Chapter 7: Snitches get Caught
Words: 5,175
Recap: I was so sure the Thestrals disappearance had been another sign for future troubles. But having found them so quickly, I guess it was just a false alarm. Then Hufflepuff had their first lesson with Rhe- I mean, Professor Ops. She's not bad as a teacher. Definitely on the exciting side, and she only gave me the bare minimum of attention.
So why do I feel so restless?
After Professor Ops resolved the Bubble Incident, class ended without a hitch, and I made a mental note to remind Cross of sharing his money if he's going to bet on me. Everyone went off for their next class. Chattering excitedly after experiencing their adventurous study. It wouldn't be a stretch to say it was one of their best lessons yet, and couldn't wait for what she had in mind next.
When the shore was vacant, I was the only one lingering. Watching over from a distance as Rhea expressed her thanks to the pair of merpeople. Once they dived back underwater, Rhea turned and we were left facing each other.
"Mister Jackson, is there anything I can help you with?" There was no conceding tone. No sarcasm. Just a simple question that was a tinge of concern, yet I can't decide whether she was genuine or not. Surely she realized there's something odd with the picture we're making.
"Err, no, ma'am. I, err, I was hoping to ask whether you might need help?" Because isn't that how it's supposed to go? Celestial beings couldn't directly fix their mess up on their own, and have "heroes" do it for them? Why else would she be here?
Rhea blinked, like she didn't expect that, and chuckled lightly. "No, no, I'm not here for that, Mister Jackson. I'm afraid you have your hands full enough with the quest you're in."
"You know?! But I thought—" gods weren't supposed to know, including Titaness!
"Of course, I know. It's my groove that you've got the prophecy from."
Oh yeah, Dodonna's groove, that makes sense. "Then are you here to help me?"
The smile she had dimmed as she shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I may not be a goddess, but I'm still not allowed to interfere directly on mortal problems."
"So why are you here?" I didn't expect any answers. If she wanted me to know, she would have said so the moment we were alone. But I needed to ask anyway despite how rudely I sound to one of the most prominent celestial beings in existence. Annabeth would have rolled her eyes by now.
But Rhea tilted her head like she's debating on how to answer me. "I'm not sure you'll believe me, but to be perfectly frank, I'm here because I wanted to try my hand in teaching."
I waited for a beat, waiting for any elaboration. When there was none, I found myself saying, "That's it?"
"That, indeed. In all the millennia I've lived, I hadn't tried dabbling in educating mortal children before and decided to give it a try."
'That can't be all?' I wanted to say, but I see no reason or contradictions for her words to be false. It was hard seeing her in suspicion when the very air she's in gives off a genuine, serene atmosphere that puts you in a kind of calm tranquility. Like nothing could go wrong as long as you're with her. Which, ironically, made me all the warier of her.
"Is that all you wanted to ask me, my dear?"
Finding no reason to hold her back, I nodded. She gestured for her lion to follow, and they went back to the castle without looking back as if I was just a footnote in her life—one of the long lines of her children's children who would either die or survive.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and made my way to History of Magic. Using that period to rest my chin on the table, and played with my quill to pass the time. Gwen asked why I was sulking, which I immediately denied that I was. Sulking. Because the Savior of Olympus does not sulk. At all. Nuh-uh. No way.
My meeting with Rhea became a thing at the back of my mind once it was lunchtime. Food finally taking precedence. By the time I reached the Great Hall, the unceremonious talks had gone silent. Well, more like they kind of dipped down in volume (including my mood), but unnaturally so that you think someone turned the speaker down instead of its cord being pulled out,. It didn't take a genius to know they were talking about their new favorite gossip. I swear, it's like wizards have nothing better to do.
By the time I made it to my seat, my favorite pair of people in this school had come to sit across me. I sighed, "What do they say about me this time?"
"Oh, a lot of crazy things, apparently, you can talk to merpeople now?" Severus leaned forward, his permanent glare was more scrutinizing than usual.
I shrugged, "It's not a big deal."
"You never told us you can speak mermish," said Lily.
