The Raptor Experiment

Chapter 5 - Same Script, Different Cast

"Well then. I hope that you aren't the only ones who are coming to this class." Professor said. "Most are almost late."

As if on cue, students burst into the classroom. They looked at the pile of weapons in confusion.

"Cool!" a guy shouted.

"That's wicked!" another shouted.

"I hate sharp things!" one exclaimed, while his friend facepalmed. 

"Quiet!" professor ordered. "Today, we're going to learn how to fight with weapons. Just in case your wands break or other bad situation happens."

"But I thought we were done with—" one kid started, but was cut off by the professor.

"There will always be danger in your life, whether you like it or not." Professor said. "It's about time you get used to it."

The class turned silent.

"Anyway, let's get started." the professor said. Then he turned to me. "Harry, do you know how to fight with swords?" 

. . .

"Percy!" I began searching for the guy. Then I realized that he must be teaching potions with Slughorn. I walked down to the dungeons and poked my head into the classroom.

"Hey Percy—"

A cauldron blew up near my face. A first year was gawking at his own concoction, which was all splattered across the room. It was starting a fire. Green fire.

"—and that's exactly what you're not supposed to do." Percy said. "You managed to conjure up a batch of Greek Fire. Nice. Everyone! Evacuate! I'll handle the situation!"

"Hey Percy, I just came for a request, and—"

"Sorry Harry, but please evacuate too. Or this super-duper concoction might accomplish what You-Know-who wanted to so badly."

"Okay. Never mind." I muttered. So I set off to find Annabeth.

. . .

"Hey Annabeth!" I called out.

"What's up?" Annabeth asked. She was sketching on a notepad of a complicated building.

"Not to disturb, but we really need someone to demonstrate the art of sword fighting in our class."

"Percy is busy cleaning after the first years, I suppose?" Annabeth asked.

"How'd you guess?" I asked.

"Just guessed." She said. "Let's get to it anyway. Can't keep students waiting to learn, can we?"

She picked up an ivory sword—Drakon bone sword as they called it—but thought better of it. Empty handed, she ran to the DADA room with me.

When I got to the room, the place was a mess. Kids were fighting over which weapon to get. One pair was even initiating a very dangerous game of tug-of-war, but instead of rope, they were using a double-pointed spear.

"Stop!" Annabeth shouted with certain authority that made it impossible to mess with. The class went silent.

"Number one, you are almost about to get gutted by a spear." she said, pointing to the tug-of-war pair. "Number two, are you going to stab an enemy with a handle?" she instructed to a kid who was holding a knife the wrong way. "Number three, you guys shouldn't be a bumbling band of baboons. As humans, we invented something called 'lining up,' so people who don't have their weapons yet, go stand to the pile they want."