I HAVE EXCITING NEWS! I didn't update over the weekend because I was really busy with doctors appointments and school. I have been approved to undergo a procedure that has a really good chance of letting me hear. I'm deaf if you didn't know. I know that sound is vibrations, but other than that I can't even comprehend or imagine what sound is. You guys should recommend your favorite things to listen to! I'm super excited! Anyways, the next chapter will be up by Friday.

You might not agree with the house I picked for Percy, but you will come to understand what I am doing as you read later on. I am going I different route than most stories like this because I want to stay as true as possible to the books. I have the finale all planned out and you guys are going to love it!

Checkingdude: I loved your idea! Unfortunately, I had to change it up a bit to make it go with the story. I hope you like it if if it wasn't as good as your original idea.

Thanks to all those who have read, followed, and favorited. You guys make my day!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 8: Wizards Live on the Edge

Percy POV

...

Okay, this is getting a little ridiculous. I've been sitting on this little stool with everyone staring at me for a few minutes and nothing is happening. This hat is completely useless, and by that, I mean it's doing what ordinary non-magical hats do. They sit on heads quietly. I might not be an Athena kid, but I know magical hats are supposed to be well, magical. Wow, how messed up does your life have to be in order to be worried that an old hat is not talking to you.

Maybe I had offended it somehow. I started to think of everything that I've done since I got here that could have offended a hat. My thoughts were interrupted by what can only be described as a painful pulse rippling through my brain.

"Ow!" I thought and I brought a hand up to massage my temple.

"Hmm Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon, Savior of Olympus, I have been waiting a very long time to meet you." a creepy voice said.

My eyes widened in surprise. In my experience, anything using my full name means I'm about to be in big trouble.

"Don't worry young demigod, I'm not here to hurt you. Well, I suppose breaking through that Curse of Achilles was probably a bit painful, but I can see that you're tough." the voice said.

"How do you know who I am? And what do you mean by "broke through the Curse of Achilles?" I asked.

"Your arrival to Hogwarts was prophesied long ago. As you know, I am a very old hat, old enough to know all about the gods and the Greek world. As for your Curse of Achilles, it makes you invulnerable. Swords and knives won't cut you, and arrows and spears won't pierce you. Magic is different than anything physical. Your curse gives you a little protection, but non-fatal magic can find a way to break through. The more powerful the magic, the less of an affect it will have on you. Simple spells can still affect you, but they won't be very strong. The small of your back is vulnerable to everything though, and even a simple spell can prove fatal if that spot if hit."

Annabeth was the only one I had trusted to know my spot, to have someone, or something, else know it didn't sit well in my stomach. I had enough of the hat prying through my mind. And what did he mean by prophesied?

"Can we just get on with the sorting? This is the longest I've sat still for in a long time, and I don't think it's going to last much longer." I started to tap my foot.

"Hmmm, lots of bravery I see, and smarter than you let on too. Not Ravenclaw smart, but you can get by. Loyalty is your fatal flaw, Hufflepuff would be a very good house for you. What's this? You have a lot of darkness within you as well. You could do well in Slytherin, but I can see you are not going to go that way. You had better keep an eye on that Mr. Jackson. You've got power but you often hold back. You'd sacrifice yourself or the world for a friend. Your life has not been an easy one has it? I see that you are on a quest to protect someone. Because I'm feeling generous, I'll make your quest a little bit easier; it is only going to get harder. There is only one house you can go for that."

"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat screamed.

The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. I ripped the hat off my head and smiled.

Hermione made room and I sat down next to her across from Harry and Ron. I was very relieved to have the hat off and to be sitting with my friends. People were clapping me on the back and welcoming me.

A man with a very long beard and half-moon glasses stood up and everyone stopped talking.

"I have only two words to say to you," he said, "Tuck in."

Harry POV

Food appeared all over the table. I looked at Percy who's eyes were wide and mouth dropped in wonder.

"Don't they have magical banquets at your school?" I asked.

He shook his head a laughed. "We do, but not like this." he said.

We all started to pile food on our plates. Percy looked a little apprehensive.

Hermione must have noticed too because she asked if he was alright.

"Nothing. Just something that hat said." He sighed.

"I understand. That hat can be a little tense." I said thinking of when I was sorted.

Ron stopped stuffing his mouth full of mashed potatoes, "What took it so long. You became a hatstall because the hat took seven minutes to sort you."