"It never came up."
Lily pursed her lips, not looking satisfied with my clip answer.
"Look, I don't know what else to say. It's not like talking to merpeople is an everyday thing, so I didn't think it's important."
"Oh, okay, so it's not a big deal." It didn't sound like it wasn't a big deal to her, "Then when were you going to tell us you can see Thestrals too?"
My face froze, not wanting to look cornered when I feel otherwise. "It's not like I knew what they were before this year."
"That's not the point, and you know it!"
"Why didn't you tell us you lost someone?" Severus asked, sounding uncharacteristically gentle. I didn't know why, but it only touched my nerves even worse.
"Because it's none of your business!" I shouted to their faces, and they jumped back from my outburst. People were starting to look at the new talk of the school. I took a deep breath, and sat back down, "Look, it's not something I want to talk about on a daily basis, that's all, end of story. Besides, it's not a big deal—"
Lily banged her hand on the table, and I backed up a bit from her intensity. "Of course, it's a big deal!" She said, "Again and again, why do you always—" She bit her lip to cut herself before moving away. Never knowing what she was going to ask. Even Sev didn't expect her little outburst as we both stared confusingly at her swishing red hair.
"What's up with her?"
"I don't know, you don't think it's related to girl stuff, do you?"
"Percy, you know that question only leads to chaos. Remember the first time I asked that?"
We both shuddered at the memory of a wild, angry redhead, as we became target practice for her the whole week even as we apologized the entire time. Let it be said that no one can hold a grudge better than Lily Evans.
That seemed to be the case for this time as well as she kept avoiding me with a huff of her breath and a puff of her cheeks. Sev spent mostly with Lily (go figure) and would always ask whether she wanted to sit by me. To which she answered with a silent glare. Sev only sat by me when James and co took advantage of our fight to badly flirt (read: annoyed) on Lily. We watched from afar as they got to the point of her throwing water to his face and smacked him with the goblet for good measure. I wasn't sure what James had said, but from the way he had briefly pointed at us with a mocking sneer, it wasn't hard to guess.
Lily turned to us, and we gave her a thumbs up. Her anger must have cooled off if her lips manage to twitch into a smile.
In other news, Marlene was already quick on her feet, much to the other's dismay. Our training continued as scheduled. And it was another twice a week in the sky that I was getting sick of looking clouded blue sky. Which is why we weren't surprised she had an argument with the Captain of the Slytherin's team, Damien Sommer. He was a fit guy that you wouldn't expect from a wizard, making you curious of the kind of workout regime to get that solid build of his. His slick ear-length hair was pulled back, creating that sophisticated aristocrat look that you often find from people you want to punch their teeth in. He had a twisted pull of his lips that gives the impression he's in a constant of smirking yet still has the kind of boyish charm that you'd expect he'd use to get out of trouble.
Most annoying of all, he was good looking.
I mean, really good looking.
Like the kind of face you often find on the cover of a teen magazine that girls would probably salivate and boys would copy. Not that I would know. I don't read magazines for girls.
He could be mortal, and Aphrodite would have happily claimed him as her son.
Though currently, his charm has no use at the face of Marlene's righteous fury, "We had this pitch booked a week ago! We had Professor Sprout signed it and everything!"
"And yet you couldn't even get all your members trained on time. We should reserve the pitch for leaders who know how to manage their team, don't you agree, Mink?"
Marlene screamed in frustration and was halfway lunging to strangle him if Mason and Jeremiah didn't hold her back by the arm. All the while, Damien smiled calmly with his nose upturned smugly. In a way, he looked like that cat meme with a hundred knives pointed at the smug thing.
"But…" he began again, and I know I wouldn't like what he had to say and anyone would agree once they saw the calculated gleam in that prominent chocolate eyes of his, "...I'll concede if you're willing to have a wager with me for the use of this place. A seeker match. Two out of three, what do you say? "
The rest of the team widened their eyes in alarm, but before they could intervene, Marlene had agreed, "Three out of five and you're on!"
The growing grin the boy had only unnerved us more, "Deal."
