Perseus did not know how he sat through the short speech that professor McGonagall gave about the different houses and the rules. Eventually, the professor dismissed them and walked into the room.
"Which house do you reckon you'd be in?" A boy asked as he nudged Percy. He had dark hair and grey eyes. Kind eyes.
"I'm thinking, Gryffindor, to be honest." Perseus said and held his hand out. "Perseus Jackson." He introduced himself, they shook hands.
"Cedric Diggory." He said.
"What do you think?"
"Hufflepuff." The boy said with a smile, "Dad says that our family has always been full of Hufflepuffs."
Perseus hummed and before he could continue the conversation, the huge doors opened and Percy walked besides Cedric between the tables.
The dining room's roof was littered with floating candles, something that Percy will never forget. Finally they reached the end of the room, in the middle stood a chair with a hat on it. Moody had told him all about it. How it was weird for a hat to learn about all your thoughts. Behind that chair sat all the teachers. "Before we begin, professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."
He recognized the old man from the one time his mother had invited him over for tea and biscuits. Percy had the time of his life listening to the stories that the man told. He also had the time of his life eating the blue cookies his mother made. "I have a few start-of-term notices that I wish to announce." He looked at the crowd in front of him, "The first years, please note, that the Dark Forest is forbidden to all students."
After the brief pause of Dumbledore's speech, Professor McGonnagal spoke up, holding a roll of parchment in her hands. "When I call your name, come forth and I shall place the sorting hat on your head." she held it up, "And you will be sorted into your house."
Perseus was excited, from what Moody had told him is that his family had always been a mix of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. The Gryffindors tend to turn into aurors while the Hufflepuffs turn into magical doctors. His extended family even had a few animal doctors, who worked out in Asia to take care of dragons and such.
"Cedric Diggory!" The transfiguration teacher called out and Perseus smiled at the boy, wishing him success quietly. The hat touched his head but after a few more seconds it called out, "Hufflepuff!" The boy smiled at Percy and walked over to the yellow table who were cheering loudly.
"Perseus Jackson."
He looked back at every teacher standing by the tables. Sucking in a breath he walked up to the chair and sat down. He looked up at professor Dumbledore and the old man just winked at him. The stomach ache he got suddenly hurt even more. He sat down and something got put on his head.
"Hm, another Jackson I see." The hat spoke, "Ah, another one of those as well. It has been a while since one of you showed up again." The hat rambled, "Loyalty to a fault, the high morals wanting to save anyone. Brave and courageous spirit. Unlike hufflepuff. Oh you have quite a lot of power, this wise and that other thing wise. Accepting is what you are. Determined is what you are, you're willing to do a lot to protect. Your family is filled with Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors, but you definitely are a Hufflepuff!" The room erupted in cheers, most coming from the yellow laced table.
He had a smile on his face as he walked over to a cheering Cedric. The boy smiled and put an arm around Perseus' shoulder. "Can I call you Percy?" He asked, "Perseus is a bit not personal, don't you think?"
Percy grinned and nodded, "You're right." He said and held his hand out for him to shake, "Ced?"
"Ced and Percy." The Diggory said and shook his hand.
—
After dinner they made their way to their dormitories. Percy and Cedric gaped as they saw the great hall. "Holy shit." Percy said and slapped a hand over his mouth. "I'm sure that I might fall off of these stairs at least once in my life."
"Don't jinx it!" Ced said from beside him.
Percy shrugged. They followed the Hufflepuff prefect down to their dorm. They finally stopped walking in front of a few barrels along with a huge lid. "Listen up and pay close attention!" The prefect said loudly. All the first years turned quiet. "To get inside one must tap the barrel two from the bottom, middle of the second row, in the rhythm of 'Hel-ga Huff-le-puff', which will make the lid swing open. However, if the wrong lid was tapped or the wrong rhythm was used, you will be doused in vinegar, sprayed from the mouths of the goblin face figureheads that decorate the barrel."
The prefect showed it and smiled, "Now, if one would like to step up and demonstrate!" Percy cringed as he saw one walk up to a barrel. He could see that the prefect was a prankster by the innocent smile on his face, even though he knows fully well what he's doing.
The girl did the exact thing as instructed by the wrong barrel and got doused in vinegar. The girl gasped and Percy cringed even more. The prefect immediately casted a cleaning spell over her and smiled apologetically, "That is an example if you do it at the wrong barrel." He said and then started to usher them in.
