Chapter 9: Trick or Divine

Words: 4,165

Recap: After a visit to Dervish and Banges where we ordered a custom design SOS bracelet. Sev and I decided to have a pint in one of the pubs here only to be greeted by a General Git in the house.

James noticed us walking in as if he had an eye at the back of his head, and his lips grew that Cheshire grin of his. "Look what the cat dragged in, boys. Little Prissy and Snivelus. Where's your mistress? Did she finally get sick of you?"

"Somewhere where she couldn't see that ugly head of yours." I pulled Sev along to a recent occupant space at the bar. "I'm thinking of getting a blue butterbeer. What about you, Sev?"

"A glass of gilly-water would be nice—"

"Oi, we're not done talking." Before we knew it, James and Sirius had sandwiched us both. And while Remus and Peter don't seem eager to join in the 'fun', they were blocking the only exit of the pub. "Don't think hanging out with Evans would shield you from us forever."

"Leave us alone, Potter!" Sev insisted through gritted teeth.

"Or what? Who are you going to tattle to? Evans?" Sirius mocked, "She'd probably just lecture us to death."

"Well, for one thing. I don't need her to turn both of you Disaster Hair Duo bald. It'd be an improvement."

"Says the guy with the greasy hair!" He said that but Sirius had his fingers flicked through the long, inky mess of a hair he had, not helping with how self-conscious the Gryffindor acted.

"We have fantastic hair, just so you know," James defended, "Rather, it really annoys us that a pair of Dark Wizards think they can waltz around like they own the place."

If I ever heard words more hypocrite than that, "In what way are we dark wizards in your eyes?"

"Don't play games with us," Sirius lowly growled, "You may have tricked everyone else, but you can't fool us. Dark wizards should know their place and try not to stir trouble."

Again, hypocrites much?! Exactly whose who is stirring trouble over here? I'm getting more exasperated than angry for every second I spend with these idiots.

But Sev has much lower tolerance with patience. His knuckles grew white and glared daggers at the table, avoiding their smug faces so it wouldn't push him off the edge.

"You're lucky Evans pities you guys. Otherwise, why would anyone bother putting up with a couple of freaks?"

Those words hit a much deeper nerve. Severus jumped out of his seat and wand already in hand with a speed even I was surprised until a newcomer's voice interrupted the face off.

"Now what do we have here?" Of all people, never did I expect it'd be Damien Sommer who'd intervened. "I hope you boys aren't thinking of starting a fight on the first day of visiting Hogsmeade? It would really bump my schedule if I have to report your behavior to Professor McGonagall." He took another step closer, the Prefect badge on his collar glittered from the dim light.

James shot a stink eye his way before clicking his tongue, "You're lucky you've got another snake with you. Let's go, guys!"

The four of the said nothing more as they went off, finally giving us our deserved peace. While the tense air was broken, it didn't leave Severus' trembling shoulder. He kept glaring down with seethingly and gripping harder at his wand.

Despite the warning presence, Sev was giving off, Damien causally patted his back, "I know you're frustrated but attacking them isn't going to help you or your House. Restrain yourself."

The words were gently said like it was a suggestion but to my ear, it somehow came out like an order. Sev listened and sat back down, though he was still far from happy.

I faced the rivalling Quidditch Captain. It was a shock to have him defend us when I didn't think he's the type to get involved with other people's business. It's good to be wrong, once in a while. "Thanks for helping us, Damien. You didn't have to do that."

"No need to thank me, Jackson. Because you're right, I didn't have to." With a bright smile still intact on his face, he held my shoulder and leaned uncomfortably close. "Just remember, you owe me for this."

With that parting shot, I looked queasily at his back while Damien went out of the pub. I turned to Sev, wanting to express my confusion, but he looked like he'd just sucked a lemon.

"Severus, what's wrong?"

"Err, how should I put this… it might have been better if he hadn't helped us."

"Huh?"

