For those of you who might need an extra smile today. As always, thank you all for the amazing support.

Chapter 14 – Brawls and Books

Too soon, Percy found himself back under the scaffolding on 72nd street. He had said goodbye to his mom and Tyson, and he had told his friend to stay hidden while he was with the man with the funny clothes. The official from the Magical Congress returned Percy's wand and pointed him towards glittering 2007 New Year's glasses likely left over from the ball drop a few days ago. Based on the wizard's fashion choices, Percy was surprised that he wasn't wearing a pair.

As the wizard counted down the last ten seconds to Percy's departure, Percy glanced at Tyson's box and tried to ignore how much he would miss his mom and the big guy over the next few months. At least Tyson had promised to stop by for dinner at least once a week to visit his mom. A whirlwind ride later, Percy stood in the now familiar portkey room in the Ministry of Magic. "Good to see you in one piece, Jackson," Ernie said with a big grin on his face as he waited by the door with his father.

Percy returned his friend's smile, finding the ache in his chest from missing his mom and new friend lessening as he said, "What can I say, even my dad's family takes a break from all the craziness during the holidays. It's not like they're monsters." Percy knew if Annabeth had heard him say that she would have rolled her eyes.

After the normal security scans, Percy left with the Macmillans and headed to the atrium. "So how are we getting to your house, more side-along apparition?" Since the Hogwarts Express did not leave until the morning, Percy would be spending the night with Ernie's family.

Mr. Macmillan shook his head, "No, side-along apparition with two underaged wizards is too risky and likely to get someone hurt. Instead, we are travelling by Floo powder."

By this point in his interactions with the wizarding world, Percy had learned to just accept all the crazy names and go with the flow or in this case the Floo. After one crazy spin ride through a network of fireplaces, Percy fell out of a fireplace onto a very plush rug. Overall, not as fun as a portkey but not as bad as apparating. He took in the wood floor, cozy yet antique styled furniture, chandelier, and decorative ceiling as he stood up and wondered if he had gotten out of the wrong fireplace until he saw Ernie with a little girl hugging him and Mrs. Macmillan behind them. Ernie's mother smiled at him and said, "Glad you made it without trouble, Percy. The first time using Floo powder can be so disorienting. Welcome to the Nest."

That was when Percy realized that Ernie was the equivalent of wizarding nobility, maybe not to the extent that Malfoy thought his family was, but still Ernie was probably the wizards' version of a lord or something. Besides his occasional pompous attitude and the fact that he had one of the nicer brooms on the market, Percy had no idea that his friend was so well off. Compared to Malfoy, he was downright humble. Ernie quickly introduced Percy to his little sister Anabella before helping him with his bags and leading him up the stairs.

"I know it's probably different than what you're used to," Ernie told Percy as they climbed the stairs to Percy's guest room. Percy was surprised that Ernie seemed almost embarrassed of his house. "You probably think it's drafty and old fashion and grandiose."

Percy thought back to his cozy apartment in New York and realized maybe Ernie had a point. "Yeah, I think my mom's whole apartment could fit in that room with the fireplace."

Ernie looked confused for a moment. "But I thought your dad . . . Never mind."

Clearly Ernie was too polite to ask about the money situation. Percy considered ignoring it, but there was so much that he couldn't tell his friends. At least he could tell his friend this. "My mom doesn't take his money. She's strong like that. And my dad's family, they don't really let people into their um houses very often. I actually haven't seen my dad's place, but my uncles' places are. . ." Percy trailed off as he remembered the garden made up of precious gems in Hades' palace not to mention Olympus. "Very grandiose," he concluded and quickly changed the topic. "But your home is really cool. My friend from camp would love this. She's really into architecture. Are there any secret passages?"

"Yeah, I'll show you the hidden stairs," Ernie told him with a grin.

The Macmillans were excellent hosts, and Percy enjoyed his dinner with them. Instead of eating in the grand dining room, which Ernie said they saved for holidays and his father's work dinners, they ate at a cozy little table in the kitchen. It was strange to have conversations about dragon policy and flying carpets at a family dinner, but Percy learned a lot about what it must be like growing up in a wizard family. To his surprise Ernie's mother was a Gryffindor and his father was a Ravenclaw. "I just thought you were all in Hufflepuff," Percy admitted. "Aren't families usually in the same house?"