The Hufflepuff common room is round and earthy, the low-ceilings were nice. Many plants hang from the ceiling or sit on the windowsills. There were overstuffed sofas and chairs that were upholstered in yellow and black. There were lots of tunnels from what Percy could see.
He grinned, "Like a badger." He said and Cedric nodded in agreement.
"Boys on the left and girls on the right." The prefect said and clapped his hands. The group split up fast and the boys walked through the tunnels and opened a circular door, revealing beds with posters covered in pathwork. It had copper lamps and bed warmers.
Percy supposes that it gets cold in the winters. There was knocking on the door and the prefect walked in apologetically, holding a small piece of parchment in his hands. "Perseus?" He questioned and the boy raised his hand.
"Come with me, your room is elsewhere." The prefect said and Percy shared a look with Ced before following after him. It was another tunnel, not so far away from everyone but still separate. "Professor Dumbledore was very vague with his reasoning, so it must be a private one." He said, "Enjoy your private room." He said and opened the circular door.
It was exactly like the boys dorm but fit for one person. He had a desk in the corner and a few candles. It was like his own little studio. "Thank you." Percy said quietly as he walked over to his stuff.
"It's no problem." The prefect said and closed the door behind him, leaving Percy alone in his room. The boy pulled up his book and opened it. He had the intention of reading it on the train but was distracted by the Weasley twins.
He quickly opened Argus' cage and the cat purred on his lap as he read the book.
—
The first lesson in Transfiguration, they were writing down an essay when a sheepish Fred and George were hurried into the classroom by their older brother. "Apologies, Professor." He called out before closing the door.
The twins walked up to the front of the class and apologised to the cat. Percy held back a laugh at how absurd it looked. The twins sat behind him and Cedric. "A bit late now?" Percy asked as he turned around to look at the twins.
"Well, it started out as a prank." Fred said.
"But we ended up being seriously lost." George finished and Cedric laughed into his hand and coughed to cover it up. Percy rubbed Cedric's back as he laughed, sending the cat an apologetic look.
—
They had potions together with the house of Gryffindor. The door flew open and a figure walked into the class at a rapid pace, "There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class." He said and looked at the class in front of him, "As such, I don't expect you all to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making." The man looked over at Percy, squinting eyes, "For those select few, who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can…" He kept going, something Perseus can't stand, long speeches.
The tables were made for three, immediately when they saw this, Cedric pulled Percy to one table, leaving room for one more. A Gryffindor walked over and smiled politely as she sat down.
"I'm Perseus Jackson." Percy introduced himself, "This is Cedric Diggory." he said and introduced his fellow Hufflepuff.
"Alicia Spinnet." The girl introduced herself, "Nice to meet you two." She said and mostly looked at Percy. Cedric nudged his ribs with a smug smile on his face and Percy rolled his eyes at him.
"A little quiz to see your general knowledge. A point given to your house if you have it correct, one taken away if you have it wrong." Professor Snape spoke up from in front of the class. "First table." he said and stood by Fred and George's table, they sat with another Gryffindor. "Give me each a different ingredient from an antidote from common poisons."
The three were quiet and Percy cringed. "Three points from Gryffindor." Snape said and continued going down the rows until he stopped at Percy's. "You." He said and pointed at him. "In what potion is asphodel used in?"
Percy took in a deep breath and thought about it, in the book he read about how it was planted by graves. "Draught of living death." He answered and Snape nodded approvingly.
"Three points to Hufflepuff, for using an advanced potion to answer a simple question." He continued going down the row, Cedric lost a point and Alicia gained one.
After potions, Percy was asked to hold back. "Who is your mother, boy?" He asked.
"Sally Jackson, sir." He answered confusedly. Snape squinted at him.
"Grandmother?"
"Estelle Jackson, sir." He answered.
Snape nodded, "A lovely woman. I see that you might share her enthusiasm for potions." He said with his monotone voice. Percy smiled and nodded. "You're dismissed." The boy walked out of the room and Cedric stood outside in the hall, waiting.
"That's the first time Professor Snape has given out more than one point to a Hufflepuff." He said and Percy blinked.
"What?"
Cedric repeated himself, "-the twins told me that. They've gone off to tell their brother."
"But we have study hall?"
Cedric shrugged and started walking, Percy walked alongside him. "You should show me where you learned about those potions."
"A book?"
Cedric nodded and smiled, "Right." The two walked up out of the dungeons and on the magical stairs, they then passed many paintings and made funny faces at them. Some did them back and others rolled their eyes. Percy and Cedric laughed as they walked into the great hall.
