Chapter 14: ...and Remember Kids! Never Follow a Strange Blue Fire!

Words: 3,841

Recap: Ha! Pranking James and Sirius was fun, but pranking Lucius was hilarious. Unfortunately, he had made himself in the Top 10 Jerk List I had for calling Lily a racial slur. Anyway, while I had my fun time in Hogwarts, I think it's about time something bad will happened. Circe will make her move. By then, could I handle it?

Afterward, there was a brief break in the Great Prank War between us. We both weren't quite in it as the last failed prank damped our mood. Oh, but don't think this is the end. All you need is the right motivation, and I'll bet the war would start back up, that's just how much we both don't like one another.

Well, I won't. I'm just dragging Sev for the ride. He enjoyed the pranks but wouldn't have joined in on - how he says it - the marvel act of a child that's beneath his intelligence.

It was around two-three days later. After a long day from quidditch practice. Day turned to night, and sleep finally took me into its dream that I never look forward to. My vision was overtaken by my usual demigod nightmare.

I was inside an old rundown room, the smell of mold and dust filled the air, spiders made nests on every corner of the room. The moonlight and the streetlamp outside gave it dim lightning in a sort of stereotypical haunted house vibe.

"And you are sure that this plan of yours would work?" A hard and cold voice from behind made me turn. The darkness shadowed the face of the owner, and could only make out his tall figure.

"Yes, Dark Lord," said a soft-spoken woman. I was too focused on the man that only just noticed the short woman next to him. Her face hidden beneath the hood of her rob. "Now that the seal is broken, I have unleashed the ghost among the students. It won't be long before he will gain his strength."

"And you are sure he would side with us? Because while I do not mind unconventional ally, I'm not too keen with one that's unpredictable as yours."

"Understandable, but I ask you not to worry, I have brought an offer for him that I assure you he wouldn't refuse."

Something hissed near my feet, and I jumped when a 12-foot long snake crawled the wooden floor before slowly slithered upon the man and around his shoulder like a gaudy scarf. I may not understand much about fashion, but l don't think life snake was the newest fashion statement even on the 70s. He doesn't seem to mind, shown by the comfortable way he stood from its weight and the way it caressed the snake. You would think cats were a sensible pet choice for a Bond Villain, but clearly, this guy had up the game.

"Then I'll leave it to you, it would also help in putting a seed of chaos in Dumbledore's school."

"As you wish Volde-" the woman's word stopped midway as she began looking back and forth.

I didn't see his face but he looked like he quirked an eyebrow at her, "Is something the matter?"

"It would seem we have a guest within our midst."

The snake hisses right beside his ear. "Nagini doesn't sense any intruder," said the man.

"No, this one has the gift to venture beyond his body. It's an unpredictable and quite a nuisance gift."

Before she could even sense me, I was suddenly yanked out of the room. Into a void of mist and found myself breathing heavily. I turned to find Hecate, standing in her blue greek robe and a torch in her hand.

"That was…"

"Circe," Hecate stated, her tone betraying her straight face at the mention of her name, "It would appear she's finally making a move for her plan."

"What was she talking about? Something about ghost and unleashing it in school?"

"I'm sorry Percy, you know the gods can't interfere much with your quest. More so this time even if I want to since even my visions have its limits with Circe involvement."

I brushed her off with a waved of my hand, what does it say for me that I didn't expect anything from a goddess? "Don't worry about it, I never expect anything to be easy. Anything you'd like to say to me since you help pull me out of there?"

She nodded, "Before you wake up Percy Jackson, I have something for you here." Hecate took out a piece of small coal from her torch then threw it at me that I stupidly and reflexly caught. I expected to feel a scorching heat at the palm of my hand, but when I opened my hand I found the blackened and scorched paper slowly turning into a white crumpled one.

I unveil the paper and found the written word Forsooth.

I stared at it confused before looking up. "Wha-"

"It's your lucky word for the day," Hecate answered before I could ask. "You might find it useful." Then with a snap of her finger, the mist began covering her from view and I woke up with a jolt.

Afterward, the whole day had been just me practicing spells (blaming Sev and Lily, this is what I get from befriending two overachievers.) and just hang out with my friends with nothing out of the ordinary happening until evening came.

Sev told me being Halloween today, there was going to be a large feast this evening as big as the welcoming feast.

Which mean there would be a heck of a lot of food.

Unfortunately, my eagerness to sate my appetite got me over-excited and was late to realize I had taken the wrong way, and getting myself lost within the long silence corridor. The wind howled through the dimly lighted hallways, and my steps echoed aloud. Despite the wide hollow place, I couldn't help but feel constricted by the darkness. Walls and pillars surrounded me, in and out looked reversed and it felt like being stuck in a wide maze-like box.

