HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE END!

Percy swam down a little, staring with fascination at the scene in front of him. His father, alongside a company of merfolk, leading a dragon into a cave. The beast was one of the most breathtaking creatures Percy had ever seen, and he had seen many beautiful sea creatures. He had seen the glowfish from the Panamanian coast, the kelpies of the shores of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as the great sea serpents of the Mediterranean. And none of those compared to the Ancient Sea Turtle of the Galapagos Islands. But this creature was something else. Before, Neptune had forbidden him from being there to see some of the more dangerous creatures, such as sea dragons or leviathans or even grindylows. But he had relented this time as this dragon was an elder male and of one of the less threatening species, a North Atlantic Seaspray. As long as Percy held back, didn't get in the way, and promised to stay on Andromeda and swim away at the first sign of trouble, he could be there to see it.

Now Percy just gaped in awe. The dragon was everything he could have wanted it to be, about ten times bigger than any of the sea serpents Percy had seen so far. Its scales, though clearly riddled with age, still shone and glittered a deep blue-green. It had large teeth and claws but didn't seem too interested in using them, just calmly swimming where the merfolk directed it, a fish tail wagging behind it. There was a bunch of coral growing around its scales and Percy could spot tiny little fish darting around it. A whole ecosystem living off the beast. That was amazing. It had long whiskers along its jaws, like a catfish and as it passed by, Percy could see its eyes, a deep violet, shining bright through the waves.

Yesterday, the merfolk had reported it, a lost dragon caught in a fishing net of a large whaling vessel. They had instantly sent out a distress call and Neptune had answered swiftly, hastening out to rescue the creature before the No-Majes could succeed in capturing it. He had gotten there just in time, pretending to be the No-Maj authorities and forcing the whalers to release the dragon. Percy wished his father had sunk there vessel as well, but then that would have created more problems so he let it go. Neptune then began organizing the merfolk to direct the dragon to the sanctuary and to safety. It had been an arduous journey as the dragon kept trying to swim away from the merfolk, go its own way and it took Neptune and a few other wizards to help calm it so that they could get it to come with them. Even a few cyclopes had gotten involved, forced to wrangle the dragon at times as they were the only ones strong enough. Now they were in the last leg of the journey and the dragon was so far cooperating, heading straight for the cave that was to be its new home.

They were only a short distance away from the cave when suddenly, out of nowhere, a small herd of hippocampi emerged from the reef, whinnying and feeding on the sea plants around them. Instantly, the dragon perked up and turned its gaze towards them and Percy could practically see it licking its lips.

"Hold your positions!" Neptune bellowed out and the merfolk tried to rally but it was too late. The dragon shot forward, scattering the merfolk around it, and the hippocampi panicked and scattered. The dragon snapped at one, its jaws narrowly missing it and they snapped shut on empty water. It twisted around, chasing after one of the smaller hippocampi.

Percy felt a twist in his gut. He wanted so badly to help but what could he do? He had no wand and had no clue how to stop a dragon. He wondered if this was the time to leave but the dragon was on the other side of the reef, nowhere near him. And there was no way he was leaving yet until he saw what happened, no matter what his father said.

Neptune shot out a stunning spell, hitting the dragon square in the eye. It bellowed out in pain, dropping its pursuit of the hippocampi which swam quickly away and out of sight. Percy sighed in relief, glad it was safe. But then the dragon turned on his father and he felt his heart skip a beat.

"On me!" Neptune cried out, raising his wand just as the dragon attacked. As it did, the water around it began to swirl, holding it back. The currents formed into rings of force around the dragon, forming a cage to keep it contained. Some of the other wizards swam in to help, reinforcing the watery barriers. The dragon thrashed in its new cage, struggling to break free but the enchantments were too strong. Then the merfolk came forward and stabbed the dragon in its armor chinks with their spears. Percy knew the spears were dipped in some form of sedative found in a deep sea urchin near the bottom of the spear. While it wouldn't send the dragon to sleep, it should calm it down. And sure enough, a few moments later the dragon stopped struggling so much, calming a little.

