumped further than others and punched its face with the butt of my sword, "Besides they're gaining on us, and one of us needs to get help."

"But…"

"I'll be fine, trust me!"

Sev bit his lips, considering his options between his panting breath and reluctantly nodded. I turned my heel and greeted one snot-nose with my sword, turning all their hostile intention to me. Two jumped at me, making one meeting intimately with my blade another with my feet. I let my instinct took over, slashing and stabbing whatever comes in reach with my sword. Yet, those Hotwart or whatever had the same ferocity of a Hellhounds and as agile as regular frogs. Believe me, I've chased down frogs before, and those guys could make a run for your money.

I couldn't even keep on slicing them down as I dodged, sidestepped, jabbed, even poking some of them in the eye. The number was beginning to overwhelm me until a jet of red light struck them, causing them to get shocked for me to subdue.

I turned briefly around, Sev had casted his spell on another hill and caught the Hodags attention. Sev didn't seem afraid, he waved his wand to a new spell and cried "Immobulus!"

Just like that the whole flock of them stopped, their eyes went wide and they froze in an unnatural pose like they were all stuck in a mannequin challenge.

I grimly eyed my friend, "How long will that last?"

"With this many? 30 seconds at best."

"Then we better make it count."

Sev nodded in agreement, and so we began turning around, intending to run as far away as possible. However, we missed the few Hodags who were hanging on the trees before hopping down to block our exits. They seem to think Sev as a threat or maybe an easier target if baring their teeth on him were any telling. I stood between the four Hodags, ready to dance with my blade when a sharp, familiar cry of my all-time favorite animal cut through the forest.

The Hodags turned so they would face the same thing as us. Unicorns, three white, horned horses emerged from the clearing. I heard from many tales and legends that there were famous for being a creature of beauty and even seen them a few times in the Roman Camp, I thought they were exaggerating. Seeing them up close showed me how wrong I was… But what else is new? I thought being surrounded with pegasus most of my lifetime and riding them, I wouldn't be swept by awe when I'd see any other horse. While Arion was impressive himself, despite his potty mouth, unicorns are in a whole 'nother league!

The dark shadow of the forest gave the unicorns an ethereal glow surrounding them to their already white form that made pure, fresh snow looked dull grey in comparison, their hooves golden and their horn, though pretty, appeared it could easily stab you clean through, and they wouldn't look any less graceful from it. I kind of understand why little girls are so obsessed with them.

Beautiful and deadly alright.

I can see why the Romans let them roam all over the camp, those horses would inspire great slogan for the female warriors there.

The Hodags began to cower at the sight of them, showing the two of us which one has the higher hierarchy around the forest. Some stayed quivering while most were beginning to take a few steps back, ready to bolt anytime. I thought carefully of the situation and whispered softly to Sev, to which he nodded and made a spark with his wand, followed with a loud bang. Surprising and scaring the Hodags, and turned tail running.

Looking back at them, there was still the many immobile monsters behind, so I dragged Sev toward them, much to his disapproval.

"Percy, are you completely nuts?! If you get any closer to the Unicorns, they either run or trample you!" Despite the panicked in his voice, I gave him a reassuring smile, but I think I just made a smirk instead.

"Trust me, they love me."

Sev gave me the look.

I felt slightly hurt and said so.

The look intensity strengthened drastically.

He should really have more trust in me.

The horses took one look at me, and they gave a short bow, 'My Lord, it is an honor to be in your presence.'

'How may we assist you?' asked another.

While they were giving me praise and bowing, to Sev, they must have looked like they were doing the regular equine sign language to trample someone. Or at least that's what I assume because he started to grumble how in hell he could forget how bad my ideas are. I rolled my eyes and to dispel his worry, I crept up to one of them. Then I gently petted their manes, making Sev's jaw drop. I whispered a quick thank you and that I hope they'll lead us out of the forest.

The unicorn lowered itself for me to quickly jumped to its back then offered my hand to Sev, who looked like I just offered him an exclusive ride in a luxury limousine. What the hell is wrong with him?

Oh right, I guess I've become desensitized to all the weirdness (Yes, I know what desensitized means).

Rolling my eyes once more, I pulled him in and had him sat behind me. He clung to me with a yelp and make sure to tease him later on since I know he'll deny ever yelping. The spell Sev cast had expired, and the Hodags were beginning to move as one once more toward us. With a pat on the side, on cue, the horses began running with speed rivaling the Party Ponies, which means a lot for the record. I felt Sev clung harder around me, and in less than five seconds, the horse stopped on a clearing and lowered themselves down as a sign for us to get off.

