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"Don't even say a word."
"Perseus—"
"Not a word. I don't want to hear a peep out of you for however long this gods-forbidden ride is."
"Perse—"
"No."
"Per—"
"Shut up."
Hekate crossed her arms and let out an exasperated sigh. Percy just kept his gaze locked on the train platform outside. Parents hugged and waved goodbye to their children as the Hogwarts train let out a long, bellowing whistle. Percy watched as the parents quickly pushed their children towards the red locomotive, and a series of hisses escaped from it.
Outside the door to Percy and Hekate's small room, students milled about talking as they meandered to find compartments to wait out their ride to the wizarding school of Hogwarts. Their silhouettes passed the duo's room, and not a single one paused to check the compartment for availability. Percy chalked their dismission up to whatever light Hekate flicked at the door the moment they entered the small sitting area.
The train blew one last whistle, then shifted, causing a shake to everything within the transport as it began to set off. The parents outside waved and called out to their children as they slowly faded into the distance. The green countryside of England began to dominate his vision, and already Percy was getting bored of the train ride.
"Why can we not just appear at the school?" he turned to Hekate, who was inspecting her black nails. "Like we did for the World Cup?"
She peeked an eye at him, "We are speaking now?"
"Why are we waiting on this train?" he asked again. "Like, is this necessary?"
"Immersing ourselves in the culture, remember?"
"Yeah," Percy remembered. He also remembered that this train ride would take close to eight hours. "Is this needed, though?"
"You are only going to attend one year here, and that means you only get to ride the train for your first time once. So yes. It is needed."
"It is boring already."
"What would you have me do, Perseus?" she sighed, dropping her hands into her lap.
"Can't you see the future? Shouldn't you already know what to do?"
"Doesn't work exactly like that. I don't know every detail along a path. I just know what the Fates allow me to know."
"Convenient, huh?" he snorted.
"Unbearably so." She rolled her eyes. "You know, while we are talking—"
"Oh great, here we go."
"—I just want to say how proud of you I am."
Percy cocked his head, confused, "What?"
"The other night. At the World Cup." Hekate took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to say. "I know that we are struggling to find common ground and that this is all new and uncomfortable for you. I-I just want to say I'm proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone. That you finally accepted to come with me on your own terms."
Percy shrugged, "Well, the versions of me you showed me didn't look all that desirable to live as for the rest of eternity."
"Then do you finally understand what I am trying to do for you?"
"Trying to get me to have fun?"
Hekate bobbed her head to the sides, back and forth, as she chewed on the proper words to say, "Not exactly, but I think it is apt enough."
"Just don't make me actually have to treat this place like a school, alright? You said some fun things were happening here. Let's just be watchers and not participants or students."
"Okay."
"On the Styx," Percy added.
Hekate frowned, "Do you not trust my intentions?"
"No. You are a goddess. I don't trust you at all. So far on this trip, you have shown a narcissistic complex that makes me fear I will be a whim of amusement for you. On the other hand, when you didn't want me to do anything, you had someone subdue me. I don't trust you at all. So, on the Styx. You will not take action to make me entertainment for yourself."
"I swear on the Styx."
"Good, now, are you sure you cannot make this train ride faster?"
She sighed, "No, Perseus. I will not."
"Why not? You are the literal goddess of this stuff." He gestured to the room around them. "I do not want to sit here for the rest of the day."
"Would you like me to tell you what you are supposed to be doing for this ride, then?"
"Oh, so you do know something of the future," Percy snarked.
"Would you like me to tell you what you should be doing here soon?"
"No. Keep your future." Percy stood up. "Don't tell me what I need to make happen, alright? Let me live this how I want to. Keep your crossroadian powers to yourself."
"As you wish." Hekate bowed her head while peeking at him from under the brim of her black oversized sun hat. "I will only inform you if the choice leads to you finding your fate locked as the wine-man's Jr."
"Okay. I think I can accept that then."
"I am happy for you, Perseus. I want you to know that. That these are not words I speak carelessly. I am happy for you. We have begun the first step of you becoming the person you once were before Tartarus and Gaia."