Slowly, the wizards opened a small section of the water cage in the direction of the cave. The dragon slowly moved through it and drifted forwards. Percy watched apprehensively, wondering if anything else was going to happen. "Steady," Neptune said aloud, apparently thinking the same thing. But nothing did and Percy could practically feel the sighs of relief all the merfolk made as well as the few wizards and cyclopes present when the dragon broke off and swam the last little bit on its own, heading straight for the cave and disappearing inside. Percy smiled again. This was exactly why these sanctuaries were important. They served as safe havens for the creatures of the magical world to exist in from the rapidly shrinking world out there. Now this dragon no longer had to worry about getting caught or killed in the outer world. It was safe to live its final years in peace. It would find a pile of fish in its cave, enough to keep it from hunting for a while.

Neptune then went around berating people for letting the hippocampi in as their herding ground had moved due to the new arrival. Then, after talking over what would be happening next, he broke off and swam over to Percy, taking a seat next to him.

"Well," he started. "That was exciting, wasn't it?"

"I think that would be what you'd call an understatement," Percy replied. But yeah, that was awesome." He grinned and his father grinned right back.

"It was, wasn't it?" Neptune said, settling down next to his son. Both had bubble-head charms around their faces with communication features added, allowing them to talk. "Ah, glad he was just a Seaspray. It he had been a Sharpfin or even an Icelandian Blue, we would have been in trouble. They're much more vicious."

Percy smirked. Most people didn't think sea dragons were as dangerous as other dragons. Sure, they were still dangerous because of the teeth and claws, but the fire gave the others a strict advantage, people would say. Percy would introduce those people to an Icelandian Blue, which did have firepower except it was more of a volcanic breath attack, belching out lava that burned even beneath the sea. And a Scaldbelly lived up to its name, superheating the water in its belly and releasing it in scalding waves that could melt the skin off your bones. Even the Arctic Whitescales were able to freeze their enemies solid and Sharpfins were some of the fastest dragons, on land or sea, able to swim circles around you and cut you to pieces before you could blink. A Seaspray wasn't as dangerous as it just released a torrent of water, but the force of it could send you soaring away in any direction. One day, Percy hoped he would be able to see all the sea dragons in the world. He hadn't thought he'd be able see one in years, due to parents forbidding it. So to be able to see one right now was a dream come true.

"Good way to end your trip, huh?" Neptune asked.

"Yeah. Definitely," Percy nodded. This was his last day. Tomorrow, he'd be heading home via international floo service, specialized floo networks designed to compensate for travel over vast distances. He'd be back home for the rest of the holidays so he could start preparing for his school year of Hogwarts in a couple months. He hadn't yet received his letter, but Neptune had promised it should arrive any day now.

"I'm sorry we don't spend too much time together," Neptune said. "I wish I could be there to see you get your first wand but I have to head out to the Indonesian sanctuary for a while."

"I know dad," Percy said. He had hoped his father would be there as well. They had been planning on returning to London together, journeying to Diagon Alley to collect his school supplies and his wand. But then, reports had come in of sunken ships off the coast of Indonesia with survivors reporting having seen a sea monster. Neptune was pretty sure it was another sea dragon or serpent of some kind, but whatever the case it meant he had to leave early and deal with it. Amphitrite and Triton would be going with him while Percy was heading back home. While it was sad, Percy also knew how important this job was. "It's ok. And you'll still be there the day I leave, right?"

"That I wouldn't miss for the world, son," Neptune promised him. "Don't worry. No matter what, I will be there on Platform 9¾ to see you off. Even if someone manages to set off Greek fire bombs in every sanctuary across the world, I will be there."

"Thanks dad," Percy said and the two hugged before staring out at reef in front of them. Percy could just let it sink in. The reef with all the miraculous life it held. The brightly colored coral and wide varieties of fish swimming about. He could see a small swarm sea serpents swimming around the edge of the reef, a group of lobsters with shells glowing a brilliant blue that were as hard as diamond, a tri-eel with all three of its heads looking in different directions, some firefish whose scales burned a brilliant blue, a mezaden slug whose inner juices could either be extremely medicinal or incredibly toxic, and even a few donnoi which could grow or shrink to any size they wanted and now floated around like beach balls.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Neptune said.

"Yeah," Percy smiled. He could just make out on the edges of the reef the cyclopes constructing more homes for themselves, carving the stone and coral easily to fit their needs. They were another species badly mistreated by the wizarding world, lumped together with giants, ogres, and trolls even though they were all separate species, cyclopes being the most intelligent of the bunch. Neptune had recognized this and set about finding homes for them, safe places for them to exist which in itself helped found the sanctuaries themselves. Percy even had a few friends among the cyclopes. They may be big and scary-looking but the ones he knew were some of the kindest and gentlest people he had met. And it was because of his dad that communities like the one they were building existed.