Only when he turned his back to inform his team did Jeremiah hissed, "Captain, I wouldn't want to question your decision if not the fact that Howey is the incomplete team member here!"
There was a flash of panic that crossed her face, but she was quick to school her face. Marlene then locked her eyes with mine and was less and less thrilled of what might come next.
"Percy, go play and kick that smug prick out of his high horse!" Yeah, called it. "Better yet, go play and literally kick his face in, I don't care either way."
'Oi! Do you want me to get expelled?!'
Acceding to my fate, I pulled a few stretches before and came face-to-face with a fresh face from the Slytherin team. I figured he must be a second-year from being an inch or two shorter and the lingering baby-face. He has ear-length hair that would make even Judd Nelson jealous, sharp raven eyes, and lips thinned in determination, the kind of look you have when you're trying to prove yourself. However, the trembling hand in his broom grip betrayed his true feeling.
The two captains of the respective team stood side by side, Damien had the Snitch in hand and Marlene was ready to cue the match.
"Ready…" We mount our brooms, "...set…" the Snitch was loose, "GO!" And the two of us flew.
You know, I'm not gonna lie, I always thought a Seeker had an easier job. All they got to do is sit back, find the Snitch, and catch it to end the game. They're basically the star quarterback of the team. But when I started my first kick-off as a Seeker, I found out the hard way that it was as easy as it looks. Searching a Snitch in the field was like searching for a penny that fell out of your grip, and it rolled and rolled away into the open road until you lost sight of it. It was particularly windy that day. I had to squint the whole so I wouldn't get dust in my eyes.
The match barely began with me still searching for the flying ball when the Slytherin seeker whizzed past me with surprising swiftness.
"First round goes to Slytherin!" I heard Damien yell. I turned in shock and found that the kid indeed had the Snitch in his hand. Since when did that get behind me?
"Nice work, Reg. Keep it up!"
"Captain, I would prefer you to call me by my proper name."
"Oh, sorry, won't happen again, Reggy!"
"...nevermind."
I could feel Marlene gritting her teeth from afar, and I tried not to let the pressure get to me.
The Snitch went loose and was just as quick to disappear on sight. We were wary as we kept our eyes unblinkingly open for any slightest gleam of gold in the sky even as my eyes stung. The worst of the search was the sound. That distinctive sound of the Snitch's flutter that I tried to follow. It was like hearing a mosquito's buzz. You know it's there around you, annoying you, taunting you, but the thing is always out of sight.
But I kept searching anyway until I finally spotted the shine of its golden shell. I swerved heedlessly toward it until it was close enough for me to reach but it slipped through my finger at the end. Again and again, it fluttered left and right, inches from my grasp as I flew chasing it. I got impatient at the last second and not only did I flew past it, I hit headfirst toward the audience's podium and crashed right through it.
Percy Jackson, Savior of Olympus, Son of the Sea God, can't even catch a simple bug ball.
Hahaha, though I never imagined myself as a prideful person. Still, this stings.
I took a moment or two, feeling sorry for myself before going straight back toward the odd pair captains, knowing the second round ended with another smashing defeat. I quelled the urge to hid my face as the rest of the Slytherin team snickered at the sight of me.
"Two to zero. Looks like another point for Slytherin."
"We know Sommer, shut the hell up!"
"Your Chaser was the hype of the talk from his crazy stunts, but it seemed not even his reckless behavior is enough to win this match."
"One more word out of you, and I'll turn that tongue of yours into a slug."
Err, is it just me? Or is Marlene becoming more and more violent around him? It didn't help that the guy only became more delighted by her words.
Again, the kid gave the Snitch back to his Captain, and we readied our position. But what unnerved me was how serious looking he was. Any kid that could take two straight points as smoothly as he did would have been looking smug or thrilled. This guy didn't react at all. Keeping a cool mask as his body moved like a machine. He was so nervous before he got on the broom too, but now it's like he's only going through the motion.
