I saw a bunch of reviews (thank you all so much by the way) and was like, I should probably release chapter two. Reading over what my 4am self wrote, I am both proud and disappointed lol.
CHAPTER TWO: UNEXPECTED
"There are no wrong turns, only unexpected paths" - Mark Nepo
A few months had passed since that strange encounter in the Leaky Cauldron. Percy hadn't thought much about Dumbledore or the Order of the Phoenix after that day. Instead, he had settled into something resembling normal life in the wizarding world.
Well, as normal as things could get when you lived in an apartment above a bookstore in Diagon Alley with a winged horse.
Blackjack had adapted surprisingly well to the cramped living space. The apartment was small, with a low ceiling, but somehow the two of them had made it work. Blackjack often perched on the couch, his wings folded neatly behind him, while Percy tried to get used to magic, even when he wasn't actively using it.
On most days, Percy spent his time in the bookstore, flipping through texts, or wandering around Diagon Alley, trying to get the hang of simple wizard tasks like shopping for ingredients he didn't recognize or figuring out how to use magic without causing an explosion. He'd bought a few more books, some on basic charms and transfiguration, though his wand still felt foreign in his hand.
Reading magical books while dyslexic wasn't fun by any stretch of imagination, but a simple reading charm and he was set.
He was getting better, but it was slow going.
His life was uneventful, which, in Percy's world, was a relief.
It wasn't until one of those typical afternoons - Blackjack napping on the couch and Percy trying (and failing) to make a cup of tea with his wand - that things started to get interesting again.
The cup exploded. It wasn't a big explosion, but it was enough to send a trail of scalding tea splashing across the kitchen.
"Great," Percy muttered, waving his wand uselessly in an attempt to fix the mess. Blackjack opened one eye, snorted in amusement, and went back to sleep.
Percy sighed. He didn't know why he expected any different. Magic was stubborn, and he was no good at anything other than combat spells.
He waved his hand and used his powers to make the tea disappear and glanced out the window. The busy streets of Diagon Alley were bustling with witches and wizards hurrying to their destinations.
He shook it off and decided a walk would clear his head. Maybe he'd stop by Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for a treat and try to forget about his failed attempt at tea.
After a few minutes of walking through the crowded alley, that was when he saw it.
A familiar shape, towering and intimidating.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Percy frowned, hesitating at the entrance. He did need to open an account. He'd been putting it off for months, but he supposed now was the time.
With a reluctant sigh, Percy made his way up the steps and pushed through the giant, ornate doors of Gringotts. The inside was just as fancy as the exterior: marble floors, towering columns, and goblins bustling behind counters, counting coins and handling ledgers.
Percy paused for a moment, scanning the bank. He wasn't sure why he was here, but there was no turning back now.
A goblin at one of the counters glanced up at him, narrowed eyes studying Percy with obvious suspicion.
"Can I help you?" the goblin asked, his voice sharp.
"Uh, yeah, I need to open an account," Percy said, trying to sound casual.
The goblin's eyes flickered with something, though he kept his tone businesslike. "A new account, then? We'll need your identification."
"Right," Percy muttered, patting his pockets and realizing he didn't exactly have the usual paperwork for this kind of thing.
The goblin studied him for a moment before he spoke again, his voice low. "No identification? Very well. Please follow me."
Percy, feeling slightly more out of place than usual, followed the goblin through the busy hall of Gringotts.
The goblin gestured for Percy to hand over his wand. "We will need to verify your magical signature. For security."
Percy froze for a moment but then handed over his wand. It felt strange, like giving up a piece of himself. The goblin took the wand and waved it over a weird device on the desk. The machine hummed and blinked briefly, and the goblin nodded, though his expression didn't change.
"Interesting," the goblin said softly, more to himself than to Percy. "Unusual
magical traces. You have not yet fully assimilated into the wizarding world."
Percy wasn't sure what that meant. "Uh, yeah. I'm still getting the hang of things."
"Follow me," the goblin said again.
Percy did as he was told. He could see the vaults lining the walls, each one possibly containing treasures from all over the magical world. At the far end of the hall, they stopped at a large door, marked with a sign and several arcane symbols.
"We will need to verify your access," the goblin said cryptically, as he moved to a heavy stone mechanism beside the door.
"Access to what?" Percy asked.
"To the vault that has been set up for you."
Percy frowned, confused. "What vault?"
The goblin raised an eyebrow. "The vault of Poseidon."
