Chapter 2: Two Worlds Collide
Recap: While us, Disaster Trio get by on our weekly adventure, my voice of reason has only been a prayer away. Though what did Rhea mean by convention?
"—then the young archeress faced her father. Despite her fear and doubt, she aimed her last arrow, shot, and it stayed true. By saving her Lady, Zoë took the blow meant for her and gave me the chance to trick Atlas into giving back his burden." At least, I think that was how it went. I couldn't remember the details much considering I was struggling with the worst back pain no mortal should suffer.
"YES!" Billy crowed, "They won! They won!" Billy's excitement was contagious, making his little brother jump and mimicking him when the one-year-old could barely walk without wobbling. I was considering finishing the story where Zoë becomes a star, but maybe it is best simply to leave it on a happy note.
"Thank you so much for doing this, dearie." I turned to the side, hearing Molly doll out her appreciation. "I'm sorry that Billy kept fussing for a story from you."
I gave my most polite smile while answering genuinely, "I don't mind, Mrs. Weasley. Billy's a good kid, so how could I not want to spend time with the guy."
"Oh, you're so sweet, dearie." Molly was levitating one cloth at a time before hanging them in the living room from the stack of laundry that included ours. Why did she have them dried inside? A look at the rumbling sky would give you the answer. The floor was a tight space, what with the housing of the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team and the Weasleys not being the poster family for organized homes added to the fact there are two wizard kids around.
So yeah, I can slightly understand why Marlene was giving laser eyes at the sky like she could demand the gods to provide the bright weather she wanted after three consecutive rainy days while the rest of the team are playing muggle cards. I'm a bit concerned that our youngest member, Howey, actually knows how to hustle out their money since they are all newbies to this game.
They all look like they're having fun, so let's pretend not to see that.
The mundane peace was interrupted when the door swung open, the rushing wind blew the top half of the laundry tower and made Molly screech at "ARTHUR!"
"Sorry! Sorry– I– I only need to–" her husband urgently scrambled in, but that left Molly complaining about the wet drops he trailed behind while being careful with his muddy steps since only his nose poked out of his hood. Not surprising since Arthur was pulling the string instead of loosening them, guess a simple muggle raincoat is still too much for him. "Err, can anyone help me? I'm a bit stuck."
The Prewett Twins' raucous laughter got them limply quivering on the floor. I sighed, getting up to help with Billy persistently hanging on my back. "Don't worry, I'll help you, Mr. Weasley."
"Oh! Thank you." I loosened the hold of the string, giving room for Arthur to breathe in ease, "Just when I found the closest muggle attire to a robe, and they still have ways to astound me."
"You're simply not used to it, Mr. Weasley. I'm sure you'll be a muggle expert in no time."
"Thank you again, my boy. So continuing our conversation, this movie reel you mentioned—"
"ARTHUR!" Molly yelled again, "Clean yourself up before you start hounding him!"
"Yes, dear!" Arthur winked and mouthed how we'd talk later. His smile reminded me of an excited kid who couldn't wait for his favorite cartoon show to start. I guess this is what it's like meeting a Muggle Geek.
Our Captain's groan could be heard across the whole room despite sticking her face to the glass, "This is our last day for our training camp. So why does it have to rain?"
"Can't be helped, Captain. Sis doesn't have a weather shield for this house," Gideon answered her rhetorical question.
Marlene sighed further and looked out the window like a girl wearing a broken heart for the world to see, "I hope the rain stops soon."
'Whatever mood you're in Zeus, keep that rain coming!' And I was sure the rest of my team shared similar sentiments. Marlene can enjoy her spartan training once we're back at Hogwarts.
Hogwarts… the thought of coming back to school filled me with mixed feelings; the anticipation of going back to meet familiar faces, the excitement of learning new ways to use my ability, or my longing to see the medieval interior and gothic ambiance.
It was the same kind of feeling I used to have when the school term ended, and summer was drawing close. But then guilt got mixed in, and my chest clenched at the thought. Rhea said that missing Hogwarts doesn't mean replacing them. It's the same reason Camp Jupiter never replaced Camp Half-Blood, but at least then I knew Annabeth was coming for me even without my memories.