"A hatstall?" Percy and I asked at the same time. I'm glad that someone else could be magical, yet not know or understand everything that happens in the wizarding world.

Of course Hermione answered, "A hatstall is anyone who takes longer than five minutes to sort."

"I wonder what the longest time for anyone to be sorted is?" Percy asked.

"That is an excellent question Mr. Jackson. I believe it is you. Welcome to Gryffindor." the Gryffindor ghost Nearly Headless Nick said as he popped up through the table.

Percy was not expecting that apparently because he jumped up out of his seat and pulled out a pen. Other students looked in our direction.

"Woah there, didn't mean to startle you. I'm Sir Nicholas, or Nearly Headless Nick." He tipped his head in greeting, showing that he was indeed nearly headless, and then floated off.

"What is that?" Ron asked. Sometimes I forget that he wasn't raised in the muggle world and wouldn't know what a pen is. Wizards use quills.

Percy sat down and said, "It's nothing, just a pen." He slipped it back into his pocket.

"What's a pen?" asked Ron, still confused.

"It's like a quill that doesn't have to be dipped into ink. It's a muggle writing utensil." Hermione asked.

"Can I see?" Ron inquired wide eyed.

"Um, no. It's not for writing. It was a gift from my father." Percy said. His tone said to drop it. Percy changed the subject.

"So what chores do the Griffyndors take care of?" He asked, "I sincerely hope it's not dish duty. There are a lot of students."

Ron laughed "Chores? We don't do chores!" he exclaimed.

Percy looked confused, "Well then how does anything get done around here. At my c-school everyone does chores."

That was a good question I didn't know how to answer. For once, neither did Hermione. She looked at Percy funny, and then looked as curious as I was.

Ron said smartly, "House elves of course."

There was a clang as Hermione immediately dropped her fork and pushed her plate back.

"There are house elves here?" she said absolutely horrified, "I've never seen one." I remembered Hermione's reaction to Pinky at the World Cup.

"That's the mark of a good house elf. They mostly stay in the kitchens but they do a bit of cleaning at night."

Ron explained.

Hermione stared at him.

"But do they get paid? They get holidays and sick leave and pensions and everything?" Hermione questioned. Her cheeks were red.

Ron laughed again. "House elves don't want those things." he said.

Hermione huffed, but said nothing more.

"Guys, what are house elves?" Percy asked.

"They are slaves!" Hermione said furiously.

Before she could continue to rant, Professor Dumbledore stood up and gathered the attention of everyone in the Great Hall.

"Now that he have all eaten, I must ask for your attention as I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you the list of objects forbidden insids the castle this year includes Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list of 437 items is posted in Mr. Filch's office.

As ever I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out of bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all those under the third year.

It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

My heart dropped and a pained "What?" escaped me. I looked around to the rest of the Gryffindor team and they too were in shock.

Dumbledore went on, "This is due to an event the will be happening in October that will continue out through the school year. I'm sure you will enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts-"

He was interrupted by a deafening roll of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall banging open.

I saw Percy stiffen and reach for his pocket. He moved his hand back onto the table when he realized that it was just a man, but remained on high alert.

I could see why, the man leaned on a long staff and wore a black travel cloak. He lowered his hood and shook out a long mane of grizzled, dark gray hair. He began to walk up to the teacher's table with a dull clunk every other step. He limped to Dumbledore and a flash on lightning illuminated his face.

It was unlike any face I had seen before. It looked like it was carved out of weathered wood by someone who didn't really know what a human face looked like. Every inch seemed to be scarred. His mouth was diagonal and part of his nose was missing. But it was his eyes that frightened me.

One of them was small, dark, and beady. The other was like a small telescope eye patch with an electric blue glass eye that moved around rather than a glass lens. It worked independently from his other eye, which was really creepy.

The stranger reached Dumbledore, shook his hand, sat down at the table, and observed everyone in the hall. His glass eye looked right at me, but it seemed like it looked through me. I shivered.

"Ah yes, everyone please welcome the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody." Dumbledore said.

Everyone was too transfixed by his appearance to clap. We all just stared at him.

"Moody?" I muttered to Ron. "As in Mad Eye Moody, the one your dad went to help this morning?"

"Must be," said Ron in a low voice.

Hermione asked, "What happened to him?" Hermione whispered. What happened to his face?"

"Dunno. Are you alright Percy? You've gone a bit pale." Ron whispered to Percy.