"Percy, Sommer is bad news. He's known for making deals you regret keeping. Some said that he managed to frame someone into expulsion in his first year for backing down a deal with him. There's even a saying among the Slytherin; don't owe a favor with the Devil."

I wanted to laugh if Severus wasn't so serious in his story. "What? And Damien is supposed to be this devil? Since when do you listen to gossip?"

"Maybe it's true, maybe it's not. But the one thing I'm sure of is that he's a known half-blood yet managed to rally even purebloods under him, and you know how stubborn they can be. That's not something a normal person can do."

Well, when you put it like that, you've got a point. "But… he helped you too."

"I'm a Slytherin, he's obligated to help me. But when you acknowledge he helped you as well, he took that as a favor."

What happens to good old fashion decency? "So you're saying since I owed the Devil, I'm screwed."

"Pretty much."

"Wow, thanks for being a downer, Sevvy. I feel so much better."

We managed to finally order our meal in peace, but our mood was ruined. The chips tasted blander than usual in my mouth, and Sev was more preoccupied with playing his straw than drinking from it. I mean, I know why they think I'm a dark wizard. The mess I caused by using the Forbidden curse wasn't pretty. But what do they have against Slytherin in general?

"Because they think Slytherin is evil."

"Did I say that out loud?"

"You did."

My lips pursed, "The answer still doesn't explain why they'd be insist every one of you Slytherin is evil."

"Well having Salazar keeping his pet down in the basement doesn't help our image."

"What pet-ooooooh, that pet. Yeah, I can see why they wouldn't like you."

Sev rolled his eyes, "Most famous dark wizards can be found from whichever House, but those from Slytherin are always put in the spotlight," Severus said, tone growing irritated, "It didn't help that a lot of Slytherin families supported Grindelwald."

"Grindelwald? "

"Gellert Grindelwald," Severus said slowly as if it could make me recognize the name, "Don't you know him?"

"Err… should I?"

"If you have common sense, you would! He's the most powerful Dark Wizard known in history. How could you not know? Wait, I forgot you're muggle-raised."

Glad he self-explained that one. Because even if he believes me for being a time-traveller, that still wouldn't excuse myself for not learning my history. "What did the guy even do? Raise an army?"

The silent was telling enough.

"He raised an army?!"

"I wouldn't call it an army per se, it's not like he incited a war. But let's just say if it wasn't for the Headmaster, we'd be living in a different world."

"What does Dumbledore got to do with him?"

"Your ignorance is getting more astonishing," Severus was getting exasperated with me, "Why do you think people know him as the greatest wizard to ever lived? The one who defeated Grindelwald was none other than Dumbledore."

. . .

It was evening when the Halloween feast began. The Headmaster began the banquet, and while everyone was preoccupied with their food. I had my eyes on the door and whether anyone had their eyes on me. Gwen and Doc were faithful in putting me in their conversation that it took me saying that I needed the loo. Before slipping off from my seat.

Standing by the edge of the Forest, I thought of how I was going to find the pack of centaurs. Or were they going to find me once I entered? It'd be convenient if I had someone to guide me.

Just when I thought so, I heard a faint neighing from afar and instinctively followed. It was the Thestrals. They were back in their paddock. New charms were placed as preventive measures from the flock flying away, but they didn't look appreciative of the fact as they were walking around restlessly during this late at night.

I jumped over the wooden fence and cautiously crept closer to them. I may have affinity for horses, but you never know the kind of nature they magical types are until you get to know them. One of them sensed me and eyed me suspiciously, making me pause. Something was wrong with this picture, and I wasn't sure what.

One Thestral came close and began sniffing the pockets of my robe. I realized he probably noticed the jerky I sneaked from the feast. I decided to share it while softly petting the rough leather skin. It occurred to me this is the second time I was faced with Thestrals and I couldn't hear their voices.

"You're not really a horse… or at least, not one my dad made."

