Death of a hero, born as another
Percy Jackson AND Harry Potter crossover book/chapter 8: Going to the Common Room & entering it
[I changed Percy's name to Harry so it wouldn't clash with Percy Weasley's name. Pls don't mind it.]
As they walked out of the Great Hall, Harry couldn't help but wonder how crazy this year at Hogwarts would get. The castle was huge, and everything was so different from what he had imagined. There was magic everywhere, but it wasn't just the spells that amazed him—it was the sheer scope of everything, from the enchanted ceilings to the moving staircases.
The excitement was slowly wearing off, and the reality of school life was settling in. Suddenly, as they approached the 2nd floor via the Grand Staircase, Percy Weasley, who was leading them, came to a halt. The other first-years stopped behind him, their eyes scanning the castle nervously.
Percy turned around, lowering his voice to a near whisper. "Watch out for Peeves, the Poltergeist," he said, his tone serious. "He loves to cause trouble. Trust me, you can never trust him." He paused, eyeing the ceiling for any sign of movement. "If you see him, just ignore him and keep walking. If he gets really bad—well, just hope you don't have to deal with him."
With that warning hanging in the air, Percy suddenly spun around, his voice booming as he shouted up the stairs, "Peeves! Get away, or I'll call the Bloody Baron on you!"
A chilling cackle echoed through the hallway, and Harry's eyes widened as he saw a mischievous figure floating down from above. It was Peeves, who appeared to be enjoying himself immensely. "Ickle firsties! What fun!" he laughed, his tone dripping with mockery as he zoomed around the group. He was holding multiple walking sticks in his hands, twirling them like they were swords.
Harry stepped back slightly as Peeves swooped down toward them, his ghostly form making eerie sounds as he did. The Poltergeist hovered just above Neville, who was standing too still, and dropped the walking sticks directly onto his head. Neville flinched, startled by the impact, his face pale as he scrambled away.
"Peeves!" Percy shouted again, trying but failing to sound firm. "Leave him alone! You know better!" But Peeves only cackled louder and disappeared through the air, leaving a very shaken Neville hiding behind a nearby statue, muttering to himself.
The group gathered around Neville, giving him time to calm down. Some of the first-years exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to make of the chaos that had just unfolded. Harry, feeling a little better now that the immediate threat had passed, gently patted Neville on the back, offering him a small smile of reassurance.
After a few moments of silence, they continued on, making their way down the corridor toward the Gryffindor common room. The adventure of navigating Hogwarts was just beginning, and Harry found himself more excited than nervous now. He was here, at last.
They reached a portrait of a large, plump woman, her stern face softened by a friendly smile. Percy approached the painting and, with a flick of his wrist, uttered the words, "Caput Draconis."
The Fat Lady's eyes twinkled as the painting swung open, revealing the warm, inviting Gryffindor common room beyond. The sight that greeted them was nothing short of breathtaking. A roaring fire blazed in the hearth, its golden light spilling across the room and creating a cosy glow that bathed everything in its warmth. The large, plush armchairs, adorned with fluffy pillows, beckoned the students to relax.
Harry's breath caught in his throat as he took in the beauty of the room. It was everything he had imagined and more. The golden-red hues that dominated the space, the warmth that seemed to wrap around him, and the sound of crackling fire were all so welcoming. On the far side of the room, a set of spiraling staircases led up to the boys' and girls' dormitories, each one promising its own adventures and mysteries.
A few of the first-years exchanged awed looks, their faces lit up by the soft glow of the lamps. "Woah…" Harry breathed, unable to hold back his awe.
Percy gave a small smile, clearly proud of the house he had just introduced them to. "Welcome to the Gryffindor common room," he said. "It's not much, but it's home."
Harry nodded, feeling an unexpected sense of belonging. This, he thought, was just the beginning of something extraordinary.
And as the door to the common room swung shut behind them, the warmth and the magic of Hogwarts wrapped around them, as if to remind them that their true adventures were only just beginning.