"Not necessarily," Ernie explained. "Sure, you have some like the Weasleys and the Malfoys, but my family's a mix of all the houses and all the better for it since all the houses have their own strengths. My grandparents were in Hufflepuff though."

"I'm going to be in Gryffindor in five years!" Anabella declared.

Ernie rolled his eyes, "You are far too devious little sis. You're going to be a Slytherin."

"Well at least Slytherin is better than Hufflepuff," she replied and stuck out her tongue at her brother. "Auntie Lucy was a Slytherin, and she's so cool! Plus, Merlin was a Slytherin." Percy laughed. The whole exchange was just so normal except most nonmagical siblings did not bring up Merlin in arguments as if he was a real person like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or Hercules. Though Percy acknowledged that only his family would bring up that last one.

Whatever Mr. Macmillan did for the Ministry of Magic, he was important enough to reserve a ministry car to take Percy, all three Macmillans, and the luggage to the train station. Mr. Macmillan had mentioned side-along apparition, but Anabella had wanted to come. Ernie had also insisted that Percy needed to experience running through the barrier. Percy wasn't sure what that meant, but he was not complaining as he sat comfortably in the back seat of the old-fashioned green car with Ernie, Anabella, and Mr. and Mrs. Macmillan instead of dealing with side-along apparition. He figured there must be some kind of magic for all of them to fit in the back just like how the car seemed able to skip to the front of the traffic lines.

Once they arrived at the station, Ernie guided him to the barrier between tracks nine and ten. "The Hogwarts Express always leaves from platform nine and three-quarters," he informed Percy. "To get onto the platform, you just walk straight through the barrier. I'll go first." Percy watched as Ernie walked briskly to the brick divider and vanished. He supposed if this had been his first exposure to magic, it would have been surprising, but Percy had seen a chihuahua turn into the Chimera last summer. As he casually walked through a wall with his luggage, he felt like he was finally desensitized to the weird and bizarre.

After thanking the Macmillans for their kindness, Percy boarded the train and found an empty compartment to give Ernie time to tell his family goodbye. Like their son, the Macmillans liked to get to places early, so Percy figured the rest of his friends hadn't arrived yet. He was looking out the window for any sign of them, when someone knocked on the compartment door.

"Jackson, can we talk?" a familiar voice asked though Percy almost didn't recognize it since it only had a trace of its characteristic haughtiness.

Percy turned to face the blond boy, and he seemed to shift nervously on his feet with a package in his hands. "Sure, Smith."

Zacharias hesitantly took a seat across from Percy. It was weird to see the boy without his usual bravado. "I had all Christmas break to think about it," Zacharias started, "and I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left him. I just thought everyone was being over paranoid especially since you said Potter had tried to stop the snake from biting Justin. I just didn't take the threat seriously."

Percy was surprised that the other boy seemed genuine, like it had really been bothering him. "It's okay Smith. It wasn't entirely your fault." Percy admitted. "I've had some time to think about it too, and the main person to blame is the one who attacked him. Besides, I could have stayed in the common room with him instead." He had wanted to since Justin seemed so scared. But Percy had been so shaken by the Parseltounge discovery that he had needed to talk to Annabeth, and he had known that unexpected free period would likely be his only chance for a while. "We all know you're . . . you."

Zacharias snorted, a little bit of the obnoxious façade reemerging, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Percy remembered what Cedric had said and decided Zacharias could have a taste of his own brutal honesty. "It means you might not have our backs in a fight, but you probably won't stab us in the back either."

The other boy seemed to deflate. "You would never not have a friend's back, would you? If you had been the one to stay with him, you wouldn't have left Justin for any reason, even if it's daft since you could be a target too between getting on Malfoy's bad side if he's the heir not to mention your mother being a Sq – " he caught himself even before Percy could glare at him, "I mean not having magic."

"But then again, maybe Justin was targeted because I antagonized Malfoy," Percy admitted.

Zacharias just shook his head and said in an annoyingly sarcastic tone. "You can't blame yourself for everything, Jackson. Please leave some for the rest of us." Percy gave him a confused look since that wasn't the response he had been expecting from the other boy. Zacharias shrugged. "I always wondered why the Sorting Hat put me in Hufflepuff. I mean besides the fact that my father was one and claims we are distant descendants of Helga Hufflepuff, herself. I thought I'd fit in better with Ravenclaw like my mother or even Slytherin like her father. But maybe I was sorted into Hufflepuff, so I could learn this. The others aren't as brash as you, so thanks Jackson. They would have tolerated me as I am and not said anything, but I don't think I want to be known as the person who doesn't have his friends' backs anymore."