The Snitch was loose again and with both of us having clear sight of it. We rushed side by side. My broom and skill made me ahead by an inch, but the kid was tenacious, I can give you that. The Snitch was making tight turns. I was careful not to let my speed get ahead of me this time. The sneaky little thing then dipped down and we followed, it went straight to a gap beneath the audience seats. I slowed my descent, but the Slytherin went ahead and followed through without hesitation.
I followed the sound he made just outside the construct, my eyes peeled wide for the little gasp. A small glitter came beneath the wood planks, and it flew right into my ready hand.
"Marlene, I caught the Sni-urgh!" My broom was smacked by the arriving Seeker. We almost tumbled down if I hadn't grasped his broom and steadied us.
"Two to one. It looks like the match isn't over yet," my captain smugly said.
"Good, it wouldn't be fun otherwise," Damien replied, unruffled.
The fourth match began with the Snitch zig-zagging upward. The icy wind pricked my skin as we both rushed following the winged ball. Gravity had us both gripping our broom like a lifeline less we fall into certain doom. We flew around and around each other, like a dance that kept on our toes. Reggy-boy finally started sweating, his tongue sticking out in, and eyes looking scarier by the second as he got more into the zone. Teeth chattering from the cold atmosphere, not used to the high altitudes like me.
"You can stop if it's too much on you, kid!"
"You're only a year older than me!"
Ha! If only that was true.
It stopped flying upward and started hovering once we've plunged through the cloud. The scenery became misty and clouded, and it became hard to find it again. My annoyance for the Snitch went up a degree as it made things more difficult for us. I locked eyes with the Slytherin and wordlessly agreed to split up. From time to time, he would appear from the cloudy shroud from above, ahead, or below, and we had to watch ourselves unless we wanted to crash with each other again.
I shouldn't have known that trouble wouldn't stop around me. The Snitch made a violent move and flew straight toward the Snake Seeker. He tried to catch it, but the Snitch flew past him by the ear. Reggy was too eager to grab it, he twisted his body and extended too far out for his small body to reach, his body tipped too far back to the point he was rolling off his broom.
'I take back what I said of him being a machine, this guy is way too invested in this game,' I mentally thought as I caught him by the legs before he fell like the idiot he is.
"Bloody hell, let go of me!" He cried.
I sent him an unamused raised eyebrow, silently asking him, 'Are you sure about that, buddy?' But he remained spatially unaware he was dangling by one foot of his leg, miles up in the air with no broom for him to safeguard his untimely death should he fall.
"No, no, no, it's gone! It's gone! And I was so close to winning!"
"Dude, I'm pretty sure this match isn't worth dying for."
"You don't understand, I need to win! I have to get this right!" The kid kept squirming despite his position, and I was half-considering that he might want a death wish.
"What you need right now is some help, buddy."
"I'm not your 'buddy' or whatever vulgar American term you call me, nor do I need help from a Duffer!"
"You should really be more self-aware that this "Duffer" is hanging on to you by a leg." This guy has no idea what 'buddy' means? What kind of sad life has he been living?
I flew us down, even as the kid kept ranting without a pause. My glazed at some point when I noticed the cloud looked a bit like a pegasus and began to miss Blackjack and flying on a living steed instead of a lifeless broom.
Our Captains greeted us in haste, their rivalry was lost after they became worried sick when Reg's broom fell and shattered on the ground. Damien scrutinized his youngest member before sighing in relief. "Good to see both of you alive and intact. I suppose this round is invalid-"
I coughed to get his attention and revealed the Snitch I had in my pocket that I was lucky enough to catch while saving the ungrateful little brat. Said brat's jaw dropped and looked half-indignant while Marlene's smile was proud and vicious. "Two for two, but since your boy here had his broom broken, looks like the last round is ours—"
Again, I cut off another captain, "Actually, do you think you can let the kid borrow your broom?"
I was not surprised by their surprise. No surprise there, I had a perfectly valid reason to stop the match right then and won the match. Reg had even become suspicious with my intention while Damien only smiled delightedly. Like he wasn't used to being caught off guard, and happy for it.