Now it's been four years and I still can't see the end of this quest. The only reason I haven't rioted yet is that I'm physically fourteen and haven't fully re-aged. I swear if I am any more than a month older than eighteen before I finish this quest, I'll climb up Mount Olympus myself and have words with them.
"CHEER UP, CAPTAIN!" The newest member and Chaser piped up. The rest of the team started groaning lowly about using an indoor voice, "The final round for the World Cup is around the corner, even if we cut our training short, there's still something to look forward to and learn—" a wild shoe managed to hit him face first and cut him off.
"Keep your voice down, why don't you!"
"Then don't throw shoes at someone else's houses, why don't you?!"
The loud, exuberant member is Zack Vizeth. He's a third-year Hufflepuff, and after getting to know him these past two weeks I learned that he's an honest, straightforward guy, who's earnest at everything he does. For someone a year younger, he towered over half the team and has the body mass of a jock to boot. At a glance, you wouldn't believe him to be thirteen. He's a total cinnamon roll that everyone can't help but like.
Well, nobody except for our newest Keeper. I've known Alice Kamala as a fellow fourth-year and recognized that she doesn't like crowded and loud places. Why that sort of person would join Quidditch is beyond me, but rumor tells me Captain managed to annoy- I, I mean convince her to join for the whole third year. How true is that? I don't know, but I could see Marlene out stubborn even the most aloof person in Hufflepuff.
With Jeremiah and Mason graduated, you would think the team would work more awkwardly or quietly, but nooooo~ it's gotten… err… livelier is another word for it, I guess.
I glanced at Marlene, who turned from the wet window glass to the rough, childish battle of her team, and I swear she saw the Quidditch Cup flying further away to beyond her grasp.
'Captain, I pray for our good luck this year.' I mentally encouraged her.
The next day, most of us had already packed our bags and were ready to depart from the Weasley home. And again, this year had two boys attached to my chest, pleading tearfully not to go.
I heard Fabian whistled, "You're so popular, Percy. I'm sooooooo jealous. Please teach me your ways."
I covered the kids' ears and glared at him, "I'll teach you how to catch a Quaffle with your mouth if you don't shut up."
"Percy!" Molly called, "I understand my brother has the face of a garden gnome—"
"Hey!"
"—but please refrain from any violence in this house."
"Sorry, Mrs. Weasley."
She nodded, satisfied before pulling her sons out from my reach.
How am I supposed to say goodbye like this?
On the other hand, Molly looked little to not phased from carrying squirming and crying children. She didn't panic or try to soothe them, just held them in her arms with the patience of a hardened warrior. Accepting the cries without being troubled by them when I'm already half-caved and half-crazed from it. The others weren't that far off either.
"I'm sorry about this. They're like this but honestly, they're just crocodile tears."
They both cried an octave higher, and doubt seeped at the thought of them faking it. I mean, mother knows best but surely kids their age wouldn't be faking this hard, wouldn't they? Before long, Molly pitied her guests and brought her boys upstairs, out of sight.
Arthur laughed at my predicament, "Don't look so troubled Percy, they'll move on to the next shiny thing before the day ends."
"You make me sound like a toy, Mr. Weasley."
"Please, call me Arthur. You and Howey have been a great help to me and my work. It's not every day you meet people with full experience of muggle culture. Why, your insight into the gameplay for soccer is truly fascinating. Who knew we have so many things in common even after living separately?"
"It's nothing much, Mr. Weas– I mean, Arthur. Though I think you should call it football." Otherwise, some random British person might get triggered if he heard him. While I'm glad I could be of help, somebody should at least teach him a thing or two about muggle common sense.
My brows furrowed, uncomfortable at the thought of Arthur, someone working on the Misuse of Muggle Artifact Office, who didn't have a clue for something as simple as a telephone when he knew what a phone booth was. His knowledge of muggles was like patchwork that he filled with his own outdated facts or assumptions. Any of his muggleborn or halfblood co-workers who've lived with muggles should know this. Couldn't he ask around? Maybe he's shy of sounding ignorant with them.
"Mr. Weasley," Marlene called, "Are you joining us at Diagon Alley, you look like you're going out?"
"Ah, I have more work in the ministry that I need to handle."
"On the weekend?"
Arthur smiled but it looked more tired than polite, "I know, but my division has been working overtime since Jenkins pushed for better muggle-wizard relations because of recent events, but it hasn't been received well by the public. The ministry has had a difficult time handling the PR, it's been quite a mess."
