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This was... weird, to say the least, and Percy had been through weird stuff before.
He was not only a demigod, but it turned out he was a wizard, too. It’s funny, Annabeth had joked, When I think of a wizard, I think of an old man with a long beard and a staff, not you.
Ha, yes, very funny.
Percy leaned against the side of the boat as it plowed its way toward London, Annabeth next to him, her blonde hair flowing in the wind. Percy looked over at her and gave her a small, suspicious glance. "So... why are you coming with me? You're not a wizard either... are you?"
Annabeth gave Percy a small, teasing smile. "I'd be a witch, Seaweed Brain, and no, I'm not." She leaned farther onto the railing. "I'm coming because I want to look at the Neo-Gothic architecture that London is famous for."
Percy raised an eyebrow, shifting slightly against the metal railing, which felt uncomfortable against his arms. "So, while I'm in school, for almost a whole year, you'll be looking at some old buildings...?"
Annabeth gave a snort at that, her grey eyes giving Percy an unimpressed look. "Well, Percy, some of us enjoy looking at things that aren’t constantly trying to kill us. But don’t worry—if you get bored, I’m sure Hogwarts has a library full of books you could read. Maybe even something not about monsters for once."
Percy shook his head, turning to look at the water. "Nah, I’d rather read about monsters some more. Monsters are cool."
They stood there, side by side, as the boat continued toward London—toward Percy’s new school.
Percy tested that thought. A new school... A school that teaches magic.
Percy shook his head in amazement.
Wow.
Sure... last year he had gone to the Sea of Monsters, but this was different.
A magic school. Being a demigod AND a wizard.
…
What is he getting himself into?
~~`~~
Albus was having... a rather regular day, before the message came.
It hadn’t been a particularly unusual evening. He had been sitting in his office, staring out the window, his mind wandering. The silence was occasionally broken by Fawkes’s feathers rustling. He had been thinking about the day they'd just had, and what had been happening in the wizarding world—and at Hogwarts in general.
Sirius Black had broken out of Azkaban, Dementors had arrived at Hogwarts, and Remus Lupin had begun teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.
At first, Albus hadn’t noticed it. It wasn’t until the contacter had cleared his throat that he saw...
Well, he wasn’t quite sure what he was seeing.
It was a shimmer of mist, a rainbow running through it, and in the middle was the face of a man, like a reflection.
Except the man wasn’t Dumbledore. The man was middle-aged, with bushy brows and a well-trimmed beard.
“Are you Albus Dumbledore?” the man asked politely.
“Yes, I am. And you must be...?” Albus replied, his voice calm as he studied the strange message.
What kind of magic was this? No spell he knew was like this.
“My name is Chiron.”
Albus let out a small hum, smiling knowingly. “Well, that’s peculiar. Isn’t that the name of the mentor of demigods in Greek mythology?”
Chiron gave Albus a quick, small smile. “Dumbledore, I have a request—”
“Oh please, call me Albus,” Albus interjected, hoping Chiron would notice how friendly he was trying to be. “What is it you need, Chiron?”
`The other man sighed. “I have a student of mine on his way to London. I was hoping...”
“That I would allow him into Hogwarts?” Albus mused, an eyebrow raised.
“Yes.”
“Why, of course. What is his name?” Albus continued, keeping the conversation flowing. He needed to know who he was bringing to Hogwarts.
“His name is Percy Jackson. He’s 13.”
“So, he’d be in the 3rd year,” Albus said, nodding.
There was a brief pause before Albus glanced over at Fawkes.
“When will he be arriving?”
“Probably tonight.”
“Alright.” Albus smiled. “I’ll have one of the professors pick him up.”
Chiron nodded his tense shoulders giving off an air of confusion, even through… whatever this was.
The message—or mist—dissipated.
Albus would call for one of the professors, but his mind was occupied.
He continued to think about the message. It was clearly some type of magic, but... he didn’t know any spell like that. There were spells like that, sure, but nothing exactly like that.
“How strange,” Albus muttered to himself.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Percy stood near the street, hands shoved in his pockets. Annabeth had told him to wait, saying that someone would probably come pick him up, and escort him to the school. So.. He was waiting... All alone.
A few cars passed on the road every now and then, but other than that, the street was empty except for Percy.
Annabeth had left a few minutes before, talking about how she needed to get to a hotel before they stopped entering guests for the night.
His suitcase was propped up next to him, he was fiddling with the ballpoint pen in his pocket. It was more of a habit to hold Riptide when he was alone.A breeze cut through the street, the trees near Percy rustled, and it ruffled his hair.
The breeze soon stopped.
Pop.Percy jumped, looking around.
A stern looking woman stood right next to him.She wore emerald, green robes, a pointy hat, and glasses rested on her nose.
She hadn't been there a moment ago.
Percy's grip tightened on the pen in his pocket, he stared at the woman.
Where did she come from..? Is she a monster?The woman glanced over at Percy.
"Good evening, Mr. Jackson." Her voice was heavily accented, and her stern eyes reminded Percy of Ms. Dodds. "I am Professor McGonagall from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I will be your escort."
Percy's grip relaxed on Riptide, he was still wary but..She gave him one last look before turning and walking away.
"Hey-! Wait up!" Percy grabbed the suitcase by the handle and hurried after her.
She walks really fast.