'This is as far as we can take you, My Lord. This clearing is free from all hostile creatures, the Groundskeeper should be able to take care of you from here.'

"Thank you, er…"

'Call me Lexus.'

I smiled, "Thanks, Lexus, we'll take it from here."

The horse cried a loud sound that could have reached all the way to school before trotting off back to the forest. Once they were gone, Sev seemed to finally…. well... snap if all the curses broke out from his mouth seemed to indicate. Man, his old man sure passed down some of his bad habits.

"What in the damned hells was that? That shouldn't have been freaking possible! Unicorns aren't just supposed to come out of blasted nowhere and just randomly help people! Especially not goddamn guys!" He then whipped his head at me. Stormed up and poked my chest accusingly with his finger, glaring me with his signature mad gaze he likes to reserve for his father. "What the goddamn hell did you do Percy?"

"Why are you asking me for?"

"I don't know how you did it, but I do damn well know you have something to do with it. So start opening your..." Sev started to pick up words that would make Arion proud, and for the sake of kids reading this story, I have decided to omit. "...your mouth and start bloody talking!"

"First of all, Sev, you really should try washing your mouth after this. Second...I...err..." Okay, I was hoping I would come up with an excuse by the end of his rant, but clearly, I got nothing.

Sev scrutinized my fumbling and looked like he would have ranted more if the sudden rustling hadn't alerted us. We simultaneously turned, pen and wand out at the rustling and bustling bushes where then emerged the big tall shadow coming toward us. The two of us would have been ready for whatever it was until the light shone on him, revealing the familiar giant man that I recognized from the first day.

"Yeh kids all righ'?" said the soft-spoken tone of a giant man towering us. Sev felt like being doused with cold water from seeing his figure, his knee buckled and fumbled down to the ground and we both breathed out the tense air we've been holding on.

"Thank Hades someone finally came!"

"Yer lucky someone did, yeh kids could bin hurt or wors' if yeh stayed any longe' here. Good thin' I heard the Unico'n cry! I thought they were getting hurt till I saw yeh er two of yer," said the giant man as he waved around his...pink umbrella? The large hairy man then crouched down and looked over us, probably examining for any injuries before asking it himself. Thankfully, we didn't get hurt that much, and the man pulled us up to our feet so he could guide us out of the forest.

"Thanks...uh...Hagrid, was it? You're the one that guided the first year."

"Yup, glad yeh remembe' me, what's yer name lad?"

"Percy, Percy Jackson and this is Severus Snape." Sev nodded in acknowledgment and Hagrid smile underneath his shaggy beard.

"Nice ter meet yeh Percy, Severus. So I heard a couple of firs' year got stranded into ter Fo'bidded Fores' how did that happen?"

Immediately a frown etched on Sev's face. "Because a bunch of Gryffindor Prat that's what happened," he growled.

"Eh?"

"I saw James was waving his wand before your broom got out of control. I'm pretty sure it was him," I told him what I saw.

"Now, isn't that a little hasty ter decide?" Hagrid added, "Er broom migh' hav been malfun'tioning y'now?"

"Then what do you think he was doing waving a wand when we're doing a flying lesson?" Sev almost spat out his question.

Hagrid had no response to that.

Once we finally got out of the forest, we were joined up by Madam Hooch, Professor McGonagall, and Lily. All three of them turned in synch when they heard our footsteps, and Lily immediately flung herself over us.

"You Gits, do you have any idea how worried I was. Percy, don't you ever do something reckless like that again."

Her worried tone for some reason had me let out a warm laugh."No promises."

The smile between us three didn't last long now that we're being confronted by our teachers. Notably, the ire of Professor McGonagall, "Well, now that we have established that you two are not injured, let's talk in my office, shall we?" How she could convey her exasperation, anger, and worry all at once from her stern gray eyes was beyond me.

Sev and I glanced nervously at one another and nodded, following her along with Madam Hooch to her office. Lily briefly tried to protest they did nothing wrong but a few soft words from her and somehow Lily relented. I smiled at her with a thumbs up, ensuring her we'll be alright.

With a hasty stride, McGonagall went toward the castle. Sweeping across the corridor as me and Sev tried to keep up. She didn't say anything along the way same as Madam Hooch until she was separated from us. Sev was mumbling about how he was going to make James regret it if he's getting in trouble and I have no problem helping him by that time.

