Banished Into Magic: A Percy Jackson/Harry Potter Crossover

The Learning Curve

Percy rolled his eyes at the question. Didn't she know this was way beyond him? "Ah, I don't know?"

"Well, guess."

"Hmm... Regular mortal magic is weaker than divine magic?"

Hecate raised her eyebrows. "That's correct, but why?"

"Because...well divine magic is godly magic, and if magic comes from a person's soul, then obviously godly magic would be more powerful because it comes from the soul of a stronger being."

Hecate beamed. "Correct. And you said you hated theory."

"Well, you didn't make it boring, so I guess it was easier."

Hecate nodded. "I think I'm beginning to understand that the best way to teach you is through more interactive methods. Easily done. Now, you are correct, magic indeed comes from the soul. A mortals' magic is thereby significantly less powerful and different in nature. But, did you know that gods don't have souls?"

"Wait? Seriously?"

"Yes, we don't have souls. A soul would imply that a person could somehow die once that soul is damaged. But a god, well gods can't die now can we? We may occasionally fade, yes, but that isn't the same as dying."

"What's the difference?"

Hecate looked like she was trying to collect the right words to explain it to him. "Well you see, when I person dies they lose control of their soul. Meaning the soul begins to wander off, essentially going to heaven or hell, or even staying back as a ghost."

She continued. "Humans lose control of their souls after death. Gods however don't have souls, they are the very domains they control. In essence, they are nature itself given sentience, hence their magic doesn't just flow from them but from their domain."

Percy was shocked at the revelation. "Okay...but what about me? A demigod? Half man, half god? I have a soul right? And last I checked I can't draw power from domains."

"You see, Percy, demigods in general are the exception to just about every rule in the book." Hecate grinned at him pleasantly. "You lot have both brands of magic. Demigods have a soul like a human and the divine powers of a god. You can control water through your father's domain, meaning you can draw magic from that power source as well. And, as you are also magical, your soul is also a viable source for magic."

"So the reason demigods are powerful is because we can use both types of magic?"

"Right." Hecate sipped her tea. "But you see it's not just that. Your very soul is uniquely powerful as you are half-divine. Hence your normal soul-magic itself sets you apart from normal wizards, the divine magic you possess...well let's just call that a bonus."

Percy nodded in amazement. "Wow...so is there a way for me to access them both?"

"Well, your domain magic you can use already. That's essentially your control of water, though there is some added raw power in there as well. Your soul magic though, well that is a bit tricky. For that, you need a wand."

"So let's go get one!"

"Nope."

Percy sighed. "Worth a try."

They spoke more about magic and its impact on the magical world. Percy was shocked to hear how wizards and witches treated other magical creatures. Percy never himself treated anyone like that, he loved magical creatures.

After their tea was finished, Hecate brought Percy to the living room where she vanished the old chairs. She then summoned a wooden table and two chairs for them to use.