"Well as someone who is hopefully your friend, I'll say thanks in advance for all the back covering," Percy replied with a grin.

That familiar smirk returned on Zacharias' face, "Now, I didn't say I'd have your back Jackson. You're crazy and far too reckless and would likely get me killed just for standing in the same room as you."

Percy laughed, "Fair enough!"

Zacharias flashed one of those rare true smiles that Percy had only ever seen when he was flying and gave Percy the package he had been holding. "Happy late Christmas, Jackson."

Percy took the present but before he opened it, he pulled out a gift bag from his luggage and handed it to Zacharias. "Merry late Christmas, Smith."

Smith blinked in surprise at the tag. "It has my name on it."

"Yeah, that's another thing about me. I don't give up on my friends either. Unless of course they do stab me in the back," Percy replied as he opened up his present. It was a book about quidditch based on the cover that showed a zooming quaffle. "Thanks! I'm sure this will help me get ready for next year."

"Chucking the Quaffle is the best chaser strategy book out there," Zacharias explained. "I know you don't like reading much, so I found a book that has everything you need to know. You've got good instincts, but this will take you through all of the patterns traditional chasers use that aren't crazy and far too reckless like you." He opened his present from Percy and frowned. "Blue cookies! Are you trying to poison me."

"Just try one," Percy encouraged. At Zacharias' skeptical look, Percy reached out to take back the cookies, "Fine, I guess I'll take them back since at least I'll enjoy them."

Smith glared at him before snatching a cookie and taking a tentative bite. His eyes widened in surprise, and he reached for another cookie as he finished the first. "Merlin, Jackson! What did you put in this to make it so good?" he asked in between bites. "Ambrosia?"

It took Percy a moment to realize Zacharias was joking. That growing up in a pure-blood family, Smith likely had classical education including Greek mythology. "Oh, no Smith, I would only give you ambrosia if I was trying to kill you," he replied with a wink.

Soon after Ernie found the compartment with Susan and Hannah in tow. Despite his ADHD, Percy found that the ride to Hogwarts passed quickly, filled with catching up with friends and exchanging late Christmas gifts. However, they all avoided any mention of the Chamber of Secrets.

When they sat down for dinner later that evening, the Great Hall was extra loud as friends reconnected and shared the latest gossip. Percy looked towards the Gryffindor table and saw Harry and Ron sitting with the other boys in their year, but no Hermione. He wasn't the only one who noticed her absence. After making her rounds, Hannah sat back at their table towards the end of dessert. "Rumor is that Hermione Granger was attacked over Christmas break. That's why she's not here," Hannah whispered to their group. A sinking sensation filled Percy's gut. "Pavarti Patil said that there was no trace of her in their dorm room, and Cho Chang said the library was completely empty when she went to check out a book before dinner."

"Well, if that's true," Ernie whispered back, "it definitely narrows down the suspect pool for the Heir of Slytherin. Maybe, it really was Malfoy all this time."

Percy was about to march over to Harry and Ron and get some answers, but he felt like someone was watching him. He glanced to the staff table and met Dumbledore's eyes and a few seats down Snape was also glowering at him. He'd have to wait and intercept Harry and Ron later. He didn't want Dumbledore or Snape to think he was up to something with the Gryffindors especially since he had no idea what had happened with the Polyjuice potion. "I'll talk to Harry and Ron after dinner," Percy told his friends. "And I'll find out if they learned anything about Malfoy."

Percy waited a few more minutes before he left the Great Hall and headed up the stairs to the second level hoping to intercept Harry and Ron as they climbed up to whichever tower the Gryffindor common room was located. Percy only had to wait a little bit before he saw them coming towards him. He caught their eye and motioned his head to Myrtle's bathroom. As soon as Harry and Ron got to the chipped sink, Percy asked, "Is Hermione okay? Please tell me she wasn't attacked."

"No," Harry answered, "she wasn't attacked."

Ron grinned as he said, "She's in the hospital wing getting de-whiskered." Ron laughed as he added, "Sorry, it gets me every time I say that."

"What?" Percy asked.