After all, I do have plenty of inspiration from my time back in camp, especially from the Stoll Brothers. Personally, I would have gone for the itching-powder-in-their-underwear (nothing beats the classic), but the problem would be there's nowhere for me to buy that and unlike most dorms, they made ours with passwords.

Once we were in her office, Professor McGonagall sat on her office chair, crossed her fingers together, and stared at us with her deep intelligence gray eyes. Were she to have a blond hair instead of black, I would have surely mistaken her for being one of Athena's daughter.

"You may sit down."

We sat.

"Now, mind telling me what just happened in today's lesson?"

So we told her everything, about how I was there watching Sev's flying lesson, how his broom got hex by James and got him dragged to the forest. How knowing he was in trouble and I followed him without much thought before we ended up lost in it until Hagrid found us.

Off course we didn't say about the Hodags nor the unicorns, I don't think she'd even believe us if we told her.

During some part of the story, McGonagall made a sort of calculating look, as if reassessing my worth in her eyes and dare I say she looked impressed at times, but that might be just me.

"While I cannot say I approve your ludicrous method in solving things. I must say I can't really punish you for being there for your friend, but bear in mind that next time anything similar incident happens, I expect either of you to go get help from proper adults instead of trying to get yourself killed."

We nodded, and she then dismissed us with a wave of her hand, but before I could take a step outside the Professor stopped me, Saying she still has unfinished business with me. Sev and I made a short exchange before he reluctantly left.

I sat back down, but despite saying she still has unfinished business, she stayed quiet as she kept on writing on her parchment. The silence treatment was torture on my ADHD and was about to break the ice when the door to her office was opened, followed by Madam Hooch, Professor Sprout, and a tall, gangly seventh year stepping inside.

"I brought him, Professor McGonagall," Madam Hooch said with contained excitement.

"Who?"

Professor McGonagall then stood between the guy in front of me and me, "Percy, this is Edward Tonks, Captain of the Hufflepuff quidditch team. Edward this is Percy Jackson, and I believe to be your future chaser."

...

"You're joking!" Doc gaped from the news.

"You know my jokes aren't that horrible Doc. Off course I'm serious!"

"And you agreed to it, right?"

"...I said I'll think about it."

"WHAT?!"

"Percy are you nuts?!" Not the first time I've been called that, "You can be the youngest player ever chosen for around a century!"

"Yeah, Professor McGonagall reacted the same way." The thing is, while it might be fun playing wizard gamed and dealing with my ADHD. I still have to consider focusing on watching over Lily and James. I'm having a hard time as it is with all the lessons, I'm just thankful she was at least the same house as James, making it easier to watch over them. Lily somehow finds herself interacting with James a lot, mostly because on James tried his best to tease her, so I get a lot of report of his status in the form of rants.

Though this undercover bodyguard thing is really harder than it looks. I'm still trying to figure the kinks in everything and figure out how to handle Circe when the time comes. I know those two are connected with her plan, I just don't know how and until I do, I can't afford to get sidetracked.

"Percy, are you listening?"

"Huh, oh, sorry. Must have zoned out, what did you say?"

"I said once you're out there with the team, you'll surely wash your Washout reputation away."

"...Doc, that is a horrible pun you made. Go to your room and think about what you did."

"Forget about quidditch already, I'm more curious about how you survive the Forbidden Forest!" Gwen added her own opinion, ignoring the sulk look Doc gave me.

"Like I said, we got lucky and didn't get into trouble there. Nothing to actually pique your interest."

Gwen pursed her lips but dropped the subject in the end. It was nearing 9 o'clock, and the two of us along with the other Hufflepuffs had a DADA test to go to. Most of us groaned at the thought of the test, despite Professor Rose telling us it won't be part of the grade, the term 'test' never seem to put joy into anyone.

"Everyone present?" she asked us to everyone nodding in response, "Good, then I will instruct you how we'll do our test."

She went to her closet and from there pulled out something covered in sheets that were rattling beneath.

"You have only one job." she pulled away the sheets revealing a group of small creatures, about 6-8 inches tall, they were gray and had bright yellow eyes. With long pointed ears and quite what I imagined as what a classic wingless pixie would be like.

"Those are imps!" Doc whispered told me.

"I wonder what she's going to do about it?" I heard Gwen asked curiously.