The two Hufflepuffs sat down and Percy started to read his books. Cedric looked over and frowned, "What language is that?" He asked.
Percy raised his eyebrow, "Greek." he answered, "It's easier to read in."
"So you were raised Greek but have an English accent?" Ced questioned.
The godling shrugged, "I wouldn't know what to tell you except it doesn't make sense to me either." Then a hatch opened and owls poured through the opening and dropped down packages and letters.
Cedric got mail and Percy got his. It was a package but he knows the smell as if it is yesterday. Blue cookies. He opened the package and put it in between Cedric and him. "Take some." He said.
Another owl flew down and dropped another package. He opened it immediately and a small protective case for glasses fell out, causing Cedric to look at him in confusion again. Along with a letter in English, 'Come by my office after you had your mother's cookies. -Professor Dumbledore'.
Cedric looked at him, "Do you know Dumbledore?" He asked quietly.
"Through family, I think." Percy said, "Maybe he wants to talk to me about-"
"-About your conditions? That's why you got the private room, right?" Cedric questioned and Percy nodded, technically it was the truth. He ate and set aside a few for Dumbledore.
—
Percy stared at the gargoyle. He blinked a few times and turned around his note, once again reading the instructions on how to get to his office. By another glance another few words were added.
The words were written down in greek, with bewilderment he said it out loud, in greek. "Medusa's snake?" He said in bewilderment.
Suddenly the gargoyle shifted and turned around, groaning as stones hit one another. As the gargoyle stopped moving, it revealed a turning staircase. Percy shrugged and took it as a sign to go up the staircase. Once up, he didn't even stop to look at the sheer absurdity that is called the headmasters office. "Dumbledore?" He called out and walked through a connected room.
"Albus in private is just alright, Perseus." A voice said, and Perseus turned around seeing him sitting in his chair besides a phoenix. He looked at the bird in wonder but quickly diverted his attention back to the matter at hand, "I've got some cookies left, Albus, would you want some?" He asked politely.
The old man smiled and nodded, "You're as polite as your mother. I'm glad you didn't get your uncle's attitude towards guests."
Percy chuckled and unwrapped the poorly wrapped package and set it out on the desk. The old man winked at Percy and with the wave of his hand, the cookies were warm. "As you know, you're only allowed here under some conditions, due to the safety of everyone here." Dumbledore said and Percy felt guilty.
"As a demigod, you must know how to fight." He said, "I've scheduled some training sessions for you in the Forbidden Forest with some friends of mine." Percy nodded, "I've also found a room where you can practise." The man said and Percy cocked his head in interest.
"Down by the kitchens there is another door, locked but is able to be unlocked by a password. It was used by many other demigods or legacies before you." Albus said and gave Percy a paper. "These are instructions where, how to use the room and such. Do not lose this, memorise the password and hand it inside somewhere."
Percy smiled, "Thank you, sir."
"You will be dismissed from flying to protect your safety from being blown out of the sky." The man said amused, "You do know that, do you?"
Percy gave the man a sombre smile and nodded, "No flying unless it is on horses." He rubbed the back of his neck "With whom will I be training in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Old friends of mine, you'll see." Albus said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Percy held up the glasses, "What are they for, sir?" He asked.
"For your dyslexia." The man said, "Wizards have created glasses like these a long time ago. While many don't have dyslexia, a few do have them."
The weak frame was made of a thin grey metal and it was more rectangular shaped. "Go ahead and try to read this" Albus said and handed over a worn out book.
The words stopped swimming around and Percy read it out loud without any stammering, he smiled proudly. "They're weak but easily fixable with one spell." Dumbledore said.
"Reparo, right?" Percy questioned.
"Correct, young man." They stood up and walked over to the door, "You are to report yourself this evening by Hagrid's hut. He'll know what to do." The two exchanged a few more words about his trainer, still hiding his identity. Percy nodded and walked down the rotating stairs. His glasses hanging onto his Hufflepuff sweater.
—
That evening he reported himself by Hagrid's hut, just like Albus told him to do. The man laughed when Percy had asked if he was going to be there as well. Then he said something about his brittle bones not being able to handle a lot anymore.
"You're going to meet up with a very old friend of professor Dumbdore." Hagrid said as he prepared his lantern. "While I was told of your nature, I did not expect for so many things to happen for you! But now you have private lessons with Firenze! That doesn't happen often!" The half-giant said. "Talking and seeing Firenze in general doesn't happen often. I'm surprised he even agreed."