Harry and Ron took turns explaining what had happened with Hermione mistaking a cat hair for Millicent Bulstrode's. "Unfortunately, I think your potion was like extra strength Polyjuice," Ron informed him. "It gave us an extra sixty minutes to find the Slytherin common room and question Malfoy, but it also made it worse for Hermione since Polyjuice isn't supposed to be used for animal transformations, so she's extra stuck though Madam Pomfrey is pretty sure she'll be back to normal in a few more weeks."

Percy sighed, "Well at least she wasn't attacked though I'm sorry she's extra stuck. I didn't know that was a possibility. Maybe next time I'll try and force the potion to limit the side effects."

"It's okay mate," Ron reassured him. "We don't blame you."

Percy glanced at Harry as he said, "Well that's a first."

Harry looked a little embarrassed as he apologized, "Look Jackson, I'm sorry I said those things. Now that I had time to think about it, of course you wouldn't have had anything to do with the attack on Finch-Fletchley. You were accusing me, and I just sort of lashed out."

Percy accepted the other boy's apology with a nod and added his own, "And I'm sorry for accusing you too. Though you have to admit," he said with a smirk, "the circumstances were very suspicious."

"What made you change your mind?" Harry asked like he genuinely wanted to know. "If it convinced you, maybe it could convince the rest of the school."

Percy shrugged, "Well when Hagrid said he was with you literally right before, I figured you couldn't have been setting a beasty on Justin and talking to Hagrid at the same time, and I don't think you would then be dumb enough to go and stand over Justin if you had. Plus, Dumbledore didn't think it was you either. Not to mention, based on all my interactions with you, you don't seem like someone who would do that, but you might have worse luck than even me when it comes to the Fates or universe or whatever wanting to give you a hard time."

"Yeah," Ron said shaking his head while smirking, "I don't think that will convince anyone: Harry's not the Heir of Slytherin because he just has the rottenest luck."

Percy laughed. "Probably not," he agreed. "I'm still working on the Hufflepuffs. I think I do have some of them convinced that it is Malfoy though a confession from him would definitely help. Where you able to get one?"

Ron and Harry shared a look before Harry said, "It's not Malfoy, and he has no clue who it is."

"Great," Percy muttered. "All that work for nothing."

"We did find out that the chamber was opened sixty years ago and that a muggle-born died that time," Harry told him. "Plus, the person responsible was expelled and sent to that wizard prison. It's not what we had hoped, but it's still something."

Percy tried to quickly do the math. Based on his estimate, there was a good chance that the last demigod wizards were finishing up at Hogwarts around sixty years ago assuming the gods didn't kill them all or force them to leave the school after Grindelwald's defeat. Maybe the monster was connected to his family somehow and his demigod smell had awakened the monster. Although, that didn't explain the bloody writing on the wall.

"We also learned where Lucious Malfoy, Draco's father, keeps all of his Dark Arts stuff in a secret room. I sent an owl to my dad," Ron told him. "He's been trying to prove that Malfoy lied about unwillingly supporting You-Know-Who for years."

"Malfoy's dad was one of those Death Eater people?" Percy asked.

"Yeah," Ron answered, "only he was able to go free because he claimed he was bewitched."

Percy grimaced. He hated how the rich and powerful got away with everything, like the bullies at his old schools. Not that the gods were any better. They had done some terrible things in the past and got away with it because they were gods. Percy forced that thought from his head. That sort of thinking sounded a lot like Luke, though Percy had to admit that he wasn't exactly wrong about how the gods behaved. Luke was just wrong with what he decided to do about it. "That explains a lot," he stated. "No wonder he hates your guts, Harry."

"Actually, he tried to be my friend initially," Harry admitted. "But I could tell right away that he was a slimy git."

Ron smirked. "And then Scabbers," at Percy's confused look Ron added, "my rat, bit Goyle when he tried to steal our candy, and they ran out of our compartment on the Hogwarts Express."

"I wish I could have seen that," Percy said with a laugh. "Might be worth carrying a rat around if it will bite annoying Slytherins."

A few weeks into term, Percy found himself wishing he had a rat for just that purpose. He was in the library retrieving a book to help him and his friends with their potions homework when he heard a familiar, annoying voice whisper, "Locomotor –" He instinctively lifted the book as he would a shield as his attacker finished the spell. "Mortis."

The curse hit the book and ripped the cover off causing it to literally start screaming. Percy pulled out his wand to retaliate, but before he could, a woman screeched, "What do you think you are doing?"