"You know it was your mother who inspired this," Neptune said. "I remember explaining to her what my hobbies were and instead of laughing it off like the rest of my family she encouraged me to pursue it. She was the only one who believed in me. And I can't thank her enough for it."

"Yeah I know dad, you've told me this story," Percy reminded him.

"Oh right," Neptune chuckled. "I suppose I have. Still, she gave me two amazing gifts that summer. My purpose, and of course you."

Percy rolled his eyes. "You say that every time you tell the story, you know that right?"

"Well, I never get tired of saying it. Alright, we should probably head back now." He whipped out his wand and the water curled around them, shooting them up to the surface. Percy couldn't help grinning at the sensation, feeling the water rush around him as he was hurled through it until they broke through the surface next to the entrance platform. They both clambered on and Neptune waved his wand again, instantly drying them. He walked through the main entrance, nodding at the portraits on the wall as he did so, with Percy right behind him. They stopped at the sight of Amphitrite waiting for them.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"Oh you know, a little hiccup here and there but overall not too bad," Neptune said. "The dragon is now safe inside its new cave. Palaemon and the cyclopes will help it adjust to life here. We'll have to work on where its hunting areas will be and make sure to keep the hippocampi and other animals away from it. Had a slight incident with a herd earlier but its fine now."

Amphitrite nodded and Percy frowned. She kept looking over at him and then looking away and he could see the corners of her mouth twitching, like she was holding back a smile. Apparently Neptune saw it as well.

"Everything alright, dear?" he asked.

"Something arrived earlier," she said, a small smile forming. "A certain letter."

Percy's eyes widened, realizing what it was. He gasped and Amphitrite's smile got bigger. "Here you go," she said, handing him over a thick envelope made of yellowish parchment with the address written in emerald-green ink.

Mr. P. Jackson

Long Island Sanctuary for the Preservation of Sea Life

New York, U.S.A.

He quickly ripped it opened it and pulled out the letter, reading it as fast as he could. He had dyslexia so words tended to jump off the page or scramble around a lot. Still, the way the letter was written allowed him to read it rather quickly.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Jackson,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Percy grinned. He already knew he had gotten in but here there was actual confirmation. He was actually going to Hogwarts, where his father and step-mom had gone. To learn magic. He could already picture next summer, swimming around the sanctuaries with his wand, conjuring his own bubble-head charms and moving the water currents around as he wished. He couldn't await.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

SET BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells(Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope set

1 brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN

BROOMSTICKS

Percy smirked at the last bit. That wouldn't be a problem for him. He didn't like flying. The one time he had gotten on a broom, he had felt his stomach flop around and had nearly thrown up. At least he wasn't as bad as Thalia who had screamed when her broom shot up in the air, her having a deep fear of heights. Though people quickly learned not to make fun of her as the first person who laughed had gotten punched in the nose. His other cousin from the Grace family though, Jason, was a natural, riding the broom like he was born to fly.

He frowned at the animal section. Owls didn't particularly like him he found and he didn't really have an interest in getting a cat or a toad. The only animals he did like were sea creatures and he wasn't going to lug a fish tank to school. Ah well, he didn't need to bring any animal anyway.

He shifted a little and then noticed that there was an extra section still in the envelope he hadn't seen before. He reached for it and read it.

Dear Mr. Jackson

Your father has informed us of your particular needs in learning this year. We will be providing you a particular program to allow you to gain the maximum learning experience you require.

Sincerely,

Deputy Headmistress McGonagall

Percy grimaced a little. His dyslexia and ADHD. Those were what 'particular needs' stood for. The teachers at Muggle schools had proven useless and sometimes even worse when it came to them, thinking he was just lazy. Well, he was. He hated work. But it was also because it was hard for him. He could barely study with all the words swimming around. He wondered what this McGonagall had in mind.

"Seems straightforward enough," Neptune grinned, reading over his shoulder. "Shouldn't be too much trouble. Don't worry, we'll give you enough money tomorrow to pay for it all. And maybe a little extra," he winked at Percy.