"Mercy!"
Percy's face darkened as he ignored the pleas of his memories, "And on that note, I am leaving you behind to go busy myself with something other than sentimental speeches from a being who doesn't know me."
Hekate frowned but didn't say a thing as Percy stormed off. She only stared at the door as it slid shut. A long sigh escaped her as she fell back into the seat.
"Baby steps," she muttered to no one.
Meanwhile, Percy put the goddess behind him as he aimlessly put distance between himself and Hekate. One door after another, he changed train carts, subtly hoping to find somewhere to eat.
He did pass more than a few individuals who gave him a weird glance, likely because they had never seen him before. A few gave him other stares that he quickly dismissed.
Percy kept walking until he hit what he presumed to be the front of the train, as there was no door forward when he gave the room a glance. Plus, the assembled kids inside gave him a weird look as he interrupted whatever meeting they were having. One about-face later, he was lunging into the next train cart to be out of sight of whoever would call out to him. He then kept the pace going, breezing back through carts with no destination. That was until three people blocked his path.
They looked like middle schoolers, somewhere in the awkward beginnings of puberty and dressed in the result of overindulgent spending. Two of the boys resembled more that of baby cyclopes than kids, but who knows how this wizarding world worked? Maybe half-breeds were common?
Percy really didn't care what the blonde child was prattling on about. He just wanted past them.
"Excuse me," Percy tried. The two baby cyclopes turned to him, showing their pairs of eyes off, but the other kid gave him half a glance before he resumed his tirade to whoever was in the cabin. "Just trying to get through here, kid."
The blonde boy turned on him, sneering, "Who are you calling a kid, you yank?"
Percy raised an eyebrow, "Dude, I am just trying to get by you. Just step inside with your friends for a moment and let me pass."
"They aren't my friends," the boy whined.
"We aren't his friends," echoed out of the compartment.
"Okay, my bad." Percy put his hands up in surrender. "Just let me by, and you can continue your talk with your acquaintances."
The blonde boy turned on Percy in full, "Who do you think you are ordering me around? Who even are you?"
"Someone getting fed up with all the schist in the world and trying not to take it out on a kid standing in my way."
"Are you threatening me?" the boy puffed out his chest.
Percy looked up, shaking his head, exasperated, "Please just move."
"I don't think I will."
"Right, last time. You move on your own will, or I will make you."
The blonde pulled his wand, "I'd like to see you try."
Children….
Percy lunged faster than the kid could cast and smacked his hand with minimal force. The wand clattered to the ground as the boy cried out in pain. Percy grabbed the boy's wrist and pulled him away from blocking the hall. The kid stumbled as he was thrown to the side. He tried to catch his balance before falling onto the carpeted walkway.
"I warned you," Percy spoke down to him. He turned to the other two boys, the quiet beefcakes. "We good?"
They looked at each other before nodding and hurrying off to scoop up their friend.
Percy shook his head, exasperated. He just wanted to walk by, honest. Now, he had to bully a kid to move.
"Wicked," one of the boys from inside the compartment cheered.
Percy turned to the children inside. The trio of two boys and a girl looked the same age as the kid he manhandled.
"Sorry for bothering you," Percy addressed them. He made to step away, but a "Wait!" from the girl inside pulled him back to the door. "What's up?" he asked her.
"I've never seen you before, and you are American," the girl asked. "Are you a transfer from Illvermory?"
"Uh, no."
"Then what magical institution were you at in America?"
"Uh, a special one," he tried to lie. "It isn't popular. You wouldn't know it."
"Salem?"
"No."
"Southern State Spells?"
"Is that even a school, Hermione?" the smallest boy asked.
"Yes, it is." She gave him a half glance.
"Look, no. I didn't go to Southern State Spells or whatever you'll guess next. There is, um, a special clause in our school charter, right? Like we aren't allowed to mention it to anyone but Alumni."
"Well, that just sounds stupid."
"It's a very private school in just about every matter."
"So you're rich?" the tall redhead asked.
"No."
"What does your family do?"
"Uh…. Boats?" he shrugged while leaning against the door.