Madam Pince stormed towards him looking more murderous than even Mrs. Dodds. "Dueling in the library! Damaging books! I see you too, Mr. Malfoy. I highly doubt Mr. Jackson managed to blast the book himself while he was holding it. Both of you come here." Percy picked up the cover as he walked towards the librarian doing his best to look innocent.

"But –" Malfoy started to say before Madame Pince cut him off. "But nothing, Mr. Malfoy. Do you think I am an imbecile. I know you fired a jinx at Mr. Jackson. There's no one else around and certainly no one else quickly trying to shove their wands into their robes. Detention, tonight 7:00 pm and for the next three Wednesdays as well. Plus, banishment from the library for the rest of term."

Percy couldn't help it; he smirked at Malfoy. For once, it looked like the Slytherin wouldn't be able to weasel his way out of this one. "Stop smirking, Mr. Jackson," Pince demanded. "You have consequences for your actions as well. You are banned from the library for your mistreatment of books until spring break."

Now, it was Malfoy's turn to smirk. Percy was stunned. It was completely unfair. "I didn't do anything wrong. He attacked me. What was I supposed to do? Just let his jinx hit me." The librarian gave him a look that said, better you than one of her precious books. Usually at any other school, Percy would not have minded this particular punishment. However, now he needed the library to keep doing well in his classes, or he'd risk Hecate's wrath not to mention that he had not had the chance yet to look for magical snake monsters that could be the horror within the Chamber of Secrets. He couldn't believe he was saying it, but he asked, "Can't I just have a detention too and still be able to use the library?"

Madam Pince glared at him as she took the damaged book from his hands. "No Mr. Jackson. My banishment stands. Clearly, you do not respect the books. Hopefully by spring break you will learn that books are not shields."

Under Madam Pince's watchful gaze, Percy gave his friends a brief explanation of what had happened as he gathered up his belongings. Something in his chest tightened at his friends' outrage on his behalf. All of them, even Zacharias who had come over from his usual spot with the Ravenclaws to see what was going on, had promised to help him with his school work so his grades wouldn't slip. They all wanted to storm out of the library with him, but Percy pointed out that they should get as many books as they could before returning to the common room to do the work together. "It's okay guys. I'll meet you in the common room in a half hour, and we can do this potions essay there," Percy reassured them. The real problem though was that he couldn't ask them to look up snake monsters. He trusted his new friends, but Annabeth was right. If anyone else put together that the monster was a snake, both Harry and Percy would be the biggest suspects. If Dumbledore found out, he might expel either of them.

"Out Mr. Jackson," Pince demanded.

"Okay, okay," Percy said. "I'm going."

His friends shared a worried look that made Percy wonder if they had been talking about him while he had been getting the book. He was about to ask his friends what was wrong, when Hannah said "Please, wait for me outside the door, Percy. I'll go with you while the others get the materiel."

They were worried he might get attacked, and as he thought about it, he realized he hadn't truly been alone since he returned. He always had one of his friends with him. No doubt after they had lost Justin, they were extra worried about him. He knew his friends only did it because they cared about him, but it didn't stop the suffocating feeling in Percy's chest. Maybe it made him a bad friend to not wait for Hannah and make his friends worry, but at the moment, he just needed some space. Besides, he hoped the monster would come after him. He was so angry, he wanted to punch something. Since he couldn't punch the slimy git that caused this, he'd settle for a monster. At least he could decapitate that. If only, he could go to the forest to take out Riptide and let off some steam, but that would have to wait until later that night. Instead, he found himself heading to Myrtle's bathroom.

Percy didn't see or hear Myrtle when he entered the bathroom, but just to be sure he called out, "Hi Myrtle, just wanted to let you know I'm talking to my friend. If you feel up to it, we can catch up afterwards." He heard a gurgle from one of the toilets as confirmation and knew he'd have to watch what he said to Annabeth.