Percy shrugged, "Firenze?" He asked as he watched Hagrid proudly hold up his lamp, not saying any information about the hidden person.
"Say, kid, 'yer a son of the sea. Think you can help me with the living beings in the lake here? Sometimes I have trouble caring for the kraken."
"Archie?" Percy questioned
"Did he actually tell you his name!" Hagrid said enthusiastically.
"Well, he's actually a Giant Squid." Percy corrected him.
He raised a bushy eyebrow, "Oh really now?" The giant nodded and laughed. "Oh that's good!"
"He did." Percy admitted and stood up, "Why is the Dark Forest forbidden for everyone but me?"
"Because you'd be safe and protected in the forest." Hagrid said. "And it's Jus' for 'yer trainin'." Hagrid answered and opened the door. The two mindlessly talked about animals that live in the Great Lake. Perseus did not know about the merpeople or the grindylows. But he is excited to meet them all, he is also excited since it can present a moment to train underwater.
Percy wouldn't be able to describe the dark forest, even if he tried. Something about the way that everything can change at an instant is definitely helping his ADHD. He liked it, while it is a bit eerie, he can't help but like weird things.
Eventually Hagrid stopped and put down his lantern by an open patch of land. Then he heard galloping. Perseus kept turning on the spot to see where it came from, he jumped when an arrow struck the ground by his feet. He looked up at the figure with the boy.
The man was tall, "My name is Firenze, I'll train you." Percy looked at him from up his head and down to his hooves. Percy blinked and gave the centaur a slight bow, he was unsure of what he was supposed to do. "Why are you bowing, child?"
"It is a respectful gesture. Albus gave me an earful about it." Percy rambled, in a nervous manner.
"You do not know a lot about the Greek world, boy." Firenze shook his head, "I guess that Dumbledore wanted to amuse me."
"Are you?" He blurted out the question and pursed his lips. "It's nice to meet you."
"I don't know whether it is nice to meet you or not, yet." The centaur said. "My species don't like humans." He explained.
Percy deflated, he was hoping that Albus didn't have to struggle so that he could be trained.
"But it has been centuries since we've considered training a demigod. We as a group shall train you." The galloping happened again, only this time it got louder. As if there were multiple. By the way that the centaur said, group. He definitely meant a group.
"Albus said that you have a sword already." Firenze crossed his arms. "Take it out and hold it."
Perseus pulled out his muggle pen and uncapped it, the sword sliding out and he held it perfectly. Firenze took his bow and whipped it at the sword. The sword stayed strong in his hands. "A natural." The centaur said and whipped his bow at the sword again. "Fine craftsmanship, do you know the smith?"
Percy shook his head, "What now?" He asked, he was excited about learning how to fight.
"Now you take a swing at me."
He did. The centaur held his ground but eventually, Percy was out of breath and let his sword fall at the next whip of Firenze's bow.
"Good." The centaur nodded, "We've got enough observation", he stomped the ground once and a few centaurs came out from between the trees. After many more drills and homework to learn how to disarm, Perseus was guided back to the dorms by Hagrid.
– –
Percy tapped the barrels and stepped through the tunnel and into the common room. It was rather empty with only a few older students. They acknowledged him with a few nods and he nodded back, accidentally walking into someone.
"Sorry." He apologised.
"What are you doing up so late, kid?" The girl asked.
Percy cringed, "I was-"
"Not looking for trouble, ey." The girl teased and winked, "Tonks." She introduced herself.
"Jackson," Percy now introduced himself.
The girl looked closely at him and grinned, "Oh I've been looking forward to adopting a first year." Her grin said enough. "Looking forward to seeing you around, kiddo!" She said and walked over to the other older students with bottles in her hands.
Percy frowned, confused at the interaction but shrugged, walking into the tunnel and he opened the door to his room. Argus immediately ran over to him and purred by his legs. The boy chuckled and picked the cat up, "Well hello." He said and smiled.
The godling petted the cat for a few minutes before walking over to his bathroom. He looked in the mirror and looked at his visible scar, the left side of his face had a scar that went down from under his jaw to his shoulder.
That one hurt the most when his uncle had healed it. He took off his shirt that definitely smelled horrible and looked at his arm, one more claw mark that will stay there permanently and one more on his forearm.
He cringed as he looked at the dark scars over his dark skin. They had yet to fade. 'They'll fade eventually', he assured himself.