I looked left and right and finding no one was making my nerves jittery. I wasn't scared, I experienced way scarier things than this. But the constricting feeling the school gave me did not help my cause and I might accidentally lash out.

Until I saw it.

A fire.

A floating blue-purple shaded fire with twice the same of a burning candlelight.

Now, I have my fair share of experience of weird stuff. While the mysterious floating fire isn't exactly in my top 30, but it does pique my interest a bit.

I walked slowly toward it, being wary of any kind of trap or any signs of it that could harm me. I walked around with interest before realizing other blue fires were floating almost out of sight.

Looking at them, I felt a bit like a month mesmerized by the light. Letting my feet move toward the guidance of the fire and my mind was devoid of any thoughts. The fire led me to a corner that had a brighter light just around it, sudden anticipation swept me, mixed with wary. At one side I felt myself being drawn to it and couldn't help but move, but another kept whispering saying 'Snap out of it!'

"Percy!"

The call of my name broke my thought and I turned to find Gwen with two of her friends, "Where are you going? The Great Hall is this way."

I turned to look back at the floating fire but find that it was gone, leaving me in a dim unfamiliar corridor I don't remember I first find myself lost and no signs of the fire that I almost thought I had imagined it all.

'Did it help me find my way?'

I wasn't so sure, but my mind was too muddled up that I just wordlessly followed Gwen. I didn't think further of the strange light once I caught sight of how different the Hall looked like. Leave it to wizards to celebrate Halloween differently.

A thousand live bats fluttered from the walls and ceiling while a thousand more swooped over the tables in low black clouds, making the candles in the pumpkins wavered. The feast appeared suddenly on the golden plates, as it had at the start-of-term banquet.

I sat among my house friends, "Nice to see you joining the party Percy, what took you so long?" Doc asked me.

"Sorry, I got lost on the road of life." Doc didn't think was funny which was a bit sad. "Well, I would have missed the feast if those floating fires hadn't shown me the way."

"I'm sorry, floating fires? That's weird."

When Gwen reiterate me, I noticed the commotion around the hall stopped. There were still some who are rowdy within their own group and those who kept on eating, but most noticed the frozen stated of the ghosts of Hogwarts and how horror-stricken they looked.

But I didn't think I had been the cause so I kept talking all the same, "Yeah, there were floating blue fires through the corridors and led me here, know anything about it?"

Gwen scrunched her brows in concentration before her eyes light up in excitement despite not knowing what it is. As if she loves finding mystery surrounding the school and shelving more trivia in her head.

Then a ghost made an ear-splitting scream that got most of the occupant winced before floating past the walls. We all watched at his wake in confusion before the Fat Friar appeared before me so suddenly, I jumped.

"Sorry Young Percy, but I must ask did you truly see...a blue fire...floating?" The fear was immanent from his tone but I wasn't sure what it is he was afraid of.

The attention they gave me was unnerving and wished I hadn't opened my big mouth, "Uh... yeah, what about it?"

Fat Friar didn't answer me the moment I confirm something dreadful for him. Too busy muttering 'Oh Dear,' over and over again before all the ghosts started an uproar. Flailing around the hall before they followed the first ghost's action and ran-floated through the wall while screaming, "The Will 'o Wisp, the Will 'o Wisp appeared!"

"We're not safe here anymore!" one other cried.

"We're doomed!" another wailed.

They left with those words hanging in the air. No one was in the mood for a party any longer, whispers broke out within the hall and none look ease at the ghost's action. Dumbledore decided that it was time to cease the feast, ask the prefect to take us back to the dorm while they investigate the matter further.

There wasn't definite proof, but I would bet my hair this incident had something to do with Circe. This was the first move she's making, and no way I'm letting myself out of the loop of what's happening.

So when Conall had us, first years, lined up, I sneaked out of the line and followed behind the teachers. Just out of sight and far enough for me to tail them. They all followed Dumbledore through the corridor until they stopped on an eagle statue. Dumbledore had called out "Charmed Choc" before the eagle statue moved, revealing a stairway upward.

They all moved and I waited to see if it'll get sealed. Seeing it didn't, I slowly walked up to the stairway as well, making sure I stayed in the shadow.

". . .the ghosts were out of control like they were the one who had seen a ghost." Percy heard who he recognized was Professor Flitwick's voice.

"Indeed, we never had this kind of situation before." Professor McGonagall expressed her view, "Just what exactly happened there?"

I didn't hear an answer right away but I can somehow imagine Dumbledore brushing his beard, his eyes twinkling while wrapping his thought around the peculiar situation. "I'm afraid I'm as much as in the dark as all of you, I did, however, had asked the paintings to called out any ghost that passed by to my office in hoped for some answer."

As if on cue, a ghost phases through the wall, and appearing as a man with curly long hair, sporting a large ruff, pair of breeches, a doublet and tunic. His prim mustache and goatee made him even more like someone from Shakespeare's play.