He huffed, agreeing to what I said. Though I couldn't understand what the Thestrals are saying, I still can know a vague feeling they have. I guess it's like the difference between a bird and a bat. It looks like a horse but isn't.

"What's your name? Err, wait, I can't understand you. Hmm, how about I call you Angus?"

Angus neighed.

"You like that? Great. Do you think you can do me a favor and help guide me through the Forbidden Forest?"

With a higher pitch neigh, it went striding deeper into said woods. I didn't know whether he agreed to my request or just went out to pee. Whichever case doesn't change the fact that I followed.

It's been months since the last time I visited the forest. It was still as spooky and gloomy as I remembered it to be. Angus maneuvered me through the thick trees without a single stumble, but the darkness of night didn't help my nerve. Every swish and every crack heard made me twitch.

"Ivan, can you light things up for us?"

The mechanical fairy jumped out of my watch and eagerly saluted, "Yes, Boss!" He said before his entire being lighted up including our surroundings. At a time like this, it's good to have my very own personal fairy assistant.

"Boss, would you like to know more about the Forbidden Forest? I have all the information stored inside me."

"No thanks."

"The Forbidden Forest was grown during the founding of Hogwarts since before it had been a wasteland. Though to say it's called the Forbidden Forest is misleading since it's originally named the Forest of Sobortus by, would you believe? Helga Hufflepuff herself. There isn't much record for how she single-handedly grew the forest, but legend said that she had been entrusted with a Forest Seed in hope to welcome the new home of the extinct magical creatures, Cernunos, who never showed despite the promised land given. Speaking off, the Forbidden Forest currently has 89 species of magical creatures living within…"

And Ivan chattered on and on and on. At a time like this, I regret calling him out. Maybe I should have bought the Luxbal after all.

But then a tiny light began shining from the other end of the woods. I would have been reluctant going there if Angus hadn't directed me there.

"Ivan, thanks for the help, you can go back now."

"Eeeeeeehhhhh, but I haven't even met the centaurs yet! I want to meet— I mean, I can help smooth things out with them. I've been programmed to know everything there is about centaurs."

"You don't need to go that far, Ivan," If you're there, you'll more likely to make things worse.

"Please let me be of help for you, Boss. I know the three insured things to get on their good side: booze, poppers, and cake."

"Seriously, go back inside before I pluck your wings out."

After much convincing (read: threats) from my side and Ivan got back to my watch, we reached the clearing where groups of centaurs were laying in wait. Presumably for me.

The atmosphere of the woods and the silent pack of centaurs weren't helping my nerves, so I thought I would ease the air a bit, "What's up, fellas?"

Why did that come out of my mouth?

"How dare you, Half-Blood?" One centaur said who I remembered was Bane, "We honored you with our presence and this is the respect you give us?"

Dude, you could have just told me whatever you wanted in my dreams but instead, you asked me to skip dinner and you want me to feel honored? The words bubbled up at the back of my throat, and I tried keeping a lid on it. Don't say it, Percy. Don't say it. Oh, crap, I'm gonna say it. "I'm not disrespecting the honor of centaurs. But seeing you, I'm doubting its existence."

"Insolent child, you dare—!"

"Bane," said a fellow centaur and I promptly froze when taking in his figure. There was a lot I wanted to comment the moment I laid my eyes on him. Not only was he unlike most of his brethren who had brown and black coats, but he also had silver coat that matched his long straight hair that would put girls from hair commercials to shame. Keen eyes that unwaveringly see you as if looking through the deepest corner of your soul. Glossy fair skin that seemed to glow even in the depth of the dark forest that made me want to ask what kind of skincare product he had going on.

But most importantly…

'What is Legolas doing here? '

I'm not even joking. It's like a Half-Naked Orlando Bloom and you stick his upper half on a horse body. It's the most amusing and strangest thing I've ever seen since I went back in time and I've seen some weird shit already. I want to whip out my phone and take picture of him despite A) Monster would know where I am and B) smartphones haven't been invented yet. But by the gods, the picture is worth fighting a legion of monsters.

