Percy looked at the wall in confusion, "What the fuck is an high inquisitor?" He asked as he read it, the font was a nightmare.
"A questioner who is excessively harsh." A voice hummed beside him and he looked over in surprise. Hermione Granger was willingly talking to him, with no ginger glaring at him. The two were hurried aside by other students, wanting to read it as well.
"So who is she going to question?" Percy asked, looking at the bushy-haired girl in confusion.
"Most likely teachers, the students she will give detention to." Hermione said as she frowned.
Percy looked up to the skies, what a great timing to be sent to Hogwarts by the fates. Lovely, just lovely. He looked at Hermione and didn't know how casual they were yet. "Have you started on the potions homework yet?" He asked.
Hermione nodded, "If you'd want I cou-"
"I've already done it and handed it in, Hermione." Percy said, "I don't need your homework." He gave her a light smile, "I just wanted to find out if you learned something off the books?" He asked.
Hermione looked at him and he just smiled. "There is this old book that mentioned that they were found somewhere deep in the ocean." She gushed, "There is this old thing coming from some history book that said that Poseidon was Artemis' favorite niece and that she gave Poseidon moonstone's to decorate Atlantis."
Percy smiled and shook his head, "From the book that I've read said that Poseidon had saved a huntress from her hunt" Zoë, his father had saved Zoë, "Maybe one of her higher ups in her ranks, she was eternally grateful and solidified the rays of the moon she casted at the beach." He said and Hermione listened, "Just read it somewhere though." He shrugged casually.
"Which book was that?"
Personally from Poseidon's mouth, Percy didn't stop for a second before he said, "Some hardcover book, I don't remember." Hermione nodded, it got quiet again. She looked down at his hand and gasped. "She gave you the quill too."
Percy gave her a small smile, "It's fine, it will fade."
She stopped and took him by the arm, consequently Percy walked into her. On instinct he held her by the hip to not let her fall. As soon as he noticed what he did he let go and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry." He said with an apologetic smile.
Hermione raised her eyebrows and she grabbed Percy's arm so hold his hand in front of her face. "Merlin's beard." She said under her breath and looked up. "How many lines did you have to write?"
"Until it sinks in." Percy answered as he shrugged, "It didn't really sink in until she told me to stop."
Hermione frowned as she looked up, "Didn't it hurt."
He gave her a small smile, "I had worse." He said softly and cleared his throat, "I have to tutor a few first years, so if you'll excuse me."
Hermione dropped his hand and nodded, "I'll see you around, Percy."
"You as well, Hermione." Percy said before walking through the hallway a bit rapidly. He walked between students getting to their dorms or just roaming the halls. He walked into the library and smiled as he noticed three students lazing around.
It was a bit of an abandoned side of the library, one most didn't use but it was amazing. It used to be locked but a little magic couldn't hurt anyone, it looked like some classroom, but instead of separate desks, it was a big one, all put together.
"Get off the table." He greeted as he nudged one off. Collin immediately got off and sat down.
"What is the plan for today?" He asked. Percy pointed at one who raised her hand, "Holly." He called out.
"Defence Against the Dark Arts." She answered and gave Percy her book. "Chapter 3 till 7."
He looked through it and nodded, turning to the board, holding a piece of chalk in his hand. "Effects?" Penny answered, "Yes, glowing green energy." He said and wrote it down, it was a bit more readable than his lines that he wrote for Umbridge. "How can it be used?"
"Offensively." Another voice said and Percy's head snapped to the door. There stood Hermione, holding a few books in her hands. Behind her, Percy could see a bit of black hair and red hair. Harry and Ron.
"Did you follow me here?" He asked as he stood by the door.
Hermione shook her head, "Some of the Gryffindor students don't like it when Harry announces that you-know-who is back. It's not really a peaceful place at the moment." Percy nodded, "We found it yesterday, actually."
Percy raised his eyebrows, he had been sitting here for a few days at the least. "Come in before anyone else sees it." He looked at the three Slytherin kids, "Could you just keep it down a bit? Collin can get distracted easily."
He knows how distracted that the boy can get, for the first few days Percy taught them in the common room but it definitely didn't help because there was a lot of foot traffic and friends, as friendly as one could get towards a half-blood.