"Boats?" Hermione frowned.
"Yeah, you know. Like boats and water, or at least my dad does. My mom, she's an author."
"Oh, Merlin, he mentioned books."
"Prepare yourself, mate."
"Oh my! What does she write? I probably have read it, and now I might be meeting one of my favorite author's kid. That would be amazing. What's her pen name?"
"Sally Jackson. She's writing The Perry Chronicles."
Hermione's face lit up, "That's your mother?
Percy blushed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah. She's great."
"In an interview, she said the story was based on her son, the bedtime tales she told you. So you are Perry?"
Percy laughed softly, "Yeah. Something like that."
"Can I have your autograph?"
"What?"
"What is 'Mione so on about, mate?" the ginger asked the smaller kid.
"Couldn't tell ya."
"Harry, do you not know about the most sensational book on the market right now?"
"I, uh, don't read like you do."
"I think you would like the book. The protagonist is a lot like you in a way, Harry."
"You mean, the bloke before us now is a lot like Harry?" Ginger observed.
The trio of kids looked at Percy and studied him before Ginger and Hermione looked at Harry.
"I mean, you both have black hair and green eyes. He could pass as your older brother if he tried."
"Or he could pass as my little brother," Percy countered. "I am the older one here unless he's secretly like twenty or something."
"I'm not."
"So what does bring an American to Hogwarts, especially as you don't appear a first year?"
"Well, it's complicated, really," Percy finished. He had hoped they would accept the answer, but the girl only leaned in closer. "I guess the short answer is that people think it will be good for me to change my scenery and try something new."
"Oh," Hermione frowned. "Well, the mountains around the school are breathtaking, and the Black Lake is nice to read a book by if that's your thing. Or the top of the astronomy tower, that is a really nice view."
"Did you just invite him to a snog in the astronomy tower?" the redhead recoiled, and Percy faltered. "We've only just met the man, and he's obviously older than us."
"No, Ronald," Hermione groaned. "I was saying that place is a good part of the castle to clear your mind and breathe fresh air."
"I'll keep those places in mind," Percy cut off the argument that was about to take place. "Thank you, but if you guys don't mind, I think I'm going to go find my friend. I'll see you guys around. Let me know if I need to toss that kid around again."
:P LINE BREAK d:
"So, since we are transfers, do we go where the big man is telling first years to go?"
"Yes. That is the route across the Black Lake. It has been ceremonial for new students to experience since the opening of the school," Hekate answered, stepping off the Hogwarts Train just behind Percy.
"We have to cross the water?" he followed up nervously.
She shrugged, "On a boat, obviously."
"Right." He nodded to himself. "You sure there is no other way? Like with the other kids?"
"Immersion, Perseus."
"Right…." He trailed off as he wiped his palms on his robes.
"Firs' years! This way!" the big bearded man yelled once more, waving a lantern above his head.
"Ladies first," Percy urged the goddess.
She shrugged and smoothed the invisible wrinkles on her black robes before marching forward. Percy sighed and adjusted his own black robes. The school outfit was one of the worst uniforms he had ever had to wear. It was way too baggy and heavy to be ever considered a quality getup.
The duo approached the big man and started down the path that the small children nervously began to take. The trail wove back and forth between trees and floating lanterns as they finally made it to the shoreline of the Black Lake. The black and grey stones crunched under his feet as Percy let his eyes drift across the water. He couldn't see the castle just yet as a thicket of trees covered much visibility from the cove where the small dingy boats awaited.
"Four to a boat. No more than that," the big man ordered.
The children quickly hopped to. They all found their boats and started conversations with those they found themselves in company with. In the end, only one boat remained, empty and waiting for Percy and Hekate. She easily stepped into the wooden raft and sat down without a problem, but Percy hadn't budged.
The water lapped near his feet, deftly avoiding his boots as if it avoided him of its own will. Percy could only stare at the pitch-black water…. He knew what would happen the moment he touched that boat. It would bend to his power. The lake would heel to his presence alone. All the power he feared would be closer than ever to his complete control.