"Aaa, Sir Nicholas, so glad you could join us," Dumbledore greeted him.

"I heard you called, I suppose you're wondering about our earlier outburst."

"Yes, what exactly happened? You frighten all the students and now we need some explanation!" My Head House almost yelled out.

"Professor Sprout, please let the man speak out first. Now Nicholas, what were you saying?"

I didn't quite see what he was doing, but he was hesitating to tell him, or most likely terrified. We waited for the answer until he said, "I'm sorry but please don't let this spread to the ghost and other students. Most of the ghost around here is in denial that he's back and already claiming that Percy Lad is a liar, while I can't confirm his return." He gulped, visibly shivered if a ghost could ever do that. "I can't deny the possibility that he's back."

I secretly huffed at the accusation. How rude, they actually think I'm lying?

"Who are you talking about? Who's he? And what's this Will' o Wisp?"

There was an audible gulp from the ghost, and I didn't know ghost can still do that, "It is the proof remain of the cursed ghost was here. One who first brought fear to Halloween. He's Ja-" the ghost sucked on a breath, his head suddenly fell sideways but no one looked surprised at that despite the silence, I decided to dare myself and peek further on the meeting to find a single blue fire floating at their midst. If a ghost could look paler than he is, then Sir Nicholas sure showed me that.

"I'm sorry, but I can't say more. I'm sorry, but please don't ask me more about this and leave me be." Then phasing through from he came from, he left the room lost in thought from his words.

"So what now?" Professor Slughorn asked the faculty.

"Now...we must reassure our students that nothing is amissed for now and we'll be continuing our investigation toward the Will 'o Wisp. Until we are sure what it is and what it meant there's no need to cause panic among them." Dumbledore decided. "Professor Rose, as the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts I can leave this case to you, yes? Of course with full cooperation from our teachers."

"Understood Professor Dumbledore, I'll get on it straight away."

Seeing that there's no new information I possibly could get, I step backward only to fumble the steps and fell before catching myself.

"Who's there?"

I cursed and dashed down the stairs and didn't try to hide my rushed footsteps from the teachers. A few of them followed me and kept on my heel, the fact that this castle was confusing while having my thought straight just didn't help me escape from them.

Turning into a corner, I had crashed into someone and my heart sank that I might have been caught by Mr. Pringle. Instead, I was greeted by a familiar boy with a Gryffindor tie, he looked skittish while biting his thumbnails, glancing around in confusion. I knew immediately he was lost but I had no time to help him.

Instead, I took his hand and pulled him along. Telling him to run. He didn't question me or complaint, which is good but still felt sorry for getting him caught up. I kept taking random turns until I found myself inside the dungeons, the opposite of where my dorm was and knew I just got myself even more lost.

Great job, me. Now I'll either have to turn myself to Old Cat Face and face her wrath or keep running blindly.

I'm beginning to consider that this running around isn't worth the effort to avoid detention.

Looking for another way out, I noticed the few portraits hanging around and maybe hoped they'll find a way to escape, or better yet a hiding hole.

So naturally, I came up to the only Greek themed portrait that had introduced himself as Mopsus, a Seer from Ancient Greek.

"Hey man, any chance you know any secret hiding place or escape route I could take? Because I really need to use one right now."

Mopsus glared down at me, his blind eyes told me how displeased he was for disrupting whatever portraits do in their spare time. "Young Half-Blood thou have come, despite the mocking thou had make. What trouble thou bring and make us wake."

Oh yeah, did I mention he talks in rhymes? Typical Child of Apollo, they have their ways of annoying us.

"You can't even sleep, you're a painting! Anyway, I really can't talk right now so can you please just help me?"

"If one must seek, a place to conceal. Then I shall lead thou there, once my password reveal."

Oh, you gotta be freaking kidding me, I don't have time for randomly spewing passwords. The sound of footsteps was getting nearer and their shouts were getting more audible, I panicked and said the first thing that came into my mind, "Forsooth!"

The portrait nodded and clicked open to reveal a secret passage behind the painting, much to my surprise. I didn't let that stunned me longer before scrambling inside.

"Uhm…" I turned to the voice of the mousy kid, who looked hesitant whether to keep following me or not. "Should I...Can I…?"

"What are you waiting for?" I whisper shouted him, "Come on or the teacher will catch you!" I hastily gesture him to come and he compiled, the kid nodded and climbed inside. Just in time for me to close it before the teachers could find any signs of suspicion.

The two of us sigh in relief at finally getting them out of our backs that I turned sheepish to the kid, "Uh, sorry about dragging you in here. I panicked and couldn't let you deal with the teachers by yourself."

The kid smiled from my words, I wasn't sure when he has every right to be annoyed by me. "That's okay, but can I ask why they were chasing you? Oh, by the way, I'm Peter Pettigrew."