The three hurried inside, not before getting a slight glare from Ron. Percy locked the door behind them, hoping that others won't try to get in. The three sat in the corner by the window, and Percy turned back to the kids.
"Offensive." He said and started to explain the spell. "When you cast it, you're causing an orb of glowing green energy to be thrown from your wand tip." He said and he opened a window, on the far right window.
With his wand out the window, Percy did the wand movement strictly and smoothly, "Verdimillious." He said the incantation clearly and there it came. Like fireworks it shot off a few feet away in the air in a blinding flash of emerald light.
"What will it do now?" He asked and pointed at Holly as the light behind him didn't fade. "Things hidden by dark magic will be revealed."
Ron snorted and Percy ignored it, "And?" He egged on.
"They're temporary and tangible until the spell is gone." Collin said and smiled.
Percy smiled and out of his pocket he took a few candies. "Good." He said and threw it at them. He looked at the small space and then at the wall, "One second," He told the first-years and in addition caught the attention of the Gryffindors.
"Capacious extremis." He muttered under his breath as he waved his wand, it was a sophisticated spell. He was glad that his mother had taught him it way before he went to Hogwarts, after his first quest, even.
"Oy," Ron said, "That spell is monitored." Hermione looked a bit guilty as she leant further away from Ron. Percy assumes that she told him that, on purpose or accidentally. The wall was getting further and further away from them now.
"It's to prevent breaches of the secrecy, we're at Hogwarts." Percy argued, "I don't think you'd want to get hit by a spell that a first year casted, an inexperienced first year." Ron grumbled as he leant back in his chair.
Percy then levitated a few carpets off of the walls and put them down at the extended part, out of his pocket he pulled out a little straw man. He threw it and used an enlarging spell on it.
In front of him now was a corner filled with carpets and a straw doll, just like the ones at Camp Half-Blood, with a soft smile he turned at the kids. "Jinx time." He said with a smile and the three Slytherins immediately stood up.
It was one of the first reasons they came to Percy. Defending themselves was a priority, he couldn't say no, it reminded him too much of the kids at Camp Half-Blood. "Why are you teaching them that charm?" Ron called out.
Percy looked at the guy, "What are you doing?" He asked.
"Asking you a question."
He walked over and put the book down in front of him, "This is a first-years book, Weasley. They're covering this in class, but they're not doing it in class." He looked at Harry and Hermione, "Just like we aren't doing anything in class."
Hermione looked at him with a glint in her eyes and he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He turned around and as he walked he casted the knockback jinx on the straw doll. "What can this charm be used for?" He quizzed. "Dueling and pushing back heavy objects." Holly called out.
"Good." Percy said as he stood beside Collin now, he casted a glance at Hermione to see her whispering and looking over every once in a while with Harry, Ron was just rolling his eyes. "You try." Collin nodded, "Don't say the spell yet, just flick it." He turned to the other kids, "A proper and smooth flick can definitely help your spell to be casted perfectly." He said and alongside Collin, he flicked his wand.
"You're a bit too stiff with it," Percy said. Collin tried again. Percy nodded, "Now with the right incantation, say it clearly."
With a yellow flash, the straw doll was on the ground. Percy clapped, "Good." He said. He continued to teach them until he checked his watch. "Dinner time, you guys." He said and walked over to the board and wiped away all of his writings.
Hermione, Ron and Harry weren't discussing whatever subject it was and were studying now. From the looks of the books, he could guess Care of magical creatures. The kids opened the door and walked out while Percy walked over the carpeted corner and started to clean it up with a flick of the wand.
He casted another spell on his straw doll and put it in his pocket. "Guys?" He called out, a bit awkwardly, he didn't really know who to address. "Dinner time." He said and Hermione nodded while Harry smiled.
Ron immediately stood up and packed his stuff, walking out of the door swiftly. "Does he ever stop eating?" Hermione hissed under her breath.
Harry huffed out a laugh, "I don't think that's possible."
Percy held the door open as Harry and Hermione walked through, "Should I put an anti-opening spell on it?" He asked. Hermione shook her head.
"It would be suspicious."
Percy looked conflicted, "The kids like this space." He said and shook his head, "You're right."
"Say, Percy." Harry suddenly started, "You also feel strongly about Umbridge's teaching methods?"