"Wait a minute, Percy—"
"Then let's get on with the last round, shall we?" Damien cut my Captain off and gave Reggy his broom.
We mounted our broom and we're off to the sky before the Snitch could go through the same route. It hovered left and right before it decided to just hover within the stadium and stay there. Reg and I were pulled into another tight race, side by side, to see who could catch the Snitch first. The Golden Snitch abandoned its flighty path and went for the straight forward one, circling around and around the stadium.
But the Seeker's flight wasn't as smooth as he had first flown. Often bumping into me, his body leaning way too forward as if it might make his broom a little bit faster, it didn't take a genius to see his borrowed broom was getting clunky in his grip. While my sharper sense noticed all those minute details, what bothered me was the quiet whisper deafened by the flapping wind. I didn't hear what was said, but only the shape of his mouth as he repeated the same words.
I can't fail over and over again.
The Snitch dived down, and we followed. Three paths of flight surging forward toward the ground with no sign of slowing down. Pair of hands, stretching out in parallel for the first to reach for the single prized ball. Neither giving an inch to one another.
Green patches nearing dangerously close.
Wind whistling in our ears.
The tip of a finger grazing the fluttering Snitch.
Silver broom twisted up.
Hand catching the prize, marking the end of the battle.
We flew back together, our respective Captain waiting with either a serene smile or twitchy eyes.
Damien looked between us two. His nose scrunched, perplexed which one of us won when there's no elation in our faces to clue him. "So? Who got the Snitch?"
Neither of us said anything, much to their confusion. I raised a curious eyebrow at the kid who said nothing with a tight lip, looking like he sucked on a lemon.
"Reg?"
He sighed and showed them the golden ball within his fist. The group of Slytherins cheered, softly followed by the Hufflepuffs, having saved them from another intense training. Though Marlene couldn't tell with her back facing them. Good for them, they wouldn't be on her bad side for the rest of the week.
Damien smiled that much wide, proud at his newest recruit's feat. "Great job, Reggy, now you're officially our Seeker. Welcome to the team!"
"What?!" Marlene shrieked, turning her stink eye to a furious one at the fellow Captain, "Did you just use my player as a goddamn test for your sick mind game!"
He clutched his chest like she had personally attacked him, "Is that what you think of me? Mink, I'm hurt."
What comes out of her mouth after weren't exactly eligible to write, but there was no need to know that when Jeremiah had to hold her back while Mason confiscated her wand before she could bodily harm the rivaling captain. Oh man, I'm scared my captain might snap and decided to kill him in front witnesses one day.
After catching her breath, and her team was confident that she regained enough of her senses. Marlene made another seething glare before turning her back, "Let's go, team! We're done here." Sensing one of her moods, we followed without a word lest we'd get lash back from Hurricane Marlene.
"Oi, you, wait just a moment!"
Everyone halted, not expecting my opponent from the match to be marching straight at me, cheeks flushed with anger, and gaze even sharper than before but had a determined gleam in them. I glanced around, thinking there might be someone else being the target of his ire.
I wasn't sure what he wanted, but thinking he might raise an incident while my Captain is still tense. I silently gestured my team to walk ahead without me. While they did what I asked, I could tell they kept glancing back, curious to what he had to say.
Reg jabbed a finger at my chest, "Do you think I'm stupid? Are you looking down on me?"
Caught off guard, I didn't know what to say or react, "Err…"
"You might think you're some hotshot player around, but don't patronize me. Don't you know who I am?" He began puffing his chest up as he declared, "I am Regulus from the Noble and Ancient House of Black I don't need a half-blood to let me win as if you're better than me."
Not that I asked who you are but- "Wait, Sirius has a brother?"
He rolled his eyes and threw his hands up like he'd given up on the universe, "Of course, you know him, why am I not surprised you're acquainted with my sorry-excuse-of-a-brother."
"Sorry, it's just… you're not at all like Sirius."
He rolled his eyes as if he's tired of the same thing pointed out to him, "I hope you refrain from comparing me with the likes of him."
"Oh, no, I say that as a good thing cause I'm pretty sure your brother wouldn't have been half as honorable as you've been today."