When Annabeth appeared in the mist, Percy immediately realized his mistake. He had been so angry and wanted to talk to Annabeth about another way to figure out the monster without the library that he had forgotten there was a time difference again, especially since he had last IM'd her when he was in New York. Annabeth seemed to be sitting in a busy cafeteria based on the noise Percy heard. Luckily though she was the only one at her corner table by the window. She hadn't noticed him yet because she was reading a book while taking bites from her sandwich. As Percy watched her, Percy realized for the first time that he had never considered what mortal school would be like for Annabeth. If he had, he probably would have assumed that she would be popular. After all she was Annabeth, extremely smart and good at practically anything she put her mind to. It wasn't until he saw her eating lunch all alone with only a book for company that he realized she might be lonely. Sure, no bully with even a single brain cell or a shred of self-preservation would ever try to bully Annabeth, at least not in the way they had Percy, Grover, or Tyson, but that didn't mean she'd necessarily have friends. He imagined that between Annabeth's intelligence, need to be the best at everything, and overall unnerving intensity, most mortals would be intimidated by her.

Before Percy could swipe through the mist to end the connection, Annabeth looked up from her book and saw him. "Percy what are you doing!" she hissed.

"Sorry, I forgot you'd be in school. I'll call back later," he told her.

Annabeth glanced around her and before Percy could disconnect, she asked, "Is everything okay? I don't think anyone's looking my way, so you have a few minutes."

Percy quickly explained what had happened in the library. When he finished, Annabeth was frowning at him. "What?" Percy asked. "Don't chew me out too for damaging a book."

Annabeth sighed, "Just remember Percy that any spell your classmates use probably won't kill you, not like our world. Couldn't you have just let it hit you and then do the counter curse?"

Now Percy was frowning. He hated how Annabeth's suggestions always seemed better than what he had done. It was annoying. "At least I didn't flip the bookshelf on top of him. That's what I really wanted to do," he said. "Now, are you going to keep telling me what I should've done or help me figure out how I can look up snake species without the library. I might have to tell someone, so they can look for me."

Annabeth twirled her hair as she thought. Then she got a familiar glint in her eye, which always meant she had an idea. Before she could tell him though, a panicked expression flashed across her face. "Someone's coming!"

Percy quickly waived his hand across the mist disconnecting the message. He glared at his reflection in the cracked mirror feeling even more annoyed. It could be a month before he got a chance to speak to Annabeth again, especially if his friends kept being overprotective. He was about to keep his promise to Myrtle when he heard the door creak open. Quickly, he dove into the nearest stall. He held his breath as he listened closely, hoping it wasn't Filch. A different stall door creaked open. He heard a splash, and then whoever it was ran out of the bathroom.

Percy waited a few seconds before opening his stall door, but there was no sign of the person. He was about to leave and see if he saw someone in the hallway, but then a toilet exploded and for once, it wasn't Percy.

Percy had never been more grateful for his water resistance as toilet water flooded the bathroom along with Myrtle's sobs. "Myrtle are you okay? What happened?" he asked.

Myrtle floated through the stall door translucent tears rolling down her face as she wailed, "Someone threw a book at me."

"What?" Percy asked wondering if he had misheard her.

"I was just siting in the U-bend thinking about death and waiting for you to finish talking to that Annie-girl," she hiccupped clearly enjoying telling her story. "And a book fell right through the top of my head. It's right there." She pointed at a small black book with the same distaste Percy had given Medusa's severed head.

Percy picked up the little soggy book. It looked like a small diary or journal, like one of the books his mother used to jot down ideas for her book. All he could make out on the cover was a faint year that told him the book was sixty years old. He opened it up and saw what looked like a name inked on the first page. It took him awhile to make out the letters in the dark without his glasses, but he finally deciphered T. M. Riddle. He quickly skimmed through the rest. The book was completely blank. "Did you see who threw this Myrtle?"

"No," she cried even harder before diving back in the toilet causing even more water to pour out on the floor. Sighing Percy looked around at the mess. He was standing in the only dry spot in the bathroom. Not wanting to draw any more attention to his secret IM spot, especially from Filch, Percy decided it would be best to clean it up himself. He closed his eyes and willed the water to flow down the sink drains before it could flood the whole second floor. Percy felt a familiar tugging in his gut, and when he opened his eyes, the water was quickly vanishing down the sinks. Glancing at the strange book again, Percy decided to take it with him.

In his experience, people didn't try to flush useless books down the toilet, particularly in out of order bathrooms. No, people only did that when they were trying to hide something. He also didn't think it was a coincidence that this book was bought the same year that the Chamber of Secrets was opened last time. After the year, he had he didn't believe in coincidences anymore. Maybe his friends would have a better idea on how to reveal this books secrets. Besides he needed to get back to them before they panicked and sent out a search party.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure when the next update will be though I have started on the next chapter. Hang in there.