Percy's breath caught. "What…?"
The mention of his father's name made him feel like the ground had shifted beneath his feet. He hadn't even thought about the fact that his dad might have a connection to the wizarding world. He didn't even know if Poseidon had a vault. But the goblin didn't look like he was joking.
"How do you know-"
The goblin held up a hand. "The magical verification, demigod. I could sense the power on you, so I simply confirmed it."
Percy had no idea what to say to that.
"Poseidon's vault," the goblin repeated, and before Percy could ask any more questions, the door swung open with a heavy groan, revealing a long corridor lined with magical wards. The goblin turned to Percy.
"Follow me," he said curtly.
Percy's mind was racing as he stepped into the corridor, the eerie silence of the vaults making him feel smaller and smaller with each step. Poseidon's vault? How did Poseidon even have a vault in Gringotts? And why hadn't he known about it before?
As the goblin led him deeper into the vaults, Percy tried to shake off the unease that was creeping over him. His life had always been strange, but this was a whole new level of weird.
They stopped in front of a large, ornate door. The goblin turned to him.
"Your father's vault," the goblin said. "You have access. It is your right."
Percy hesitated. "What's inside?"
The goblin's eyes were unreadable. "Treasures, artifacts, coins."
With that, the goblin turned the key, and the door creaked open. Percy's heart skipped a beat as he stepped inside, unsure of what he might find.
The vault was enormous, much larger than anything Percy had expected from a bank vault. Inside, the stone walls were etched with symbols of the sea - waves, tridents, and creatures that seemed to shift ever so slightly when he wasn't looking directly at them.
The goblin, as if reading Percy's surprise, gave a small grunt. "Your father's influence is... significant. But you needn't worry, young Jackson. Everything here is yours."
Percy's eyes widened as he took in the sight. Piles of gold, shimmering silver, and jewels glittered in the dim light.
"You said I could take whatever I need, right?"
The goblin's eyes narrowed slightly, but he gave a curt nod. "Indeed. Within reason."
The vault was filled with shimmering Galleons, sickles, and knuts, more money than Percy had ever seen in his life. He hesitated before grabbing a small pouch and filling it with coins.
Ok, a huge pouch. Sue him. He was trying to pay his rent, and his father had a fortune right here. Poseidon was a god, he wouldn't miss a few Galleons.
Percy felt a strange pull toward one of the shelves tucked into the far corner of the vault. It was filled with various magical items, most of which looked too complicated or too dangerous for him to even consider.
But then his gaze fell on something that stood out from the rest: a large shield. It was a bronze, much like his sword, and it caught the light. The center was emblazoned with a symbol he recognized - a trident, just like the one on his father used.
And the trident was blue.
Win.
Without thinking, Percy moved toward the shield and ran his hand over the smooth surface. It was surprisingly light.
"You're taking that?" the goblin asked, his tone skeptical.
Percy didn't answer right away. His fingers traced the edges of the shield, feeling its faint warmth beneath his touch.
"I think I'll take it," he said, his voice firm.
The goblin grunted in what might have been approval or mild annoyance. "Very well. The shield is yours."
Percy carefully lifted the shield from its stand and strapped it onto his back. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made just for him.
With the shield securely on his back and a pouch of gold clinking in his bag, Percy turned toward the exit.
"I'll be going now," he said to the goblin, though his mind was still racing.
The goblin gave a sharp nod but didn't say anything as Percy walked out of the vault. The cool air of Gringotts' marble floors hit him as he passed through the grand hall, and for the first time since he'd entered, he felt like he was starting to make sense of this new life. The money would come in handy, but it was the shield that felt like the real win here.
As he left the bank, Percy slung the shield over his shoulder and walked out into Diagon Alley. The hustle and bustle of the wizarding world continued around him.
Percy still didn't know what he was meant to do here. But as he walked back to his apartment, with Blackjack following behind, he felt a strange sense of determination.
TPIM
Percy was enjoying a walk in Knockturn Alley.
Yeah, it might have been Diagon Alley's more crime-ridden counterpart, but it was much more quiet.
Percy enjoyed the peace and quiet, much more than he used to, at least. Tended to happen when you died, he mused.
He strolled through Knockturn Alley, the muted hum of shady dealings and hushed conversations filling the air. The dim-lit street was a contrast to the bustling chaos of Diagon Alley, and Percy found himself oddly drawn to its quiet.