Regulus jerked back, his eyes wide like he couldn't believe what I'm saying, His mouth flapped open and shut before he could make out any words in reply, "Wha, what?"
"If you had been Sirius, he'd have taken all the credit for the win and be big-headed about it to notice I held back during the last stretch of the match."
The kid's face flushed red and pursed his lips, "Pretty sure he wouldn't have needed you to hold back," he mumbled softly enough that I wasn't sure I was meant to hear it.
"Hmm, maybe, maybe not. Doesn't mean your brother is better than you."
I wasn't sure what my words seemed to set him off, but he began looking up at me that his bangs fell off the side, and finally gave a better look of his eyes. At that moment, I could have sworn it was the color of the midnight sky, with no clouds or moon obscuring the stars that glittered with a light you seek to find an exit out of the hole you're in. Those eyes that strangely reminded me of Nico. While his dark and skittish behavior was similar, he reminded me more when Bianca was alive. Hopeful and eager to please. But unlike what I did to lose Nico's hope when I failed to protect his sister, I seemed to give one to Regulus instead for reasons I can't understand.
"Why, why did you let me win? What's your angle? Why, why me?"
My lips pursed, not wanting to say. Considering what he's like, Regulus wouldn't want me pointing out how vulnerable and terrified he looked at the prospect of failing from a simple, friendly match. I decided to put that thought aside for later, "Listen, if you're so bumped out about me going easy on you. You can pay me back later on the field," I smirked, "If your team can win against us, that is." Though, not as a Seeker. But strangely, I want to try to go against the little punk again.
That seemed to snap from whatever reverie he was stuck on and back to putting that conceited noble look that I now just realized was his default mask. "Whatever, Jackson. But just remember that I didn't ask for your help, so don't expect me to owe you anything." With a derisive huff, he began walking back to his team's side of the locker room. I had to cover my mouth to hold back the laugh that threatened to break out.
Look, ever since the Second Giant War and the Seventh Prophecy, I've made sure to spare time going to Camp Half-Blood to help train the kids. I mean, I'm partially responsible for the spike of growing campers there. It felt like paying a debt to help the kids survived as best as I could by helping Chiron training them until they're used to the new norm. During that time, I had disturbing empathy with Mr. D whenever there are or two demigods who think they were the new hotshot there. Dealing with them was a paaaiiiiiiiin.
But, once you get to know enough most of them. It hits you that they're mostly kids who hadn't even hit puberty. Trying to put up a bravado as they're making sense in a new world, stumbling in their own way. I was no different.
Once I'm changing in the locker room, my teammates gave me a curious glance from what a noble kid like him would want with me, but I paid no heed. It crossed my mind that they might have eavesdropped but brush that aside because if they did, Marlene wouldn't have left me alone for letting the kid win.
We were just done changing when the locker room's door burst open and our resident Seeker appeared, soaking in sweat from the run he must have given.
"Howey, where the hell have you been all this time?!" Marlene immediately shouted with the fury of a thousand sun, "We couldn't practice because you weren't present. You better have an explanation or I swear-"
"Forget that!" Howey shouted back, flabbergasting us. Our Seeker was never one to raise his voice, much less talk back to our intimidating captain, "You guys need to go to the Black Lake! Everyone should see this!" Before we could respond at his sudden proclamation, he was already running back, and we were all too curious not to follow.
Already a few scenarios ran through my mind of the possible incidents that could cause enough uproar that made Howey, one of our most diligent players, late for practice. And not once did I picture hundreds of Grindylows stranded like a pile of dead fish being washed ashore. Only, they're not dead, but I'm not confident they're alive either from the ragged breathing they made and the weak crawl of their tentacles. They obviously need some water to survive, but for some reason, they were crawling away from the lake.
Now the question remains, what on Gaea's name drove them away?
AN: HAPPY EID MUBARAK TO MY BELOVED MUSLIM READERS! In this forgiving time, I hope everyone forgives for anything wrong I've said and done throughout accompanying me in the making of this fanfic. Minal aidzin wa faidzin.