"What recent events?" Zack asked curiously.
The man's face became a bit pale at the question and looked away, "Err, you might still be too young to know that… Oh, have you decided on your electives yet, Zach? You should think on what you want for your future while you're at it."
The blatant shift of subject made it all the more curious, but it was time for the team to floo out. We then waved Arthur goodbye, thanking him for the hospitality.
Arriving at Diagon Alley, the team decided to go to the bank together before deciding to part ways. I had a meet-up at Ollivander's with Severus and Lily. I chuckled at the thought of Sev looking like a normal kid at finally getting his own wand instead of a hand-me-down after he saved up enough from helping his mom's work.
"—and then I said 'muggles are a bunch of killers and psychopaths.' They tell me that I'm a muggle-hater when I'm only telling it as it is."
He wanted me and Lils to be the first ones he showed it to, so that was where we decided to meet up– I'm sorry, what garbage did I just hear?
"These people had once believed us to be the children of the devil, and we're supposed to forget the terrible and evil deeds of their race and blood. Open your eyes! They're sending their broods to infiltrate our homes to tear everything down with their sharp 'manicured' claws and brainwash us with their 'telly'."
It wasn't hard picking up where the loud voice was coming from after spotting a small curious crowd looking up at a bloated man that was spouting ridiculous conspiracies that for a moment I thought was someone's idea of a practical joke. The man sounded like a croaking frog on steroids trying to mimic a high-tempered football coach. It was hard taking him seriously. I looked around the audience, and most were covering the snickers and watching him for the show.
"Are we going to let their sort defile everything our ancestors had built through sweat and tears by taking away our livelihood and culture?! I say– NAY! The government is trying to blind us from the truth so I'm here to bring great tidings; the Dark Lord shall take a stand and take back what has always been ours!"
A random person cupped his hand around his mouth and cried out, "Mate, are you barking mad? If you're so drunk pissed around muggles, why don't you go and stand up on your own? We'll pay respect when they burn you at the cross!" He then began to laugh, followed by the crowd around him while others looked disgusted.
The chubby frog-man's face became more like a tomato, "Ha! Laugh while you can. Soon all of you will regret as our Dark Lord will pave the way to a new world and all of you plebs should repent before licking the dirt on our boots."
"Oi, oi, ya tryin' to pick a fight? Come down here and I'll show you some good old-fashioned duels."
"Ya wanna go?! Ya wanna go, mate?!" The guy pulled his sleeve up and was ready to throw wands.
And the crowd started circling over the two violent dudes, looking way more excited for the fight than whatever drivel they were hearing before. One person cried, "Hex his arse, Josh!" But I couldn't tell which one was Josh before a brawl started in the middle of the street.
By that point, I was already walking away. School already gives me enough trouble as it is, I do not need to get involved with immature adults.
Still, I'm glad that Lily isn't anywhere near to hear that clown. Though a clown would be a bit too generous to describe him. I soon lost interest and walked away with the rest of the crowd who had better things to do.
"Percy! What took you so long? We both got impatient, so Sev bought the wand already."
"Sorry, I got held up by the crowd. So tell me, what kind of wand d'you end up with?"
Sev grinned as he showed off the glossy wand still spotless from lack of use. "It's hawthorn wood with a dragon core. Made for a wizard with limitless potential," he bragged at the end.
Oddly enough, Lily pursed her lips as she glanced back at the shop. "Though Mister Ollivander did say a few concerning things."
He waved her concern off, "That old man has been off his rocker for a while; there's no need to take every little thing he says seriously. Now come on, let's go get our books."
Sev went off ahead before we followed closely behind. I edged toward Lily and whispered my curiosity.
"When Sev managed to pick the right wand for him, the owner started saying about Sev having 'inner turmoil' and 'suffering from conflicted nature'. It could be nonsense, but… d'you think Severus is troubled with something, and we didn't notice? You know how Sev is."
The memory of a bruised arm and venomous glare passed my mind as I looked at our friend's back. "Yeah, that kid complains about everything but his problems. It's exhausting looking at him sometimes."
"Should we say somethi—" I shook my head before she finished her sentence.
"Prodding him would only make Sev hide it better. Let's leave it for now and watch over him so he knows we're there for him."