He didn't exactly come here often, but today, something about the shadowed alleyways felt... right. Maybe it was the way people didn't gawk at him, or maybe it was just that no one cared enough to ask questions. He could blend in here, no awkward stares, no overly cheerful shopkeepers asking if he needed help finding something.
Blackjack had refused to follow him into Knockturn Alley. The winged horse had given Percy a flat nope with a disapproving snort and stayed behind at the edge of the alley, perched on a roof like a gargoyle.
"Suit yourself," Percy had muttered before walking in.
Now, as he passed stalls selling dubious potions and cursed trinkets, he kept his hands shoved into his pockets and his senses sharp. The shield strapped to his back gave him a strange sense of comfort.
That was when he got attacked by an Auror.
Ok, attacked might not have been the word for it. The pink-haired woman ran into him, swearing as she fell.
Percy staggered back, caught off guard as the woman tumbled to the ground in a blur of pink hair and dark robes.
"Bloody hell!" she muttered, scrambling to her feet with the kind of grace that suggested this wasn't the first time she'd tripped over herself. "Watch where you're standing, yeah?"
"Standing?" Percy shot back, his brows furrowing. "You ran into me!"
The woman dusted herself off, looking at him with mischievous eyes. "Details, details."
She straightened, and for the first time, Percy got a good look at her. She was young, probably only a a year or two older than him, and her hair, pink as a neon sign, was short and spiked, standing out like a sore thumb in the grimy shadows of Knockturn Alley.
And she was armed.
Her wand was already in her hand, her grip loose but ready, like she was sizing him up just in case. Percy's instincts flared, and his hand twitched toward his pocket where Riptide sat disguised as a pen.
"Relax," she said, noticing his tension. "I'm not here to hex you. Yet."
"Could've fooled me," Percy muttered.
She raised her arms in surrender. 'Ok, ok, my fault." She stuck out a hand. "Tonks. And you are?"
He clasped her hand in his own. "Percy Jackson."
Suddenly, a blur of black feathers crashed into Tonks, sending her sprawling to the ground for a second time.
Percy sighed. "Of all the times, Blackjack…"
Tonks groaned from the ground, glaring up at the feathery assailant - a very smug-looking Blackjack.
"What the-" she sputtered, trying to sit up, but Blackjack hooted loudly and flapped his wings in protest, keeping her pinned.
"Blackjack!" Percy said sharply, stepping forward to grab the horse by the scruff of his feathery neck. "Get off her!"
Blackjack reluctantly hopped off, his hooves clicking against the cobblestones as he stared at Tonks, clearly unimpressed.
Tonks sat up, brushing soot off her robes with a scowl. Her eyes widened in awe. "Whoa… is that a-?"
"A pegasus," Percy finished flatly. "Yeah."
"No-one's seen a pegasus in over three hundred years!"
Percy laughed. "This," he said, "is Blackjack. And he usually has better manners."
Blackjack let out a derisive snort, tilting his head as if to say, You're welcome for saving your sorry butt.
"Right." Tonks climbed to her feet, wincing as she adjusted her robes. "You didn't tell me you had a flying, homicidal, attack pegasus."
"He's, uh, special."
Tonks raised an eyebrow, her gaze darting between Percy and Blackjack. "Special, huh? That means he likes to tackle people for fun?"
"No, he's just... protective." Percy glared at Blackjack, who neighed innocently. "And apparently has no concept of subtlety."
"Protective, sure," Tonks said, dusting off her robes again. "Next time, maybe warn him I'm not a threat before he tries to crush me?"
"I would've," Percy muttered, "if I'd known he was going to dive-bomb you like that."
Blackjack looked completely unapologetic.
Tonks sighed, her earlier annoyance giving way to reluctant amusement. "You've got quite the entourage, Percy Jackson. A shield on your back, a pegasus, and a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Yeah, well," Percy said with a shrug, "it's a gift."
Tonks gave him a long, appraising look before breaking into a grin. "You're trouble, aren't you?"
"Trouble tends to find me," Percy replied, deadpan.
She laughed, the sound echoing through the alley. "Alright, Percy Jackson. You've got my attention. What's a bloke like you doing in Knockturn Alley with a homicidal pet and a chip on his shoulder?"
Percy hesitated. "Just... talking a walk. I like it here. It's quiet."
"In Knockturn Alley?" she asked, clearly unconvinced. "You've got some weird hobbies, mate."
"Maybe I like the peace and quiet," he retorted.
Tonks barked out a laugh. "Peace and quiet? In Knockturn Alley? You must be new."