"Yeah, that's subtle dad," Percy remarked but he grinned anyway. For most of his life, he had either been sent to a boring Muggle school or lived among merfolk and cyclopes for a few months. He'd never really interacted with other kids like him. He hadn't really visited many places like that. So to actually be able to go there was pretty cool. He wasn't excited about the learning part. No one in their right mind would be. But there were some aspects about it that his dad had told him that sounded cool. Especially the lake. He couldn't wait to dive in there and meet all the creatures swimming in its depths.

And maybe a friend or two.

"Here we are then," Neptune said, walking towards the entrance of the Woolworth Building which housed the main New York headquarters for MACUSA. Percy shuffled forward, still a little sleepy. It was almost 6 in the morning, the sky only beginning to light up. Of course, he was getting up this early as it was 11 in Britain which was the only time his mother was able to get off of work to come pick him up.

"Let's just hope we don't run into Stevens. Or Philippa." He growled when he said that name. Percy snorted a little. His father's hatred to Philippa was legendary. In his defense, she was a truly awful woman.

"I do hope we run into her," Amphitrite muttered. "I'd like to smack her upside the head."

"Even more reason not to run into her."

"I'd like to see you smack her upside the head," Triton said.

"Thank you, sweetie," Amphitrite smiled at him.

Percy frowned. "Do you even know who Philippa is?"

"No," Triton grinned. "I just want to see Mom smack somebody other than me."

Percy snorted and rolled his eyes.

They walked under the large archway of the building right towards the revolving doors where a security guard stood waiting. Neptune quickly handed him a form. "Accompanied transcontinental floo network passage for my wife and two underage wizards," Neptune informed him. The guard glanced over the paper and at them all before nodding and waving them through. They walked forward into the revolving doors, Percy feeling the magic coming to life as they passed through and the next second, they were in MACUSA headquarters. He smirked, thinking of all the No-Majes on the other side with no clue of the secret world hiding right beneath their noses at that very moment. He also wondered if, as they were side-by-side, it was possible for a No-Maj to bump into a wizard and not know what was happening. What would that be like? Would probably freak them out.

"Don't dawdle, Percy," his father said, leading them down some stairs away from the main atrium to a large hallway with a wide ceiling where many wizards were appearing out of rows of fireplaces in blasts of green flames. Triton gawped at it all and began hurrying over to the first one when Amphitrite grabbed him.

"Uh uh, sweetie," she said. "Those aren't our fireplaces. Those are local ones. They're only for networks in the nearby area. Our one is over here."

Neptune led them down a side corridor to a new room with the words INTERNATIONAL FLOO NETWORKS scrawled at the top in shining, silver letters. Another wizard sat at a desk, looking bored out of his mind as they approached. The room behind him was pretty empty except for several doors in the back and a storage locker at the side.

"Hello there," Neptune greeted.

"Forms?" the wizard said in a dull voice.

Neptune handed them over and the wizard scrolled through them, glancing up every now and then to look Percy, Amphitrite, and Triton over. "Wand?" the wizard then asked, not even looking up as he held out his hand. Neptune took out his wand as the wizard looked it over and verified it before handing it back. He then stood up with a sigh and walked over to a storage locker, pulling out a large pot of Floo powder. He then placed his hand against one of the doors and said, "London, England." The door melted away, revealing a fireplace behind it, embers glowing softly at the floor.

"In you go," the wizard muttered, gesturing listlessly to the fireplace.

"Alright," Neptune turned to them. "I'll see you all next month for your departure." He smiled at Percy. "Send me an owl when you get your wand. I want to know what you got."

"Sure dad."

"I want a wand," Triton complained.

"Not yet, honey, you need to wait three more years," Amphitrite informed him. She then turned to Neptune. "Be careful," she told him. "I want constant updates from you."

"You'll get them, I promise," he replied. "It'll probably just be a routine thing. Find the creature, get it to a facility, erase some memories. Presto."

Amphitrite smiled but Percy could tell she was still worried. She then kissed Neptune, something Triton gagged at, before walking towards the fireplace. She took some of the special Floo powder from the pot in the wizard's hands, the powder shining more than regular powder, and held Triton's hand. They both stepped into the fireplace and Amphitrite held out the powder. "Ministry of Magic," she said firmly and dropped the powder. Green flames instantly shot up and consumed them both, transporting them away.