Percy nodded, "While I know most, I don't know everything about DADA." He admitted, "The way she is teaching is just theory, no practice whatsoever." He complained.
"What do you feel about a secret club?" Harry asked as he looked around, to see if nobody heard. "Where we teach one another DADA."
Percy shook his head, "I'm not teaching anyone." He denied, he really wanted to. But he already had his hands full with the Slytherin kids. He was even thinking of letting a few Ravenclaws join, whom Collin was friends with.
"Just think about it." Hermione said as they walked into the Great Hall. "We're going to have a meeting on the fifth of October."
Percy bit the inside of his cheek and fiddled with his muggle pen. "I'll see if I can come." Quietly before they had to split up, "Are you sure you want me there?" He asked, "People still don't want me here."
Hermione smiled at him, "We're all just trying to pass our O. ." She said, "Who says you won't need any help?"
Percy smiled at her and they went their separate ways.
—
He was late but it was better than nothing. He walked towards the more sketchy side of the wizarding village and entered, cringing as the door opened with a squeak. The room was already quiet as he heard nothing from outside of the door, but it was even more quiet now as everyone turned around to look at him.
He didn't want to gather anyone's attention and just smiled at Hermione as he went to the bar to order a butterbeer. Butterbeer truly was a British delicacy, he loved it. The man looked gruntled and filled up a pint and slid it over.
Percy paid and sat on a chair, facing them. "-A proper teacher." Hermione said. "One with actual experience against the dark arts." Looks were exchanged and words were as well. Percy kept staring ahead at Hermione as people threw him wary looks.
Luna stood up and called out a question. He raised his eyebrows, he didn't know that she'd be here. He smiled, a real keeper of secrets, that she is.
"I'm not going to be taught by Grindelwald." A voice called out, a hufflepuff student.
Percy frowned, "Nobody said that." He countered, "I'm not going to be teaching jack." The hufflepuff just looked back at him warily and he threw a pointed look at Hermione. She then continued talking and she pulled up a paper for everyone to sign.
At last he walked over to the table with four pints in his hands and put them down. "That was successful." He said, "Really won them over with your speech, Harry."
The truth is that Percy had always needed to join their little club. It was in the prophecy that he had to help Potter, so he will. After thinking about it the rest of the meeting he had decided that it would be a smart idea.
"Are you sure you can't teach?" Harry complained as he held the pint in his hand. They've gotten way better friends, Percy was thankful for that. Hermione looked over curiously as well.
"I can help out here and there, only if they ask for my help." He said and smiled, "They don't like the idea of me in one room with them already, think about if they want me to teach them."
"You're a dueling champion." Ron quietly stated, "They'd be stupid not to."
Percy didn't show his surprise, but trust that he was. He looked over at the ginger nursing his butterbeer and nodded. "He's right, you know?" Hermione said and before she could get another word out Ron gasped.
"She actually said I was right."
Percy sniffled a laugh as he noticed how annoyed Hermione looked, "Now I'm saying that you should shut it." She retorted and continued, "You have experience dueling in a controlled environment."
Percy pursed his lips and looked away, "Or not as well?" She questioned.
"We have traditions in the family, for family only." He admitted, "I also have, quite, rebellious friends." If Lou was in the room, he'd be looking at her. The witch knows how to play it dirty, but it was a mutual understanding that if it was real life, the rules in dueling would have killed them.
Some part of him said not to teach at all, something about Harry showing that he can be a leader and a teacher would help put faith in the scrawny wizard. They talked some more and finished their butterbeers.
—
A few days later, Percy was called by Hermione to get to the meeting. With a frown he followed the instructions and they were already casting spells, standing in rows. "Expelliarmus." Neville shouted, everyone ducked as the wand was thrown all the way to the back.
Percy's hand shot up and caught it before it was projectile thrown at his face. He looked at the tip of the wand that was resting a few centimeters before his eyes. "Hey." He waved and Harry continued teaching.
He handed Neville's wand to the person in front of him as he walked over to Hermione, who stood to the side, watching them. "I see it's going well." He hummed and smiled at her.
She smiled back, "It's beginning." she said as she looked over to the group.
"What I do at camp is have them practice with one another." He suggested, "But in the beginning a doll is a smart idea." He said and pointed at the mechanical thing. "Less chances of injury."
"I thought you went to a muggle camp?" Hermione asked.