Percy was pale, and his breathing was quickened. He seemed to be angry and trying to calm himself.

"I'm fine," he said with a little edginess, "He just reminds me of someone."

"Who?" Hermione asked.

Before Percy could answer, Dumbledore continued to what he was saying before.

"As I was saying, we are to be hosting an exciting event over the next few months. It is my great pleasure that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're JOKING!" said Fred Weasley loudly.

Everyone started to talk and laugh, and Dumbledore laughed.

"The Triwizard Tournament was established 700 years ago as a friendly competition between the three European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. They will be arriving in October and remain with us the rest of the year. From each school a champion will be selected to compete in three magical tasks. The nature of these tasks are dangerous, and the tournament was disbanded after the death toll rose too high."

"Death toll?" Hermione muttered.

"There have been many attempts to reinstate this event, but they failed. The Department of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have made a few changes which will take place this year. These changes are to ensure the safety of those who are chosen to compete. Only students 17 and older may enter."

Everyone started to murmur and complain. The twins looked downright mutinous.

Dumbledore looked at the twins and said, " I will be ensuring no underage students are able to enter so please do not try. When the other schools come, I'm sure that you will treat them with respect. I'm sure you will also support whoever is the Hogwarts champion. I am also sure that it is time for you all to get rested for your lessons tomorrow. Goodnight!"

Everyone filed out of the Great Hall and toward their dormitories. We got up and followed the rest of the Gryffindors.

"Come on Percy, we'll show you the way." I said.

Fred and George started to discuss ways Dumbledore might restrict them from entering, and then tried to come up with plans to overcome them.

I asked how the champions were going to be chosen, Hermione talked about the fatalities, and Neville, who had joined us, told us he wouldn't want to enter because he wasn't ready. Ron said it would be cool to enter. Percy just followed us, looking really tired.

We ducked under a tapestry and through a hidden door and up a narrow staircase. We had to rescue Percy when he stepped onto a trick stair andf fell through until his knee.

After explaining where to step and what to avoid to Percy, we eventually made it to the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower. A large painting of a fat lady in a pink dress asked for the password.

"Balderdash." said George.

The painting swung open and we filed through the hole in the wall.

It felt nice being back in the Gryffindor common room. It was cozy with its red couches and crackling fire.

"Percy, I can't believe we didn't ask this, but how old are you and what year are you in." Hermione asked.

"I'm 16, but I'll be in the 4th year because schooling is different in America." Percy answered and then yawned.

"That means you'll be rooming with us."I said.

"Lead the way" Percy said and smiled.

Ron, Neville, Percy and I headed up the stairs to the top of the tower where our dormitory is. Inside there were 6 4-poster beds instead of 5. Dean and Seamus were already there and introduced themselves. We all got ready for bed.

Percy asked where the bathroom was. I said that there was a small one just down the hall. Students weren't allowed out of the dormitories at night, so there is a bathroom on the boy's side and one on the girl's side just in case.

We all climbed into bed and talked for a little while. Ron said that if his brothers found a way to enter, the. he would too. Dean and Seamus muttered in agreement and Percy was already fast asleep.

I didn't really know what I wanted to do about the tournament. I shut my eyes and tried to sleep.

I was back in the house with Voldemort and Wormtail. Voldemort was asking if everything was talking about me and if everything was in place. I didn't know who he was talking to. It was all fuzzy. The only clear thing I could remember was a snake slithering in and looking right at me. It pounced and I shot up wide awake. My scar burned again so I rubbed it.

Without waking the other boys, I made my way to that small bathroom only to find that someone was in it.

I didn't have to check that it was locked, I could hear them. Someone was talking to someone else in the bathroom, which was weird because that bathroom couldn't fit two people in it. I sighed, shaking it off thinking that it was just me being tired. I went back to bed.

I passed Percy's bed and realized it was empty. I knew that Percy was the one in the bathroom, and that he was talking to someone. I couldn't hear what was being said, and as much as I hated it, I couldn't help but feel Percy was somehow involved with Voldemort.

Oh no! What is Harry going to do? I'm sorry if it seems a little rushed at the end, it's really late and I was trying as fast as I can to get this up. I know that seems lazy and irresponsible, but I cut down on parts that weren't important and shortened up everything you need to know. I am using a lot of the book, but I will be using my own plots and twists, especially as the tournament draws near.

Read and review please!