"Young man!" the oversized man hollered from his own boat, where he sat alone. "It's not gonna 'urt ya. In you go."
Hekate looked to Percy at the man's words.
"Percy?" she asked in a softer tone than she had ever spoken to him before.
"Hmm?" he asked, never taking his eyes away from the water that lapped at the side of the boat.
"Will you join me?" she asked carefully.
"I think I want to walk around."
"Do you trust me?" Hekate stood from the boat as she stepped towards him. Her hands carefully took his.
"No. No, I don't."
"I made a promise to your mother that you would be fine. I did it on the Styx as well. Can you trust that?" she tried.
"Come on, you two! We are on a schedule," the big man boomed once more. Hekate gave him half a look as her eyes pulsed purple. Suddenly, all the first years and the man looked anywhere but at Percy and Hekate.
"It is just you and me, Percy," she tried again, filling his vision. "I know what you are fearing, but it will be fine. I swear."
"I haven't touched that power since that day."
"That's okay. This journey is all about this moment. These small moments are what I brought you here for. Out of your comfort zone, we shall step into your life once more so you can live again." One of her hands ghosted his cheek, her thumb wiping over his scar. "This is the first baby step to becoming yourself again. The fool who sent the gods Medusa's head. The man who befriended a hunter and earned the Huntress' respect. The young man who saved everyone."
"Can you stop me if the water changes me?" he met her stare. "Will you stop me if I have that episode again? I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Put your faith in me, Percy. Cross this lake with me and heal."
"But will you stop me?"
"Yes, Perseus. I will if I need to."
"Don't hesitate."
"Never."
"Baby steps… that is what you called it, right?" Percy looked down at the water that avoided his feet but lapped at the boat and Hekate's boots.
"One small step into this boat, one baby step at a time."
Percy gripped her hands a little tighter and nodded. Hekate rewarded him with a smile as she backstepped further into the water before pivoting to step into the boat. Their joined arms stretched to their furthest reach as he hesitated once last time before he stepped forward.
The water pushed away from his foot as he planted it to lift his other leg into the boat. Then that foot came down onto the wooden boards, and he felt it. He felt it all.
The lake was massive. It was deep and filled with underwater caverns and even a civilization. Within the water, there were creatures he had never felt the presence of ever before. There even was a squid as giant as a three-story house. Almost like magnets, he could feel every single molecule click together into one mass that heeded his mind, albeit it felt heavy.
The Black Lake was listening, waiting…. But the water wasn't bowing to him like the sea did. There was something more….
"Percy?" Hekate whispered.
Percy opened his eyes. He didn't even remember closing them.
"Your eyes, they glow so beautifully," she whispered in awe.
He looked at his reflection in the water and saw his divinity stare back. He tried to blink it away, but the glow refused to leave him.
"It is okay. We can sit down now. Magic will do the rest," Hekate tried to distract him as she pulled him down to sit. "Once we get around this bend, we'll see the castle in full, and she's beautiful." Hekate squeezed his hands once. "You here with me, Percy?"
He turned to her, "The water is wrong."
"What?" she frowned and threw a glance at the water.
"It feels wrong. It's water, but it feels thick. Like soup."
One of her hands left his as she carefully dangled her finger over the edge of the boat. She sent him a hesitant glance, and he nodded. Her black nail touched the water and a ripple of purple energy shot across it. He could feel her magik coat the surface of the entire lake as it slowly began to seep down. However, it only made it so many feet before it dissipated.
Hekate frowned as she shifted herself back to the center of her bench, "Do not touch the water, Perseus. Some other deity has polluted this water with their magik. I fear they would think you are trying to usurp them if you interact with this water any more than you have to."
"I think I already usurped them the moment I touched the boat. This water wants to be mine. I can feel it, but something is trying to hold onto it nonetheless."
"Then we best get to the other shore." Hekate snapped her finger, and the boat's magic headed her call. The small fleet of rafts accelerated as they safely but quickly rushed to the other end of the lake.
All the while, Percy kept one free hand on his pen and the other loosely holding Hekate's.
AN: Enjoy! Leave a review, follow, and favorite.
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-Manke