Percy nodded, "I do." He said, "It's a fighting camp." Percy said, "Defense and offense."
Hermione frowned, "I've never heard of such a camp?"
"It's an American thing." He waved her question away, she nodded. "You did good." He said and looked at her, "Planning all of this mustn't have been an easy feat." Percy knows how hard it is to rally up troops, especially if they're from different origins, in this case, houses. To stand opposed against one person and they give the right motivation? They're toast.
Hermione blushed a bit at the compliments. "Thank you, Percy." She said, quietly.
Percy smiled and nodded. "Especially with the coin. Personally, I'd be as stupid to send some owls or hide a secret message in their breakfast." He joked and Hermione giggled.
"I think Ron would've eaten the message." She said.
Percy laughed, as he looked at the ginger, "He totally would've."
During the lessons, Percy would sometimes duel with Harry and even with Hermione, which wasn't surprising. He was impressed by the range of spells that Hermione knew. A few even had caught him off guard.
Some others had warmed up to him, quite a bit. Neville never looked once in his direction, afraid for whatever reason. Imagine the surprise when Fred Weasley asked him for help on his spell.
He happily helped.
Whenever Harry did something to charm Cho, Percy and Hermione would share looks, one time they stood behind them and he saw Harry adjust Cho's wand arm. Percy nudged Hermione and adjusted her arm as well.
The two shared a quiet laugh.
Dynamics at school changed more as well, during lessons Percy started to sit more with Luna. Some classes like runes where Hermione was in, Percy moved his seat to sit next to her.
Then at one DA meeting, Hermione was up against Ron. Percy stood next to the twins as they were whispering under their breath about who'd win. "Double it on Hermione." He added.
The twins looked at Percy with mischievous smiles on their faces. "You're on." Fred said. Ron looked self confident as he nodded at his friends while Hermione already stood there, focused. "Easiest bet ever." Percy whispered under his breath.
Ron sloppily pulled his wand back up as if he was winding up, Percy frowned, easy to give away what you're doing. Hermione immediately reacted, casting the spell on him and throwing him and his wand back.
Percy felt sickles in his hands and he subtly put it in his pants, "Pleasure doing business, boys."
"Never doing business with an American." George shook his head and Fred nodded, "Never."
Percy snickered as he held his hand up in support for Hermione while Ron just walked over and started defending himself, talking about manners. "You're winding yourself up." Percy said, "Just cut to chase next time."
"We'll see how you do it." Ron retorted, "Who wants to go up against Percy?" He called out and the room just looked at him while Percy gave them a weak smile. Then Harry was pushed to the front, "Guess we'll have a go, Potter." He called out with a smile.
Out of the corner of his eyes he noticed Hermione shaking her head, amused. Percy then reverted his eyes back to Harry, he knows that the boy is quick and sharp with his spells. He held his wand out in front of him.
"Nothing non-verbal." Hermione called out as she stood in the middle, like some referee.
Percy pouted in her direction, "That's it, game over, you won Potter." He said jokingly, a few laughs rang through the crowd. Hermione rolled her eyes and stepped back. Percy looked at Harry and at the slightest movement.
"Expelliarmus."
"Protego." Percy replied and the blue light casted off of it, Percy flicked his wand back up and casted an Expelliarmus, throwing Harry to the back. They all clapped politely while Cho quickly walked on over to Harry.
Percy blended back into the crowd, and stood beside Hermione, "You're not going to do that for me right." He teased and Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh you'd walk." He prompted jokingly.
"Snail's pace." Hermione said, clearly amused. They shared a laugh as Harry shot them a look. At the same time they looked at their left, avoiding eye contact with Harry. Their shoulders shook with quiet laughter.
—
Malfoy and whatever group they made up were exhausting. Making him a prefect was a mistake on the first part, but making him hunt for the door with Mr. Filch? Exhausting, to the point of just dropping down.
He had noticed that Tracey had kept her distance from Percy after the inquisitorial squad formed, maybe it was good, for her own protection.
Percy continued to teach the first years, some even joined at the request of some older sibling at the DA meeting, now they had three Slytherins, two Hufflepuffs, one Ravenclaw and two Gryffindors. It was getting a bit fuller now, and they had to be sneaky about it as well, because Umbridge had banned groups or even forming groups.