"Something like that." Percy muttered.
Tonks raised an eyebrow at his vague response, clearly not buying it. "Right. New or not, you've got guts walking around here with that on your back." She nodded toward the shield strapped across his shoulders. "Doesn't exactly scream 'don't mess with me' so much as it screams 'valuable loot.'"
Percy shifted his weight, casually adjusting the strap of his shield. "I can take care of myself."
Her grin widened. "Oh, I don't doubt it. Not with Pegasus-boy over there keeping watch." She tilted her head toward Blackjack, who was now preening his feathers like he hadn't just flattened her moments ago.
Blackjack neighed softly, as if smugly agreeing. Percy rolled his eyes. "Don't encourage him."
Tonks smirked but kept her gaze on him, her expression growing slightly more serious. "Still, you might want to watch your back, Jackson. Knockturn Alley's not exactly the best place for a casual stroll, even if you can take care of yourself."
"I'll keep that in mind," Percy said dryly, clearly wanting the conversation to end.
She didn't budge, her curiosity still piqued. "You sure you're just out for a walk? Not here for some shady dealings? A cursed artifact? A... potion to make your flying horse even worse?"
Percy let out a short laugh despite himself. "No shady dealings. Just... needed a break from the crowds."
Tonks studied him for a moment longer, then shrugged. "Fair enough. Just don't let the locals catch you looking too comfortable. They'll think you're competition."
"I'll survive," Percy replied.
"Sure you will," said Tonks, walking away. "See you round, Jackson."
Percy muttered a goodbye and set off.
After a few minutes of walking in silence, Percy decided to steer Blackjack away from the alleyway and toward a quieter side street. He thought about his encounter with Tonks. It wasn't every day he met someone like her - charming, unpredictable, and annoyingly perceptive.
"Alright, Blackjack," Percy said, "let's grab a drink. I need something stronger than water."
The pegasus gave him a look but continued to follow as Percy led the way down a narrow lane, the warm glow of lanterns casting shadows along the cobblestone path. He found a small, inconspicuous door tucked away between two old shops. A sign above read, The Nox Tavern in faded letters. It wasn't exactly a lively place, but it was secluded, and Percy had been here before.
"Stay out here," Percy told Blackjack, giving the horse an exasperated look. "I'll be back before you can start any trouble."
Blackjack snorted and nudged Percy with his wing, as if to say I'll be fine.
Knowing Blackjack, he probably meant that he just wanted donuts.
With a sigh, Percy pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The low murmur of conversation filled the air as a few patrons scattered across the dimly lit room. A couple of witches and wizards sat at a table near the back, while an old bartender polished a glass behind the counter. The air smelled faintly of tobacco smoke and aged whiskey.
Percy nodded to the bartender, who gave him a knowing look, as though he recognized him from his last visit. "What'll it be today, lad?" the bartender asked, his voice gravelly.
"Firewhiskey," Percy said, sliding a few coins across the counter. "That'll be all."
The bartender grunted and started mixing something with practiced ease. Percy tapped his fingers on the counter, letting his gaze wander over the place. It was quiet here.
Here, no one cared about his name or his past. He could just... be.
"Here you go," the bartender said, sliding a glass of amber liquid toward him. "On the house, since you're a regular."
Percy gave a brief nod of thanks, then tossed back the drink in one go. The warmth of the alcohol spread through him almost instantly, relaxing his tense muscles. It was hot, he noted idly.
Lucky he was a son of Poseidon, because this was strong stuff.
He set the glass down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "That's better."
As he sat back in the chair, letting the drink settle in his stomach, a voice broke the quiet.
"Percy Jackson."
He turned slowly, surprised to see Tonks standing just inside the door.
"What are you doing here?" Percy asked, his voice half-amused, half-surprised.
Tonks grinned. "You think you're the only one who needs a drink? Thought I'd stop by here."
"Well, you're not unwelcome company," Percy replied. "How've you been?"
"Pretty good," she said, walking up to the bar and nodding at the bartender. "Same drink as last time, cheers."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "You come here often?"
"Not as often as I should," she said with a wink, taking a seat beside him. "But it's the perfect place to wind down after a long day of Auror work. You know, hunting down criminals and all that."
Percy leaned back in his chair. "Thrilling."
She rolled her eyes. "Thrilling? More like exhausting. But hey, it pays the bills." She glanced at him, her grin widening. "So, what's the deal with you, Jackson? You always hang out in places like this, or is Knockturn Alley just part of your charm?"