"Is that even in question?" Lily expressed her confidence in our mismatched trio. I couldn't help but grin in agreement.
Once we've bought everything, we walked out of Diagon Alley and into the Leaky Cauldron. We slumped by the back door as the inn was overcrowded. There was still space for us to slip into, but all the good seats and corners were occupied. A bunch of different huddled groups were surrounding a radio blaring out a broadcast of the World Cup. The usual tranquil inn became no different to a sports bar. Differing colour-scheme robes, hats, and scarves that are not House colours but one familiar to me nonetheless after being in a Quidditch Team for three years.
"Wow, is everyone listening to the Quidditch World Cup — the one being hosted in Egypt right now?"
Sev clicked his tongue and looked at the group of adults with contempt, "The teams aren't even strong enough to get to the final right now, they're in for a disappointment."
"...You're not wrong, Sev. But let them dream for a bit, okay?" Sheesh, this kid doesn't know how to take a break.
"Guess we're gonna have to take our supper elsewhere."
Lily perked up at the thought of going to a cafe in London. Having only ⅓ of every year outside of wizarding school makes every chance going out to the big muggle city like this precious. Sev didn't care where we ate as long as there's coffee— hold on a minute, you brat! Isn't it still early for you to drink that much caffeine! No wonder you've had worse eyebags. Do I have to watch over your diet too?
Sev seemed to sense my upcoming nagging because he then became much more cheery in picking a place to eat.
Though we should have thought twice of the place because it just so happened to be the same cafe that led to a curious muggle sitting uninvited on our table with a determined gleam.
"Hey, Monica."
"Don't 'hey, Monica' me, wiz kids!" The young adult glared at the three teens that must have been occupying her head for the past year. "I've been calling you all year round just to get in touch after giving me a huge bombshell!"
"How did you even get my number?" Lily asked.
"Calling for every Evans family from the phone book did the trick. I even had a friend help me, thinking we were doing prank calls."
"I don't know whether to commend your tenancy or be creeped out by your stalkerish attitude," I pointed out with a shudder.
"I am not a stalker!"
"Err…" Lils hesitated, "you kind of are…"
"...okay, so I was a bit stalkerish, but it was for a good cause!"
Sev scoffed, "What cause? All you're doing is one-sidedly badgering us for answers." His cold tone was able to flinch the older woman. But Monica was, for better or worse, stubborn to a fault.
"Come ooooonn! I can't help it. A secret society wizard and witches hiding from the prying eyes of the people. Can you honestly tell me you wouldn't be half as curious?"
Well, I wouldn't. But these two dorks would sniff out secrets like a bloodhound and chase after it. I mean, I do chase trouble from time to time, but that's all for the Quest! By no means am I doing this by my free will. Living life in peace is the best.
"I'm surprised your memory is still intact even after a year," Sev finally said, his tone slightly impressed. "I thought by how you keep prodding, you'd easily get noticed by the Ministry without getting us involved."
"Ha! I knew your lot would have a memory wiping spell. I thought since your kind has a government that means you'd have a spell to keep yourself hidden even from accidents so I was careful in how I go about it."
Huh, she's sharper than she looks. "What do you know about us at this point?"
She shrugged, "Barely anything. But enough that you have a time frame of visiting London and you mention school before, so I guess you'll come again during a time before the school term starts to buy magic books and such. It wasn't hard finding you once you keep an eye out on people with robes."
Okay, she is way sharper than I imagined her to be.
Lily gawked at the young woman in front of her, "You… you figured all that?"
"So? You were a bit obvious on that front. Anyway, you don't need to tell me anything else if it gets you that much in trouble. I'm grateful you even gave proof that magic is real."
"Then what do you want from us?" Sev growled, his shoulder tensed after listening to her every word evidencing his wariness of her.
Monica grinned, and we braced for whatever request she had in mind before brazenly stating, "I want to be friends."
Huh? What?
Even Severus was left speechless, spilling half his tea on the table as he gawked.
Lily's eyes were round as she took in her words, "Just that?"
The young woman nodded, her expression brimming with satisfaction. "Just that. After all, what can be cooler than having wizard friends? Isn't that the kind of story you find in books? It'd be great if we could get along with each other."
The three of us looked at each other, unsure because there's no reason for us to reject it, but it was still a weird image: a woman before her 20s asking to be friends with a bunch of barely teens. How would that look in front of others?