"Nice to meet you, Peter. I'm Percy Jackson. To answer your question well... I may... have... eavesdropped on them in Dumbledore's office."

"You did?! Why? That was mighty reckless!"

"Hey, my turn. Why were you out so late when the others were told to get back?"

Instantly the kid blushes and began fidgeting his sleeves, "I...aaa...may have been in the bathroom a bit too long and miss that notice then...I...got lost. What happened anyway?"

"The ghosts all ran out scared when I mention about floating blue fire, causing a bit of a panic. They called it the Will 'o Wisp. Any idea what it is?"

Peter shook his head in answer and boy do I need one right now. I decided to look around the secret chamber I opened, it was quite spacious and felt more like a secret private study. With bookshelves put against the whole wall but there was only one desk for one to study on. It was thick with dust, a stack of books at one corner, a burned-out candle on another, a half-opened book, and a quill with its ink. Curiously I tried reading it and was surprised to find what it was written in.

"What is that?" Peter questioned, "I don't recognize those words, are they runes?"

"It's a journal, and they're written in Greek." I flipped the few pages, trying to find some clue that would help me but it was either about mundane stuff, about the writer poetic angst, grocery list (really?) or just unintelligible writing. Some words were blurred, some were forced to be erased and some pages were ripped apart or burned. I glanced on the last few pages and took notice of one particular part of the journal that made my heart sink faster than Titanic.

Child of Hermes must journey alone,

You shall find what you seek at the base of Titan's home.

Immortal apple shall lead new fate,

Or wear a cursed mark that bear your hate,

It could have been anyone, ofr all I know, my head could have just made up random connections that it was for Luke. Not wanting to think more of it (or believe it) I skimmed through the next few pages that only led to making my face paler.

The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap,
A single choice shall end his days.

You shall delve in the darkness of the endless maze,

The dead, the traitor, and the lost one raise.

Wisdom's daughter walks alone,
The Mark of Athena burns through Rome.

A three seater

Bronze fire eater

Finally, I reached the last page, there were a few ripped pages at the end so technically it's not the last, then I took one look at the passage and the first line already prompt me to shut the book up, causing dust to fly.

"Alright, we're done," I said in finality, "I don't think I want to stay in this creepy chamber any longer." I didn't hide the slight panic tone in my voice and made Peter squirmed uncomfortably to hide his quivering feet. He looked like the kind of guy easily scared so I didn't want to make it harder for the guy.

"Let's just get out of here, I know where the Gryffindor Tower is so I won't mind showing you the way," I reassured him, Peter didn't hide how grateful he was and constantly said thank you despite only doing a small favor.

We watched for any sign of teacher as we strode the corridor, asking a few portraits every now and then to show us where we were until we arrive at the Tower.

"Again, thank you."

"You said that a million times Peter, just don't tell this to anyone else and we'll call it even, okay?"

After a quick farewell, I went off to my dorm. Ignoring the disapproval cry of Helga's portrait when I came back late and went straight to my room. Off course my roommates Doc, Jean, Edgar, and Cross. They were pretty worried about me except for Cross, he was mostly angry I might risk points deducted from the house. That, and how selfish he thinks I've been for going off on my own when I barely could pull my leg, but I already tuned him out by then.

I went straight to my bed, looking exhausted that they decided not to ask any question and fell into deep dreams. I wasn't expecting to revisit my memory of that chamber. The words of that last page became clearer and floated on the air, glowing green as it rearranged itself into English.

Where foolish fire ignite in number,

All Hallow's Eve Ghost awakens from slumber.

To save lives from the bane of mind,

A lantern's seal must renew its bind.

AN: And the mystery begins here...

Thank you so much for the positive comments and a quick word for some of my reviewers.

demigod. hufflepuff. 5thWaver: Thanks for your review and I'll keep your recommendation in mind, I never saw Ghostbuster though so I might try watching that first. Also, thank you for your kind comment, knowing you love it really brings a smile on me.

And about that soccer and football thing well...how to not confuse the two...but when I wrote football I meant it in American term because Percy is...well...American so I had to write it that way. So when I say football, I meant a bunch of guys running into each other and throwing an oval pig skinned ball. (And now that I point it out it makes me wonder. What the hell Americans?! Why do you use a ball using pig skin of all things? That's just ugh...)

Don't take it to heart, I'm just joking. But still...ugh...

DearGuest: Thank you so much for your review. Seeing you loving my work so much motivates me so much. But I can't take the credit to myself. I had help from ThePlotBunnyBreeder and LeftNotRight and I bet they'll be just as happy from your review. I had to re-read PJO series a few times and make sure the writing and character to be consistent so knowing that I nailed it from you truly warms my heart.

I still re-read your review as well because now I can't stop smiling from it along with you guys who PM me.

Keep the love coming Readers so R&R. :)