"Next," the wizard said dully.

Percy walked up, grabbed some of the powder, and entered the fireplace. He remembered the first time he had done this with his father and how terrified he'd been about becoming barbecue. Now, it was second nature. Actually, water was second nature. So what did this make? Third nature? What even were the different natures? He shook his head, focusing up again.

"See you soon," Neptune told him.

"Bye dad," Percy replied and then held up the Floo powder. "Ministry of Magic," he said firmly and then dropped the powder. The green flames shot up and engulfed him and the next second he was somewhere else, climbing out of a different fireplace into a new room.

"Perseus Jackson, arriving from New York," a bored witch's voice said.

"Nice to be wanted," he muttered softly, walking over to where Amphitrite and Triton stood waiting. Together, they walked out of the room to the main atrium. As always, Percy rolled his eyes at the sight of the statues in the fountain, all the creatures gazing reverently at the witch and wizard. He knew for a fact none of the creatures actually felt that way. The centaurs either didn't care or despised the wizarding community and the same for the goblins. And the House Elves didn't really seem to have a choice in the matter.

"So, mom's waiting outside?" he checked.

"Yes, she said she'd be right outside the phone booth," Amphitrite replied. "I think it's this way an- oh, look who it is."

Percy looked up and blinked when he saw Zeus Grace talking to someone else in a sharp blue pin-striped suit. His daughter, Thalia, was standing to the side with her familiar spiky black hair and leather jacket, her face remarkably similar to the wizard back in New York: bored out of her mind.

"Let's see if we can avoid him," Amphitrite muttered. Percy had to agree. Zeus was so proud and full of himself that it made you want to punch him in the face 90 percent of the time and kick him the other 10 percent. But before they could walk away, Triton suddenly ran forward.

"Thalia!" he cried out gleefully and charged right into her, knocking her back a step with an 'oof.' She blinked in surprise before hugging him back. Zeus stopped his conversation, looking over.

"Hey little man," Thalia said. "Where'd you come from?" She then glanced up and spotted Percy and Amphitrite.

"Hey," Percy greeted, walking over.

"Oh, hey Percy. How's it going?"

"Pretty good. Getting my wand tomorrow."

"Oh, right," she smirked. "That'll be cool." She pulled out her own wand and Percy couldn't help but feel jealous. "Pine, 11 inches, Thunderbird tail-feather," she said proudly.

"Damn," Percy muttered. He didn't really know why all that mattered but it did sound pretty cool.

"Can I borrow it?" Triton asked eagerly.

Thalia smiled sadly. "Sorry kiddo, but wands are kind of attached to their owners. It wouldn't work for you too well. Besides, I don't think your mom would like you having one just yet."

"Ugh, it's so not fair," Triton grumbled, folding his arms over his chest and pouting a little.

"So, heading off to Hogwarts at last," Thalia said, turning to Percy. "You excited?"

"Yeah, can finally stop going to those ridiculous Muggle schools."

"Gah, I can't even imagine doing that." Thalia shook her head. "Can you picture me in a Muggle school?"

"I can't really picture you in any school, to be honest."

Thalia smirked at that. "Yeah, that's true. But Hogwarts is pretty cool. I mean, some of the teachers suck but most don't. And you have your friends with you there." Her voice cracked a tiny bit as she said that.

"How's home right now?" Percy asked, glancing over at Zeus who was now talking with Amphitrite who didn't seem too thrilled about it.

"Same old, same old," she replied which he knew meant that both her parents were still in a constant state of ignorance to both their children. He also knew her stepmom, Hera, was an absolute nightmare. He'd met her only once and decided that was all he ever wanted. But her mom was also pretty bad. It was why she was rarely at home, preferring to spend as much time with her friends Luke and Anne-something or other. Which reminded him.

"Hey, isn't your friend going to Hogwarts as well this year?"

"Yeah, Annabeth," Thalia nodded. "She's pretty excited. It'll be good to have the whole gang at school this time. And Jason's coming too. Though he's disappointed about the whole no-flying thing."

Percy smirked. "That makes one of us."

"It most certainly does." Thalia shuddered, her hatred of broomsticks coming over her.

"When I get to Hogwarts, I'm going to be the best flyer ever!" Triton announced.

"I'm sure you will, buddy," Thalia grinned at him.