"Your job is to put these imps back into the cage. You have one hour, good luck." Without letting a sound of protest came from us, she opened the cage and hell broke loose. Kids began scrutiny away from the mischievous little things, and they were crying in high pitch while trying to hide, which wasn't a good combination. Some tried to use their wand against them, but either they just tried to use them as a weapon stick or too panic to cast a proper spell.

Doc would have screamed along if I hadn't closed his mouth and pulled him down alongside Gwen. The safe comfort under the table was surprisingly comfy, and from the wicked grin of the imps, I say they're all having too much fun scaring the kids out to notice us.

"Wha...what are we gonna do?" Doc whimpered.

"Calm down, Doc, relax. First, what do we know about imps?"

I was half expecting Gwen would be the one to answer since she always kept popping us with quirky fun facts of the wizarding world. Instead, Doc answered me perfectly.

"The Imp is a magical creature found only in Britain and Ireland. The height of the Imp is considered comparable to that of the pixie, between six to eight inches, but that is where the physical similarities end. The Imp cannot fly like the Pixie, nor is it as brightly coloured."

"The Imp's diet consists mainly of insects. They also delight in pelting Wizard Crackers and other small projectiles at anybody that they wish to torment. Imp breeding habits are like the Pixie's, but their young hatch fully formed."

"While rather unthreatening, an Imp can nonetheless be dispatched rather easily by anyone, by throwing back Wizard Crackers that it throws, or using a Knockback Jinx to daze it, and then caging it, or throwing it into a Gnome hole," he answered a bit hastily but with what I know, a perfect encyclopedia worthy explanation that got my jaw dropped.

"Doc... how did you do that?"

"Can we answer that after we get rid of the imps?" he whimpered some more.

I looked back at the situation in class, some imps decided it was fun trying kids together. One chose to be chased around after stealing a poor kid's wand, I then found myself drawn back to Professor Rose, who was happily scribbling on her parchment. Occasionally whipping out crackers from letting the imps distracting her.

I draw myself back under the table, "Okay so we know they like throwing crackers…"

"Wizard Crackers."

"Whatever, and to get rid of them we needed a Knockback Jinx, right?"

"Yeah, but with this many imps. Even if you stunned one of them, the others would immediately attack you." Gwen observed from her spot. I sank that information down and groaned. Gosh, if only Annabeth were here, she would have come up with a perfect strategy by now. Sev would have known what spell for this kind of situation too.

"Any ideas?"

Their troubled face was all the answer I got, I then glanced back at the chaos and spotted one noticeable Ravenclaw who managed to stunned one of them before being bombarded by a few other imps. And somehow, the answer that dawned on me was a lot more straightforward.

"Doc, Gwen, you both know the Knockback Jinx right?"

They both looked taken aback by my sudden question but nodded nonetheless. I whipped out my wand, and the message was clear, "Percy! Didn't we say you'll only get overwhelmed? Look what happened to May!" We made to turn back once more and now the Ravenclaw Girl- May had her pigtails tied around her chair then turned back to my friends.

"Which is why you're going to watch my back, simple no?"

It was amusing seeing a contrast of reactions at that moment. Gwen didn't react much with only her eyes only widen, while Doc gawk and was looking horrified at my suggestion.

"M...me…? Us…? What if we messed up Percy? What if our spells don't work properly? What if we...Gwen, you're doing it?!" he almost cried when he looked beside to find Gwen, her wand ready, and was halfway standing along with Percy.

She shrugged, "Hey, it's not like we're going up against werewolves. So no harm in trying."

The two of us then looked down at Doc expectantly, and from the soft pleading gaze from us both, he relented and took a stand beside us. "Can I at least just put the stunned imps back to the cage?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded before stunned one imp. As on cue, three other imps took notice and began to charge at me, but Gwen managed to cover me nicely. Doc hastily picked up the imps and put them back in the cage, but that only seemed to warrant a bigger target to Doc than to us. So me and Gwen had to shield him from the other imps. I took notice one imps was still dragging a poor student wand, so I stunned it, grabbed the wand, then threw it to the grateful Ravenclaw who's been busy chasing it.

"Think you could give us a hand?"

He nodded and shifted to standing beside me before beginning to stunned more imps alongside me.

"By the way, the name's-flipendo-Percy, what's yours?"

He stunned another imp before glancing sideways to me, "John Dawlish, I'd say nice to meet you. But I'd be lying right now." He dodged a book thrown toward him before lashing back with another jinx.

"Well, let me just say thanks for helping us out."