Phew, this is one of my longer chapters, no doubt. I give you both a Rhea and Regulus scene. Hope you're damn happy because it ain't easy. I know I am.
aarna rastogi: I will keep writing. Thank you for the love!
Stjinbus: Always thank you for the job. Though I'm speaking this objectively so I hope you're not mad, but your joke is getting worse that I'm starting to feel concerned for you. But at the same time, I await for you to make some terrible wizarding jokes because this fanfic obviously lacks that.
Perseus the Avenger: Thank you for the love and your welcome :)))
SandaKagami: The Double bluff gag was honestly inspired by Television Series Lucifer. I found it refreshing that the MC told point-blank to everyone he was the Devil and no one gives a shit.
FolkLuz21: Thank you for calling what I did courage. It means a lot. And you can fall in love with me, I know I would (LOL jk). I laugh when you suddenly agree the cheeto comment during your rant. I'm sure you'll love this chapter since there's more Marlene. You think she's bad before, pit against her rival, and she's worse. HA! I'm happy you love Coral and Seaweed. I always thought this fic needs that kind of duo, and being the Son of Poseidon, how could I not have Percy interact with merpeople? The result could have been better but it's fine I suppose. You wanted people to know how they react when they know Percy can see Thestrals? Well, knowing you need to see death isn't common knowledge, not to mention the Thestrals themselves. But you got a reaction from Lily and Sev. Why they react as they did? You need to stay in tune. And yes, you'll get more interaction between Percy and Thestrals. Not yet. Patience, my Padawan. How did you like Rhea during this chapter? I'm biased, but I love how I dealt with Percy's reaction with her supposed indifference. I can't wait to peel off the layers as the story progresses.
To answer your question; technically speaking, yes, Percy's spells are overkill because of his divine part since demigods can use spells or the Mist, in this case, without using wands. Techniques that adults have difficulty is a piece of cake for most demigods who has an affinity for them. I like how you define the divine part as chaotic because in a way, they are. Most heroes in camp seem to learn a lot how to fight. But the more powerful the demigods are, the more they have no idea how to handle them. Like Percy's use of water and Leo's fire. They had to learn it by themselves instead of being taught because there's no one to teach them.
I'm so happy you love my Huffys! I'm having fun giving them more scenes in this early fics. But don't misunderstand, every scene has its purpose and meaning, not just self-indulgence to introduce more characters (Well, a little bit). And you know... this talk about music and wizard, it kind of hit me that I never explored musical magic. (Starts listing off ideas). Hope you love this chapter too!
zoomingaway: Thank you so much for you kind words and encouragement. Being in America must be tough in its own way. I hope you, your friends, and family, can stay safe and healthy through these trying times. Which is why I think it's important to let the message known that they are people who support those who have been hurt by his words and action. And don't worry, a lot of people are positive in their feedback for my fics. and people like you is what motivates me to keep on writing.
The final exam goes well for some and not for others. The reason I make this fic is the self-indulgence of creating Hogwarts Adventures plus Percy's snark and humor along the way. As well as giving more depth to each house and background for the setting. Which is always fun. I'm trying my best to explore more characters that I failed from the last Act. Hope you love this chap as well.
DamHotDog is Better than Bacon: I think I'll just combine the usernames. Funnier that way. I saw your fic, but... I'm sorry. I, it's too much. I haven't moved on from Tony's death. A fic writing that aftermath still pierces my heart. Dude, why would you write that? Why not write a fluff happy ending. I HAVEN'T MOVE ON DAMMIT! Anyway, sorry, I'll read it when I'm ready and accept canon for what it is.
Akoulesblack: AHAHAHAHA, oooh that was funny. But no, Rhea is too sweet for that. She's like to mother figure for all mother figures.
Justsomeonecool: Thank you for the love and support. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well :)
HayWireEagle: Oh hun, I'm going to dangle that for the rest of this Act if I have to. No offense intended to you, but I'm a writer. It's my job to be a little evil. So I'm sorry, you're going to have to struggle dying for a little while longer. Though I hope you love the small glimpse Rhea-Percy dynamic.