They did have a schedule, it worked for them. But the lurking of Goyle was just bad, and it hurt his sneaky heart to see him stomp around like that, alerting everyone of his presence.
Classes were improving and so had breaks. He hung around with the trio regularly and sometimes he'd join them in the library to study alongside them. Luna joined sometimes as well.
Percy was glad that they weren't calling her Loony Lovegood, he could see why but it still was no way to treat someone.
—
"Well done everyone." Harry finished his speech and they all clapped. Percy was impressed, he had been a bit awkward at the beginning but quickly took the role as teacher well. He clapped his back as quickly caught up to walk out with Hermione.
"Five pounds says that Harry is going to make a move on Cho, right now." Percy said with a shit-eating grin on his face.
Hermione looked over at him with a frown on her face, "We aren't betting on Harry's love life."
Percy bumped his shoulder into hers, "Don't be a wuss."
"Language!" but after a few more moments of getting annoyed by Percy she nodded, "Five pounds says that Harry kisses her cheek."
Percy barked out a laugh, "I'll take you on that." He said as he started to walk backwards in front of Hermione. "You know the boy is a Gryffindor. He'll be brave to kiss her." He teased.
Hermione laughed softly, "You don't know Harry like I do."
Percy wiggled his eyebrows at her, "You don't know love like I do." Quite literally. He had met the God of desire. "I recognize love when I see it." Percy teased and winked.
Hermione rolled her eyes, a blush however, was evident on her cheeks. "What are you doing this Christmas?" She asked, "Are you going back to America?"
"Are you telling me to go back to my own country?" Percy joked and Hermione looked a bit aghast. "Kidding," She looked relieved now, "I might stay in London." He shrugged, "There still isn't a Grindelwald house being used." He sighed, he had a long conversation with his mother about it. He had to stay close, at least in the country, so he could help if they needed him to.
"You say that as if there are multiple." Percy stopped walking backwards and walked besides Hermione instead. He kept quiet. "Shut, up." She said, "You actually have multiple houses?"
"It's because my mom is like, third removed, maybe?" He thought out loud, "So yeah, first sons inherit, their first son inherits. Grandpa didn't want it so he just gave it to me." He shrugged, then gave her a playful look, "You're not thinking of throwing a party in my house, are you now?" He teased.
Hermione rolled her eyes again, "That won't be fun." They neared the great hall, "A surprise party would."
Percy stopped and pouted, "Now I'm going to be waiting for a surprise party." He said, "Now it isn't a surprise anymore."
Hermione just laughed, "Gosh, Percy."
Percy wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Gosh Percy, give me your address, let's throw a party." He said, mocking her voice. He then put a hand over his heart, "Oh Hermione, you know me so well." He then took a paper out of his pocket and used riptide to write down his address. "I'll let you guess the password when you're there." He teased.
Before they had to part ways to their dorms, Hermione shrugged exasperated. "Gosh, Percy you're just terrible, just terrible!" She called out after him as she stood still at the crossroads.
Percy turned around and shrugged, "I've given Fred and George my address as well!" He called out, "See you!" He called out before teasingly kissing his palm and blowing it to Hermione.
He didn't know when they got so comfortable with one another but he wasn't complaining. He rather liked it, he was good with Ron which can be considered a great accomplishment. With Harry he always dueled.
And with Hermione, well, he did a lot with her. Sometimes they'd go to Hogsmeade with the group and they'd just stay back at the pub, making faces at one another as Cho and Harry couldn't stop making eyes at one another. They would do homework together, duel as well.
It must have happened at a sudden moment. Percy decided. He mostly thinks it is after she helped to teach Percy's class as well. She had taught instead of Percy because he couldn't speak due to being sick. He also refuses to drink some magical potion knowing what the taste would be, and because of his extra potion assignments, what taste it could be compared to.
The dragon pox cure would taste like dog food.
Hermione had helped him immediately, happy to have a go at teaching. Percy sat in the back of the class, finding himself paying attention to her, listening soundly. He couldn't help but notice the bright brown eyes show off curiosity.
He liked brown.
Percy stopped in his tracks for a second as he was packing his bag in his dorm. He liked Hermione. "Shit." He said as he threw in some clothes. He wore his muggle clothes, "Shit shit." he repeated.