"... Mister Jackson, are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry, my mind went elsewhere. What were you saying?" The words slip out of my mouth before it occurred to me that Bane is going to give me hell for that.

As if on cue, said centaur stomp down his hoof. "Again with the insults! I should have put an arrow on you the first time I met you, Half-Blood-"

"Bane!" Legolas-lookalike gave him a sharp warning, "Remember, my friend, that we need his strength. Don't expect courtesy when you're not willing to give the same."

Bane gritted his teeth but didn't say anything more other than to glare me to death. At least he respects Legolas more than he hates me. Urgh, now I feel bad for ignoring the guy.

"Allow me to introduce myself again, my name is Baron, and on behalf of the forest creatures, we would like you to lend us your strength."

"My strength?" I wasn't liking where this was going. "What would you need my strength for?"

"To be precise, we needed the power of the Half-Blood. The creatures of the forest are restless and the stars are in chaos. They feel an impending crisis is coming our way. A crisis that we, alone, cannot resolve unless we have the power of the gods by our side."

I gulped, one leg sliding backwards. Please don't let this be what I think it is. "Shouldn't you have prayed for the gods then? I hear Hecate is free these days."

"The gods themselves cannot interfere, you should know that. The heavens have set upon the path that we must walk, and I've taken the honor to deliver what is foretold."

Oh, damn, it is. "I'm sure that's not necessary. I wouldn't want to trouble the esteemed centaurs for something trivial as a delivery. You know how the song goes; Que sera sera. Wise saying. Words to live by. No need to make it bigger than it needs to be."

"Ungrateful child! Our kind has graciously shown you the guidance of the stars. You're lucky we haven't had you beg us on your knees!"

First I was being insolent, now I'm ungrateful. Make up your damn mind! I began to take a step back, but Angus blocked my exit and gave me a gaze that seemed to silently reprimand me for shunting off my responsibility.

I never felt so betrayed by someone from my own kind! Well… almost my kind.

Baron stepped closer to the fire, he threw out a bunch of leaves into the fire. Making it crackle and changing color. His voice got louder like it was echoing around the forest, and as if it was responding to him, branches started to creak and the night wind blowing out the leaves in a rustle as they glided down past us one at a time like a sort of gentle rain, signaling the closing end of fall. I would have struck, enchanted by the scene if I wasn't trying so hard not to cover my ears and forced myself to listen.

"The yet shone Huntress aims at the unfulfilled promise tree where the Savior shall lit anew."

Then another centaur, this time I recognized as Firenze, voiced out; "The moon's light is dim, her domain cried in uproar."

Bane looked reluctant but didn't stop himself from reciting the next line, "Pluto is near, which means many shadows of deaths may loom upon you."

The black centaur I knew as Ronan followed them up, "Rangifer shone brighter than ever falling, the guardian of the spirits shall descend once more."

Then Baron finished while reading over the fumes and shadow the fire bestowed him, "On the night the moon child howls, the innocent shall be a sinner." I thought that was the end of it until he started looking up at the sky, "and blood will spill 'less you abandon your quest."

. . .

When was the last time I ran this fast, I wonder?

I was running with Sev and Lily from a carnivorous grass before, but that hadn't been hard.

Then there was that time we had to chase off pixies Sev accidentally summon with his potions.

Don't get me started with the Golden Dragon last year. My muscles ached for days, like the aftermath of running a marathon.

Yet, never had running been as painful as I am doing now. Maybe because I knew, better than most, that running wouldn't change that I had been pushed into a Quest I didn't ask. I escape the forest despite my terrible sense of direction, but that's mostly because I had been following the scent of water.