Patolemus: Just because you're a wizard, doesn't mean you believe in Greek Gods. Hence, why they all think she's just a cuckoo Professor form the get-go. You don't need to think too much. Just go with the flow dude, go with the flow. I'm happy you like Coral. He's the anarchist merman that no one knows they wanted. HAHAHAHA. Oh Hunny, Of course the Thestrals are just the beginning of a bigger conspiracy. I'm not an amateur, says a fanfic writer. The nightmare is a mix of dreams and premonition, but I won't tell which is which. And yeah, another chapter with no Marauders. Your feelings for them is exactly how most of his classmates and teachers feel. They may be troublemakers, but damn if they're not a little bit excited of what they'll do next. They make life a lot more interesting that way.
And here's your Regulus, your welcome ;)))
Thank you for the love and support :D
brade1991: Lucky for you, you got your wish. Thanks for the like.
SpartanBoy: AHAHAHAHAHAHA, oh God. Okay, sorry, but dude, can I just point out that Harry Potter was released in 1998 and PJO in 2005 and the fandom is still going strong? Like, I've had contact with few of my fans and fellow writers from high schoolers to housewives. so "impressionable people" is debatable when it comes to fanfic readers. I can see how my words put a lot of people in stereotype. I can understand that. But the fact remains that if those people follow and believe Trump, it means that they agree with his words and actions. I'm pretty sure there are people among his followers who felt like they needed to follow him like the Malfoys or regretted it like Regulus or Snape. Which is why I believe it's important to make them realize the kind of person they follow and who they work against. Otherwise, more people might get hurt if they choose to stay silent as they are.
DaniKastani: Thank you for the love! The support of my readers always brightens up my day. I'm glad my address to Trump followers helps put more compassion. I am no different before. I do like to watch videos that make fun of him. But it's less funny when you know people are getting hurt and dying from his policy. The thought makes me want to cry. Damn, I'm tearing up right now.
JustLikeRandomStuff: Err, this is awkward. Hello, fellow Indonesian! Isi review men-support gue, tetapi gue justru harap pesan gue untuk lebih peduli soal politik sih wkwkwk. Tetapi gue ngerti kalo politik bikin cukup stress atau pusing sampe gak mau bicarain. Makasih sudah menyukai dan support cerita ini. Jaga kesehatan ya!
dhodges507: Well, here's your Rhea-Percy One-on-one conversation.
Ast253: The dream is both a nightmare and a premonition. The point is you can't tell which is which. Thank you for the love and support. Hope you enjoyed this chapter too.
Butter: Thank you for the love :)
64Felicity: Your clap is received. Thank you as always for the love and support. Percy might be easy going, but we can't have him forget his roots. I have plans for Rhea and Percy, hehehe, This is going to be fun writing (as well as tedious). And as you say, there are after effect for Percy knowing Mermish and seeing Thestrals. specifically his friendship with Lily and Sev. How? Read and find out ;) The mystery deepens from this chapter and Percy will at some point fight like a boss. I'm thankfully safe and happy, hope it goes the same reason for you.
Eragonshadeslayer121: I can understand your sentiment. Politics are complicated subject that can easily incite fight when you handle it wrong. Not that different to religion in that aspect. Indeed that in America with only two political parties, neither side can be said to be perfect. But there's a difference in being a Republican and being a Trump support because the later would mean you agree with his action, his beliefs, and his words. Which is no different to being a follower of Hitler or Voldemort. Of course there may be people who only follow or agree mindlessly him by circumstances like Draco Malfoy, maybe they regret it along the way like Regulus or Snape. Which is why I believe it's more important for those who follow and support Trump to understand the consequences the action or inaction they made have inadvertently hurt people.
I'm not saying other people's believes or choices will not hurt people. Of course there are. But Trump position made it possible to make his behaviour as acceptable as the norm. Which is why I believe it's important to be vocal to reject Trump, his ideal, and his followers. I hope you understand my position and hope my reply satisfies you.