Percy took a sip from his new glass, feeling a little more at ease. "Not really. Just... needed a break, I guess."
She nodded. "Fair enough."
Percy set down his firewhiskey. "So, what's been going on, Pinky?" Tonks spluttered indignantly at the nickname.
"Pinky?" Tonks echoed.
Percy smirked, feeling a little bolder with the warmth of the firewhiskey coursing through him. "Well, it's better than calling you 'Auror' all the time, right?"
Tonks rolled her eyes dramatically. "You're lucky I like you, Jackson. But fair enough. Keep calling me Pinky, and we'll see if I don't come up with a few nicknames for you too."
"Oh, I can hardly wait," Percy said dryly, taking another sip of his drink.
Tonks leaned back in her seat, glancing around the tavern. "So, how's life treating you?"
Percy chuckled. "Pretty good." He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "What about you? It sounds like you've got your hands full with the whole 'Auror' gig."
"'Course. Keeping busy, y'know?"
"Well," Percy said, "at least you've got a nice place to come unwind. Not every day I get to share a drink with an Auror."
Tonks raised her glass with a grin. "Not every day you get to share a drink with a pink-haired, metamorphmagus Auror, either. I'm practically a unicorn, Jackson."
"You're a metamorphmagus?"
She nodded, and grinned wider, her features shifting slightly, her nose elongating and her hair turning a vibrant purple.
Percy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's... pretty impressive."
Tonks grinned wider, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Not everyone can do it, but it's fun to mess with people sometimes." She shifted her posture slightly, and in a blink, her hair turned from bright pink to a deep shade of blue. "Pretty impressive, eh?"
Percy blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "That's... honestly kind of awesome."
She gave a small shrug, clearly enjoying his reaction. "It's useful. Especially when you need to blend in or confuse someone." Her hair shifted again, this time to a striking shade of green. "Makes sneaking around easier, too."
"Yeah, I bet it does," Percy said, leaning in with a smirk. "So, what's your favorite color to be? Or do you just change it based on your mood?"
Tonks chuckled, and her hair flickered back to its usual pink. "It depends. I'm partial to this one, of course. But sometimes, it's nice to mix things up. Keeps people on their toes."
"You see?" Percy said. "Pink's your favourite, which means Pinky's the best nickname."
She sighed. "I walked right into that one, didn't I?"
He laughed.
Tonks raised her glass in a mock toast.
Percy clinked her glass. He glanced at Blackjack, who was still waiting outside the tavern, looking like he was guarding the place.
Tonks tilted her head toward the door, catching a glimpse of Blackjack.
"You know," she said, her tone shifting slightly. "I might need to meet that horse of yours. Sounds like he's got a bit of an attitude problem."
Percy chuckled, shaking his head. "That's Blackjack. You're not wrong."
"Good," she said with a wink. "Maybe we'll see who's the bigger troublemaker."
The two shared a laugh, the clink of their glasses ringing in the air as Percy realized, for the first time in a while, that maybe he wasn't so alone in the world after all.
TPIM
Percy and Tonks became fast friends.
Their bond grew easily over shared moments, simple yet full of unexpected turns. Percy didn't often find himself getting close to people, not for lack of wanting, but because of the… things that tended to follow him. But with Tonks, it was different. She didn't care about who he had been, or his secrets. She saw him for who he was in the moment - someone who needed a friend, a laugh, and a bit of normalcy.
As the days passed, their encounters became more frequent. Sometimes it was an accidental bump in Knockturn alley, or a chance meeting on the streets of Diagon Alley. But more often than not, they'd find themselves at The Nox Tavern, where the dimly lit atmosphere felt safe, and the quiet buzz of conversation offered the kind of peace Percy craved.
Tonks would tease him about his 'attack pegasus' and the shield on his back, both of which he'd grown accustomed to. Blackjack, for his part, had reluctantly accepted Tonks' presence, though he still wasn't thrilled about her antics. But even Blackjack couldn't stay mad for long, especially not when Tonks would make an effort to sneak him the occasional treat.
And through it all, their easy banter and moments of unexpected camaraderie became something Percy didn't realize he needed.
"Tell me something, Jackson," Tonks said one night, swirling her drink idly.
Percy looked up from his own glass, intrigued. "Like what, Pinky?"