Arriving at the edge of the Black Lake, I took a deep breath and screamed louder than I've ever screamed before. Not caring who could have heard me since there's void for me to fling my frustration on. The lake started gaining ripples before it then began swishing back and forth, reminding the waves of sea. I had to stop yelling before I made a mess of things. I heaved a frustrated sigh, 'Can a boy do a mental breakdown without starting an earthquake?'

Once I'm out of breath, I started walking my way back to school as I gathered my thoughts. Mostly on the unwanted prophecy being thrust upon me. I mean, "Blood will spill unless you abandon your quest." Can the Fates make up their mind?! Do they want me to do the quest or not?! For once, I would have liked the prophecy to be simpler. Giving spoilers about Game of Thrones would have been better, like if Aria got killed (Please not Aria).

When finally reaching school, I was surprised to find Professor McGonagall waiting patiently for my return, accompanied by my two troubled friends.

'Welp, this isn't good.'

"Perseus Jackson, would you kindly explain what you were doing out so late during this festive night?"

"Err… I got invited to a gathering of centaurs."

"Nice try, but even Mister Potter tells better lies than that. Now what have the three of you been up to? I expect better behavior from you, Mister Snape, Miss Evans. I'm disappointed in both of you."

"Hold on a second, they didn't do anything wrong! I was the one who went out to the forest, not them!"

"Then you should have thought twice before thinking playing around in the Forbidden Forest is an acceptable past time without considering the consequences. And you two aren't in the clear either, you should have reported the moment you knew what Mister Jackson was planning."

Lils and Sev looked away. The former with guilt-ridden face, the latter more regretted of being caught.

"Nothing to say? Then 50 points from Hufflepuff, as well as 20 points from Gryffindor and Slytherin. And all of you shall share detention."

"That's not fair!" Sev protested, "Lupin often goes to the Forbidden Forest, and I don't see you giving out detention or taking out points."

"Mister Lupin has circumstances that he has informed me beforehand. Which you three have not since none of you deigned to answer me—"

"Would you mind letting me appoint their punishment, Professor?"

The sudden interruption threw us off, especially coming from who it was.

"Professor Ops," McGonagall greeted, "Please do not worry. I intend to discipline them as strictly as their transgression they've crossed."

"Which I'm sure you'll do splendidly, but I was hoping that you'd let me handle them. I believe it'd be a learning experience for me to make children understand how their actions could endanger themselves. These kids didn't mean anything bad after all."

"Yes, however—"

"And I've had the Headmaster permission to be responsible for their punishment. I'm only hoping I could have the Head Deputy Mistress to trust my judgment on this matter."

Professor McGonagall didn't seem she could trust the hippy professor who thinks a lion is a great choice for a pet, but Rhea must know she already won the argument the moment she said Dumbledore's title. But she nodded tightly in the end, "Very well, I'll leave them to you."

She let go of my friends and left with either an unsatisfied grim or just her usual straight face, I could never tell.

It was only once she's out of sight that I lost the tension that's been holding my back, "Thanks for the help, Professor Ops."

"Wait, what?" Sev and Lily looked back and forth between us.

"My pleasure, Dear. You've done nothing wrong, so it's only reasonable that I lend a hand once in a while for my grandson."

"Wow, wow, wait, hold up, GRANDSON?!" Lily turned to me, her mouth barely hanging on, "She's your grandmother?!"

"I haven't told you guys?"

"NO!" They both cried.

"Err, well, Grandma, these are my friends; Lily Evans and Severus Snape. Guys, meet my grandma."

She waved, "Hullo."

The silence a second longer. Sev sighed loudly while pinching the bridge of his nose, and Lils groaned at her hands. "This… this is going to be a thing with you, is it?"

"Umm, I'm not sure what I did wrong but… Sorry?" My words seemed to only frustrate them further.

Rhea cleared her throat, getting our attention back, "Well, while Minerva's brand of punishment might be excessive considering her perception. I still have to give out detention or I'll have a hard time intervening in the future."