"No pro-Bloody hell, flipendo-No problem Percy, for a Washout you're pretty cool."

I groaned while trying to target this one tricky imp that's very light on his feet, "I see my reputation preceded me, I should really try practicing my Jinx on Peeves next time."

"Do it. No one likes him, and you would be doing a service to a lot of people, believe me."

After a while, Doc quickly made sure all the imps were back on the cage before they could get up, leaving four exhausted students, a room full of leftover chaos, and possibly traumatized kids.

Professor Rose slide her chair away and got up, her face stayed neutral, yet I caught the amused glint in her eyes. With a wave of her wand, the disorganized chairs and other stationery was placed back into place, as if the room wasn't ransacked by a couple of imps just a couple of seconds ago.

"Well, not bad for a first-year, I'd say. Even some seniors classes have difficulty in rounding up all their designate creatures." She informed the four of us, "Congratulation, five points for each of you. Now, I'll give all of you five minutes to gain your bearing before we talk about more about imps."

"Can't she have done that before she set them off to us?" I heard Doc grumbled irritatedly.

I pat him on the back, "You did fine Doc." I reassured him, "I have a few questions later, but right now, let's go back to our chair." Doc nodded silent, a frown still marred on his face.

"You mean how I could draw out a complete paragraph of the imp section of our book?"

I nodded. Doc tried to avoid it as we decided to take notes on our lesson but never truly letting go as we talked at every chance we had.

"I have a photographic memory okay," he admitted.

"Photographic memory?"

"Meaning I can remember everything I see and hear and never ever forget it, not even if I wanted to."

"So all you have to do is see and hear things once, and you remember it for the rest of your life?"

"Yeah. My brain is no different from a library. You could shelve all the things you don't need and read it word to word when you need it."

My eyes widen that I found someone else with the same genius skill as Ella. "That is...convenient, you would have no problem in school work and can do every spell you know."

Doc groaned, as if dreading this topic, "That's why it bugs me that I can't do spells well."

I narrowed my eyes at his admission, "You can't?"

"Well...actually I can but most of the time I can't. Whenever I'm pressured to do it and while someone is watching me. I get so nervous all I could let out is sparks. I'm pretty useless that way."

From his words, it became clear why Doc was so hesitant fighting off imps with the rest of us. He didn't know if he would fail and didn't want to do it in front of us that I can understand. I find it peculiar that he could know every spell in existence yet can't use it very well.

"Hey, don't be like that. All you have to do is get over your stage fright, and you'll be as powerful as Dumbledore."

It feels like telling him to be President of England (which is impossible since England doesn't have president) from how shocked of a look his face was making like he couldn't believe anyone would put him in the same platform as the most powerful wizard known to date. I think he would have burst out laughing if we weren't in class. But he took one look at how serious I was and somber.

"How...how could you say like that for sure?"

My mind began to remind me of Frank and at how unsure and shy he was at the beginning before becoming Praetor. How Grover who even I thought was weak now became one of the Cloven Elder and was one of the bravest Satyr I know. The childish, naive Tyson who became the general of the cyclops army after helping to defeat Typhon.

I gave Doc a knowing smile while patting his back, "You'll be surprised, Doc. Sometimes the greatest mind can come from the most unexpected person."

AN: Yes, it's not really the whole Marauder's prank. Think of this as the unofficial Marauder's prank started by those two Rascal. For those who think if the joke was a bit extreme. I'd like to remind you that they only hex the broom to be out of control and not send it to the Forbidden Forest. Besides, they were sure the Professor would quickly rescue them, and any serious injury are (usually) easily remedied with magic, and since they've never been to the forest, they don't know how seriously dangerous the creatures living there. Besides, who would imagine Sev and Percy would run for their lives from being chased by a herd of Hodags.

And in case some of you thinks Sev reaction was overacting or OOC. I made him react that way since he was seriously thinking he was close to dying because of a couple of gits and was then confronted an impossible scene of a guy taming a unicorn that's usually only partial with a woman's touch. So adrenaline and common sense betraying kind of makes him snap.

Also, I've become aware some concern how Percy will ever be friend with James. Now rest assured that I have special plan for them. James is a great bloke, but right now I won't compromise his young character as a little shit. He has his moment, trust me but I don't want to sugarcoat his bullying behavior and that his action became an integral part of Severus's life. So for the most early chapter, don't expect any bromance between them.

Okay, what else should I address...OH YES!

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