Percy nodded though he was pretty sure Jason was a better option. He'd seen the guy fly around a little and he was as much a natural in the air as Percy was in the water. Percy wished there was some sort of water-based sport. He would dominate at that.

"So what are you doing here anyway?" he asked.

"Ugh," Thalia rolled her eyes. "I'm 'grounded,'" she said with air quotes.

"For what?"

She pursed her lips the way she did when she didn't quite want to admit something. "I may or may not have liberated some items from, what they call in the Muggle community, a convenience store."

Percy blinked and then laughed. "Seriously?" he asked. "Why? I mean, no offense, but you're rich. It's not like you need to do that."

"I know, I know. It's just, sometimes you want to have a little fun."

"If you say so." Percy couldn't really see himself shoplifting. His mom would paddle the ever-loving crap out of him if he did.

"Anyway, one thing led to another and Luke used some magic on the store owner and then the Magical Law Enforcement got involved and he's now in trouble with them and Annabeth got caught by Muggle police. It's a whole thing." She shook her head. "Now I'm not allowed to go anywhere. And since they don't trust me in the house alone, here I am with dear old dad at another boring meeting."

"Who's he meeting with anyway?" Percy looked over again and then felt his stomach curdle at the sight of the silvery blonde hair. "Oh, never mind."

"Yeah," Thalia nodded, a grimace on her face.

Lucius Malfoy. Social elite and Hogwarts governor. One of the top level officials in the Ministry of Magic and all-around toerag. Current member of Amphitrite's 'shit list.' Percy had met him before, remembering the sneer on the man's face that had somehow made Percy feel dirty.

"His son's not here, is he?" Percy asked.

"Thankfully no," Thalia replied. "But you'd better watch out. He's going to Hogwarts this year too."

"Oh, wonderful," Percy muttered. "You think anyone would notice if I drowned him in the Black Lake?"

"Probably," Thalia sighed.

"That's too bad. Well, I should probably go save my step-mother."

Thalia sighed. "Wish I had her as my step-mother," she muttered.

Percy winced a little at that, feeling a swell of sympathy for his cousin. They walked over, the adult's conversations getting clearer as they approached.

"…would help out in a big way," Amphitrite was saying.

"Would be a waste of money is more accurate," Lucius sniffed. "Those little aquariums of yours serve no true purpose for the wizarding community. The Ministry's money should be spent on more fruitful endeavors."

"How exactly is the protection of endangered magical wildlife a waste of money?" Amphitrite asked him directly. "We ensure these creatures live in a safe environment and do not risk our exposure to the non-magical world. Surely even you can understand how that benefits us all."

Lucius raised an eyebrow and looked like he was about to say something else when Zeus beat him to it. "I already have given money to my cousin's endeavors," he said coldly. "Have there been any radical changes since then to warrant even more?"

Amphitrite hesitated. "Not as such, no, but-"

"Then I see no need as to why I must, at best, donate money from hard-working members of the magical community to what seems to be a lost cause."

Percy bristled at that. The sanctuaries were not a lost cause. They had managed to get two more up and running this year alone and his father was still working on expanding more. And they were already seeing results. Each sanctuary they visited, Percy saw them get bigger with more sea creatures added to the growing population.

But he knew that many Ministry officials saw it differently. He himself didn't fully understand the economics of it all, but he knew that the sanctuaries weren't exactly profitable so many wondered why they'd waste money on building them in the first place.

He heard Thalia grumble behind him and saw her giving her dad the evil eye, a look she had fully mastered. Percy remembered the time he had made fun of her fear of heights and she gave him the same look before pushing him face-first in the mud.

Her father, Zeus Grace, was of the more important figures in the Ministry, the head financier and main liaison to the wizarding banks, especially Gringotts. What that meant was, he made the big decisions on how money was spent. Which made him very rich and powerful.

"If you bothered to know more about your cousin's work you would know how important it is to the magical world," Amphitrite told him.

"I know enough," Zeus replied sharply. "My cousin has always been more of a dreamer than a realist, never truly acknowledging what it takes to make it in this world. The shame of the family."

Percy felt his fists clench up and he was ready to launch himself at the man but Thalia put her hand on his shoulder, stopping him. She gestured next to him and he saw Triton staring up at Zeus with a confused and pained expression on his face. Percy's anger melted and he quickly took Triton's hand, trying to comfort him.