"Okay, so, what do we have to do?"

She smiled, "I'll tell you… in time. For now, the feast is about to end and I know one of you hasn't eaten dinner yet so I'd best be off for now." She was gone with the click of her heels, leaving the three of us to our own device.

"Why did you guys come for me?" I asked.

Lily blushed and looked down at her fidgeting shoes, "We kind of acted brash after getting the first alert from our bracelet."

"You got alerts? But I was fine. No one even threatened me, just a few insults were thrown here and there."

"Not that kind of alert," Sev showed me his bracelet, the sword charm gleamed in blue. "We thought you might be hungry enough to raise trouble so we brought food." He then summoned down plates of gravy, roasted chicken, and mashed potato, as well as a glass of fizzy cherry juice. It floated subtly from the ceilings then carefully down around my lap.

"...I love you guys so much."

AN: I'm not gonna lie, at first when writing Baron, I was going to write the cliche wise, old man. But then I thought, "Why should the wise man have to be bloody old?" so when I tried writing how handsome he is, I ended up picturing Legolas as a centaur. It was so hilarious, but I've already made LotR references and I had to balance between making having too many LotR reference or just describe him as handsome normally.

I went for the reference.

Time for the QRA!

Geni Blaze: Dude, they still use rotary phone and phone booth WKWKWKWK. One of the hardest thing is reminding myself what's common sense in the 1970s

Stjinbus: Thank you for the love! And hope Yew would have a good day. Do stay safe and healthy!

dauntlessofthesea: Hey! Good to see you again! Percy's sass is my bread and meat!

SandaKagami: Hehehehe, that's friendship with a demigod. It's complicated.

FolkLuz21: Yes, Hufflepuff and Slytherin is certainly a good friendship dynamic. But the story won't be fun with only that, hehehe (swiping hand diabolically). Thank you as always for the love, there's not much I can reply with when your review is littered with praises (makes me blush). I hope you like this chapter too.

Siento que esta breve respuesta es indecuada para expresar cuánto amo tu opinión. Aku selalu menanti review mu. Beruntungnya, aku dan keluarga ku masih selamat dan sehat. Don't worry about the formality, even I deliberately use formal language so it'll be easier for you to translate. Terima kasih dan sampai jumpa :)))

Patolemus: Oh, Percy isn't out of the hook yet. Luckily for him, she's invested with his survival. Of course I notice your love for Regulus, I love him too! So I'm giving him a more appropriate story in the future. I like to think the Thestrals in my universe is Hades having his own horses because he doesn't want to use any creatures coming from his brother. The same reason for the bat. In my version, you can send mail by bat too... but it's only available at night which is why it's unpopular. Yes! Thank you for liking the bracelet, it was a pain in the arse for me.

Lily can't have their words be seen as legitimate so she had to play as clueless as a pureblood. As always thank you for the love. How much you're invested in this story and how happy you are reading this expressed in your comment makes you one of my favorites. There'll be some action in the next chapter, maybe not sword-fighting or water power worthy yet, but I'm making sure there'll be some good tension.

Zoomingaway: Lily and Sev fall out in the fifth year. You are the first to ask about the Dementors and Patronus and the answer is... related. I'll give you that.

WKWKWKWK, and you've just nailed Percy's thinking. And Sev's a kid with issue, the kid lacks love, okay? It would certainly be convenient to have a brochure, but this is setting where they still used parchment. And yes, it's the marauders. And another Rhea being a Mama Queen we all want but don't deserve.

aarna rastogi: Thank you so much for the love! And yes, the Witch hunter bit was certainly spontaneous on my side. But it was a perfect way for Percy to handle the situation.

bluerose2993: It's not exactly bonding, but it's close enough? Thank you for the love, hope you like this chapter.

Kimikiwi: Of course I notice I especially remember the regulars with the funny username :D I thank you for the love! Hope you had enjoyed this chapter as well.