It's good that she's bold, I guess?
In the end, a wordless agreement was shared between us as I offered her my hand to shake, "Percy Jackson, nice to meet you properly Monica."
"Monica Hall," she shook my hand, her smile so genuine and blinding that it was almost impossible to fake how happy she was for a simple handshake. "I hope we get along… say, do you guys actually fly on brooms?"
AN: Day: Unknown; Status: Still unemployed; Mentally: Screwed
On the bright side, I've been playing MTG on the side and it's been a great brain teaser whenever writing feels like work. And thank you so much everyone for congratulating me on graduating and the well wishes!
Now on to the QR&A where I answer your question and thank you all for the luvs
1mposter: Thank you for the luvs! Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
Scl04: It has come to my attention I didn't explicitly explain that Hecate has a hand in obscuring the ministry to the… active use of magic around Cokeworth. I might use it as a plot point in future acts or explain it in future chapters. I'm glad you enjoyed the bird chase, Percy deserved to be saved once in a while, and the other two third of the trio can manage even without Percy. (Sort of XD)
Oh, my friend. I don't plan to simply draw parallel with the convention, I'm gonna make it the biggest wizarding event in modern history!
But with magic nerds ;)
FolkLuz21: The House system in Hp-verse isn't supposed to be functional, it was supposed to be iconic and fun. Fictional world building isn't always practical after all. It's just some dumb entertainment that we ended loving for different reason. The idea is great, but the implementation however is poorly executed.
There'll be more Disaster Trio antics awaiting in the future and I feel for your frustration surrounding the marauders. It's how I feel when I was doing the rewrite. And I'm so glad you love the reunion between the Doe and Stag. The opportunity was there and I HAD to write it in and the significance deserves to be notice dammit.
Gracias again amiga for your kind, encouraging words as well as the well wishes. Your constant comments, luvs, and words has been a part of my good days and I await good wishes from your side as you have from mine. You are one of the nicest reviewer and I think of you as my bestie. Hope you and your family is still safe.
DreamCatcher06: Thank you as always for your luvs and kind words. And may I give you credit where credit's due as the only person pointing out the person that might be behind the bruise? Good eye you have there.
And Percy is oddly snarky mostly internally than he is verbally, and the implication on the fact he rarely consults with anyone about his feelings.
SentinalSlice: AHAHAHAHA that's a good point! Though currently he's safe from Zeus; watchful eyes but sadly I miss that chance. Thanks for the luv!
Patolemus: You get to know about the convention in the next chapter ;)
It's not a Percy Jackson-fic without death defying stunts before lunch. I can safely assure you it's going to be a fun arc!
James is getting difficult to write as I planned how he's going to have his character development in the far, far future. And Lily is holding on to Riptide for the same reason Percy is holding on to Gryffindor's Sword for her. Damien-Marlene thrust is a side story so it won't be featured unless it's relevant when I want it to.
I firmly stand on the opinion that fictional characters that are assholes can be liked as long as they're called out or undergo character development. That's the basic line for me. There's so much comedic potential just from Sevvy being a stubborn old man trying to keep himself from caring about anyone.
Thank you for the kind review, looking forward for the next one!
Black 'Victor Cachat: People who love Rhea will keep seeing her when Percy needs it. CAn't have one of fans' favorite to stop showing up. Thank you for the kind words and hope you enjoyed this chapter.
GAMESTREEMERPercyJackson Fan: First of all, thank you. Second of all, no can do bro. Percy is OP as it is and animal shifting is Frank thing. Frank deserve to have his own special thing that no one has. Give Frank some love too.
But Percy is capable of turning people to animals if he tries
Imheretolive08: Thank you for the kind words and luvs XD
Theseus-Theo: Looking forward to your review! Luckily for you, my main plot will come up in the next chapter
Stjinbus: Thank you so much! All your answers will come due time so sit tight and wait for the next few chapters. Keep liking Sev while you stil can, it's going to go downhill in the far future.
Ritaja bandyopadhyay: Thank you so much for the well wishes! I hope you keep liking my chapter
Akshaya: Thank you for the kind words! I do try my best for every chapter. My schedule is random but I try my best to post once or twice every month. Other than that, the rest of your query is a spoiler so can't say ;)