"The only shame of the family is standing right before me," Amphitrite all but spat. "You know, you were a dick back at Hogwarts and you've only gotten worse since."

"Now, now, dear, let's not lose our heads," Lucius told her with a smile. "Do try and control your emotions."

Amphitrite looked over at him with distaste. "Do shut up Malfoy, I'd rather not breathe in more of your rancid breath than I need to."

Lucius's smile dropped. "You know, you were one of the brightest witches at school. Everyone thought you would go on to achieve great things. Such a shame to see how far you've fallen."

Amphitrite snorted. "The only shame is to think I actually might have impressed you with something. Glad to see that's been rectified." She then turned back to Zeus. "So your answer is no then?"

"I will not aid fruitless endeavors."

"Yeah, that felt like a no. Alright, I'd say I'll see you around but I'd really rather not so…bye." She walked away, rolling her eyes in disgust. She then saw Percy and the others watching and her expression softened. "Oh, I'm sorry you had to hear all of that."

"Sorry my dad's such a dick," Thalia replied.

Amphitrite smiled. "Sorry you have to live with him."

"Only when I have to," Thalia shrugged. Percy knew that meant she often ran away, preferring to live with Luke and Annabeth on their own. Amphitrite pursed her lips, not exactly approving of that, but she didn't say anything.

"Come on, let's get out of here," she said instead.

"Thalia!" Zeus suddenly called out. "Come here please. We're leaving."

Thalia sighed. "I'll see you around, Perce," she said.

"I told you not to call me that."

"Yeah, I know," she smirked. "Maybe we'll catch each other at Diagon Alley. And if not, I'll see you at school."

"Yeah, definitely."

"See ya kiddo," she nodded at Triton who smiled back.

"Thalia, now!"

"Ok, ok, Jeez," Thalia muttered, walking over to where her father stood waiting.

Amphitrite watched her go with sympathy in her eyes. "That poor girl," she muttered. "And her brother as well. Wouldn't wish that kind of family on any child."

Percy knew that she had grown up that way and when she had left for Neptune, her family had basically disowned her though she didn't seem to care much. She had told him once that her happiest memories as a child came from Hogwarts, not from home.

"Why was the tall man so mean?" Triton asked.

"Because he's a dick," Amphitrite told him. "And don't use that word. Only mommy gets to use that word. Don't worry about the tall man. He's just an arrogant blowhard who doesn't matter. Now, let's go find your mother Percy and get out of here."

They exited the Ministry via the telephone booth, cramping all together inside a little and rising up to the surface street and just like that, they were in the Muggle world. The booth came to a stop and the doors sprang open, Percy instantly walking out and getting enveloped into a massive hug from his waiting mother.

"Oh honey!" she exclaimed, squeezing him tight.

"Hey mom," Percy managed. "You know you're squeezing too tight, right?"

"I don't care."

Well, I care a little bit, Percy thought but he didn't say it. He hadn't seen his mother in months now so he didn't mind a little too tight hugging.

"Hey Sally," Amphitrite said, giving Percy's mom a hug after she finally released Percy. "How are you doing?"

"Ah, not much change," Sally replied. "I'm just sorry we won't be able to spend too much time together today." She had to go to work in an hour for a shift that would last until that evening. Percy didn't mind too much, he knew how much she needed the job for work as it helped pay for her writing classes.

"Oh don't worry about it, we're fine," Amphitrite told her. "I'm just glad you'll be free tomorrow."

"Well, I wouldn't miss Percy's big day for anything," she shot him a smile and he grinned. "Now, shall we go?"

"Yes, let's."

Ok, so I know this one is really late. But, to my loyal readers, the wait is over. You will no longer have to wait more than a year for the next chapter, I promise. This story is officially going ongoing now. I have a few more chapters written so expect the next one in the next week or two. I'm really excited to share all the details of this combined world with you all and thank you for sticking with me.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Ok, so this is really big. I've decided to post my manuscript on Wattpad for everyone to read. That's right, my own original work will be free for you all to read if you want. My own original characters and storylines. It's one of the proudest things I've done and I was inspired by a lot of superhero comics as well as plenty of anime. Check it out of you can, my handle's the same and the story is called The Cloak Guard. It'll be released every Monday from now on.