Tonks smirked, her eyes gleaming with the same mischievous spark that had first drawn him to her ."Something real, Jackson," she pressed, leaning forward slightly. "Not the usual 'my life's a wreck' routine. Everyone's got a wrecked life. Tell me something... you know, interesting. What's the one thing you've never told anyone?"
Percy raised an eyebrow, his mind immediately going to the list of things he definitely didn't want to share. His family's mess, the times he'd nearly died, the prophecies, Tartarus, and the gods who loved to screw with him. Those were the stories he kept to himself.
He took a long sip of his drink, avoiding her gaze. "I'm not a fan of revealing my secrets," he muttered.
Tonks wasn't buying it. "Oh, come on. I've told you about my career mistakes, my hair disasters, and the time I thought I could pull off a full moon prank in front of the wrong werewolf. You've gotta have something embarrassing, something I can laugh at."
Percy looked at her, studying the glint in her eyes. She wasn't going to let it go, was she?
"Alright," he said, finally giving in with a reluctant grin. "Something embarrassing. But you have to promise not to tell anyone."
Tonks raised her drink in mock solemnity. "Scout's honor."
"Yeah, yeah." Percy leaned back in his chair, eyes flickering as he recalled a memory he'd rather forget. "So, when I was, like, twelve… I got stuffed in a toilet."
Tonks blinked, caught off guard for a moment, before she burst into laughter. "You... got stuffed in a toilet? How does that even happen?"
Percy groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up."
Tonks was laughing so much her cheeks were as pink as her hair. "No, seriously, how do you even manage that."
"There was this kid at a summer camp I went who thought it'd be funny. She was one of those big kids, you know, the ones who think picking on others is a sport. And I was the new kid, so naturally, I was a target."
She leaned in, eyes wide with curiosity. "Go on."
"And so I was forcefully dragged to a nearby stall. But the toilets contained water. And I had just learned how to do magic…" Percy trailed off.
Tonks's eyes widened. "Oh, no. Please tell me you didn't."
Percy sighed, already feeling the heat creeping up his neck. "Yeah, I did. I thought if I could use a little water magic to get out of it, maybe I could flood the stall, maybe even knock her off her feet."
Tonks's eyes were practically sparkling now. "Wait. You tried to flood a toilet to escape?"
Percy winced. "Well, not just the toilet. The whole bathroom. I was hoping it would, you know, cause some havoc, make her slip or something. I didn't think it through."
Tonks put a hand over her mouth to suppress more laughter, but it still leaked out between her fingers. "How did that go?"
"It was a disaster," Percy muttered, feeling the memories flood back. "The bathroom exploded. Everyone in a twenty-metre radius was drenched."
Tonks snorted. "That's priceless. 'Toilet Boy' is officially my favorite nickname for you."
"I prefer 'Supreme Lord of the Bathroom', thank you very much."
Tonks grinned and shook her head. "Hey, then, Mr Supreme Lord of the Bathroom, at least you've got a good story now."
Percy couldn't help but laugh.
Tonks raised her glass in a mock toast. "Here's to the mighty Toilet Boy, defender of all bathrooms."
Depsite the teasing, Percy felt content.
With Tonks, he could just be Percy Jackson. And that was enough.
Weeks and moths passed, and the would keep meeting at The Nox Tavern, clinking glasses and swapping stories, each one a little more personal than the last. For once, Percy didn't mind the loud.
Maybe he'd found something worth holding onto.
I actually need to work on my pacing. But it's whatever.
Some of you may be glad to know I finished my exams! Meaning I can finally go back to regular updates. (Sorry to readers of The Wisdom of Water, I really neglected that fic).
Review responses:
WhiskeyTangoFoxTrot501: Lmao, thank you so much! Glad you like my works man.
Robotdocter: Yeah, The New Gamekeeper is awesome. Here's hoping this fic is nearly as good. Ponks supremacy!
surya25addanki: Yeah, I expand a bit more in later chapters.
General Jackson: Ok, thank you for the critique. I fixed the money thing (Percy instead uses the Mist to pay). The Dumbledore thing is kinda needed for the plot though. Glad you like it though!
Guest: Yeah, that's why I was writing this.
Camrin Finnerrty2: Hope you like this chapter.
anaklusosdude16: Shhh, secret.
Violinner24: Thank you!
Wrixel: I'm so glad you like my writing! Blackjack supremacy for the win. Yeah, I know that the whole 'Dumbledore knows all' thing is annoying, but I need to bring Percy to the Order, so it is needed.
That's all guys! Thoughts?